Mount Vernon boards grant one-year extension to obtain permit for Ten-Sixteen East Broad Street project; neighbors secure commitments on fencing, signage and, 植

The Mount Vernon Architectural Review Board granted a one-year extension to obtain a building permit for the project at Ten-Sixteen East Broad Street; the board noted that, under its code interpretation, the extension allows the applicant two additional years to complete construction once a building permit is issued.

Attorney Robert B. Font (representing the applicant) told the board the project previously received zoning approvals in 2018 and planning approvals in 2019 and that economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction. He cited the local code provision referenced in the meeting and asked the board to grant an extension to allow the applicant to restart construction under the previously approved plans.

The board described the extension as a one-year period to obtain a building permit, followed by two years to complete construction after permit issuance; members moved and seconded the motion and voted in favor.

An adjacent resident spoke during public comment with multiple concerns. The resident said she lives adjacent to the property, requested a taller fence (the drawing showed four feet), and asked that the applicant consider an eight-foot fence if zoning allows; the applicant agreed to discuss an increased height (the resident reported the applicant agreed to investigate a higher fence). The resident also asked that vehicles be parked nose-in so exhaust does not blow toward neighboring yards; the applicant agreed to post a sign indicating parking orientation on the site. She requested taller plantings rather than small shrubs; the applicant agreed to consult landscapers and to provide species that will grow in the shaded area. The resident said construction crews had brought equipment to the site very early on occasion; the board and applicant discussed construction scheduling and dust control and asked the contractor to limit disruptive early-hours work and to water down dusty areas during construction.

The board also asked the applicant to use native plantings and to note that in the landscape plan. The boardrecorded the motion to grant a one-year extension to obtain the building permit; the transcript records members saying "Aye." The meeting transcript did not record a roll-call tally.

Ending: Board staff noted the extension and reminded the applicant of follow-up obligations, including coordination with the building department and the submission of any revised plans or conditions agreed with neighbors.