Planning board approves site plan for 8318 South Eighth Avenue with lighting, curbing and permeable-paver conditions

The Mount Vernon City Planning Board approved a draft site-plan resolution for Case PB‑24‑8318, 8318 South Eighth Avenue, adding conditions on sidewalk and curb repair and requiring permeable pavers and granite curbing.

The board adopted council’s draft resolution with a motion to include specific conditions covering replacement of the sidewalk and curb fronting the property, granite curbing, permeable pavers in the paved walk areas, and coordination between the applicant and staff on exterior lighting and small bollard-style illumination near seating areas.

Board members and applicants reviewed updated landscape plans and renderings submitted before the meeting. The applicant’s design representative explained the planting strategy, noting three trees would be added and that the larger trees are expected to reach about 46 feet at maturity. The applicant changed a previously proposed specimen to a locally appropriate variety described in the submission as native to New York. The board asked for a notation in the resolution requiring replacement of the public sidewalk and curb with granite curbing where applicable and confirmation that the paved walk will use permeable pavers; staff and the applicant agreed to add those items to the draft resolution.

Board members raised lighting and public-safety concerns tied to pedestrian areas and benches. The board asked the applicant to coordinate with staff to refine the lighting plan and to consider adding bollards or other low-level fixtures to better illuminate benches and the pedestrian frontage at night. The applicant and the property representative said professional landscapers retained by the property owner will maintain planted areas. The board also asked that the site plans show the locations of posted signs (for example, “no parking”) and that notes be updated to indicate where those signs will be placed.

Members clarified that the short curb/drive shown in front of the building is intended as a drop-off/turnaround and not as additional parking; the applicant confirmed the area is for temporary unloading and turning and not for regular vehicle storage. Street lights on the adjacent public right-of-way were discussed; the board said any new city-owned poles would be coordinated by city staff after the project’s initial approvals and requested that conduits be placed in new sidewalks to accommodate future street light wiring.

The motion to approve the draft resolution with the additional conditions was moved by the planning board chair (unnamed in the transcript) and seconded by Commissioner Scholleo; board members voted aye and the motion carried.

The board directed council staff to incorporate the discussed conditions into the draft resolution; the chair and staff confirmed the applicant and design professional will coordinate lighting details with staff as a condition of approval. The board closed discussion and approved the conditioned resolution so the council’s final draft can be prepared for signature and implementation.

Less critical details — including final planting species and exact sign locations — will be finalized in the council-prepared resolution and in subsequent plan submissions to staff and the city’s design review process.