1991-02-06 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING
._. BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
February 6 , 1991
Harris Bank, Woodland Commons -- Workshop #2
Chairman Sheldon called the meeting to order at 7 :30 p.m. in the
Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners present: Chairman Sheldon
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Charlette
Mr. Krug
Mr. Rhodes
Commissioners absent: Mr. Goldspiel
Mr. Braiman
Mr. Rubin
Ms. Howard
Also present: Mr. John Mayes, Mayes & Vostal
Mr. Charles R. Tonge, Harris Bank
Mr. Donald Manhard, Jr. , Engineer
Mr. Robert E. Pfeil , Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Charlette, seconded by Commissioner Rosenston
to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 16, 1991 .
Commissioner Rosenston noted that page 6 , paragraph 8 referred to
"siewalk" and should be corrected to "sidewalk" . All Commissioners
were in favor, with Commissioners Krug and Rhodes abstaining, and
the motion carried.
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Charlette reported on the Village Board meeting of
February 4, 1991 at which the following items were discussed:
1 . The Westchester Estates, Phase II annexation was passed 6 to
0 .
2 . The Abbott Contractors annexation was also passed 6 to 0.
3. The Deerfield Bakery project was continued to February 19,
1991 .
`.. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 1
4. Special uses were granted for child day care homes at 605
Patton Drive and 730 MacArthur Lane.
5 . Approval was given for a fair share allocation for a traffic
signal at Dundee and Lake Cook Roads at the entrance to the
Cambridge development.
6 . A pre-application was considered for a Jewish Community Center
day care facility on Aptakisic Road. However , the JCC was
asked to return with a better plan for traffic flow and
parking .
7 . Ordinance 91-11 was passed for annexation of the property on
the north east corner of Lake Cook Road and Weiland and
Ordinance 91-12 was passed for annexation of the property on
the north west corner of Weiland Road and Route 83.
8. The proposed overpass on Lake Cook Road and Milwaukee Avenue
was discussed.
9 . A request was made for a Title 19 of the Village' s Municipal
Code to include a fire equipment impact fee.
10. A Trustee recommended the re-instatement of Title 19
contributions for libraries.
HARRIS BANK, WOODLAND COMMONS -- WORKSHOP #2
Mr. Charles R. Tonge stated that the Harris Bank was submitting its
final version of the site plan which locates the drive-thru lanes on
the north side of the building. This plan would allow a more
aesthetically pleasing look while shielding the tellers' vision from
the sun's rays. He noted there will be sufficient parking in excess
of the Zoning Ordinance requirements. Employee parking will be on
the west side of the building and customer parking will be at the
front of the building facing Route 22 . Mr. Tonge also presented
landscaping plans and noted that the Harris Bank would be using
George Kaye & Associates to do the landscaping work. He said the
Harris Bank feels very strongly about landscaping and that George
Kaye and Associates had won many awards for their designs. Mr.
Tonge also brought plans showing the building elevations and
concluded that the building would match the Woodland Commons
shopping center both in color and look.
Chairman Sheldon noted that several Commissioners who were not
present at the meeting had requested her to ask if the Harris Bank
would consider reducing the 6 lane drive-thru to 5 lanes, leaving
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 2
more room for green space. She noted that the Commissioners were
also concerned that there be sufficient clearance in the last drive-
thru lane where the ATM would be located.
Mr. Mayes responded that the bypass lane shown on previous plans has
been _eliminated, but that they had increased the width of the drive-
thru' lane where the ATM would be located to a 10 foot width and 12
foot height thereby allowing more than sufficient access for
emergency vehicles.
Chairman Sheldon asked if there were any safety concerns relative to
the ATM in its position in the last aisle.
Mr. Tonge stated that a video camera would be installed as per
suggestion by the Police Department under the canopy. This would be
a 24 hour camera and he noted there would be another camera in the
ATM which is activated whenever a card is inserted.
Chairman Sheldon asked if the Harris Bank had given any thought to
additional ATM lanes in the future.
Mr. Tonge replied that future ATM lanes are conceivable but due to
extremely expensive maintenance requirements, it was somewhat
unlikely.
Commissioner Rosenston asked if there was really a need for 5 drive-
thru lanes .
Mr. Tonge stated he would prefer 5 drive-thru lanes to facilitate
quick service and prevent any back up problems.
Chairman Sheldon inquired if the signs over the drive-thru lanes
which denote open and closed lanes would be easily read, as there
were some problems of this nature at other facilities.
Mr. Mayes said that the signs would be illuminated and should not be
a problem.
Mr. Mayes further stated that the plan would show one-way traffic
circulation on the west drive going southbound to reflect the
recommendation of the Village's traffic consultant.
Commissioner Rosenston commented that a "do not enter" sign would
need to be posted.
Chairman Sheldon asked where the front door would be located.
Mr. Mayes said the main entrance is on the south side of the
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 3
building. Mr. Mayes also noted that the handicapped parking spaces
would now be located at the front door.
Mr. Mayes then reviewed the materials to be used in construction of
the building, noting that he would be using cut stone for the lower
portion of the building. He also stated the roof line would screen
the mechanical equipment on the roof and he stated that he would
prefer to use a darker color for the roof to give the building a
little more weight and individuality.
Chairman Sheldon noted that a darker color would seem to make the
bank appear more substantial and that it would be a nice contrast to
the rest of the shopping center.
•
Mr. Manhard stated that they had added more parking spaces on the
outlot. He also stated that both water and sewer lines were
directed out toward Route 22 and that the building was to be
constructed higher so that all water from the building and drive-
thru lanes would flow into a gutter. He stated the site will have a
grade of less than one and a half percent, so ponding will not
occur.
Chairman Sheldon asked about plans for snow removal for the
facility.
Mr. Manhard stated the snow would be plowed over the curb towards
`.. the green spaces.
Commissioner Rosenston asked who was responsible for the snow
removal .
Mr. Mayes responded that the Woodland Commons shopping center would
take care of the snow removal and that the Harris Bank had an
agreement with the developer for its removal .
Commissioner Rhodes asked where the dumpster would be located.
Mr. Mayes stated the dumpsters would be located in an enclosed area
at the end of the drive-thru lanes and would be completely screened.
The dumpsters would be pulled out for pickup by a waste removal
company. He also noted that all of the bank 's daily bagged paper
would be stored in this location for pickup and transfer to the main
bank.
Chairman Sheldon asked about the size of the vault.
Mr. Mayes responded that the vault was approximately 8 1 /2 feet by
22 feet, containing 1400 boxes.
�.. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 4
Commissioner Charlette inquired about water retention on the lot.
Mr. Manhard stated that the lot was connected to an existing storm
water pipe which leads to a detention area at the main entrance to
Woodland Commons.
Commissioner Charlette also inquired what the height of the building
would be.
Mr. Mayes responded that the height of the building would be a total
of 24 feet to the top of the screen. The building will be 18 feet
high with a 6 foot screen on the roof.
Commissioner Krug stated he had several questions he would have
liked to ask the landscaping company if they were present. He also
stated he was impressed with the landscaping plans as they have more
character than usual . Commissioner Krug also expressed his approval
of the one-way traffic configuration on the west drive and the fact
that the handicapped parking spaces which would now be at the front
entrance to the bank.
Mr. Mayes inquired if it was possible to bring up the question of
signs.
Chairman Sheldon responded that the signage question was a matter
... for the Appearance Commission. However, she stated that it might be
beneficial to check out the sign ordinance to determine the exact
requirements and the possibility of a need for a variance.
Commissioner Charlette asked where the night depository would be.
Mr. Mayes replied that the night depository would be on the wall
next to the first drive-thru lane.
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Rosenston
that the Plan Commission recommend acceptance of the Harris Bank
proposal based on Site Plan A-1 dated January 31 , 1991 , Building
Elevations (sheet A-2 ) dated January 31 , 1991 , Landscape Plan dated
January 31 , 1991 and Preliminary Engineering Plan (4 sheets) dated
January 31 , 1991 , subject to one-way traffic configuration on the
west drive going southbound and further subject to the placement of
handicapped parking spaces at the front entrance to the building.
Commissioner Rhodes further recommended that the roof of the bank be
a darker color than the walls of the building as depicted on the
exhibit presented to the Plan Commission.
Commissioner Krug asked if there were any comments from the Police
�► Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 5
Department and Fire. Department.
Mr. Pfeil responded that the Village Deputy Fire Marshal had
commented that the plan is acceptable and that the Police Department
also found the plan acceptable with a suggestion to have a video
camera installed at the ATM facility.
Commissioner Rhodes thanked the Harris Bank for a well coordinated
presentation.
Chairman Sheldon called for a vote on the motion and the motion
carried 4 to 0.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Chairman Sheldon stated that despite the fact that the Plan
Commission has worked very hard to assist in the completion of the
Town Center there has been a great deal of unfair criticism by some
residents and business people in the community for denying approvals
for projects at Town Center. Chairman Sheldon pointed out that
various projects had not been denied by the Plan Commission, but
rather that the developers had not pursued approval after the first
workshop.
Chairman Sheldon also stated that there has been criticism leveled
at the Plan Commission because there is no anchor store at Town
._. Center. However, Chairman 'Sheldon pointed out that no anchor has
ever been proposed until recently. Chairman Sheldon also noted that
Town Center did not have any holiday decorations or promotions for
the holiday season.
The Commission noted that Melvin Simon & Associates is one of the
largest shopping center managers in the United States, yet Town
Center does not seem to be progressing well .
Chairman Sheldon concluded her comments by saying that the retail
portion of Town Center needs immediate attention and that the Plan
Commission suggest that Melvin Simon & Associates explain why Town
Center has not achieved a stronger position in the marketplace. The
Commission believes that variables such as rent and maintenance fees
for tenants should be addressed in this explanation.
Chairman Sheldon and the Commission recommended that the Village
initiate some type of communication with the community explaining
what has been accomplished at Town Center. The Commission noted
that Town Center is a mixed-use development and various projects
such as the Post Office, the Michael Reese HMO, the Village Rotary
Green and the Town Place residential area are all being implemented.
..� Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 6
Chairman Sheldon asked for a polling on the recommendation and all.
Commissioners were in favor of the recommendation.
`-� Chairman Sheldon then asked Mr. Pfeil to summarize the
recommendation and present same to Mr. Balling as soon as possible.
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil said the February 13th agenda would include a Public
Hearing for Condell Medical Center and a second workshop for the
Town Center Preliminary Plan change.
STAFF REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Charlette,
and unanimously carried, to adjourn. Chairman Sheldon adjourned the
meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Res fully ubmitted,
Fay Rubi , ecording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
BARBARA SHELDON, Chairman
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm.-Regular Meeting-February 6, 1991 ,Page 7