Simsbury approves three sign applications; design board requested lighting schedule for dental office sign

The Simsbury Zoning Commission unanimously approved three sign applications for Hot Meadow Street and nearby parcels during its Sept. 3 meeting.

Application ZC 25‑15: Armco Sign Co., on behalf of the applicant and property owner, received approval for one freestanding sign and one wall sign for the NEST School (30 Hot Meadow Street). The commission’s design review board had recommended a revised color palette (blue/gray and white) to better match the building architecture; staff confirmed the applicant revised the sign colors and that the proposed signs meet size requirements.

Application ZC 25‑21: The commission approved a permit to install a roughly 17‑square‑foot wall sign for the Performance Lab at 2 Cooper Avenue (also referenced as 250 Hot Meadow Street). The design review board provided a positive referral and staff said the sign meets the sign plan submitted by the applicant.

Application ZC 25‑22: PR Properties’ application for a 10.5‑square‑foot freestanding sign at 619 Hot Meadow Street for BPS Periodontics was approved with a condition. The design review board recommended approval of the freestanding sign but declined to recommend the wall sign until the applicant provided detailed siding/elevation materials and clarified lighting color. As a condition of approval the commission required the applicant to submit a lighting schedule showing that sign illumination will be limited to business hours, or dimmed/turned off after a specified hour (staff noted 10 p.m. as a commonly used benchmark); staff will review and confirm the lighting schedule.

Commission members said the design review board’s comments informed the decisions and noted the approval process commonly bundles wall and freestanding signs for convenience even when the design board reviews them separately.

The three motions to approve were moved, seconded and passed unanimously.