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MINUTES OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING HELD 12/8/15 Present: Allen Firstenberg, Chairman, Bridget Gannon, Vice Chair, Rachel DiGrazia, Heidi Murphy, Hilda Duque and Mary Ann Loncto, Secretary Absent: Frank Barresi Others Present: Tim O’Neill (Langdon Engineering) Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. JONES SIGN COMPANY FOR AUTO ZONE, 1582 ROUTE 9 First item on the agenda was a public hearing on the request of Jones Sign Company representing Auto Zone seeking an area variance to be able to have a wall sign larger then allowed by code – allowed is 64 sq. ft. of sign with a maximum sign of 80 sq. ft. and proposed is 116.74 sq. ft. of sign – therefore requesting an area variance of 52.74 sq. ft. of additional wall sign on the south wall of the Dutchess Shopping Plaza, 1582 Route 9. Mr. Tim O’Neill from Langdon Engineering was representing the applicant. There is a consent form on file from the owners of the plaza giving their permission but Mr. Firstenberg requested applicant to have Auto Zone give their consent for Langdon to represent them. Applicant submitted proof of publication of legal notice in the November 20, 2015 edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal and proof of mailing legal notice to property owners within 200 ft of subject property. It was stated for the record that there are no outstanding violations against this property and no outstanding payments to the Village. It was stated that there has been no response from the Dutchess County Department of Planning – therefore the public hearing cannot be closed and no decision can be rendered until county comments are received. The variance is being requested for the front elevation of the building. The channel letters will conform to code but the trademark orange stripes which is part of Auto Zone’s branding image will not. The channel letters will be internally illuminated. Applicant stated that they will not have a separate free standing sign but rather be part of a new multi tenant sign for the property. It was further stated that Auto Zone is a new business in the area and being allowed to have a sign with their trademark stripes enhances Auto Zone’s corporate branding and a way to stay competitive with local businesses offering the same services in the area. Mr. Firstenberg asked applicant if they had been to the Planning Board and he answered no they had not. Mr. Firstenberg asked applicant why the orange stripes could not be painted directly on the building and applicant did not know the answer to that. It was again stated for clarity that the sign in question – is the sign on the western side of the building or the front wall. Mr. Firstenberg asked applicant why the channel letters have to be 40” tall and applicant answered they are standard across the nation but they have gone to smaller letters (36”) and he would ask Auto Zone if they would be willing to go to smaller letters. Mr. Firstenberg stated the Board would like to see a proposal with 36” channel letters on the building. Mr. Firstenberg asked applicant if they would be willing to reduce their signage to only two signs on the property and again applicant stated he will speak to Auto Zone about it. To sum up the discussions the Board would like to (1) have a drawing of what the sign would look like if it was smaller, (2) why can’t Auto Zone paint stripes directly on the building, (3) if Auto Zone would be willing to reduce signage to two signs on the property and (4) County comments.