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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998_11_19 Board of Architectural Review Minutes • s ® MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK NOVEMBER 19, 1998, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman �jN Anthony Spagnola ,� E. Robert Wassman Pamela T. Washington RECEIVED Absent: Robert M. Immerman •� DEC 22 1998 ecu k U�CROKcc►o Also Present: Ronald A. Carpaneto, Director of Building WM/1,1H K NV. CALL TO ORDER g The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:03 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jacobson asked if the Board members had reviewed the draft BAR Minutes of October 15, 1998 and if there were any additions or corrections. There being none, upon a motion made by Ms. Washington, seconded by Mr. Spagnola, the October 15, 1998 BAR Minutes were unanimously approved. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES/Laszlo Farkas-1375 Boston Post Road-Block 411 Lot 196.1 -sign (adjourned 10/15/98) Peter DeGast, one of the owners of the Pancake House, appeared. On the original drawings in the Board packets there was some question about the word "RESTAURANT". On the original shop drawing, it did not show the cutouts in the lower sections. There would be some illumination under the tips of the "R" and the "T" in the word "RESTAURANT". The facing of the sign is Lexan, and the aluminum sides of the cabinet are painted IHOP blue. Mr. Jacobson asked Mr. DeGast to describe how the sign will look at night. Mr. DeGast said it is a translucent sign. The light will flow through the sign to some degree. The sides are solid and will be dark at night. They are opaque. Mr. Spagnola said he is sensing that the blue is not as bright as the white will be. Mr. DeGast said most of the light will probably pass through the IHOP lettering itself. The solid dark colored blue sides diminishes the amount of light flow and he made a comparable comparison to the signage used by DOCS. The overall height of the sign is 6 ft. to the top. The square footage is 28.125 sq. ft. On a motion made by Ms. Washington, seconded by Mr. Spagnola, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: ® WHEREAS, INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES/Laszlo Farkas has submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to remove an existing sign and replace with new sign; and Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 2 WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has declined to issue such permit on the grounds that the review by the Board of Architectural Review is required; and WHEREAS, INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES/Laszlo Farkas submitted an application for approval to the Board; and WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans, inspected the site, reviewed the application and has heard all persons interested in this application; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the subject application be and the same is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 1. The application is accepted as presented this evening. Chairman Jacobson read the next application as follows: LARCHMONT ACRES EAST/Christopher Harris-Palmer Avenue&Richbell Road-Block 408 Lot 86 - sign (adjourned 10/15/98) Christopher Harris, the superintendent for Larchmont Acres, appeared. He is before the Board to replace existing signage. Mr. Carpaneto said the sign is an existing sign that has been in existence for quite a while. The owners had requested Certificates of Occupancy, and in reviewing the file found that no permit had been issued for the sign. A variance for the size of the sign, has already been granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Wassman voiced concern that a variance was granted without communication from the BAR, and objects to same. Mr. Jacobson said the sign was presented to the Board approximately two months ago, and no one representing the applicant was present at that time to make a presentation. No action was taken on this matter. A discussion ensued regarding what position to take at this time, as the sign was never presented to the Board for design review and the inappropriate action taken by the Zoning Board by granting a variance. Mr. Carpaneto will check the Zoning Board file to see if a concession was made when the variance was granted. Mr. Jacobson said the Board cannot act on the application for sign approval, as the Board does not have any graphic information regarding the sign at this hearing. After further discussion, on a motion made by Mr. Jacobson and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this matter be, and hereby is, adjourned to the December 17, 1998 meeting, for the applicant to return with graphic materials and color photographs of the sign. Chairman Jacobson read the next application as follows: WINGED FOOT GOLF CLUB/Larry Gordon - Fenimore Road - Block 344 Lot 1../2 - facade Larry Gordon, the architect for the project, appeared, along with Stephen Sullivan, the representative from Winged Foot. Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 3 Mr. Gordon is proposing to add a second story to an existing building. Because of the contours of the property, the second story will be on grade level on one elevation and second story on the other elevation. Most of the proposed building will be used as a storage building. The building across from this building will be renovated at a later date, which is used as dormitories for personnel. The first floor will be completely storage. The second floor will be storage as well, with a small area put aside for the caddies to congregate, which will also have a kitchen and two bathrooms. Doors will be changed in the other rear part. Mr. Jacobson asked Mr. Gordon to give the Board some background information on the proposed project. Mr. Gordon said presently it is a rather barren area. The main building is stone with tudor details and stucco, which the applicant will try to utilize. There are other small buildings in the area. Mr. Jacobson asked about the color scheme. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the colors to be used, the glazing and the chimney. Mr. Jacobson asked if there were any questions or comments on this application. There being none, on a motion made by Mr. Wassman, seconded by Mr. Spagnola, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: WHEREAS, Winged Foot Golf Club/Larry Gordon have submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans for a second floor addition to and renovation of exiting storage building;and WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has declined to issue such permit on the grounds that the review by the Board of Architectural Review is required; and WHEREAS, Winged Foot Golf Club/Larry Gordon submitted an application for approval to the Board; and WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans, inspected the site, reviewed the application and has heard all persons interested in this application; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the subject application be and the same is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 1. The application is accepted as presented. Chairman Jacobson read the next application as follows: LARCHMONT CHRYSLER JEEP/Alfredo Gulla- 2517 Boston Post Road -Block 504 Lot 101 - sign William Lieberman from Albee Sign Company appeared, along with Alfredo Gulla of Larchmont Chrysler Jeep. Mr. Lieberman is proposing an illuminated double sided sign with blue background and white letters. The location is indicated on the plot plan. It is an aluminum sign cabinet, with all the particulars noted on the submission. Mr. Wassman questioned the location of the signage with respect to the intersection. Mr. Jacobson said the Board previously determined that the sign was set back so that it did not intrude into the triangle. Mr. Jacobson made the following comments, (1) with respect to the sign, the words "USED Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 4 CARS" are very large and will be able to be seen from a great distance, and (2) the Board would like to know if the applicant has any intentions of upgrading the existing canopy. Mr. Gulla said he does not like the present colors of the canopy. Mr. Jacobson asked if Mr. Gulla is leasing the lot. Mr. Gulla said that he purchased the lot. Mr. Jacobson said it is appropriate to not only talk about painting the canopy some other color, but also there has been a continuing concern about the quality and care of the landscaping on the site. Mr. Gulla said the lot has been cleared of debris and he will maintain the site. Ms. Washington said the opportunity to grant the signage is the only chance the Board has to make a request for plantings, trees and an improvement of that piece of property. Ms. Washington said that Mr. Gulla's other piece of property down the street has significantly more plantings in front of it than this corner. Mr. Gulla said he will install plantings. Mr. Jacobson said this particular site is on a very prominent corner, and the length of frontage that it occupies is very important to the street scene. The Board would like to see something positive happen from a landscaping point of view. The canopy has been addressed. There is also the issue of site lighting. Mr. Jacobson asked if Mr. Gulla has any intention to change the site lighting. Mr. Gulla said in the near future he would like to improve little by little and do all that is needed and more. Mr. Carpaneto said in speaking to attorney Donald Mazin, it was his impression that Mr. Gulla was just going to request the sign at this time and was going to make a separate application for site improvements at a later date. Mr. Jacobson questioned how the Board can take some action on the sign without assurances that other improvements will be made. Mr. Carpaneto said the Board passed on the previous tenant's site improvements, Saturn, and asked if the BAR would want anything different. Mr. Carpaneto said the only thing that will change will be the sign, if Mr. Gulla is in agreement that the lighting be as approved, the canopy be painted and plantings be installed. Mr. Jacobson said he does not want a situation where the sign is approved this evening, and the other issues remain undone. Mr. Wassman said the applicant is supposed to accept the requirements, and if not,will be in violation and can be requested to remove the sign. Mr. Gulla said he has been in Larchmont for 35 years. Mr. Wassman suggested the Board grant the sign permit, subject to Mr. Gulla's acceptance of the ® conditions presented this evening or the sign permit gets revoked. A discussion ensued regarding the previous Saturn site plan approval, and Mr. Gulla's interest in moving forward. Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 5 Mr. Carpaneto informed the Board that Mr. Gulla will have to go before the Zoning Board to use the lot for the purpose intended, as it is not connected with his other place of business. Mr. Wassman said the Zoning Board should not rule on something, as he previously objected to this evening, without BAR approval for the sign. Mr. Carpaneto asked if the board can grant approval contingent upon Mr. Gulla accepting the plan that is on file, otherwise, he will have to reappear before the BAR for site plan approval and signage. After further discussion regarding this issue, Mr. Jacobson said the Board should discuss the sign requested. He is concerned about the scale of the letters used for "USED CARS" and would prefer if it were less powerful. Mr. Spagnola said the sign would be better if the size of the letters used for "USED CARS" were reduced slightly. Mr. Gulla said if the letters are reduced, it will not be seen. Mr. Spagnola is asking for more space around the perimeter of the panel, the lower rectangle, and said possibly Mr. Gulla can use 9 in. letters. There was further discussion regarding letter size and readability, and using the same gray color on the signage to paint the canopy. On a motion made by Mr. Wassman, seconded by Mr. Spagnola, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: WHEREAS,Larchmont Chrysler Jeep/Alfredo Gulla have submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to install a new ground sign to read Larchmont Chrysler Jeep Used Cars; and WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has declined to issue such permit on the grounds that the review by the Board of Architectural Review is required; and WHEREAS, Larchmont Chrysler Jeep/Alfredo Gulla submitted an application for approval to the Board; and WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans, inspected the site, reviewed the application and has heard all persons interested in this application; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the subject application be and the same is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: 1. The sign be approved as presented subject to reducing the size of the lettering "USED CARS" to 9 in. 2. Subject to the applicant's compliance with the previously approved Saturn site plan development for this lot. 3. The color of the canopy be the gray color of the Used Car Sign. Mr. Wassman asked if there were any plans for the structure on the property. Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 6 Mr. Gulla said there are no plans for the structure at this time, as there is quite a bit of work to be done on that structure. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Jacobson read a letter that was addressed to the Town Supervisor from a tenant in the apartment building on Myrtle Boulevard having to do with the brightness of the Coughlin Group sign, entitled Unnecessary Light Pollution, from Nicholas K. Sparkman, 172 Myrtle Boulevard, which is a part of the record. Mr. Jacobson then read a letter in reply from Elaine Price, Town Supervisor, which is also a part of the record. A discussion ensued regarding this matter. Ms. Washington suggested that a copy of Mr. Sparkman's letter be sent to Mr. Coughlin,asking for a one- third reduction in the wattage as a test, have the lights turned off at 9:00 p.m. and not lighted on the weekend, as the lights are not on affectively for safety. Mr.Jacobson suggested the Board's comments be copied to the Town Supervisor, who should communicate with Mr. Coughlin. Mr.Wassman suggested the Town Supervisor communicate with Mr. Coughlin suggesting his consideration be given to reduce wattage of illumination, shading the lighting, and a time schedule for lighting. ® A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the brightness of the lighting,measures that can be taken to alleviate the problem and the definition in the sign ordinance relating to illumination. Mr. Jacobson said he will write the Town Supervisor, Elaine Price, expressing the Board's concerns. Mr. Jacobson asked if there was any other business. Ms. Washington asked how Mr. Carpaneto is doing with BAR violations. Mr. Carpaneto said Augie's Restaurant is still in court. When he last spoke to the owner, he suggested the owner do the other work on the building. If the owner wanted to argue the point about the pole sign, do that,but take down the horizontal/angular restaurant sign and paint the upper part of the building,which was agreed upon. Mr. Wassman asked how long this matter has been going on. Mr. Carpaneto said it has been going on for two years. Mr. Carpaneto informed the Board that the Town is going to be working on the Boston Post Road from Castro going north, with sidewalk improvements, tree planting, lighting, all of which has gone out to bid. Next month Nathan's will be applying for a chinese restaurant buffet, with proposed facade changes, color changes and monument signage. Mr. Carpaneto informed the Board that another application will be the old KFC for 1-800-Flowers, which is a chain, with facade changes and a walk-in cooler. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on December 17, 1998. • Board of Architectural Review November 19, 1998 Page 7 0 ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Spagnola and seconded, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Marguerite Ro , Recording Secretary a C