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 JUNE 26, 2024 A regular meeting of the Architectural Review Board was held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Mayor’s Conference Room, Room 107A, on the 1st Floor in Mount Vernon City Hall. ITEM #1 - ROLL CALL - Chair Robin Myers called the roll; in addition to the Chair, Commissioners Linda Sanchez and Buzz Riley were present. Also attending were Deputy Commissioner Marlon Molina, 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 minutes of May 22, 2024 were approved. Commissioner Sanchez then made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Riley, and approved by a vote of 3-0. ITEM #3 PUBLIC MEETINGS New Public Hearing 3.1 – ARB-24-30: 50 Gramatan Avenue (Section 165.62, Block 1118, Lot 11) in the NB: Neighborhood Business District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on June City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes June 26, 2024 6, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s June 26, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property was provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is 44-60 Gramatan Realty LLC, represented by Kimberly Nardone, their lead design professional. The subject property is located on Gramatan Avenue, just north of Prospect Avenue, in the NB: Neighborhood Business District. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of one illuminated storefront sign reading “Pizza Hut”. The sign’s lighting complies with the city’s Zoning Code per Section 267-76, ensuring that it doesn’t glare into adjacent areas or distract drivers or pedestrians. It does not flash, move or blink. The submitted drawings illustrate its lighting impact on the building façade. The existing property is a storefront commercial complex. SEQRA – The proposed action is a Type II action based on 6 NYCRR 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. Steven Kaganovich, Vice President of NY Sign Art, the company that designed the sign, explained that it would be placed above the location of the new Pizza Hut store. He noted that the sign would be mounted on rectangular tubes to match the wall color. Commissioner Riley asked if all signs are designed to scale and whether the proposed sign is proportionate to the signs on H&R Block and other adjacent stores. Mr. Kaganovich said, yes, it is the same set up for all signs and the sign is proportionate to the other neighboring signs. Commissioner Riley then made a motion to approve the application, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, and approved by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing 3.2 – ARB-23-103: 151 Forster Avenue (Section 165.32, Block 2240, Lot 11) in the NB: Neighborhood Business District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on June 12, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s June 26, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property was provided with notice of today’s meeting. 2 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes June 26, 2024 The owners are Juan and Erika Rubio, represented by Dennis Douglas, the lead design professional. The subject property is located on Forster Avenue between East Grand Street and the Cross County Parkway, in the R1-4.5: Single Family Residence Zoning District. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of a proposed aluminum fence, as well as exterior changes to the existing 2-story single-family residence, the addition of a new staircase area in the rear of the property that will serve as a replacement for the existing staircase in its place and repairs to the existing sidewalk in front of the house as required. SEQRA – The proposed action is a Type II action 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”, therefore ending the SEQRA process. Wilton Jarrett represented Dennis Douglas, the design professional for this project. He explained that work needs to be done to the back of the house. The Chair asked what changes were being made. Mr. Jarrett explained that they are adding a new railing, steps to the basement, and an aluminum fence. Commissioner Riley asked if the fence was a solid panel. Mr. Jarrett replied it was not. Chair Myers asked why wood was being used for the stairs. Mr. Jarrett explained that doing so would match the other homes in the neighborhood. Commissioner Riley asked if the wood will be stained or painted and recommended that it be painted. Commissioner Riley then asked if the fence would include a gate. Ms. Erika Rubio, co-owner of the house, said the fence will have a gate. The Chair asked if anything will be put at the top of the stairs. Ms. Rubio said no, they did not want anything on top. Commissioner Riley asked if any trees would be taken down. Ms. Rubio said no. Commissioner Riley then asked if the neighbors were aware of the work the Rubios are doing, especially with the fence. 3 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes June 26, 2024 Ms. Rubio said that the neighbors were aware of the work to be done, including the fence, and confirmed that communication has been good. She also confirmed that the fence will be black. After further discussion, the following conditions were made: • Paint the wood railing in the rear the same color as the half-timbers in the front of the house. • Resubmit drawings to show the gates at the northside and southside at the driveway. Commissioner Riley then made a motion to approve the application with the conditions, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, and approved by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing 3.3 – ARB-24-31: 144 East Kingsbridge Road (Section 169.64, Block 3097, Lot 3) in the R1-3.6: Single Family Residence District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on June 10, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s June 26, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property was provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is Jacob Morris, represented by Tom Abillama, the lead design professional. The subject property is located on East Kingsbridge Road, in the R1-3.6: Single Family Residence District. The property is on the southern border of the City of Mount Vernon, directly adjacent to the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to provide new stucco design along the entirety of the existing 3-story commercial building. The applicant previously received a certificate of appropriateness to provide new stucco design along the front and one side of the building (driveway and parking lot side to the west) on September 11, 2023. SEQRA Determination – The proposed action is a “Type II” action under SEQRA based on 6 NYCRR 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. Tom Abillama, the design professional, represented Jacob Morris, the applicant. Mr. Abillama outlined the prior ARB approval provided in 2023 and explained that the approval being requested now is for completion of the work on the building. Commissioner Riley asked about the new drawings, as there was a color change from tan to dark gray. 4 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes June 26, 2024 Mr. Abillama provided the updated drawings and outlined the color changes that were made. The applicant also mentioned that he chose stucco colors that would show the least amount of dirt, per his contractor’s recommendation. Commissioner Riley then made a motion to approve the application, seconded by Commissioner Sanchez, and approved by a vote of 3-0. New Public Hearing 3.4 – ARB-24-32: 415 South Second Avenue (Section 169.31, Block 3119, Lot 44) in the RMF- 6.75: Multifamily Residence District. The Architectural Review Board received an Affidavit of Sign Posting stating that on June 11, 2024, a sign was posted at the site giving notice of the Architectural Review Board’s June 26, 2024 meeting. The Board also received photographs showing that the sign posting on the property was provided with notice of today’s meeting. The owner is Brendan Ahern, represented by Dennis Douglas, the lead design professional. The subject property is located on South Second Avenue, between East Fifth Street and Sandford Boulevard, in the RMF-6.75: Multifamily Residence District. The Applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to remove the old and existing vinyl and asphalt siding and replace it with new cement board siding. 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”, therefore ending the SEQRA process. Mr. Wilton Jarrett represented the applicant, Brendan Ahern, on behalf of Dennis Douglas. He explained that the existing building is mismatched with vinyl in front and asphalt shingle on the side and rear. They are seeking to change the character of the building by putting in new siding. He then showed the Board samples of the siding. The Chair asked about the roof material. Mr. Jarrett said it was a flat asphalt roof. Commissioner Riley asked what the window trim color would be. Mr. Ahern responded that the window trim color and windows would be black. 5 City of Mount Vernon Meeting Date Architectural Review Board Meeting Minutes June 26, 2024 The Chair commented that it is nice to see hardie plank replacing the vinyl. She then asked about lighting and the treads and risers. Mr. Ahern said there would be two high hats above the stairs and that the steps would be bluestone. The Chair then asked what was happening at the foundation level under the bay windows. Mr. Ahern stated the hardie board will not go down to the foundation. The foundation would be stone and painted in a contrasting color. Commissioner Riley inquired if there was any landscaping near the bay windows and suggested using native plants. Mr. Ahern said that there would be plant beds under the bay windows. Commissioner Riley asked about the hallway expansion and if all the windows will be new. He also asked about existing egress windows. Mr. Ahern confirmed that the front door will lead to a hallway and straight to the apartments. He also confirmed that all new windows will be installed and that egress windows will comply with egress requirements. There was discussion regarding conditions, to include: • Landscaping to use native plants only (no boxwoods). • Windows identified as egress windows shall comply with egress requirements in function and size. Commissioner Sanchez made a motion to approve the application with conditions, seconded by Commissioner Riley, and approved by a vote of 3-0. Commissioner Sanchez then made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Riley, and approved by a vote of 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM. Maria Pace Land Use Secretary Bob Galvin AICP, Planning Administrator 6