Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000_08_17 Board of Architectural Review Minutes • AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AUGUST 17, 2000, 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 Pamela T. Washington L` 1 E. Robert Wassman s'4 4 Absent: Anthony Spagnola RECEIVED Also Present: Kevin T. Moore, Assistant Director of BuildingSEP 22 2000 et— PATRICIA A.DICIDCCI° CALL TO ORDER MAMA9 TAOK N.Y.C�'/ The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:10 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES After some discussion, upon a motion made and seconded by Ms. Washington, the Minutes of the June 15, 2000 meeting, as corrected, were unanimously approved. • Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: BLOCKBUSTER/James Gaita - 1331 Boston Post Road - Block 411, Lot 119 - pole light James Gaita, from Envirospace, appeared and addressed the Board. He said that Mr. Novack has decided to try to make the parking a little bit easier to maneuver in and out of. He explained that the present layout causes individuals to get landlocked in a corner making it an unsafe situation. Mr. Gaita said after looking at it, it was decided the area could be cleaned up and repaved, making a separate entrance and exit. In addition,a pole light is proposed. He said that two are shown on the drawing. He received photometrics from the manufacturer that show the lighting levels for one as well as for two as shown on the drawing. It is a very low level lighting, which generally lights around the parking area. Mr. Gaita said there is some heavy brush and an old wire fence around the perimeter that will be taken down. Mr. Immerman asked if Planning Board approval is necessary to get another cut across the Town property for the new exit. Mr. Novack said yes, at which time a discussion ensued. Mr. Gaita said with this setup they are able to add a few more spaces and feel it is easier for people to get in and out. Mr. Jacobson said this is a very important site, because it is at the front door of the junior high school. It's a very messy site. It's overgrown, there is garbage, etc. The Board all share a concern about what the property looks like and how it can be made better. The Board is delighted about Mr. Novack's concern • about making the parking lot safer, but the next issue for the Board is what does it all look like; lighting levels, will there be problems with people in the adjacent town houses being affected by the light. A lot of the wild growth along the side that faces the junior high school is going to be cut out, but the Board Board of Architectural Review August 17, 2000 Page 2 • does not know what will replace it. Mr. Jacobson asked who is responsible for the property just outside the parking lot. Mr. Gaita said the Town owns that. Mr. Gaita said a year ago this area was studied and preliminarily discussed with Mr. Altieri to create 8 or 9 parking spaces here with some Arborvitae, etc. The Town liked the idea, but weren't committing to that. He showed that it could be done and they could get increased parking for the school. Mr. Jacobson asked Mr. Novack to clarify for the Board what is he planning to do to make the area nicer. Mr. Gaita said they are proposing to do nothing along the perimeter, because they don't have the ability to plant on the Town property. However, Mr. Novack told Mr. Gaita he would be willing to put some small low evergreens, maybe Arborvitae, along the Town property line with the provision that the Town maintain it. Mr. Immerman asked if curb bumps will be put along that line, with which Mr. Gaita agreed. Mr. Novack said what the Town will have is something very clean, safe and properly lit. Mr. Jacobson said the cars will be much more visible from the junior high school after Mr. Novack is done than they are now. Mr. Immerman said when the fence goes, which is a good thing because it is not attractive, and they open this up, they also may be creating an opportunity for shortcuts across the parking lot which should be prevented. • Mr. Novack said depending on what direction they decide to go, if he puts a very plain, simple, attractive fence and puts it right into the perimeter of his property into the new hedge, he could do that and have a clean, basic, attractive black,or whatever color the Board feels is appropriate,chain link fence of whatever height the Board suggests. He can do that or they can plant something on the Town property, and he will pay for it. Ms. Commender asked if they could go back to the issue about the fence and the decision made. It's Ms. Commender's feeling that she would prefer to see Arborvitae there. It would solve a lot of problems, would visually screen and keep people from running across the parking lot. Ms. Commender suggested adding trees to the further corner, to provide some shade to the parking lot. Would that be feasible? Mr. Jacobson asked which corners Ms. Commender was talking about, which Ms. Commender demonstrated. Mr. Novack asked if Ms. Commender is talking about his property or the Town property. Ms. Commender said she was referring to a cluster in the center. Mr. Novack said those are some nice old trees on Town property. A discussion ensued regarding the placement of trees and installing a line of Arborvitae. Mr. Novack said Mr. Altieri has something in the works. He doesn't know what the intended plan is and he doesn't know if Mr. Altieri may want to participate in what Mr. Novack is doing. • Judy Myers, a Town Board member, said they don't know yet what is in the works, because jointly the Town Board and school district hired a consultant and just received preliminary recommendations. Mr. Jacobson asked consultants for what? Board of Architectural Review August 17, 2000 Page 3 • Ms. Myers said the Town has a real problem with traffic backing up along Hommocks Road near the school and by the pool. The Town is increasing the size of the pool and the pool is being remodeled, with a great deal of building going on for the next few years. The area is going to be a mess for a while. The idea is to get kids in and out of there safely and would assume the report will say there must be something done to make sure nobody cuts through. Mr. Gaita asked if they can talk with the Town about this to coordinate it. Mr. Jacobson said the Board knows Mr. Gaita is going to make this parking lot safe. The Board is also concerned about how to make it attractive. Right now the Board does not know who is doing what, but the Board wants to make sure that something happens there. Mr. Novack said if he puts the chain link fence in, might the Town install the Arborvitae? Ms. Myers said she cannot speak for the Town. Mr. Jacobson said the Board would like Mr. Novack to commit to the landscaping, because the chain link fence by itself is not an attractive solution. It certainly addresses the safety issue, but his colleagues seem to think that the Arborvitae is going to go a step toward safety and would like to get that resolved. After further discussion, Mr. Gaita said if the Town does a consultant study on this and thinks a safety issue exists, they can put the chain link fence. Mr. Novack said his concern is that if he agrees to put Arborvitae here and the Town Planning Board says • you have to have a fence, he now has $10,000 more work. Mr. Jacobson said his recommendation would be for Mr. Novack to commit to the landscaping. If the Town comes back and says you have to put up a fence too. Mr. Novack can negotiate that with the Town. The Board wants to get this issue moving. Mr. Novack said they want to get something moving, because school is upon them. He agrees with what was just said, as long as it can be negotiated with the Planning Board and the Town with Ms. Myers to help out. Mr. Novack agreed to some trees. Mr. Gaita asked what type of tree the Board is thinking of. Mr. Immerman said he thinks Mr. Novack should put black vinyl coated or green vinyl coated fence on his property line. He thinks the Town should be obligated to landscape their property. Each is in control of their own property. Mr. Novack said he will control his safety issue and the Town controls the aesthetics. Mr. Immerman said the Board does want Mr. Novack to do a little more beautifying of his own property. Ms. Commender referred to the semicircle between entrance and exit lanes, and said instead of making it a grass area which has to be maintained by the Town, could he put Juniper on it. Mr. Novack said it has to be looked at. At Pier I on the corner, individuals walk through that, and it looks worse instead of better. The Town always says they will maintain it, and then it just grows and doesn't get maintained. He said he can have his gardener do it. He is open for suggestions. Grass is probably • going to look better over the long run. Mr. Immerman said there is a bare spot at the low point. Ms. Commender said it is not a great spot for grass, because it gets a lot of sun. Board of Architectural Review August 17, 2000 Page 4 • Mr. Gaita said maybe they can put some sort of mulch in that area. After some discussion, Mr. Immerman said maybe they can put a ground cover. Ms. Commender said she would like to see a low growing juniper, that grows flat. She said the ground covers are more for shade. Mr. Gaita said he would like to leave this to the Town. He would like to show what is being proposed, a grass area, an extension over, and if the Town prefers to do something decorative, a juniper or 1 something, fine. Mr. Immerman said the masonry wall on the Hommocks Road side of the parking lot needs to be painted. Mr. Novack said they looked at painting it, on the inside. You are saying to the kids, graffiti me. Whereas, it has stood all these years unpainted, with no graffiti. He said he just stuccoed the same side going down and it is covered with graffiti. He planted juniper there, so kids would have to climb up on it. No one has graffitied it yet. It didn't cost that much to paint it. He doesn't have an objection of doing so, if it will make the Board happy. Mr. Jacobson said the inside surface looks unattractive. Mr. Novack asked if he were talking about the part that faces the parking lot, with which Mr. Jacobson agreed. The other side has hedges in front of it. • Mr. Gaita said it can be cleaned up and covered with a stucco finish. Mr. Gaita asked Mr. Novack if he could paint the wall. Mr. Novack said he canP aint the wall and will match the building. Mr. Jacobson asked about the lights. Mr. Immerman said Mr. Gaita said he had some photometrics. It is his concern to be sure that the cutoff is such that it will not disturb the people nearby. Mr. Gaita said it absolutely will not disturb the people nearby and informed the Board about the photometric of the lighting. Mr. Jacobson asked the height of the light fixtures. Mr. Gaita said 20 ft. A discussion ensued regarding the way the light looks. Mr. Jacobson asked if Mr. Gaita intends to have one or two light fixtures. Mr. Gaita said he would like to discuss that with the Board. He said Mr. Novack has lighting along the building which they would like to change to a different light, a little more attractive. Mr. Novack said he would go with two. • Mr. Wassman asked if these fixtures are adjustable. Mr. Gaita said they are not adjustable. Board of Architectural Review August 17, 2000 Page 5 • Ms. Commender said she knows Mr. Gaita does not think people are going to see these lights, but the Town just spent a fortune putting in really cute lights on the Post Road, and the proposed fixtures fall far short. Mr. Gaita said you really see those lights on the Post Road. This you don't see. Mr. Jacobson said this light fixture is singularly unattractive. Mr. Wassman added that it will not shield the point source of the light to the surrounding properties over here. Mr. Gaita said that is incorrect. One will not see the light source. Mr. Gaita added that they are not going 30 ft. high. They are going 20 ft. Mr. Commender asked if they could do something lower. Mr. Gaita said as you bring the light source down, it makes the whole circle closer and tighter for the lighting part of it. Mr. Wassman said he stands corrected on his observation. After further discussion regarding the light source, Mr. Jacobson said there are lights on the building already on this side and there is contribution that way. Mr. Jacobson said these fixtures that light in all directions are the least attractive. The fixtures that are one directional have more options and are a more • attractive fixture. The discussion continued regarding where to place most of the light. Mr. Jacobson said with regard to the lighting, some of the Board members think the fixture is unattractive and some of the Board thinks it is acceptable. As far as the landscaping goes, the Board concluded that the landscaping that is outside the property line be the Town's responsibility. The landscaping discussed inside the property line, Mr. Novack has agreed to do. Mr. Jacobson asked if there is anything else the Board hasn't talked about with respect to the application that should be brought out. Mr. Wassman said if the pole is going to be relocated, he would relocate it on the outside on Mr. Novack's property line to throw some light on the sidewalk he is providing as a walking area. Mr. Gaita said that would be the Town property. Mr. Immerman said that is not Town property. The discussion continued regarding placement of the light. Mr. Gaita said he hates to put it in the walkway. Mr. Novack asked the Board to tell him where they want the light. Mr. Immerman suggested Mr. Novack have his lighting contractor come up with a layout to present. • Mr. Jacobson said he doesn't have an issue with the way the property is being lighted, but with what the fixture looks like. Mr. Novack said if they decide this is the best location for the light,he asked if anyone has a problem with that. Board of Architectural Review August 17, 2000 Page 6 • The Board said they had no problem with the location. Mr. Novack said there is going to be a light pole. It will be safe. It will be protected. It will light the part of the lot that is the darkest. It will cast inward, so it won't go out. It will cast downward. He is willing to buy whatever fixture the Board wants. Mr. Jacobson said the Board wants a good-looking fixture. Mr. Jacobson added that the Board would like a resubmittal on the lighting fixture. Mr. Immerman said he should also submit a layout or two of the light pattern along with the photometrics of it, at the same time. Mr. Novack asked when the next meeting will be. Mr. Immerman informed Mr. Novack the meeting is the third Thursday of the every month. Mr. Novack said they can come in with a catalogue for the Board to choose. They will come with a couple of layouts for the light and how the light will be cast. Mr. Gaita asked what type of fixture the Board would like, so he can go with that. Mr. Jacobson said an attractive fixture. 411 On a motion made by Mr. Immerman, seconded by Ms. Washington, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: WHEREAS, Blockbuster/James Gaita has submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to install a pole light; 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, Blockbuster/James Gaita 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 APPROVED, subject to the following conditions: 1. Approve the application of the parking lot as submitted with the following modifications. a. Install a new black vinyl coated chain link fence on the southeast side of the parking lot, the side away from the building by parking spaces 1, 2, 3. b. Plant in the two corners on that side of the parking lot, as defined by the present designation bituminous curbing. • c. The Town will be responsible for any landscaping on its property outside the new fence and in the space in the semicircle between the new entrance and the new exit. . Board of Architectural Review • August 17, 2000 Page 7 IIId. Submission of a lighting fixture with new photometrics including the light fixtures mounted on the building which exists now and one in the southeast corner. e. The masonry wall that is on the Hommocks Road side will be restored, painted or refinished on the interior parking lot. f. There will be a pole light in the parking lot itself. g. Where the new curb line cuts are made and projecting it to the Town property, the applicant will be responsible restoring the ground cover to grade. The Board thanked Mr. Gaita for his hard work and cooperation. Mr. Jacobson informed Mr. Gaita that he needs to submit the information requested in time for the Board to review it before the meeting. Mr. Jacobson asked Mr. Gaita to check with the secretary to find out when the packets are sent out. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Immerman again informed the Board that Augie's has never done anything about the recommendations made; they were supposed to paint the top part of the building, take off the diagonal restaurant sign and paint the top half of the Post Road facade. leMr. Moore said it is so noted. Mr. Jacobson asked if there were any other comments or corrections. There were none. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on September 21, 2000. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Ms. Commender and seconded by Mr. Immerman, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m. // I (.1-/-411...e/— t-e.A _A'Cr Marguerite Ro a, Recording Secretary •