2011-05-03 - Appearance Review Team - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑Appearance Review Team
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 05/03/2011
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting
May 3, 2011
185 MILWAUKEE AVENUE, HAMILTON PARTNERS
PROPOSED OFF-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL GROUND SIGN FOR RIVERWALK
PLACE APARTMENTS, 301 NORTH RIVERWALK DRIVE
PRESENT
Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager
Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations
Carol Berman, Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration
Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
Joe Wallace, Plan Examiner
Nidhi Vaid, Associate Planner
Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner
Tim Beechick, Hamilton Partners
Hanyoo Kim, Wooil Restaurant
PROPOSAL
Request is being made by Hamilton Partners, 1130 Lake Cook Road, Suite 190, Buffalo
Grove, Illinois 60089, for variance of Sign Code, Section 14.20.030, pertaining to
Business Districts; Section 14.20.070, pertaining to Ground Signs; and Section
14.40.145, pertaining to Off-Premises Signs, for the purpose of allowing a second
ground sign on the property, which would be an off-premises directional ground sign.
Said ground sign would be located closer to the property line than permitted, and would
be located within two hundred fifty (250) feet of an existing ground sign located on the
same parcel for the property located at 185 Milwaukee Avenue.
Mr. Beechick advised that he took the advice of the ART and decided to go with the
brick base. The proposed sign has been lowered as to not interfere with the visibility of
Mr. Kim's ground sign.
Mr. Sheehan advised that based on the review by the Village Engineer, it appears that
the proposed location would place the sign onto the public right-of-way. Mr. Beechick
stated that his engineer is currently working on the issue.
Ms. Berman asked if the base of the sign would be landscaped. Mr. Beechick stated
that it would. There is not a lot of room and based on the location of the sign, he will so
what he can to landscape around the base.
There were no issues with the appearance of the proposed sign.
Mr. Sheehan advised Mr. Beechick to request the six (6) month extension on the
temporary signs at the ZBA with the condition that once the permanent directional
ground sign is approved and installed, the temporary signs will be removed.
RECOMMENDATION
The ART has determined that the appearance of the 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:
1. The sign being located on private property and not on the public right-of-way;
and
2. The sign being landscaped around the base.
The request for the variance from the Sign Code will be heard at May 17, 2011 Zoning
Board of Appeals meeting.
Board or Commission: ❑Appearance Review Team
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 05/03/2011
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
ART (Appearance Review Team) Meeting
MAY 3, 2011
185 MILWAUKEE AVENUE, WOOIL RESTAURANT
REFACE EXISTING GROUND SIGN
PRESENT
Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager
Carol Berman, Deputy Building Commissioner/Administration
Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations
Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
Joe Wallace, Plan Examiner
Nidhi Vaid, Associate Planner
Louis Windecker, ZBA Commissioner
Tim Beechick, Hamilton Partners
Hanyoo Kim, Wooil Restaurant
PROPOSAL
Request is being made by Wooil Restaurant, 185 Milwaukee Avenue, for variance of
Sign Code, Section 14.20.030, pertaining to Business Districts; and Section 14.20.070,
pertaining to Ground Signs, for the purpose of refacing the existing ground sign.
Mrs. Berman confirmed with Mr. Kim that he is requesting to reface the existing pole
sign. Mrs. Berman asked about the projection at the top of the pole. Mr. Kim stated that
it is not a light, but a decoration.
Mr. Sheehan asked about how the sign box is attached to the pole. Mr. Kim stated that
the sign box is attached by bolts that pass through the pole. Mr. Sheehan asked if the
sign could be lowered. Mr. Kim replied that the bottom of the sign is currently twelve
(12) feet above the ground, which is the minimum clearance requirement by the Fire
Department. Staff will verify this height requirement.
Mr. Sheehan asked about the Korean lettering on the sign. Mr. Kim stated that the
Korean lettering means Korean BBQ and that Wooil stands for Friends (Woo) Day (il).
Mrs. Neukirch stated that in Mr. Kim's hardship letter to the ZBA he explains that the
cost of replacing the existing pole sign is too expensive. It is more cost effective to
reface the existing sign at this time. Mrs. Neukirch asked if there is a time frame that Mr.
Kim would be comfortable with to replace the sign. Mr. Kim asked what type of sign
would the Village be looking for; a monument sign or a roof sign. He does not have the
area to place a nice ground sign like most shopping centers, once the road was
widened, there was not much area left and what is there is paved surface. Mr. Kim did
inquire about a roof sign but was advised that roof signs are not permitted. Mr. Sheehan
advised that a variance would be required to allow a roof sign, or a monument sign for
that matter. Any new sign would require that he go through the same process he is
involved in now.
Mrs. Neukirch asked Mr. Kim if the ZBA is in favor of refacing the pole sign would he be
willing to paint the pole. Mr. Kim stated that he was planning on painting the pole. He is
waiting for the outcome of the variance request.
Mr. Sheehan added that the Sign Code requires that landscaping be placing around the
base of the sign. In this case, there is no area for landscaping. Mr. Sheehan asked Mr.
Kim if he could place a flower pot at the base of the pole to dress the sign up. Mr. Kim
stated that there is no space to place any pots at the base of the sign because of the
parking lot. Mr. Sheehan asked if Mr. Kim could hang pots from the under the canopy.
Mr. Kim stated that it gets very windy and flower pots would not be able to withstand the
winds. He is concerned that the pots may blow off and cause damage to the building.
Mrs. Neukirch stated that several municipalities place hanging flower baskets from
street light poles. Mr. Sheehan added that synthetic flowers could be used as well in lieu
of real ones and the containers could be of the type to be secured directly to the
masonry pillars, below the lights in the front of the building.
Mr. Sheehan advised Mr. Kim to be prepared to address the landscaping requirement at
the ZBA meeting. Mr. Sheehan will also verify with the Fire Department the clearance
requirement for the sign.
Mr. Sheehan asked Mr. Kim to provide the exact dimensions of the edge of the sign to
the property. Mr. Kim stated that he will work and getting that information.
RECOMMENDATION
The ART has determined that although the appearance of the sign as proposed does
not meet the criteria set forth in the Village of Buffalo Grove Appearance Plan, the
owner does have a unique hardship based upon the fact that this is an existing sign as
well as the proximity of the building and sign to the public right of way due to the
widening of Milwaukee Avenue and that the sign is compatible with the surrounding
area subject to:
1. The pole is to be painted; and
2. In lieu of providing landscaping at the base of the pole sign, a landscaping
plan is to be submitted to the Village for approval.
The request for the variance from the Sign Code will be heard at May 17, 2011 Zoning
Board of Appeals meeting.