HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991_01_16 Board of Architectural Review Minutes MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 1991
IN CONFERENCE ROOM A, TOWN CENTER
740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD
MAMARONECK, NEW YORK
Present: B.A.R. MEMBERS
Robert M. Immerman
E. Robert Glassman
Ralph Heisel
Pamela T. Washington
Also Present: Caroline Silverstone, Supervisor
Elaine Price, Council Member
Kathy O'rlynn, Council Member
William E. Jakubowski, Building Inspector
Three members of the public
CALL TO ORDER
Caroline Silverstone, Supervisor, welcomed the new members and thanked them
for offering their time and service to the Town.
Introductions were made by Coucilperson Price followed by opening remarks
concerning the purpose, inter. and reasons for creating the Board. Areas
covered were changes in technclogy of signage, concern about appearances,
particularly along Post Road, and a need to follow aesthetic suggestions of
the Master Plan Update Phase II. Discussed were screening, planting, parking
areas, signs, colors, etc.
Establishing a regular meeting date was next taken up and a decision was made
to meet on the third Thursday of each month, by unanimous vote.
Councilperson Price next started discussion of the information handed out to
each BAR member including the Laws for BAR, Signs, and Site Plan. S)me BAIT.
members questioned the informatics: in their packets and noted discrep:i.icies
which Elaine Price stated would be corrected. A member also asked fcr the
Master Plan Update Phase II for review of that. Mention was r:ac:e that Steve
Silverberg, Town Counsel, will be sitting as legal counsel with tne Board ar
their meetings.
The next item covered was a review of projects which will require BAR
action. Projects cited by William E. Jakubowski, Building Inspector, were:
1. Ten Grand Inc: Although the project is in progress, review by BAR is
timely and required due to the expansive nature of the site and project,
Considerations yet to be discussed will include signage, building facade and
plantings and screenings.
2. All Tune & Lube: This project has been passed by the Planning Board
so site improvements are limited in scope but the separate application for
sign replacement will be before the BAR. The building was identified and
some discussion took place on the color choices. Copies of the application
packet were distributed to the BAR members for their review as the item will
be taken up at the first regular BAR meeting.
3. Fresh 'n' Fit: Is a company taking over an existing store at Village
Square on Boston Post Road. They will only be re-facing a sign and no
exterior changes are scheduled at this time. Again, copies of applications
were given to BAR members with a brief discussion for clarification. This
will be placed on the BAR Agenda.
4. Tom Guglielmo is going to be finishing a building previously started
on Fifth Avenue and will be before the Planning Board shortly. The BAR was
advised that the owner was made aware of the requirement that he will have to
appear for a meeting.
5. Three other items which have been the subject of discussion with the
Building Inspector and are likely to be referred to the BAR were the vacant
Hory auto dealership property, the demolition of a substandard multiple
dwelling on Madison and Byron Place for use as a parking lot and a minor
storefront alteration at Jimmy's Deli on Boston Post Road at Dillon Road. As
the projects move forward, and become more concrete, the necessary documents
will be placed before the BAR and other Boards as deemed necessary.
Some discussion took place on existing buildings, including the possibility
that Blockbuster Video may be back before one or more Boards for a pole sign,
possibly as a multi-store sign listing all businesses in the building.
One point of the Sign law concerning temporary signs as listed under Section
14-35H was brought up and the concern about the time line needed to process a
temporary Sign Permit was discussed. It was felt the temporary time, i.e. ,
two weeks maximum, allowed for the sign to be displayed, and the limited
impact on the architectural and aesthetic aspects was reason for the BAR to
leave the control of temporary signs within the jurisdiction of the Building
Inspector. The decision to allow this to become Board policy was made by
motion, seconded and a 4-0 vote in favor.
The next item of concern was the date for the first meeting of the BAR.
After review it was decided the meeting will be held on February 7, 1991 at
8:00 PM. The location in Town Hall is to be determined after review of the
meetings which may be scheduled. An agenda must be prepared for distribution
to the BAR members for this meeting by January 31, 1991, and in general,
agendas will be prepared by the Board Secretary for distribution at least 7
days prior to the BAR meeting.
The question of liability was raised and the members were assured by Elaine
Price that actions of the BAR are considered actions of the Town and do not
usually leave individuals open to law suits. The Town's Attorney would
represent the BAR in any litigations which might arise as a result of the
Board's decision.
A question was raised concerning closed meetings and the BAR members were
advised that any meeting of the BAR members, as a group, to discuss the cases
before them must be done as an open advertised meeting. Casual discussion
could be done under certain conditions.
Further discussion on Local Law #7-1990 concerned the scope of the BAR
review, and concern over poorly designed residences was expressed. The
possibility of including residential one and two family construction was
discussed but Elaine Price expressed the opinion that the Council felt this
law as adopted was a first step towards taking care of a visible, high
density area where the law could be most beneficial. Future expansion of the
jurisdiction of the BAR is always a possible consideration.
Ralph Heisel, BAR member, expressed some concern about members with
architectural or engineering backgrounds finding fault with areas not under
their review. Elaine Price again covered some of the parameters under which
the Board is allowed to operate and added that Counsel can be relied on to
help keep the Board focused. Additionally, oversights in first reviews by
other Boards can be relayed between Boards as has been practiced in the past.
It could be possible that aesthetic changes may be so needed at a site that a
reduction in parking spaces, or similar need for a variance, might be
recommended in an advisory memo to the Planning and Zoning Boards.
The first official meeting date of February 7, 1991 was repeated and the
meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
William E. Jakubowski
Building & Plumbing Inspector