1992-04-09 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION
`./ VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY , APRIL 9 . 1992
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Eddie Larsen called the meeting to order at 7 : 38 P.M. on
Thursday , April 9 , 1992 at the Village Hall , 50 Raupp Boulevard.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : R. Gordon, A. Viehman and E. Larsen. QUORUM.
Commissioners Absent : D. Ehrhardt , C. Bruno and F . Weissman.
Bldg . Dept . Liaison: James F . Kelly, Building Inspector
Village Board Liaison: John Marienthal , Trustee
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 26 , 1992 - Com. Viehman made a motion to approve as submitted .
Com. Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
Iv OLD BUSINESS
A. Mobil Station - Rt . 83 and Arlington Heights Road
Ground Sign - Addition of Diesel Price Panel
Sign was reviewed on March 26 , 1992 and a recommendation was
made for approval of the sign, subject to Building Department
review of the size . Petitioner submitted a different design but
has decided to reconsider the matter further and asked to be
removed from the Agenda .
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Lot 2 , Pines Resubdivision - Landscaping
Seth Pines , Developer , was not present . Reviewed after Item E.
B. First Midwest Bank - 555 W. Dundee Road
Ground Sign Face Change - Addition of "Lobby Open" panel .
On March 12 , 1992 the AC reviewed and denied a request for a
variance to add a "Lobby Open" box sign between the ground sign
and the Cash Station sign. A recommendation was made to install
the word "Lobby" in the existing "Drive-In Open" cabinet and
alternate the words to indicate which facility is open, but the
signs could not be flashing or sequencing.
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Mr . Steve Vavrek , North Shore Sign, 1925 Industrial Drive ,
Libertyville , IL 60048 , said when a field inspection was made ,
it was determined that there would be access inside the cabinet
of the existing ground sign to add the "Lobby Open" panel above
the time/temperature box. The recessed panel would be identical
to the "Drive-In Open" panel and there will be times when both
signs are turned on. They will be used to service customers by
offering better information.
Ch. Larsen commented that the AC does not have much control of
the copy if the original size of the sign is not being altered .
Com. Gordon made a motion to recommend approval of the addition
of a "Lobby Open" neon sign to the First Midwest Bank ground
sign as submitted .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman, Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
C. Buffalo Grove Car Care - 55 W. Dundee Road
Ground Sign Face Change
Mr . Arthur Holland , Holland Design Group Inc . , 1090 Brown St .
Wauconda , IL 60084 (526-8846) described the proposed sign.
The lower pricing section of the existing ground sign will be
replaced with a changeable copy panel . The panel will have
tracks for three rows of eight inch (8" ) letters and prices for
various products . Colors will be black copy on yellow panels
with red price numerals .
Ch. Larsen said the Sign Code permits changeable prices but not
changeable copy. Section 14 . 40 . 020 states : "All manual
changeable-copy signs and automatic changing signs are expressly
prohibited with the exception of public service time , tempera-
ture and date signs . " The AC can recommend a variance . One
reason they are not permitted is because the signs are not
well-maintained . Copy is not changed in a timely manner ,
letters are blown off , etc . It appears this sign will be close
to the ground and could invite vandalism.
Mr . Holland said the copy could be protected with a secured or
locked panel over the board . The owners understand the need for
a variance .
Ch. Larsen suggested insertion of plastic strips from the ends .
Com. Gordon and Com. Viehman said they did not object to the
proposal as along as the sign is maintained.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
April 9 , 1992 - Page Two
Com. Viehman made a motion to recommend approval of a variance
to permit replacement of the Shell Station pricing panel with a
changeable copy board , that could include prices , as submitted .
Com. Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
D. American Needle Expansion - 1275 Busch Parkway
Elevations/Materials and Landscaping
1 . ELEVATIONS/MATERIALS:
Mr . Robert Flubaker of Robert Flubaker Architects , Ltd. ,
2550 West Golf Road, East Tower , Suite 206 , Rolling Meadows ,
IL 60008 (593-5500) described the site plan and presented
photographs of the existing 35 ,000 square foot American Needle
building . A 20 ,000 square foot office/warehouse addition is
being proposed . The addition will be constructed east of the
existing warehouse and will include a narrow strip of offices at
the north end of the addition. There will also be a new confer-
ence room and vestibule linking the office portions of the
building .
American Needle manufactures embroidered hats for major league
sports teams . The new conference center will be used when
entertaining corporate personnel .
The existing garbage enclosure will be relocated next to the
parking spaces behind the building .
The same materials will be used to construct the addition and
the new conference room (angled portion) will be constructed
with silver or pewter reflective glass . This will be a four-
sided butt glazed system, so there will be no mullions . It will
reflect the existing water feature and future plans include
additional landscaping . The glass portion will have a flat roof
with a gravel stop and the new portion steps back. The interior
of the glass portion will be lighted at night .
The entrance will not be changed , but the addition will be a
less formal version of the architecture . The wainscot will not
be continued. A louvered vent , door and window will be added to
the east elevation. One matching light fixture will be added to
the new door .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
April 9 , 1992 - Page Three
Com. Gordon made a motion to recommend approval of the
Elevations and Materials for the American Needle addition
at 1275 Busch Parkway , as submitted .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman, Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
2 . LANDSCAPING: Five additional parking spaces will be added
to the south end of the existing parking lot . This will require
removal of the berm , but no major landscaping changes will be
made .
Mr . Raymond Rigsby, Village Forester , has reviewed the landscape
plan and recommends replacement of the spirea with another
deciduous shrub .
Mr . Flubaker had no objections to this recommendation.
Com. Viehman made a motion to approve the Landscaping Plan as
submitted for the American Needle addition, subject Mr . Rigsby' s
recommendation to substitute another deciduous shrub for the
spirea .
Com . Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
E. Courtesy Corporation - 1250 Corporate Grove Drive
Full Review: Elevations/Materials/Lighting/Landscaping
Mr . Sheldon Dobrin, Dobrin Associates , Ltd. , Architects/AIA,
401 Huehl Road , Suite 1C, Northbrook , IL 60062 (564-5480) ;
Mr . Paul Chuma , Jr . , Mc Shane Builders , 2604 East Dempster ,
Suite 500 , Des Plaines , IL 60016 (297-0220) and Mr . Don Elbert ,
Countryside Industries , Inc . , Landscape Architects and Contrac-
tors , 29947 N. Rand Road , Wauconda , IL 60084 made the presenta-
tion for Courtesy Corporation. Mr . Jerry Sommers , President of
Courtesy Corporation was also present .
Mr . Dobrin described the site plan. Courtesy Corporation will
be located 1 ,000 feet north of Busch Parkway on the west side of
Corporate Grove Drive , near the S00 Line Railway. Plans have
also been submitted to Van Vlissingen for review and approval .
The 365 ,000 square foot complex will occupy approximately 10-1/2
acres and will contain 36 ,000 sf . of office space in the front
portion of the building . Manufacturing, fabricating and the
warehouse will occupy the rear portion of the building . There
will be ten ( 10) exterior docks , some with drive-in doors .
There are 289 parking spaces on the site and about 175 people
will be employed . Mr . Sommers explained that they are now
located in Wheeling and they are consolidating four buildings
`-/ into this one building . They manufacture injection molds .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
April 9 , 1992 - Page Four
1 . ELEVATIONS/MATERIALS:
A list of materials was submitted. Mr . Dobrin described the all
pre-cast concrete structure . The warehouse will be a flat panel
and it will be stained off-white . The office portion will have
exposed aggregate panel .
The windows in the front portion will have blue reflective glass
with glass spandrels . The rest of the building will have clear
glass with clear anodized aluminum frames . The metal trim will
be blue or natural aluminum.
The entry has monumental concrete posts and a turnmetal roof .
There is no glass on the roof . The reveals in the concrete
panels are used for shadow effect and they will not be stained.
The roof top equipment will be set back on the warehouse/manu-
facturing segment of the building . There will be no roof top
equipment on the office portion of the building .
Ch. Larsen, Com. Gordon and Com. Viehmen complemented the
developers . This will be a nice addition to the Village .
Com . Gordon made a motion to recommend approval of the
Elevations and Materials as submitted for the Courtesy
Corporation Building on Corporate Grove Drive .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Viehman, Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
2 . LANDSCAPING:
Mr . Elbert described the Landscaping Plans and said they will
comply with Mr . Rigsby' s request to submit a plant list with
correct quantities and sizes . They will also provide additional
plant materials at the foundation.
The plan emphasizes the office portion of the building. A
mixture of shade trees have been used to give a variety of color
in the fall . The front area is bermed and planted with the
shade trees , evergreens , ground cover and annual flower beds .
The front lawn will be sodded and there will be an irrigation
system. The rest of the site will be seeded.
Ch. Larsen asked if the islands in the rear are large enough for
the shade trees . Mr . Elbert responded they have successfully
used similar islands in shopping mall parking lots . The heads
of the trees will 12 to 13 feet high and will not be a problem.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
April 9 , 1992 - Page Five
Com. Viehman made a motion to approve the Landscape Plans as
submitted for the Courtesy Corporation, subject to the
petitioners ' agreement to accede to the Village Forester ' s
recommendation to supply a complete plant list , etc .
Com. Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman, Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
3 . LIGHTING:
Mr . Chuma described the lighting. The parking lot plans will be
submitted to the Village Engineer for approval . There will be
bollards at the front entrance and wall pacs on the warehouse
area.
Com. Gordon made a motion to approve the Lighting as submitted
for the Courtesy Corporation, subject to the Village Engineer ' s
review and approval .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman, Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
Signage will be submitted for approval at a later date .
VT ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Lot 2 , Pines Resubdivision Landscaping - Mr . Pines submitted a
revised landscape plan and Mr . Rigsby has recommended its
approval with the stipulation that the Willows be upgraded to
2-1/2 inch caliper . Mr . Pines will be notified .
Com. Viehman made a motion to approve the revised Landscape Plan
as submitted for Lot 2 , Pines Resubdivision, subject to Mr . Ray
Rigby' s recommendation to upgrade the Willows to 2-1/2" caliper .
Com. Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Gordon (Mr . Pines ' cousin)
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 .
NOTE: Some lights on the Odyssey sign and the Village sign are out .
VII . ADJOURNMENT
Com. Gordon made a motion to adjourn. Ch. Larsen adjourned the
meeting at 8 : 42 P.M.
Respectfully submitted ,
Shirley Bat ,
Recording Secretary
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
April 9 , 1992 - Page Six