Architectural Review Board
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Chairman D. Wight called the regular meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. Three members were seated to vote.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman Arcangela Claffey, Alternate
Kingmon Snow, Regular Member Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs, Regular Member Guy Pendleton, Vice Chairman
Attendant Staff
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
670 Boston Post Road (Map 37/Lot 53)
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: David Hemming, CT Sign
Mr. David Hemming appeared before the Board to explain the location of the proposed signs for the new business. The sign for the front of the building will be the same placement and dimensions as the current sign, not illuminated. The Board recommends that the sign placement allow for a clearance of at least 3” of the rake trim.
The proposed ground sign in the planter will be smaller than the existing sign. The existing sign is 4’ x 6’ and the proposed sign will be 2’ x 4’, not illuminated. The board found both signs to be acceptable.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign application with the stipulation that the wall sign allow for a 3” minimum clearance of the rake trim.
MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
- “Lucky 33 Gemstone Flume Mine” Sign Illuminated
1353 Boston Post Road (Map 27/Lot 23)
Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Forrest Ogle
Mr. Forrest Ogle appeared before the Board for approval of a replacement sign 2’ x 20’ on a pre-existing internally illuminated sign base. Currently 8’ lamps (70-80 watts) are used to illuminate the sign. The Board explained that a full spectrum lamps used in illuminated signs give off a more natural light similar to sunlight without the glare. The bulbs recommended for the internally illuminated wall sign are F-96 color correcting, full spectrum lamps.
The street sign is a 6’ x 8’ free standing existing sign shared with 2 other tenants. The road sign is illuminated with directional spot lights located on the ground. It is unclear who will be responsible for the maintenance and lighting and bulb choices. Currently, the adjacent tenant controls the timer and switch for the lights. The board requests that the lights focus narrowly on the signs without causing glare off the site.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign application with the stipulation that the lamps on the internally illuminated wall sign be changed to F-96 and the road sign illumination is narrowly focused on the sign and not causing glare on to the road.
MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
- “Classic Carriage Auto Wash, Inc.” Signs Illuminated
351 Boston Post Road (Map 42/Lot 10-1)
Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Catherine Barber
Ms. Patty Pytlik presented the application for approval of new signs already installed on the site. Ms. Pytlik explained that there was no prior approval for the sign change due to an oversight at her office. The gas station switched from a Citgo to Irving Gas.
The signs are up and the applicant is willing to change the existing “Classic Car Wash” sign from a white to a dark blue background. The “Irving” sign must remain a white background, as required by the company. The new “Irving” road side sign appears to be smaller than the original Citgo sign, but no dimensions of the old sign are available. The Board explained that there are different shades of white backgrounds and lighting used to illuminate white signs is very important to reduce the glare. The lower signs on the road sign are removed and the gas price signs are changed to a blue background from red. Additional gas price signs have been added to allow for the CT requirement that the cash and credit prices be posted.
The applicant also changed the canopy signs, but did not include the request for approval of those signs in this application. No information was available on the canopy lighting.
MOTION to continue this application until the next regular meeting scheduled for February 9, 2009 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room. Applicant to return with information on the canopy signs and lighting. Applicant to provide lighting specs for the roadside white “Irving” illuminated sign and measures being taken to tone down the white glare.
MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
- “Econolodge Inn & Suites” Sign Illuminated
1750 Boston Post Road (Map 25/Lot 4)
Business B-4 District
Applicant/Agent: Tushar Dadaruala
Mr. Tushar Dadaruala presented the new sign proposals for his hotel. The hotel is becoming part of the Choice hotel franchise and changing its name to Econolodge. The sign is the corporate logo and colors of red with white and yellow letters. The sign is internally illuminated with (6) 48” daylight florescent lamps. The new sign will be smaller in size and will give off less light due to the darker background. The previous sign had a white background.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign application as presented.
MOVED by K. Snow; SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
- “Central Gallery, LLC” Sign
665 Boston Post Road (Map 36/Lot 103)
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Hillary Seltzer
Ms. Hillary Seltzer presented the application for a new wall sign to be placed under the existing “Clayhouse” sign. The new sign will be the same size as the “Clayhouse”. Ms. Seltzer is modifying the sign colors to a light grey background with burgundy and dark grey letters. The Board would like both signs to align with the neighboring tenants signs while maintaining at least 4” between each of the signs. The Board suggested a boarder around one or both signs and rounding the corners on the proposed sign to match the “Clayhouse” sign. Also, underlining the word “Central” or leaving a space between the words to make it stand out and easier to read.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign application with the stipulation that the sign placement on the façade be centered equally above and below and each sign be at least 4” apart. It is recommended that the sign have rounded corners.
MOVED by D. Wight; SECONDED by J. Gibbs
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
- “Comfort Café” Sign Illuminated
90 Essex Road (Map 59/Lot 4)
Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Ming Yin Lee Mau
Ms. Min Yin Lee Mau presented the new sign proposal to the Board which changes the roadside sign face. The sign is currently internally illuminated; however, she was unsure of the bulb size. The proposed sign design is a green background, black lettering and 2 photos of food on the outside lower corners. The Board suggested modifying the images to graphic images or silhouettes outlined in black to make the images stand out. The images could be centered under the lettering and the lettering could be lowered to allow the overall sign to appear centered on the green background. Ms. Lee Mau will try to incorporate the Boards suggestions.
MOTION to recommend approval of the sign application with the recommendations that the graphics be silhouetted with a black boarder and centered under the evenly spaced letters which can be lowered to allow space above the top of the lettering. Sign illumination not to exceed (3) 8’ high output florescent lamps.
MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by D. Wight
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
A. Meeting Minutes – December 22, 2008 will be approved at our next meeting due to a lack of attendees.
B. Correspondence
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday February 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main St.
MOVED by D. Wight; SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, K. Snow, J. Gibbs
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Rynecki. Recording Clerk
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