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, April 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, David 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
Kingman Snow
Frank Vinciguerra
Guy Pendleton
Jonathan Gibbs (left at 8:45 p.m.)
Attendant Staff
Janet Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Sleepy’s” Sign and Site Plan
555 Boston Post Road (Map 40 / Lot 45)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant: Sleepy’s Agent: Richard Weinstein
Mr. David Bilow was present to represent Sleepy’s.
Prior to Mr. Bilow’s presentation, Mr. Wight, stated that the first order of business was to rectify a discrepancy that occurred at the last meeting in which a motion was made and approved to accept the parking lot pylon sign. Such motion but with slightly different recommendations was also made at the February 14th meeting. To rectify these two motions, both previous motions were rescinded so that the Board could start from scratch to deliberate the parking lot pylon sign.
MOTION to rescind the two previous motions concerning the Sleepy’s parking lot pylon sign made at the March 28, 2005 and February 14, 2005 meetings.
MOVED by D. Wight SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Mr. Bilow presented a new site plan, landscape plan and parking lot pylon sign proposal for the board members to review. He read off the recommendations from the last meeting and discussed how the changes were incorporated into the new site plan. He indicated that Mr. Weinstein from the last meeting was in error about the location of the parking lot sign. It actually will be on the far side of the parking lot from the building, approximately 10’ from the driveway, 60’ from the Sleepy’s building and 60’ from the neighboring building (The Monkey Farm.)
Mr. Snow stated that he visited the site and stood at various positions on either side of Boston Post Road. From both sides of the building, the parking lot sign will be not visible and he believes it is should not be erected.
Mr. Pendleton again questioned the necessity of cutting down the cherry tree. He stated that he visited the site and determined that the tree is neglected and needs to be pruned but is in good health and should be saved if possible. Mr. Bilow presented a letter from Gary Sharpe indicating that the driveway cannot be relocated around the tree because of the required 10’ buffer along adjoining properties. Based on this information from Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Pendleton withdrew the request to save the tree, however, with strong reservation. In general, Mr. Pendleton said he is comfortable with the new landscape plan and Ms. Swenson complimented Sleepy’s on the plan.
Mr. Snow pointed out that the building currently has two exterior light fixtures for the parking lot. Mr. Bilow stated that the site plan calls for three new light fixtures but will use the two existing fixtures and install a third to match as long as the fixtures do not exceed 150 watts. Mr. Snow recommended that the bulbs be high-pressured sodium. Mr. Gibbs stated that he would like to see more shrouding or cut-off over the top of the fixture pointing toward the street.
Mr. Gibbs stated that he would like to see ¾” x ¾” reveal shadow line at the ends of the stucco band on the front of the building where the stucco meets the outside piers.
MOTION to approve the site plan and parking lot pylon sign as presented with the following recommendations:
1. Install a cut-off fixture on the wall closest to the street
2. The stucco sign band 3/4'” short of corner piers to provide shadow line
3. Accept handwritten “new pavement” notation on site plan
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, J. Gibbs and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: K. Snow. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-1-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Village Gateway Information Booth” Site Plan Revision
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
Mr. Staub and Mr. Joe Metzendorf were present on behalf of the petitioner. Mr. Staub stated that the revisions to the exterior design of the building were made to keep in mind the style of the original building. The floor plan is slightly larger and more open. Ms. Swenson suggested fold out doors off of the gallery to allow more display space. Mr. Wight inquired about the materials for exterior. Mr. Staub replied that the base below the band will be stone; cedar clapboard; the quoins will be wood and synthetic slate shingles for the roof. The design plan shows clock faces on all four sides in error. The plan for now is for only two clock faces.
Mr. Gibbs left the meeting at 8:45 p.m. but voiced his approval of the revised site plan as presented before he departed.
MOTION to approve the exterior design of the information booth as presented.
MOVED by D. Wight SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow, E. Swenson and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Tissa’s Country Market” Special Exception, Sign and Site Plan
855 Boston Post Road (Map 36 / Lot 2)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Kathleen A. Benjdid
Ms. Benjdid was present to discuss her application. She stated that she did not have the site plan because of a discrepancy with the State regarding the set back. She will have the site plan ready by the next meeting which will also include a landscape plan.
Ms. Benjdid provided a Statement of Use and floor plan. She described the business as an upscale convenience market offering basic groceries, beer and cigarettes. She will also have a café area with two small tables offering a deli with full- and self-serve coffees and espresso. There will be cooking on-site for baked goods and light meals.
Ms. Benjdid indicated that the building will be painted an off-white and burnt sienna along the roof band. She would like to use synthetic shingles for the roof band to dress up the building. Ms. Swenson suggested that the shingles on the roof band may not serve the desired affect. She suggested that a mural would be a better option to make the building more appealing and give it it’s own identity. She gave Ms. Benjdid the name of someone to contact to explore this option.
Ms. Benjdid noted that the ice machine has already been moved to the far left corner of the building near the service door. One of the two merchandise signs on the outside of the building will be removed. Mr. Pendleton requested that the remaining cigarette sign also be removed and perhaps used in the front window area. Ms. Benjdid stated that she will have a bench in the front of the building and hopefully within a year or two, a patio with table out front.
The building sign will be placed in the exact location of the current sign, along the roof band. It will be the off-white with burnt sienna lettering and made of a 1.5” thick synthetic material to simulate carved wood.
The street sign will be a single sheet, fixed aluminum. She would like to use interchangeable lettering for the bottom half of the sign. Ms. Swenson suggested magnetic word boards instead. Ms. Benjdid would like to use mounted light fixtures on this sign. Mr. Snow recommended soft floodlights, 60-75 watts, to be mounted so the fixtures shine down.
Ms. Swenson advised that the Board recommends landscaping around the base of street signs. Ms. Swenson and Mr. Pendleton suggested the use of planters around street sign and front door.
MOTION to approve the façade renovations and signs, using magnetic word boards for the street sign, the use of 60-75 watt soft flood lights mounted downward for the street sign and the removal of the second cigarette signboard on the building.
MOVED by D. Wight SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to table the discussion of the site plan and landscape plan until the next meeting on April 25, 2005.
MOVED by D. Wight SECONDED by E. Swenson
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 03/28/05 as presented.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
As a follow up to the last meeting, Mr. Snow stated that he met with Mr. Dadarwala of Knight’s Inn and confirms the use of three 55-watt bulbs for his new sign.
B. Correspondence – none.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
MOTION to reimburse Kingman Snow in the amount of $26.49 and $19.07 for a cable adapter and a battery charger for the board’s digital camera.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton and F. Vinciguerra.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: K. Snow. APPROVED: 4-0-1.
Mr. Pendleton requested that the board send a letter to the First Selectman to voice it’s recommendation to locate the new electronic sign for the town green to area closer to the Fire House where the former information booth was located. The board agreed with Mr. Pendleton that the new electronic sign at it’s current location will be too close to the new clock and will not be in the same style. Also, the location of being closer to the Fire House will be more functional for the purpose of town information.
MOTION to send a letter to the First Selectman concerning the location of the new electronic sign as described above.
MOVED by G. Pendleton SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: K. Snow. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Ms. Swenson requested the clerk to inquire with Ms. Costa, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, about the “Computer Components” sign, which has not been reviewed by this board. Ms. Swenson also asked about the second sign for Bead It, which also has not been reviewed by this board. Janet stated that she will follow-up with Ms. Costa.
Mr. Pendleton inquired about obtaining a copy of the Saybrook Landing landscape plan for the parking lot behind the old movie theater. Mr. Pendleton stated that there are no trees in that parking lot and would like to review the landscape plan.
The Board members would like to obtain copies of the Plan of Conservation and Development.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on April 25, 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 K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janet S. Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
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