1988-01-28 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1988
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ed Larsen called the meeting to order at 7:42 P.M. at
the Village Hall , 50 Raupp Blvd. , on Thursday, January 28, 1988.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: M. Mc Call , E. Bremner, D. Ehrhardt,
H. Riebman, C. Bruno and E. Larsen.
QUORUM PRESENT.
Commissioners Absent: B. Owens
Bldg. Dept. Liaison: Mr. Dominic J. Saviano, Jr.
Deputy Building Commissioner
Others Present: Mr. Frank E. Hruby, Jr.
Director of Building and Zoning
Mr. Charles Matt
Bldg. Dept. Electrical Inspector
Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 14, 1988 - Com. Bremner made a motion to approved as
submitted. Com. Mc Call seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Bruno, Riebman, Bremner
Mc Call and Larsen
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Ehrhardt
Minutes of January 14, 1988 were approved as submitted and will
be placed on file.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Barry 's - Ribs and More
Illimination of Ground Sign
Mr. Steve Goldzweig, Best Neon Sign Co. and Mr. Bill Pritts,
Manager of Barry 's at 195 W. Dundee Road, were present.
Mr. Goldzweig recalled that the ground sign was approved in
1985, and now they are requesting the addition of red neon
tubing within the lettering and white neon tubing around the
border of the sign. The reason is to make the sign more
visible.
Ch. Larsen stated that there is not problem with the design or
effect of the neon, but there is some concern about giving
approval for something that is dangerous. The sign is very
low profile, in comparison with Barry 's sign in Schaumburg.
The letters can be reached from the ground and there will be
15,000 volts of electrical current in the exposed wires.
The AC is actually only responsible for the aesthetics of the
sign and the Building Department is responsible for the
approval of the electrical aspects of the neon lighting.
Mr. Goldzweig explained that all the electrical is internal ,
and only a small amount external wiring will be seen going
into PK housings at each end. A trap door will be cut into
the wood, and the sign is deep enough for all the electrical
work. A few spots of exposed wiring will be around the border
where the double-backs are located.
Ch. Larsen commented that the AC has never approved an outdoor
neon sign before, and the Sign Code does not prohibit them.
Some previous AC Commissioners have had personal objections to
exposed neon lights.
The location of the sign was discussed. Mr. Saviano said that
it is only about 5 to 6 feet away from the sidewalk in front
of the building.
Mr. Goldzweig commented that the sign is surrounded with a
rock garden and shrubbrey. They intend to eliminate the two
existing flood lights. He asked that "Ribs and More" also be
included in the request for red neon tubing.
Ch. Larsen recalled his original suggestion was to have a
brighter sign because the dark letters would not be seen.
Mr. Pritts responded that the man who designed the sign had
assured him that it would give them exposure from the street,
but it does not. People who know where Barry 's is have said
they go past it because the sign is not visible.
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January 28, 1988 - Page Two
The Commis i-iers considered the expla 11on of the electrical
constructio?1''and the effect of the neon on the sign. There
were no objections.
Com. Mc Call made a motion to approve the addition of neon to
the Barry 's Ribs and More sign as submitted:
Barry 's Ribs and More to be Red Tubing
The border to be White Tubing, about 5 inches
in from the edge of the sign.
Recommendation is subject to review and approval of the
Building Department with regard to the electrical safety
of the sign.
Com. Bremner seconded the motion.
Ch. Larsen suggested the use of 60 miliamp transformer on the
White neon because in cold weather the lights won 't go on.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Bruno, Riebman, Ehrhardt, Bremner,
Mc Call and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0.
B. Hamilton Partners, Buffalo Grove Business Park
FULL REVIEW - Phase 8, 4 Story Office Building
Presentation was made by Mr. Tim Beechick, Hamilton Partners,
One Pierce Plaza, Suite 770, Itasca, IL 60143.
Mr. Beechick described the site plan and the proposed 4 Story
Office Building, which will have 95,000 sf. of rental space.
1 . MATERIALS AND ELEVATIONS:
a. Granite Stone Skin, with 2-Tone Finish
The main color will be polished swedish mohogny
granite, and the lighter color accent stripe is
the same stone with an unpolished finish.
b. Glass will be reflective glass is Fire Opal , a
reddish bronze tint. It is installed with a
butt-joint glazing system. A small seam will be
seen between each piece of glass.
c . Over the building is a heavy mullion, bronze in
color, similar to the framing systems in the rest
of the Business Park.
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January 31 , 1988 - Page Three
d. The front ,pry is also bronze reflecJe glass,
heavy hori'Z'6nal and vertical mullions.
e. The height of the building is 50 feet, with a higher
area of penthouse screening over the center. ( The
Federal Express Building is approximately 65 feet. )
The granite stones, called a Vista Wall System, are installed
by the glazing contractor. They come pre-assembled and pre-
cut ready for installation. The color is the same color-tone
as the rest of the Business Park buildings. The Federal Ex-
press Building has a redder color.
The building will face South, with the golf course is to the
North. Mr. Beechick commented that they do not expect much
glass breakage from golfers because the setback is sufficient.
Com. Mc Call made a motion to approve the Materials and
Elevations of the Phase 8, 4 Story Building, at the
Buffalo Grove Business Park, as presented by Hamilton
Partners.
Com. Bremner seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Bruno, Riebman, Ehrhardt, Bremner,
Mc Call and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0.
2. LANDSCAPING: Mr. Mark Poliak, Assistant Manager,
Brickman Industries, Inc . , Long Grove Rd. , L. Gr. 60047. .
Mr. Poliak described the overall landscape plan of the
Buffalo Grove Business Park and added that the landscaping
of the 4 Story Building is similar. There is a mixture of
evergreens and decidious trees. Berms have been used to
raise the trees and to better screen the golf course and
the parking lot from the golf course. There will be a
sidewalk from the street to the building. One change was
from two islands in the parking lot to one large bermed
island with trees.
The dumpster area will be screened with a Pine Tree and
3 to 4 foot shrubs to create a solid wall .
With reference to the Village Forester 's Review, dated
January 27, 1988:
1 . All existing trees have been previously installed
as parkway trees, and all varieties were approved.
Some will be transplanted, and some used as driveway
trees. There are no scrub trees on the site.
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January 28, 1988 - Page Four
2. rway Maples will be subs ,.uted for Sugar Maples
inpleking lots. Sugar Maples‘Will be kept on the
berms where salt will not affect them.
3. Sizes and species of trees have been mixed to
give variety, including a grouping of large Character
Pines. They will be accented with flowers.
4. Agree to Mr. Rigsby 's Recommendations.
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to approve the Landscaping,
including the Trash Enclosure, for Phase 8 ( 4 Story Office
Building ) at the Buffalo Grove Business Park,
as submitted, subject to the Village Forester 's Review and
Recommendations dated Jan. 27, 1988.
Com. Riebman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Mc Call , Bremner, Bruno, Reibman,
Ehrhardt and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
3. LIGHTING:
Mr. Beechick noted that the site plan submitted did not
show the proposed location of the parking lot lights.
He brought corrected plans for submission. There will be
three types of exterior lighting:
a. Parking Lot Lights will meet Village standards
with regard to foot candles, etc . They are consistent
in height and quality with the rest of the Buffalo
Grove Business Park. The height of the standards
will be 30 feet, not 35 feet as shown. This will
conform with the Buffalo Grove street lighting on
Weidner Road. Winberries and Federal Express will
also have 30 feet parking lot lights.
Lights in the parking lots will be on concrete bases
and not on the islands, because of the landscaping.
Bases will be 2-1 /2 feet and pole height 29-1 /2 feet.
k
b. Entry Lights on the West, North and Southeast
sides of the building, will be 42 inch square shaped
decorative Bollards, with High Pressure Sodium bullbs.
( Cut sheet incorrectly shows Mercury Vapor bulbs. )
c . Private Driveway Lights will be 30 foot poles
with a shoebox fixture, to match other Business Park
lights.
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January 28, 1988 - Page Five
Com. Mc Call �e a motion to approve the` jghting
Fixtures for se 8 ( The 4 Story Office ilding ) at
the Buffalo Grove Business Park, as submitted.
Com. Ehrhardt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Bruno, Riebman, Erhardt, Bremner,
Mc Call and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
ZIERK 'S FURNITURE STORE - Parking Lot Lights
Mr. Beechick said they have re-considered the Lights on the
islands in the parking lots and have decided that it would be
better to re-locate two lights so that the landscaping will
not interfere with the landscaping.
Com. Bruno made a motion to approve the re-location of two
parking lot lights at Zierk 's Furniture Store, as proposed.
Com. Riebman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Mc Call , Bremner, Ehrhardt, Riebman,
Bruno and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
C . Subway - Sandwiches and Salads
Wall Sign - Country Court, 161 W. Dundee Road
Representative was not present, but Mr. Saviano said the
reason he has denied the sign is because the letter style,
color, and lights do not conform with the Country Court
Sign Package. The landlord has approved the sign.
The sign was discussed, and the Commissioners concluded:
1 . Illuminated signs are not included in the
Sign Package, but they are not specifically
excluded. Also, there are two neon signs on
the new atrium portion of the building.
2. The letter style is a nationally recognized logo.
3. Yellow is not a specified color, but the AC is
not restrictive of color. Sandwiches and Salads
would not be illuminated. The Yellow neon would
not be exposed.
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January 28, 1988 - Page Six
;p ti
Ch. Larsen ,3ed that the sign is tota within the Buffalo
Grove Sign dinance.
Mr. Saviano noted that he added the letter heights, 12 inches
for Subway and 6 inches for Sandwiches and Salads, because
these are the sizes specified in the Sign Package. If the
size requested meets the Sign Code, could the height of the
letters be different?
Ch. Larsen replied, "Yes."
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to approve the Sign as submitted,
for Subway, Sandwiches and Salads:
1 . Subway - 12" internally illuminated, Yellow letters
2. Sandwiches/Salads - 6" non-illuminated, Yellow letters
Com. Bremner seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Mc Call , Bremner, Bruno, Riebman,
Ehrhardt and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
V. ORIENTATION WORKSHOP
Com. Mc Call made a motion to Adjourn to Workshop at 8:40 P.M.
Com. Riebman seconded the motion. Voice Vote: AYE Unanimously
Participants in The Workshop were introduced. The Village
Board Liaison, Ms. Melanie Kowalski was present.
A. Ch. Larsen began the Workshop by explaining that it is being
held to enlighten the new commissioners about the function of the
Appearance Commission and to outline its
limits. One purpose of the AC is to keep up the Village's
fine aesthetic image and maintain controls.
B. Mr. Frank Hruby, Director of Building and Zoning reviewed
the Appearance Plan, which provides guidance to the Commission
relating to the objectives and criteria for aesthetic review.
He said the character of buildings should relate to the site
as well as to adjacent sites. Landscape buffers are to be
provided. Scale is .important, and design should be similar
to the surrounding area. Lighting is kept under control by
photometric studies and review by the Village Engineer.
Signage must meet the Sign Code Criteria and be compatible
with the building and surrounding areas.
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January 28, 1988 - Page Seven
Landscape Designs are viewed by the Village Forl ;er for
quality, durability ar�✓use. \•/
C . Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney began by saying that he
works very closely with Mr. Hruby. He gave explanations
of the following Village Ordinances:
1 . Home Rule Municipality - Buffalo Grove has the
authority to enact rules that go beyond State Statutes.
2. Open Meeting Act - Prohibits Commission meetings
without a quorum. Discussions of issues must only be
carried on at the published meeting times.
3. Freedom of Information Act.
4. The IRMA - Intergovernmental Insurance Pool .
5. The AC is governed by and Ordinance passed by the
Village Board. All Ordinances will require some amount
of interpretation.
6. Sign Code - Litigation sometimes occurs, and then
it is necessary for Mr. Raysa and Mr. Hruby to make a
written interpretation and if necessary, change the
Sign Code ( or Fence Code, etc. ) . It is possible to take
the authority of review of signage out of the hands of the
AC, by including it in the annexation agreement.
7. Mr. Raysa concluded with an overall explanation of the
annexation process and reviewed some of the current and
past court cases involving disputes with neighboring
municipalities.
Ch. Larsen concluded the Workshop with the statement that the AC
is no longer an adversary of the business community, but it is now
considered a friend who works with petitioners. He said the AC
Commissioners are welcome to speak their own opinions. It is the
purpose of the Commission to act as professionals, and it should
not antagonize petitioners.
Mr. Saviano added that if AC Commissioners will take a look at the
location of the properties to be reviewed, it will facility the
conducting of the meeting and eliminate unncessary questions.
VI . ADJOURNMENT
Ch. Larsen thanked the participants and expressed his apprecia-
tion to the Commissioners for their attendance and service to the
Village. He added that when an AC decision is appealed to the
Village Board, it would be helpful if Commissioners were notified
so they can attend the Board Meeting and express opinions.
Mr. Hruby remarked that he and Ch. Larsen have a good working
relationship. The AC is important to the functioning of B.G.
Ch. Larsen adjourned the meeting at 10 : 10 P.M.
Re,p ctfully submitted,
Shirley Bate Secretary
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