ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, November 10, 2008 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 7:32 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs, Regular Member Kingmon Snow, Regular Member
Guy Pendleton, Vice Chairman
Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chair
Archangela Claffey, Alternate will be seated for Kingmon Snow
Jonathan Gibbs arrived at 7:34 p.m.
Attendant Staff
Chris Costa, ZEO
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Lyons II Fabric Warehouse” Signs, Illuminated
745 Boston Post Road (Map 36/Lot 86)
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Kathy Lemelin
Kathy Lemelin submitted a new photo for the sign located on the front of the building with the dimensions, 12” x 96”, changed to accommodate the Board’s suggestions from the last meeting. Ms. Lemelin also gave the bulb wattage information for the sign on the side of the building. They are 85 watt bulbs (F-72-T12). The board was pleased with the new sign design and dimensions for the front sign.
Guy Pendleton questioned the purpose of the light on the roof which appears to shine directly at you on the front of the building. Jonathan Gibbs suggested changing the light to one that would shine on the sign rather than straight out onto the parking lot. Elizabeth Swenson suggested goose neck lights, which would hang over to illuminate the sign. The board recommends that if the existing light over the front door remains it must be pointed downward to avoid causing a glare to drivers or spilling over the property line.
The third sign is at the street. It is illuminated with 2 ground lights shinning up onto the sign. Ms. Lemelin did not have the bulb information for those lights. The board strongly recommended changing the lights for the road sign to a down light or a spotlight in order to comply with the “Dark Skies” initiative and to save the business owner money with a cost savings, energy efficient, low glare light fixture.
MOTION to recommend approval of the building signs as shown, with the recommendation that the business owner look into goose neck lights for the front sign and replace the road sign illumination to a more cost saving, low glare light fixture.
MOVED: by D. Wight; SECONDED: by E. Swenson
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, E. Swenson, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
B. “Dirt, LLC” Site Plan – Contractor’s business, storage, (1) 1,221 s.f. and (2) 564 s.f. buildings, parking and site improvements
47 Spencer Plains Road (Map 25/Lot 25)
Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Van Epps Construction
Attorney Edward Cassella appeared before the board to discuss the owner’s response to the changes recommended at the last meeting. Attorney Cassella indicated that the owner will plant red cedar trees in place of the flowering pear trees outlined on the site plan. Also, the owner will relocate the trailers, which are in view from the highway exit ramp and train travelers, to an area where setbacks will allow.
Jonathan Gibbs noted on the site walk that there are many old boat and machinery parts on the property along with old trailers which would need to be removed. Apparently the trailers house the cows, hay and misc. items. Mr. Gibbs would like to see a more esthetically appropriate building to house the cows and hay on the site, if possible. Attorney Cassella reminded the board that the site was previously a landfill and there are restrictions to prevent the landfill area from being disturbed and limit where new structures can be built. The board suggested using one of the existing buildings on the north side of the property as a more appropriate agricultural support building, or look into alternate structures that can be placed on or around the landfill area without disturbing the soil.
ZEO, Chris Costa explained that the owner is looking for the town to provide approval and permits for the buildings and current uses. Chris Costa asked the board for their recommendations with respect to the landscaping requirements. Jonathan Gibbs stated that the existing buildings, in their current design and placement, which is very close to the property line and not conforming to the setback regulations, would not have been approved. The board will only approve a metal commercial building when they are fully screened. Elizabeth Swenson suggested some landscaping around the buildings. Guy Pendleton believes that the arborvitaes and red cedar trees proposed to screen the buildings will not survive. The trees are proposed very close to the buildings on the north side.
They will not see enough sunlight to survive. They need to be moved further away from the buildings to be able to capture sunlight, but this is not possible because that is not the owner’s property. If the buildings were further off the property line there may be room to plant trees that would grow to screen the buildings. One solution would be to plant the arborvitaes only where they will receive sunlight, i.e.: between the buildings and along either side of the buildings and parking area on the north side of the property and also along the south side near the train tracks. Guy Pendleton indicated that the red cedars need to be 6 feet. Chairman Wight explained that this is a very unique site and if properly screened you will only see the buildings if you enter the site. Screening from the road and railroad tracks is necessary and appropriate. Guy Pendleton illustrated on the site plan where he recommends placing the trees and
shrubs so they will have a better chance of surviving, including the Red cedar trees and azaleas by the entrance to the property.
MOTION to recommend landscaping changes as illustrated on the site plan by Guy Pendleton; remove trailers on the south side of the property; remove all debris from the property. MOVED: by E. Swenson; SECONDED: by G. Pendleton
DISCUSSION: Applicant should demonstrate viability and effectiveness of landscaping plans as a screen/buffer to the exit ramp traffic; future structures for agricultural or other must be brought before the board for review.
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, E. Swenson, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A “ Cordial Shoppe” Sign
950 Boston Post Road (Map29/Lot 16)
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Nick Revenikas
Mike Able from Essex Sign was present on behalf of the business owner. The owner would like to replace the existing sign to allow more space for the parking area. The new sign posts will be approx. 78 ½” high. The width of the sign will be 72”. The sign will have cedar post and will be internally illuminated with florescent tubes. The sign insert has a translucent blue background with white and tan letters. Guy Pendleton recommended adding zebra grasses on either side of the sign with lilies underneath the sign.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign as designed with suggestions for landscaping and have staff approve the bulbs used to illuminate the sign.
MOVED: by E. Swenson; SECONDED: by A. Claffey
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, E. Swenson, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
MOTION to amend the Agenda to add “Stop and Shop” as agenda item IV, B.
MOVED: by D. Wight; SECONDED: by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, E. Swenson, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
105 Elm Street, (Map 36/Lots 60,80,92,93,94,95,96,103 )
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, LLC
c/o Matthew Rubin
Steve Brewer from Wagner Engineering appeared before the board to present changes to the renovation plans and determine if the board considers the changes a modification of the previous approval and allow staff to make a recommendation to the Zoning board or if a new application is necessary. Previously the board had approved an addition and façade changes. Mr. Brewer explained with drawings and photos how the owners would like to keep the front surface flat without the 8” projection for the gable design. The board felt the 8” offset would be more attractive unless the design was modified to one saltbox/gable façade. The half round decorative attachment above the window could be changed for something more attractive. Elizabeth Swenson did not see the flowerboxes,
currently in front of the store, indicated on the design plan. She would like to see them in the new design plans.
The sign design and logo will be changing, therefore, 3 new signs are proposed. The main sign on the front of the building, a replacement sign insert for the road sign on Route 1 and a redesigned road sign on Elm Street. The Elm Street sign will be redesigned to incorporate the cape cod theme. The sign will be internally illuminated. As proposed, the sign will have a white background. The board reviewed the issues with a white background. Specifically, the white background must be less than 50% of the total sign area to minimize the light glare. There are many residential homes on Elm Street and the light glare must be kept to a minimum.
The board feels the applicant should come back with revisions discussed to show the flower planters, singular gable design and replacement for the half round decorative over the window.
MOTION to table the recommendations until the next regular meeting on November 24, 2008 when the applicant can show the changes outlined at tonight’s meeting.
MOVED: by J. Gibbs; SECONDED: by A. Claffey
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, A. Claffey, D. Wight, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of September 8, 2008 as presented
MOVED: by J. Gibbs; SECONDED: by A. Claffey
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: E. Swenson, G. Pendleton; APPROVED: 3-0-2
MOTION to approve the minutes of September 22, 2008 with change to move E. Swenson to Attendant Member.
MOVED: by D Wight; SECONDED: by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, A. Claffey, G. Pendleton, E. Swenson
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: J. Gibbs; APPROVED: 4-0-1
MOTION to approve the minutes of October 15, 2008 with change to move E. Swenson to Attendant Member.
MOVED: by J. Gibbs; SECONDED: by G. Pendleton
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, A. Claffey, G. Pendleton, E. Swenson
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: D. Wight; APPROVED: 4-0-1
MOTION to approve the minutes of October 27, 2008 with change to move J. Gibbs to Attendant Member.
MOVED: by G. Pendleton; SECONDED: by D. Wight
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: A. Claffey, E. Swenson; APPROVED: 3-0-2
MOTION to approve the minutes of October 31, 2008.
MOVED: by G. Pendleton; SECONDED: by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: A. Claffey, E. Swenson; APPROVED: 3-0-2
B. Correspondence – None
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports – None
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday November 24, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main St.
MOVED by A. Claffey; SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: J. Gibbs, E. Swenson, G. Pendleton, A. Claffey, D. Wight
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
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