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Hearing held on Barnstone Grill sign; board closes public comment, defers decision to Sept. 4
Summary
Applicants seeking larger letters and a circular accessory sign for the new Barnstone Grill presented plans and cited a prior variance; board members questioned whether a separate height variance is required and raised aesthetic and precedent concerns. The public hearing was closed and the board deferred a vote to Sept. 4.
Applicants for Barnstone Grill presented revised sign drawings and asked the Zoning Board of Appeals for variances to permit larger letter heights and a circular accessory sign. Brian Cullen, president of Gotham Signs and Graphics, said the proposed façade sign would be wider than the prior sign but lower overall, and that letter heights would be larger to accommodate a new logo. Bill Jablonski, who identified himself as a property owner associated with the application, said the interior layout was not changing and the restaurant would continue to serve from the same kitchen.
Board members questioned whether a 2016 variance granted to prior tenants covered the proposed letter height for the new sign or whether a new, separate height variance is required for the different sign design. Members compared the proposal to variances previously granted to neighboring tenants (including a 48-inch primary sign for a nearby tenant) and raised concerns that repeated variances could effectively rewrite the sign code. Several members said the proposed accessory sign’s diameter and the proposed 25- and 22-inch letter heights warranted careful review for precedent and streetscape consistency.
Jennifer O’Neil, vice president of the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the application, saying larger, readable signage on a prominent corner helps new businesses that have rebranded. Cullen and Jablonski provided design drawings and dimensional tables and told the board the proposed signs fit the facade footprint and used reverse-lit channel letters similar to the prior installation.
The board closed the public hearing but did not have a draft resolution to vote on; members said they would consider a resolution and vote at the next meeting on Sept. 4. The board flagged items for staff to confirm before then, including the precise dimensions that would require a variance, whether notice signs included the specific height request, and any outstanding permit or prior-variance language that might affect a new determination.
Next steps: The board will revisit the application on Sept. 4 and may vote after reviewing the draft resolution and any additional documentation requested of the applicant.
