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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997_11_20 Board of Architectural Review Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK NOVEMBER 20, 1997, IN THE SENIOR CENTER, TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK Present: Edward Z. Jacobson, Chairman Robert M. Immerman E. Robert Wassman Pamela T. Washington Anthony Spagnola Absent: Lucian J. Leone Also Present: William E. Jakubowski, Building Inspector Ronald Carpaneto, Director of Building Kevin T. Moore, Assistant Building Inspector CALL TO ORDER • The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jacobson at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Jacobson welcomed the new building inspector, Ronald Carpaneto. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jacobson asked the members of the Board if there were any comments on the Minutes of the last meeting. After some discussion and revisions, upon a motion made by Ms. Washington, seconded by Mr. Immerman, the amended Minutes of the October 16, 1997 meeting were unanimously approved. Chairman Jacobson read the application as follows: KRT PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC. -Trader Joe's - 1262 Boston Post Road -Block 407 Lot 192- signs Donald S. Mazin, attorney for the applicant, 1415 Boston Post Road,Larchmont appeared, along with Joan Saltiel, a landscape specialist, and Ross Baker, the sign fabricator. Mr. Mazin thanked the Board for meeting this evening, and welcomed Mr. Carpaneto as the new Building Inspector. With respect to landscaping, Mr. Mazin said at the last meeting the problems with the site were indicated to the Board. Mr. Mazin discussed pictures taken at eye level passing the diner coming from Mamaroneck and coming up the hill from Weaver Street, to demonstrate that the shopping center is not visible until one is close to the entrance to the property. Signage is needed to advertise the center. If trees are installed it will increase the problem of visibility, and trees will be affected by the winds, creating a hazard for individuals using the sidewalk because the area is solid rock. Mr. Mazin informed the Board that the applicant appeared before the Planning Board. The Planning Board reviewed the site plan,discussed the landscaping plans,i.e. trees, etc., and the Planning Board agreed there would be no requirement for trees but did suggest the use of native plantings which will be discussed this evening also. Board of Architectural Review November 20, 1997 Page 2 Mr. Mazin then directed his comments to the building signage, and stated that the Board, at the last meeting, suggested that the standing letters be 28 in. in height. Mr. Jacobson said the Minutes did not reflect the height of the letters, but the Board was hi favor of the lettering being contained within a band that did not extend beyond the piers. Mr. Jakubowski said when the sign is composed entirely of individual letters in one line, they cannot exceed 32 in. in height. If text is put under the single row, then the total height may not exceed 32 in. In this case, the sign would exceed 32 in. If the applicant continues to pursue the signage as proposed, a variance is needed. Mr.Jacobson said he would prefer to see smaller letters contained within the limits as previously expressed and illustrated in the submission at the last meeting and shown on the photographic examples of other Trader Joe stores provided. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the size of the letters; i.e. 24 in., and the field color behind; i.e. natural stucco color, Trader Joe's letters red with gold outline, internally lit; A Unique Grocery Store below in black, but not internally lit; the line dividing Trader Joe's and A Unique Grocery Store is a reveal line in the stucco. Mr. Spagnola said he is in favor of the above, and said it is clearly a better design when the smaller letters are within the band. Mr. Jacobson said the Board does not know for a fact the size of the letters that will fit within the envelope discussed, and the point to be made is that the Board would prefer Trader Joe's letters to fit into the sign band that is defined. At the last meeting the Board discussed externally lighting the surface of the sign band. No external lighting is shown. Mr. Baker said there is no soffit where lighting can be installed. Mr. Jacobson said the Stop and Shop store has lights which come out and illuminate the surface on which the letters are installed, at which point a discussion ensued regarding same. Mr. Immerman asked if the same type face will be used for A Unique Grocery Store, as presented in the pictures. Bob Weingarden, of Trader Joe's, said the type face is Times Roman. Mr. Weingarden discussed the reduction of the dimensions and said it will be discussed with architect who will then proceed. Mr. Weingarden said he will keep the dimension under 32 in., as he does not want to have to apply for a variance due to time constraints. Mr. Weingarden said he will abide by the Board's decision, reduce the sign to the size the Board suggests. The applicant will make sure the sign will be visible from the road, and if necessary A Unique Grocery Store will be deleted but they prefer not to do so. Ms. Washington asked if the sign does not have external lighting, the black letters are not illuminated and will not be visible at night. Mr. Weingarden said they will provide external light at night. The space will all be illuminated by the goose neck. The Board then discussed the monument sign. Mr. Immerman said the Board's packet did not include graphic information responsive to the Board suggestions at the previous meeting. New information was presented only this evening. It is not supposed to be received in this fashion and asked the Building Department to reject matters that are not presented in a responsive manner before resubmitting same to the Board. Board of Architectural Review November 20, 1997 Page 3 Mr. Matin apologized to Mr. Immerman for not providing information beforehand,but it was Mr. Mazin's understanding that the applicant was to come before the Board to go over the alternatives. A call was received from the Building Department prior to the meeting requesting a submission, and Mr. Mazin did the best he could to make that submission. Mr. Mazin said the Board had approved the 28 in. and the applicant was coming before the Board to show that the 28 in. did not fit into what the Board wanted. There was a misunderstanding in the way it was to be done. No one had requested the applicant to submit in advance after the first submission. Mr. Immerman said the Board prefers to have recommendations in advance, even if choices are submitted, so the Board can have time to consider same ahead of time. Mr. Mazin thanked the Board for meeting this evening. Mr. Baker explained the proposed revised pedestal presentation. Mr. Jacobson said when dealing with a monument sign there is a maximum square footage for the monument sign and asked what that includes. A discussion ensued regarding the overall height being 6 ft. high, 30 sq. ft. per sign face and landscaping. Mr. Jacobson said the Board, at the last meeting, was in favor of a wood sign because it would be in character with what the applicant is trying to communicate with the store and asked about the color of stain on the wood. Mr. Baker said the cedar would look natural inside the store, outdoors it would be treated for being outdoors and would still keep its natural color. The wooden frame around it will be painted in black to make it stand out. The letters would be red and black letters will be used for A Unique Grocery Store. Ms. Washington asked what the letters are made of and will the letters be pinned on the cedar or on a different plain. Mr. Baker said the letters will be pinned to it. A question was asked if it will be externally lit, which was verified. Mr. Spagnola asked how wide the sign is. Mr. Baker said the sign will be 4 in. wide placed on a 4 in. thick pole. Mr. Spagnola said the black border seems heavy and asked if it can be lightened up a little in the browner tone. Mr. Baker said a deeper shade of brown can be used. Mr. Spagnola said A Unique Grocery Store in black should be maintained. Mr. Immerman said the overall height above the ground will be 6 ft. to the top. Mr. Jacobson said he feels signage is not being placed where it will be most beneficial to the store. Mr. Weingarden said the suggestions will be discussed. Mr. Jacobson said there is a huge Fir tree next to the sign, and asked if that will be impacted when the entrance is expanded. Mr. Mazin said it will be moved. Board of Architectural Review November 20, 1997 Page 4 Mr. Jacobson said he does not feel the Fir tree will be a great loss if not replanted, and it is a visual block to the center. Mr. Mazin said the landlord would not be upset if the tree were not moved. The Board then discussed the revised landscape plan and planting list, which was submitted after the Planning Board meeting. Mr. Jacobson asked if Mr. Mazin knew the available planting depth on the site. Ms. Saltiel said most of the area is rock ledge and difficult to plant. Mr. Jacobson asked if the planting plan reflected where plants can and cannot be installed. Ms. Saltiel said the plan reflects two different kinds of native type evergreens which will cascade over the wall; i.e. Juniper, a formosa variety with a purple haze in the winter, and the Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, which is Bearberry, a red berry plant. Mr. Wassman asked if there was another variety of low growing plantings that can be used rather than grass along the street front. Ms. Saltiel said the above suggestions, Juniper and Bearberry, are the best. There are also different species of Juniper that can be used, at which time a discussion ensued. Mr.Jacobson asked the landscape representative, in her professional opinion,is it impossible to plant trees along that zone. Ms. Saltiel said that it would be very difficult, due to the rock ledge and the shallow open area. There is not sufficient depth of soil to plant trees successfully. Mr. Jacobson said with respect to the landscape plan, additional plantings will be installed to replace the grass. The Board recommends that the evergreen tree not be transplanted, and the Board has been informed that trees will not survive in that area. On a motion made by Mr. Spagnola, seconded by Mr. Immerman, the following resolution was unanimously ADOPTED: WHEREAS, KRT Property Holdings, Inc. for Trader Joe's has submitted an application to the Building Inspector, together with plans to fabricate one 3 ft. x 10 ft. double faced monument sign, internally illuminated on two 4 in. pipes cemented in ground; sign to be UL listed and labeled; 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, KRT Property Holdings,Inc. for Trader Joe's 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, as amended this date, subject to the following conditions: Board of Architectural Review November 20, 1997 Page 5 1. the monument sign will be light cedar wood; 2. the letters would be pin mounted on the cedar; 3. the sign will be externally illuminated with fixtures that are mounted on the ground; 4. Trader Joe's letters will be in red; 5. A Unique Grocery Store letters will be in black; 6. the edge border will be thinner than shown, in a walnut brown stain finish; 7. Trader Joe's text, the signage above the store front, will fit in a sign band which does not extend beyond the brick piers; 8. the lettering will be reduced to such a size that it will fit within the three (3) front bays, limited by the outer sides of the four (4) brick piers; 9. Trader Joe's letters are internally illuminated with red plexiglass faces and anodized aluminum sides; 10. A Unique Grocery Store will be in black plexiglass letters that are pin mounted to the surface of the sign band; 11. the sign in total will be externally illuminated by fixtures which will project out above the sign; 12. the height of sign will not exceed 32 in.; 13. the landscape plan is accepted as presented, with the addition of low plantings in place of grass. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the BAR will be held on December 18, 1997. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was unanimously adjourned. Marguerite ROaba, Recording Secretary