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, November 28, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Prior to the beginning of the meeting, the Board presented a plaque to Dr. Bette Del Giorno in recognition and appreciation of the over seven years of service she gave to this Board. Jonathan Gibbs, who served with her the longest, gave an eloquent presentation on behalf of the Board. In return, Dr. Del Giorno spoke mostly highly of her experience and offered her assistance whenever needed in the future.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman David Wight called the regular meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chair
Jonathan Gibbs
Guy Pendleton
Kingman Snow Attendant Staff
Frank Vinciguerra Janet Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Atrium Antiques” Sign
1450 Boston Post Road (Map 26 / Lot 17)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Rollin P. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Rollin P. Smith were present. Board members stated that the sign as presented was fine, however, they were concerned about the existing ground mounted light fixtures. Mr. Smith stated that he would contact the owner of the property and request the fixtures to be replaced with a down-lit fixture on the top of the sign. Mr. Wight stated that the new fixture should be reviewed by this Board but will be considered a continuation of this application.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign with the stipulation to relocate the lighting to a narrowly focused down lit fixture on the top of the sign.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Simple Steps” Sign
455 Boston Post Road (Map 40 / Lot 18)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Mike Henderson
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign as presented.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Sleepy’s” Sign
555 Boston Post Road (Map 40 / Lot 45)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant: K. P. Signs Agent: Jim Foertch
Mr. Jim Foertch was present. K. P. Signs submitted two applications on behalf of Sleepy’s. The first application is for an awning above the side door entrance from the parking lot. Sleepy’s would like to distinguish this as the main entrance into the building rather than the front of the building on Boston Post Rd. This awning will have the name “Sleepy’s” and will have fluorescent lighting under the awning and mounted to the building. Mr. Snow recommended two 8 ft, 90-watt bulbs. Mr. Gibbs recommended the existing wall pack fixture above the side door be replaced with a fully shrouded down light fixture to reduce glare. Mr. Snow suggested a 55-watt high-pressure sodium light. Mr. Pendleton reminded the
applicant that outside lighting must be turned off one hour after the close of business. The color of the awning will be red, not blue as listed on the supporting documentation.
MOTION to recommend approval of the awning sign with the recommendation of two 8 ft, 90-watt bulbs and positioned so that there will be no visible glare from the street.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
The second application is for an awning in the rear of the building above a service door. It will have no signage and will be the color red as well.
MOTION to recommend approval of the awning for the rear of the building as presented.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Liv’s Oyster Bar” Sign
166 Main Street (Map 37 / Lot 128)
Central Business B-1 District
Applicant: Liv’s Oyster Bar, LLC Agent: Sabrina Foulke, Point One Architects
Mr. Pendleton recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Ms. Sabrina Foulke of Point One Architects was present. Ms. Foulke informed the Board that her client has very limited space in which to place signage on the front of the building. The building is the old movie theater. After consulting with the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Ms. Foulke and her client have decided to place a hanging sign with fixed metal brackets on both top and bottom on one of the front columns. The sign will have a gooseneck light on each side. The sign for the side of the building will be mounted above the side door with two gooseneck fixtures. Both signs will have red backgrounds with white lettering outlined in black. Mr. Gibbs stated that the sign looks too high and is
crowding the capital of the column. He suggested lowering the sign. Ms. Foulke stated that the bottom of the sign must be at least 10 feet above the ground as required by zoning regulations. Mr. Gibbs suggested scaling the sign to 90% to bring the total height of the sign from 5 ft to 4.5 ft.
Mr. Wight stated his objection to the existing wall pack fixtures on the side of the building and inquired whether Liv’s Oyster Bar, LLC could compel the owner of the property to replace the wall packs with fixtures having no higher than 35 watts. Mr. Gibbs requested the Zoning Enforcement Officer to review the approved plans to see if the wall packs adhere to zoning regulations. Additionally, the Board would like to inform the Zoning Enforcement Officer that another tenant in this building, Unique Nails, has erected signage which has not been reviewed by the ARB.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign with the stipulation to reduce the sign to 4 feet, 6 inches.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 11/14/05.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence – none.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
1. Invoice from Planimetrics – tabled until the next regular meeting.
2. Mr. Wight will be out of town on December 28, 2005. The regular meeting scheduled for this date will be cancelled unless there is sufficient business.
3. Mr. Pendleton informed the Board that the Tree Committee is developing a proposal for the ARB to improve the timeliness of information and communication. Mr. Pendleton requested that all future applications for site plan review include all existing trees to be documented and labeled.
MOTION to require all applications before the Architectural Review Board for site plan review show all trees on existing town property and all other existing trees greater than 3” caliber.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
4. Mr. Vinciguerra requested a change in the zoning regulations to prohibit “lollypop” signs. He used Sleepy’s as an example. While complimenting Sleepy’s on the improvements to the building and landscaping, he feels that the bright pylon sign does not fit in the area compared to the future improvements to the Saybrook Country Barn and the new Information Booth building. Mr. Gibbs stated that he has proposed in the past and reiterated again that the stretch of Boston Post Road between the viaduct and Elm Street should be rezoned to be similar to Main Street. Mr. Wight recommended that the ARB should look into hiring
a consultant to write new zoning regulations for signage so that ARB can submit an application to the Zoning Commission.
5. The Board members discussed their growing concern that some applicants may be submitting different site plans to other boards and commissions compared to what they are approving. The members suggested purchasing an “approval” stamp to be used at the meetings and signed by the chairman for permanent record for the Land Use department.
MOTION to purchase an “Approval” stamp for site plan reviews.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
6. Mr. Snow provided an update of the fixture for Strategic Building Solutions.
MOTION to recommend approval of the Greenlee ALV Series Par 20 Sign Light with 60-degree cut-off shield.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street.
MOVED by D. Wight SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janet S. Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
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