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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997_08_28 Board of Architectural Review Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AUGUST 28, 1997, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman Anthony Spagnola Pamela T. Washington \1O , 421 Absent: E. Robert Wassman CO Robert M. Immerman Rt Ct Lucian J. Leone O 7 IlI'ta 17=; "T�ie 1997 Also Present: William E. Jakubowski IOW OIC Building inspector �'QMroERK O N.Y.Nfor CALL TO ORDER j ,1 � The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:10 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jacobson stated there are not enough members of the Board present this evening to review the previous Minutes. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: NICHOLAS DEGIACOMO/RAY CATENA LEXUS - 1435 Boston Post Road -Block 411 Lot 249 - signage Mr. Jacobson advised Mr. DeGiacomo that there is only a simple majority of the Board present this evening. Therefore, approval would require a unanimous vote by the members present. Mr. DeGiacomo may postpone his application until the next meeting or proceed. Mr. DeGiacomo said he will proceed and started his presentation. Mr. DeGiacomo said the applicant would like to add the name Ray Catena to the existing Lexus signage, using the same letter style and height. Ms. Washington asked if the applicant has other places of business with similar logos as requested, and asked if Mr. DeGiacomo had any photographs of same. Mr. DeGiacomo said all the other LEXUS dealerships owned by Mr. Catena have a similar logo, but no photographs of other signs were available. Mr. Jacobson said the application was presented to the Board some time ago, it was discussed, and at that time the Board felt the new sign was going to be extremely large. At that time, the Board stated they would like to entertain alternatives to a sign of that size. Possibly Mr. DeGiacomo's client was not made aware of the Board's reaction. Mr. DeGiacomo said when the original application was denied, he did not realize he had to come before the BAR and make a presentation. Board of Architectural Review August 28, 1997 Page 2 Mr. Jacobson said were the sign not illuminated it might well be approved. It is a handsome sign. But because it is illuminated and is so large the Board has serious concerns. Mr. DeGiacomo said that the panel looks large, but the overall size of the building should be considered. Mr. DeGiacomo said the sign faces the lighted parking lot and showed pictures that were taken of the existing building and sign. A resident of the neighborhood, Ms. Slater, said it also faces the houses on Birch Lane. Ms. Washington asked if Mr. DeGiacomo discussed with Mr. Catena the possibility of his name being physically smaller than the LEXUS letters. Mr. DeGiacomo said he had never spoken to Mr. Catena, as he always deals with the manager, Mr. Williams. Mr. DeGiacomo will report the findings of this evening's meeting to Mr. Williams tomorrow. Mr. Jakubowski said that Mr. Williams was asked to be present at this evening's meeting, and had agreed he would be present but probably had an urgent matter that took him out of state. Mr. Spagnola asked if the lights stay on all night. Mr. DeGiacomo said the lights do not stay on all night. When he was at the premises, the lights went out about 10:00 p.m. Mr. Spagnola asked Mr. DeGiacomo when Lexus is not open is the sign in question turned off. Mr. Jakubowski said the parking lot law states when a place closes its business,the parking lot illumination is supposed to be turned off. However, that does not necessarily prevent the applicant from having some lighting for security. Mr. Spagnola asked about the lighted signs being turned off on the building. Mr. Jakubowski said usually the signs on the building are turned off also. A question arose about illumination in the sign ordinance, but the ordinance book was not available for reference. Mr. Spagnola asked Ms. Slater if she was aware of the lights being turned off or if the lights stay on. Ms. Slater introduced herself, and said she is a member of the Flint Park Neighborhood Association and resides on Birch Lane. Ms. Slater then gave a detailed presentation regarding the lighted sign. When the sign was proposed, there was no sign ordinance in the Town. The Town agreed to change its law and reviewed with the Board pertinent sections of the law regarding same. Ms. Slater could not confirm whether or not the lighting was turned off at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Jakubowski said the matter is scheduled to be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals on September 4, 1997, and as long as the matter is scheduled for the Zoning Board he cannot stop Lexus from having the sign. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the contents of Lexus' application to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the changes that have occurred on the Boston Post Road and the surrounding area of Lexus as it effects housing in that area. Mr. Spagnola said he would like to see it from Ms. Slater's viewpoint, and feels it is certainly a valid concern. • Board of Architectural Review August 28, 1997 Page 3 Ms. Washington said when Ray Catena first occupied the premises, there were many discussions with the neighborhood about the tree planting for the purpose of screening the lighting and signage. Mr.Jacobson said that Ms. Slater has been extremely helpful to the Board, and feels the Board should take this opportunity to discuss the matter further in light of the information Ms. Slater has given the Board. Mr. Jacobson said although initially he was trying to judge the impact of the additional lighted signage, perhaps the better way to look at the situation might be no lit signage on that side of the building. There is nothing wrong with Ray Catena Lexus identifying itself, but the problem is identifying Ray Catena in lights. Ms. Washington asked Mr. Jacobson if there was enough light from the parking lot to illuminate the proposed signage. Mr. Jacobson said he was not addressing that issue. How visible the Ray Catena Lexus sign is, is a separate issue. The environment would undoubtedly be enhanced if it were not an illuminated sign. The Board asked to peruse the photos again. Mr.Jacobson said the site lighting is another issue and the lighting is pretty bright. Over a period of time, a number of steps might be taken to improve the environment. Mr. Jacobson said he does not know that the site lighting needs to be that bright for security or for selling. Ms. Washington said when Mr. Catena applied, the Board did agree that the lighting was needed and expanded on the details. A detailed discussion-ensued regarding the illumination being an environmental problem, and that a condition can be made that the sign cannot be illuminated. Ms. Slater asked why the lights have to be so high. Ms. Washington said at the time of application, there was no discussion about changing the elevation of the lights. Mr. Jacobson said the discussion about lighting may be beyond the scope of the Board. Ms. Washington requested the matter be held over to the next meeting, so the Board can have an opportunity to inspect the area with respect to lighting in the evening. Ms. Slater said it is not so visible at the present time because all the leaves are out, but eight months of the year it is very visible. The lights compound the problem because they reflect onto the pavement. It is a real problem. A discussion ensued regarding same. Mr. Spagnola said the Board can ask for other proposals. Mr. Jacobson said he feels the Board could make a contribution to the environment if the signage is not illuminated. It is regrettable to take away something that was granted, but it is not a plus to increase the size of the illuminated signage threefold. Ms. Washington suggested the matter be held over to the next meeting, until the absent members of the Board are present and the Board has had a chance to revisit the site even if the matter has to held over until the wintertime when the leaves are no longer on the trees as Ms. Washington cannot tell from the pictures what the impact of the illumination will be. Board of Architectural Review August 28, 1997 Page 4 Ms. Washington said the Board is not completely present. The absent members of the Board are not being heard and Ms. Washington is reluctant to make a strong position without more members present. It•is important for everyone to see the situation for themselves, before deciding what should be done. Mr. Jakubowski said the BAR is advisory to the Zoning Board,whose meeting is scheduled for September 4, 1997. Ms. Washington said the BAR had made a statement at the last Zoning Board meeting that a decision cannot be made until hearing from the BAR. Mr. Jacobson said if the decision is postponed on the application, he will write a memo to the Zoning Board explaining the issues discussed. Mr.Jakubowski said usually when a Board is an advisory to another Board if the Board that actually makes the decision, if they choose to make a decision, without all the information from an advisory Board they either have to mitigate information sent as to why the matter will not be heard at the moment or they would have to make conditions which would address the fmdings that Mr. Jacobson feels have to be taken care of; i.e. the winter situation possibly a unique situation, and whatever else is important. Mr. Jakubowski said the law is specific about forty-five days. Mr. Jacobson said with respect for his colleagues' view,he would be inclined to postpone the BAR action on the application until there is the benefit of a full Board. Mr. Jakubowski asked if the Board would like to schedule a meeting night wherein someone from Lexus will be able to turn off the lights. After some discussion it was decided to do so prior to the next meeting. • Mr. Jakubowski said perhaps the applicant should also look into changing to a full block letter with a halo affect behind it; the lettering goes to black and all that gets lit is a little of the wall behind it. Mr. DeGiacomo said the Lexus sign does light up white at night. During the day it is a smoked plexiglass face. The lettering does not light up anywhere near as much as a white plexiglass. Mr. Spagnola said he drove by the building again this evening and looked at the sign. It is not very bright, it is elegant and the building is lovely. As a designer, Mr. Spagnola feels it is very beautiful,but if it is creating a problem for the residents the Board must investigate the problem. Ms. Washington said it might be valuable for the applicant to bring samples of the other kind of lettering just mentioned and discuss with Lexus what other alternatives or position might be acceptable. Ms. Slater said it is important to remember that Lexus must get a variance to keep the current sign. Mr. Jakubowski suggested, as he has photos both day and night and a photo Ms. Davidson left with him which is not dated and no one can testify when the photo was taken. Mr. Jakubowski said Ms. Davidson said it was taken a while ago. Mr. Jakubowski said if photos are going to be submitted, they should be more recent. On a motion made by Ms. Washington and seconded by, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing be, and hereby is, adjourned to the September 18, 1997 meeting where the issues that have been raised are more fully addressed; i.e.illumination and the neighbors concerns. Board of Architectural Review August 28, 1997 Page 5 NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on September 18, 1997. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:30 p.m. .72/1 VA Margueij Roma, Recording Secretary