Appearance Review Commission (ARC)

APPROVED COPY Appearance Review Commission Meeting Minutes January 26, 2015 A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, January 26 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairman Dick Coen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Dick Coen, Chairman Beth Chaitman Lisa Dunn Sean Ehlke Sherry Flores Jim Hollis Elizabeth Low Also Present: Jean Spagnoli, Village Planner Jeri Cotton, Secretary Public Comment: There was no Public Comment. Document Approval Mr. Ehlke moved to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2015 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Ms. Low seconded the motion. Mr. Ehlke made minor changes. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote with Ch. Coen and Ms. Chaitman abstaining. Business: 1. Pretty Nails, 405 Lake Cook Road – wall sign Kathy Ottinger with Rainbow Signs was present. Ms. Ottinger explained they propose installing exterior wall signs with internally illuminated channel letters mounted directly to the façade. The illumination will be LED illumination and the word “Pretty” will be black but will illuminate white at night. The red will match Acrylite 211-1, which is the existing red color in the shopping center. Ch. Coen requested the existing façade be repaired to like-new condition. Ms. Spagnoli confirmed the sign meets the criteria set forth in the sign ordinance. Ch. Coen would prefer the letters in the word Nails be reduced to 18” high. He confirmed the sign would be centered vertically and horizontally over the arch. Mr. Hollis questioned whether the corporate logo has the Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 2 of 9 word Pretty staggered as shown in the submittal. Ms. Ottinger explained this is what the business owner wanted. Ms. Flores believes the “N” is somewhat overwhelming. She would like the entire sign reduced to 90%. Ms. Ottinger expressed concern about the stroke of the letters in the word Pretty. Mr. Ehlke believes that by staggering the words Pretty and the Nails, it makes the word Nails the more prominent word. Also, the word Nails appears off centered over the arch. Ms. Flores suggested making the word Pretty red, to create a more cohesive look and the sign would read more like one sign. Ms. Ottinger explained the business owner rejected centering the word Nails over the arch and centering the word Pretty over the word Nails. Ms. Low believes the roof line creates a challenge. She would prefer the sign to be centered. Ms. Low believes the word Nails appears too large and it should be centered over the arch. Ch. Coen noted that if the Nails was smaller and centered over the arch and the word Pretty shifted to the left, it would help the sign. The commissioners agreed, but would like to see a new drawing. Ms. Dunn agrees the word Nails should be smaller. Mr. Hollis concurs that the sign looks oversize. He would prefer to center the word Nails over the arch and move the word Pretty to the left. Ms. Flores would prefer the word Pretty in red, so it reads more like one sign. Ch. Coen noted the letters are flush mounted. Mr. Hollis would like the overall length of both words called out. Ms. Dunn moved to approve the wall sign as proposed with the word Nails at 20” high and the word Pretty at 11” high and 10’7” in length. The wall will be repaired to like new condition. The disconnect will be as discreet as possible. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (7) Ch. Coen suggested the petitioner consider reducing the word Nails to 18” high and proportionately in length. The Nails would be centered above the arch and the Pretty would shift proportionately to the left. The sign should be centered vertically between the top of the arch and the bottom of the metal trim below the roof. The façade will be repaired to like new condition. Ms. Flores moved to approve the signs for Pretty Nails with the word Nails reduced to 18” in height and proportionately in length. The word Nails would be centered above the arch and the word Pretty would shift proportionately to the left. The sign will be vertically centered within the top of the arch and the bottom of the metal trim below the roof. The façade will be repaired to like new condition. The approval is subject to fast track consideration. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (7) NAYS: None (0) Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 3 of 9 2. Mattress Firm, 711 Waukegan Road – wall signs Donyea Benson, Office Manager and Tony Ilkhan, both with Grand Electric Sign were present. Ms. Benson explained they would like to replace the existing Bedding Experts signs with Mattress Firm signs. Ch. Coen confirmed the yellow swoosh would not be on the signs. Ms. Spagnoli confirmed the signs meet the Deerfield sign provisions and the PUD sign criteria. Ch. Coen ensured the signs would be located in the same locations as the existing signs. Two words will be stacked on two of the signs and one sign will be on one line. Ch. Coen explained the background panels were meant to be replaced when signs are changed and need to be replaced in all three locations. Mr. Hollis prefers the all-white signs on the green panels. Mr. Ehlke questioned whether the sign should be red as the corporate logo is red. Ms. Mahoney noted they use different color signs based on the background color. Ch. Coen believes the white would read better because of the contrast with the background color. The other commissioners agree. Ms. Chaitman wants to ensure the swoosh is not on the signs, as the specs are shown on the submittal. Mr. Ilkhan explained the holes would be behind the letters. Ch. Coen explained this is how the center was developed, to replace the green background panels as tenants change. Ms. Dunn moved to grant the request of Mattress Firm for the three wall signs as submitted without the yellow swoosh. The signs will be 100% white and the background panels will be fully replaced with matching green panels. The signs will all be centered vertically and horizontally within the new panels. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (7) NAYS: None (0) 3. Mattress Firm, 210 South Waukegan Road – wall signs Bill Holley, president of Bright Light Sign Co. was present. Mr. Holley explained Mattress Firm will now occupy the entire 210 S. Waukegan Road building, an outlot building in Deerbrook Mall. They propose removing the three existing signs, repairing the fascia and installing new, individual channel letters to be mounted directly to the facade. The front elevation will have a 28” x 288” sign, the letters with red faces, black trim caps and returns. The letters will have red LED illumination. The sign on the north elevation will be 23” x 236.8” with flush mounted LED letters. The sign on the south elevation will be 23” x 236.8” at 37.8 square feet. The sign on the west elevation will be 28” x 288” at 56 square feet. Ms. Spagnoli explained the signs fit within the sign criteria for the center as well as the Village sign provisions. She noted the signs are slightly above the roof deck. Ms. Spagnoli explained the existing sign on the north elevation was installed lower than approved. Ch. Coen explained the sign should be centered vertically and horizontally within the sign band area. Mr. Holley explained they will center the signs vertically and horizontally on the space. He noted the letters have not been fabricated and they will accommodate for the deck to center the signs. Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 4 of 9 Mr. Ehlke noted the signs should be centered vertically and horizontally and the façade needs to be repaired to like new condition. The other commissioners agreed. Ch. Coen explained Commission has the latitude to approve signs up to 3’ above the roof deck. The Commission needs verification the signs will be located no more than 3’ above the roof deck. Mr. Holley will provide the actual roof deck measurements on all four elevations. He noted the toggle disconnect will be located on one letter of each sign, closest to the electric on each elevation. Ch. Coen requested the disconnect switch be as inconspicuous as possible. Mr. Ehlke moved to approve the Mattress Firm proposal per the submittal. All four wall signs will be centered vertically and horizontally on each sign band. Each wall surface will be repaired to like new condition. The disconnect switches will be located in an inconspicuous position on a letter and the disconnect switch on the east elevation wall will be removed. The roof deck will be confirmed and verified in relation to the positions to all four signs and the signs will not be more than 3’ above the roof deck. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (7) NAYS: None (0) 4. Hobby Lobby, 200 South Waukegan Road – façade and signage improvements, final review Patty Mahoney, property manager with RREEF, Ron Barrick, project manager with Hobby Lobby and Skip Spanjer, sales manager with North Shore Sign were present. Ch. Coen noted any motion must be contingent upon Board approval. Mr. Barrick explained they were instructed to recess the vestibule so it did not interfere with the traffic. They brought the entrance back into the building. Mr. Barrick brought a color sample board for the Commission. He noted they are repairing the EIFS and straightened the requested lines on the west elevation. The canopy roof on the previous drawings was green; it has subsequently been changed to brown. The storefront material will be clear, anodized aluminum to match the rest of the center. There are four columns on the front of the building, two go up to the parapet wall and two are shorter. The columns will be brick. Mr. Barrick explained they matched the brick as closely as possible to the existing ten year old brick. Ms. Mahoney explained the proposed brick is the closest match replacement by Glen-Gery Brick. They no longer manufacture the existing brick installed in 2005. Mr. Barrick showed the EIFS colors for the main façade (labeled 102) and the horizontal band (labeled 100). Ms. Low questioned if there is anywhere the new brick would touch the old brick. Mr. Barrick explained the new brick is on the pillars but does not touch the existing brick. Mr. Ehlke explained the tall façade on the north side does have new brick. Mr. Barrick explained they are infilling a door. Ms. Low noted the new brick does turn the corner. Ms. Dunn asked about the other colors that are shown on the submittal. Mr. Barrick explained color 101 is on the existing columns. Mr. Spanjer explained 103 is the existing divider between the brick and the EIFS. Ms. Chaitman would prefer the colors Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 5 of 9 to be marked on the submittal. Ms. Spagnoli asked if the existing EIFS would be repainted and freshened. Mr. Barrick confirmed the existing EIFS would be repainted and freshened. Ms. Dunn noted the brown roof would be above the entrance doors. She asked about the lighting. Mr. Barrick explained they will place sconces to match the existing sconces in the mall. Ms. Dunn requested the locations be noted. Ch. Coen noted the brown roof would be the same color Cocoa Brown as the hollow metal doors on the front façade. Ch. Coen noted the existing brick (as shown on an old Deerbrook material board) is much more variegated than the proposed brick. Mr. Ehlke asked if they have gone to other manufacturers for brick. Mr. Barrick went to Acme Brick to get the matched brick. Ch. Coen would prefer to have the terra cotta brick added to the mix. Mr. Ehlke suggested the petitioner go to another brick manufacturer. Mr. Spanjer explained the red brick that is shown on the old sample board is not on the building. Ms. Mahoney explained the brick mix shown was for the small shop area, not for Best Buy. Ms. Spagnoli noted the terra cotta brick is located near Jewel, not on the proposed façade. The commissioners would like to see other alternatives, to determine if there is a better match. Ch. Coen suggested the petitioner leave the proposed brick sample in the store window, so the commissioners could visit the site to get a better idea of how it matches. Ch. Coen explained this is an important detail. Mr. Barrick explained it is very close to what is existing on the building. Ms. Mahoney suggested contacting other companies to see if they have a better matching brick. Mr. Barrick will meet with Ms. Spagnoli to see the proposed brick next to the building. Commissioner Dunn left at 8:40 pm. The commissioners discussed the rear elevation. Ms. Low asked if the brick on the rear of the building is the same as the brick on the front of the building. Mr. Barrick said it is the same. Ms. Low asked if the bollards in front of the old openings would remain. Mr. Barrick said they would remain. They will be freshened and painted. Ch. Coen noted the EIFS areas would be filled in. Mr. Barrick explained they would be filled in and painted to match. Ch. Coen asked if air curtains would be added by the existing doors. Mr. Barrick explained the loading dock door would add a rain hood. The door will be painted to match the EIFS. Ch. Coen noted the rain hood scrunches the sign higher. The commissioners were okay with the rear elevation as proposed. Mr. Hollis believes the Hobby Lobby sign on the back of the building seems over-scaled. Mr. Spanjer explained they are trying to make the sign readable. Mr. Spanjer showed a photograph of the Joy of the Game sign, which has 42” letters. The commissioners believe the sign would be better on the EIFS than the brick. Mr. Ehlke believes it is signage for the trucks. It does seem large, but it is tucked in the recess. Mr. Hollis believes the Hobby Lobby building sign on the east elevation appear similar to the other tenants. The other commissioners are okay with the east elevation building sign. Ms. Flores likes the spacing of the channel letters shown on the building rendering rather than on the dimensioned drawings. The commissioners agreed. Mr. Barrick will tighten up the space between the words. Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 6 of 9 The commissioners discussed the two-sided monument sign panels. Mr. Spanjer explained the sign panels have a 6” border on the sides of the words. Ch. Coen indicated the 6” border is the minimum amount. He suggested pulling in the border. Mr. Barrick will tighten up the letters to make the border larger. Ch. Coen expressed concern about the vestibule. There is a very large ramp and some bollards. There is less than 3’ between the end of the ramp and the beginning of the vestibule. Ch. Coen explained there is a total of 8’8” from the curb to the front of the vestibule. The ramp is 6’, which leaves 2’8”. Ch. Coen believes walking over the ramp is not ideal. The flatter area would go in front of the doors. There is 2’8” between the bollards and the vestibule. Ch. Coen believes there should be more space between the bollards and the vestibule. Mr. Barrick questioned whether they need the bollards. Ms. Flores believes bollards are necessary. Mr. Ehlke noted they have an additional 6” with the bollards removed, which is still very narrow. Ch. Coen suggested moving the vestibule back more. Mr. Barrick will speak with the company about having at least 4’ between the bollards and the vestibule. Ch. Coen questioned whether there is a new curb ramp. Mr. Barrick explained the door location is shifting. The commissioners discussed the proposed Cram-A-Lot compactor, which will be located in the existing loading dock. Mr. Barrick explained it is partially below grade. Ch. Coen noted there would not be an enclosure for the compactor. He noted the baler is located inside and they are stored inside. If the bales are stored outside, they need to be screened. Ms. Mahoney explained there is currently a non-screened dumpster behind the building. Ch. Coen noted the other businesses do not have screened trash containers behind their buildings. Hobby Lobby cannot have any bales or garbage/recycling, if stored outside that is not inside of a container equipped with a tight fitting cover. The commissioners discussed the proposed light sconces. Mr. Barrick explained the proposed sconces are the same as the existing Mall sconces. Ms. Spagnoli explained the Commission needs to see the exact locations of the sconces. Ch. Coen explained the Commission will consider the sconce location for possible fast track consideration. Ch. Coen explained the new sconces need to have the same light source as the existing sconces in the Mall. Mr. Barrick will change the illumination to match the existing sconces. Ch. Coen asked about the wall pack lights. Mr. Barrick explained these are security lights and would replace the existing security lighting in the rear of the building. The finish of the wall packs will be dark bronze. Ms. Mahoney explained they will add seasonal plantings to the planters which will line the sidewalks. Ch. Coen asked Ms. Mahoney to spot the locations where the planters will be located and forward to Ms. Spagnoli. The existing planting beds will also be planted by the center using plants similar to the other planter beds throughout the property. Ch. Coen requested a list of plant species for possible fast track consideration. Ms. Mahoney will have the property landscaper look at the planting beds and make a recommendation. Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 7 of 9 Ms. Chaitman moved to consider the landscaping plan after drawings have been submitted with a proposed species list that also shows the existing species which will remain. Ms. Mahoney will submit a landscape plan showing what will remain and what will be replaced. She will also show the pots, locations of the planter pots and confirm the pots will be consistent for possible fast track approval. Mr. Hollis moved to approve the signage for the front of the store as presented in the submittal as shown on the elevation drawing, not on the detail. The signage on the rear elevation as shown and the pylon sign panels with the modification that the two words are pulled closer together to match the spread on the building signs for consistency. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The word spacing on the pylon panels will be submitted for possible fast track consideration. The wall elevation sign detail will be shown for possible fast track consideration. Any approvals are contingent on Board approval. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (6) NAYS: None (0) Mr. Ehlke moved to increase the dimensioning for the flat walkway at the front vestibule by pulling the inner and outer walls further into the building to provide a minimum 4’ from the west face of the bollard to the face of the storefront wall, leaving the 6’ ramp as proposed. Mr. Hollis seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (6) NAYS: None (0) Mr. Hollis moved to approve the front and rear elevations as presented contingent on Board approval. The petitioner will investigate other suppliers and options for the brick. The commissioners will look at the brick sample inside the glass doors. Mr. Hollis proposed that the elevations be modified to show the positions of the fixtures that will match the existing fixtures in the center for size, fixture and illumination. The canopy color will match the hollow metal doors. The wall packs will be a one for one replacement in dark bronze with LED lamps. The parapet height will be 35’, not 135’ as shown. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (6) NAYS: None (0) 5. MOD Pizza, 70 South Waukegan Road – outdoor furnishings, window coverings and rear door Dana Polonsky, Director of Real Estate with MOD Pizza, was present. Ms. Polonsky noted they will not be serving alcohol on the patio, so the patio does not need to be enclosed. Ch. Coen asked if there would be patio access from the inside of the building on the south side. Ms. Polonsky explained they would not have access from the south Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 8 of 9 side of the restaurant. She showed a sample of the proposed metal mesh near the beverage center. Ms. Polonsky explained they propose adding film on the windows to block out the cooler on the east elevation and the beverage center on the south elevation. Ch. Coen noted the film is not shown behind the beverage center on the submittal. Ms. Polonsky explained the reason for the metal mesh is to cover the conduits and pipes on the rear of the beverage station while allowing natural light. There will not be film behind the beverage station. Ms. Mahoney explained she asked for film behind the beverage station as an alternative to just having the mesh. Ms. Low noted the film does not allow light. Ms. Polonsky explained the other option is to build a wall. Ms. Chaitman noted the mesh is see-through. She questioned how it would help on the outside. Ms. Low explained there are other window treatments that screen while allowing light. Ms. Chaitman questioned whether the mesh will appear like a security feature. Mr. Ehlke questioned whether the glass is tinted. Ms. Low believes the mesh will be more difficult to maintain. Ch. Coen would be inclined to have the same film treatment as Subway. The commissioners would prefer film rather than the mesh. Ms. Mahoney suggested adding perforated panels rather than the mesh for possible fast track consideration. The commissioners discussed the patio. Ch. Coen noted there needs to be accessible seating on the patio as well. Ms. Flores questioned who clears the dishes. Ms. Polonsky explained the diners clear their dishes and staff maintains the area. Ch. Coen noted the five 30” x 5’ planters are not shown on the site plans, which would eliminate some tables. He would like the petitioner to supply a drawing showing the location of the planters. Ch. Coen noted the Commission has not reviewed building signage. The commissioners looked at the location of the propane heaters and trash receptacle. Ch. Coen noted planters are not shown, and the locations could change. The commissioners discussed the proposed tables and chairs. Ch. Coen noted some of the seating needs to be accessible. The commissioners like the proposed black tables and chairs. The commissioners discussed the proposed umbrellas. There will be two freestanding umbrellas on the patio. Ch. Coen noted there cannot be any verbiage or advertising on the umbrellas. Ms. Polonsky noted the umbrellas will not be illuminated. Ms. Mahoney noted there is an existing light pole in the landscape island to the east. Mr. Ehlke noted they have some sconces on the brick columns as well. Ms. Polonsky noted the umbrella will have terra cotta fabric with a white finish on the metal frame, per the cut sheet. Ms. Chaitman does not think the terra cotta will look good with a white metal frame finish. Mr. Hollis would prefer the frame be black to be consistent with the furniture. He questioned the height of the lower edge of the umbrella. Ms. Flores noted the actual height is 96” on the top. Ch. Coen indicated the clearance needs to be at least 80” per ADA requirements. Ms. Polonsky ensured the furniture and heaters would be stored offsite during the winter months. Ch. Coen noted the heater finish is stainless steel. Mr. Ehlke noted there would be a flame coming from the heaters. Ms. Low expressed concern about safety. Ms. Spagnoli noted the heaters need to be UL listed and approved by the Northbrook Fire Department. Ch. Coen would prefer to know more about the proposed heaters. Appearance Review Commission January 26, 2015 Page 9 of 9 The commissioners looked at the trash cart cabinet. Ch. Coen noted the top is black, but the enclosure is brown wood. Ms. Polonsky explained it would be rolled in every night. Mr. Hollis moved to approve the proposal for MOD Pizza as presented. The mesh on the south side of the building will be replaced with a brown film to match the neighboring Subway restaurant. The architectural site plans need to show the location of the 30” x 5’ planters in the patio area. The petitioner will look into the furniture so that it meets ADA accessibility codes for 5% of the tables. The umbrella frame will have a black finish and the umbrellas will have a minimum of 80” clearance. The fabric will be treated for endurance. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The rear door will be relocated and reused if possible. Ch. Coen noted the existing opening will need to be patched to new condition. The heaters, site plan with planters will be considered for fast track approval. AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (6) NAYS: None (0) Items from the Commission Ms. Flores noted Mephisto in Deerfield Square and the t-shirt place in Marshall Mall have been out of business for a while but still have signs installed. Ms. Spagnoli believes as the Village has not enforced the removal of old signs, the Board does not want to force anyone into a financial burden during bad economic times. The commissioners believe the economy has picked up and the signs should be taken down when a business leaves the Village, as stated in the Zoning Ordinance. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Hollis moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Ehlke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 PM. The next regular meeting of the Appearance Review Commission will take place on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM to review the Appearance Code. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary