1996-07-11 - Appearance Commission - Minutes . • •
,ft, ORAFT COPY
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1996
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richard Gordon called the Appearance Commission
to order at 7 :35 P.M. on Thursday, June 11, 1996 in the
Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : F. Weissman, A. Viehman, M. Cea
E. Smith, L. Dorfman, C. Masure
Gordon QUORUM
Commissioners Absent : None
Bldg. Dept . Liaison: Richard Jensen,
Building Inspector
Village Board Liaison: DeAnn Glover, Trustee
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1 . June 13 , 1996 - Motion to approve as submitted was
made by Commissioner Cea and seconded by Com. Masure .
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Cea, Smith,
Masure and Gordon
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Viehman and Dorfman
Motion Passed 5 to 0, 2 abstentions
2 . May 23 , 1996 - Motion to approve as submitted was
made by Com. Weissman and seconded by Com. Viehman.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Viehman, Smith,
Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Cea and Masure
Motion Passed 5 to 0, 2 abstentions
3 . April 25, 1996 - Motion to approve as submitted was
made by Com. Cea and seconded by Com. Masure .
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Masure, Cea,
Smith and Dorfman
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Viehman and Gordon
Motion Passed - 5 to 0, 2 abstentions
IV. BUSINESS
A. Police Headquarters Building
46 Raupp Boulevard
Temporary Construction Sign
The sign was submitted by Mr. Jack Weyrauch, Special
Project Representative . It is the same design as all
the other Village signs . The Commissioners had no
questions .
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the
Temporary Construction Sign for the Police Headquarters
Building, 46 Raupp Boulevard, as submitted.
Com. Smith seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Weissman, Viehman, Cea, Smith,
Dorfman, Masure and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
B . Strathmore Square Shopping Center - Leasing Signs
NW Corner of Dundee and Arlington Heights Roads
Recommendation for Variance of Sign Code
Mr. Marvin Feiger, Raybec Management Co. , Ltd,
7855 Gross Point Road, Skokie, IL 60077
(708) 677-1000 made the presentation.
Mr. Feiger requested a variance of the Sign Code for
the purpose of installing two (2) temporary leasing
signs at Strathmore Square Shopping Center. One (1)
8 ' x 12 ' sign to be installed on Dundee Road and one (1)
4 ' x 6 ' sign on Arlington Heights Road. The purpose of
the variance would be to notify the public that the
center is being renovated and that there are spaces
available for rent . The sizes of the two (2) signs
meet the specifications of the sign code relative to
frontage.
The front of the shopping center will be completely
remodeled in keeping with the 1990 ' S and a copy of the
architectural rendering will be shown in the center of
the large sign.
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JULY 11, 1996 - PAGE TWO
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They want to give the shopping center a new image to
attract new tenants.
Ch. Gordon informed Mr. Feiger that the Sign Code was
revised and temporary leasing signs were eliminated.
Mr. Feiger said it has been his experience that signs
have been the most effective way to get new tenants .
Com. Dorfman asked how long is temporary?
Mr. Feiger said they want to have it leased out in a
year to a year and a half. They do not want the sign
up any longer than necessary because they want to show
progress . They have been negotiating with Walgreen' s and
Blockbuster to give them new locations . Walgreen' s has
signed a new three (3) year lease and if they can have a
drive-thru, they will sign a longer term lease . Some of
the current tenants are not paying full price and some
are renting month by month.
Com. Viehman asked if the renovation is going to begin
before or after the center is leased? He also asked if
tenants come from drive-by business people or from
realtors?
Mr. Feiger responded that if the signs are permitted,
some of the major tenants will sign long term leases and
the renovation can begin. They need the new building to
entice tenants to move in and if they see the work being
done they will be more interested. Franchise people
drive around looking for good locations and when they
see renovation is being done, they call .
Com. Weissman questioned why the sign needed to have
"Undergoing Renovation" on it because people will see
that the building is under construction.
Ch. Gordon advised Mr. Feiger that the management com-
pany name and telephone number can be on a construction
sign.
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Com. Viehman explained that leasing signs in the windows
will tell people what spaces are available.
Mr. Feiger said that the front of the center is so far
off Dundee Road, leasing signs cannot be seen. He has
discussed the sign problem with Mr. Schar and the
Village Manager, Mr. Balling. They both advised him to
request a variation.
Com. Cea objected to 'leasing signs of this type because
they become permanent signs . The Sign Code was revised
last year and it was decided to eliminate leasing signs
except for window signs .
Com. Dorfman suggested putting a time limit on the
recommendation for the signs . It is better to have the
stores leased than to have an empty shopping center.
Mr. Feiger did not object to having a specified time
limit and asked how long? No time limit was specified.
Ch. Gordon noted that the Arlington Heights Road side
of the center is a brick wall and said that a sign
could be put on that wall without a variation.
Mr. Feiger said he would accept that location for the
smaller sign.
The larger sign would be parallel to Dundee Road. It
would be single-faced and it would be installed in the
asphalt to meet the required setback. He asked if it
could be put up until the renovation begins and then
put up a construction sign?
Ch. Gordon informed him that a construction sign can
be put up five (5) days before construction begins
and must be removed five (5) days after completion.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the
leasing 4 ' x 6 ' leasing sign for Strathmore Square
Shopping Center, to be mounted to the east wall facing
Arlington Heights Road.
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JULY 11, 1996 - PAGE FOUR
Com. Smith seconded the motion.
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Roll Call Vote : AYE - Masure, Viehman, Weissman,
Cea, Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
Com. Smith made a motion to recommend approval of
a variance to permit installation of a temporary
leasing sign on Dundee Road, as submitted for the
Strathmore Square Shopping Center. Said sign to be
removed when construction begins and it is to be
replaced by a construction sign with the management
company name and telephone number.
Com. Cea seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Masure, Smith and Dorfman.
NAY - Viehman, Weissman, Cea and Gordon
Motion Denied - 4 to 3
Com. Viehman said the reason for his NAY vote was
because the Sign Code was revised to eliminate leasing
signs and a variance would set a bad precedent .
C. Commercial Development : SE Corner Weiland and Aptakisic
Lot 1, Auto Laundry - Full Review:
Elevations, Materials and Colors
Lighting, Landscaping and Signs
Lot 2, Commercial Building - Full Review:
Elevations, Materials and Colors
Lighting and Landscaping
Mr. John Green, NCARB, Groundwork, LTD. 1051 Perimeter
Drive, Suite 1110, Schaumburg, Il 60173 (413-0300) and
his partner, Mr. Keith Jacobs, Jacobs Homes, were
present . Mr. Green described the 1 . 6 acre site, which
is divided into two (2) portions by zoning. The northern
. 92 acres is zoned B-4 and the southern . 52 acres is
zoned B-1 . The proposed site for the Jewish Council for
Youth Services (JCYS) building is on the west side of
Weiland. The access of that facility is lined up at the
south end with the access to the subject parcel .
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There is one (1) residence in unincorporated Lake County
to the south; and two (2) residences in unincorporated
Prairie View to the north with a six foot (6 ' ) fence
along Aptakisic Road that separates them from Buffalo
Grove. Detention and North Central Railroad are located
to the east of the site. The site is bounded by three
(3) streets on the north, west and south.
1 . LANDSCAPING (and GROUND SIGNS) :
The landscape plan (Exhibit #3) , dated June 18, 1996 was
discussed with the Plan Commission and it meets the
Village Forester' s Recommendations, dated June 17, 1996 .
The site is designed so that there are no driveways,
parking or roadways on the west and south sides of the
buildings . The buildings are set back twenty-five feet
(25 ' ) from the western lot line. The entire plan was
described. There is a five foot (5 ' ) grade difference
from Aptkisic Road to the site roadway. The bike path
is in between this area and a heavily planted berm
sixty feet (60 ' ) in length screens the site from
Aptakisic Road.
The grade transition from the detention area to the NE
corner of the site will have interlocking stones that
terrace down and enhance the center.
The construction materials of the kiosks and refuse
areas will match the car wash and commercial buildings,
so that all the elements tie in together. They will
have the same basic design with the same banding and
the same canopy details . The main buildings serve as
the screening between the driving, parking and access
which is on the east side of the site.
A landscaped island will be added for the transformer
location area on the north side of the service doors
of the mechanical room and the transformer will be
screened with evergreen material . The parking areas of
the two (2) buildings are separated by curbed, grassed
and landscaped islands and there is good traffic flow
within the site.
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There will be a green area, planted with lilac bushes,
between the building and sidewalk, on the west side of
the building, that leads to the parking spaces.
The refuse areas, on landscaped islands, will be about
seven feet (7 ' ) in height .
The parkway trees meet the development ordinance and
the planted areas on the west and south exceed the
typical screening required by code .
Ground signs are shown at the south and north ends of
the site . The one on the south will be perpendicular
to Weiland Road and the one on the north will be
perpendicular to the intersection point of Weiland and
Aptakisic. The signs will be 11 ft . x 7 ft, and 14 ft.
in height and they will be set back over fifty five feet
(55 ' ) because of the amount of green space required by
the Village. The sign copy will be submitted at a
later date.
In conclusion, Mr. Green said they have been sensitive
to all the issues and concerns by having all access to
the site on the east, concentrating the landscaping to
west .
Com. Cea was concerned about the two (2) Lindens on the
west side in front of the car wash, because they will
only have foliage half the year.
Ch. Gordon asked that these two Lindens be changed to
evergreens .
Mr. Green offered to add two (2) evergreens but he want-
ed to keep one (1) Linden because he likes the mix.
Com. Viehman observed that the car wash wall sign is
going to be at the northwest corner of the building
and asked for some foundation plantings under the sign
area. There is some ground lighting shown along that
side of the building.
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Mr. Green agreed to add six (6) to eight (8) low Gold
Flame Spirea bushes, but he does want to leave the sign
area open. The lights will illuminate the landscaping
not the building.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the
Landscaping as submitted for the Commercial Development
at the corner of Weiland and Aptakisic Roads, with the
addition of two (2) Austrian Pine trees on the west
elevation and addition of six (6) to eight (8) Spirea
bushes to the north of the planting area next to the
car wash on the west elevation.
Com. Dorfman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Weissman, Viehman, Masure, Cea,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
1 . ARCHITECTURE AND MATERIALS :
David Witmar, Project Architect, assisted Mr. Green with
the presentation. A rendering of the proposed car wash
facility is attached. Turtle Wax is not the name. It
will be called "Grand Prix Car Wash" and the materials
for both buildings will be the same .
The backs of buildings are to the west and the fronts
are to the east . The sides are open to the roads, so
they are also front elevations.
Lot 1 - The car wash building is 120 feet in length and
it is fourteen feet (14 ' ) in height to the top of the
parapet and the roof top units are screened with trellis
accents .
There are three (3) wide courses of Whiteman White
split-faced block separated by 4" wide half block
courses, that are glazed block, recessed to give shadow
lines . The mortar will be white . There is a continuous,
24" glazed block, Sunshine Yellow, color band around the
buildings and there is a glazed ebony half block at the
top and bottom of the yellow band.
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The yellow band is also the sign band which will have
individual, back lit, black letters. The colors relate
to the name, Grand Prix Car Wash.
The canopy and trellis material is Special White alumi-
num and the verticals behind the trellis are white
painted steel . The main canopy on the car wash will
have a white roof. It is twelve (12) sided and it is
set into the building. There will be recessed lighting
under the canopy and that is where people will wait for
their cars . The trellis material screens the mechanical
equipment on the roof.
There is a concrete parapet on both buildings and the
trellis extends about two feet (2 ' ) above the parapet .
The glass will be clear with anodized aluminum framing
around the windows and the entrance and exit doors.
The materials and patterns of the commercial building
will match the car wash building, including the yellow
band which will also have ebony back lit letters .
There is a lot of glass on the west elevation of the
commercial building and there will be a center trellis
to screen the mechanical equipment . It will have
entrance canopies with recessed lighting.
The kiosk will be constructed with the same materials
including the same color band and it will have a wall
sign facing the northeast .
Ch. Gordon commented that the west elevation of the car
wash is a massive white wall and the pine trees will
help to screen it but the trellis seems out of propor-
tion.
Mr. Green did not want the increase the length of the
trellis but agreed to add two (2) courses to the height
of the trellis on both sides of both buildings .
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The color scheme was discussed. Mr. Carl Weiss, a
resident of Old Farm Village, was present and objected
to the bright yellow sign band.
Com. Weissman commented that the color scheme was the
same as Midas and Car-X. He suggested green, which
is another auto racing color.
Mr. Green said they wanted the building to have some
impact to offset the black and white. He did not want
green because it would blend in with the landscaping.
To make the band grey or blue would give the building a
cold, washed out effect . Yellow is the preferred color
because it adds vibrancy.
Mrs . Gina Sheade, 1520 Madison Drive 634-7725) strongly
objected to the whole concept of the car wash because it
would not be in keeping with the Old Farm subdivision.
The design is obtrusive and the race car message will be
detrimental to the safety of children. She asked what
businesses were going into the commercial building.
Mr. Green conferred with Mr. Jacobs and said he does not
know if he can get a muted yellow, which would tone down
the accent band. If he cannot get muted yellow then he
agreed to compromise and substitute a muted green color.
They would like to please the residents, if possible.
They have reduced the height of the building and tried
to soften it in a number of ways and enhanced the amount
of landscaping. He does not know what businesses will
be attracted to the commercial building. They are
negotiating with tenants that comply with the B-i
limited zoning uses.
Trustee Glover said the Village Board has only seen the
site design but have not seen the buildings and colors .
Com. Cea commented on the overall architecture and the
proximity of the development to the residential area.
The architects have met the challenge of making the
building residential in nature and they have achieved
a soft approach in the car wash design on this site .
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In comparison with the proposed ice rink, the car wash
will be compatible if the sign band is changed to a
muted yellow or green as Mr. Green has indicated.
Mr. Green said the car wash hours of operation will be
7 AM to 7 PM - Monday through Saturday with shorter
hours on Sunday. The canopy down lights will be turned
off a 10 AM because there is necessary clean up work to
be done after closing. The landscape lighting will be
left on all night . There is no glass on the north and
west sides of the car wash building, so light will not
be seen from those directions .
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the
elevations and materials for the car wash facility and
commercial building, as submitted, with the stipulation
that the trellis will be extended two feet (2 ' ) above
the roof parapet except at the front entrance and with
the exception that the Sunflower Yellow accent band will
be eliminated; and a muted yellow or pale green color
to be resubmitted to the Appearance Commission for
approval .
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Viehman, Cea, Masure,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
3 . LIGHTING:
Mr. Green described the lighting plan for the site and
the building. There will be eight (8) standards with
nine (9) fixtures. One pole with a double-headed
fixture has been added to the plan. It will be instal-
led south of the car wash building to that people can
inspect their cars during evening hours .
The photometric plan indicates zero foot candles along
the west lot line and along the west 2/3 of the south
lot line. The standards are fourteen feet (14 ' ) in
height and most of them are along the parking lane so
the light spills over into the stacking lane to provide
sufficient light for safety and access .
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The standard Buffalo Grove box fixtures will have 175
watt metal halide bulbs . The new light will be 75 feet
away from the west lot line and the light reaches zero
foot candles at about 70 feet .
Com. Viehman questioned whether the lights under the
canopy would be sufficient, but Mr. Green said these
lights are recessed down lights and they could not be
aimed out because they would look like spot lights . The
photometric design does not include the down lights and
there is no spillage from them.
Ch. Gordon asked if the double-headed pole could be
reversed so the light is not thrown forward.
Mr. Green said the light could be moved farther away
and agreed to place it 80 feet from the lot line . It
was noted that the new light would be screened with the
landscaping between the two (2) buildings .
The landscaping is interspersed with 70 watt metal
halide ground lights pointing up for accent .
Some bollards are included in the catalog, but were not
shown on the plan. There will be four (4) fixtures
installed along the walkways at the north and south ends
of the commercial building. They will be two to three
feet (2 ' -3 ' ) in height and they are not high intensity.
In addition to the recessed lighting under the building
canopies, six (6) other lights will be located along
the north side and the northern 1/3 of the auto wash
building. These are wall sconces and will give light
along the tunnel area. The split pyramid fixture will
shine light away from the building. They will also be
installed on the east side of the building next to the
garage doors to give light to customers coming into
the building and going to the cashier are.
Com. Weissman made a motion to recommend approval of the
Lighting Plan, as submitted, for the Auto Laundry and
Commercial Building, at Weiland and Aptakisic Road,
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including four (4) bollards at the north and south lot
lines of the commercial building and the six (6) wall
sconces on the car wash building, with the stipulation
that one (1) double-headed fixture will be added to the
south end of the auto laundry area which is to be not
less than eighty (80) feet away from the west lot line.
Com. Viehman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Masure, Viehman, Weissman, Cea,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
4 . SIGNS :
The signs on the car wash building will be black
individual back-lit letters . There will be three (3)
Grand Prix Car Wash wall signs on the main building:
one (1) on the building facing south east, one on the
building facing west and one (1) on the kiosks facing
northeast . These signs are permitted be Code.
Ch. Gordon questioned whether the sign on the kiosks
would be considered a wall sign or a ground sign.
Com. Cea asked why the racing flags at The Finishing
Line?
Mr. Green said they accent the auto race theme. They
are on the east side of the building and they are just
an embellishment .
The signs on the commercial building will also be the
black back-lit letters.
Com. Viehman made a motion to recommend approval of the
three (3) signs as submitted for the Grand Prix Car
Wash, two (2) on the main building and one (1) on the
kiosks; and The Finishing Line sign with racing flags .
Signs to be solid black plastic, back-lit, raised
internally illuminated italicized Helvetica letters .
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JULY 11, 1996 - PAGE THIRTEEN
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Also recommended are the same concept of signs for the
commercial building.
The ground signs will be submitted at a later date.
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Smith, Dorfman, Masure,
Viehman, Weissman and Gordon
NAY - Cea
Motion Passed - 6 to 1
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
VI . ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Com. Masure and seconded
by Com. Cea.
Ch. Gordon adjourned the meeting at 10 :13 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Bates
Recording Secretary
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