Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 9, 2012, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Second Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Theodore Pendleton, Chair, Tony Brodeur, Vice Chair, Susan Missel, Secretary, Kingmon B. Snow, Jr., Anita Yust, Alternate and I Ben Aiken, Alternate.
Absent: Barbara D’Agostino.
Attendant Staff: Christine Costa, ZEO and Stella Beaudoin, Recording Clerk.
Mr. Pendleton called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
V. DISCUSSION
A. “Max’s Place, LLC” Preliminary Review
Spencer Plains Road/Boston Post Road/Center Road West
Gateway Business B4 District
Attorney David M. Royston, Agent
Attorney David Royston, Dzialo, Pickett & Allen, P.C., presented as legal counsel for Max’s Place, LLC. Also present was Trevor Wright, Architect, Ralph Watson, AIA, Mulvanny Architecture, Henry Kurasaki, AIA, Mulvanny Architecture and Ron Lyman, property owner.
Attorney Royston indicated that the applicant is looking for a modification to the originally approved 2005 site plan for Max’s Place. The original plan was comprised of a Big Y supermarket who was to be the anchor tenant. That approval was appealed and while that appeal was pending, permitting and approval was pursued from the CT DEEP for the septic system for the facility. The appeal was settled and in 2008 Big Y withdrew from the scene. IWWC approval has been granted for this particular layout. Mr. Lyman has since been negotiating with a variety of grocery stores for this approved use.
In 2007 the architectural plans were approved and the main interest was in the façade of the architecture for the Big Y building and the adjacent 24,000 s/f building which did not have a designated tenant at that time. This layout will be comprised of liner buildings along Spencer Plains Road and along the Boston Post Road. There will be no liner buildings on the northerly side of the proposed entrance. There were several changes authorized by the Zoning Commission after 2008; to phase the project to allow the building of Phase 1 prior to getting over to the Boston Post Road side. The Zoning Commission authorized the phase and authorized a change in the configurations of the buildings. The deed to Center Road West had a restriction of a grocery store requirement which was modified to note
that the grocery store must be at least 25,000 s/f of actual grocery store. Kohl’s has signed a letter of intent for the construction of 55,000 s/f retail facility in the northeast corner of the site. That northeast corner is the site which was to be occupied by a grocery store. Mr. Royston stated that as such, the site plan is changing to offer the aesthetic diversity appropriate for the entryway to the Town of Old Saybrook. The existing plan is conceptual only. The grocery store building will satisfy the restrictions placed by the town.
Mr. Royston stated that the configuration of the entry on the Boston Post Road has been scrutinized by the traffic authority, the fire department, the STC and the DOT as well as by the Zoning Commission and it was determined that a left turn exit out of this facility would not work.
Henry Kurasaki, AIA, Mulvanny Architecture presented. Mr. Kurasaki stated that this design focuses on the front façade. The main entry area to include the signage is raised so as to give it height and focus. Kohl’s façade is comprised of earth tone colors and there is a cornice that runs along the front façade. All of the building lights are LED which offers a softer glow. The front entry has showroom glass areas on each side. Mr. Wright stated that the brownish red colored façade will be utilized for the Kohl’s store, noting that similar design elements to that of the Big Y will be utilized. A larger and well lit entry has been incorporated into the design.
Tony Brodeur stated that the front façade of the building gives the appearance of being very industrial. A discussion ensued on the aesthetics of the front façade. Mr. Wright stated that the front façade entrance of this proposed store has been raised as has the façade around the Kohl’s sign. The roof will be sloped which is similar to the roof at the newly constructed West Marine building. Suggestions for changes to the front entry façade as made by the Commission:
- The addition of cornice work will be added across the top of the entryway which will serve to break up the visual line.
- A curved element will be added to the front entrance areas along the trees/landscaping which are situated on either side of the Kohl’s sign.
- The glass panels adjacent to the front entrance will be curved and framed up the sides.
- The addition of curved elements as suggested at this meeting will be incorporated in the design along with the cornice.
Mr. Kurasaki stated that in-ground plantings are proposed along the front façade of the Kohl’s building.
Attorney Royston stated that the applicant will put together their proposal responsive to what has been discussed this evening. Mr. Royston will present to Christine Costa, a 3-D rendering of the design changes discussed at this evening’s meeting. Ms. Costa will then forward those materials to the Commissioners.
VI. REGULAR BUSINESS~
MOTION to approve the 6/25/2012 meeting Minutes; MADE by Tony Brodeur; SECONDED by Kingmon Snow; ABSTAINED: APPROVED by G. Pendleton, T. Brodeur, S. Missel and K. Snow (4-0-0).
B. Correspondence~
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn at 9:55pm; MADE by G. Pendleton; SECONDED by Kingmon Snow; ABSTAINED: APPROVED by G. Pendleton, T. Brodeur, S. Missel and K. Snow (4-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Stella C. Beaudoin
Recording Secretary
NEXT SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
2nd Floor Conference Room
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