2012-12-05 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan commission
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 12/05/2012
Type of Meeting:
PUBLIC HEARING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
December 5, 2012
Amendments of Village Zoning Ordinance and Village
Appearance Plan pertaining to sign regulations
Chairman Smith called the hearing to order at 7:30 pm in the Village Council Chambers, Buffalo
Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Chairman Smith 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: Chairman Smith
Mr. Khan
Mr. Stark
Mr. Weinstein
Ms. Johnson
Mr. Goldspiel
Mr. Matthews
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Ms. Myer
Also present: Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee
Mr. Andrew Stein, Village Trustee
Mr. Mike Terson, Village Trustee
Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney
Mr. Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
The following exhibit was presented by the petitioner at the public hearing:
Exhibit 1: Memo from Mr. Pfeil to the Plan Commission dated November 29, 2012
Mr. Pfeil stated the hearing includes comments concerning the Village Appearance Plan as well
as the Zoning Ordinance. A hearing is not required to amend the Appearance Plan, but the
proposed changes are related to the Zoning Ordinance, so the testimony will cover both codes.
He noted that Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner, is present and available to offer
his expertise concerning the Sign Code and Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Pfeil reviewed the proposed changes to the Appearance Plan. He noted that the
Appearance Review Team (ART) can include different staff and commission representatives
depending on the type of project. The proposed changes to the Appearance Plan pertain to
Article III.D - Review Process. In Section 2.a - Major Review process, the first paragraph would
have a reference to the Sign Code. In sub-section 2.b a sentence would be added to the Minor
Review process. The new text would clarify that uniform sign packages as set forth in the Village
Sign Code shall require "minor review" unless variations to the Sign Code are requested. In this
case the uniform sign package shall require "major review."
Mr. Pfeil said under Section 2.d - Variation of the Sign Code, there is a new sentence stating
that the Plan Commission shall review variations pertaining to Uniform Sign Packages, Planned
Unit Developments and other development reviews as set forth in the Sign Code.
Mr. Pfeil reviewed the Zoning Ordinance changes. Attachment 2 notes a proposed definition for
"developed parcel". That is the same language used in the updated Sign Code approved in May
2012. In the general provisions section of the Zoning Ordinance a reference to the Sign Code
would be added in Section 17.20. The Village Attorney has suggested that number should be
17.20.110. The language to be added states that signs are subject to the provision of the Village
Sign Code (Title 14 of the Buffalo Grove Municipal Code) as set forth in Title 17.
Mr. Pfeil further stated the other substantive change to the Zoning Ordinance would be deletion
of the current sign regulations in the B-5 District of the Zoning Ordinance in Section is
17.44.060.E.6. B-5 is the only zoning district that has sign regulations as part of the district
standards. All other zoning districts are regulated by the Village Sign Code, so the suggestion is
to remove the sign regulations in the B-5 District so that the Village Sign Code would be used to
regulate signage in all zoning districts.
Commissioner Stark asked if perhaps the term "significant" in attachment 2 should be defined a
bit more even though it does give some definitions or examples of what significant site
improvement is. He stated he is concerned this could become a battle of semantics on exactly
what the definition of"significant" is.
Commissioner Weinstein noted that this definition comes right out of the Sign Code, so if the
Commission recommends a modification of the version used in the Zoning Ordinance, the Sign
Code definition should also be revised. He suggested that there could be issues with interpreting
and administering the regulations if there are different definitions in the two codes.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if there is going to be any substantive change in the sign
requirements to the B-5 District if we make it subject to the Sign Code.
Mr. Sheehan noted that the B-5 standards are detailed, but as time has passed, variances and
design practices have resulted in the shopping center looking very much like other shopping
centers in the Village. He noted that with larger wall surfaces the Sign Code might allow a sign
larger than the 75 square foot maximum now used in the B-5 regulations. Examples are the
Versailles wall that faces Lake Cook Road and the eSkape wall that faces McHenry Road.
Based on the wall areas, signs larger than 75 feet may be possible. He noted that the size and
location of signs cans be controlled in the variation and appearance review process, and the
shopping center also has a sign criteria package and a PUD ordinance.
Mr. Marty Sussman stated that many communities in the Buffalo Grove area have appearance
standards that require new construction to be consistent with overall appearance goals and
standards. He stated that Buffalo Grove doesn't have this kind of design control, and as a
resident he would like to see an appearance committee put together where the Village
establishes what the Village should look like, as so many other villages have done. When new
construction is proposed the plans would go before that appearance committee to see if it fits
into the design of what we want the Village to look like. It would also make the Plan
Commission's job much easier.
There being no further comments or questions from anyone else present, Chairman Smith
closed the public hearing at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
ERIC SMITH, Chair
Board or Commission: ❑ Plan commission
Document Type: 0 A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 12/05/2012
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
December 5, 2012
Proposed amendments to the Village of Buffalo Grove Zoning Ordinance
(Title 17 of the Buffalo Grove Municipal Code) and Village Appearance Plan
concerning sign regulations
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm in the Village Council Chambers, Buffalo
Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners present: Chairman Smith
Mr. Khan
Mr. Stark
Mr. Weinstein
Ms. Johnson
Mr. Goldspiel
Mr. Matthews
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Ms. Myer
Also present: Ms. Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee
Mr. Andrew Stein, Village Trustee
Mr. Mike Terson
Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney
Mr. Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Commissioner
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Khan to approve the minutes
of the public hearing of November 7, 2012. All Commissioners were in favor of the motion and
the motion passed unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commission Johnson to approve the minutes
of the regular meeting of November 7, 2012. All Commissioners were in favor of the motion and
the motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Goldspiel attended the Village Board meeting of December 3, 2012 and there
were two items of interest to the Plan Commission. Nisa Khan, daughter of Zill Khan and
another Buffalo Grove High School student were recognized for receiving the Cook County
Sheriff's youth service Medal of Honor. Also, the developer of Waterbury Place requested a
reduction the amount of security posted to guarantee subdivision improvements since portions
of the development have been completed. After discussion it was decided to compute project
cost items based on current prices, and then consider the request for a reduced security deposit
for various improvements to be completed by the developer.
Commissioner Johnson attended the November 12, 2012 Board meeting where the special use
for the Veterinary Specialty Center was approved unanimously.
AMENDMENT OF VILLAGE ZONING ORDINANCE AND VILLAGE APPEARANCE PLAN
PERTAINING TO SIGN REGULATIONS
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Khan recommend approval to
the Village Board of the Zoning Ordinance to add a definition of developed parcel as Section
17.12.192 of the Zoning Code as follows: "Developed Parcel" means one or more properties or
lots upon which significant site improvement, such as utility installations, paving and in many
instances, the construction of one or more structures has occurred. Developed Parcel shall
include, but is not limited to a shopping center. It shall additionally mean all private property
within 200 feet of an existing building.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if we need to put something in about the suggestions we have
had this evening.
Mr. Pfeil said the definition did not have any suggested changes by the Village Attorney.
Commissioner Stark was questioning whether clarification should be added concerning the
types of improvements that are considered "significant."
The Plan Commission concurred that modifications to the definition are not necessary.
Chairman Smith called for a vote on the motion and the vote was as follows:
AYES: Khan, Stark, Weinstein, Johnson, Goldspiel, Matthews, Smith
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Cohn, Myer
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed 7 to 0.
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to recommend
approval to the Village Board to add a reference to the Sign Code to Chapter 17.20 general
provisions by adding Section 17.20.110 stating that signs are subject to the provisions of the
Village Sign Code (Title 14 of the Buffalo Grove Municipal Code) except as set forth in Title 17.
Chairman Smith called for a vote on the motion and the vote was as follows:
AYES: Khan, Stark, Weinstein, Johnson, Goldspiel, Matthews, Smith
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Cohn, Myer
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed 7 to 0.
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Khan to delete Section
17.44.060.E.6 from the Zoning Ordinance which is the current sign regulations in the B-5 Town
Center District.
Chairman Smith called for a vote on the motion and the motion was unanimously passed 7 to 0.
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Khan to recommend approval
to the Village Board of amendments to the Appearance Plan by adding references to the major
review and minor review processes and sign code variation procedures concerning the Plan
Commission's authority to review uniform sign packages and variations for certain types of
developments as described in Attachment 1 to Exhibit 1 to Mr. Pfeil's memo of November 29,
2012.
Chairman Smith called for a vote on the motion and the motion was unanimously passed 7 to 0.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT- None
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil noted there will probably not be meetings on December 19, 2012 or January 2, 2013,
so January 16, 2013 may be the next meeting date.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None
STAFF REPORT- None
NEW BUSINESS - None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Khan and carried unanimously
to adjourn. Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
ERIC SMITH, Chair