While the Village of Roslyn Board of Trustees approved an Architectural Review Board to prevent any "McMansion" problems for its residential neighborhoods, it also has to deal with commercial developments.

At the September meeting, the BOT heard an application by Janseen Partners, who have applied for a special use permit, one designed to operate a Chase Manhattan branch bank on the first floor in their building, one located on Old Northern Boulevard and Lumber Road.

Janseen representatives told the BOT that a bank branch would entail such minor modifications as an entrance door and small windows. In addition, there would be parking for seven employees, including two tellers, one branch manager, and two personal bankers. Janseen engineers estimate that the bank would draw eight customer vehicles per hour. The bank would be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The discussion focused on the usual traffic concerns, namely turns in and out of Lumber Road, but also on the desirability of such an institution.

Mayor John Durkin noted that the village wants small retail shops for the downtown area. The BOT wants "business" too, but especially retail use for the area.

Deputy Mayor Nolan Myerson added that while Chase Manhattan could be a great client, its presence is "not consistent" with the BOT's vision for the village. Myerson would rather see a retail business on the space than a bank and he suggested Skillman Street "once it is gentrified" as a location.

Meanwhile, trustee Marshall Bernstein claimed that the building in question needs stable tenants. He added that he would vote in favor of the application, even though a traffic study is also of utmost importance.

The BOT plans to continue hearing the Janseen proposal at the October meeting.

In other news, the BOT authorized Mayor Durkin to sign the Water Quality Improvement Projects and Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Projects Municipal Resolution.

It also authorized the Stormwater Management Plan Implementation. The BOT determined the plan to be an unlisted action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. They also declared it to be a Type II action, one that "does not significantly impact the environment and is otherwise precluded from environmental review under SEQRA."

The BOT did not discuss a proposal by PH Roslyn LLC, one that would construct a one-story building consisting of five retail stores on the spot of the old Mobil Station, located on 1420 Old Northern Blvd. The BOT may take up the proposal at a future meeting.

The October meeting is set for Tuesday evening, Oct. 16. Roslyn Village Hall is located at 1200 Old Northern Blvd.