Meeting Overview

TOWN  OF ORANGETOWN   ARCHITECTURE  AND  COMMUNITY    APPEARANCE BOARD OF REVIEW – MEETING    OF  JULY 3, 2014

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jack Messina,   Chairman;    James  Dodge, Jill  Fieldstein, Blyth Yost,   Deborah Stuhlweissenburg,   Stephen Swenney and Andrew Andrews

 

MEMBERS  ABSENT:  None

ALSO PRESENT:  Richard   Pakola,   Deputy Town  Attorney; Ann Marie  Ambrose, Stenographer   and Cheryl   Coopersmith,   Chief  Clerk

 

Jack Messina,   Chairman,   called  the meeting  to order  at 7:30  p.m.

Mr.  Messina read the  agenda.   Hearings   as listed  on this meeting’s   agenda  which  are

made  a part  of these minutes  were held  as noted below.

 

New Items:

H & R Block  Plans

Review  of Sign  Plans

68.16   I 6 I 57;  CS zoning   district

 

 

Approved   as

Presented

ACABOR  #14  – 16

 

Lamont   Doherty   Earth  Observatory

Generator   Plan

Review  of Generator  Plan

80.10   I 1   I 2; R-80  zoning   district

 

Approved  as

Presented

ACABOR  #14 -17

 

Royal   Caribbean

Artificial  Palm Tree  Plan Review of Palm Tree  Plan Route 303 Overlay  Zone

74.19   I 1   I 2;  LI zoning   district

 

Approved   as

Presented

ACABOR  #13 – 46

 

 

A motion   was made to appoint   Blythe  Yost as Vice  Chairwoman    by

Jack Messina   and seconded  by Deborah  Stuhlweissenburg   and carried  as follows: Jack Messina,   Chairman,    aye; James  Dodge, aye;  Blyth  Yost,  aye; Jill   Fieldstein, aye; Deborah   Stuhlweissenburg,    aye,  Stephen  Swenney,  aye and Andrew Andrews, aye.

 

A motion   was made to adjourn  the meeting  by Blythe  Yost and  seconded  by

James  Dodge and  carried  as follows:  Jack  Messina,  Chairman,    aye;

James  Dodge,  aye; Blyth   Yost, aye; Jill  Fieldstein,    aye;  Deborah   Stuhlweissenburg, aye,  Stephen   Swenney, aye and Andrew Andrews, aye.

 

n

The Decisions   on  the above  hearings,    which  Decisions   are made by the Board before the conclusion   of the meeting,   are mailed   to the applicant.     The verbatim minutes  are not transcribed,    but are available.     As there was no further  business before the Board,  the meeting  was adjourned  at 8:45 p.m.    The next ACABOR Meeting   is  scheduled   for July 17,   2014.                              I    –  -~l<:

 

Dated:   July  3,  2014                                                              L-e.:)V                  ~

Cheryl   Coopersmith

Chief  Clerk  Boards  and  Commissions

 

 

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TO:

 

FROM:

Brian O’Conner, Frohling Sign Company, 419 Route 59, Nanuet, New York

Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review

 

 

RE:               H & R Block Sign  Plan: The application of Frohling Sign Company, applicant for Pearl River Realty Corporation, owner, for the Review of Sign Plans at a site to be known as “H & R Block Sign Plan”, in accordance with Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York and Chapter 2 of the Code of the Town

of Orangetown. The site is located at 47 East Central Avenue, Pearl River, Town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York and as shown on the Orangetown Tax Map as Section 68.16, Block 6, Lot 57 in the CS zoning district.

 

Heard by the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review of the Town of Orangetown at a meeting held Thursday,  July 3, 2014, at which time the Board made the following determinations:

 

Brian O’Connor appeared and testified for the applicant. The Board received the following items:

1. Sign Plans prepared by Everbrite, LLC dated February 7, 2014:

 

1. Page 2 of 9: Existing Signage

 

1. Page 3 of 9: Signage Recommendations

 

1. Photographs of the facade with imaging of the Sign on the building. C. A Vicinity Map.

FINDINGS OF FACT:

 

1. The Board found that the applicant proposed signage on the front building facade, The sign would replace an existing box sign with LED lighting.

 

2. The Board found that the signage would be raceway style with individual channel letters. Each letter would be 15 %” high in white formed letters. The length of the sign would be 14′-1 5/8″. The green square shaped logo would measure 30″ by 30″.  The sign is similar to other neighboring commercial signs in downtown Pearl River. The square footage of the

sign is within the Town of Orangetown Zoning Code.

 

3. The Board found that the sign would be placed on a timer and would not be lit at night.

 

The hearing was then opened to the Public. There being no one to be heard from the public, the Public Hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

 

 

 

 

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DECISION: In view of the foregoing and the testimony before the Board, the application was APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

 

The foregoing resolution was presented and moved by Jack Messina and seconded by Stephen Swenney and carried as follows: Jack Messina, Chairman, aye; Blyth Yost, aye; James Dodge, aye, Jill Fieldstein, aye; Deborah Stuhlweissenburg, aye, Stephen Swenney, aye and Andrew Andrews, aye.

 

The Clerk to the Board is hereby authorized, directed and empowered to sign this Decision and file a certified copy in the Office of the Town Clerk and the Office of the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review.

Dated: July 3, 2014            r ~ o •.  fl   _     Wv

Cheryl Coopersmith           ‘-../’.  ~~

Chief Clerk Boards and Commissions

 

 

 

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July 3, 2014

Page 1of2

 

TO:

 

FROM:

Patrick O’Reilly, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory

61 Route 9w, Palisades, New York 10964

Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review

 

 

RE:               Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory – The application of Patrick O’Reilly of Columbia University, for Columbia University, owner, for review of a Generator Plan, at a site known as “Lamont  Doherty Earth Observatory Generator Plan”, in accordance with Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York and Chapter 2 of the Code of the Town of Orangetown. The site is located at 61 Route 9W, Palisades, Town of Orangetown, Rockland County,

New York, and as shown on the Orangetown Tax Map as Section 80.10, Block 1,

Lot 2 in the R-80 zoning district.

 

Heard by the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review of the Town of Orangetown at a meeting held Thursday,  July 3, 2014, at which time the Board made the following determinations:

 

Patrick O’Reilly appeared and testified for the applicant. The Board received the following items:

1. Plans entitled Borehole Research Generator Installation prepared by Rowland

Engineering, LLC, dated August 1, 2013, last revision date of April 24, 2014: T-001.00: Title Sheet

T-002.00: Site Plan

 

E-001.00: Symbols, Details and Drawing List

 

E-002.00: Electrical Specifications

 

E-100.00: Site Plan and Part Plans

 

E-200.00: One-Line/ Schematic Diagram

 

M-100.00: Site Plan and Details

 

M-200.00: Mechanical Specifications

 

 

 

1. Overall Site Map prepared by Atzl, Scatassa & Zigler, P.E., dated

November 22, 2005, last revision date of June 14, 2006.

 

2014. Material Sheet, signed by Patrick O’Reilly, dated June 18, 2014.

 

1. A letter from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, dated June 18, 2014, with photographs of site.

 

1. Generator Set Data Sheet, Cummins Power Generation, model GGHG. FINDINGS OF FACT:
2. The Board found that the project consists of a natural gas generator for a

Data Center building. The generator is necessary to ensure that the

facility will continue to operate during periods of prolonged power outages.

 

2. The Board found that the proposed generator would be located at the south corner of the building, allowing the greatest distance to the nearest residential structure.  301.:L:!O s~~’-‘.:IlQ  Nh\01

 

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July  3, 2014

Page 2 of 2

 

 

3. 3. The Board  found that the generator would  be placed inside  a sound  proof enclosur The generator  would  be exercised  once a week in order to ensure  proper operation, when  an emergency   arises.

 

The hearing  was then  opened  to the Public.   There being   no one to be heard from the  public,  the Public  Hearing portion of the meeting  was closed.

 

DECISION:    In view  of the foregoing   and  the  testimony  before  the Board, the  application    was  APPROVED   AS PRESENTED.

The  foregoing resolution  was presented   and  moved by Jack Messina and seconded  by Jill Fieldstein   and carried  as follows;   Jack  Messina,  Chairman,   aye; Jill  Fieldstein,   aye; James Dodge, aye;  Blythe  Yost,  aye;  Andrew Andrews, aye, Stephen Sweeney,  aye and  Deborah   Stuhlweissenburg,   aye.

 

The Clerk  to the  Board  is hereby  authorized,   directed,  and empowered  to sign this  Decision  and  file a certified   copy in the Office of the Town Clerk  and the Office of the  Architecture and Community Appearance  Board of Review.

Dated:   July  3,  2014                     {‘   & o 11,..    (l

Cheryl  Coopersmith                    ~      “”””‘-2)”-”

Chief  Clerk  Boards  and  Commissions

 

 

 

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ACABOR #13-46: Royal Caribbean Artificial Palm Tree Plan – Approved  as Presented

Town of Orangetown  – Architecture   and Community  Appearance

Board of Review Decision                                     ·

 

July 3, 2014

Page 1of3

 

TO:

 

FROM:

Donald Brenner, 4 Independence Avenue, Tappan, New York 10983

Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review

 

 

RE:               Royal Caribbean Artificial Palm Tree Plan: Application of Vincent Hosang, owner, for the review of an artificial palm tree plan, at a site known as “Royal Caribbean Artificial  Palm Tree Plan”, in accordance with Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York and Chapter 2 of the Code of the Town of Orangetown. The site is located at 117 Route 303, Tappan, Town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York, and as shown on the Orangetown Tax Map as Section 74.19, Block 1, Lot 2 in the LI zoning district.

 

Heard by the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review of the Town of Orangetown at meetings held Monday, September 9, 2013 and Thursday,  July 3, 2014, at which time the Board made the following determinations:

 

September 9, 2013

 

Donald Brenner, Sabrina and Vincent Hosang appeared and testified for the applicant.

 

The Board received the following items:

 

2013. Site Plan prepared by Cybul Cybul Wilhelm Architects, dated July 31, 2013. FINDINGS OF FACT:
2014. The Board found that the applicant placed artificial palm trees on the site,

• as noted on the submitted Site Plan. The illuminated trees create a higher profile of the building along Route 303, enabling customers to easily find the business.

 

2. The Board found that the applicant noted that since the installation of the trees, their customer base has increased by 50 percent.

 

3. The Board found that the installation of “Plastic Trees11  would set a precedent for imitation landscaping along the Route 303 corridor.

 

4. The Board found that the trees blend with warm weather vegetation, however during the winter months may stand out.

 

5. The Board found that a trial period would be granted to the applicant, allowing the Board to review the trees in warm and cold weather. The applicant may illuminate as many trees as they find necessary to support their request.

 

Public Comment:

 

Ellen McCarthy, Tappan resident, held that the planted berm on the site is one of the most attractive in Rockland County.

 

Emeliay Dominuez, a small business owner in the County, supported the trees, noting that 62% of the workforce at Royal Caribbean lives in Rockland County.

 

 

 

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ACABOR  #13-46:  Royal  Caribbean Artificial  Palm Tree  Plan – Approved  as Presented

Town  of Orangetown  –  Architecture  and Community    Appearance

Board  of Review  Decision

 

 

July 3, 2014

Page 2 of 3

 

 

The applicant requested  a CONTINUATION. July  3, 2014

Sabrina  and Vincent Hosang,  Donald  Brenner and Sarah  Torrens  appeared  and testified for the applicant.

 

The Board  received  the following items:

 

2013. Site Plan prepared by Cybul Cybul Wilhelm Architects, dated July 31, 2013.

 

2014. B. Submitted at the meeting by the applicant, a report entitled   “Caribbean   Food Delights  Palm Tree (LOGO – ORNAMENT)”,  dated  July 2 The report included the following  attachments:

 

• Photographs of a Keep Rockland  Beautiful  award dinner  and  a

Certificate entitled  “Beautification   Award  2011 “,

 

o     A copy of a Community Beautification Award,  presented  by the

Town of Orangetown  Highway Department,   signed by

James J.  Dean, Highway  Superintendent dated April 26, 2011,

 

1. I) Real  Estate Appraisal   prepared  by Golda Associates,  dated

June 16,  2014,   and

 

1. I) Copies of emails/letters  in  support of the  palm trees;

 

1. Brett Caminex, local  business  owner, dated

September 9, 2013;

 

2. 2. Linda Delponte, resident, dated July 3,  2013;

 

3. 3. John Paul,  H&M Bay, Inc.,  a company  vendor, dated

July 2, 2014;

 

4. Nimal Amitirigala,  Global  Category Manager –  General

Grocery GK Foods, dated July  2,  2014

 

1. C. Submitted at the meeting by the applicant, spreadsheets of Caribbean  Food

Delights  Accounts  Receivables –  Customer  Sales Analysis for 2013   and  2014.

 

1. D. Submitted at the meeting by the applicant,  Company publication entitled “Caribbean  Delights”,   volume 5,  No.  2,  dated May 2011   and a magazine entitled “Orangetown   Police  Department,   Community Outreach Publication”.

 

FINDING  OF FACT:

 

1. 1. The Board found that the applicant held that the artificial   palm trees are

not signs  as defined  by the Town of Orangetown Building Department,   but are site ornamentations   that  represent the company.    Ms. HoSang presented a palm tree pen set that is distributed to company  clients.

 

 

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ACABOR #13-46: Royal Caribbean Artificial  Palm Tree Plan – Approved  as Presented

Town of Orangetown  – Architecture   and Community  Appearance

Board of Review Decision

 

July 3, 2014

Page 3of3

 

 

2. The Board found that the applicant noted that the Orangetown Police Department records do not show evidence of any increase in traffic along Route 303 as a result of the palm tree ornamentation.

 

3. The Board found that nighttime photographs of the artificial palm trees were presented by the applicant and as well as Board Members. The photographs noted different conditions of the lighting, however, it was determined that the LED tree lights do not glare onto Route 303.

 

4. The Board found that a Board member, a realtor by profession, raised concerns regarding the potential decrease in property values along Route

303 as a result of the artificial palm trees.  The applicant referred the

Board to the Real Estate Appraisal in the submitted documents, noting that … ‘The writer does not deem the recent installation of light fixtures with decorative ornamental cover to have an adverse effect on area marketability, appeal or value”.

 

5. The Board found that there was no public in attendance at the meeting, even though the project appearance had been properly noticed. The Board determined that there was no evidence that the artificial palm trees had a negative impact or were detrimental to the community.

 

6. The Board found that the trees were constructed of plastic and raised concerns regarding continued maintenance. The Board requested and the applicant agreed that if an artificial tree is deteriorating, it would be repaired in a timely fashion.

 

The hearing was then opened to the Public. There being no one to be heard from the public, the Public Hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

 

DECISION:  In view of the foregoing and the testimony before the Board, the application was APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

 

The foregoing resolution was presented and moved by Jill Fieldstein and seconded by James Dodge and carried as follows; Jack Messina, Chairman, nay; James Dodge, aye, Jill Fieldstein, aye, Blyth Yost, aye, Deborah Stuhlweissenburg, nay, Stephen Swenney, aye and Andrew Andrews, aye.

 

The Clerk to the Board is hereby authorized, directed and empowered to sign this Decision and file a certified copy in the Office of the Town Clerk and the Office of the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Revi~w.

 

Dated: July 3, 2014

Cheryl Coopersmith

Chief Clerk Boards and Commission

 

 

 

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