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 Chair ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 28, 2024 A regular meeting of the Architectural Review Board was held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Memorial Room on the 2 n d Floor in Mount Vernon City Hall. ITEM #1 - ROLL CALL - Chair Robin Myers called the roll; in addition to the Chair, Commissioners Sylvia Woods, Linda Sanchez, and Buzz Riley were present. Also attending were William Hyland, Senior Planner, Maria Pace, Land Use Boards secretary, and U. Nkechi Nwachukwu, land use counsel. With a quorum present, the Chair opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. The meeting was live streamed on CMVNY Facebook. ITEM #2 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES The January 24, 2024 minutes were approved. Commissioner Riley made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Woods, and approved by a vote of 4-0. ITEM #3 - PUBLIC MEETINGS New Public Hearing 3.1 – ARB-23-110: 55 Oakledge Road (Section 159.71, Block 2254, Lot 6) in the R1-7 District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on February 11, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2024 February 28, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property has been provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is Paul Spychala, represented by George Restivo, AIA, who also serves as the lead design professional. The subject property is in the R1-7 One-Family Residence Zone, on Oakledge Road. The subject property is an existing 1 ½ -story single-family residence. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to construct a patio addition on a 1 ½ story wood frame dwelling, including glass sliding doors, class A asphaltic shingles to match the existing residence, Alucobond panels and a screened storefront to the patio with segmented screen panels in the individual frames. SEQRA Determination – The proposed action is a “Type II” action under SEQRA based on 6 NYCRR 617.5 (c) (11) " construction or expansion of a single-family, a two-family or a three-family residence on an approved lot including provision of necessary utility connections as provided in 617.5(c)(13)....” therefore, ending the SEQRA process. Mr. George Restivo, the architect for this project, explained that the owner plans to screen in an existing patio that will include an insulated roof, aluminum screens, wood rafters, and Class A asphalt shingles. The existing slate floor will remain. The Chair commented about the lack of color renderings and other samples. Commissioner Riley expressed his concern about whether all the finishes for this project would fit in with the neighborhood because the plans do not reflect what is being described. He also noted that there was not enough development on what the patio storefront would look like relative to the house. Mr. Restivo said it would follow the circle of the patio but would slope at the same time. Commissioner Riley pointed out that the pitch needs to be properly shown if that’s the case. He also noted that the application is incomplete and that more work needs to be done so that it is in keeping with the architecture of the house. Mr. Paul Spychala, the homeowner, explained that the plans indicate more than what he asked for. He said all he wants is a new 4 ft. high wrought-iron railing to follow the curve of the patio with 8 wooden posts that will be in keeping with the house. The Chair and Commissioner Riley both suggested that the applicant should resubmit a plan for what is being described, along with a rendering. Commissioner Riley suggested that a flat roof, with just enough of a slope, plus wood columns would be in keeping with the attractive house. 2 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2024 The Chair then asked if there were any comments from the public. Mr. Mark Hershey, next-door neighbor to Mr. Spychala, said he did not object to the project but was concerned about how the patio will be used once it becomes a screened-in porch. He commented that he has lost a lot of privacy due to the removal of bushes and trees that surrounded the patio and has concerns that the new porch will be used as a living room, causing noise; there will be echoing from the stone wall; and the sliding doors used as an egress. He was also concerned how this would affect the value and desirability of his home. The Chair noted concerns about the landscaping and requested that a landscaping plan be added to the revised plans. Commissioner Riley suggested that the neighbors have a conversation to review the plans so both are comfortable with the work that will be done. At the recommendation of the ARB, this application was adjourned to the March 20 meeting. New Public Hearing 3.2 – ARB-24-1: 405 South Fifth Avenue (Section 169.31, Block 3091, Lot 1) in the RMF-6.75 District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on January 31, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s February 28, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property has been provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is Derri Kreshnik of DERRI 405 S 5TH AVENUE LLC, represented by Shahin Badaly, who also serves as the lead design professional. The subject property is in the RMF- 6.75 Multifamily Residence Zone, on South Fifth Avenue. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to construct two attached one- family dwelling units on each newly subdivided lot, for a total of 4 one-family units. SEQRA Determination – The Planning Board was the lead agency for the proposed unlisted action and after review, issued a Negative Declaration for the application on October 4, 2023, which closed out the SEQRA review. Mr. Shahin Badaly, the applicant, noted that recommendations were made after meeting with the Zoning Board and Planning Board. These are reflected in the elevations, the removal of the rear room on the third floor to create an open deck area, and a roof terrace with wood railings wrapping around it. On the first floor, two units will have a wood deck and two will have access 3 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2024 to the backyard. All units will have exterior space. Lighting was a Planning Board condition and small lights will be used above every single door. Commissioner Riley stated that he thought the plans had a unique, high-end look and suggested that wrought-iron railing should be extended around the back of the units rather than wood railing. After further discussion, the following conditions were recommended: 1. Siding to be Hardie Plank in the color Pearl Gray. 2. Wood railing at the rear to be replaced with black wrought iron railing to match the railing in front. 3. Brick veneer to be Triangle Brick Company’s “Oakton” brick. 4. Brick trim on front shall be extended to the sides of the building. 5. Roofing to be Timberline HDZ asphalt shingle in the color Oyster Gray. 6. Landscaping to use only noninvasive native plants (no Bradford Pear). Commissioner Riley then made a motion to approve the application with the conditions, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, and approved by a vote of 4-0. New Public Hearing 3.3 – ARB-24-2: 454 South Ninth Avenue (Section 169.38, Block 3047, Lots 14 & 15) in the RMF-6.75 District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on January 31, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s February 28, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property has been provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is Derri Kreshnik of DERRI 454 S 9TH AVENUE LLC, represented by Shahin Badaly, who also serves as the lead design professional. The subject property is in the RMF- 6.75: Multifamily Residence Zone, on South Ninth Avenue. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to construct (1) Two-family attached dwelling on each of the four newly subdivided lots, for a total of 8 dwelling units. SEQRA Determination – The Planning Board was the lead agency for the proposed unlisted action and after review, issued a Negative Declaration for the application on October 4, 2023, which closed out the SEQRA review. Mr. Shahin Badaly, the applicant, explained that this is a 4-lot subdivision, with two units on each lot for a total of eight units. 4 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2024 Commissioner Riley asked about the materials being used, if the first floor is all siding and if the basement is stucco. Mr. Derri Kreshnik, the owner, said the building mimics the style of existing townhouses, but will be better and more high-end. After further discussion, the following conditions were recommended: 1. Siding to be Hardie Plank in the color Cobble Stone. 2. Trim to be Hardie Plank in the color Timber Bark. 3. Railing to be a composite wood to match color of the trim. 4. Brick veneer to be Triangle Brick Company’s “Red Wirecut” brick. 5. Roofing to be Timberline HDZ asphalt shingle in the color Golden Harvest. 6. Landscaping to use only noninvasive native plants (use Ilex as an alternative to Boxwoods). 7. Motion sensor flood lights to be on each garage (include specifications). Commissioner Sanchez then made a motion to approve the application with the conditions, seconded by Commissioner Woods, and approved by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Riley then made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Woods, and approved by a vote of 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM. Maria Pace Land Use Secretary Bob Galvin AICP, Planning Administrator 5