1991-07-11 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE , ILLINOIS
THURSDAY . JULY 11 , 1991
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ed Larsen called the meeting to order at 7 : 34 P. M. on
Thursday , July 11 , 1991 at the Village Hall , 50 Raupp Boulevard.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : C. Bruno . F . Weissman, A. Viehman and
E . Larsen. QUORUM PRESENT.
Commissioners Absent : D. Ehrhardt and R. Gordon
Bldg . Dept . Liaison: James Kelly , Building Inspector
Village Board Liaison: John Marienthal , Trustee
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 13 , 1991 - Com . Viehman made a motion to approve as submitted .
Com . Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman . Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
�./ ABSTAIN - Bruno
Motion Passed 3 to 0 , 1 abstention.
Minutes of June 13 . 1991 were approved and will be placed on file .
June 27 , 1991 - Tabled . Commissioners who attended are absent .
IV . BUSINESS
A. Doubletree - Zale Groves , Inc . - Additional Brick Patterns
Presentation was made by Tom Pittman, Johnston Associates ,
Mr . Pittman explained that purchasers are requesting the
substitution of different previously approved brick patterns
with other previously approved color packages . Several
specific requests have been made for alternate brick in Color
Schemes 1 , 2 and 11 which are basically white and grey
combinations . One alternate roof color has been requested .
Zale has reviewed the selected combinations and they are
complimentary to the siding , trim and roof color packages .
The color board and brick samples were presented . The various
combinations were reviewed . The Commissioners agreed that the
brick colors were compatible to the available color packages .
Mr . Pittman asked that these brick patterns be made available
to other contract purchasers . There were no objections .
Com. Viehman made a motion to recommend approval of the
additional brick patterns for Color Schemes 1 , 2 and 11 as
requested for Zale ' s Doubletree Subdivision.
Com . Bruno seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno . Weissman , Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
B. Furs By Michael - Change of Pylon Sign Face , 150 W. Dundee Rd .
Michael Katsamakis , building owner , made the presentation.
He requested that the top portion of the Dundee Building
tenant identification sign be changed to Furs By Michael .
The drawing of sign submitted by Signs of Distinction is
incorrect . The letters should all be the same height .
The sign is not internally illuminated , but two ground sp3t
lights have been approved . They will be installed to ciily
shine on the sign and not into traffic .
Com. Bruno made a motion to recommend approval of the change of
signage as requested by Furs By Michael . Both lines of copy
will have 15 inch letters .
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Weissman . Bruno and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
C . Condell Medical Center - Temporary Construction Sign
150 Half Day Road (East of Woodland Commons Shopping Center)
Presentation was made by Mr . Steven G. Trilling , P . E. ,
V. P. of Operations , L. R.Hein Construction Corporation ,
5400 Newport Drive , Suite 4 , Rolling Meadows , IL 60008
(253-2000) .
The sign will be 5 ' 9" x 11 ' mounted four feet off the ground .
Colors are cream/white background with navy , burgundy and black
lettering . The posts will be painted to match the background .
The sign is to be setback 10 feet from the property line .
Com. Weissman made a motion to recommend approval of the
temporary construction sign as submitted by Condell Medical
Center .
Com . Viehman seconded the motion .
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno , Weissman . Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 . 1991 - Page Two
D. Grove Court - Buffalo Grove Road , New Sign Criteria Package
Presentation was made by David Rhodes , Property Manager for
Brian Properties ,
Mr . Rhodes submitted new copies of the proposed Grove Court
Sign Regulations . He explained that they want to remove the
existing box signs and refurbish the drivit fascia . The new
signs to be installed will have letters mounted to a raceway
and the raceway mounted to the fascia . Photographs were sub-
mitted of a center in Schaumburg with the same signage .
Ch. Larsen questioned the limitation of sign wording to two
words per Section III . A. ? Some businesses will have more than
two words . He explained that the Building Department Staff
will not be asked to enforce any regulations that are more
restrictive than the Buffalo Grove Sign Code . The B.G . Sign
Code designates "Name and Nature" as acceptable signage .
Mr . Rhodes responded that there is a caveat in the administra-
tive section of the Sign Regulations ( II . D. ) that states :
"The criteria herein are general in nature
Certain factors may require special decisions
of the committee and the committee will be the
final authority. "
They would prefer the Grove Court tenants to have one line
over the store fronts because some of them are only 16 feet
in width. If a business has a nationwide signage program ,
the committee would permit different colors , letter type , etc .
Com . Weissman asked if products could be displayed outside with
paper signs , such as Limmermann' s Tru Value Store .
Mr . Rhodes said this type of advertising would be discouraged
and would be prohibited by the lease .
Ch. Larsen informed Mr . Rhodes that the Appearance Commission
prefers to have a simple sign criteria document with stricter
control retained by the committee through the leases . Other
sections to include in the lease would be the proper liability
insurance , construction details , letter type , colors , etc .
A letter of approval from the landlord is required before a
permit is issued for any shopping center sign. A registered
sign company must install the sign and the box must meet UL
or ETC or NEC specifications .
Ch. Larsen informed Mr . Rhodes that the Buffalo Grove Sign
Code permits 1/2 of the height of the sign band to be used
and two lines of copy could be used within the same height
(not counting descenders) . The sign should be centered with
at least two feet at each end of the sign so there is a minimum
of four feet between signs .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 . 1991 - Page Three
Mr . Rhodes agreed to simplify the criteria and resubmit it .
Com . Viehman made a motion to Table the Grove Court Sign
Criteria until Thursday , July 25 , 1991 .
Com. Bruno seconded the motion. Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
It will be the first item on the agenda under Old Business .
E. Arbor Creek Centre III at 1415-1441 Barclay Boulevard
Full Review: Architecture/Materials/Landscaping/Lighting/Sign
The presentation was made by Ms . Stephanie Hayford , Marketing
Manager for Klefstad Engineering Co . , Inc . , 1477 Barclay Blvd . ,
Buffalo Grove , IL 60089 (459-8200) .
Arbor Creek Centre III will be a single story , multi-tenant
spec building constructed on Lot 102 , which is 2 . 17 acres .
The site plan was described . The Klefstad building is to the
north and Arbor Creek Centre I is to the south. Photographs
of these buildings were exhibited . The building will be
29 , 440 square feet and will accommodate up to 8 tenants , but
could be suitable for a single tenant . There is parking for
80 cars . There is a double enclosed truck dock at the rear
of the building with a single 14 ' x 22 ' overhead door . There
are four 10 ' x 12 ' drive-in doors on the north and south sides
of the building to accommodate parcel post and federal express
deliveries . The building will be 18 feet to the bottom of the
deck with 16 foot clearance inside . It is expected that the
tenants will occupy about 25% of the space for offices with the
remainder being used for light manufacturing and distribution.
The shell has been designed for maximum flexibility.
1 . ELEVATIONS/MATERIALS:
The West elevation has no overhead doors , but has one
door into the utility room that will be used for the fire
alarm system , sprinkler system, common utilities , etc .
The East elevation has the double overhead door for the
truck dock with a common corridor through the building to
accommodate all the tenants .
Tenants who prefer office space . not requiring use of the
truck dock would be located on the Barclay Boulevard side
of the building and other users would be toward the back .
Overhead doors were included because tenants are looking
for grade level doors leading to the distribution areas .
a . 2 bricks - Musket grey ( light and medium warm grey)
b . Fascia and roof screen - Musket grey (not black)
c . Sills and accent trim - Cutstone
d . Window frames - Black anodized aluminum
e . Glass - Reflective grey
f . Overhead doors - Musket grey ( light warm grey)
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 , 1991 - Page Four
Com. Weissman made a motion to recommend approval of the
Elevations and Materials for the Arbor Creek Center III
building on Lot 102 as submitted by Klefstad , Inc .
Com . Bruno seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno , Weissman, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
2 . LANDSCAPING:
The Landscape Plan Review submitted by Ray Rigsby (7/8/91 )
recommends the use of evergreen materials in the foundation
plantings (as shown on the perspective drawings) and some type
of landscape buffer to adequately screen the overhead doors
from the surrounding buildings .
Ms . Hayford said the perspective drawing was done by the
architect and does not represent the actual landscaping .
They did not place evergreens next to the building because
they would give it " stark" look . Flowering shrubs have been
used successfully around the foundation of their corporate
headquarters building and they are preferred because they give
it a softer appearance .
Ch. Larsen commented that the front area is nicely landscaped .
He did not object to Ms . Hayford ' s proposal and the other
Commissioners agreed the flowering shrubs were better .
Mr . Hayford offered to add some 6 foot scotch pine trees to
screen the overhead doors . She proposed 3 on the north side
of the building and 3 on the south side of the building between
the honey locusts . Ms . Hayford pointed out the attractive
stone paver walk (not bricks) leading to the utility room.
Com . Weissman suggested using a rough , terra cotta , finish
aggregate type of stone) because they will be less slippery for
utility workers carrying equipment , etc . in the winter .
Com. Bruno made a motion to recommend approval of the
Landscape Plan as submitted for Arbor Creek Centre III
with the stipulation that the petitioner will add 3 - 6 foot
Austrian Pines on each side of the building (as shown on the
file copy of the landscape plan) to meet Mr . Rigsby ' s concern
for screening of the overhead doors .
Com . Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno , Weissman, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 , 1991 - Page Five
3 . LIGHTING :
Ms . Hayford distributed cut sheets of the lighting fixtures .
There will be 3 types of site lighting :
1 . At entryways and overhead doors - Sodium Vapor ,
150 watt wall pacs mounted 14 feet high
2 . 100 watt High Pressure Sodium black bollards
3 . 2 - 15 foot pole lights with 400 watt square black
box fixture , typical of the Arbor Creek Development
Com . Weissman made a motion to recommend approval of the
Lighting as submitted for Arbor Creek Centre III .
Com. Bruno seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno , Weissman , Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
4 . SIGNAGE:
Mr . Hayford described the permanent sign shown on the site plan
across from the utility room. It will be double faced . She
said a temporary sign will be submitted when a broker has been
selected to market the building .
The permanent sign is the same type as the other Arbor Creek
signs . The frame is aluminum with routed copy . The colors are
cream with blue lettering. The sign is illuminated .
Ch. Larsen commented that if some white is added to the blue ,
it will be readable at night . During the day the color would
be the dark corporate blue . He suggested mounting dark blue
vinyl to white plastic . The light will go through the white
plastic and wash out the dark blue so that it does not blur .
Ms . Hayford thanked Ch. Larsen for the advice and said she will
pass along the suggestion to the Kieffer Sign Company .
Com . Bruno made a motion to recommend approval of the permanent
sign as submitted for Arbor Creek Center III on Lot 102 .
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Bruno , Weissman, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
Com . Weissman commented that the sign might be obscured trees
and Ms . Hayford said they would reconsider placement .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 , 1991 - Page Six
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Mr . Kelly said the Furs By Michael sign was granted a variance
and may need another variance to change the copy .
Ch . Larsen said that usually a variance goes with the property
and this copy change would be permitted . Mr . Hruby should be
asked to make this determination.
B. Several businesses have exceeded the 1/3 limitation for window
signs : The Broasterie at Spoerlein Commons : The Learning Post
at Plaza Verde : The Town Center Pool Room ; Mark Drugs and
Little Italian Restaurant at the Strathmore Shopping Center .
C. Mr . Marienthal commented that the ground signs for Woodland
Commons are being reconsidered . Some of the single family
property owners are objecting to the proximity of the sign
to the residential area .
Ch. Larsen said there is a problem with the size of the signs .
They are larger than the code allows for the frontage distance .
Three 100 square foot signs would qualify , but each one of the
four proposed signs is actually 143 square feet . The northern-
most sign on Buffalo Grove Road should be relocated pursuant to
Sign Code , Section 14 . 20 . 070 . E. which states :
"A ground sign must be set back from the public
right-of-way from which it is intended to be
viewed the same distance as any setback line
required in any residentially zoned property
facing the right-of-way within one hundred feet
from the sign. This provision affects only
signs on commercial and industrial premises on
the same block and on the same right-of-way as
residential premises . "
Ch. Larsen commented that a sign on the corner will be the
least effective because drivers on both roads will know
they are passing a large shopping center .
Mr . Marienthal agreed and added that the master plan for
the Fiore property has always shown the shopping center .
VI . ADJOURNMENT
Com . Weissman made a motion to adjourn.
Ch. Larsen adjourned the meeting at 9 : 05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted ,
7lhiTrley-13-ates
Recording Secretary
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 11 , 1991 - Page Seven