1988-06-09 - Appearance Commission - Minutes Ex. 6-
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1988
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ed Larsen called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. at the
Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd. , on Thursday, June 9, 1988.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: E. Bremner, D. Ehrhardt, M. Silbernik,
R. Gordon, F. Weissman and E. Larsen.
Commissioners Absent: C. Bruno
Bldg. Dept. Liaison: Charles Matt,
Deputy Building Commissioner
Bldg. Dept. Ed Schar, Building Inspector
Village Board Liaison: Jordan Shifrin, Trustee
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 12, 1988 - No corrections or additions. Cam. Bremner made a
motion to approve as submitted. Com. Ehrhardt seconded.
Roll Call: Weissman, Gordon, Silbernik, Ehrhardt, Bremner, Larsen
Motion Passed - 6 to 0.
Minutes of May 12, 1988 approved and will be placed on file.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Dunell Center - Awning and Sign Package Criteria
Representatives: Bob Sobucki and Gary Zale, Federal Signs,
140 E. Tomer Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60521
(887-68334 T
David L. Rhodes, Brian Properties, Inc. ,
2045 S. Arlington Heights, Rd. , Suite 100,
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (640-6199)
Mr. Sobucki described the proposed illuminated awning. Written
construction specifications and sign criteria were submitted.
Signage will consist of one line of 12 inch Black vinyl letters,
or two lines of 9 inch letters. Copy and different size letters
mould have to be approved by the landlord. Copy area not to ex-
ceed 3 sf. per lineal foot of individual store frontage.
Mr. Zale explained that the existing signage will be removed.
The new canopy awning will replace the unorganized signage with
a simplified uniform program. The mansard will be completely
covered with the new canopy and the illumination will reduce the
glare. Lighting will be directed downward for security.
The UL approved wiring will be concealed.
4.
.
The material is silicone treated and does not streak and the
awning colors awning are Terra Cotta, *4126; and Ivory *1170.
The canopy completely covers the lighting system. The raceways
will be revamped.
The Black vinyl letters are heat applied and can be removed,
if necessary, by reversing the process. The quality of the
material is guaranteed to last for 10 - 15 years.
Ch. Larsen commented favorably on the canopy system and added
that it will clean up the appearance of the center. There is a
problem because this type of electrical signage has not been
included in the Buffalo Grove Sign Code. The Sign Code provides
for canopies and/or awnings. The Building Department has con-
cluded that this structure is an awning. The correct title, as
determined by the National Electric Sign Association, is
Electrical Awning Sign.
The center has been in need of modification for some time and
Ch. Larsen recommended correlation of the pylon sign be con-
sidered in the near future as part of the remodeling project.
The Sign Code limits lettering to 9 inches, because copy is only
allowed on the flap. An awning is defined as a temporary
structure. The proposed fabric is temporary in nature, but it
is polyester and will not be easily damaged. It is attractive.
In discussion with the Building Department, consideration was
given to calling this a Sign Band, for which the Appearance
Commission can give recommendation to Sign Criteria. If the
sign is deemed to be. an Awning, then copy would be limited to
9 inches. This would probably not be adequate for the center,
considering the speed limit on Dundee Road is 45 MPH.
The 12 inch copy would require -a recommendation for variance
from the Zoning Board of Appeals, which would be forwarded to
the Village Board of Trustees along with the Appearance Com-
mission recommendation - Two -lines-of 9 inch copy wouldalso
require a variance. This process is lengthy, but it would be
beneficial. The Sign Code cannot be changed for about a year.
A second problem to consider is that the awning takes up more
that 70X of the lineal frontage of each tenant.
The Commissioner's were polled to determine their opinions of
the proposed product, and if it should be called an Awning or a
Sign Band.
Mr. Rhodes commented that the Dunell tenants are agreeable and
have been very co-operative agreeable with the proposed signage.
He asked that the process be moved forward as quickly as
possible.
APPEARANCE CON1I I SS I ON
June 9, 1988 - Page Two
Cam. Ehrhardt: Signage is a nice, uniform improvement.
Petitioners should be granted the ability
to have what they want.
He considers the structure an Awning.
Can. Bremner: Likes the proposal. Recalled that the AC had
denied J. B. Winberie's request for a similar
• lighted awning.
Ch. Larsen responded that Winberie's wanted to have the name
repeated the full length of the awning, not just one time.
The area was also a factor, because Winberie's is across the
street from a residential zone. Dunell is on a fully commercial
street, even though there are apartments across the street.
Each request is considered individually. The AC does not have
to approve any signage because of precedent.
Com. Bremner: Has some concern about maintenance but he would
consider the structure an awning and it is much
better than what is now there.
Hr. Rhodes commented that the stores are 60 to 80 feet away from
Dundee Road, and there is a double row of parking in between.
Cam. Gordon, Com. Weissman, Com. Silbernik agreed it's an awning
and recommended approval.
Ch. Larsen: Considering it to be an awning, includes it being
an architectural feature. The AC can proceed and make a
recommendation regarding the graphics: One line of 12 inch
letters or two lines of 9 inch letters.
Ch. Larsen added that the sign business has approved the product
and he has seen some very nice ones. There can be a problem
with maintenance, and after a short time the vinyl material
looks dirty, because it attracts dust particles. •He asked the
petitioner-to agree to :periodic ashing =of-=the canopy-according
to the manufacturer's recommended schedule. He added that the
owner should be aware that-during the winter months the center
will look dark because the fluorescent lighting will not
operate.
Mr. Sobucki responded that the lighting will not dim more than
50% and it will look much better than it does now. They are
using a strip fixture with a 20 degree below ballast.
Kr. Zale said they offer a standard cleaning program which
includes a total scrub down on the inside and outside. The
lamps are removed and cleaned. Silicone is added at this time.
They recommend semiannual cleaning.
Ch. Larsen asked what will happen to White Hen Pantry? Do they
agree with the program?
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
June 9, 1988 - Page Three
w :,
Mr. Rhodes responded that the existing cupola mill be removed,
and if White Hen does not stay in the center, the entire module
can be removed and replaced with a new one. This possibility
has been considered and an entire section is being prepared from
the same bolt of material, so it will age, etc. accordingly.
He stipulated that the structure is being built to UL standards
and they will meet the Village Engineer's structural require-
ments for, snow load and wind load.
Cam. Weissman made the following motion:
I move we recommend approval the Canopy/Awning
as submitted for Dunell Center, with the
further recommendation to the Zoning Board
of Appeals that the Black Vinyl copy size
be increased from 9 inch letters to 12 inch
letters for one line of copy; and to permit
two lines of copy, as provided in the Sign Code,
Section 14.20.120 (Awnings).
Further recommendation to increase total lineal
square footage allowed under Section 14.20.110
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to encompass the total existing mansard; and to
permit the Awning to project lower than the existing
strip lighting.
Cam. Silbernik seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Gordon, Ehrhardt, Bremner, Silbernik,
Weissman and Larsen.
NAY - None
?lotion Passed - 6 to 0.
The Zoning Board of Appeals will be directed by the Building
Department as to all the-actual variances that are required.
Mr. Sobucki informed the AC that he is presently negotiating
with UL, the City of Chicago and Federal Sign to permit only
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the caption to be ruled as actual square footage of signage.
The petitioners were informed that the proposed signage will go
to the Zoning Board of Appeals on the 3rd Tuesday of July.
The petitioners were advised to contact Mr. James Sylverne,
Building Department to file a request before June 21 , 1988.
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APPEARANCE COMMISSION
June 9, 1988 - Page Four