Planning Board Meeting Minutes 20160216

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of February 16, 2016. Interested parties may request an audio recording of the meeting from the Board Secretary for a fee.

Call to Order & Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Chairman Nalbantian called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Mr. Nalbantian, Councilwoman Knudsen, Ms. Bigos, Mr. Thurston, Mr. Reilly, Ms. Altano, Mr. Joel, Ms. Dockray, and Ms. Patire. Also present were: Gail Price, Esq., Board Attorney; Blais Brancheau, Village Planner; and Board Secretary Michael Cafarelli. Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, Mr. Abdalla were not present.

Committee/Professional Updates – Ms. Altano said that the Historical Preservation Commission discussed the Schedler Property and will be writing a letter and organizing a visit to the property. Ms. Patire said that the town of Summit subsidized the fare with Uber drivers for residents traveling to and from the downtown area and that this might be an idea for Ridgewood to test.

Correspondence received by the Board – Michael Cafarelli said there was none.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – No one came forward.

Sonic Wave dba Tito's Burritos, Minor Site Plan and Variance Application, 166 East Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3704, Lot 5 – Mr. Rutherford summarized the history of Tito's Burritos with the Village. He described the sign rendering with gooseneck lamps and said they could not reduce the size of the sign and maintain the company brand. Mr. Rutherford said they received approval from the building owner to paint both storefronts white.  He said he sent a letter to the building department for a Zoning determination and had not received a response.

Mr. Rutherford said if his client compiled it would significantly reduce the sign. Mr. Rutherford referenced the store across the street Orange leaf. He said they are proposing something not uncommon where they would paint the navy blue across the storefront and have the sign as a separate item placed over the navy blue. He noted that the Historic Preservation Commission is the advisory body but the Planning Board can grant the variance.

Board members questioned the color of the window borders, compared Tito's to Orange Leaf, asked if the Historic Preservation Commission issued an updated report, to which they were told none was written. Board members inquired about signs on other stores.

Mr. Brancheau read his report discussed the variance criteria and said the Blue rectangular is seventeen inches wide. The Board discussed the interpretation of the code regarding the sign height and width.

Board members commented on the sign, color, size, use of blue as background, and other storefronts with similar signs.

Mr. Rutherford said that the applicant could paint the entire building with the Blue banner and they would not need a variance. 

The hearing was closed and the Board began deliberations.

The Board discussed the sign and colors. There was a debate as to whether the Board should wait for an updated Historic Preservation Commission report, and testimony. Ms. Price said the Planning Board should focus on the Zoning issues not Historic Preservation issues.

Board members suggested they center the sign vertically and horizontally above the windows. Most Board members supported the variance for relief and some were disappointed with the process.

Councilwoman Knudsen motioned for a vote. The motion passed seven to one.

Approval of Minutes – The minutes from December 1, 2015 were adopted as written.

Adoption of Resolution Memorializing Adoption of Reexamination Report – Mr. Joel motion to adopt the Resolution, and all approved.

Executive Session – The Board moved to executive session at 9:27 p.m. and the meeting reconvened and adjourned at 12:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Michael Cafarelli

                                                                                                Board Secretary

Date approved: March 21, 2017