1996-12-17 - Zoning Board of Appeals - Minutes ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 , 1996
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richard Heinrich called the Zoning Board of
Appeals meeting to order at 7 : 37 P . M . on Tuesday,
December 17 , 1996 in the Council Chambers of the
Village Hall , 50 Raupp Boulevard .
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present : J . Paul , L . Windecker,
L . Arbus , S . Sandler and
R . Heinrich Quorum .
Commissioners Absent : B . Entman and H . Hefler
Bldg . Dept . Liaison : Edward Scharf
Deputy Building Commissioner
Village Board Liaison : William Reid, Trustee
Village Attorney : William Raysa
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 19 , 1996 - Motion to approve was made by
Com . Windecker and seconded by Com . Sandler . There
were no additions or corrections .
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Windecker, Arbus ,
Sandler and Heinrich
NAY - None
ABSTAIN - Paul
Motion Passed - 4 to 0 , 1 abstention .
Minutes of November 19 , 1996 were approved as submitted .
IV . BUSINESS
A. Country Court Shopping Center - Ground Sign
Sign Code , Section 14 . 20 . 030 - Business Districts
Sign Code . Section 14 . 20 . 020 - Ground Signs
Item was Tabled on Nov . 19 , 1996 because the height of
the proposed sign was not acceptable . Motion to
remove from Table was made by Com . Windecker and
seconded by Com . Arbus . Voice Vote : AYE Unanimously .
Ms. JoAnn Kwak, Property Manager, Dan Development,
Ltd. 10 E. 22nd Street, Suite 116, Lombard, Il 60148
(630-627-0606) was present . A new design has been
submitted. The height has been lowered from twenty
feet (20 ' ) to sixteen feet, six inches (16 ' 6" ) .
Ms . Kwak explained that the existing sign is thirteen
feet (13 ' ) in height and they wanted twenty feet (20 ' )
so they compromised and requested sixteen feet, six
inches, which is half way between. The owners looked at
the area and considered moving the sign farther to the
west, but they decided that the existing location is
preferable . The branches of the trees would obscure the
sign if it is moved closer to Barry' s Bar-B Q.
Ch. Heinrich asked if a medical center is a tenant? He
mentioned an article about a problem with a doctor.
Ms . Kwak said there was a Dr. Spitz who may have sub-
leased space to someone who was running a massage parlor
but he is no longer there. The Medical Center of
Arlington Heights signed a lease as of October 1st with
the understanding that they will remodel the space, but
it has not opened as yet .
Mr. Schar said he is not aware of any new permit being
submitted.
Ch. Heinrich asked if all twelve (12) tenants would be
listed on the new sign?
Ms . Kwak said there is space for all the tenants . The
peak has been lowered and one of the panels has been
removed.
Comments from Commissioners :
Com. Paul : Said he drove by and could not read a single
tenant' s name because the letters are too small . He
asked why they didn' t just put Country Court in large
letters to identify the shopping center.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 17, 1996 - PAGE TWO
Ms. Kwak said the existing sign has white panels with
black lettering and the names are difficult to read.
The new sign will have black letters during the day
but they will be illuminated white letters at night .
People do not advertise the name of the shopping center
and that is why they prefer to list the tenants . She
realizes that the sign is not seen from a distance by
people driving east, but it can be seen driving west .
Com. Windecker: Agreed with Com. Paul' s comments, but
none of the signs are very visible on Dundee Road. He
has no objection to the lower height .
Com. Arbus : Repeated his comment about the shopping
center needing help. The sign has been scaled down and
is tasteful . Whether it will help the tenants' business
is difficult to predict . He does not object to the
variance.
Com. Sandler: He has no objection to the proposed
sign. The height has been reduced and he wants to
help the center, even though the sign is difficult to
see, it may help the tenants .
Ms . Kwak commented that they have improved the center
replacement of the sign will add the finishing touch.
Com. Paul suggested adding the address to the sign may
help identify the center.
Mr. Schar informed the Commissioners that the Village
Board is considering a requirement for all future ground
signs to have the address .
Com. Arbus made the following motion:
I move we recommend to the Village Board that
the request of Dan Management for variance of
Sign Code, Section 14 .20 . 030 pertaining to
Business Districts, and Section 14 . 20 . 070,
pertaining to Ground Signs, for the purpose of
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 17, 1996 - PAGE THREE
installing a new ground sign at the Country
Court Shopping Center, 125-165 W. Dundee Road,
be granted.
Sign is to be no higher than 16 ' 6" and would be
located closer that 20 ' to the property line .
Petitioner has demonstrated some hardship and
the sign is of particularly good design, and
particularly good taste and the entire site will
be landscaped. (Sub-section B)
Condition: The address is to be added to the sign.
Com. Windecker seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Paul, Windecker, Arbus,
Sandler and Heinrich
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 . Findings of Fact Attached.
Item will be on the January 6, 1996 Village Board Agenda.
B. Plaza at Buffalo Grove, 686-830 S. Buffalo Grove Rd.
Sign Code, Section 14 . 36 . 010 - Real Estate Signs
Permit existing sign to remain.
Item was Tabled because no representative attended the
public hearing.
Ms . Sandra Berkson, Berkson & Sons, Managing Agents
333 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 111, Northbrook, IL 60062,
was sworn in. The public hearing notice was published
in the Buffalo Grove Herald on November 2, 1996 .
Ms . Berkson requested a variance that would permit the
existing "For Lease" sign to remain on Buffalo Grove
Road. The center has experienced extreme amount of
vacancy since F & M (33 , 000 sq. ft . ) moved out . In
addition, they have 10, 000 sq. ft . of empty space. The
sign will help to inform people of the availability of
space. They are negotiating with a possible grocery type
tenant at the F & M space. It is a national business and
will help the center to be successful .
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 17, 1996 - PAGE FOUR
Comments from Commissioners :
Com. Sandler: Has no problem with the sign and asked if
there would be a time limit of one year on the variance?
Ms . Berkson had no objection to a one year limitation.
Com. Paul : Said the sign looks shabby and needs to be
refurbished. It is not straight and needs repainting.
Ms. Berkson agreed to this stipulation.
Com. Windecker: No problem, if it is refurbished.
Com. Arbus : Asked why the F & M space is not included
on the sign?
Ms . Berkson said they did not have that much vacant
space when the sign was put up and if they rent the
space, they do not need it now. If they do not get a
new tenant, they may include a larger number when the
sign is repainted.
Com. Windecker made the following motion:
I move we recommend to the Village Board that
the request made by Berkson & Sons for variance
of Sign Code, Section 14 . 36 . 010, pertaining to
Real Estate Signs, for the purpose of permitting
the existing "For Lease" sign to remain at the
Plaza at Buffalo Grove Shopping Center, 686-830
S. Buffalo Grove Road, subject to the refurbish-
ing of the sign, be granted with the condition
that the variance is limited to one year.
Variance recommended pursuant to Sign Code,
Section 14 .44 . 010, Sub-section A.
Com. Paul seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote : AYE - Paul, Windecker, Arbus,
Sandler and Heinrich
NAY - None
Motion Passed - 5 to 0 . Findings of Fact Attached.
Item will be on the January 6, 1997 Village Board Agenda.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 17, 1996 - PAGE FIVE
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Schar informed the Commissioners that the Village
Board passed a recommendation to revise the Plaza
at Buffalo Grove Sign Criteria.
The south portion of the center has had a tenant for
ten (10) years that has no exposure to the street and
the revised Criteria will permit signs for the four (4)
tenants that are under the canopy. Edward Jones
Investments has applied for a variance and will be on
the Agenda on January 21, 1997 .
Com. Arbus asked Mr. Schar about the Car Wash sign that
advertises a retail center. He thought it was to be an
office building.
Mr. Schar will find out what was proposed and inform
Com. Arbus.
VI . ADJOURNMENT
Com. Arbus made a motion to adjourn.
Com. Sandler seconded the motion.
Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously
Ch. Heinrich adjourned the meeting at 8 : 07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Bates
Recording Secretary
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ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 19, 1996 - PAGE SIX