1976-11-11 - Appearance Control Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE CONTROL COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE
November 11 , 1976
In the absence of a Chairman, the motion was made, seconded, and passed that Commissioner
Helms serve as Acting Chairman for the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. at the Municipal Building. Roll call was
taken: Commissioners Butler (arrived at 8:00 P.M.) , Gramm, Hardt, Helms, Rosenfeld,
and Tolle were present. No one was absent.
Chuck Bentley, 931 Twisted Oak, prospective commissioner, attended his first meeting.
Also present was Mr. Tom Fennel , Chief Inspector, Community Development.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Helms made the following corrections to the minutes of October 28, 1976:
On page 4, paragraph 2, line. 5,the sentence ending 'motions were made. ' , add 'Other
commissioners present concurred that this was the way to bring to the attention of
the Board of Trustees aesthetic faults that the Trustees might be able to get changed. '
Also, page 4, paragraph 5, in sentence 4 delete 'are now on the curb' and substitute
'have been omitted' and also insert after 'and the bumpers' in that same sentence
'of cars': Also, on page 4, last paragraph, line 1 , delete 'a workable situation might
be' and substitute ' it is desirable' . In that same paragraph, line 2, delete 'to review'
and substitute 'for presentation of' . Also, page 5, paragraph 1 , add 'and agreed to'
after ' It was suggested' .
Commissioner Rosenfeld requested that the word 'motar' on page 1 , paragraph 4, line 4
be corrected to 'mortar' (this correction also to be made on the Summary sheet) .
also, on page 2, last paragraph, line 5, the word 'prospective' be corrected to 'perspective'
Commissioner Hardt made a motion to approve the minutes of October 28 with the corrections
as noted above. Commissioner Tolle seconded and the motion carried 4-0. (Comms. Butler
and Gramm had not yet arrived.)
Upon Comm. Gramm's arrival after the motion to approve minutes, he asked whether the
suggestion made at the previous meeting to begin meetings at 7 P.M. rather than 8 P.M.
was to become a formal policy change. After short discussion, it was agreed by the
Commission that the time change would become regular policy and the secretary was
requested to notify Paddock Publications of the change in accordance with the Open
Meetings Act.
Developers on the evening's agenda were not yet present and it was noted by Comm. Gramm
that the Buffalo Grove Herald had carried 8 P.M. as the time of the meeting in the
morning's paper and this possibly explained Plaza Verde's absence. It was decided to
conduct a workshop session from 7 to 8 P.M.
WORKSHOP
Comm. Rosenfeld opened by stating that he felt the architectural plans submitted by
Plaza Verde for Phase II were incomplete; and further, landscape plans were dropped
on the t ble just prior to this evening's meeting with no time for review. He suggeste hat
possibly)he matter should be tabled. Comm. Gramm pointed out that it has been reported
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November 11 , 1976 r
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that Phase II will be a replica of Phase I in materials, lighting, and architectural style
and felt adequate information has been presented in that regard. Mr. Fennel defended
Plaza Verde's late delivery of the landscape plans on the basis of a recent decision by
the Board of Trustees to consider only complete applications for approval (arch. and
landscaping) . The decision was related to the plaza Verde developers who had originally
planned to submit only architectural at this time as planting won 't be done until the
spring; they hurriedly prepared and submitted the landscape plan.
Comm. Rosenfeld stated that except in cases of addition to existing phase or extension
of building, he wishes to see samples and confirm in his own mind that it will be "the
same as the precedeing phase'. Further, in his opinion, the entire package should be
presented in one evening's presentation; the following meeting can entertain approval/
disapproval and if it is a large project, the approvals can be divided in two meetings
or more of the various disciplines. In view of the recent Board decision in this regard,
Mr. Fennel agreed.
Comm. Helms referred to a previous commission recommendation that all application
material be submitted through Mr. Fennel who will make the determination as to completeness
of information and whether the package is ready for presentation. Comm. Helms suggested
close communication with Fennel in making Commission requirements known to him.
Comm. Helms referred also to the previously drawn up check list outlining Commission
information requirements. After short discussion, it was requested by the Commission
that Fennel redraft the list and submit to the Commission at the December meeting for
their review and eventual use.
Regarding materials requested of Mr. Fennel at the previous meeting, he reported that
packets for new commissioners will be given to them at the December 9 meeting.
He said that the request for Board of Trustee agends to be sent to Commission members
in cases where Commission-related issues are being discussed has been passed onto
the appropriate people in the office. Comm. Rosenfeld pointed to the fact that the
Commission had not been notified of the Board meeting to consider the Rosen and Shane Liquor
sign rejected by the Appearance Commission and after discussion, Comm. Helms suggested
that all Board meeting .agendas be sent to Appearance Commission members.
Mr. Fennel said the name and address lists of Village Commissioners and personnel is
being prepared and will be submitted to the Commission.
Comm. Helms asked about 'Final Inspection Reports ' and if they were available on recently
approved projects. This led to discussion of the fact that Fennel needs. Appearance
Commission approved drawings to compare with working drawings for permits in order to
assure adherence to Appearance Commission requirements. In connection with this, the
Commission and developer will sign approved drawings and submit to Fennel for his use
against final working drawings. Fennel added that final drawings need to reflect only
those changes that are required by the Board of Trustees.
PLAZA VERDE - PHASE II
M. Hymen, Developer
R. Grais, Developer
S. Braun, architect
W. Mucci , landscape architect
D. Levene, architect for Burger King
In view of the feeling on the part of some commissioners that the presentation material
was incomplete, Comm. Helms polled the Commission as to whether they wished to hear the
presentation. It was decided to do so on the basis of the fact that approval had been
given Phase I which Phase II will more or less duplicate.
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November 11 , 1976
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Mr. Grais opened the presentation stating that Phase II is a continuation and completion
of Phase I to provide additional office space in the Village and completing the 'U'
begun in Phase I . He noted particularly the Burger King restaurant which, he said,
is unlike any other ever built anywhere; it is lower than the office buildings but in
all other respects identical . The Burger King signage will be in accordance with the
established Plaza Verde sign criteria as will all signage of additional tenants.
Sherwin Braun, architect, distributed elevation drawings revised November 9, 1976 as
a result of Plan Commission requests made in connection with their approval granted
on November 10, 1976. Braun noted that the major difference between previous drawings
and these was the Burger King configuration.
Braun stated that basically, Phase II is contiguous with Phase I on the west property line
and covers 6.6 acres. The ground floor building coverage is 5400 sq. ft. with the
total per-building coverage as follows: Burger King - 3000 sq. ft; Office F - 14,000 sq.ft. :
Office G - 14,000 sq. ft. ; Future commercial -18,000 sq. ft. ; and Future savings and
loan - 5000 sq. ft.
Braun said F and G office buildings are exact replicas of exis ting Building E behind
JoJo's with a similar relationship to exist between Burger King and Building F. There
will be berming around the restaurant to give it a different feeling from the typical
Burger King restaurant.
Regarding vehicular traffic, the existing east-west artery through Phase I will continue
into Phase II where it will turn north-south; a second artery will then run east-west
for an easty and understandable method.
The existing court area outside the existing savings and loan will be duplicated across
Plaza Verde drive in an attempt to create a continuous flow from Phase I to Phase II with
the pedestrian walk continuing north and south. The pedestrian walk will be the last
work to be done.
The lighting will be a facsimile of the existing lighting in style and level .
There will be similar plantings and buffer strip separating area from Villa Verde just
as in Phase I . Also, similar enclosed refuse containers.
Regarding brick to be used, research is being done to obtain the identical brick that was
used in Phase I . If it cannot be obtained, Braun said they will submit the brick they
plan to use for approval . The stucco will be matched to that of the existing Phase
as Braun and Hymen had little doubt that the same brick will be obtained.
Plazas will be designed between buildings F and G; also between G and future commercial .
There will be brick benches, berming, sod and trees. In F and G, one enters or exits
into plaza areas which will be quite pleasant, Braun said.
A rendering of the north and east elevations of the Burger King (entrances to restaurant)
was s own. Braun said a 41' wall will be built and returned around the west corner
`4,1 °" atop of surrounding berming to conceal employee parking and refuse area
at the northwest corner on Dundee Road. The refuse area will be totally enclosed on
three sides with brick and the fourth, with a non-automatic door. The wall will be high
enough so that the trash containers will not be visible.
A rendering was shown of the view into the court area between buildings F and G and
Braun emphasized the pleasant relationship between building height and width of plaza.
Braun said the area for future development will be leveled and seeded and maintained.
Appearance Commission
Nove mber 11 , 1976 r a
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Rosenfeld suggested crowning the area to compensate for settling that will occur.
In response to Comm. Rosenfeld's questions, Braun said he would submit the a drawing
of the completed west elevation of Burger King and the corrected north elevation. He
said these were not done because of Plan Commission-requested changes.
Regarding lighting at the back of the Burger King, which Rosenfeld noted is the front
of the building from Dundee Road, Rosenfeld requested the same type of light fixture
as is used in the parking lot. Hymen and Braun agreed to the luminaire with same pole
as used in the parking lot.
Comm. Helms requested that lighting on the building facade be shielded so they don't
shine in drivers' eyes as do those on Building E along Arlington Heights Road.
Braun said there will be no lights in the plazas--light spill will take care of these areas.
Mechanical roof equipment for Burger King will be behind the stucco facade on the roof
as is existing equipment on JoJo's and E Building.
Rosenfeld asked about the fact that there is no rear delivery access to the stores and
wondered about the possibility of a messy operation. Hymen guaranteed there would be
no mess just as there is none in Phase I .
Regarding directory for office tenants, Braun anticipates a professional type of wall
plaque mounted in the alcove of the entrance adjacent to the doors. The office addresses
(1401-1501) will be mounted above the doors using the same specs as established in the
sign criteria.
Regarding stop signs, they will be the same as Phase I - 18" diameter approved by Police
Department and Buis ding Department.
Traffic signage will be worked out with Mr. Fennel and the Police Department.
Comm. Helms asked about Dippy's road sign and Hymen said he would at a later date like
to discuss the possibility of a permanent billboard for use by tenants in advertising
their specials. He said there is a real need for something.
Regarding signage, Braun said there is one Burger King pylon sign being requested.
It is 7' 11" x 8'2", two face, Burger King colors of red, white, and yellow (photo shown)
and smallest Burger King sign available. Perimeter will be in bronze color and base
will be flush with the ground. (9:30 P.M. - Mr. Bentley left the meeting)
Mr. Mucci ,landscape architect, presented the landscape plans. He said the basic
premise of Phase I has been carried into Phase II . Dundee Road is bermed and there are
shade trees and shrubs in an undulating fashion to screen autos. Along the south
of Phase II there is plant material to create balance and screen between plaza Verde
and Villa Verde. An 8" crown on parking lot items will facilitate drainage.
The yellow areas on the plan indicated sod which will continue to the plaza areas
around the planters. Will be evergreen shrubs with the plaza areas.
Landscaping along the west property line gives architectural relief as well as screening.
Rosenfeld asked for 12" crowns on parking lot islands saying many in Phase I are below
the curbs already. Mucci agreed to 10 to 12". ,.
In, response to Comm. Helms request, Mucci agreed to a name variety Honey Locust. Also
a hybrid Silver Maple. He said all plant material will be tagged.
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• Nove7mber 11 , 1976
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Maintenance will be the same program as exists in Phase I .
Comm. Helms noted that for the 500 lineal feet on Dundee Road, the street tree requirement
is met.
Comm. Helms asked about the replacement tree program noting. that JoJo's is replacing
pines with 4' Hicks Yews. Grais said the situation will be corrected.
Mucci noted that there will be no utilization of ground cover saying it results in too
much debris.
Comm. Tolle asked about the pin oak variety chosen suggesting another variety that
would not require pruning (Cultivaris) . He also stated he preferred ground cover
around the plaza planters. Comm. Tolle asked about the close spacing of Austrian Pine
and also noted the tree is susceptible to a particular disease and asked if they want
to run the risk. Mucci repeated their preference for the sod under planters, and
said the Austrian Pine would grow into each other which would be no problem.
Mucci stated he plans no plantings at the base of the pylon sign. After short discussion,
he agreed to either a hood for the base, plantings, or a combination.
Comm. Butler requested that the points of the parking islands be rounded to avoid
cars driving over them and tight turns. Hymen and Grais agreed to this.
Comm. Butler noted that the lights along the west property line are almost on top of
the trees and asked that the positioning be reviewed.
Comm. Rosenfeld suggested that an island along the west be moved north to locate at the
end of a plaza - Mucci agreed.
Plant material was requested at the end of the drive on the west and also off the
northwest corner of the Burger King trash area. Mucci agreed to these.
Comm. Butler requested trash containers in the parking lot of Burger King to catch debris
of people who eat in plaza or cars. It was agreed to by Burger King architect to provide
trash containers of appropriate design similar to what's currently being used.
Comm. Rosenfeld noted that he likes the arcase effect of Phase I and hopes that future
commercial will make use of the concept.
After continued discussion, the following approval motions were made:
SIGN - Comm. Butler made a motion to approve the pylon Burger King sign as presented
and further stipulated that the remainder of Phase II signage be made to conform to
sign criteria established for Phase I . Comm. Hardt seconded and the motion carried
6-0 with a voice vote.
LIGHTING - Comm. Butler made a motion that the lighting concept for Phase II be approved
with the understanding that the lighting fixtures will be the same as presently used
in Phase I , the lighting will be redrawn on the landscape plan with special attention
to the loc ation in regard to plantings along the west property line, and one additional
parkinglot style luminaire be added behind the Burger King restaurant. Comm. Tolle
seconded the motion and it carried 6-0 with voice vote.
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November ll , 1976
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LANDSCAPE - Comm. Tolle made a motion to accept the landscape plan for Phase II Plaza
Verde with the following modifications:
1. Varieties as indicated on plan exception will be name variety Honey Locust;
2. Move island along west boundary;
3. Plant material added on the west at the end of plaza area and also end of drivc;
4. Check Honey Locust and Pine;
5. Submit revised drawings for Commission signature;
6. Round curbs of parking islands;
7. Crown islands as well as lawn areas (future commercial) ;
8, Trashcontainer in vicinity of Burger King in agreed upon design.
Comm. Hardt seconded the motion and it carried 6-0, voice vote.
ARCHITECTURE - Comm. Rosenfeld made a motion to approve the architectural plans for
Phase II Plaza Verde as presented with modifications and completion of west elevation
of Burger King restaurant, and corrected north elevation to show window location;
parking barriers will be added to employees parking lot behind restaurant and trash
enclosure area of Burger King will be pitched to drain; all exposed Ferris metal will
be painted in an enamel to match as closely as possible the diurnatic aluminum finish
used on the remainder of the elevation including parts not limited to parking barriers,
metal door frames (anything below fascia) ; also, if there is a problem with the
screening of any mechanical equipment, it will be subject to further review.
Comm. Hardt seconded and the motion carried 6-0.
MIDWEST CB CENTER - 303 W. DUNDEE ROAD- SIGN
Mr. Tucker
Mr. Tucker told the commission he has been in business for 9 months at 303 W. Dundee
and has been forced to go to great expense in an attempt to inform the public of his
location. Due to the fact that cus tourers and the general public cannot see his store
because trees and a large Kemmerly sign block the view entirely coming east on
Dundee Road , and the fact that there is a second location with the same address, the
business has steadily been losing money and may be forced to cose if something isn 't
done. Out of desperation, Mr. Tucker spent $1800 to have a lighted sign constructed.
He submitted a photograph of same and requested approval to install the sign on the
east elevation of the store. The sign states 'Cobra Midwest CB Center, Inc. '
After short discussion, the Commission agreed that the sign lacked good design
and would be undesirable mounted on the east elevation. Comm. Rosenfeld suggested an
alternative location; up against the window on the outside of the mullions with the
window painted black on either side of the sign and possibly adding numbers to the
painted portion to indicate the address.
After considering the suggestion, Tucker agreed to revise his request and ask approval
for the sign to be mounted on the window as outlined by Rosenfeld.
Comm. Rosenfeld then made a motion to approve Mr. Tucker's sign (photo presented)
"Cobra Midwest CB Center, Inc." if attached to the underside of the archway or some
location on the mullions on the exterior of his store front installed in a legal
fashion as an attempt to draw greater traffic to the store, with the condition that
he may relocate the sign after further review by the Commission. Comm. Tolle seconded
and the motion passed 6-0.
r
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November 11 , 1976
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There being no further business, the motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn.
Time: 11 :50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
"j7r/
(Karen Fe rgad i s
Acting Recording Secretary
Approved: