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, March 28, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Middle School Teachers Lounge
60 Sheffield Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, David Wight, called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chairman
Kingman Snow Bette Del Giorno, Secretary
Frank Vinciguerra
Guy Pendleton
Jonathan Gibbs (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)
Attendant Staff
Janet Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
MOTION to switch agenda items A and B to allow Mr. Dadarwala to go first as promised at the last meeting.
MOVED by G. Pendleton SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
A. “Knights Inn” Sign
1750 Boston Post Road (Map 25 / Lot 4)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant: Pragati Hotel, LLC Agent: Tushar N. Dadarwala
Mr. Dadarwala was present and handed out a revised drawing for the proposed Knight’s Inn sign. The sign will be monument style on an elevated masonry base with plantings. The new sign will be reduced in height by more than 2 ft. from the former Sandpiper sign. The aluminum box surrounding the logo will be textured stucco. The sign will be internally illuminated. The drawing states that the illumination will be a total of 300 watts. Mr. Snow recommends three 55 watts bulbs. Mr. Dadarwala will contact Mr. Snow for further advice regarding the exact wattage for the sign.
MOTION to approve the revised Knight’s Inn sign as presented with the recommendation of three 55-watt bulbs.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Sleepy’s” Sign, Site Plan, Building and Façade Renovation
555 Boston Post Road (Map 40 / Lot 45)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant: Sleepy’s Agent: Richard Weinstein
Mr. Weinstein was present and briefed the board members about the façade renovation, site plan and landscape plan. He stated that the parking lot sign will be closer to the building on the east side of the curb cut-in with landscaping surrounding the base.
He restated that the mansard will be completely removed. The site plan shows the mansard intact on the west side of the building. Mr. Weinstein clarified that the entire section will be removed and the site plan will be updated to show this.
All of the windows will be replaced. Mr. Wight requested that new windows on the second story and sides of the building have vertical mullions to keep the scale of the building.
Mr. Gibbs suggested the sign band on the front of the building be stucco rather than horizontal bands.
The board members suggested the possibility of a canvas awning above the parking lot entrance on the west side of the building.
Mr. Vinciguerra requested that the “laying man” logo be eliminated from the pile on sign. Mr. Weinstein agreed to this request.
Mr. Pendleton inquired about the air conditioning unit being camouflaged. It could be painted the same color of the side of the building or an enclosure could be installed.
Mr. Gibbs inquired about the location of a dumpster which was not noted on the site plan. Mr. Gibbs requested that the dumpster also have an enclosure.
Mr. Gibbs inquired about the pavement on the driveway leading toward North Main Street. He would like to see the driveway fully paved from the west corner of the building out toward North Main Street.
Mr. Vinciguerra noted that the handicapped parking stall on the site plan is in front of the entrance walkway. He suggested that the parking stall be relocated to either side of the front entrance.
Mr. Pendleton inquired about preserving the cherry tree in the back lot of the property. If the tree is healthy, he would like to see the driveway routed around the tree. Mr. Pendleton offered to visit the site to assess the condition of the tree. If it looks diseased, he will drop this suggestion.
Mr. Pendleton reported that he is pleased with the landscape plans and especially likes the lawn areas but has several recommendations. Specifically, the height of the planned shrubs in front of the building along Boston Post Road will be 8’-10’ at maturity, which will restrict the view into the large display windows. Also, the junipers along the back corner of the building will be difficult to trim back. He suggests more Ilex Crenata (hollies) instead of the junipers. The crabapple trees on the far side of the parking lot are high maintenance. Perhaps dogwoods would be better. Mr. Pendleton provided Mr. Weinstein with a list of specific recommendations for the landscape plan.
The parking lot sign will be internally illuminated with 90-watt bulbs. The site plan does not include the parking lot and exterior lights.
Mr. Gibbs suggests that the layout and entrance of the parking lot on the west side of the building could be skewed so that it is more rectangular in shape. This could allow more room by the front entrance of the building and the pile on sign could be moved further away from the building. This could also allow more space for plantings in front of the a/c unit.
MOTION to approve the building sign and façade renovation with the recommendation of stucco band for the front of the building and stacked lettering; maintaining vertical mullions on the windows throughout the building. Also approve the parking lot sign as presented with 90 watt fluorescent bulbs; the removal of “laying man” logo; and dimensions to remain as drawn. Any changes to the dimensions can be brought before the board at the next meeting.
MOVED by G. Pendleton SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to table the discussion of the site and landscape plans until the next regular meeting on April 11, 2005 to allow Sleepy’s to consider the above suggestions and all landscape recommendations and to rectify discrepancies.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Comfort Inn” Sign
100 Essex Road (Map 59 / Lot 5)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Jeremy Waycott
Mr. Jeremy Waycott was present. He presented to the members the proposed design to reface two pile on signs for the Comfort Inn. The new design will have blue translucent background with the lines of the striped circle to have a new wave. Mr. Wight asked that the background be opaque rather than translucent to minimize glare and make the letters standout.
Mr. Snow inquired about the wattage. Mr. Waycott did not know the wattage but reported that the larger of the two signs has cool whites fluorescent bulbs with 20 amps and 120 volts.
The members discussed whether or not the heights of the signs were in compliance with zoning regulations. If not, they would like to see the height of the neighborhood sign on Ferry Road to be reduced.
MOTION to approve refacing the two signs as presented on the condition that the signs are conforming and also with the recommendation that the background be opaque. If non-conforming or if a variance exists, this application must be resubmitted in a conforming manner, particularly for the sign on Ferry Road.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 03/14/05 as presented.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and J. Gibbs. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
MOTION to change the location of the meetings to the Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room for the remainder of the calendar year effective April 11, 2005.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and J. Gibbs. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on April 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, G. Pendleton and J. Gibbs.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janet S. Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
| 
