HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_12_11 Planning Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK
HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM C OF THE TOWN CENTER
740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK
DECEMBER 11, 2019
Present: Ralph Engel, Chairman, Elizabeth Cooney, Vice-Chair, Ira Block, Edmund Papazian,
John Cuddy, Alternate
Also Present: Robert Wasp, Town Engineer, Lisa Hochman, Counsel to Planning Board,
Elizabeth Aitchison, Town Environmental Planner, Anthony Oliveri, Consulting Engineer,
Sabrina Fiddelman, Town Board Liaison.
Absent: Ron Mandel
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 P.M.
MINUTES
The draft minutes of November 13, 2019 were discussed.
Motion: To approve the minutes of November 13, 2019, as modified
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Ira Block, seconded by Elizabeth Cooney
Mr. Engel stated that application No. 2,ACURA of Westchester, 2155 Palmer Avenue on the
agenda requested an adjournment. He further stated that the application for 220 Hommocks
Road was incomplete as the application was not signed by the owner and the Board can't hear an
incomplete application. Mr. Wasp stated that this was a clerical error, the owner and his legal
representative are present and can sign the application now and Ms. Brill can notarize the
signatures. The owner did so as did Ms. Brill.
44 Edgewood Ave Dorothea Tomczyk—Final Subdivision Plat—Pubic Hearing
Mr. Wasp stated that on Monday the applicant received Westchester County Health Department
approval and a"will serve" letter. He confirmed that all necessary certifications have been
submitted and the Board can proceed with a public hearing.
Ms. Brill stated that the application was duly noticed.
Ms. Hochman explained that the prior hearing on the preliminary layout was closed and this is a
new public hearing.
Ms. Aitchison prepared a draft determination of significance and read it into the record.
The Board discussed the draft negative declaration.
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Motion: To adopt the draft Negative Declaration
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Ira Block, seconded by Elizabeth Cooney
Mr. Engel signed the Negative Declaration and stated that the Board is dealing only with the
subdivision at this time.
Michael Stein, of Hudson Engineering, stated that the two proposed lots are 6,000 and 6500
square feet.
Motion: To open the public hearing
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Elizabeth Cooney, seconded by Ira Block
Ms. Aitchison asked if there are any changes from the preliminary layout and Mr. Stein
responded no.
Mr. Wasp stated that the assessor has assigned new tax lot numbers.
No member of the audience made any comments.
Motion: To close the public hearing
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Edmund Papazian, seconded by Ira Block
The Board discussed the draft resolution with tracked changes.
Motion: To approve the draft subdivision resolution, as modified
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Elizabeth Cooney, seconded by Ira Block
RESOLUTION
Final Subdivision Approval
44 Edgewood Avenue, Town of Mamaroneck, New York
On motion of Elizabeth Cooney, seconded by Ira Block, the application of Dorothea Tomczyk
(the "Applicant") for approval of a final subdivision was granted by the Planning Board of the
Town of Mamaroneck (the "Board") upon the following resolution, which was unanimously
adopted by a vote of 5 to 0, with no abstentions.
WHEREAS, the subject property is located at Section 1, Block 23 Lot 249 with a street
address of 44 Edgewood Avenue in the Town of Mamaroneck (the "Subject Property"); and
WHEREAS, the Applicant filed an application for the subdivision of one lot into two lots
(the "Proposed Action") pursuant to Chapter 190 of the Town of Mamaroneck Code (the
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"Subdivision Law"); and
WHEREAS, any development of the newly subdivided lot would require compliance with
the Town's Residential Site Plan law as codified in Chapter 178 of the Town Code; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has provided all information required by the Subdivision Law
and the Application was deemed by the Board to be complete; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing on the preliminary layout was conducted on
October 16, 2019 and the Board voted to deliver its tentative conclusions to the Applicant pursuant
to Section 190-7 of the Subdivision Law (Decision on Preliminary Layout); and
WHEREAS, Section 190-8(A) of the Subdivision Law provides that, before the Board
accepts submission of the final layout of the subdivision plat, the subdivider shall obtain the
approval, without qualification, of the Westchester County Department of Health, Westchester
Joint Water Works and any other agency having jurisdiction over the premises (together, the
"Necessary Certifications"); and
WHEREAS, at the Board meeting on December 11, 2019, the Town Engineer confirmed
that the Necessary Certifications have been secured and stated that the Applicant's submission
satisfied the requirements of Section 190-8 of the Subdivision Law (Submission of final layout;
certificate of approval); and
WHEREAS, the Building Inspector, Town Engineer and Town Consulting Engineer
reviewed the subdivision plat prepared by The Munson Company, dated August 28, 2019; and
WHEREAS, as stated in a memo, dated October 16, 2019, the Building Inspector
determined that the two lots resulting from the proposed subdivision would be zoning compliant;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 234 of the Town Code, the Coastal
Zone Management Commission of the Town of Mamaroneck ("CZMC") reviewed the Proposed
Action and issued a letter to the Planning Board, dated November 5, 2019 (the "CZMC Letter"),
stating that the proposal is consistent with the policies of the Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program; and
WHEREAS, the CZMC Letter further stated: "In order to preserve the mature trees on Lot
1, CZMC recommends that the house on Lot 1 be constructed and completed first, using the
property of Lot 2 for parking, staging and material storage. Then after the work on Lot 1 has been
completed, work should begin on Lot 2." and
WHEREAS, the Proposed Action is an unlisted action pursuant to the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA") and the Environmental Quality Review
regulations found in Chapter 92, Article 1 of the Town Code ("MEQR"); and
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WHEREAS,the Board reviewed a draft determination of non-significance of the Proposed
Action (the "Negative Declaration") on December 11, 2019; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing on the final plat was conducted on December
11, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has considered the Application and the subdivision plat;
comments and responses to questions by the Applicant and its representatives; the memos, letters,
reports and comments of the Town Engineer, the Town Environmental Planner and the CZMC,
and has heard and read testimony and reviewed other submissions from interested members of the
public and its consultants and counsel.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Board hereby APPROVES the
adoption of the Negative Declaration" dated December 11, 2019, a copy of which will be kept on
file with the Building Department.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that approval of the Proposed Action is hereby GRANTED
with conditions for the subdivision of the Subject Property in accordance with the following:
1. Any development on either new, subdivided lot shall require compliance with Chapter 178 of
the Town Code (Residential Site Plan Law).
2. Except as otherwise provided in a Residential Site Plan approval relating to one or both of the
new lots, any site work shall be in accordance with the subdivision plat hereby approved and
shall comply in all respects with applicable town, county, state and federal requirements.
3. In the event that any subsequent permits or approvals require any modification to the
subdivision plat approved by this resolution, a determination shall be made by the Town
Engineer and Town Building Inspector as to whether the modification is substantial and,
therefore, must be returned to the Planning Board for its consideration and approval.
4. The term "Applicant" is used herein with the intent to impose a future obligation or condition
on the Applicant, as defined above, and on any successor or assign in/of any ownership interest
of the Subject Property or any portion thereof.
5. The Applicant shall comply with the recommendations of the CZMC Letter, as hereinabove
set forth, as to construction of new houses on the subdivided lots.
This decision shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
14 Wildwood Circle - Suzanne Wahrhafig— Site Plan Approval & Wetlands and
Watercourses Permit - Consideration
Benedict Salanitro, the applicant's engineer, stated that they are before the Planning Board for
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site plan approval and a Wetland and Watercourses permit for replacement of the existing,
failing septic system.
Mr. Salanitro further stated as follows: After extensive analysis, there is no alternative to salvage
the existing system because it is operating at a low efficiency. The owners plan to vacate the
house for approximately one month during the construction. The plan calls for the area to be
raised three feet with fill so the system will function properly. To stabilize the embankment the
rear yard will slope from the river wall back 0-3 feet, creating a slight change in grade. The
critical area will have imported, regulated fill.
The seawall height was discussed and Mr. Salanitro stated that it will remain exactly the same
and the land near will remain the same.
The facade of the wall to the neighbor's property was discussed and Mr. Salanitro stated that the
same type of natural stone would be used.
Flooding was discussed. Jeremy Rainato, the consultant from the septic company, stated that
there will no problem with the system if the property floods and there would be no damage to the
river. The system will be placed 50 feet from the river.
Mr. Salanitro stated that no permit is required from New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Mr. Wasp requested that the applicant get a letter from
the DEC stating that it does not require a permit.
Mr. Block asked the age of the present system and why it failed. Mr. Rainato responded that it is
40-50 years old and it was a natural, biological failure.
Ms. Cooney asked about the number of trucks bringing in fill and whether there will be removal
of contaminated soil. Mr. Rainato stated that all soil will be used on site and Mr. Wasp stated
that the imported soil is required to support the system.
Mr. Rainato stated that the applicant is going above and beyond Westchester County Health
Department requirements for septic systems.
Mr. Oliveri stated that he would have to take a look at the flood plain, as it seems to require a net
volume decrease. He further stated that the fill and grading seem to shed water on either side,
and it should be directed differently. Mr. Salanitro stated that he understands the concerns.
Existing storm water management was discussed and Mr. Salanitro stated that the existing rain
gardens will remain.
Ms. Aitchison stated that an Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) is required for New York
State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR), and requested that tidal wetlands be shown on the
plan.
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Mr. Salanitro asked to be referred to the next meeting of the Town Coastal Zone Management
Committee (CZMC), and requested a public hearing be scheduled for January. The applicant
was thus referred to the CZMC.
Motion: To set a public hearing for January 8, 2020
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Ira Block, seconded by Elizabeth Cooney
220 Hommocks Road -Beaumer, LLC - Site Plan Approval & Wetlands and
Watercourses Permit - Consideration
Tim DiBartolomeo, the applicant's representative, gave an overview of the project: The parcel is
4 acres in a R-50 Zone district. The plan is to repair the site, rebuild the waterfront, relocate and
raise the pool, rebuild the pool house and tennis court, renovate the dock, and replace the septic
system. Mr. DiBartolomeo further stated, that the proposed cove area is where the seawall failed
and, rather than fight Mother Nature, they plan to create the cove. They also proposed a new,
sloping lawn, a new tennis court with a hard-tru surface, and a new tennis house to replace an
existing stone structure that was part of a green house. He showed renderings of what is
proposed and stated that the view will be improved —both from the applicant's property and
from the neighbor's property. He further explained that the applicant is having ongoing and
productive conversations about the repair of the seawall with DEC and the New York State
Department of State (DOS) and that some work will entail removing a portion of the lawn and
seawall to create a new tidal wetland area.
Benedict Salanitro explained the following: the utilities, which are proposed to be underground,
flood zone proposed improvements, the proposed rain garden to improve water quality, and
replacement of the septic system. He stated, that the proposed plan is an effort to revive and
defend the property from Mother Nature.
The Board members and representatives of the applicant discussed the implications of the
property being located in a flood zone. Mr. Oliveri stated that while the report from RACE stated
there is no effect on wave height. He needs to review the Town's flood prevention code to
determine whether any additional requirements or waivers/variances are necessary. Mr.
Hochman stated the Board is authorized to grant a variance from Town Code flood zone
requirements. Mr. DiBartolomeo stated that during a flood event there will be no measurable
impact because they are not creating land or changing the interface where land and water meet.
The dock was discussed and Mr. Eggers explained that it is proposed to be 16 feet wide by 50
feet long and that this design has been submitted to the DEC. Ms. Aitchison stated that the DOS
has indicated that the dock is too wide and awaits the Town's CZMC determination.
The increase of impervious surface was discussed and Mr. Salanitro stated that it is being
addressed with rain gardens, but they have not gotten that far in the plan detail. They are only
addressing water quality issues, not quantity of water. Mr. Wasp stated that for the new
structures that are added or replaced all storm water needs to be captured on site.
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The applicant would like to start the work in March and Mr. DiBartolomeo asked to be referred
to the January meeting of the CZMC. The matter was referred to the CZMC January 27, 2020
meeting.
Mr. Salanitro requested that the public hearing be set for January 8, 2019, and acknowledged that
no final approval would be granted on that change since the applicant will not yet met with the
CZMC
Motion: To set a public hearing
Action: Unanimously approved
Moved by Ira Block, seconded by Edmund Papazian
NEW BUSINESS
A proposed local law to amend rock removal in the Town was discussed.
Mr. Engel stated that he felt the Board's requirements imposed in recent residential site plan
approval resolutions were clearer and more exact than the proposed local law. Mr. Engel
distributed a draft of a revised version of the proposed law. Ms. Fiddelman explained that Town
residents have complained about noise and the length of time allowed for chipping.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 P.M.
Minutes prepared by
Francine M. Brill
Planning board of Appeals Secretary
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