Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996_04_18 Board of Architectural Review Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK APRIL 18, 1996, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman Lucian J. Leone 2404 Pamela T. Washington Absent: Robert M. Immerman itt T E. Robert Wassman Joan Williams Also Present: William Gerety •' ,OPr Assistant Building Inspector CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:04 p.m. Mr. Jacobson said, regrettably, because of illness of certain members of the Board, there are only three members present and a positive decision of the Board will have to be unanimous. Any applicant appearing this evening who would wish to postpone their application because of that may do so without prejudice. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion made by Mr. Jacobson, seconded by Ms. Washington, the amended Minutes of the March 25, 1996 meeting were unanimously approved. Mr. Jacobson read the application as follows: MOOVIES - 1298 Boston Post Road - Block 410 Lot 463 - Sign Bob Lewis from White Plains sign appeared for the applicant who presented the new logo for MOOVIES, a national chain of video stores. He presented and explained the photographs of what was approved by the Board about one year ago. The applicant is proposing to duplicate, in terms of size and shape, the word MOOVIES, with a circular symbol in the middle which says HOLY COW! WHATTA VIDEO STORE! The difference in the colors are that the sign would no longer be the gradation from dark red to yellow, it would be white MOOVIES with a black outline and then a turquoise outline. Mr. Jacobson asked if that was how it would appear in daylight? Mr. Lewis said that was how it would appear in daylight. At night the turquoise and white would be illuminated, and the black you would see because of the contrast. Mr. Jacobson asked if the Board previously had concern about signs that are predominately backed with white? Ms. Washington said the concern was mostly that applicants meet the footcandle criteria of the Zoning Board. Mr. Jacobson asked why applicant prefers a duplication of the word MOOVIES. Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 2 Mr. Lewis said the applicant feels they have a fairly large storefront, and in relationship to the other signs in the shopping center there is more wording on the signs. Ms. Washington asked why not have the sign read MOOVIES Video store, rather than repeat the word MOOVIES. Ms. Washington feels it is excessive. Mr. Jacobson said it is excessive, and is not a cleaver repetition. It seems to have a negative impact as opposed to a positive impact. The addition of the circular logo is fine, which anchors the word MOOVIES. Assuming that there is just one sign that says MOOVIES, he would see the circular logo to the left of the wood. Mr. Leone said the applicant is using the circular sign to the left, and agreed the repetition of the word MOOVIES is redundant and unnecessary. Mr. Jacobson said the regrettable fact is that the placement of the sign bears no relationship to the rhythm of the columns. To summarize the Board's comments, the single use of the sign MOOVIES plus the circular logo would be acceptable. Mr. Jacobson asked a question about the footcandle level of the illumination, that is obviously a technical issue that must satisfy the Building Department. Mr. Lewis said he did not have that information with him, but would make sure that it matches requirements the sign code. Mr. Gerety said it is 25 footcandles at 20 ft. Mr. Lewis said he will call Mr. Gerety regarding the footcandle issue. Mr. Jacobson asked about the side faces of the box. Mr. Lewis said face of the box is aluminum, the sides a turquoise color as well as the front. The sides of the HOLY COW sign would be a bronze duranodic finish aluminum. Ms. Washington made a motion that the MOOVIES sign application be accepted as amended with the HOLY COW round logo to the left of one instance of the word MOOVIES appearing, and all other aspects of the design be unchanged from what was proposed,which was seconded by Mr. Leone and unanimously approved, 3-0. Mr. Jacobson read the application as follows: TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECREATION DEPARTMENT - 140 Hommocks Road - Block 411 Lot 1 & 16 - Signs/Site Improvement Dick Ward appeared and said that several questions had been raised at the last meeting which he will address this evening. Mr. Jacobson asked for an overview of the issues to be covered. Mr. Ward said the questions are what does the building look like, what are the materials to be used, the pavers to be used within the pool complex, signage, lighting,tree configuration,landscaping,paver finish, canopy swatch and fencing which will be chain link, black vinyl covered. Ms. Washington asked if the gate across the sidewalk was going to be chain link also. Mr. Ward said the gate will not be chain link,just a simple pipe rail. • Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 3 Mr. Ward said regarding the question on the filter building,the brick facade will match the existing school building brick. There are two options for the color of the standing seam metal roof, one was to match the color of the ice rink building or to match the fascia panels of the school building. What Ward Associates is suggesting is that either color could be used. Mr. Jacobson asked the Board if the building itself would appear more attractive if the roof were dark. It was agreed to table the selection of color until after the other materials were reviewed. Mr. Ward said the paver pattern is 2 ft. x 2 ft. pavers which are fairly substantial in thickness and will be locked together in a pattern. Their recommendation is a Hastings#11GSB. The two color options for the roof just discussed were the Carlyle Cream Cote, one is saddle tan (similar to the rink) or light stone (similar to the pool building facade). Mr.Jacobson asked where the precast pavers stop,the poured concrete begins and how the poured concrete is finished. Mr. Ward said the exact rectangle footprint will be all structural, pile supported deck and pools. The pieces around that area including one paver width around the edge which will have drainage under it to pick up surface drainage at the deck edge. It has been expanded in anticipation of deck furniture to be used. Mr. Jacobson asked what the unit paver sits on. Mr. Ward said it will be sitting on a crushed stone gravel area. Mr. Jacobson asked why the extensive structural slab and what is the difference between what the unit paver will sit on and what the structural slab will sit on. Mr. Ward said a minimum deck has to be provided, 10 ft. around the pool by New York State health code. Loose pavers will move too much due to the water, traffic etc. A galley of piping will be set up to hang from the slab. Mr. Leone asked would it have been a positive idea to get some variation in the paving so that it doesn't all look the same? Mr. Ward said they thought it was too small an area to do that. Ms. Washington asked how the 10 ft. concrete pour around the pools will be scored or finished. Mr. Ward said probably it will be scored 4 ft. x 4 ft., and colored to resemble the pavers. Mr. Jacobson asked the width of the band of pavers. Mr. Ward said it was a 2 ft. paver band. A detailed discussion ensued. Mr. Ward said they were trying,between the fence line and the landscaping, to create spaces where people could sit. They were recommending Honey Locust trees in this area that let light through, and were concerned about the lawn surviving under the trees. The shape of the area was to free up the rigidity of the rest of the plan, to create a bowl. A detailed discussion ensued. Mr. Jacobson said the Board feels the configuration of trees does not relate to the complex as a whole. The configuration should be something that is transparent. Mr. Ward said in actuality the trees are very light, loose trees, small leaf which you see through easily. Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 4 Mr. Jacobson said the Board understood that the species of trees was rejected by another committee, and Ward Associates was supposed to change the species. Mr. Ward said the tree was recommended by the Coastal Zone Management Commission(C.Z.M.C.)who had recommended several other species of trees which Ward Associates felt were not appropriate. Ms. Washington said what about a more random, more naturalistic configuration, following no specific pattern? Mr. Ward said they were setup as a grouping to allow for some shade. Mr. Jacobson said the Board liked the playful configuration of the fence, the way the landscaping was clustered along the fence and the high, low arrangement, but opposed the tree configuration. Mr. Zimmerman presented the Board with a swatch of material used for the actual awning and presented pictures of the lounges and chairs. The frame is vanilla, accented with vinyl forest green, top accent vanilla, burgundy, and vanilla. The umbrellas have a black base, and forest green with white binding. Mr. Zimmerman then discussed the reconstruction of the various items at the pool. Mr. Ward said there was a question raised on the signage. Basically the intent on the signage was to match the standard of the Town. Mr. Ward said the other item is the benches. There are only a couple of benches going in, a steel frame and wood slates on them. The option is the one out front, which is basically the same bench. Douglas fir is used. The other option is that you can use recycled plastic, but in the summer, those benches get hot. Mr. Ward then discussed the existing light pole fixtures, which are only being relocated along the path and cleaning the area. The roof color of the filter building was raised again, favoring the darker color. The Board's recommendation is that the everglade color would be a good selection. Mr. Gerety asked if the paver has a texture for non-skid. Mr. Ward said yes, and the part that would be concrete would get a light broom finish. Mr. Ward said there is no flood lighting,just security lighting. Mr. Jacobson said the Board feels that the materials submitted are a nice selection. Mr. Zimmerman said the main structure would handle all evening, adult related activity and has all the necessary lighting. Mr. Jacobson asked if Mr. Ward is reproposing the tree configuration as shown. Mr. Ward said he was reproposing the tree configuration as shown. Mr. Jacobson said one of the Board members had suggested a more informal arrangement which seemed like a good idea. Why was it not presented? Mr. Ward said they looked at some options,but did not come up with anything that they liked. A detailed discussion then followed regarding the tree configuration. Mr. Jacobson asked what the Board's recommendation would be. Mr. Leone said it seems to be to create two arcs by removing one of the trees toward the center, and the arcs would be asymmetrical. • Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 5 Ms. Washington made a motion that the plan be accepted with the amendments made by the Board this evening that include roof color as everglade, the paver color to remain what the architects have chosen which is 11GFB, the signage be accepted as the architect presented, and the tree planting be accepted as amended which was seconded by Mr. Leone. Mr. Jacobson said he feels the tree configuration is wrong, the trees are a very important element, and he cannot vote for it. Mr. Jacobson said something should be done to recognize that the Board accepts the materials as presented and the filter building with the roof color as modified. The trees will have to be dealt with further. Ms. Washington withdrew her previous motion and restated a motion that the plan be accepted with the amendments made by the Board this evening that relate to the roof color everglade, the paver to remain the one the architects have chosen which is 11GFB, and that the signage be accepted as the architect presented, which was seconded by Mr. Leone and unanimously approved, 3-0. On the matter of the trees, Ms. Washington proposes that the architect come back next month with alternate configurations of the trees for the Board to consider. Mr. Leone said he would like to see photographs of the tree presented at that time. Mr. Zimmerman said to reappear will put the project severely behind schedule. The matter is scheduled for the Planning Board agenda on May 8, 1996, and the Town was hopeful of getting fmal approval to move forward with bid specification. Mr. Ward asked that the Board put in a concern about the trees which Ward Associates would readdress, not to hold up approval. Mr. Ward said in order for the Planning Board to approve the site plan, Ward Associates would need architectural review approval and Coastal Zone approval. Coastal Zone approval they now have. Without B.A.R. approval the Planning Board will not act, but will reschedule the matter for the following month. Mr. Jacobson said the Board approves the plan with the understanding that the Board and the designers will come to an agreement about the tree planting. Mr. Leone made a motion approving the site plan with the materials shown and the documents presented provided the landscape architect comes back to the Board with several reasonable options to the arrangement of the trees that the Board would like to see. The concern is at least a dedicated line of sight from one pool to the other and to have the center court be somewhat more park like and a less formal garden. Ms. Washington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved, 3-0. Mr. Jacobson read the application as follows: NAUTILUS DINER OF MAMARONECK - 1240 Boston Post Road - Block 408 Lot 110 - additions/alterations Tom Regal from DeRaffele Manufacturing appeared and presented a photograph of a diner he worked on at Route 9A, the Executive Diner, which is done in clear aluminum and stainless trim. The applicant also wants to take out the arches on the side. Mr. Jacobson said there appeared to be a couple of inches less planting area in the front as shown on the Site Plan. Mr. Regal said the building will be built out 9 ft. 2 in., leaving 20 in. to 22 in. Mr. Leone said the Board's concern was to tame down the variety of materials presented, the reflective glass, tile band of checker pattern, then clear glass, clear glass again. The diners are usually very active. Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 6 Ms. Washington asked for pictures of the existing diner. Mr. Regal did not have any pictures. Mr. Leone said the Board would like to see a little bit of restraint without making the building quiet. Mr. Jacobson said it is the Board's thought that the applicant be a little more restrained in the selection of materials, specifically the tile bands, because that adds to the composition. The Board recommends that people's attention is caught by what is going on inside the building, not the checker board tile on the outside. Ms. Washington said she is having a difficult time understanding the position of the applied stone and the fact that it doesn't appear anywhere on the front facade. Mr. Jacobson asked about the stainless steel faces of the columns with the stucco side faces, which the drawing indicated. Mr. Efstathiou said he wants to face them with aluminum, trimmed with the bright stainless. Mr. Efstathiou said the mullions will be bright aluminum. A discussion of the materials followed. Mr. Leone said the lights as shown are attractive. Mr. Gerety said that 12-E. states, "No ornamental lighting device attached to or used in connection with exterior parts of the building shall be permitted. Ms. Washington said to asked Mr. Silverberg why 12-E. is in the law, and stated a variance can be granted for lighting. Mr. Leone said 12-E. states further, "....except that such lighting device existing as of the date this chapter becomes effective may continue for a period of thirty (30) days thereafter. Nothing contained in this section shall apply to the regulations for illuminations of parking lots and other spaces for the sale or display of motor vehicles and other goods and automobile-washing establishments." Mr. Leone said this seems restrictive because historically buildings have carriage lights, lanterns and homes have these. It seems 12-E. is an anomaly, because A-D and F. all mention the word sign, but E. does not mention the word sign. Mr. Gerety said he will find out whether that strictly applies to signs or whether it can be applied to buildings, and will clarify this issue. Mr. Jacobson asked the applicant to note the items in question, and the Board would like to see a drawing which pulls together all the items which were discussed. Mr. Efstathiou asked if he will be able to get a permit after next month's appearance. Mr. Gerety said there was a P.E.E.R. meeting in the morning, and there are many concerns. Site Plan may be required, which is being discussed with the attorney and the engineer, there are questions about visibility on the street and with the addition Nautilus obscures Village Square's exit. Mr. Gerety said Mr. Efstathiou can propose to build,but needs the necessary approvals as Site Plan has not been waived. More information will be needed regarding the seating and parking. Also needed will be a specific engineering drawing which calculates the floor area and how the results were calculated. • • • Board of Architectural Review April 18, 1996 Page 7 © ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion made by Mr. Leone, seconded by Ms. Washington the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:48 p.m. 7)1 Marguerite Ro , Recording Secretary