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, July 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair, Elizabeth Swenson, called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chair David Wight, Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs
Kingman Snow
Frank Vinciguerra Attendant Staff
Guy Pendleton Janet Vinciguerra, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Chubby Marcella’s” Facade Renovation
117 Main Street (Map 37 / Lot 17)
Central Business B-1 District
Applicant/Agent: Erin Atkinson
Ms. Erin Atkinson was present and provided a drawing of her building to scale showing the location of the sign. Mr. Gibbs noted that the drawing is missing a number of dimensions.
MOTION to approve the façade renovation as presented provided that the drawing presented is to scale.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “40 Elm Street” Site Plan, Building Renovation, Sign
40 Elm Street (Map 36 / Lot 109)
Central Business B-1 District
Applicant: Todd Roberts Agent: John A. Matthews
Mr. John A. Matthews and Mr. Todd Roberts were present. Mr. Matthews presented the revised site plan and gave an overview of the landscape changes. He also indicated that the exterior color of the building will be a tan color rather than a warm gray as mentioned at the previous meeting. The exterior color will be Sandy Hook Gray with white trim. The two light fixtures will be moved closer together at two-third intervals over the sign, 100-watt soft-light halogen bulb, model number PW730, white goose neck, the same type of fixture used by North Cove Outfitters. Mr. Roberts provided samples of the fencing materials and colors. In reference to vernacular details, Mr. Vinciguerra stated that since it is the intention of the owner to tear down the building
in the near future and rebuild a new commercial building on the same location, the proposed building design is acceptable.
MOTION to approve the site plan with the recommendation that the fence at the rear property line be the owner’s choice of either beige or gray and the exterior color be Benjamin Moore # HC108, Sandy Hook Gray, as presented.
MOVED by G. Pendleton SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the lighting as presented with light fixtures model # PW730.
MOVED by G. Pendleton SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to accept the building renovation as presented with the understanding that the building will be torn down in the future and the new building to be colonial in style similar to the Saybrook Country Barn.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. “CVS Pharmacy” Special Exception, Site Plan, Sign
37 Stage Road, 509 and 519 Boston Post Road (Map 40 / Lot 14 – 17)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant: Issues Management, LLC Agent: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Mr. David Royston, Attorney and Mr. Patrick O’Leary and Ms. Karen Mann of VHB, Inc. were present. Ms. Mann presented the revised building plan which is the same plan for the new CVS in Glastonbury. Ms. Mann informed the board that the front elevation and right elevation for the Old Saybrook site would be flipped around rather than as shown on the drawing presented.
Ms. Swenson suggested window flower boxes to be added to this conceptual plan. Mr. O’Leary replied that window flower boxes could present a maintenance issue in the long run because they would not fall under CVS’ national maintenance contract.
Mr. Vinciguerra requested that the cupola be enlarged to better match the scale of the building.
Mr. Gibbs inquired about a revised site plan. At that time, Mr. Vinciguerra presented a sketch by Mr. David Wight, Chairman of the Architectural Review Board. Mr. Wight provided this sketch to CVS at the July 5, 2005 Zoning Commission meeting to demonstrate that rotating the building and moving it closer to Boston Post Road could be accomplished. Mr. O’Leary responded that CVS has reviewed the sketch and has determined that there are two major flaws: 1) zoning regulations require that the drive thru lane not cross between parking spaces and pedestrian access to the building; and 2) the plan does not provide enough space for tracker trailer mobility.
Mr. Vinciguerra asked Mr. O’Leary why CVS couldn’t propose a building design similar the current CVS in Glastonbury. Mr. O’Leary responded that the current building in Glastonbury is much smaller than the one proposed for Old Saybrook and operationally; it does not function well for the proposed site. Mr. Vinciguerra inquired whether costs are discussed. Mr. O’Leary responded that during the past several weeks there has been a collaborative effort on the part of CVS, VHB, the developer, and current property owners to keep this project moving in the right direction and that yes, there are costs limitations.
Mr. Gibbs stressed that it is the duty of the ARB to ensure that the building and site plan for this particular property be appropriate in terms of its location as a major gateway area. He suggested that CVS’ architects need to look at what is unique about Old Saybrook and design an appropriate building and utilize the opportunity to share and improve the access to the train station.
Mr. Gibbs questioned why Mr. Wight’s sketch couldn’t work. Mr. O’Leary and Mr. Royston argued that the zoning amendment allowing the drive thru contains specific performance standards that require the drive thru lane not to obstruct pedestrian access to the building.
Mr. Swenson stated that the building design plan is an improvement, however, is frustrated that the site plan has not changed to address the vision of the town.
Ms. Swenson inquired about what specific zoning regulations prevent the requested changes to the site plan. She asked the applicant to forward a list of such regulations to the ARB. Mr. Royston and Mr. O’Leary responded that there were several regulations at issue but most importantly is the 50 ft. front set back and the 81 required number of parking spaces for the site.
Mr. Gibbs stated that there are three problematic issues with this application: 1) the parking lot, 2) the location being a major gateway of Old Saybrook, and 3) the style and design of the building should have a more vernacular quality of the town, especially considering that the Glastonbury CVS has more tasteful details. Mr. Swenson inquired about the issue of a shared entrance with Saybrook Junction. Mr. O’Leary responded that the DOT has recommended the elimination of the exit to Boston Post Road, which is noted on the revised site plan.
In conclusion, the boards’ decision to disapprove the site plan and building design remains unchanged. The Board also made the following recommendations:
· enlarge the cupola to scale
· add window flower boxes
· consider relocating front entrance to Stage Road
· meet with Christine Nelson to discuss: 1) the 50 ft front set back; 2) the 10 ft side set back; 3) the drive thru zoning amendment referring to the length of the drive thru lane in relation to surrounding parking spaces; and 4) reserved parking spaces for buildings under 20,000 sq.ft.
· work with DOT (contact person John DeCastro, 860-823-3211), CVS, VHB, Saybrook Junction and ARB regarding egress to Boston Post Road.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Webster Bank” Sign
723 Boston Post Road (Map 36 / Lot 101)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Carol Bugbee
Ms. Carol Bugbee was present. The board and Ms. Bugbee discussed each sign in detail in numerical order. In general, the board felt that there were too many signs on site.
· Sign number 001, the pylon street sign, should be reduced to a height of 12 ft.
· Sign number 002, a directional sign, eliminated.
· Signs number 003, a directional sign, 004, a regulatory sign, and 007, a directional sign, all approved.
· Sign number 009, mounted on top of the drive thru canopy, eliminated.
· Sign number 011, ATM sign, approved.
· Sign number 012, directional sign, eliminated.
· Sign number 013, a redesign of the building sign structure, approved with the condition that 009 be eliminated.
· Sign number 014, shopping center street sign, approved.
· Sign number 016, drive thru canopy clearance sign, approved with the condition that the clearance height be accurate.
MOTION to approve signs numbered 001, 003, 004, 007, 011, 013, 014, and 016 with the recommendations and conditions listed above and to deny signs numbered 002, 009, and 012.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “U Store It” Signs
167 Elm Street (Map 39 / Lot 7) and 45 School House Road (Map 27 / Lot 1)
Industrial I-1 District and Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant: Arnco Sign Co., Inc. Agent: Jeremy Waycott
Mr. Jeremy Waycott was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Waycott requested that the sign application for 167 Elm Street be continued until the next regular meeting.
MOTION to approve the sign for 45 School House Road as presented and continue the sign application for 167 Elm Street until the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 8, 2005.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, F. Vinciguerra, K. Snow and G. Pendleton. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 06/27/05 as presented.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence – none.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
MOTION to nominate Guy Pendleton as Secretary of the Architectural Review Board.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by E. Swenson
IN FAVOR: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, F. Vinciguerra and K. Snow.
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 8, 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: E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, 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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