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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981_07_15 Planning Board Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD JULY 15, 1981 , IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET AND EDGEWOOD AVENUE, LARCHMONT, NEW YORK. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 8:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Mr. G. Norman Blair, Chairman Mrs . Mary Carlson Mr. Warner Pyne, Jr. Mr. Anton Schramm Mr. Paul Kalos Also present: Mr. Charles R. Elfreich, P.E. , Town Engineer APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of June 10, 1981 were presented and on motion duly made and seconded, approved as cohrected . APPLICATION OF GARFIELD HOUSING CORPORATION - AMENDED MAP - BLOCK 133 PARCELS 148 and 299 The Chairman explained that the function of the Board was to determine what type of environmental action was required and that at the last meeting the Board had de- cided that certain agencies had to be notified and that the Planning Board was the lead agency. The Board received replies from Mr. Barrett of the Conservation Advisory Committee and the Westchester County Department of Health . Both stated that they had no objection to the Planning Board being the lead agency. The Board reviewed the Local Ordinance that was adopted in 1977 and the State Ordinance and discussed the park- ing facilities and the number of units being proposed for the multi-family highrise apartments . Mr. Elfreich had written a memo to the Board advising them that he had reviewed the EAF form submitted by Mr. Morganroth , P.E. , and in his opinion the utilities and street locations would not adversely affect the are or community and in effect would be an improvement and there- fore benefit the property owners . Mr. Elfreich recommended that no draft environmental impact statement be required and that the preliminary hearing be heard on the appli- cation. Mrs . Wilson of 15 Lafayette Road questioned about the drainage and whether the facilities would be adequate for the additional load. Mr. Blair read a letter from Mr. Paul Dierks of 2.1 North Chatsworth Avenue objecting to the application. Mr. Robert Dallos of 1 Huguenot Drive asked about the proposed streets and said he had assumed that Madison Avenue would remain closed and Mr. Blair said they had no plans to open the street. Mr. Dallos, also, asked why the applications had to be heard in August when so many people are away on vacation. Mr. Frank Connelly, who is Mr. Guadagnolo 's Attorney said that he had labored over this for many years and at the last hearing when he had appeared they had testimony from the County Engineer who stated that the sewerage could be handled. Mr. Feder said that he had built many projects over the last 45 years and this complex could only help the drain- age and there was no possibility of doing any damage. Mr. Henry Korngold of 6 Lafayette Road said he had lived there for over 25 years and knows that there is an under- ground stream causing the street to become considerably lower. Mrs. Dorothy Miller asked if there would be parking only for the tenants and it was pointed out that the same num- ber of spaces would be provided for non-tenants as there is at present. Mr. Feder pointed out that once they get all their appro- vals the project would be about 18 to 20 months under construction . Mr. Blair said that all construction traf- fic must be off-street. Mr. Anthony Math a tenant of 1-3 Washington Square Apart- ments said that the public should be made aware of what was going on . The Board discussed as to the type of action that was required and whether or not an environmental impact study was necessary. Mr. Blair, Mr. Schramm and Mr. Pyne decided that a study was not necessary. Mrs . Carlson felt that the Westchester County Planning Department should be asked to make a study and Mr. Kalos asked if a study could be made by someone else. Mr. Blair pointed out that the Environmental Assessment Form that was used by the appli- cant's Engineer was a standard form. Mrs . Carlson said she did not feel the applicant had submitted any infor- mation on traffic since three roads were being relocated. On a vote of three to two the Board decided that an En- vironmental Impact Study was not necessary and that the Preliminary Hearing be held at this meeting . The Board decided that the next meeting will be held on August 19th and at that time they would hold the Public Hearing . Mr. Feder was advised to prepare more detailed plans . Mr. Elfreich said he would notify the Westchester County Planning Board and other agencies of the Board 's decision . REQUEST FROM TOWN BOARD FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPECIAL PERMIT FOR COOKS RESTAURANT - MELRON AMUSEMENT CORP. Mr. James J . Noletti , an Attorney with Sirlin and Sirlin, appeared in Mr. Sirlin 's absence to explain the position of Melron 's application . Mr. Noletti said he questioned the Town 's interpretation of the need for a "Special Permit" since Cooks restaurant was in existence before the present zoning and was con- forming at that time. The applicant is requesting a new recreation room and a new entrance to the restaurant which comply with all the zoning ordinances and conforms with all other ordinances of the Town of Mamaroneck. Mr. Noletti stated they did not understand the reason why they need a "Special Permit" for recreation amusement use. The applicant feels that the area in question is located in a highly intensive business zone where there are several restaurants and a shopping center. Mr. Noletti pointed out that the addition will have more parking spaces than are required. Mr. Kalos questioned about the curb cuts and the Chairman pointed out that the applicant would have to obtain ap- proval from the State Highway Department and conform to their standards . The Board questioned as to the amount of new machines that will be added and the answer was 62. There are pre- sently 56 machines and the applicant wants to expand his business . Mr. Blair pointed out that the Board was only empowered to recommend to the Town Board and the Town Board would hold the Public Hearing and either approve or disapprove. Mr. Irving Sharp said he felt the game room would provide a place for the "kids" and in his opinion it is fairly well supervised. Mr. Jerry Glaser of Rock Ridge Road objected and said the addition would bring more people thus adding more traffic and noise. Mrs . Kirchoff of Rock Ridge Road said she would invite any of the members to come to her back yard and smell the fumes from the cooking at Cooks. Mrs . Eng of Rock Ridge Road said she was concerned about the children using the machines as she had heard some of the children steal from their parents to use the machines . Mr. Getlan explained that he did not consider the machines detrimental to children and if anything they were a "plus". He said that the machines are a new field and a "family `) type institution". Mr. Schramm said he was concerned about the additional machines and felt it would generate more traffic and would not be in harmony with the Community. Mr. Pyne said he was inclined to agree with Mr. Schramm and Mr. Blair said the additional machines would change the character of the neighborhood and cause traffic hazards . Mr. Getlan said that since they have taken over Cooks they have had no problems with any increase in traffic and the machines are there now. Mr. Getlan, also, said they have "good security" and they have no control problems with the use that is there now and he does not anticipate any. Mr. Noletti pointed out that Cooks had been in business there for years and years and the people who had bought their homes on Rock Ridge Road were aware it was business dis- trict when they moved there. Mrs . Carlson asked how many machines were in the build- ing when Cooks purchased the premises and they said there were 35 and they now have 56 and with the addition it would be approximately 110. Mr. Otto Scheuble of Rock Ridge Road said Cooks was al- ready in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. Mrs . Carlson said she could not recommend approval because the applicant is increasing a nuisance. Mr. Kalos voted approval even though he was concerned about ingress and egress . Mr. Blair said that even though he has questions about the parking he sees no reason why he would not ap- prove the addition . Mr. Pyne said he felt they needed clarification of the legality of hearing the application and he also has reservations as to the advantages the addition would bring to the community. Mr. Schramm had expressed his disapproval and with a vote of 3 to 2 the Board decided to recommend that the Town Board not approve the application based on traffic and noise. The Board also felt that the addition would not be in the best in- terest of the Community. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before this meet- ing it was adjourned at 11 :45 P . Rita A. Johnson, Secretary A Court stenographer was present and sub itted reports on both the application for Garfield Housing Corp. and Cook's Restaurant. The reports are filed in their respective folders .