Lego business clicks into place, among other board approvals

Depiction of a large inflatable figure that would be displayed outside during the grand opening of Bricks & MiniFigs. BEDFORD PLANNING BOARD

By JEFF MORRIS

The Planning Board has approved a new special use permit for the Katonah Museum of Art, a retail space for a purveyor of used Legos, and a subdivision application for two open space parcels. At its June 9 meeting it also heard several other applications.

Katonah Museum of Art

The board held a public hearing on the reestablishment of an expired special use permit for the Katonah Museum of Art, located at 134 Jay St., Katonah. A permit, which was last renewed 10 years ago, is required because the museum is located in a 2-acre residential zone. The museum opened at its current location in 1990.

Architect Craig Intinarelli, who is also KMA’s board chair, appeared along with the museum’s director and chief curator, Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, who said she had been leading KMA since August 2022. 

Intinarelli said he was aware of two items that are outstanding that need to be resolved. One is a generator they installed two years ago, for which they received a variance because it is within the property setback, but had not yet had a chance to add to the site plan. The other is a two-space EV charging station for which bollards need to be installed. Planning Board Chair Deirdre Courtney-Batson said she thought these were relatively minor issues that could probably be resolved.

Intinarelli said he was aware of a couple of complaints from neighbors, which he could address, but Courtney-Batson said he should wait until after the neighbors had a chance to speak.

The public hearing was opened, and Evelyn Tapani-Rosenthal of Barrett Road said she had made phone calls about several issues over 10 years. She said self-testing of the new generator runs at 6:15 or 6:30 a.m., and she wanted to know why it couldn’t be done later. She also complained that when a young artists event was held in February, Barrett Road was used as a supplementary parking area, with a sandwich board and “a guy with directional wands” directing traffic. She said the neighbors were not notified about this ahead of time. A third item she spoke about was garbage pickup being done at 5:30 or 6 in the morning — something she said she had called about years ago and had been corrected, but had started happening again.

Another Barrett Road resident, Steven Flanagan, sent a letter saying he had no real issues, but that on some occasions there is “music blaring late into the evening” when they have events.

Mapplethorpe responded, saying the generator is scheduled to run a weekly test at 10 a.m. on Mondays, so she doubted it was theirs making the noise. Board member Diane Lewis said they should have their generator company check to make sure the clock hadn’t been reset due to power outages. Mapplethorpe also said while they were aware the young artists event generates overflow parking, they hire an attendant to direct traffic first to their own 53-car lot and then to the American Legion next door, with which they have an arrangement. She thought perhaps some people were remembering earlier years when Barrett Road had been used. Mapplethorpe indicated they would be happy to take whatever steps were needed to ensure any of the occurrences generating complaints did not recur; she said, for instance, that a dumpster on the property had been removed, and they only have two small receptacles in the parking lot, for which pickup is between 7 and 9 a.m. on Fridays.

Board member Nilus Klingel said he did not want to hold the museum to a different standard, about things like garbage pickup or generator testing, than others who are not subject to restrictions. Courtney-Batson countered that such items are often included in special permits, simply because they are part of what makes it palatable to allow them to operate in a residential zone.

The board voted to approve a five-year permit — a term more in line with other such permits, rather than the previous 10 years — with conditions included relating to the generator testing, parking and garbage pickup, and informing neighbors in advance regarding any large gatherings.

Bricks & MiniFigs

The board was asked to consider a waiver of site plan application for a new retail establishment with affiliated business-related private events.

Christine Fischer, operating under the name Curco Operating Company LLC, is planning to open a Bricks & MiniFigs franchise at 748 North Bedford Road, Bedford Hills.

She said they specialize in buying, selling and trading LEGO products, both new and pre-owned. There will primarily be a retail focus, with a “carefully curated” selling floor, as well as a small party room that makes up about 10 percent of their activity. 

“Our mission is to create a hands-on community oriented experience that supports creativity, sustainability and family fun, centered around all things Lego,” Fischer said. 

She said parties of under 30 people will be held mainly on weekends and after school, by invitation only, and will not generate any significant noise, traffic or disruption.

“I chose Bedford Hills for this business because I believe it fills a gap in the community,” said Fischer. “It’s a safe and enriching activity for families, while encouraging the reuse and recycling of toys.”

“I have to admit that I’m a fan of all things Lego,” said Courtney-Batson. “So is my 7-year-old,” said board member Jared Antin.

The total interior space of the store is approximately 2,000 square feet, with 1,300 square feet of retail space at the front, a 400-square-foot party room, an ADA-compliant restroom, storage, and office space. There are 55 shared parking spaces available in the plaza, to which Fischer said she is entitled to 10, but she said there are never many cars parked there and she is confident she can arrange to use more spaces.

Fischer said she is hoping to have a grand opening in late August or early September.

The board quickly approved the application.

Sarles Street

The board held a public hearing regarding an application to reconfigure four existing lots into two new lots. The properties bordering Sarles Street would be combined, using a lot line change, and would result in 10 acres of vacant land being transferred to Wildlife Preserves Inc. to be incorporated into the Marsh Sanctuary, which it owns.

Neighbor John Stockbridge spoke in favor of the proposal, and the board granted preliminary and final approval.

48 Hillside Ave.

A previously adjourned public hearing was reopened for a steep slopes application and stormwater pollution prevention plan related to a new home proposed by Will Lueckerath for 48 Hillside Ave., Katonah.

Architect Teo Sigüenza presented a newly revised plan, which reduced the footprint of the building in an effort to put more space between the roadway and the house.

In a continuation of earlier discussions regarding who would have jurisdiction over the gravel portion of Hillside Avenue that goes through the property, where residents are concerned about water runoff, planning director Jesica Youngblood said discussions between public works commissioner Kevin Winn and the town attorney had determined the town does not want the road dedicated, but it will be maintained by the town.

Neighbors Paul Chambers and George Gullen both spoke appreciatively about the efforts to move the house away from the road. But Gullen said it still had an overbearing height, “from my perspective.”

Because the public had not had a chance to see the latest changes to the plans, the public hearing could not be closed, and was adjourned once again.