1992-05-14 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE. ILLINOIS
THURSDAY . MAY 14 . 1992
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Eddie Larsen called the meeting to order at 7 : 34 P. M. on
Thursday . May 14 , 1992 at the Village Hail . 50 Raupp Boulevard .
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : D. Ehrhardt . R. Gordon, A. Viehman and
E. Larsen
Commissioners Absent : C. Bruno and F . Weissman
Bldg . Dept . Liaison: James F . Kelly , Building Inspector
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 9 . 1992 - Motion to approve was made by Com. Viehman and
seconded by Com. Gordon.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon, Viehman and Larsen
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Ehrhardt
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 , 1 abstention.
Minutes of April 9 . 1992 were approved and will be placed on file .
Iv . BUSINESS
A. Professional Center
Temporary Signs on Weiland Road and Busch Road/Rt . 83
Mr . Dean W. Kelley , V. P. of Abbott Land and Investment Corp. ,
1892 Techny Court . Northbrook . IL 60062 (291-9440) presented
photographs of the signs and apologized for having them put up
before Appearance Commission review and approval . He did not
know it was necessary to have a permit for temporary signs .
Both V-shaped signs are 4 ' x 6 ' but have different copy. The
sign at Busch Road and Route 83 will only be needed for several
months because they already have one tenant and a possible
tenant .
The sign on Weiland Road will probably be up much longer
because there is more property to be leased .
The Commissioners had no questions or objections .
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to recommend approval of the two
temporary signs at Busch Road and Route 83 ; and on Weiland
Road , as submitted by Abbott Land and Investment Corporation.
Com . Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Ehrhardt , Gordon. Viehman, Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
B. Grove Terrace Condominiums - Entrance Signs
Mr . Mike Williams , Saturn Signs , 830-9 Seton Court , Wheeling ,
IL 60090 (520-9009) and Mr . Fred Arkush, of Grove Terrace
Condo Association made the presentation.
Mr . Williams presented a colored rendering of the proposed
signs and explained that two signs are necessary to give
exposure from both directions (east and west) on Dundee Road .
The sandblasted signs will be 2 ' 6" x 6 ' and will be 4 ' 6" high.
Colors - White background with Terra Cotta and Black copy.
The signs will have Lumark ground lighting fixtures with Metal
Halide lamps .
Ch. Larsen informed Mr . Williams and Mr . Arkush that it will
be necessary to apply for a variance because they are request-
ing two entrance signs and they will be closer than 250 feet
apart . They can obtain a permit to put up one sign before the
variance is granted .
The Commissioners had no questions or objections .
Com. Gordon made a motion to recommend approval installation
of one 2 ' 6" single faced Grove Terrace Condominium Entrance
Sign as submitted ; and also recommends to the Zoning Board of
Appeals and the Village Board of Trustees that a variance be
granted for a second sign of similar size and design on the
opposite side of the entrance drive on Dundee Road .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Ehrhardt , Gordon, Viehman, Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
May 14 , 1992 - Page Two
C. El Torito Restaurant (Formerly Que Pasa)
1205 W. Dundee Road (Arlington Heights Road)
Sign Face Changes : Ground Sign and Wall signs
Mr . Pete Rock , M-K Signs , 4900 N. Elston Avenue , Chicago , IL
60630 -- (312) 545-4444 , made the presentation. Mr . Rock
requested the copy on the existing double faced ground sign and
the existing signs on the north and west elevations to be
changed from Que Pasa to El Torito . He has been informed that
the sign on the west elevation requires a variance . He asked
why this is necessary since the existing sign on the west
elevation was granted a variance on December 18 . 1990 .
Mr . Kelly explained that a variance for the sign on the west
elevation was required because it does not face a right-of-way.
Mr . Frank Hruby , Director of Building and Zoning , has reviewed
the matter with Mr . Tom Dempsey . Village Attorney, and made the
decision that a new variance will be necessary.
Ch. Larsen said it is his opinion that , since ownership is not
changing , the sign on the west elevation should not require
a new variance .
Mr . Rock confirmed that El Torito is still the parent company
and that all the Que Pasas in the Chicagoland area are being
changed to El Torito .
Ch. Larsen suggested making a recommendation to the Village
Board that all the signs be permitted as submitted , but if a
variance is necessary that it be granted .
The Commissioners present had no objections to the proposed
sign face changes and Com. Gordon observed that the El Torito
signs are smaller than the Que Pasa signs .
Com . Viehman made a motion to recommend the name change from
Que Pasa to El Torito on the double faced ground sign and on
the north elevation, as well as on the west elevation, which
was previously granted a variance , since ownership remains
with the same corporation. If a variance is required for the
west elevation, one is so recommended.
Com. Ehrhardt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman, Gordon , Ehrhardt , Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
May 14 . 1992 - Page Three
D. Barry' s Ribs & More - Ground Sign Face Change , 195 W. Dundee
Mr . Charles Alden, Grate Signs , 4044 W . Mc Donough, Joliet , IL
60436 ( - ) made the presentation. He described the
proposed sign. They are remodeling the interior of the
restaurant and they want to change the existing ground sign
with exposed neon tubes to an internally illuminated sign with
Lexan faces . They also want to emphasize the whole business
name , not just Barry' s . They will repair and repaint the
existing wood cabinet . It will be white . not dark bronze as
indicated on the drawing. The cabinet of the new sign will
extend out about 5" from the face of the sign and the ends will
also be painted ivory. Copy colors will be Orange , Pale Brown,
White and Green.
The Commissioners had not questions or objections .
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to recommend approval of the face
change and conversion to an internally illuminated sign as
submitted by Barry ' s Ribs & More
Com. Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Ehrhardt , Gordon, Viehman, Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
D. Samuel T' s Restaurant - Canopies - Space 1 at Town Center
Mr . Michael I . Moraris , Architect , 6253 West Touhy , Chicago ,
IL 60648 (312) 631-9511 made the presentation. The owner ,
Mr . Dean Scarros was also present .
Mr . Moraris described the proposed canopy that will be added to
the restaurant site to be located at the southwest corner of
the Town Center . The space has three elevations : the front
which faces north, one side which faces east and one side which
faces south toward Lake Cook Road . The canopy will cover the
restaurant entrance (which faces the plaza with the fire turn
around lane) will provide an area for drivers to drop off
customers before going to park. In addition, there will be
canvas canopies on the east side of the restaurant to provide
identification and shade from the morning sun.
The colors of the center will be maintained and the metal work
on the canopy will match the clock tower . The structure will
be in harmony with the whole center . To break up the length of
the canopy , they have created a kiosk at the north end of the
structure .
The color of the awnings will match the bull nose brick (darker
brick) and there will be matching awnings on the south eleva-
tion and on the east elevation.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
May 14 , 1992 - Page Four
Ch. Larsen expressed concern about the proposed structure
because it will block ail the signs above the stores at the end
of the plaza . Two tenants have already vacated their stores .
Mr . Moraris said they were also concerned about this so the top
of the canopies is below the sign bands . They will be seen
from the parking lot . The proposed canopy has been approved by
Melvin Simon & Associates in a letter dated May 14 . 1992 .
Ch. Larsen asked if they have plans to provide outdoor seating?
Mr . Moraris replied that they have consulted Melvin Simon and
the Village of Buffalo Grove and they have been given approval
to use the plaza area for some seating.
Ch. Larsen did not object to tables , but said they should not
use umbrellas that advertise a specific beverage .
Mr . Kelly said that the canopy would have to be constructed in
compliance with the 1990 BOCA Code . He asked if the canopies
would have lettering?
Mr . Moraris said they are in the process of designing a logo
and that is what will be used on the awnings .
Ch. Larsen informed Mr . Moraris that the Sign Code permits nine
inch ( 9" ) letters on the awnings . He added that if they want a
sign on the north elevation, it would required a variation
because it does not face a right-of-way. The other two eleva-
./ tions face Lake Cook Road and Route 83 so they comply with
the Sign Code .
Mr . Moraris said he understood about the variance and agreed to
provide complete construction plans for the canopy structure.
The grill work will be green and the canvas will be dark brown.
Com. Gordon commented that other stores may want to add similar
structures and this could alter the essential character of the
shopping center .
Ch. Larsen observed that only the stores in this plaza area
would have sufficient room for any similar additions because
all the other stores have sidewalks in front . He also said the
proposal may benefit the Town Center .
Ch. Larsen informed the petitioners that the awning fabric must
be made of UL listed material and the material would have to be
translucent if there was to be any lighting behind the awnings .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
May 14 . 1992 - Page Five
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to recommend approval of the
canopies as submitted for Samuel T' s Restaurant at the Town
Center , subject to Building Department ' s structural code
requirements , with the stipulation that the awning fabric
must be a UL listed material .
Com . Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon. Viehman, Ehrhardt , Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
E. Reservoir No . 2 - Signs : Ground Sign and Pumpstation Sign at
501 N. Arlington Heights Road ; Wellhouse at 525 Arl . Hts . Rd.
Mr . Jack Weyrauch called to say he would not be able to attend
the AC meeting and asked Mr . Kelly to present the signs .
Com. Ehrhardt made a motion to recommend approval of the
construction sign and permanent signs for the Reservoir #2
Pumpstation and Wellhouse as submitted .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Gordon, Viehman, Ehrhardt , Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
" . ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ch. Larsen announced that Commissioner Dennis Ehrhardt has submitted
his resignation due to work and family commitments . Ch. Larsen
thanked Dennis for his valuable service as an Appearance Commission-
er for the past six years and said he will be missed .
Ch. Larsen will be interviewing candidates to fill the AC vacancies .
Mr . Kelly was reminded that some of the Odyssey Fitness Center sign
lights are still out . Jim said they have been contacted and the
next step is to issue a citation.
VI . ADJOURNMENT
Com. Gordon made a motion to adjourn.
Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
Ch. Larsen adjourned the meeting at 8 : 25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted .
Shirley Bates
Recording Secretary
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
May 14 , 1992 - Page Six