🚨 Sign Drama Unfolds in Farmington! 🚨 If you thought town zoning meetings were about dull discussions, think again. On September 23rd, 2024, the Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission meeting brought the heat with a riveting showdown over signage size, lighting specs, and an excellent ol’ debate over banners. Don’t believe us? Check out the full meeting on YouTube. Here’s everything you need to know, including the who’s who of Farmington zoning!
Meeting Roll Call – The Cast of Characters
Before the drama could unfold, the meeting was called to order by Shannon Rutherford, Planning Director for the Town of Farmington. Here’s the full roll call of commission members:
- Robert Canto: Present
- David Saint Germain: Present
- Liz Sanford: Present
- Scott Halstead: Present
- Mike Tucci: Present
- Kyla Zimmerman: Absent
- Matthew Bandle: Absent
- Bruce Polsky: Absent but later chiming in with insights
With Shannon Rutherford running the show, the stage was set for a night of zoning discussions, LED lighting disputes, and heated commentary. Scott Halstead, the commission chair, kicked things off by approving Mike Tucci as a voting member for the absent Matthew Bandle.
ArtFX Sparks Heated Debate Over Stadium 15 Signage
Matt Haskell, Permit Manager for ArtFX Signs of Bloomfield, CT, led the charge on new business. His mission? Present an elaborate request for four new signs at Stadium 15 at 15 Farm Springs Road, which happens to be owned by 15 Farm Springs LP.
Here’s the lowdown on the signs they proposed:
- The Big Halo-Lit Wall Logo: Measuring 55 inches in length and nearly 43 inches in height, this one features clean, white LED illumination at 5000 Kelvin. Mounted with standoffs, it’s supposed to shine like a beacon (but only if it passes zoning muster).
- Stadium 15 Entrance Sign: Also halo-lit and featuring Roman numerals, this 5000 Kelvin-lit beauty wasn’t without hiccups. Craft kitchen fans, rejoice—the sign’s Craft Kitchen + SIM Bar section was flagged for its “internally illuminated” design, a no-no under Farmington zoning. They proposed replacing this with a wash light to comply with local regulations.
- Window Vinyl Signs: The two sets of white cut vinyl for the front entrance and frosted vinyl for the internal entrance round out the request.
It didn’t take long for the commission to zero in on the main topic of contention—light color. Farmington zoning rules clearly state that 4000 Kelvin is the maximum allowable light color temperature. Bruce Polsky jumped in to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to this rule, ensuring no blinding beacons in the night.
It was a civil back-and-forth until Bobby Canto inquired how the lighting would look once installed. A fellow ArtFX representative, Lauren Rosen, explained how the lights would hit the letters directly, with the light bar casting a glow downward. Still, Shannon Rutherford raised the concern about temporary banners still on-site—a completely different mystery. Spoiler: The commission didn’t love the fact these temporary banners were still there, unrelated to the primary sign debate.
Commissioners David Saint Germain and Liz Sanford kept things concise with a few clarifying questions, and the vote passed unanimously to approve the application—provided they stick to the 4000 Kelvin rule. Sign up for a lesson in LEDs and light intensity by watching the meeting here. 💡
Next Up: SignPro Battles for 838 Farmington Avenue Visibility
The next applicant up for review was Christine Brachet de Farro, representing SignPro. The proposal? A major signage overhaul for Epicure Plaza at 838 Farmington Avenue.
Christine Brachet de Farro described a new 33.38 square-foot ground sign standing 6 feet, 8 inches tall to improve visibility for drivers around Route 4. But here’s the kicker—the new sign would be 8 square feet over the maximum allowable size. 🚨
The commission wasn’t about to let that slide easily. Robert Canto quickly honed in on whether the color scheme and size would improve visibility without turning the sign into an eyesore. He wasn’t alone—Liz Sanford questioned the sign’s stone veneer base (was it going to be brick or stone?), and Bruce Polsky echoed concerns about safety and aesthetics, warning against the “billboard effect.”
The deliberation spiraled into whether 8 extra square feet was necessary. David Saint Germain and Mike Tucci argued that more significant numbers on the sign were essential for emergency services, but they weren’t sold on increasing the overall size.
Ultimately, the commission opted to table the decision after Christine Brachet de Farro mentioned wiggle room to trim down the placards. The final call? Farmington needs to see a scaled-down version—tune into the full discussion to see the heated back-and-forth.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsor, Farmington Storage
None of this high-octane zoning action could have happened without the support of Farmington Storage. They’ve got all your storage needs covered at 155 Scott Swamp Road. Call them at 860.777.4001 or visit their site at Farmington Storage—whether you’re storing your seasonal decorations or that oversized sign you just might not get approved, they’ve got space for it all. 🙌
Site Plan Surprise: Solar Array Comes to Town
The final item on the agenda was a solar array application for 115 Town Farm Road, presented by James Yao, trustee for the JWI Ohana Living Trust. The plan? A 35-panel ground-mounted solar array to harness the power of the sun and save on those pesky energy bills.
James Yao explained the technical specs, including Franklin 13.6 kWh batteries to store excess energy. And don’t worry—there will be bollards to protect the batteries from any mishaps in the garage.
Robert Canto raised safety questions, especially around lithium-ion batteries. Mike Tucci, with his firefighter expertise, shared concerns about fire hazards. The good news? James Yao reassured the commission that these batteries are self-insulating and that safety measures are in place.
After much discussion (and some reassurance), the commission gave the green light to James Yao’s solar dreams. 🌞 Watch the energy-efficient action unfold!
Stay Informed with The Farmington Mercury
Whether it’s zoning drama or election news, The Farmington Mercury has you covered. Want to dive into the 2024 Farmington elections? Check out all the latest here. Or maybe you’re curious about Farmington’s historic districts? Read up on the latest decisions here.
And for those interested in real estate, check out what’s For Sale in Farmington here—it’s a hot market, folks! Don’t forget to explore our Zoning section for more stories on signs, wetlands, and local governance here.
Follow us on Twix (yes, that hybrid between Twitter and X) at WeFarmington. If you want more updates, slide into our DMs or just yell at us about signs—we’re all ears!
👋 Jack Beckett, your humble scribe and caffeine enthusiast, is signing off. If you need me, I’ll be double-fisting cappuccinos at the local coffee shop while reviewing the Kelvin lighting rules for my next big report! Remember, no detail is too small for The Farmington Mercury
