Ken Borsuk

The primary agenda item involved the Nominating Committee presenting a slate of Officers for the upcoming term. The slate proposed Patricia Burns as Chair, Steve Katz as Vice-Chair, and James Dougherty as Secretary. The slate of Officers was unanimously approved and elected.

The key discussion during this emergency meeting focused on the anticipated blizzard scheduled for Sunday and Monday, which was expected to bring 14-22 inches of snow, prompting a blizzard warning from the National Weather Service. Following briefings from the Emergency Management Director and the Chief of Police regarding preparations and actions taken by neighboring municipalities, the Board unanimously approved a motion to declare snow emergency parking restrictions until further notice.

The meeting addressed several applications involving land use and development. Key actions included finding that a proposed land transfer (PLPZ 2016 00005) was not a subdivision, leaving the SoulCycle final site plan modification open, and leaving the final subdivision application for 187 and 191 Field Point Road open. During the public hearing portion, a motion was passed to move the Neighbor-to-Neighbor, Inc. application to a final site plan review with modifications, and the application for re-zoning for 301 Davis Avenue LLC was approved. A motion also passed to approve the final site plan and special permit for 301 Davis Avenue LLC for constructing new dwellings. A discussion item involved interpreting the 'use' classification for Tesla's business model, leading to a finding that it falls under Use Group 5. The commission also approved the minutes for the January 26, 2016 and February 2, 2016 meetings.

The meeting involved several advisory opinions and one Certificate of Appropriateness review. Key discussions included proposed exterior renovations for 171 Greenwich Avenue, specifically concerning window replacement materials, finishes, and configuration, with the applicant agreeing to return with divided light options and sill details. For 7 Brookside Park, the Commission indicated it would recommend Historic Overlay status for the entire property (main house and cottage) if the applicant pursues it, rather than just the cottage. For 250 Greenwich Avenue, the Commission unanimously approved proposed maintenance work at the rear of the building with no structural changes. The most significant discussion centered on the proposal for 226 and 230 Mason Street and 16 Havemeyer Place, involving the preservation of the Armory and the construction of a new synagogue. Commissioners expressed concerns that the proposed oval design, while using related stone, was too massive, fortress-like, and did not respect the architectural context or create an inviting entrance. The application requires further refinement and the applicant agreed to return. The meeting concluded with the unanimous approval of the June 13, 2018 minutes and acknowledgment of several properties slated for demolition.

The Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals convened to hear five appeals requiring variances or special exceptions. Appeal No. PLZE2018 00401, concerning sign area and clearance variances for 500 West Putnam Avenue, was granted with conditions related to sign size and height due to lot characteristics. Appeal No. PLZE2018 00521 sought variances for setback and special exception for a new two-story automotive dealership; this was granted with conditions limiting site lighting intensity and off-hours use, based on lot size and shape hardship. Appeal No. PLZE2018 00529 involved variances for permitted stories and required parking for additions to a commercial building at 133 River Road, which was unanimously granted citing lot topography and narrowness hardship. Appeal No. PLZE2018 00530 requested a front yard setback variance for an addition to a dwelling at 25 Thornhill Road, granted due to the existing structure's nonconforming location. Finally, Appeal No. PLZE2018 00531 involved a front yard setback variance for a patio and pergola at 14 Dorchester Lane, granted conditionally based on lot size and corner location hardship.