1992-07-09 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE . ILLINOIS
THURSDAY . JULY 9 . 1992
I . CALL IO ORDER
Chairman Eddie Larsen called the meeting to order at 7 : 31 P. M. on
Thursday . July 9 , 1992 at the Village Hail , 50 Raupp Boulevard .
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : A . Viehman . C . Cea , R. Lundine .
S . Trilling and E. Larsen
R. Gordon arrived at 8 : 00 P . M .
Commissioners Absent : F . Weissman
Bldg . Dept . Liaison: Ed Schar , Deputy Building Commissioner
Village Board Liaison: William Reid . Trustee
Ch . Larsen welcomed three new commissioners : Carmeilo Cea . an
architect and former member of the AC : Steven Trilling . an engineer
with experience in the construction business : and Roger Lundine . a
businessman. Their service will be appreciated .
II APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 11 , 1992 - Postponed until after business meeting .
IV. BUSINESS
A . Angus Chemical Company - 1500 E . Lake Cook Road
Permanent Monument Sign______________________.
Mr . Frank Mattes . V . P . of Angus Chemical Company was present .
Mr . John Johnson . C . Johnson Sign Company . 9615 Waveland Ave . .
Franklin Park , IL 60131 . described the sign that will replace
the existing 8 ' x 15 ' temporary construction sign. The
permanent sign will be 6 ' x 12 ' ( 18 - in depth) constructed with
brick to match the building . It will have a 1 ' concrete base .
The sign background is matching buff colored pre-stressed
concrete with letters cut out of dark bronze aluminum that
matches the window mullions . The address numerals 1500 will
be cut out bronze letters attached to the brick . The sign is
not internally illuminated . but there will be ground lights .
The sign was designed by the architect to match the building
and is not meant to advertise or overpower the main structure .
Com . Viehman made a motion to recommend approval of the Angus
Chemical Company permanent identification sign as submitted ,
with the stipulation that the front edge of the sign is to be
36 ' from the property line .
Com. Cea seconded the motion.
Roil Cali Vote : AYE - Viehman . Trilling , Cea . Lundine , Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 .
Ch. Larsen complemented Mr . Mattes on the building and nice
landscaping .
B. Rogers Centre for Commerce - East
Arbor Creek Business Centre , Lots 1-2-3-
Full Review: Elevations/Materials/Landscaping/Lighting
Ms . Kathi Rogers , V. P. of Arthur J . Rogers & Company .
3170 Des Plaines Avenue (River Road and Devon) Des Plaines ,
IL 60018 (297-2200) made the presentation with Mark Poliac ,
Landscape Architect with The Brickman Group , Ltd . Long Grove ,
IL 60047 ( 438-8211 ) .
1 . ELEVATIONS AND MATERIALS :
Ms . Rogers described the site plan. Four multi-tenant
buildings will be constructed across Barclay Boulevard from
the first phase . The buildings will be similarly constructed
with utility sized red/rust brick with grey stone soldier
courses around the top of the building that step up one foot
( 1 ' ) on both sides of the entrances and step up one ( 1 ) more
foot above the entrances . The entrance areas will also be the
grey stone . Mortar will be natural grey .
The parapet wail wiii be 24 above the roof line and it will
screen the roof top units . Ms . Rogers presented a line-of-
sight drawing and said the units wiii be 25 ' -30 ` back toward
the center of the buildings . They will not be seen .
The building trim for windows . doors . coping . etc . will be
dark bronze anodized aluminum with solar bronze tinted glass .
The height of the windows is 5 ' 4 . and there is a continuous
window line with about 32 ' of windows for each section .
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the elevations
and materials for Rogers Centre for Commerce - East , as
submitted .
Com . Viehman seconded the motion.
Roil Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Trilling . Cea , Lundine . Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 .
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July 9 . 1992 - Page Two
2 . LANDSCAPING :
Mr . Poliac said the landscaping will be similar to the Rogers
Centre to the east . The theme is environmental with emphasis
on what the landscaping will look like in the future .
Maintenance is important and the Brickman Company will continue
to maintain both Centres . Perennials , such as Day Lilies will
be used to reduce water usage and add color throughout the
summer .
There will be a reforestation project at the entrance which is
at the northeast corner of the property . Some of the mature
trees that have been damaged during the past two years will be
replaced with Oaks and Locusts to keep the forest alive 15 - 20
years from now .
Ray Rigsby ' s Review , dated July 9 . 1992 . recommends that some
Black Walnut trees be transplanted on site , but Mr . Poliac said
these trees do not move very well and are not acceptable from a
litter standpoint . He would prefer to plant some Oak saplings .
There are some 30 foot Spruce trees that will be saved and a
White Walnut (Butternut ) . native to IL. will also be
preserved . The large Hackberrys will also be protected .
Variation of size and variety worked well on the east side so
the same concept will be used with seasonal color in mind .
There will be Pines from 6 ' - 12 ' in height with shade trees
from 2-i /2" - 3" caliper up to 6" and 7 ' caliper .
They want to screen the south end of the property directly
north of the wetlands . Species that can tolerate the wet
conditions . such as Alders and Pines . will be planted . The
existing 5 ' evergreen hedge along the east property line will
be protected and the large trees , including Black Walnuts .
Hackberry and Black Cherry trees . are also scheduled to be
saved . They want to keep as many of the mature trees as
possible .
Ch . Larsen asked the age of a 4 " - 6" Walnut tree?
Mr . Poliac said they are slow growing so they could be 25 - 40
years old but the root structure makes it difficult to move .
The Black Walnut trees Mr . Rigsby refers to "at the edge of the
grove" are inside the building line within the area that will
become parking lot . They are about 15 - 20 feet tall but
because they have been shaded , their branches are up higher .
From a landscape standpoint , it would be better not to move
them.
The trees within the grove have been evaluated and some of them
could be saved , but if they have a small canopy they are not
very appealing when moved out into the open environment .
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July 9 . 1992 - Page Three
Ch . Larsen complemented Mr . Poiiac on the plan. The area
around the Arbor Creek Business Center identification sign is
landscaped and there are existing trees around the ponds .
Com . Cea recommended that care be taken during final berming
because that is when many transplanted trees are damaged .
Mr . Poiiac agreed and said snow fencing will encompass a wide
area . not just around each tree , to insure protection. Only
three trees are scheduled for transiocation. Some of the park-
ing lot islands were moved so that trees will could be saved .
Ch. Larsen asked Mr . Poiiac to evaluate and save the Black
Walnut trees if possible . He agreed to do so .
Com. Viehman made a motion to recommend approval of the
Landscape Plan as submitted for Rogers Centre for Commerce -
East . subject to the Village Forester ' s recommendations , with
the exception of the comment referring to the 4 Black Walnut
trees which the petitioner has agreed to evaluate closely .
Com . Cea seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Trilling . Cea , Lundine , Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to O .
LIGHTING:
Ms . Rogers said the lighting fixtures will be identical to the
other development with 30 ' pole lights located on the islands .
There will be safety wail fixtures with down lighting around
the rear of the buildings .
Com . Lundine made a motion to recommend approval of the
Lighting as presented for Rogers Centre for Commerce - East ,
subject to the Village Engineer ' s Review of the pnotometrics .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Trilling . Cea . Lundine . Larsen
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Gordon (arrived at 8 : 00 P .M. )
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 , i abstention.
Ms . Rogers said they were not planning to have another ground
sign. Rogers Centre is identified on Barclay Boulevard and
there will be a tenant sign. Individual bronze letters will
designate each tenant space .
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July 9 . 1992 - Page Four
V . NEW BUSINESS
A. Sargent-Weich . Inc . - Lots 54 to 64
Covington Corporate Center/Commerce Court
Full Review : Eievations/Materiais/Landscaping/Lighting
Mr . John Benson , Project Manager . Mc Shane Builders . Inc .
2604 E . Dempster . Suite 500 . Des Plaines . IL ( 297-0220 ) :
Brian B. Hirami . Architect . Stephen Rankin Associates .
320 North Michigan Avenue . Chicago . IL 60601 ( 312 ) 899-0002 ;
and Michael R. Trippiedi , Project Manager . Ives/Ryan Group .
Inc . . Landscape Architects . 4932 Main Street . Downers Grove . IL
60515 ( 960-4055) made the presentation.
1 . Elevations/Materials
Mr . Benson introduced the project . Sargent-Weich is a Scien-
tific Company that distributes laboratory and chemical supplies
to schools around the country . They have a large catalog of
products . such as beakers , centrifuges . models . etc .
Mr . Hirami described the building . There will be 106 . 000 sq .
ft . of warehouse space and 15 . 000 sq . ft . of office space .
The building will be constructed of pre-cast concrete panels .
The panels of the office portion . and any part of the warehouse
exposed over the roof of the offices . will have a smooth
finish. The panels on the warehouse portion will be raked .
Smooth panels wiii also be used to wrap 16 feet around the
corners of the east and west elevations that will be exposed to
the parking lot on the north side of the building .
The concrete will be stained a neutral color , probably a light
grey . The actual color has not been selected . The concrete
panels wiii have 1-1/2 inch wide reveals to break up the flat
surface , catch the light and cast shadows . There will be three
sets of triple reveals at the top of the building ( 28 ' high) ;
at the top of the office portion ( 16 ' 3-1 /2 high) and between
the windows at the 3 ' height .
The coping and window frames will be black anodized aluminum
with 1 " insulated grey tinted glass . The single architectural
column at the entrance will be clad with black anodized
aluminum. The equipment screen on the roof of the office
portion will match the building color as closely as possible .
probably a natural white .
Colfax Envelope Corporation is across the street to the west .
The retention pond is to the east next to the Com Ed property .
The planted berm that separates the residential area to the
south from Covington Corporate Center property can be seen.
Ch . Larsen described the building as sterile and expressed deep
reservations about recommending such a large structure that is
basically one bland monolithic color .
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July 9 , 1992 - Page Five
Ch . Larsen responded that the trim is only about two inches
wide and will not change the effect . He suggested redesigning
the entryway as a focal point and/or developing something
across the front above the windows . The colors could be
changed to varying shades of compatible grey tones that are
tied in with the doors .
Com . Cea made a motion to Table until July 23 , 1992 .
Com. Trilling seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Gordon . Trilling , Cea .
Lundine and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
2 . LANDSCAPING
Mr . Trippiedi said they developed the landscape to complement
the existing surroundings of the Covington Corporate Center
Complex as well as complement the building .
The overall site is located at the end of Commerce Court .
There will be a rolling berm planted with flowering shrubs ,
ornamental trees and evergreens leading to the entrance of the
building . Some of the Ash Trees around the cul -de-sac on
Commerce Court will be relocated to the berm around the pond
area and there will be retaining wail around the pond . ( See
discussion of the Village Forester ' s Review . )
The parking lot will have some shade trees . Along the front
and sides of the office building will be a sloped berm planted
`./ with ground cover and there may be a planted area at the front
entrance . Eight Chanticleer Pear Trees will be planted on the
berm in front of the office building to soften the base .
Some of the existing trees on the south property line are good
and will be saved . Some of the shade trees will be moved to
the area around the retention pond .
There is an existing planted berm along the east property line
separating the property from the residential district . The
Sargent-Welch detention area will be regraded and plantings
will include shade trees and ornamentals , typical of the
existing pond treatment .
The Village Forester ' s Review , dated July 6 . 1992 . was
discussed . Mr . Rigsby did not accept the proposed relocation
of the Ash trees from the Commerce Court Parkway.
Chairman Larsen commented that this is the first development
that was to clump parkway trees and they could be moved to the
other end of the clump .
Mr . Trippiedi said he would prefer to relocate the trees as
proposed and add six ( 6 ) new Ash Trees where necessary .
This would prevent having to move them two times.
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Regarding the sodding of the parkway , they want to preserve
what is there and plant new sod where necessary .
People cut across the berm along the south property line so
they will regrade the berm to keep foot traffic on the road .
They will be using a variety of ornamental specimens for spring
and fail color with flowering shrubs and perinniais at the
entryway on Commerce Court .
The Pear trees along the front of the building were discussed .
They were. chosen because they have a straight trunk and they
will be located between every other window . They will be
identical - 3" caliper and about 14 ' in height with the leaf
line above the top of the windows . There is about 6 ' feet from
the top of the berm to the top of the windows . They could be
25 ' to 30 ' or 40 ' when they mature . The tops will not spread
and cover the wall because they are columnar .
Com . Gordon questioned whether they could be confined to the
space between the windows and the roof line . He liked the Pear
Trees along the front of the building but they can become very
tail trees and the leaves would be above the roof top . He
asked if they could be dwarfed by pruning and shaping like a
hedge?
Mr . Trippiedi replied that these trees will probably not mature
to their natural height because of the root zone . There is
only about 13 ' between the building and sidewalk .
Com. Cea commented that the planted area around the main drive-
way is good but there is nothing in front of the building along
the sidewalk . There wiii be a lot of concrete ( sidewalk and
building) . He also asked why the south end of the building has
no plantings?
Mr . Trippiedi said there is ground cover under the Pear Trees .
and they have considered a planting bed of flowers at the
entrance of the building .
With reference to the Pear Trees , Ch. Larsen said he assumed
the client would have a maintenance program and would keep the
trees trimmed properly , but no one can guarantee what it will
look like 10 years from now. He would also like to see some-
thing at the south end of the truck turnaround , but it is
behind another building and will not be seen. He asked if the
electrical transformer , behind southwest corner of the office
building , could be screened with some shrubs? The answer was
„yes . ".
Mr . Rigsby ' s Review states : The south berm should be extended
to the Emergency Access Drive . This will eliminate vehicles
driving around the present barrier . "
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 9 . 1992 - Page Eight
Com . Gordon made a motion to recommend approval of the
Landscape Plan submitted for Sargent-Welch as submitted ,
the stipulation that the petitioner agrees to Ray Rigsby ' s
Recommendations (Review dated July 6 , 1992 ) including the
statement that "berms should not be allowed over utility
easements . etc . " The Ash Trees will be relocated as shown
and six ( 6 ) Ash Trees will be added to the right-of-way
pursuant to Mr . Rigsby ' s Recommendations . Further stipulation:
the electrical transformer on the west side of the building
will be screened .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Gordon . Trilling . Cea .
Lundine and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
3 . LIGHTING:
Site Lighting plans were distributed with a cut sheet of the
proposed fixtures . There will be 3 shoebox fixtures , spider
mounted , on 25 foot poles in the parking lot (E) . The poles
will match the dark bronze anodized aluminum trim on the
building . The existing pole light on the cul -de-sac will be
relocated to permit the truck entrance to be constructed .
There will be 4 wall mounted shoebox fixtures along the truck
docks (E2 ) and 1 identidal fixture ( El ) above the mandoor
leading to the patio area on the east side of the building .
All the fixtures have down lights with cut offs and will
operate with photocells . The lamps are High Pressure Sodium.
There will be 3 soffit lights above the entrance area .
Ch. Larsen asked Mr . Benson to match the neighbors ' light
source , either Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium , and he
agreed to be consistent .
Com . Viehman made a motion to -recommend approval of the
Lighting Fixtures and Plan submitted for Sargent-Welch ,
subject to the Village Engineer ' s Review of the photometrics ,
and with the stipulation that the petitioner agrees to be
consistent with the color and light source of the adjoining
property .
Com . Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman. Gordon . Trilling , Cea ,
Lundine and Larsen
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 9 , 1992 - Page Nine
Ch. Larsen could not recall the AC ever denying any building ,
but this one needs an accent band of something to break up the
blandness . The grey glass and black frames will not give it
enough contrast and landscaping will not hide it .
Com . Trilling said the building will look like a big white box
and it needs additional color . He suggested adding some color
to the reveals .
Mr . Hirami said this was discussed with the clients , but they
wanted a simple conservative building that will not be highly
visible and did not want stripes . The firm has employed
colored reveals in other buildings but this treatment could
tend to date the architecture .
Com. Lundine agreed the color is too bland .
Com . Gordon commented that the absence of color is coupled with
the absence of form. The only change is over the entrance . It
is basically a small box in front of a larger box . The ware-
house is going to be very large and not much could be done with
that . but the office portion could be redesigned . He asked
what color the overhead doors and man doors are going to be?
Mr . Hirami replied that the color has not been selected . but
they have discussed an accent color , such as military blue or
some other soft tone .
Com . Cea agreed that this will be a large concrete building and
the reveals will not cast many shadows considering the number
of dark days in this area . Aesthetics are a very subjective
thing and it ' s not a question of being ethical or unethical .
but something should be done .
Ch. Larsen recalled that the Courtesy building is larger and it
is being constructed with concrete panels . but the office
portion is brick with some stained bands of anodized aluminum .
He understands the client ' s conservatism , but the building can
be made more distinctive by using some color . The panels could
be made with a 12" to 18" band recessed about 1 " at the top of
the windows . The band could be stained the military blue to
give horizonal interest . He asked if it would delay their
progress to Table until the July 23 . 1992 meeting?
Mr . Hirami agreed to discuss the Commissioners ' comments and
suggestions with their client , then return on July 23rd .
Mr . Benson observed that the largest element is the stain color
of the wall surface and said it would be easier to introduce
more spark in the trim colors . i . e . windows . copings , doors ,
etc . He asked if they should consider changing the stain color
and/or just the trim colors?
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
July 1992 - Page Six
VI . ANNOUNCEMENTS
1 . Approval of June 11 . 1992 Minutes : Com . Viehman made a motion
to approve as submitted . Com . Gordon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Viehman . Gordon and Larsen
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Trilling . Cea and Lundine
Motion Passed - 3 to 0 . 3 abstentions .
2 . Mr . Schar announced that the Sign Code Review has been
completed and the recommendations are being complied by
Tom Dempsey , Village Attorney. The revised draft should be
completed soon and a AC/ZBA Review Workshop will be scheduled .
3 . Regarding the Siegle ' s sign north of Bank Lane , Mr . Schar
informed the AC that a six foot (6 ' ) section of land had been
purchased and annexed to Buffalo Grove . The sign was installed
too close to the right-of-way and will be moved .
4 . Ch. Larsen again welcomed the new Appearance Commissioners .
Steven Trilling , Carmelo Cea and Roger Lundine , and reminded
them of the requirement to attend 75% of the meetings a year .
- He asked Mr . Schar to schedule an orientation meeting with
Mr . Frank Hruby , Director of Building and Zoning . to discuss
the Appearance Plan, Zoning and the Sign Code , etc .
5 . Dominoes Pizza has had girls holding a sign in the middle of
Arlington Heights Road .
6 . Taco Bell has too many window signs .
VII . ADJOURNMENT
Com . Cea made a motion to adjourn . Com. Trilling seconded it .
Voice Vote : AYE Unanimously
Ch. Larsen adjourned the meeting at 9 : 10 P. M .
Respectfully submitted .
Shirley Bates
Recording Secretary
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July 9 , 1992 - Page Ten