2012-03-07 - Appearance Review Team - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑Appearance Review Team
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 03/07/2012
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting
MARCH 7, 2012
88 E. DUNDEE ROAD, LUX CARS CHICAGO
SIGN CODE VARIATION — WALL AND GROUND SIGN
PRESENT
Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager
Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations
Carol Berman/ Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration
Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner
Mr. Michael Orik, President, Lux Cars Chicago
Mr. Aleksandr Igolnikov, Service Manager, Lux Cars Chicago
PROPOSAL
Request is being made by Lux Cars Chicago, 88 E. Dundee Road, for variance of Sign
Code, Section 14.20.030, pertaining to Business Districts; Section 14.20.070, pertaining
to Ground Signs; and Section 14.20.080, pertaining to Wall Signs, for the purpose of
replacing the existing wall sign on the east elevation of the building with a new wall sign
that exceeds the permitted size and does not face the public right of way; and to reface
the existing ground sign that is located within two hundred fifty (250) feet of an existing
ground sign located on the same side of the street.
Mr. Orik explained that they are a new luxury car dealer at this location. They are
requesting to change the existing signs with new signs. The new wall sign will be the
same measurements. The ground sign will have a new face in the same size.
Mr. Sheehan asked Mr. Orik what the hours of illumination would be for the proposed
signs. Mr. Orik stated that he is not sure of the hours but that the signs are on a timer.
The business hours are 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. but he would like to keep the signs on
later than later. Mr. Sheehan recommended that Mr. Orik think about the hours of
illumination that he would like and present that to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Mr. Sheehan believes that the ZBA would probably not want the sign illuminated later
than 10.00 p.m. due to the proximity of the residences. Mr. Orik asked Mr. Sheehan to
advise him of the hours of illumination limitation for Prestige Leasing. Mr. Sheehan
stated that he will obtain that information and advise Mr. Orik accordingly prior to the
March 20, 2012 ZBA meeting.
Mrs. Neukirch asked Mr. Orik about other business locations. Mr. Orik stated that he
operates another location in Highland Park. Mrs. Neukirch asked about the name of that
business. Mr. Orik stated that business is his incorporated name, M & I Imports. Mrs.
Neukirch asked Mr. Orik if he had considered removing "Chicago" from the business
name. Mr. Orik stated that "Lux Cars" is already taken. A lot of his buyers will be from
out of state. The use of "Chicago" is for marketing purposes to advise customers of the
approximate geographic location of the business. A majority of the business will be
internet sales with this location being the point of sale.
Mr. Pfeil asked Mr. Orik if he could legally use the name "Lux Cars" on the wall. Mr. Orik
stated that his attorney has advised him that he can use "Lux Cars" on the wall so long
as the full business name is listed somewhere else on the property, in this case it is on
the ground sign.
Mrs. Neukirch stated that she does not have any issues with the proposed signage.
Com. Windecker asked if this business is any relation to Prestige Leasing. Mr. Orik
stated that there is no relation between the two businesses. Lux Cars is a new internet
based business and will ship cars from the facility.
Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Pfeil and Mrs. Berman do not have any concerns with the proposed
signs.
There were no additional questions or comments from the ART members.
RECOMMENDATION
The ART has determined that the appearance of the wall sign and ground sign as
proposed meets the criteria set forth in the Village of Buffalo Grove Appearance Plan
and is in harmony with the building and is compatible with the surrounding area.
This request is scheduled to appear before the ZBA on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Prepared by:
Julie Kamka
Building & Zoning Department
ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting
MARCH 7, 2012
322 HALF DAY ROAD, WEIGHT WATCHERS
DEVIATION TO THE WOODLAND COMMONS SHOPPING CENTER SIGN CRITERIA
PRESENT
Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager
Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations
Carol Berman/ Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration
Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner
Mr. Joe Funderburk, Anchor Sign
PROPOSAL
Request is being made by Weight Watchers, 322 Half Day Road, for Deviation to the
Woodland Commons Shopping Center Sign Criteria to allow the colors blue, green and
yellow; and to allow the use of the logo.
Mr. Funderburk explained that Weight Watchers will be a tenant in the Woodland
Commons Shopping Center and they are requesting a new wall sign. The new sign
would be a deviation from the Shopping Center Sign Criteria which requires red
lettering. Weight Watchers is asking for their trademark brand color and logo. Weight
Watchers has been trying to rebrand their business and relocate from residential type
areas and church basements into more heavily trafficked areas in retail districts and at
the same time trying to standardize their trademark.
Mrs. Neukirch asked Mr. Funderburk if the landlord has approved the proposed colors
and logo. Mr. Funderburk advised that they have obtained written approval from the
landlord.
Com. Windecker asked if this location is related to the Weight Watchers location in the
Town Center. Mrs. Kamka advised that Weight Watchers is moving from the Town
Center location to the Woodland Commons location.
Mr. Sheehan advised Mr. Funderburk that the existing wall sign at the Town Center
location will be required to be removed as a part of this approval and permit.
Com. Windecker asked Mr. Funderburk if Weight Watchers would be willing to move the
existing red lettering wall sign from Town Center to Woodland Commons in order to
comply with the Woodland Commons Sign Criteria. Mr. Funderburk stated that Weight
Watchers is moving toward the new branding image with the blue lettering and multi
color logo. Red was a popular color years ago but not anymore. The new sign is an LED
sign and the current sign is a neon sign. It would be difficult and most likely cost
prohibitive to retro fit the current neon sign. Additionally, as he had stated, the current
red sign just does not fit with the new marketing and rebranding effort that weight
watchers is trying to promote.
Mrs. Neukirch stated that she does not have any concerns with the proposed wall sign.
Com. Windecker stated that he does not have any issues with the proposed logo. He
advised Mr. Funderburk to be prepared to explain to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
the reasons for not moving the existing red lettering wall sign from Town Center to
Woodland Commons. Mr. Sheehan added that it would be beneficially to provide a cost
analysis so that the ZBA can see the associated costs and also to provide information
on how many of the stores have been re-branded with this sign and logo to date both
nationally and in the State of Illinois..
Mr. Sheehan advised that he would recommend to include the condition to remove the
existing Town Center wall sign in the ART recommendation.
Mr. Pfeil asked Mr. Funderburk if he has a photograph of that section of the shopping
center showing the proposed sign as well as other wall signs in the area. Mr.
Funderburk provided a color photograph showing the temporary identification banner
and advised that he will forward a new photograph with the proposed wall sign
superimposed prior to the ZBA meeting.
Mrs. Berman has no objections to the proposed sign and logo.
There were no additional questions or comments from the ART members.
RECOMMENDATION
The ART has determined that the appearance of the wall sign as proposed meets the
criteria set forth in the Village of Buffalo Grove Appearance Plan and is in harmony with
the building and is compatible with the surrounding area subject to the following
condition:
1. The wall sign at the existing Weight Watchers location in the Town Center
Shopping Center shall be removed upon vacating that space and prior to the
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the new location.
This request is scheduled to appear before the ZBA on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Prepared by:
Julie Kamka
Building & Zoning Department