Architectural Review Board

Architectural Review Board Department of Planning & Community Development City Hall - Roosevelt Square Mount Vernon, New York 10550-2060 (914) 699-7230 Shawyn Patterson-Howard Robin Myers Mayor Acting Chair ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 21, 2022 A regular meeting of the Architectural Review Board was held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM in the Memorial Room on the Second Floor of City Hall. ITEM #1 - ROLL CALL - The Acting Chair, Ms. Robin Myers, called the roll: in addition to the Acting Chair, the following Commissioners were present: Sylvia Woods and Linda Sanchez. Also attending were Maria Pace, Secretary to the ARB, Deputy Commissioner Marlon Molina, Robert Galvin, Plan Administrator, and U. Nkechi Nwachukwu, land use counsel. With a quorum present, the Acting Chair opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. Meeting was live streamed on CMVNY Facebook. ITEM #2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES The October 26, 2022 Minutes were approved. Commissioner Woods made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez and approved by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing The Acting Chair read the description of the application: Case No. 39-2022, 109 South 1st Ave. (Section 165.71, Block 3125, Lot 30) in the RMF-10 zone. The Acting Chair indicated that this is a new public hearing. The owner is Sharpe Home Designs, LLC. Their architect is Mr. Carlos Sosa Streber. Their engineer is Mr. John Annunziata, PE. The approximately 4,700-sf subject property is located on the east side of South 1st Avenue approximately 86’ south of East 2nd Street in the RMF-10 zone. The subject property has a frontage of 47” and depth of 100’. There is an existing one car garage located in the northeast rear corner of the property with a driveway leading to it from South 1st Avenue. The rear yard is 34’. The residence is a three-family house. City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 Applicant is seeking a certificate of appropriateness for renovation and alteration of existing three-family residence. The scope of work includes new roof, extension of existing stair on left side of structure, relocation of the bathroom, kitchen windows, new siding, windows, doors and trim. Applicant has provided set of plans with color elevations which show samples of materials. The new roof for the residence and detached garage is proposed to be timberline architectural shingle (charcoal), 6” vinyl white trim and new siding, new stucco on portion of front elevation of house and side and rear elevation of garage, exterior paint is natural gray and white trim around the windows. The existing fire escape on the third floor will be retrofit for a new ladder. The plans do not show any lighting for the garage or the residence. SEQRA Determination – The proposed action is a “Type II” action under SEQRA based on DEC 617.5 (c) (11) "construction or expansion of a single family, a two-family or a three-family residence on an approved lot ......” therefore, ending the SEQRA process. Mr. Carlos Sosa Streber explained that this was a simple project: he will be replacing the siding on the house with new white siding; replacing the windows with Andersen windows; replacing the siding on the roof of the two-car garage; and renovating the stairwell. The Acting Chair inquired about the siding that was chosen. Mr. Streber explained that it was of better quality and a better price point. Commissioner Woods asked if there would be any trim or contrast to the windows? Mr. Streber replied that the trim on the windows would be white. The Acting Chair asked about the front door and lighting. Mr. Streber explained that it will be white with glass with one sidelight and an overhang depth of ~2 ft. The back area will be the same. The Acting Chair asked where the gutters and leaders are articulated as they were not shown on the rendering; however, Mr. Streber pointed them out on the site plans. The Acting Chair asked about the base of the foundation; will the siding come down to the lawn? Mr. Streber replied yes. The Acting Chair asked if the driveway would be replaced and asked that it be noted and added to the scope of work. The Acting Chair asked if there were any plantings around the garage as there aren’t any around the house. 2 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 Mr. Streber said that he could add plantings to the site plans and elevations. The Acting Chair suggested that it would be nice to see newer plantings at the base of the foundation, side elevations and the back where the extension will be. The Acting Chair asked for a motion to approve the application with three conditions, including the addition of a new driveway to the scope of work; the addition of planting schedule to the renderings; and tear sheets of recessed lights. Commissioner Woods made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez and carried by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing 3.2 Case # 40- 2022 31 South 14th Avenue (Section 164.84, Block 3015, Lot 29) in the RMF- 6.75 District. The Applicant is Mr. Donny McTaggart. Applicant is being represented by Mr. Shahin Badaly, PE. The subject property is a 6,313 sf property occupied by a one-family residence located on the south side of South 14th Avenue approximately 340’ north of West 2nd Street in the RMF-6.75 zone. The Applicant is seeking a certificate of appropriateness for a horizontal addition to the existing one-family residence and conversion to a two-family residence. Proposed improvements include proposed new windows, doors, steps, brick finish siding, new roofing shingles, masonry foundation partition, and aluminum siding. Applicant has provided set of plans including elevations which call out each of elements being proposed. Applicant has been requested to provide samples of the materials for the board members. SEQRA Determination – The proposed action is a “Type II” action under SEQRA based on DEC 617.5 (c) (11) "construction or expansion of a single family, a two-family or a three-family residence on an approved lot ......” therefore, ending the SEQRA process. Mr. Shahin Badaly explained that the property has been vacant for some time and had been partially illegally renovated. Plans were filed several years ago to renovate the building and were approved; however, the contractor went beyond what was approved. Mr. Shahin now proposes to complete the project in a zoning-compliant way, including opening the closed-in porch along with horizontal enlargement on the right and left of the building. The arched windows will be replaced, the brick at the front door will be maintained, the foundation walls will be repainted in a grey color and he proposes recessed lighting on the porch. The hedges at the front of the house will be maintained and replaced with those in better condition. After further comments and discussion regarding the brick, front door, roofing, and horizontal side pieces, Mr. Galvin suggested that Mr. Badaly submit a narrative describing the scope of 3 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 work that he will be doing including options and changes that will be made. It was also requested that he provide a sketch with a letter describing the finishes, siding, hardware, etc. The Acting Chair asked for a motion to adjourn this application to the January 25, 2023 meeting. Commissioner Sanchez made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Woods and carried by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing 3.3 Case # 41-2022 (ARB Application #197301) 210 West Lincoln Avenue (Section 165.61, Block 1076, Lot 14) in the Neighborhood Business (NB) District. The Applicant is West Side Party Rental. Applicant is being represented by Mr. Shahin Badaly, PE. The Applicant is seeking a certificate of appropriateness to allow the following improvements in this existing brick, one-story warehouse, and sales office. Proposed improvements include the installation of a new overhead garage door and enlargement and installation of two existing adjacent garage doors. Windows on the exterior elevation between the garage doors and existing entrance door will be reconfigured from three windws to two windows. All of the garage doors access West Lincoln Avenue and the interior loading dock. Applicant is also proposing to expand the existing loading dock. The subject property is 34,486 sf with the building being 29,883 sf in the NB zone. There is an approximately 4,000 sf open yard at the rear of the building. Applicant has provided set of plans showing the building elevation with dimensions. Applicant will be working with the City Tree Surgeon in planting new street trees of at least 8” caliper in the city r-o-w fronting adjacent properties along West Lincoln Avenue. SEQRA Determination – The Proposed Action is a Type II action based on 617.5(c)(9) “construction or expansion of a primary or accessory/appurtenant, non-residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a use variance and consistent with local land use controls,” therefore, ending the SEQRA process. Mr. Shahin Badaly explained that this application has received Planning Board approval. There will be no landscaping because there is no room; however, he is working with the DPW to put in a tree. There will be no rolling gates and the three garage doors will be the same height although adjustment for the slope needs to be made. After discussion regarding the garage doors, lighting and parapets, the following conditions were suggested for this application, including: 1. Make donation to tree fund and plant street trees along W. Lincoln Ave (per Planning Board condition) 4 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes December 21, 2022 2. Coping on top & garage door warm grey color (to coordinate w/ windows & doors) 3. Streamline LED down-facing, anodized bronze finished lighting 4. Paint mullions on windows 5. Provide cut sheet for fixtures The Acting Chair asked for a motion to adjourn this application to the January 25, 2023 meeting. Commissioner Woods made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez and carried by a vote of 3-0. ITEM #3 - ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION The Acting Chair asked if the Commissioners had reviewed the 2023 Calendar of the Architectural Review Board Meeting Dates. The Commissioners indicated they had reviewed them with no changes. The Acting Chair asked for a motion to approve the 2023 Calendar of the Architectural Review Board Meeting Dates. Commissioner Sanchez made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Woods. The motion was approved 3-0. Meeting Adjournment There being no other business, the Chair asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Woods made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez and carried by a vote of 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Maria Pace Land Use Secretary Bob Galvin, AICP Planning Administrator 5