VILLAGE OF COLONIE SIGN VILLAGE HALL REVIEW 2 THUNDER ROAD COLONIE, NY 12205 BOARD (518) 869-7562 FAX (518) 464-0389 Jim Rubino THOMAS J. TOBIN Chairman MAYOR Alexandra M. Hart Coordinator villagehall@colonievillage.org www.villageofcolonie.org There was a meeting held by the Village of Colonie Sign Review Board on March 25, 2021, via Zoom teleconference. The meeting started at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order with a salute to the flag. Roll Call: Chairman Rubino Present Mr. Levy Present Mr. Michalski Present Ms. Trifiletti Present Ms. Pochily Present Ms. Dickinson Absent Attorney Caponera Present Code Officer Meservey Present Coordinator Hart Present Trustee White Present Minutes from the February 25, 2021 meeting were reviewed by the present members of the board. Mr. Levy made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Trifiletti seconded the motion. Unanimous vote in favor to approve the minutes as amended from the February 25, 2021 meeting. APPLICATION: 1571 CENTRAL AVE 518 REALTY (MODIFICATION OF EXISTING APPROVAL) Mr. Steve Sbardella, owner of 518 Realty, presented an application to modify his existing EMC monument sign at 1571 Central Ave. Mr. Sbardella stated that he is looking to upgrade his sign with newer technology since his existing sign is 6 or 7 years old and needs replacing. Mr. Sbardella stated that there will be no change in location or size. Chairman Rubino asked if any public comments were received. Coordinator Hart stated that she received a phone call from resident, Janice Potter. Ms. Potter stated that she did not believe the business needs a new sign and that the existing sign works just fine. Ms. Potter added that she passes by the property daily and believes they have adequate signage. 1 Sign Review Board March 25, 2021 Village of Colonie Chairman Rubino asked if the sign will be the same size. Mr. Sbardella stated yes, the sign will be remaining the allowable size of 32 square feet. Mr. Michalski stated that the current sign had issues with the brightness and asked the applicant if the lumens and brightness can be controlled on the new sign. Mr. Sbardella stated that the upgraded panels are much better quality than the existing and will be controllable. Attorney Caponera stated that this property obtained a sign variance in July of 2014 for the EMC sign. Attorney Caponera explained that Mr. Sbardella’s sign was one of the first of it’s kind and the Sign Code has been updated since then. Attorney Caponera stated that the EMC sign can now scroll once per minute, verses every 8 minutes. Attorney Caponera stated that the same conditions for all EMC signs will apply to this application should the Board approve. Mr. Michalski made a motion to approve the modification of existing approval at 1571 Central Ave with the condition that any illumination sign or lighting device shall employ only light emitting light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain a flashing, intermitted or moving light or lights. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be so placed or directed as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed to beamed upon a public street highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. Sign message/picture is not to change more than once per minute. EMC sign is to be turned on daily at 6:00 am and turned off daily at 11:00 p.m. If it is found that this sign is causing traffic issues/distractions, the applicant must come back before the Sign Review Board to discuss a resolution to the situation. Mr. Levy seconded the motion. VOTE: Unanimous to approve the application as presented. APPLICANT: 350 NEW KARNER RD CAPITAL VOLVO OF ALBANY (MONUMENT SIGN) Mr. Eric Kahn, owner and Mr. Wheeler from AJ Signs presented an updated rending of the proposed monument sign at 350 New Karner Rd. Mr. Wheeler stated that at the last meeting, a 20 ft. monument sign was proposed, and the Board requested something smaller and renderings showing the topography. Mr. Wheeler explained that the building and location where the sign is proposed sits below grade and therefore warrants a sign above the allowable 6 feet in height. Mr. Wheeler stated that the applicant is proposing a 15 foot monument sign, which is the smallest monument sign Volvo makes. Mr. Wheeler referenced the site photographs that have been provided to the Board showing that the sign would only sit 7 feet above grade. Chairman Rubino asked if the sign is as close to the road as possible. Mr. Wheeler stated that there are wetlands and retention in that location, so the sign is in the only possible location. Chairman Rubino polled the Board to see how they felt about the proposed 15 foot sign. All Board members were ok with the proposed height. 2 Sign Review Board March 25, 2021 Village of Colonie Mr. Michalski asked how much of the sign will be above grade. Mr. Wheeler stated that the base of the sign will be either 7 or 8 feet below grade, the height depends on the ground once they start the work. The sign will be about 7 feet above grade. Ms. Trifiletti asked if there would be any flooding or run off issues on the site. Mr. Kahn stated that the water run off and stormwater issues have been addressed with the Planning Commission. Mr. Kahn stated that Volvo tells the store owners what the sign options are and explained that this 15 foot monument is the shortest pole available before getting into monument signs which, with the grading and topography of the site, would not work. Mr. Kahn added that the sign itself is only 26 square feet, which is under the allowable maximum size of 32 square feet. Mr. Michalski asked if the sign is illuminated. Mr. Kahn stated the pole is not, but the words “Volvo” will be illuminated. Mr. Levy made a motion to approve the monument sign for Capital Volvo of Albany located at 350 New Karner Road with the conditions that the sign does not exceed 7 feet above the high grade level of New Karner Road. Chairman Rubino seconded the motion. VOTE: Unanimous to approve sign as presented. DISCUSSION: Chairman Rubino stated that this would be his last meeting as he was elected to the position of Trustee for the Village of Colonie. He stated that it was a pleasure to work with all the Board members and thanked them for their hard work. He looks forward to joining the Mayor and the Board of Trustees. Mr. Michalski will be named Chairman of the Sign Review Board. All congratulated Chairman Rubino and wished him well. Mr. Levy made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Trifiletti seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Alexandra M. Hart Sign Review Coordinator Village of Colonie 3