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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994_06_16 Board of Architectural Review Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL BOARD OF REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK JUNE 16, 1994, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD MAMARONECCK, NEW YORK Present: Robert 'merman, Acting Chairman Edward Z. Jacobson Pamela Washington Joan Williams Absent: E. Robert Wassman, Chairman James Fleming Also present: Barry Weprin, Town Councilman Michelle Bonsteel, Assistant Building Inspector CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman 'merman at 8:00 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was not possible to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 19, 1994 as a. quorum of those at the meeting was not available. VILLAGE ANAL HOSPITAL - 6 Weaver Street - Block 410 Lots 163 and 173 - Review and approve ramp. There was considerable discussion about the placement and necessity of one of the sections of the railing structure. The members of the Board felt that less railing was desirable, and the existing site of grading seems to make the center section unnecessary. Removal of that section would allow entrance to the parking lot. The handicapped parking space should be placed close to said entrance On motion of Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Jacobson, the Board unanimously approved the plans for the ramp as submitted with suggestions that, if legal, less railing would be better and that the entrance to the ramp be placed at the middle of the parking lot. DJ LARCH REALTY TRUST - (Larchmont Diner) - 3299 Boston Post Road - Block 404 Lot 433 - Review and approve new plans for facade and sign. No one represented the Trust, so the matter was not heard. Board of Architectural Review June 16, 1994 -2- CASTRO CONVERTTRT,FS - 1289 Boston Post Road - Block 412 Lot 489 - Sign repair Charles Shelton, Director of Construction for Krauses's Sofa Factory, appeared. He stated that over a year ago his company had bought the retail business of Castro Convertibles. Castro Convertible Realty Company owns the property. Mr. Shelton stated that a violation had been issued as the Castro sign had been changed to reflect a new logo and as a result of a vandal-caused break in the surface. The building has been painted, refinished inside and re-lit. Mr. Immerman explained to Mr. Shelton the new regulations concerning pole signs. Mrs. Washington encouraged Mr. Shelton to build a monument sign soon to be more modern and to think of upgrading the tree planting and the parking lot. Mrs. Williams reiterated the suggestion for new planting. Mr. Shelton maintained that this store is not very profitable; and, therefore his company is not ready to do major landscaping or upgrading at this time. Mr. Weprin stated that the Town will be planting street trees along the Post Road in this area. It would like permission to plant on the Castro property as the Town right-of-way has a sidewalk at that site, and there is an insufficient planting bed between the curb and the sidewalk. On motion of Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board unanimously approved the sign changes for Castro Convertibles as submitted. The Board recommended that the logo be cleaned up, that landscaping be added to the site, that the barricades be removed, that street trees be permitted to be planted and that the monument sign be implemented at the company's earliest convenience. Mr. Immerman asked Mr. Shelton to remain to hear Mrs. Williams' report on tree planting. REPORT - Tree planting - Joan Williams Mrs. Williams presented a report on the condition of the landscaping at sites recently approved by this Board. Said report is attached to this record. In discussion following Mrs. William's presentation, the members felt strongly that landscaping plans should be filed with photographs at the start of projects rather than as an afterthought. It was recommended that the Building Department prepare and distribute two information sheets. The first, given out prior to filing an application, would specify the process for landscape approval. Included on this sheet would be specific instructions for the plans (numbers and species of plants, for example) and the requirement for photographs of the site. A second sheet would give requirements for maintenance of the site following planting. Board of Architectural Review June 16, 1994 -3- The members present were in favor of establishing a requirement for a landscaping bond which would be held for a year to ensures plants "taking" and to encourage good maintenance. It is likely that establishing a landscaping bond would require legislation by the Town Board. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Mrs. Washington, seconded by Mr. Jacobson, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. idw4,444iI j /Seve.462 Bonnie M. Burdick, Recording Sec'y Board of Architectural Review June 16, 1994 -4- LANDSCAPING REPORT Chairman Bob Wassman suggested recently that I inspect the various sites which the BAR had approved for construction and landscaping with special attention to their compliance to our requirements for trees and landscaping. With my copies of their landscape plans in hand, I looked at each site and soon discovered that either my plans were incomplete or the applicant had not followed our directions by planting the correct number of shrubs or trees. Many had also failed to survive the harsh winter. In an attempt to make the inspection process function more smoothly and easily for all concerned, I would like to make the following recommendations for your consideration. 1. Two people should inspect each site together for landscaping - one to read off the plan while the other counts and inspects plant material. 2. According to the BAR Local Law - 1990 on Page 2, under #5 B all applications for building permits must be accompanied by plans showing landscaping. Then at the applicant's initial meeting with the BAR, the landscaping can be reviewed allowing the BAR to make its recommendations. The revised plan can be reviewed for final approval by the BAR at its next scheduled meeting. This way all architectural and landscape revisions shall be on the same plan for review in the future, thus making it easier for the Building Department to track as well. 3. I strongly suggest that we only approve landscape plans which designate number and species of plant material. Otherwise, applicants tend to plant inappropriate species which are either too fragile, too few, small, low or high for their particular location. The landscape plans for Lexus, Gap and Edwards as well as the Town plan for the Boston Post Road in front of Kenny's are all good examples of attention to appropriate numbers and species. 4. Even though the Town has a property maintenance code, applicants should be strongly encouraged to employ some kind of gardening service on a regular basis to water and weed the new plantings to preserve them. In times of drought this maintenance is also very important. It stands to reason that appropriate regular care of the landscaping will save the applicant the cost of replacement in the future after the guarantees run out. 5. Any proposed revisions or substitutions from the original approved plan must be approved by the BAR. After speaking to Councilwoman Kathy O'Flinn and learning that she is extremely interested in the BAR's landscaping requirements for commercial buildings, she agreed to give the BAR any help necessary by adding street trees, where possible, in her capacity as Town Beautification chair. Board of Architectural Review June 16, 1994 -5- Landscaping softens a building and creates a pleasing ambiance along busy streets and highways. Parking lots need more trees to break up the monotonous expanse of concrete. Trees provide a cooling effect as noted by the clustering of cars under them on hot days. Since we all should be interested in promoting the recommendations of the Town's Master Plan update as stated in the BAR local law, we must be conscious that landscaping be treated as seriously as the creation of an esthetically pleasing architecturally style.