TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Architectural Review Board
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-1216
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Teachers Lounge
60 Sheffield Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, David H. Wight, called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman Bette Del Giorno, Secretary
Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs
Kingman Snow
Frank Vinciguerra
Guy Pendleton
III. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Bead It, LLC” Sign
48 Main Street, (Map 37 / Lot 56)
Central Business B-1 District
Applicant: Bead It, LLC Agent: Nadine Dabbs and Heather Hajnal, Owners
Nadine Dabbs was present to represent Bead It, LLC.
Ms. Dabbs stated that the sign would be 31” x 35”, silver lettering on black and red with white crown molding on top to match the building. The sign will be unillimunated and made of wood. Mr. Gibbs suggested that the staircase be lowered to provide more black contrast around the words “Bead It.”
MOTION to recommend approval of sign with the recommendation of providing more black contrast between the text and the staircase.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by G. Pendleton
APPROVED by D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and J. Gibbs
B. “Village Gateway Information Booth”
Main Street (Ct. Rte 154) and Boston Post Road (U.S. Rte 1) (Map 40 / Lot 1)
Central Business B-1 District
Petitioner: BOS’ Village Gateway Committee Agent: J. Richard Staub, AIA
Joe Metzendorf and J. Richard Staub were present to represent the petitioner.
Mr. Metzendorf provided the Board with background information concerning the Village Gateway Committee, specifically the Board of Selectmen’s directive to design a municipal building for the Town to serve as tourist information booth, a meeting place and possibly a gallery. Currently, discussions are being held with the Chamber of Commerce to use the space as well.
Mr. Staub informed the Board that the purpose of their presentation at this meeting is to seek comments and suggestions concerning the architecture of the building. The site plan and signage application will be presented to the Board at a later date.
Upon reviewing the preliminary site plan, preliminary floor plans and preliminary exterior elevations dated January 24, 2005, Mr. Vinciguerra stated that he would like to see a cupola that resembled more the original building to give it a “civic” look. Changes recommended to the cupola are as follows: Raise the base height to allow the installation of a clock, change the window arrangement to taller arched windows in an octagonal arrangement, increase the roof pitch with a shiny copper like finish also in an octagonal arrangement with a weather vane mounted on top.
Mr. Gibbs stated that the Board would like to see a fence and/or landscape buffer between the parking lot and the building. Mr. Staub stated that he might be able to move the building 3 to 4 feet east (closer to Main Street) to allow more room for such buffer.
Mr. Snow stated that he would like to see low intensity lighting for the exterior of the building. Mr. Wight reminded the Board members that this meeting is for architectural comments on the building only, not the site plan.
Mr. Gibbs stated that he would like to see the dormer on the east side of the building to be removed so that the hip roof line can be carried through to bring back more formality to the building. Mr. Staub said that this could be done. Also, the floor plan of the building could be flipped which would add gallery space. This would give the building a more “civic” look.
Mr. Wight tabled further discussions for a future meeting. The Board agreed upon the following two suggestions to the architectural design:
1. The cupola to resemble the original with an octagonal dome, raised base to provide more height, a clock and a weathervane.
2. Remove the east side dormer to give the building more symmetry and thereby providing a “civic” appearance.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 01/10/05
MOVED by E. Swenson SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
APPROVED by D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and J. Gibbs
B. Correspondence
1. Purchase duplex drawer for Land Use Department Color Printer
Mr. Wight informed the Board that he received a request from Christine Nelson, Director of the Land Use Department, for the Board to purchase a duplex drawer for the new color printer. The duplex drawer will enable to Land Use Department to print the Design Review Guides in-house. The cost of the drawer is $200. The current office supply budget for the ARB is $800.
MOTION to purchase a duplexing drawer for the Land Use Department color printer in the amount of $200.
MOVED by E. Swenson SECONDED by G. Pendleton
APPROVED by D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and J. Gibbs
2. Changing the order of the meeting
Mr. Wight stated that Ms. Nelson suggested that the Board change the order of its agenda items to move the Regular Business to the beginning of the meeting rather than after the review of applications. This change would make the Board’s meetings more consistent with the meetings held by other boards and commissions within the Land Use Department. After much discussion, the Board members agreed to leave the format as is. The review of applications (the Old Business and New Business sections) early on the agenda allows the Board members to be fresh and more focused. This order also allows the applicants and petitioners to complete their business and go home earlier in the evening. Lastly, leaving the
discussion of regular business at the end of the meeting allows the members to exchange information and share ideas in a more relaxed atmosphere.
3. Application Form: Design Review
Mr. Wight stated that he would like to amend the checklist at the bottom of the design review application form. The purpose of this task is to help the applicants come to the meetings better prepared with specific materials. He asked all members to consider what type of items they would like applicants to bring with them. The new checklist will be developed at the next regular meeting, February 14, 2005.
Ms. Swenson suggested that the Board should consider recognizing a Main Street business owner who utilizes his/her storefront windows effectively. Such recognition could take place on a quarterly basis.
Mr. Wight stated that current zoning allows for 20% of storefront square footage can be used for signage. He suggested that the Board might want to consider submitting an application to the Zoning Commission to amend this regulation. Mr. Wight tabled this item for further discussion at the February 28, 2005 meeting.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
The applicants presented and displayed their materials with a new easel and poster board, purchased by Mr. Vinciguerra. Mr. Vinciguerra also provided name tents for each Board member, which proved to be most helpful.
D. Election of Officers - Secretary
Mr. Wight will e-mail Dr. Del Giorno, who is in Florida until April, to inquire whether she would like to continue to hold this office.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. until the next regular meeting, scheduled for February 14, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Middle School Teacher’s Lounge, 60 Sheffield Street.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
APPROVED by D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and J. Gibbs
Respectfully Submitted,
Janet S. Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
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