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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001_08_16 Board of Architectural Review Minutes AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE • BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AUGUST 16, 2001, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman Sue Ellen Commender Robert M. Immerman Also Present: Kevin T. Moore, Assistant Director of Building ACEIVEC'CEIAbsent: Ronald A. Carpaneto, Director of Building E. Robert Wassman DEC 28 2001 —� Anthony Spagnola f�.K i'pTR16{p A.��{QCOO w.4 CLERK Tt , Pamela T. Washington FMppayru4tCK es` s�.r. t� CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:05 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jacobson said that the Minutes from the previous meetings are not yet ready to be approved and will • be held over to the next meeting. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: EVERYTHING HAIR/Jason Pulcino - 1262 Boston Post Road - Block 407, Lot 192 - sign Mr. Jacobson said no one showed up to represent the applicant at the July meeting. A woman in the audience said that they did not receive notice of the meeting until quite a time after that meeting. Mr. Jacobson asked the women to come up and identify themselves, as the meeting Minutes are recorded. Ginger Pulcino, the owner, and Dina Volve identified themselves and addressed the Board. Mr. Jacobson asked if they had a copy of their submission for themselves, which they did not. Mr. Immerman said they have one of these signs temporarily on the window, with which they agreed. Mr. Jacobson said the color is white letters on bronze anodized. Ms. Pulcino said it's like all the others. Mr. Jacobson asked if there were any comments on this application. There were none. On a motion made by Mr. Immerman, seconded by Ms. Commender, the following resolution was • unanimously APPROVED: WHEREAS,Everything Hair/Jason Pulcino has submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to turn the store into a hair salon; and Board of Architectural Review • August 16, 2001 Page 2 • WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has declined to issue such permit on the grounds that the review by the Board of Architectural Review is required; and WHEREAS, Everything Hair/Jason Pulcino submitted an application for approval to the Board; and WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans, inspected the site, reviewed the application and has heard all persons interested in this application; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the subject application be and the same is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 1. The sign is approved as presented. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: COSI/James Mandeville - 1298 Boston Post Road - Block 410, Lot 463 - sign Sandor Scher, a partner with the applicant, Cosi, appeared along with Donna Ferrara, representing Mandeville's sign, as James Mandeville was not able to make it this evening. Mr. Jacobson said as the Board understands it, there are awnings which sit back in under the overhang and then there's the sign on the building face. He said one quick beginning comment on his part is that the • graphics are fascinating. However, Mr. Jacobson said the thing that bothers him is this little boxy sign which says, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert, next to the wonderful graphics. Mr. Scher said it's the way that we identify ourselves to our clientele. Mr. Jacobson said to me it detracts enormously from the brilliance of the rest of the sign. Ms. Commender said it's part of a shopping center and doesn't really see that sign being there. I think it would look better if it was in one of the lower windows. Ms. Ferrara said the sign structure itself just gives the details, which will be fabricated very well to go along with the channel letters. It is internally illuminated. The letters themselves are not just a flat, they are acrylic. It would have a nice appearance to it. Mr. Jacobson said it's just that it's so ordinary juxtaposed against something that's got great design brilliance. At Mr. Immerman's recommendation,Mr. Jacobson informed those present that there are only three Board members present this evening. We just have a quorum. For approval of a submission, it is required that all three of us give our approval. If all three don't give our approval, then you would have to make some changes and then come back. Mr. Scher said they're interested in making sure we get all your feedback. • Mr. Jacobson asked how essential is this box, with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert, to the identity of your operation. Board of Architectural Review August 16, 2001 Page 3 • Mr. Scher said it's part of our standard signage, so that we can move the concept into a new area where people may not know what Cosi stands for and they can understand what we actually do. Ms. Commender said Larchmont/Mamaroneck is a very small town. Within two weeks everyone will know what you serve. Ms. Ferrara said one thing she wanted to point out is the fact that the shopping center itself also has this overhang and the windows are set back. She feels it would be more advantageous to have this information right up front, rather than lettering on the windows. Mr. Immerman said he thinks the problem with it graphically is this little box next this lovely lettering. Mr. Scher said this is what we've done in the past as well as put the tag line underneath the Cosi, so it says Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert. We also use an oyster colored fabric, which is the same color as you see the sign in and made a valance underneath the awnings which would say, Cosi, and then it would say Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert. Mr. Immerman said he thinks the tag line would probably be more successful below the Cosi. Mr. Scher said they would fabricate that in almost the same fashion, except the box would will be a light box, instead of obviously being a long skinny box. Mr. Scher said from a discussion standpoint, obviously we have a need to help people identify with our brand and to understand what Cosi stands for at all times of the day. He said to discuss this, would it be more acceptable to have a panel that runs beneath the building fascia. • Mr. Immerman said not hanging down from the fascia, no. Mr. Immerman said use the same typeface and the same colors. Mr. Jacobson said that's absolutely a step in the right direction. Maybe that's why the box is so jarring. Mr. Immerman said, but it's not the same typeface as the Cosi graphics. Mr. Jacobson said he would like the Board to come to some conclusion which allows the applicant to move ahead here, but he doesn't exactly know what. Mr. Jacobson asked Mr. Immerman if he thinks that if this box sign were done using the same typeface as Cosi, it would be more acceptable. Mr. Immerman said no, not in the square piece, but in the line underneath it. Mr. Scher said he's going to have to look at that. Mr. Jacobson said he thinks Mr. Immerman has an excellent suggestion that it would be more palatable perhaps with a linear sign using that typeface. Mr. Scher asked if that would be more preferable to a valance on the awnings? Mr. Jacobson said yes, because as you pointed out, the awning is fairly shallow. Its 2.5 ft. It sits way back. Maybe that's not going to get the message across that you want to get across. • Mr. Scher said it certainly wouldn't be illuminated. That's unattractive. Mr. Immerman said he thinks it would detract from the graphics of the awning the way they stand, if you put an oyster band on the bottom. II Board of Architectural Review ' August 16, 2001 Page 4 • The Board members agreed. Mr. Scher asked if the Board would make a motion that this application be amended to include the linear signs as opposed to the rectangular one on the end. Mr. Jacobson asked the Board if we could put this to a vote and see how it comes out? Ms. Commender asked what's the decision on the sign on the side? Mr. Jacobson said Mr. Immerman's recommendation is that they do a linear sign adjacent, in the same lettering and color, with the same height background and the same typeface as the Cosi, which would be a big improvement. Mr. Scher said he would certainly be amenable to it. On a motion made by Mr. Immerman, seconded by Ms. Commender, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: WHEREAS, Cosi has submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to supply and install new channel letter sign and non-illuminated awnings; and WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has declined to issue such permit on the grounds that the review by the Board of Architectural Review is required; and WHEREAS, Cosi submitted an application for approval to the Board; and • WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans, inspected the site, reviewed the application and has heard all persons interested in this application; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the subject application be and the same is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 1. An amendment to the design as follows: a. A linear sign adjacent, in the same lettering and color with the same height background. b. The same typeface as the Cosi. Mr. Jacobson wished Mr. Scher the best of luck, and asked when he plans to open. Mr. Scher said they just went to the Planning Board for their Special Permit application and had the first hearing on August 8, 2001. There is a second hearing on September 12, 2001. There weren't any real objections. Mr. Scher thanked the Board very much. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: • ACURA OF WESTCHESTER/Robert Lewis/White Plains Sign-2155 Palmer Avenue-Block 501 -Lot 1 - sign Mr. Jacobson said as he understands Acura made a presentation at the last meeting. Board of Architectural Review August 16, 2001 Page 5 • Mr. Lewis said it was adjourned the last meeting. At issue were a few points that he will go over, so we can get up to speed. Mr. Lewis said one of the questions was, is the color of the signage existing red and white? We proposed to come in with blue and white. Mr. Lewis said at that point in time he was not positive, but he's absolutely positive now. The new signage will replace the old signage, as the program continues. This is the color configuration that we were going into. Mr. Lewis said originally we asked to have a 15 ft. sign approved. We were told that according to the Town of Mamaroneck, we were not going to be allowed to replace the existing sign with a 15 ft. sign. However, we've spoken to a great deal to Mr. D'Angelo, the owner, who is with me right now. He has informed me that he has special permits, variances, etc., etc. on the existing signage. Therefore, he's grandfathered in and it is his belief that he can put the 15 ft. sign up in place of the existing one. George D'Angelo,the owner of owner of Acura of Westchester, addressed the Board. He said the meeting was at the old Weaver Street Firehouse before this was built on June 12, 1985. We received approval of the signage then. Mr. Jacobson interrupted to say that he thinks these issues are really not germane to this particular hearing. Mr. Jacobson said what Mr. D'Angelo has to do is to meet with the Building Inspector and iron out any of these issues. He said the Board's major concerns are the design aspects of the signage. He said we also understand that there are quite a number of signs, and we've seen them, on the property, for which there • were no applications and permits as well. Mr. D'Angelo said Acura is going to a new corporate image, which will be blue and gray as opposed to red and gray. The issue here is getting approval for the blue sign, naturally subject to me getting the proper channel and clearance for what was approved back in 1985. He said that he understands that. Subject to that, what we're coming here looking for is really the signage, the quality of the sign and the color configuration for the stanchion. As far as the height consideration of it, he said he's grandfathered for that. Mr. Immerman said as far as what the Sign Ordinance says, you're no longer allowed to have tall signs. If you come in to replace it, you cannot replace it in kind. Everybody is being forced, if they're going to change the sign, to put in monument signs. Mr. Lewis said he knows what the objection is, but for all intent and purposes, he truly believes that we are grandfathered on the height of the sign. Mr. Jacobson said that's not for us to determine. That's a legal issue. Mr. Lewis said yes, that's another issue altogether. It is not for this place or time, but having said that, what we're looking to do is look at the sign itself as opposed to the stanchion. He said if we can get over this color configuration with you good people, then we can attack the other issue. The other issue he can't come to this court and talk about, because it is a totally separate department. Mr. Lewis said he recognizes what the Board is doing. He's been on boards, served in the community and everything, so he understands that the Board doesn't want to just give everybody whatever they want to do. The minute I drop that fin, I'm going to change the corporate image. This was the whole idea of the • program, to change their corporate image. Mr. Immerman said, but Mr. Lewis was the one who said he wasn't going to have the fin. So, we never had the discussion about it. • Board of Architectural Review August 16, 2001 Page 6 4110 Mr. Lewis said we could discuss the fin, deleting it, and see if Acura would agree. He said he would certainly ask those questions, but Mr. D'Angelo was kind of determined that it's too small a sign. Mr. Jacobson said this Board wants Mr. Lewis to resolve all the issues of the multiple signs on the property, the height of signs, etc., with the Building Inspector. Once that's squared away, it's my understanding that the Building Inspector is going to require applications for all the various signs. Then we'd like you to come back, if that is the case, and present all the signs together to the Board. Mr. Lewis said when they build a signage program, they don't build it altogether. We build it in stages. It's the only reasonable and sensible way to do it. Mr. Jacobson said when Mr. Lewis comes back to the Board, the Board wants to see all the signs in a coordinated fashion. It doesn't matter whether Mr. Lewis builds it one at a time or whatever. We want to see all the signs that you want to have on the property. Come back and show us those signs together, how the colors relate, the sizes. Right now you have every manner of things going on there on the site. Resolve those issues with the Building Inspector, follow his directive in terms of what applications need to be put together and all that sort of thing. We'd be delighted to come and see your presentation of how you're going to handle all the signs together, the colors and that sort of thing. Mr. Lewis said he understands that. He said we'll go to the Building Department and get that, so you're happy with that. Mr. Jacobson said get straightened out and then come back. • Mr. Jacobson said all the Board wants to say tonight to simplify this is that the color is an attractive color. He doesn't think any member of the Board has any trouble with the color. He said that's about all we want to say to you tonight. He asked Mr. Lewis to please resolve all the other issues and then the Board will be delighted to have him come back. Mr. Jacobson asked if there is any other new business. There was none. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on September 20, 2001. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Commender and seconded by Mr. Immerman the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Marguerite , Recording Secretary •