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2012-04-30 - Appearance Review Team - Minutes Board orCommission: ❑Appearance Review Team Document Type: ❑A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 04/30/2012 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting APRIL 30, 2012 450 MCHENRY ROAD, CULVER'S OF BUFFALO GROVE OFF-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL GROUND SIGN PRESENT Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations Carol Berman/ Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration Robert Pfeil, Village Planner Joseph Wallace, Plan Examiner Nidhi Vaid, Associate Planner Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner Mr. Frank Lemke, American Sign Factory Mr. Kevin Weasler, Culver's of Buffalo Grove PROPOSAL Request is being made by Culver's of Buffalo Grove, 450 McHenry Road, for variance of Zoning Ordinance, Section 17.44.060.E.6, pertaining to Signs, for the purpose of allowing an off-premises directional ground sign to be installed on the property located at 500 McHenry Road; and to allow said off-premises directional ground sign to exceed six (6) square feet in sign area. M. Lemke explained that Mr. Weasler has been looking at different ways to increase traffic flow to the restaurant. One idea was to place a sign along Buffalo Grove Road. Mr. Weasler added that he has been at this location for ten (10) years, but many people pass by not knowing that they can access the restaurant from Buffalo Grove Road. Other towns allow this type of sign. He approached Belmont Village about the sign location and they did not have any concerns. Mr. Sheehan stated that he was confused about the photographs submitted showing the main ground sign and stating that visibility is limited on McHenry Road, but yet the proposed sign is along Buffalo Grove Road. He now understands why they are requesting the sign along Buffalo Grove Road. He is concerned about the precedent that would be set if the proposed sign is permitted to be placed in a residential area. The Town Center was designed with the intention of everything being in character with the Town center concept and harmonious with the surrounding buildings, including directional and other signs. The coloring and design of the current proposed sign does not fit into the Town Center concept, is not harmony with the surrounding area or compatible with the buildings. Because of this he cannot support the request. Mr. Weasler explained that the proposed sign is similar to the main ground sign that is on his property now. He would consider matching the proposed sign more closely to the Town Center. Mrs. Neukirch asked Mr. Weasler if he will be addressing the visibility issues with the current ground sign in the near future. Mr. Weasler explained that he does not have any plans to change the existing ground sign in the near future, but may down the line. He is looking to make people aware of the service drive and to create visibility along Buffalo Grove Road. Mrs. Neukirch agrees with Mr. Sheehan concerning the precedent that would be set but also understands the unique circumstances surrounding the shared service drive. Mr. Sheehan advised that there was a lot of discussion concerning the Town Center signage when the street furniture first went in. It was determined that directional or tenant panel signs were not to be permitted on the street furniture located on Buffalo Grove Road at the rear entrance by Deerfields and the Post Office. Com. Windecker recalls that the discussion regarding the Town Center signage was very lengthy. He advised that there was also a lot of discussion concerning the Culver's ground sign with the residents of Cherbourg. He is also concerned that the proposed sign would set a precedent. Mrs. Berman asked Mr. Sheehan if there are any other signs in the Village that are similar to the proposed sign. Mr. Sheehan stated that he is not aware of any. He reviewed the definition of a direction sign. He also advised that someone could gain access to Culver's all the way from the Walgreens at the corner of Lake Cook Road and Buffalo Grove Road. Mr. Weasler agreed. Mr. Weasler asked if he proposed a sign that was tasteful and fit in with the area, would he still be setting a bad precedent. Mr. Sheehan advised that he could not answer that question but believes that any commercial sign in a residential area would set a bad precedent. Mr. Weasler stated that he does not look at the area of the proposed sign location as residential. Mr. Sheehan agreed that the Town Center is a mixed use development. Mr. Pfeil asked Mr. Weasler if he has had any contact with Town Place concerning the proposed sign. Mr. Lemke stated that a letter was sent out by the Village advising of the request for variation. Mr. Sheehan asked Mrs. Kamka approximately how many letters were sent out notifying of the variation request. Mrs. Kamka stated approximately one hundred sixty (160) letters were sent and she believes one was sent to the Town Place Condominium Association. Mrs. Neukirch suggested to both Mr. Lemke and Mr. Weasler to have additional sign proposals for the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on May 15, 2012. Mr. Pfeil stated that Town Place has had concerns with the maintenance of the shared drive in the past and asked Mr. Weasler if he has been contacted by the Association concerning the maintenance of the shared drive. Mr. Wealser stated that he was contacted in the fall regarding the snow plowing of the drive. Since it did not snow very much this winter, he has not heard anything from the Association since. Mr. Pfeil asked Mr. Wealser how much additional traffic is anticipated on the service drive. Mr. Weasler believes that there will not be a huge increase in traffic due to the proposed sign. Mr. Pfeil stated that when this section of Town Center was developed, the Condominiums residents were not against the proposed Culver's but he does not believe that Culver's traffic was anticipated for the service drive. He believes that the residents thought that traffic would be from McHenry Road. Mr. Weasler stated that he has a good relationship with the Condominium residents and the medical building. Mr. Wallace believes that the proposed sign is more of an off premise ground sign than a direction ground sign. Mr. Sheehan agrees as the proposed sign would not be located at the driveway entrance to Culver's, which is where a directional sign should be located. Ms. Vaid stated that she can see the need for the proposed sign, but also can understand the impact if the sign is approved. Mrs. Berman stated that she does not have any real objections to the proposed sign, but recommends having an alternative proposal available for the ZBA meeting. Mr. Sheehan advised that the sign should be designed to be in harmony with the surrounding buildings and more closely match the existing ground sign. He also suggested approaching the Condominium Association and possibly getting them to indicate in writing their awareness of the sign location and the intent to use this drive as an access point for Culvers drive through traffic and that they do not have any issues concerning this use. Mr. Pfeil would like to see a sign that is less obtrusive and incorporate the use of brick to more closely match the surrounding buildings. Mr. Weasler stated that he could possibly use materials to match the existing Belmont Village ground sign along Buffalo Grove Road. There were no additional questions or comments from the ART members. RECOMMENDATION The ART has determined that the appearance of the directional ground sign as proposed does not meet the criteria set forth in the Village of Buffalo Grove Appearance Plan and is not in harmony with the buildings and is not compatible with the surrounding area. The petitioner indicated that he would be providing alternative concepts for the ZBA to review. This request is scheduled to appear before the ZBA on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Prepared by: Julie Kamka Building &Zoning Department Board or Commission: ❑Appearance Review Team Document Type: ❑A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 04/30/2012 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting APRIL 30, 2012 1500 ABBOTT COURT, TWIN RINKS ICE PAVILION AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 2011-031 PRESENT Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations Carol Berman/ Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration Robert Pfeil, Village Planner Joseph Wallace, Plan Examiner Nidhi Vaid, Associate Planner Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner PROPOSAL Request is being made by Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion, 1500 Abbott Court, to amend Ordinance 2011-031 to allow an LED digital display with an overall dimension of 3 feet 9 inches in height and 11 feet 11 inches in length instead of an overall dimension of 3 feet 4 inches in height and 12 feet in length as depicted on Exhibit "E" of Ordinance 2011-031. Mr. Sheehan explained that Twin Rinks fired the sign contractor (White Way Sign Co.) for non-performance and has since hired C. Johnson Sign Company to construct and install the LED digital display on the existing ground sign. Mr. Johnson, C. Johnson Sign Company, had advised that he cannot construct the digital display sign cabinet to the exact same dimensions as shown in Exhibit "E". The changeable copy portion of the existing ground sign will not change, just the dimensions of the sign cabinet. Mr. Sheehan has asked Mr. Johnson to appear at the May 15, 2012 ZBA meeting to explain the changes. Com. Windecker asked why White Way Sign Co. was fired. Mr. Sheehan stated that he was informed that White Way was not moving forward at a quick enough pace with regards to the construction and installation of the sign. Mr. Sheehan recommends to the ZBA to recommend to the Village Board that Ordinance 2011-031 be amended with these new dimensions. There were no additional questions or comments from the ART members. RECOMMENDATION The ART has determined that the appearance of the LED digital display sign as proposed meets the criteria set forth in the Village of Buffalo Grove Appearance Plan and is in harmony with the buildings and is compatible with the surrounding area. This request is scheduled to appear before the ZBA on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Prepared by: Julie Kamka Building & Zoning Department