1979-05-10 - Appearance Commission - Minutes >s".,;.2
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.
Thurs..L_May 10, 1979
INFORMAL WORKSHOP
Because three Commissioners were out of town and another had to
be late, Commissioners Kirby and Gibbs held an Infomal Workshop
with President Verna Clayton. It was noted that this was the
first time in many months that a Quorum was not present on time.
The first question to be discussed was whether or not the Appear-
' ance Commission' s recommendations were regarded .with respect?
Also noted was that the Commission tries to give rationale for
what they are recommending, as opposed to expressing only personal
feelings.
Problems with the new Sign Code were brought to light and the
proper procedure was discussed. Mr. Dominic Saviano outlined the
difficulties surrounding - the question of which Commission
should review new signage first. He agreed that the Village :3oard
be asked for an interpretation to decide if the AC looks at signs
before the ZBA rules on the need for variances, or if the ZBA
should grant the variance before the AC reviews the signs. it was
noted that developers are concerned about the amount of time it
takes to go through all the channels to get projects approved. It
would be helpful if signs coming in with new developments were
reviewed at the same time all the other aspects of the project come
to the AC.
Pres. Clayton said she understands that the ZBA only needs to give
variations based on hardship in such instances of pylon signs being
too close together; also size variation; but that the aesthetics of
• all phases are up to the AC. She suggested a joint meeting between
herself, Mr. Heinrich (ZBA) and Mr. Hardt (AC) ; as well as the
Administrator to decide the matter. This was very agreeable.
On the positive side, it was noted that most developers are being
very co-operative with the Forester' s reports; putting in 2)6" to 3"
trees which do not need staking; meeting the Monotny Code; etc. In
general the AC ' s recommendations are met with compromise and the
developers leave with good feelings.
Com. Holland arrived and the Workshop ended.
1. CALL TO ORDER
tom. Kirby, Acting Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:24 PM.
at the Village Hall, Thurs. May 10, 1979.
. 2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Gibbs, Holland and Kirby. Also D. Saviano.
Commissioners Absent: Ch. Hardt, Paolillo and Knaak.
QUORUM PRESENT — Note: Both prospective Commissioners, I. Strauss
and G. Weiss called to report absence.
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3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1
Because of the time, the Minutes were postpones until after the
'Business was conducted.
4. BUSINESS
a) Bonanza - Representatives were not present. However, no plans
had been submitted.
b) Highland Grove - Norman Gold, attorney for Highland Point and
Highland Grove .
Mr. Gold apologized for the fact that no one came to the meet-
ing the last time. He also apologized for not having a permit
before lighting the sign in question. When the lights were
denied by th-e- AC they went to the Village Board. The VB vote
was a 3 to 3 tie and President Clayton voted to deny, and go
back to the Appearance Commission.
The request is to have the entry sign illuminated in the winter
months until `] P.M. when the sales office is open. Spring and
summer are not a problem. The lights would be on a timer. It
was pointed out that the entrance is located on a curve and
the sppd limit is 45 mph on #83. It is hard to find the devel-
opment entrance. Mr. Gold felt the request is reasonable be-
cause there is vacant property across the street and the .
Stained-Glass place tothe North with a buffer of trees and
shrubs between.
Com.. Gibbs had attended the Village Board meeting following
the AC denial and reported that the matter was discussed at
length. Since the vote was a tie, Pres. Clayton had to vote
to break the tie. She voted with the AC but asked if they
would rehear the petition.
The Commissioners discussed the need for lights- on any such
sign. Mr-.. Gold las' asked how long the sign would be used as
a temporary sign„could be there until the subdivision is all
finished' Usually a time limit is set with automatic renewal
if the sign is well maintained. ` .-
Com. Holland listed several concerns he has with lighting the
temporary signs. Sales depend on the economy and there could
be a long time involved. He suggested that a better solution
would be to erect a permanent subdivision sign which would
be a. more attractive entrance and could be lighted.
Mr. Gold said he did not have any authority to decide this
but he would relay the suggestion.
Pres. Clayton had to leave at this point but she asked about
the lights on the Heritage Place sign.
It was noted that these lights had never been approved and the
lines were cut by a workman during the winter. They have
agreed not to re-connect them.
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Mr. Saviano said there were two phone calls from residents of
the subdivision who both asked that the lights be allowed be-
causP they are necessary to mark the entrance both for them-
selves and for friends who come to visit. Mr. Saviano was in
favor of Highland Point and Highland Grove going together on
an attractive entrance sign with lights.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
Mav i C)_ i 97q - Pn n Twn_
. It was noted that in the winter - low level lights would be
most ineffective because they would be covered with snow.
Mr. Gold said that was a risk they would have to take. He
was agreeable to asking Highland Point about a permanent
entrance sign and returning again to the AC.
Com. Holland made the following motion:
I move we deny the request made by Highland Point
for lights on their temporary construction sign,
reason being the same as stated on April 12, 1979:
The AC does not want to create a precedence for
any such lights.
And we further recommend that Highland Point and
Highland Grove establish a permanent entrance sign
which could be lighted upon presentation of such a
sign to this Commission at a future 'meeting. Since
the length of time the subdivision would be in need
of sales models is indefinite, a permanent sign would
give a .very pleasing entrance to the homes. e.
Com. Gibbs seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote was taken.
Motion Passed Unanimously. Request denied.
It is to noted that the Village Board did not: know that lights
had not beon reviewed by the AC on the present sign nor w .. a
permit issued for it.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following changes were made to the Minutes cf April 26, 1979: .
P. One - Early Learning Center - Paragraph 5 - delete the
words 'put in' - insert - 'be graded' (The swale
will be graded so that it gradually return uT to. . .
P. Two - Buff^] o Grove mall - Paragraph 4 - after Wh; tp:
insert copy as follows: -- etc .
P. Three - B.G. Mall - Paragraph. 1 - insert after renovation -
'or the sign is not ' acceptable.
Omit next paragraph.
P. Six - Paragraph 7 - omit ' other 50 - 60 eating places -
insert - "numerous restaurants."
Page Seven - second to the last line. insert -"Mr. Boccie
said that" . . . . Mr. Conrardy has said
Page Eight - Paragraph 5 - line 2 - omit ' ask for' - "grant"
line 4 - omit 'decision' - "request:
Com. Gibbs made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected.
Com. Holland seconded the motion. Roll was called. Minutes were
approved unanimously.
Motion to adjourn was made by Com. Gibbs and seconded by Com. Holland.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
Res ectfully submitted,
hirley Bate Secretary
^,� • APPEARANCE COMMISSION - May 10, 1979 - Pa^e