Planning board approves lighting and signage waivers for Seven Brew Coffee; conditions require shielding and lights off after hours

The Wappinger Planning Board approved two waivers requested by Seven Brew Coffee and authorized staff to draft a resolution with conditions for final action.

Doug Beel, director of entitlement for Brew Team New York LLC, described that canopy lighting hot spots reach about "10" foot-candles where transactions occur and said the lighting aids employee work and security-camera monitoring. "It's about 10 foot candles underneath the canopy," Beel said during the presentation. Board members and staff agreed that a maximum of 10 foot-candles is acceptable for the work area and that LED accent lighting can be permitted only with shielding that directs light downward.

The board voted to approve the canopy foot-candle waiver and a waiver for the blue LED rope lighting with the condition that the accent lights be shielded and turned off after operating hours (applicant said lights are turned off about one hour after close for cleanup but staff recommended a plan note that lights be turned off after operating hours in line with code). A pole-height waiver was withdrawn by the applicant. Staff also noted outstanding technical items — drainage, utilities and health-department approvals for potable water/sewer hookups — which the applicant is to resolve with engineering staff before final sign-off.

Planner will draft a resolution that incorporates the waivers and the noted conditions for the board's next meeting.