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2013-06-05 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan commission Document Type: ❑A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 06/05/2013 Type of Meeting: PUBLIC HEARING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION June 5, 2013 Brunswick's, 350 McHenry Road Special Use for a Family Entertainment center , including site plan modifications, appearance review and Sign package, in the B-5 Town Center District Vice Chair Khan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers, Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Vice chair Khan read the Notice of public Hearing as published in the Buffalo Grove Daily Herald, explained the procedure to be followed for the public hearing, and swore in all persons who wished to give testimony. Commissioners present: Mr. Khan Mr. Stark Mr. Weinstein Ms. Johnson Mr. Goldspiel Mr. Matthews Commissioners absent: Chairman Smith Mr. Cohn Also present: Mr. Brad Jorgensen, Brunswick Mr. Mike Pagan, Chipman Design Architecture Mr. Bill Feldgreber, Brunswick Mr. Larry Costakis, Brunswick Mr. Todd Shaffer, Haeger Engineering LLC Ms. Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee Mr. Andy Stein, Village Trustee Mr. Mike Terson, Village Trustee Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney Mr. Brian Sheehan, Village Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner The following exhibits were presented by the petitioner at the public hearing: Exhibit 1: Proposed exterior modifications Exhibit 2: Exterior elevations of the sides of the building Exhibit 3: Floor Plan of interior of building Exhibit 4: Site Plan and fire lane with proposed movement Exhibit 5: Patio Plan Exhibit 6: Main entrance wall sign Exhibit 7: Detail and square footage of main entrance sign Exhibit 8: Restaurant wall sign Exhibit 9: Detail on the entrance to the restaurant Exhibit 10: East elevation sign, McHenry Road Exhibit 11: Detail of east elevation sign Exhibit 12: Site Plan introducing the monument sign concept on the road Exhibit 13: Proposed monument signage rendering Exhibit 14: Monument sign details Exhibit 15: Shopping center existing sign as well as proposed sign Exhibit 16: Other entrance to shopping complex with signage Exhibit 17: Overall parking plan Exhibit 18: Proposed fire lane modifications Exhibit 19: Proposed fire lane modifications with hypothetical turning radii for equipment Exhibit 20: Memo from Mr. Pfeil to the Plan Commission dated May 31, 2013 Mr. Brad Jorgensen reviewed and recapped the proposed plan. He reviewed the two new facilities in Georgia which will be imported to the proposed plan here noting that it will be adding much more comfort and family gathering space for nice social outings. Mr. Jorgensen reviewed the proposed restaurant which will extend their menu and offerings to be on a par with any casual dining restaurant in the community. Mr. Larry Costakis spoke relative to the parking issue and stated that based on other facilities they have across the country their parking ratio is about 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet. Based on the facility of the size of eSkape it comes out to about 250 spaces and that is consistent with the Village ordinance. He noted that after their modifications they will have 373 spaces available. Mr. Mike Pagan stated they are intending to maintain the existing face brick or metal features of the building. Modifications to the entrances will be made as well as painting of the metal roof to blend in with the palette of the community. Mr. Pagan reviewed the signage changes noting the new Brunswick wall sign on the front of the building. Currently the signage on the south wall is 430 square feet and the proposed new sign will be 324 square feet. On the east wall of the building the new sign will be 167 square feet. Mr. Jorgensen spoke relative to the proposed exterior patio and the use of that patio. The plans are for food and beverage and social conversation they will not be having live music or entertainment outside. They do plan to have some speakers to provide some atmosphere with some mellow music. Commissioner Stark suggested that the entire PDF presentation should be made an exhibit. Commissioner Stark asked about the landscaping in front of the patio area. Mr. Pagan stated there will be a 5 foot high fence as well as evergreen bushes and shrubs for year round interest and screening. There will also be some evergreen trees. Commissioner Stark asked how the signs would be illuminated. Mr. Pagan stated they will be internally lit similar to what is there now. Commissioner Stark asked if the proposed Brunswick sign is larger than what is there now. Mr. Pagan stated the Brunswick sign will be 238 square feet and the Tavern `45 sign is 86 square feet. He stated that the current Grillworks sign is 107 square feet. He noted that the overall signage on the south wall of the building is being reduced from 430 square feet to 324 square feet. Commissioner Stark asked about the variation to allow the area of the wall signs on the south elevation to exceed 20 percent of the sign background area. Mr. Pagan noted that the Brunswick and Tavern '45 sign areas may be over 20 percent of the sign background area, but they are reducing the overall amount of signage. Commissioner Stark asked about the need for a variation concerning the ground sign if both entities on the sign along Route 83 are part of the same business operation. He noted that Tavern `45 is not a separate entity from Brunswick. Mr. Sheehan stated it has been the Village's practice in administering the Sign Code to require a variation if the ground sign has a second panel for an "occupancy within an occupancy." Tavern '45 would be operating within the Brunswick facility. Commissioner Matthews asked about the sound level in the patio area. He noted that many times background music in outdoor locations is very loud, and he asked if the proposed music will indeed be "conversation friendly" music. Mr. Jorgensen stated that is correct. He stated their philosophy is to have people feel comfortable and linger in the area for casual conversation. Commissioner Weinstein asked if the petitioner is open to hour restrictions on playing outdoor music on the speakers. Mr. Jorgensen stated they are open to restrictions. Commissioner Weinstein asked if it would definitely just be speakers for music and no TV and similar video displays. Mr. Jorgensen stated yes, the sound would be limited to speakers for music. Commissioner Weinstein asked what type of fence is proposed for the patio area. Mr. Pagan stated the fence would be Ipe, a durable type of wood. The fence would be stained a natural brown color. Commissioner Weinstein noted this is a special use request and the criteria for same should be reviewed by the petitioner. Mr. Jorgensen addressed the special use criteria stating: 1. The facility will serve the public convenience with entertainment and charitable functions for the community. 2. The property and business itself is very much in harmony with the rest of the center. The mix of movie theaters and restaurants is very much in harmony with the area. 3. They do not believe that any of their special use requests will cause any injury to anyone else or the community or adjacent properties. 4. This facility will not impede or discourage the development of any other adjacent properties. They are not seeking any expansion to their property. 5. They believe there are adequate utilities throughout and drainage throughout. 6. The parking is being lowered but will be more than adequate for their volume together with the exiting volume of the other tenants. Commissioner Goldspiel asked about the silver painting of the roof and wonders how much of a glare will be produced. He noted that there are various types of silver paint finishes, some of which can produce glare. Mr. Pagan stated it will be a very subdued color as well as a matt finish. Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the music from the loudspeakers be audible outside on the patio and beyond. Mr. Jorgensen stated that by the very nature of the fence and landscaping on the patio he does not expect it to carry beyond the traffic of the road or anything nearby. Commissioner Goldspiel noted he is particularly concerned with the sound carrying to the other commercial areas on the west side which he does not feel should happen. Mr. Jorgensen stated the nearest business property to the patio is about 300 feet and the music will not be audible that far. Commissioner Goldspiel asked why a monument sign is needed on the east side when they will be getting a big wall sign. Mr. Jorgensen noted there are some large trees on that side of the road and the monument sign provides the maximum visibility to cars on the road. He further stated the distance between the existing monument sign and the proposed one is far enough away. In addition the existing monument sign is not necessarily a sign associated with their building. Commissioner Goldspiel asked to what extent that monument sign would block the view to the rest of the center for people traveling south. Mr. Jorgensen stated the sign will be positioned perpendicular to the road so it would only block the view of the width of the sign which is five feet perpendicular to the road and 1.5 feet parallel to the road. Commissioner Johnson noted that because of the new design for the patio area the flow of traffic will have to move around the patio where people are sitting and we had discussed possibly reinforcing the fence in case of any danger from a car. She asked if there are any plans to do that. Mr. Pagan stated they are proposing to use reinforced steel posts filled with concrete at various points in the fence. Commissioner Stark asked if the ambient noise from the road on McHenry Road will be louder than the noise from the music on the patio. Mr. Jorgensen stated yes. Mr. Timothy Groark, President of the Winchester Estates, asked several questions regarding the proposed patio area at the facility. He asked if there would be any dances or parties allowed at Tavern 45. He asked if the patio will be open year round with plastic sheeting covering it. He asked if there is a separate party room at the facility and if these parties would be allowed to proceed to the patio area. He also asked if the petitioner would be willing to limit patio hours and asked if there would be any blinking signs or that sort of thing. He also noted that the bank on Bank Lane and Route 83 had their signage use limited to between 6:00 am and 11:00 p.m. He concluded by noting that the 300 foot calculation from the east side of 83 to the patio area does not seem correct. Mr. Jorgensen stated that the distance of 300 feet from the patio was correct relative to the distance from the patio to the closest business on the west side of McHenry Road. The distance to the east side is shorter at about 225 feet. He noted the commercial side has a different set of hours and operation hours for signs. Basically the signs are on when business is open as that is one of the main reasons it attracts customers. The illumination of the sign just casts a shadow under the sign. These signs do not project the light outward. In fact the light in the parking lot would be putting out more illumination than the lights from the signs. There will be no blinking or flashing signs. Mr. Jorgensen stated they are hoping this will be a premier facility for Brunswick and it is not about dancing or rowdy parties and such on the patio. The type of parties might be corporate folks who want to take their employees or business partners out after work and things like, but that and no bands or such. He noted the existing building has outdoor speakers for music that was played by eSkape up until closing time which is 2:00 a.m. They are not increasing the size or output of the speakers. To their knowledge there have been no noise complaints in the last ten years. Vice chair Khan asked what the hours will be, including the patio. Mr. Jorgensen stated Sunday through Thursday it will be 11:00 a.m. until midnight and Friday and Saturday it will be 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Vice chair Khan asked if the dancing which will be permitted inside will spill over to the patio at any time. Mr. Jorgensen stated there will be no patio dancing. Mr. Groark asked if there will be any blinking signs. Trustee Stein noted that blinking signs are prohibited in the Village Sign Code. Trustee Stein asked if there will be any buffers on the patio for the ambient music. Mr. Jorgensen stated yes. Mr. Stein noted there have been many questions and criticisms over the years about the lack of visibility of the Town Center itself. Trustee Terson asked if there have been any complaints from the residential area around eSkape in the past 10 years. Mr. Sheehan stated as far as complaints regarding noise, there have been no issues with the outside smoking area and speakers operated by eSkape. He noted there were several complaints regarding vehicles that were in a car show sponsored by eSkape. Trustee Terson asked if there are any plans to operate this Brunswick facility drastically different conceptually than eSkape. Mr. Jorgenson stated there will be no drastic difference. Trustee Sussman asked if eSkape is now open until 2:00 a.m. on the weekends. Mr. Jorgensen stated yes. Mr. Raysa asked what the 373 parking spaces on Exhibit 19 include. Mr. Todd Shaffer stated that exhibits 17, 18, and 19 show the stalls that are to the east of the existing retail and to the immediate south of the Brunswick building. Stalls to the south of the access driveway from McHenry Road are not included in that number, but parking in this area would be also be available. Commissioner Stark stated that in his 11 years as a commissioner it has always been that a business will work with residents if there are problems and hopes the same will be the case here. There being no further comments or questions from anyone else present, vice chair Khan closed the public hearing at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary APPROVED BY: ZILL KHAN, Vice Chair Board or Commission: ❑ Plan commission Document Type: 0 A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 06/05/2013 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting REGULAR MEETING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION June 5, 2013 Brunswick's, 350 McHenry Road -Special Use for a family entertainment center , Including site plan modifications, appearance review and sign package , In the B-5 Town Center District Vice Chair Khan called the meeting to order at 8:40 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers, Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Commissioners present: Mr. Khan Mr. Stark Mr. Weinstein Ms. Johnson Mr. Goldspiel Mr. Matthews Commissioners absent: Chairman Smith Mr. Cohn Also present: Mr. Brad Jorgensen, Brunswick Mr. Mike Pagan, Chipman Design Architecture Mr. Bill Feldgreber, Brunswick Mr. Larry Costakis, Brunswick Mr. Todd Shaffer, Haeger Engineering LLC Ms. Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee Mr. Andy Stein, Village Trustee Mr. Mike Terson, Village Trustee Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney Mr. Brian Sheehan, Village Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Goldspiel, seconded by Commissioner Weinstein to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 15, 2013. Commissioner Khan noted a typographical error on page two. All Commissioners were in favor of the amended motion and the motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS- None BRUNSWICK'S, 350 MC HENRY ROAD - SPECIAL USE FOR A FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, INCLUDING SITE PLAN MODIFICATIONS, APPEARANCE REVIEW AND SIGN PACKAGE, IN THE B-5 TOWN CENTER DISTRICT Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve a special use to operate a family entertainment center in the B-5 Town Center District with the following variations of the Village Sign Code: Section 14.16.030 and Section 14.16.070 pertaining to the ground sign and wall signs - to allow more than one wall sign on the building, to allow the wall signs on the south elevation to exceed 20 percent of the sign background areas, and to allow an occupancy within an occupancy on the ground sign with the following conditions: 1. That there be no outdoor live music on the patio 2. That there be no videos or televisions on the patio Vice Chair Khan called for a vote on the motion and the vote was as follows: AYES: Stark, Weinstein, Johnson, Goldspiel, Matthews, Khan NAYS: None ABSENT: Smith, Cohn ABSTAIN: None The motion passed 6 to 0. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - None FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE Mr. Pfeil noted there would probably not be a meeting June 19 or the first Wednesday in July. He will send an email confirmation concerning the meeting schedule. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None STAFF REPORT- None NEW BUSINESS - None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Matthews, seconded by Commissioner Stark and carried unanimously to adjourn. Vice Chair Khan adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary APPROVED BY: ZILL KHAN, Vice Chair