1997-10-23 - Appearance Commission - Minutes APPEARANCE COMMISSION MEETING AND WORKSHOP
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 , 1997
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richard Gordon called the Appearance Commission
Meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. on Thursday, October 23 , 1997
in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : F. Weissman, M. Cea, E. Smith,
L. Dorfman, C. Masure, C. Johnson
and R. Gordon
Commissioners Absent : None
Bldg. Dept . Liaison: Richard Jensen, Building Inspector
Village Board Liaison: Charles Hendricks, Trustee
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 9, 1997 :
Com. Cea made a motion to approve.
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - F. Weissman, M. Cea, L. Dorfman,
E. Smith, C. Johnson and R. Gordon
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - C. Masure
Motion Passed- 6 to 0, 1 abstention.
Minutes of October 9, 1997 were approved as submitted.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Chevy Chase Business Park West, Building #4
Landscaping and Lighting
Mr. Jerald Dell, Itasca Construction Associates, Inc.
300 Park Boulevard, Suite 305-W, Itasca, IL 60143
(630-773-6700) made the presentation.
1 . LANDSCAPING: (Ms . Martha Tyson of Douglas Hills
and Associates, was present . )
Mr. Dell addressed the items recommended by
Mr. Raymond Rigsby, Review dated October 9, 1997 :
#1 - All existing plant material will be protected.
#2 - Parkways will be sodded.
#3 - They will indicate the five (5) trees to be
transplanted on the plan. One shade tree is
missing from the plan. The trees will be
relocated in front of the building.
#4 - The south property line is asphalt to asphalt
that is a shared drive so it would be difficult
to put in a landscaped berm and permit the use
of the truck dock. Hamilton Partners would prefer
not to put any landscaping in this area. There are
other similar situations in the business park.
There is only about a three foot (3 ' ) setback from
the north property line. If landscaping is
necessary, Hamilton Partners could put something
in there but they do not own the adjacent property
and they do not know what will be put there.
They would be willing to sod the area and plant
a couple of trees. There are no wheel stops so
snow removal could be a problem.
There is a high slope to the rear of the property
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with some existing trees that have been trimmed.
The elevation changes about twelve feet (12 ' ) from
the back to the lot to the parking area, so they
want to keep the plantings simple with grass to
maintain the drainage across the area. It is the
back of the building abutting some small ware-
houses and some equipment is parked there.
The office area screens the proposed future truck
docks in the center of the building. It is doubt-
ful that they will ever be constructed.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the
Landscaping as presented for Chevy Chase Business Park
West, Building #4, as presented, subject to Ray Rigsby' s
agreement with Item #4, as discussed.
Com. Dorfman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Johnson, Masure, Cea,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
• OCTOBER 23 , 1997 - PAGE TWO
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2 . LIGHTING:
Mr. Dell said they are using the same Cambridge shoebox
fixtures, by Spaulding Lighting, Inc. , for the pole
lights and wall pacs that were used across the street
for the General Binding Company (Bldg. #5) .
The light levels will be the same, with the highest
footcandles in the center of the parking lot where the
truck docks are located. The light is needed in the
parking area and in front of the building. There are
recessed can lights at the entrances and there are
lights over the mandoors on each side of the building.
There is no landscape lighting or bollards planned.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the Lighting
Plan for Chevy Chase Business Park West, Building #4, as
submitted.
Com. Johnson seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: AYE - Weissman, Masure, Johnson, Cea,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY -None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Extended Stay America - Corporate Grove
Busch Road at Milwaukee Avenue
Revised Lighting Plan
Mr. Larry Costakis of Extended Stay America, 1550 N. North-
west Highway, Suite 401, Park Ridge, IL 60068-1463 made the
presentation. They would like to increase the site lighting
for security reasons . The new light fixtures and poles will
match the previously approved lights . The building lights
will remain as approved. Twelve (12) perimeter lights in-
cluding the lights on the parking islands have been added to
the six (6) pole lights that were approved when the plan was
submitted. Light will be minimized at the property lines .
Ch. Gordon requested that the lights on the parking island
at the north end of the building be angled toward the
building.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE THREE
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Mr. Costakis agreed with this recommendation. He said their
guests have expressed appreciation for adequate security
lighting.
Com. Cea made a motion to recommend approval of the revised
lighting as requested for Extended Stay America, with the
stipulation that the fixtures on the parking island at the
north end of the parking lot be angled toward the building.
Com. Smith seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Weissman, Johnson, Masure, Cea,
Smith, Dorfman and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
B. Nancy' s Pizza - Wall Sign
1008 Weiland Road at Highland Oaks Shopping Center
Mr. Gilbert Aggarin, Grate Signs, 4044 W. McDonough, Joliet,
IL 60436 described the proposed sign that will replace the
Jake' s Pizza sign at Highland Oaks . The word Pizzeria will
comply with the sign Criteria, but Nancy' s corporate logo is
enclosed in a box because the thin stroke of the letters
cannot be illuminated. The color of the sign is red with
Nancy' s outlined in green and a green apostrophe. Green is
• not included in the sign criteria. Mr. Aggarin agreed to
match red #2283 , as specified in the sign criteria, for
Nancy' s and Pizzeria. The raceway will be painted to match
the brick background.
The landlord has approved the sign and a signed copy of the
sign will be submitted with the permit application.
Com. Johnson made a motion to recommend approval of the
Nancy' s Pizzeria wall sign, 1008 Weiland Road, as submitted
with the stipulation that the red be #2283 as specified in
the sign criteria and the box sign is to have matching red
vinyl letters outlined in green.
Com. Weissman seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Cea, Smith, Dorfman, Weissman,
Masure, Johnson and Gordon
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 7 to 0 .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE FOUR
C. Shell Oil/McDonald' s (Workshop #1)
Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road
Full Review: Elevations, Materials, Colors,
Landscaping, Lighting and Signs
Representatives for the proposed construction of a combined
Shell Oil Station with a Car Wash and a McDonald' s Restau-
rant at the corner of Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road
were:
George D. Maurides, Attorney with Bischoff
Maurides & Swabowski Ltd. , 311 S. Wacker Drive,
Suite 2600, Chicago, IL 60606-6619 (312-427-2600)
Theodore R. Johnson. AICP, ASLA, Executive Vice-
President, Thompson Dyke & Associates, Ltd. ,
899 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook, IL 60062-4025
(847-272-6280)
M. P. (Mike) Keintz, Area Real Estate Represent-
ative, Shell Oil Products Company, Oak Brook Regency
Towers East, 1415 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL
60522-9008 (630-572-5821)
Michael V. Assad, Real Estate Representative,
Chicago North Region, McDonald' s Corporation,
425 N. Martingale, Suite 500, Schaumburg, IL 60173
(708-619-3733)
Mike Rogers, AIA, Project Manager, Chicago North
Manager Chicago North Region, McDonald' s Corporation,
425 N. Martingale, Suite 500, Schaumburg, IL 60173
(708-619-3746)
Mr. Maurides said they are in the process of annexing this
property and have asked for this Workshop with the Appear-
ance Commission so that they can incorporate the AC' s input
before going to the Village Board.
1 . SITE PLAN:
Mr. Maurides described the 3 . 7 acre site and the proposed
development . A 6, 000 square foot building will be con-
structed on the 160, 000 square foot site . They are very
concerned with the screening of the residential areas to the
south and west . They also want to develop the commercial
venture and maintain their corporate integrity without
impacting their neighbors .
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
• OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE FIVE
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The site was divided in half so that the southwest portion
was given a residential appearance and the northeast half
was given a commercial look. The residential area to the
south will be shielded by two (2) four foot (4 ' ) berms,
totaling eight feet (8 ' ) in height planted with eight foot
(8 ' ) evergreens. This will provide an aesthetic view for
their neighbors. Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road is a
commercial corner consisting of two (2) banks, a Mobil gas
station and a strip mall .
At the request of Concord Development they have moved the
driveway to give residents access to the development . They
also reconfigured the pump islands. The site will be sur-
rounded by sidewalks for pedestrian access . There are
several businesses that will operate on the site and they
each have different hours of operation. The gas station
and convenience Food Mart will be open 24 hours; the car
wash will be open from 6 AM to 10 PM and McDonald' s will
open at 6 AM and close between 10 PM and 12 AM depending on
business. There is no speaker at the McDonald' s so there
will not be any noise to disturb the neighbors . The noise
from the car wash has been canted away from the residential
area and the planted berm will screen it from view. The
car wash is automatic so there is no sound when it is not
being used. The other commercial businesses at the inter-
section have typical setbacks and they are not screened from
the street .
2 . LIGHTING:
Mr. Maurides presented the photometric plan and said the
light will not spill off the property. The goal is to have
only security lighting at night . Most of the lights will be
on timers and they will turn off after the car wash and
McDonald' s have closed.
3 . ARCHITECTURE, MATERIALS and COLORS:
Mr. Johnson described the elevations of each use :
a. Car Wash - The exit faces the intersection of Fremont
Way and Arlington Heights Road. The middle facade faces
the McDonald' s Drive-Thru area and the entrance faces
the west . The car wash is thirteen feet (13 ' ) in height .
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OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE SIX
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Materials consist of light grey aggregate panels with
a dark grey metal fascia and a three inch (3") yellow
light band below the fascia. At the bottom of the
elevation facing McDonald' s is an eighteen inch to
twenty-four inch (18" to 24") yellow wainscot .
b. Pump Island - The canopy is seventeen feet (17 ' )
in height and there are four (4) tandem self serve pump
stations - totaling eight (8) - with the short sides
facing east and west . Each side of the canopy has a
shell logo and a SHELL sign with a yellow stripe below
the grey metal fascia. (The same materials can be seen
at the Shell station at Lake Cook Road and Route 83 . )
Mr. Maurides described the floor plan of the principal
structure and described how the building is split between
Shell and McDonald' s. The Shell portion will have the
cashier' s area, with coolers and shelves for the products
that are available at the Food Mart. Most of the Shell
users will enter from the north.
Mc Donald' s users will enter from the east side of the
building. The seating area is adjacent to the parking
area and the drive thru windows are on the south end.
• Shared areas were shown in grey on the floor plan.
c. Principal Building -
Mr. Johnson described the materials and colors :
Sheet A2 - The front elevation (top) faces Arlington
Heights Road and the right (bottom) elevation of the
main facility faces Route 83 (north) . The color scheme
is basically the same as the Shell station, grey and
yellow with a red mansard roof and yellow arches .
The ETD (Experience The Difference) Food Mart entrance
is on the north end of the building. The entrance to
McDonald' s is on the east end. Both areas can be
entered through either shared entrance . There are two
(2) towers with red roofs that have a Food Mart sign,
with Shell and McDonald' s identification signs facing
the corner of Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE SEVEN
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c. Principal Building - �ii#:, ��'
Sheet A3 - The rear elevation (top) faces west and the
left side elevation (bottom) faces the car wash.
There is a McDonald' s entrance with a safety fence on
the left side elevation. This entrance is used by
employees who bring out special drive-thru orders.
Comments from Commissioners :
Com. Weissman objected to the red and yellow colors. He said
many Shell/McDonald' s are using more earth tones than grey,
yellow and red. He uses the intersection several times
a week and the color scheme will not be compatible with the
surrounding area. The bank, across Route 83, is a colonial
design and the strip mall is dark red brick. The building
design is fine but it could be toned down with a shake roof .
The red and yellow logo colors are appropriate for accents .
Mr. Maurides responded that they have moved everything back
away from the streets . They are spending about $250, 000 for
the landscape screening. The other businesses are much
closer to the street. In the B-3 Business Districts, the
required building setback is twenty-five feet and the
parking setback is twelve feet (12 ' ) . They are meeting the
parking setback requirement in a couple of areas, but the
buildings are setback with from twenty-five (25) to fifty
feet (50 ' ) of green area. They want to maintain the cor-
porate identity, so they want the colors to be seen. The
main building is setback 145 ' from Arlington Heights Road
and the building is setback the same distance from Route 83
with the west end setback over two hundred feet (200 ' ) .
Site plans are deceiving in that when traveling down Route
83 , the facade of the building will not be seen because of
the canopy in front with street trees in front of the
canopy, so people will only get glimpses of the structure
and colors. The same situation exists from Arlington Heights
Road. Only people within the developed site will actually
see the whole building.
The site plan is shown without the screening. At the next
workshop meeting, they could present the buildings with a
landscaped overlay.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23 , 1997 - PAGE EIGHT
Ch. Gordon commented that Honey Locust trees have extremely
lacey leaves and the branches will be starting at about six
feet (6 ' ) up so much of the building will be seen.
Com. Masure asked for a description of the traffic flow into
and around the drive-thru. The ingress seems to be directly
in front of the egress and she is concerned with safety.
Mr. Maurides said the traffic will have gaps and cars will
be stopping at the windows before proceeding.
Ch. Gordon said traffic flow is more of a planning issue and
not of aesthetic concern.
Com. Cea commented on Mr. Maurides used the term "corporate
identity" and when he opened the plan, his first thought was
that this is cookie-cutter design merging two (2) busines-
ses. He has been involved in similar architectural situa-
tions where he was charged by major corporations to keep
their identity. The architecture of this building can be
blended with the surrounding residential and commercial
areas . He would like to see some modifications .
Mr. Assad said they did look at the surrounding property
and have provided a sixteen foot (16 ' ) landscaped screen
to break the commercial look from the residential area and
they have kept the commercial aspect to the north blended
with the surrounding commercial properties.
Ch. Gordon has similar concerns. The site design is good.
The view from the intersection of Route 83 and Arlington
Heights Road, except for the Mobil station, is basically
residential in character. The bank is colonial and the
Strathmore Shopping Center is red brick with mature land-
scaping. The Mobil station is subdued and blends in with
the Spoerlein Commons development .
Mr. Maurides disagreed that the neighborhood is consistent .
In comparison, the banks both have large signs close to the
street and the Mobil is typical 1970 ' s. He repeated the
premise that the proposed site landscaping will successfully
screen the building from the intersection. People will catch
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE NINE
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only snapshots of the Shell Oil/McDonald' s and that is why
they chose the traditional McDonald' s mansard and colors
that will be recognized by passing motorists .
Ch. Gordon surmised that the bulk of people traveling past
the intersection of Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road are
from the area and will know what is there. They will not be
looking for gas or a fast food restaurant .
Com. Johnson observed that McDonald' s is known by the archs
not by the red roof and the best advertising is word of
mouth. He characterized the appearance as stark!
Com. Smith commended the developers on the landscape design
and screening from the residential area and this is commer-
cial property. The intersection has recently been widened
to four (4) lanes so there is a lot of space from the roads
to the building. He has no problem with the entire concept .
After more discussion, Ch. Gordon summarized the Appearance
Commission' s recommendations:
1 . Photographs of similar existing buildings would
be helpful.
2 . Samples of the materials should be submitted
and the bright colors are a problem.
3 . Materials could be more consistent with the
surrounding buildings : brick, wood and siding,
may improve the appearance, as compared with
concrete block, metal panel and the standing
seam metal roofing with forms that are not
consistent.
4 . There is a lot of discontinuity in the elevations .
Roofs start here and there with different propor-
tions of roofs intersecting other roofs . The
ladder going up one side could be moved to a
better location, or concealed in some way.
5 . The mansard roof lines do not correspond with the
peaks. Combined with the colors there is too
much dissimilarity. There are ways to maintain
the corporate identities in a more unified way.
6 . The canopies over the drive-thru are not pleasing.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23 , 1997 - PAGE TEN
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Mr. Rogers agreed to consider the suggestions. They will
try to bring in some acceptable modifications, with samples
of the materials and some overlays with the landscaping in
place. They will probably keep the mansards and they have
more flexibility when it comes to the materials than they
do with colors.
Mr. Maurides recalled some of the meetings with the Plan
Commission and presented some of the previous designs that
have been submitted, rejected and modified. Originally,
McDonald' s wanted a playground, but the Plan Commission
would not agree so they eliminated this feature, even
though the playgrounds are an important marketing aid.
Ch. Gordon asked about the treatment of the detention areas?
The detention ponds are dry. The pond to the south will be
planted with native prairie grasses pursuant to IDOT speci-
fications. The topographical design was described.
Ch. Gordon commented that the second floor townhouse
residents will have a view of tree tops and that' s OK.
Com. Weissman recalled that Mobil, across the street, came
• in with the new building design. At the Appearance Commis-
sioners' recommendation, they agreed to modify the windows
to conform with Spoerlein Farm and also agreed to use some
different materials and textures.
Com. Masure suggested that the architects can modify the
colors and textures to make subtle changes that are more
acceptable.
Com. Dorfman said he does not like the peaks. He has no
problem with the mansard roof. It is for identification.
He wanted to see the materials because the way they are
combined is important and the Commission can help with
that aspect . The side canopies can be improved. The berm-
ing and landscape plan are great . He is somewhat concerned
with the traffic pattern, but that is not an Appearance Com-
mission concern.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 1997 - PAGE ELEVEN
Com. Cea cited several points of agreement . The site plan
is acceptable and can support the size of the building
necessary for the combined businesses. The building can be
re- designed to be harmonious with the existing character
of the neighborhood. A rendering, or an aerial perspective
of the site including landscaping, as it will be seen, will
help visualize the site in 3-D. If the peaks are be subdued,
they can have a pleasing impact . He cannot design the
building for them.
D. GROUND SIGNS:
There will be one (1) twenty foot (20 ' ) pole sign at
the intersection and one (1) ground sign at each
entrance on Route 83 and Arlington Heights Road.
Mr. Jensen said the Building Department will determine
which signs will require variances. A site plan with exact
measurements will be required with regard to frontage.
The the size of each wall sign should be shown in relation
to the area of the background. The wall signs will be
reviewed after dimensions are submitted.
The Appearance Commissioners had no problem with the two (2)
lower ground signs .
The large double sign on the corner was discussed. It is
not balanced. Boxing in the McDonald' s arches was suggested
as a possibility, but Com. Masure liked the open arches.
Ch. Gordon objected to the location of the prices in the
center of the corporate identification panels. Prices are
usually positioned at the bottom of gas station signs as
shown on the ground signs.
Mr. Maurides said they designed the sign so the prices can
be seen by motorists traveling 40 mph in relation to the
landscaping and the parkway trees . They will return with
some drawings and options on November 13 , 1997 and will
request a recommendation be sent to the next Village Board
meeting.
APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23 , 1997 - PAGE TWELVE
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Ch. Gordon said there are only two (2) more meetings
scheduled for 1997, but if what they bring in on November
13th is acceptable, a recommendation could be made.
VI . ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. With regard to the Highland Oaks Shopping Center,
Com. Masure asked for a review of the TRS Communi-
cations boxed wall signs at the corner elevation
at Busch and Weiland Roads. They were not submitted
to the Appearance Commission for approval .
2 . Com. Masure also commented that the new Country Court
is attractive, but it looks lower than twenty feet
(20 ' ) and she recalls approving a higher sign.
Mr. Jensen will research and report on these sign questions.
VII . ADJOURNMENT
Com. Johnson made a motion to adjourn.
Com. Masure seconded the motion.
Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
Ch. Gordon adjourned the meeting at 10 : 10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Bates
Recording Secretary
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APPEARANCE COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23 , 1997 - PAGE THIRTEEN