HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 14, 2009
APPROVED:
__________________
AGENDA: COA: TD BANK/NA c/o BOHLER ENGINEERING,
10 North Main St., #114-010
PCC REVIEW: DON MILBRAND/TOWN OF BRISTOL, Town Directional Sign
DESIGN STANDARDS
ATTEND: Clay Dingman (Chairman), Larry Douglas (Vice Chair), Dorcas Gordon
ABSENT: Rick Alpers (Sel. Rep.), Sandra Heaney (ill), Robin Fitzgerald (Alternate), Mark Greenwood (Alternate)
OTHER: -----
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.
CONT. COA: TD BANK/NA c/o BOHLER ENGINEERING/JAMES J. CRANSTON
Mr. Cranston stated that they have decided on a wall sign with a wood cut finish. They will eliminate the side signs and go back to the vinyl door signs. Mr. Dingman mentioned replacing the flowering crab apple once they put in the new sign. The suggestion was well taken. Mr. Dingman added that there is to be no logo on the awning/band. Mr. Cranston said that the applicant has decided to go with the band of green. Ms. Gordon reminded all that, at the last meeting, the Commission was okay with the band. Mr. Dingman asked when they intend to start and Mr. Cranston answered that they hope to have the permit by the end of this month and can start sometime next month. Ms. Gordon asked about the sign on the Drive-thru and Mr. Cranston stated that it is to be removed. Mr. Cranston added that on page N11, they had forgotten to add the green band over the Drive-thru. He had a corrected version which he gave to the secretary for the record.
With no other questions or public input, D. Gordon made a MOTION, second by L. Douglas, to APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL (COA) FOR TD BANK/NA. The motion CARRIED.
Mr. Cranston was thanked for the professional presentation.
-2-
HDC Minutes
7/14/09
PCC: ALAN DESTEFANO
Mr. DeStefano stated that he is here to ask questions for a new business going in to Joe Santamaria’s building on South Main Street. The business is a Title Settlement Office. Their hope is to place a sign in a perpendicular position.
Mr. Dingman explained that there was a change to the Historic District section of the Zoning Ordinance in which the Land Use Officer can grant a sign permit if it is a simple sign and it does not need a COA. Mr. DeStefano showed the members some photos of the building and of the sign they are looking to put up. He was told that, if they wish to add lighting, they have to go in to the Planning Board. Wanda Keanan, business representative, stated that the sign is 4’ x 1 ˝’ with a scroll bracket. It is one they used before. Mr. DeStefano asked about a window decal on the right side of the building to show which area of the building they are located.
Mr. Douglas asked if the sign is white and Ms. Keanan answered that it is white with black, grey, and a little wine. It is not a bright sign. Mr. Dingman stated that he is comfortable with Ms. Bonsteel, Land Use Officer, making this decision. Ms. Gordon questioned the guidelines and keeping consistency. Mr. Dingman felt that, if there is a grey area, Ms. Bonsteel would send them in to the Commission. He continued to say that this was changed to ease the hardship in getting a sign. Ms. Gordon is okay with this but is afraid of the precedence it sets. Mr. Dingman said that the key is in the guidelines for Ms. Bonsteel.
Ms. Keanan mentioned that it is a plain, flat sign. Mr. Dingman said that the Land Use Officer can handle this based on the Zoning Ordinance changes. Mr. DeStefano asked about the window decal again and Mr. Dingman felt that Ms. Bonsteel could do this as well. He added that it would be nice to see the design. Ms. Keanan stated that the decal is the logo that is on the sign and is burgundy in color. Mr. DeStefano asked about the guidelines and Mr. Dingman stated that he could get him a copy.
Ms. Gordon was concerned about a sign like the yellow one downtown. Mr. Dingman stated that it is a box sign, of Plexiglas, and whatever scale. He added that he has type-faces that are allowed and they guide people on color. He does not feel that a sign like that one would pass. Mr. Douglas felt that the crucial element is the land use officer and Mr. Dingman added that it is important that she has his support.
The applicants left and the secretary questioned the guidelines that Mr. Dingman referred to as she only knew of the ones that the Commission has not completed. Mr. Dingman explained that these are the original guidelines that had been accepted at a public hearing some time ago. He also stated that they should now be called Standards.
-3-
HDC Minutes
7/14/09
MINUTES OF JUNE 9, 2009
The following amendments and clarifications were made: Page 1, last paragraph, delete the first sentence. Page 2, 2nd paragraph, 1st line, replace “problems” with “concerns”. 3rd paragraph, 8th line, insert “supporting” before “block”. Same paragraph, last sentence, change to read “The Commission felt that either the awning or band is an appropriate use”, deleting “emphasized that it is up to the applicant as to using an awning or the band.” Paragraph 4, 1st line, replace “negotiate” with “confer” and 2nd line, following “rotated” insert “90 degrees relative to its current orientation”. Page 3, GUIDELINES’STANDARDS, replace “GUIDELINES” WITH “DESIGN”.
D. Gordon made a motion, second by L. Douglas, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried.
ALTERNATES:
Mr. Dingman stated that he e-mailed Mark Greenwood and Mark stated that he is still living in town. Mr. Dingman feels that we should leave things as they are until such time as we get new alternates or their term runs out.
PLANNING BOARD UPDATE OF HISTORIC SECTION OF THE MASTER PLAN:
Mr. Dingman explained that he volunteered the Commissions’ help with the Historic Inventory as the Planning Board is attempting to update this section of the Master Plan. The Commission can think of other buildings to add to the 18 that are presently in this section and also update the 18.
Mr. Douglas mentioned that a government funded survey of homes was done during the Depression, he thought. Mr. Dingman added that the SABS photographed dozens of properties. This is on line under the Library of Congress. He continued by saying that, at the Planning Board meeting, other buildings that were suggested to be added were the Old Fire Station and Dorcas’ and Ned’s homes. Mr. Dingman suggested we do a small amount each year. Mr. Douglas felt that we should start with the Historic District. Mr. Dingman mentioned doing the 10 up South Main St. Ms. Gordon felt that we need to catalogue the historic buildings on the main corridors (104 and 3A). Mr. Dingman mentioned Prospect St. and the Dodge Davis Woolen Mill. He continued by saying that there are geographical maps on recreation trails and maybe there is one on houses.
A discussion was held as to how to gather information and place it on the web or a PDF file. Mr. Dingman felt that we should look at Pleasant St. up to Dorcas’ house. Mr. Douglas is to get Historic Society photos for Mr. Dingman to make photos of. It was finally settled to look at Route 104 east and west and 3A north and south. Ms. Gordon felt that 104 could be cut down from Klinker’s east to Klinker’s west properties. Mr. Dingman made the assignment to be to update the 18 present properties and go to
-4-
HDC Minutes
7/14/09
DESTEFANO PCC continued:
Klinker’s on 104 east. Ms. Gordon asked clarification that the assignment is to bring in the houses and was told that it is.
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held August 18th. Mr. Douglas will be in N. Y. for the month of August. Mr. Dingman will try to automate the Historic forms needed for the Master Plan by then.
With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Laferriere, secretary