1997-10-09 - Appearance Commission - Minutes V
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APPEARANCE COMMISSION
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1997
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richard Gordon called the Appearance Commission
meeting to order at 7:33 P.M. on Thursday, October 9, 1997
in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: M. Cea, L. Dorfman, C. Johnson
and R. Gordon QUORUM.
*Com. Weissman and *Com. Smith
Commissioners Absent: C. Masure
Bldg. Dept . Liaison: Richard Jensen, Building Inspector
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 25, 1997:
Com. Johnson made a motion to approve.
Com. Dorfman seconded the motion.
No additions or corrections.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Cea, Dorfman, Johnson and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 .
*Com. Weissman and *Com. Smith arrived after vote was taken.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Covington Manor - Ground Sign
Park View Terrace and Golfview Terrace
Recommendation for Variance of Sign Code,
Section 14 .20 . 010 - Residential Districts
Ms . Ruth Reynolds, Secretary of the Covington Manor
Condominium Association and John Allen were present.
Ms . Reynolds requested a recommendation for a variance of
the Sign Code for the purpose of installing a Covington
Manor ground sign at the corner of Park View Terrace and
Golfview Terrace. The sign would be located within the
landscaped area that has been in place since 1986 . At that
time, there were no other residential developments in the
area so there was no need for an identification sign until
now.
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If they meet the setback requirements of the Sign Code for
Residential Districts, the sign would have to be located
within the detention pond and would be too far away from the
corner. If necessary, the bushes would be removed or
trimmed back.
After discussing design options for two (2) years, they
chose a single-faced sign that would be 40" x 53" , mounted
on two foot (2 ' ) posts. The width of the sign frame would
be 62" . The sandblasted cedar sign would have an ivory
background with green lettering; and a black coach and
driver embellishment. The frame and posts would be brown.
The sign would not be illuminated.
Ch. Gordon informed the petitioners that the Village
Engineer would review the location for line-of-sight.
The Commissioners agreed that the sign was very tasteful.
Com. Dorfman made a motion to recommend to the Zoning Board
of Appeals and the Village Board, the granting of a variance
that would permit installation of the single faced Covington
Manor identification ground sign as proposed.
Com. Cea seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Cea, Smith, Dorfman,
Johnson and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Conxus Communications Shed - 233 N. Main Street
Ms. Julie L. Henn, Special Projects Coordinator, Conxus
Communications, 15 S. Main Street, Suite 810, Greenville,
SC 29601 (864-235-0940) made the presentation. Conxus is
building a nationwide voice paging system. They are build-
ing out the Chicagoland area and the proposed site will
cover Buffalo Grove, Prairie View and Vernon Township. The
equipment is usually located within existing buildings but
the building on the site is full so they have chosen to in-
stall a small 6 ' x 6 ' pre-fab metal shed that would be 8 '
in height, secured to a concrete slab and located near the
existing tower.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 9, 1997 - PAGE TWO
Com. Johnson recused himself from the discussion because he
represents Vernon Township, owners of the property, and they
are in negotiations for an easement on the property.
Ch. Gordon confirmed that the shed would be located north
of Route 22 and south of Port Clinton Road.
Com. Weissman noted that the shed location would in close
proximity to the ball field and he cautioned Ms . Henn that
it could be dented with foul balls.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the shed
requested by Conxus Communications as requested.
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Weissman, Cea, Smith,
Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 .
C. Chevy Chase Business Park West
Landscaping of Building #4
No representative was present. Com. Cea made a motion to
Table. Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
D. Wild Oats Market, 764 S. Buffalo Grove Road
Change of Awning Color from Green to Yellow
Mr. Greg Aurand and Mr. Tom Rose, Project Manager were
present . Written approval, dated September 30, was
submitted from Berkson & Sons, stating that they had no
objection to the proposed change of the awning color.
Mr. Aurand said the color change was being requested to
enhance the aesthetics of the building and give the center
an up-scale look. The color would be #109 Sunflower Yellow.
Ch. Gordon recalled that, on August 28, 1997, the Appear-
ance Commissioners agreed to permit the color of the
standing seam roof to be changed from brown to green, but
stipulated that the color of the awning would have to be
green to match the rest of the awnings in the center.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 9, 1997 - PAGE THREE
A color chart was submitted with chips of all proposed
colors, including new roof and sign colors which have
been changed to richer, warmer tones. They hope to
encourage the owners of the center to request a new color
for all the awnings to give the center upscale appearance.
Com. Weissman remembered the previous discussion when the
petitioners were informed that in order to change the color
of the awnings, the whole center would have to be changed.
Com. Johnson said he would not recommend approval to change
the color of the awnings.
Com. Dorfman commented that if Wild Oats was permitted to
change the color of the awning, then other stores would
want to change their color, and if a precedent is set, it
would be difficult to refuse other requests. If the land-
lord came in with a new awning color for the whole center,
the change would be considered.
Ch. Gordon said this issue has come up before, when the
Bruegger' s Bagels wanted to change the awning color at
Dundee Point. The Appearance Commission has consistently
maintained their position.
Mr. Aurand said that their storefront is long and the
yellow awnings would act as an accent for the center.
Mrs. Berkson indicated that she would not permit other
stores change the color of their awning, but she under-
stood Wild Oats was trying to achieve a definite look.
Ch. Gordon commented that all the awnings are getting
weather worn and should be changed soon anyway.
Com. Cea agreed that if the Berksons came and requested
new awnings to make the center more vibrant, he would
consider the color or colors.
Ch. Gordon affirmed the position that he would look favor-
ably upon a color change if the management company came in.
He asked if they still wanted to keep the new roof and sign
colors? The sign background would be gold and the letters
would be trimmed out with green returns.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 9, 1997 - PAGE FOUR
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Mr. Aurand said, "Yes. " The sign colors are on the chart,
dated October 10, 1997. The standing seam color #644
would blend with green awnings.
Mr. Aurand asked if they could open without awnings, since
they are already down and it will take time to have new
awnings made.
Mr. Jensen said they could open without awnings, but they
could not eliminate awnings altogether because it would
change the architecture that was approved.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend the color changes
as requested by Wild Oats Market for the standing seam
roof and the sign, but do not recommend that the color
of the awnings be changed. They are to be the approved
green color.
Com. Johnson seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Weissman, Cea, Smith, Dorfman,
Johnson and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 6 to 0.
The petitioners were advised that they can appeal the
Appearance Commission' s decision to the Village Board.
VI . ANNOUNCEMENTS
Com. Weissman asked Mr. Jensen if anyone from the Building
Department has noticed that the lights at the Grand Prix
Car Wash are very bright? The high powered florescent bulbs
make the corner stand out at night .
Mr. Jensen said he would check the photometrics.
VII . ADJOURNMENT
Com. Johnson made a motion to adjourn.
Com. Cea seconded the motion.
Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
Ch. Gordon adjourned the meeting at 8 : 15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Bates APPEARANCE COMMISSION
Recording Secretary OCTOBER 9, 1997 - PAGE FIVE