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 13, 2006 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 7:33 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman None
Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs, Regular Member
Kingman Snow, Regular Member Attendant Staff
Frank Vinciguerra, Regular Member Andrea DeDominicis, Recording Clerk
Guy Pendleton, Alternate
Jonathan Gibbs arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Elizabeth Swenson arrived at 7:50 p.m.
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Eagle Nest Steakhouse” Sign
90 Essex Road (Map 59 / Lot 4)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Nicola DiSalvo
Ms. Nicola DiSalvo presented four new background color combinations for review. The Commission agreed that the new background color choices made the sign lettering easier to read. The members and applicant agreed that the lower left rendition which featured “Eagles Nest” in gold lettering, “Steakhouse” in white lettering and a black background was the best choice.
The 4’ x 8’ sign would be lighted from the inside with a 90 watt high output bulb.
MOTION to recommend approval of the Eagles Nest Steakhouse sign as shown in the rendition presented at the 3/13/06 meeting.
Background color – black, “Eagles Nest” – gold lettering, Steakhouse – white lettering
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, D. Wight, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. “Wal-Mart” Modification to the Special Exception Permit
665 Boston Post Road (Map 36 / Lot 103)
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant: Chris Rhea Architects Agent: Gary Shirley
Mr. Gary Shirley presented information about the lighting and canopy over the garden center. Mr. Shirley said the existing lighting is flourescent and his engineers have determined that less than 1% of the light will be transmitted through the translucent canopy. Mr. Shirley mentioned that he would use 6500K bulbs which would go off automatically, one hour after closing.
Jonathan Gibbs felt that the “broom” finished concrete walkway should be a medium to dark color to help absorb light. The Commission members discussed neutral colors that would absorb light such as gray or green and suggested that Mr. Shirley avoid using a white.
MOTION to recommend approval of translucent canopy over the garden center with the following stipulations:
1. medium to dark concrete color to absorb light.
2. turn off lights one hour after closing.
3. use 6,500K bulbs.
4. center auto slider doors under far right gable.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Old Saybrook Flower Shop” Sign
140 Main Street Street (Map 37 / Lot 124)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Jeffrey Santoro
Ms. Donna Santoro told the Commission members that she will be moving her existing flower shop to a new location on Main Street by April 1, 2006. Ms. Santoro passed out photos of the new location which is located next to Ace Hardware in Old Saybrook.
Ms. Santoro presented a color rendition of the proposed flower shop sign which would have a black background, white lettering outlined in gold leaf and a colored flower graphic located on one side. The new 13’ sign would be the same size as the previous 13’ sign. Kingman Snow suggested that Ms. Santoro use the same holes to attach her sign to the front of the building since it will be the same size as the previous sign. Mr. Snow also recommended the use of two (2) 5’ high output energy saving bulbs, 6500K bulbs for lighting the store facade.
MOTION to accept signage as presented with the following stipulation:
1. base of sign to match the Ace Hardware sign.
MOVED by E. Swenson SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
B. “Center Rentals” Sign and Site Plan
Center Road West, Lots A and B (Map 26 / Lot 6-15)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: George Hollister
George Hollister presented plans for two (2) metal exterior storage rental buildings. Each building would have 7 storage rental bays 20’ wide. The buildings would be constructed facing each other which would create a courtyard effect with a common driveway. The building sizes would be 140’ x 60”, and
140’ x 45”. The metal building exteriors would be a neutral “light stone” color and the roofs are proposed to be green with cupolas on top.
Frank Vinciguerra suggested that the metal buildings have a masonry base starting at ground level and going up the building approximately 8 inches. This would protect the buildings from bumps, dents, and mold occurring where the landscaping meets the buildings.
Kingman Snow suggested four (4) lights with 60 watt bulbs instead of the 3 proposed lights shown on the plans. Mr. Snow would like the lights to go on automatically and made a stipulation that there will be no direct bulb glare out onto the street.
The Commission members discussed ways to enhance the aesthetics on the side of the buildings which face the street. Mr. Hollister proposed a non-lighted sign on the street side of the buildings, but will consider the Board recommendation of incorporating three (3) small 2’ 6” x 2’ 6” windows located under the sign. Mr. Hollister would like the sign background color to be green with tan lettering. The Commission members agreed with the color choice and felt the sign would be easy to read.
Guy Pendleton suggested planting 3” to 4” caliper maple trees for landscaping and 2 blue spruce and 1 green spruce on the sides of the buildings which face the street. Mr. Pendleton would like to see the buffer area remain in it natural state.
Elizabeth Swenson mentioned the need for possible drainage and water runoff solutions because there would be toilets in the buildings and the driveway is proposed to be black top. Ms. Swenson suggested the “NEMO” web site as a good place to search for solutions if there were water runoff and drainage issues.
MOTION to recommend approval of the two rental storage buildings, as presented with the following stipulations:
1. siding shall remain 8” above grade.
MOVED by E. Swenson SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
MOTION to modify recommendation:
1. include three (3) 2’ 6” x 2’ 6” windows located and centered under the “Center Rentals” sign on the street side of the buildings.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by E. Swenson
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
MOTION to have George Hollister come back with recommendations for signage, including a wider shortened sign format and lettering.
MOVED by J. Gibbs SECONDED by E. Swenson IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 6-0-
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of 2/27/06.
MOVED by E. Swenson SECONDED by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, K. Snow, F. Vinciguerra, J. Gibbs, D. Wight, G. Pendleton OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none APPROVED: 6-0-0.
B. Correspondence – Minutes, agendas and notices from other Land Use boards and commissions were distributed.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
1. There will be a discussion about the affordable housing application at the next ARB meeting. The Zoning Board will be reviewing the application prior to our next ARB meeting but will not have completed the Zoning review when ARB discusses it on March 27, 2006.
MOTION to approve request from Recording Clerk to purchase two reems of acid-free archive paper in the amount of $50 each.
MOVED by F. Vinciguerra SECONDED by D. Wight
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday, March 27, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main St.
MOVED by K. Snow SECONDED by F. Vinciguerra
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, E. Swenson, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow and F. Vinciguerra. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted, Andrea DeDominicis, Recording Clerk
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