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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001_02_15 Board of Architectural Review Minutes • AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK FEBRUARY 15, 2001, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman Sue Ellen Commender 1, J_ 4t1Anthony Spagnola A"tl Lb:7 Absent: Robert M. Immerman 0 fain Pamela T. Washington E. Robert Wassman 0iAI33311 Also Present: Ronald A. Carpaneto, Director of Building Judith Myers, Liaison /10, CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:10 p.m. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: MYRTLE BOULEVARD/WASHINGTON SQUARE STREETSCAPE - Stephen V. Altieri, Town • Administrator Mr. Altieri presented the proposed ornamental street pole light fixture. The Board commented that it appeared to be too ornate and decorative for the area, and suggested that a simpler design be considered. Mr. Altieri presented the new streetscape plan for the area, which featured a tree lined medial strip down Myrtle Blvd. Mr. Jacobson suggested an alternative to the medial strip would be to increase the width of sidewalk and planting strip along the north side of Myrtle Boulevard and along Washington Square to facilitate tree planting and make a better environment for people. Mr. Altieri acknowledged the Board's concern about the issue of the width of the sidewalk, the lack of trees on Myrtle Boulevard and this stretch of Madison Avenue. After some discussion, Mr. Spagnola said when you come into Town you see this unattractive building facade and this parking lot. Mr. Altieri said he is not sure what the cost will be to widen the sidewalk to accommodate trees. He said that the curb cost doesn't change at all. It's just the cost of the additional sidewalk. That would preclude building the medians in the future. Mr. Jacobson said that the wider sidewalk is preferable to the median. He said the Town would have to assess the likelihood of succeeding and making that happen. Ms. Commender said Mr. Altieri would still accomplish his objective of giving people a smaller, less wide street to cross, because there would be more sidewalk. Mr. Altieri said the street really doesn't have to be that wide, right. Board of Architectural Review February 15, 2001 Page 2 • Ms. Commender agreed. Mr. Jacobson said interestingly enough, you could flare the curb out at the location of the intersection and not lose parking. Mr. Altieri said you can't park right there anyway. Mr. Spagnola said by widening the sidewalk and allowing for the trees, could more trees be planted, or is this still the limit that can be put there relative to the businesses in the building? Mr. Altieri said he doesn't think you want it over treated either. There are few trees on that side now. A discussion ensued regarding the spacing. Ms. Commender commented on the appearance of the railroad tie wall on Jefferson Street and asked if that's the Town's responsibility. Mr. Altieri said no. That wall is the responsibility of 21 North Chatsworth Avenue. In fact, they even cut the grass next to the wall, which was all stipulated in the agreement for Jefferson Street. Ms. Commender suggested that planting in front of the wall would improve its appearance. She also expressed concern that the wall may show signs of movement. Mr. Jacobson asked if there was a mechanism for the Board to contact them and suggest that they consider planting in front of that wall? • Mr. Jacobson said the Town can say they have this new plan fixing up the area and as a part of this and in the spirit of doing something to participate, they should consider planting along the wall. Mr. Altieri said, regarding the plan, he wants to go over all of this stuff with the County Planning Department and Town Board and will send a memorandum back to the Board identifying the changes that are feasible. Mr. Jacobson asked what is the time frame when Mr. Altieri will actually see something. Mr. Altieri said the bids are taken March 9th, and obviously if the Town decides to make changes as per BAR recommendations depending on the cost, the construction starts probably two weeks later, 120 days of construction, and will probably finish at the end of the summer, beginning of the fall. Mr. Altieri said it is relatively simple work. It's all concrete, not a bluestone sidewalk or something like that. Ms. Commender made one more suggestion. If these islands do come back, they probably should be Belgium block like what was done at Murray Avenue. Mr. Altieri asked as a curbing. Ms. Commender said yes. They did it on Murray Avenue and there is an island at the bottom of the Chatsworth Avenue bridge. Ms. Commender suggested that for any plantings that were chosen they pick assorted trees so that they don't always use the same tree, in case there is a blight that wipes out all the • trees. She had also made mention of the fact that the Board had reviewed an application last year for a flood insurance company, which Mr. Jacobson said the Board did,trees were taken down and they haven't been replanted. Mr. Jacobson said he thought there was one to be replanted at the corner. � s Board of Architectural Review February 15, 2001 Page 3 • Ms. Commender said that now all three are gone. All the trees are removed. That was something that needed to be addressed. She said also in discussion about changing the sidewalk width on Myrtle,had also talked about changing the sidewalk width on the street across from the New York Sports Club. Ms. Commender said those are the three things she wanted added. Mr. Altieri said the first time they costed this out, they crossed it out with the granite curbing which is terrific, because it is easy to maintain, it's hard to destroy. The only problem is that it can be tough on tires, because the corner is very sharp. If you are a little aggressive going into a parking space, you can flatten your tires. It's beautiful, but it is $26.00/$27.00 a foot to install. Mr. Altieri said he will get something back to the Board in a couple weeks, as he has to send it out. Mr. Jacobson asked if there were any other comments. There were none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jacobson postponed review of last month's meeting until the next meeting. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on March 15, 2001. • ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Commender, seconded by Mr. Spagnola the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:00 p.m. -2/1 ali.txt,t,,te_, (.0 Marguerite It4p , Recording Secretary 410