Board of Trustees/Planning Board
Village of Tarrytown
Special Joint Meeting No. 27
February 2, 2010 7 p.m.
PRESENT: Board of Trustees: Mayor Fixell; Trustees Butler, Hoyt, McGee, McGovern, and Zollo
Planning Board: Chairman Friedlander; Members Aukland, Birgy, Raiselis, and Tedesco
Staff: Administrator Blau; Counsel Shumejda; Building Inspector/Engineer
McGarvey; Planning Consultant Kaplan-Macey; Secretary D’Eufemia
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING – HUDSON HARBOR (FERRY LANDINGS) – 41 HUDSON VIEW WAY – AMENDMENT TO SEQR FINDINGS
Mr. John Jenkins of the Lessard Group, architects for the project, reviewed a number of graphics with the Boards. The first two showed Phase II as approved and as proposed. He showed a graphic depicting Buildings 6, 7, 1B, and 1C, which is Phase I and is built. The changes they are suggesting for Phase II show Buildings 1A and 2A, which are on the waterfront, as four stories over one story of parking. Each of those buildings would be 70 ft. wide and have 54 residential units. The interior buildings (28 units) would be smaller town homes (1,800 sq. ft. to 2,400 sq. ft.) and would be about 25 ft. in height. The plan as approved for Phase II has the buildings on the waterfront at three stories over one story of parking (50 ft. 6 in. to the top of the stair towers and mechanicals) and
the two interior buildings were 42 ft. to the top of the flat roof with additional height for parapets and elevator shafts.
Following last week’s meeting they reviewed a number of ways to reduce the height they had proposed for Buildings 1A and 2A from the 55 ft. 6 in. with an additional 4 ft. to the top of the parapet. They have brought the parapet down to the level of the top floor, thus eliminating that 4 ft. They have also reduced ceiling heights which would now range from 9 ft. 2 in. to 9 ft. 6 in. They also reduced the height of the parking level by 1 ft. Mr. Jenkins stated they could get the height down to 53 ft. for those two buildings.
Mr. Jenkins reviewed graphics showing the view corridors with the approved Phase II and the proposed Phase II. He noted the three corridors are being increased. On the approved plan they are 80 ft., 100 ft., and 50 ft. On the proposed plan they are 80 ft., 120 ft., and 80 ft. With those increased view corridors and the lower interior buildings, the views to the river are greatly increased. There is also much more green space on the approved plan since the interior buildings will now include a one-acre park.
Mr. Jenkins presented a graphic showing the pedestrian access to the RiverWalk being preserved. There will be sidewalks going out to the RiverWalk. He also noted the parking between Buildings 1A and 2A will be set down about 1 ft. and will be done with green permeable pavers. He presented a graphic showing extensive plantings in that area. He stated from the RiverWalk that area would be green and screened Mr. Jenkins reviewed elevations for Buildings 1A and 2A. The top floor will have varying setbacks and outdoor terrace spaces. There will be a lot of glass on that floor as well.
Mr. Jenkins stated they feel the site gets enriched when there is variety in height. It creates an architectural topography.
Mr. Jenkins noted another request last week had been to show photographs looking down Main Street. They attempted to do that; however, all that was visible were trees. There really isn’t a view.
Mr. Tedesco reviewed the height being proposed for Buildings 1A and 2A and based on his calculations, the height could be 52 ft., not 53 ft. Discussion on this matter followed.
Mr. Jenkins noted the structural system has not yet been determined so he was trying to allow some flexibility, but he concurred the height probably could be 52 ft.
Upon inquiry from Mayor Fixell, Mr. Jenkins stated the top floor of Buildings 1A and 2A, looking from the RiverWalk, about 40% would be set back.
Discussion followed on the suggestion last week that Buildings 1A and 2A be set back an additional 5 ft. to 10 ft. from the RiverWalk. Mr. Jenkins stated they concluded it could go back 5 ft. but no more than that. That additional setback would really not be noticeable and they would prefer not to do it.
Mr. Blau noted last week there was discussion about the energy code and the amount of glass for Buildings 1A and 2A and also mention about the parking shown on the approved plan vs. the proposed plan. In regard to parking, Mr. Jenkins stated the approved plan for the project had 712 parking spaces and they now show 720 parking spaces. In regard to the energy code, they will meet the New York State Energy Code, which is a forward-thinking code. They are looking to exceed that. He noted they will be presenting all that documentation during site plan and architectural presentations.
Mayor Fixell questioned whether anyone wished to address the Board.
Ms. Linda Viertel, 8 Gracemere and Chair of the Waterfront Advisory Committee, stated if the Board agrees to the 52 ft. height then the buildings should be set back 5 ft. to 10 ft. Mayor Fixell stated that would be addressed in the Findings. Ms. Viertel questioned how the public would be able to review the amended Findings. Mayor Fixell stated when they are prepared, they will be put on the Village’s web site.
Planning Board Chairman Friedlander questioned how setbacks would be addressed since the amendment is confined to height. Ms. Kaplan-Macey stated in the Findings Statement there is a copy of the site plan so any issue where the site plan is different should be brought out. Counsel Shumejda stated the Board would be amending the Findings for the height, and any determinations that are made in regard to the height, and setbacks would be part of that.
Mr. Tedesco stated he felt a 5 ft. to 10 ft. setback of the buildings would be significant. It would create room for another green buffer with plantings between the RiverWalk and the buildings.
Ms. Raiselis noted if the buildings are set back an additional 10 ft., they are getting closer to the road. She did not feel the Boards should be so eager to set the buildings back. They need to consider what that will do to the roadway.
Upon inquiry, Mr. Jenkins stated the distance from the buildings to the roadway is 25 ft., which includes the sidewalk. That is consistent throughout the development. Mr. Jenkins noted the distance from these buildings to the river is 120 ft. which far exceeds any other development on the riverfront.
Upon inquiry from Planning Board Chairman Friedlander, Mr. Jenkins stated the proposed amendments for Phase II result in a Floor Area Ratio reduction for the entire project of 90,000 sq. ft., which is a big improvement from the approved plan.
No one further appeared to address the Board on this matter.
Trustee Zollo moved, seconded by Trustee Butler, that the hearing be closed. All members of the Board of Trustees assented.
Mr. Tedesco moved, seconded by Mr. Aukland, that the hearing be closed. All Planning Board members assented.
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned – 8:25 p.m.
Mr. Tedesco moved, seconded by Mr. Aukland, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned – 8:25 p.m.
Kathleen D’Eufemia
Secretary
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