In this series, MyRye.com will introduce readers to the boards and commissions of the City of Rye and the residents who run them. All volunteers, these residents give their time and expertise to keep our city running. The series is intended to bring visibility to what each board and commission does, its priorities and what might prompt a resident or another person or company to interact with the group.
We have made our best efforts to reach out to each board and commission chairperson directly or via City officials. If you are a board or commission chair and have not been contacted, or if you are a reader with feedback on this series, please get in touch with MyRye.com.
Meet the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) and its Chair Michael Harrington.
Your Name: Michael Harrington
Name of the Board or Commission you chair: Board of Architectural Review (BAR)
Your role: Chair
MyRye.com: What is the charter for your Board?
Harrington: The mission of the Board of Architectural Review or BAR is to review and approve exterior building designs of individuals and developers to safeguard and preserve the neighborhood character of Rye. The Board also reviews and approves the aesthetics and privacy screening of sport courts and pools, and is responsible for approving all building signs. The BAR is governed and guided by Chapter 53 in the City of Rye Code.
Looking at 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
Harrington: I do not expect any changes to our approach in 2024. We will continue to review building projects per the rules and requirements of the City Code. We will continue our approach of reviewing each project based on its own merits, giving each applicant the attention they deserve, intaking and considering neighbor comments and concerns, and looking out for the best interests of Rye and its residents. One expected change of note for your readers – adding a new Board member. We are currently one member short of our full strength of seven members. If you or someone you know has relevant experience and might be interested in serving, let us know! Board appointments require the review and approval of the Mayor.
Who is the City Council liaison to your Board for 2024?
Harrington: Keith Cunningham, new to City Council this year. Our former liaison is not longer on City Council.
Tell us about the residents or others you interact with at your Board.
Harrington: The BAR interacts with homeowners and developers seeking approval as part of the building permit process. We engage with their architects, engineers, builders, solar installers, landscape architects, pools designers, etc. to review proposed designs. We also interact with interested members of the community (typically project neighbors) who attend our meetings. Of course we also work with members of the Building Department and other City Staff to ensure our process is effective and efficient. Thank you Dawn and Guy for your excellent support!
When was your Board chartered by the City of Rye?
Harrington: I am not really sure about the full history of the BAR. Based on notes in the City Code, it appears the current iteration of the BAR was put in place in 1987 – and some version of an “Architectural Review” in Rye goes back to 1965. Most recently, due to well documented controversial developments, the Chapter was amended in 2022. I served as the BAR representative, along with City Council members, the City Planner, and other City Board Chairs on the committee that developed recent updates to Chapter 53. Notable updates include changing the legal threshold for BAR decisions, clarifying additional sport courts that fall under BAR purview (such as hockey rinks and above ground pools), extending the timing of BAR decisions, and adjusting the area or “neighborhood” applications are reviewed within (a radius of 1000 feet).
Looking back across 2023, what were your Board’s top achievements?
Harrington: The current Board is very experienced and have seen many types and permutations of renovations and new developments. So I would say our top achievements, given the consistency of our Board and process, are how we handle novel or controversial building applications. The Board brings diverse experience to the issues and listens to each other, the applicants, and any participating neighbors or members of the community. I am proud of the way the Board balances the needs and rights of the applicant with the needs and rights of the community in all projects but especially in the most challenging ones.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in the role?
Harrington: I began on the Board in May 2015, encouraged by my father-in-law and City Council Member (and former BAR member) Richard Mecca, to fill an open seat on the Board. I was appointed Chair starting January 2021 and was recently reappointed Chair for another term starting this year.
What is your day job?
Harrington: My education and experience as an architect are why I am on BAR. The City Code Chapter 53 requires the Board to have at least one licensed architect – and that is me. I no longer practice architecture as a profession – though I dabble in it here and there – designing my own house and advising friends and family considering potential renovations or additions to their own homes. My current day job is totally unrelated to the BAR and is in the energy industry doing corporate strategy and planning focused on clean energy and operational efficiency.
How much time does your role require in a typical month?
Harrington: The bulk of the Board’s time is spent in the twice a month meetings which can range in time from 45 minutes (super fast meeting) to 3+ hours (a long agenda with a lot of community participation). Some memorable COVID Zoom BAR meetings went well past 4 hours. The time preparing for a meeting varies depending on the length of the upcoming agenda, complexity of the applications, and action items from prior meetings (such as site visits and subcommittee reviews/decisions). On average I spend about an hour or two outside of meetings on BAR duties. After nine years on the Board, I have gotten pretty efficient and effective at preparing for meetings – it used to take a lot longer to prepare when we were passing around bags of paper copies. Now all the files are electronic which helps a lot – kudos to the Building Department for embracing technology!
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Harrington: Conscientious
Pick one:
Harrington:
| Select from: | Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Coke |
| Regular or diet? | Diet |
| Action movie or rom com? | Action |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Eat out |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | Dog |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Ranch |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Lay’s BBQ |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Sparkling |
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Harrington: Every day when my kids give me a hug.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
Harrington: I have traveled to 45 countries across 5 continents so far – but there are many more amazing places to visit which makes it hard to choose just one. So I will say I am most excited about my next big trip in August – sailing the coast of Croatia for a week followed by a week in Italy. With my wife and kids of course!
What is your favorite streaming / TV series?
Harrington: I recently rewatched Band of Brothers which is now on Netflix. It is a visually stunning story about real heroes. And it reminded me how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when faced with incredible challenges.
What is your favorite movie?
Harrington: (tie) Shawshank Redemption and Lawrence of Arabia.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Harrington: Soundview Avenue. I first visited Rye 14 years ago and have lived here the past nine. I ended up in this great City because my wife grew up here – and now my kids are fifth generation Rye residents.
Thanks Michael!
