Appearance Review Commission (ARC)

APPROVED COPY Appearance Review Commission Meeting Minutes July 27, 2015 A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Ch. Coen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Dick Coen, Chairman Lisa Dunn Sean Ehlke Sherry Flores Jim Hollis Elizabeth Low Absent was: Beth Chaitman Also Present: Jean Spagnoli, Village Planner Jeri Cotton, Secretary Public Comment: There was no Public Comment on non-agenda items. Document Approval Mr. Ehlke moved to approve the minutes from the June 22, 2015 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Ms. Dunn seconded the motion. There was a minor correction made. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Business: 1. BP, 1 Waukegan Road – Ground Sign, Face Change Arif Kasbati, owner with BP, was present. Mr. Kasbati explained they will be offering diesel fuel and need to make a sign face change. The existing sign has three products on it, and they want to change the sign to allow the diesel as well as stay consistent with the BP branding. Ch. Coen noted the upper portion of the sign and logo will remain the same. He is not in favor of the additional verbiage on the sign, including the duplication of the words BP gasoline and the phrase with Invigorate. Mr. Kasbati noted the illumination source would remain the same. Ch. Coen indicated the entire sign will be illuminated at night. Mr. Hollis noted the submittal shows the green would not illuminate Appearance Review Commission July 27, 2015 Page 2 of 6 at night. Mr. Kasbati explained the sign would illuminate as green at night, with the white letters and numbers and the blue band around the phrase “with Invigorate.” Mr. Ehlke noted the entire submittal is not very clear, especially with the night illumination. He questioned the double white lines in the submittal, with the ¾” deboss rib. Ch. Coen believes the deboss ribs are tracks that the letters slide into. Mr. Ehlke asked whether the sign is two-sided. Mr. Kasbati explained the sign is two-sided. Mr. Hollis questioned where the submittal shows “product names (copy varies).” Mr. Kasbati explained the pricing will change. Mr. Hollis believes going from three products to two products is a positive change. Ms. Flores would like to know the font size of the product names, as the submittal shows various sizes. Ch. Coen asked if the commissioners were concerned about having the extra verbiage, including the name BP gasoline twice and the phrase with Invigorate. The commissioners do not have an issue, as the verbiage is already on the existing sign. The commissioners discussed the inconsistency between 9 and 9/10 in the signage. Mr. Kasbati was unsure why they were different. Mr. Ehlke suggested the petitioner come back with a submittal that is more accurate for fast track consideration. Ch. Coen expressed that he would not be in favor of the extra verbiage. He asked if the commissioners would be comfortable with a majority vote rather than a unanimous vote on the fast track. The commissioners unanimously agreed. Ch. Coen explained Mr. Kasbati needs to address the following inconsistencies: the document must show there will be two, identical faces, additional dimensions should call out all of the heights and widths of the numbers shown, the call outs will show where the font sets will be shown on the sign, the night illumination view should have a separate title and the background should have the correct color shown, the product name plates should be depicted with the correct names, sizes, location and case and the fractions need to be clarified (preferably consistent as 9 not 9/10.) Ms. Dunn would also like all of the dimensions for the extra words on the sign. She would also like the light source spelled out in the submittal. 2. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 775 Waukegan Road – Wall Signs Linda Berlin, owner of Menchie’s, was present. Ms. Berlin explained the business will be a frozen yogurt store with fresh fruit toppings. Ch. Coen noted the PUD allows logos. The signs would be identical on the south and east elevations. Ch. Coen noted there were signs on both sign panels previously. He does not believe the sign panels have been replaced. Ch. Coen requested the sign panels be replaced, per the intention of the original approvals. Ms. Dunn asked if the sign is the same on other Menchie’s stores. Ms. Berlin does not believe the sign has been altered. Ms. Flores asked if the words frozen yogurt are part of the corporate name. Ms. Berlin stated it is Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Mr. Ehlke asked why the two signs are different sizes. The original submittal shows a 2’ high sign while the newly proposed sign for the south elevation shows 1’8-1/2” high. Ms. Spagnoli noted the words frozen yogurt are proportionally larger on the south elevation proposal. Ms. Berlin noted they want to go with the smaller sign, which has a larger frozen yogurt. Ms. Low ensured the sign would be Appearance Review Commission July 27, 2015 Page 3 of 6 centered with the words frozen yogurt horizontally and vertically in the sign band above the blue awning. Ch. Coen noted the signs have five colors, including the trim caps and returns. Ms. Low questioned whether the sign criteria for the center allows five colors. Ms. Spagnoli explained the sign criteria for this center does not restrict the number of colors. Most signs in the center have one color sign faces. Ch. Coen noted the center allows blade signs as well. Ms. Flores questioned the frozen yogurt verbiage. Ms. Spagnoli explained it is part of their name. Ch. Coen noted the entire sign would be illuminated at night. Ms. Dunn does not believe the sign needs five colors. She suggested making the sign 2-color with raspberry and white. Ms. Low does not believe the light green pops on the dark green background. Ch. Coen noted the brushed aluminum returns add an additional color to the sign. Mr. Hollis believes a simplified sign without the light green outline would help the sign. He expressed concern about setting a precedent for five-color signs. Ms. Flores concurred the sign would pop without the green outline. Ms. Low asked if the commissioners were be in favor of changing the returns and trim caps to raspberry or white. Mr. Ehlke would be more comfortable with white returns and outlines. He would be in favor of outlining the “hair” in the logo rather than depicting the changes in color. Ms. Dunn noted the sign would then be two-colors. Ch. Coen requested the registered trademarks be removed from the sign. Ch. Coen asked the commissioners about the sign size, fonts and sign placement. Ms. Low would like the location, alignment and dimensions clarified in the submittal. The size of the sign would be what was handed out this evening for both elevations. Ch. Coen suggested the petitioner provide the information for possible fast track consideration. The commissioners believe the text should be two colors and the logo and apostrophe could be three colors. Mr. Ehlke is okay having the entire sign being three colors. Mr. Ehlke moved to approve the sign for Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, dated 7/16/2015 with the following caveats. The signage on the south and east elevation will be the same. The trademark symbols will be removed in two locations. The petitioner will clarify the location and dimensions of the sign in the sign panel. If the panels have been used previously, they must be replaced. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Coen, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (6) Mr. Ehlke moved to conceptually approve the sign for Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, dated 7/16/2015 with the dimensions as depicted. The sign will be limited to no more than three colors and the colors must be identified in a fast track submittal document. The two registration marks must be removed. The vertical dimensioning and positioning must be clearly identified. If the panels have been used previously, they must be replaced. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: Appearance Review Commission July 27, 2015 Page 4 of 6 AYES: Coen, Ehlke, Flores, Hollis, Low (5) NAYS: Dunn (1) Ch. Coen indicated the Commission’s decisions are final but a petitioner can appear before the Board of Trustees to appeal the ARC’s decision. 3. Precor Home Fitness, 380 Lake Cook Road – Wall Sign, Preliminary Review Dusty Schlotfeldt with Precor Home Fitness and Ron Ottinger with Rainbow Signs were present. Mr. Schlotfeldt explained they would like the commission to consider their proposed wall sign, which depicts a consistent corporate image. Ch. Coen noted the Charles Ifergan property is a PUD, which has specific guidelines. Ms. Spagnoli explained the sign criteria were approved on November 7, 2013. If the petitioner wants to deviate from the PUD sign criteria, they must appear before the Plan Commission as well as the Appearance Review Commission. Ms. Spagnoli noted the petitioner is requesting a wall sign that does not conform to the sign criteria. Ch. Coen explained the Commission could not vote on the sign, as it needs to complete the Public Hearing process. Ms. Spagnoli indicated the sign criteria require upper case letters in Helvetica font. Ch. Coen noted the intention was to have uniformity in the signs on the Ifergan building. Ms. Low noted the sign criteria do not specify that logos are allowed. Ms. Spagnoli explained that logos are not mentioned, so they are not allowed. Only items that are specifically stated as allowed would be allowed. Ch. Coen noted getting the landlord to amend the PUD would be a lengthy process. Because the proposed sign is contrary to the PUD sign criteria, the Commission can only provide feedback to the petitioner. Ch. Coen explained the petitioner would like the proposed signage. The commissioners do not believe the proposed signage meet the intention of the PUD sign criteria. Mr. Ottinger asked about the slanting of the letters. Mr. Ehlke explained the landlord was very specific that they want all the signs to look uniform. Mr. Ottinger explained the storefront has a support column which splits their lease space. Eastbound traffic will not see the sign, because the column extends out 12” from the wall. Ch. Coen explained that as long as the sign meets the criteria, Ch. Coen suggested moving the sign as far to the east as the lease line permits. Ms. Flores suggested making the word Precor smaller and having the words home fitness larger. Mr. Schlotfeldt explained they will be opening this weekend. He will ask the owner if they prefer the words home fitness stacked or on one line. The commissioners suggested moving the sign to the east and having the words Home Fitness stacked. Ms. Flores added the words Home Fitness should be aligned on the left margin. 4. Appearance Code Updates a. Building Design, exhibits Appearance Review Commission July 27, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Mr. Ehlke believes the exhibits show good examples overall. He would recommend changing the second “yes” on the third page to state, “Clear glass allows natural daylight to enter the space which can result in reduced energy costs. Also, clear glass allows views into the building’s interior.” He would recommend eliminating the glare on the top photograph. The commissioners suggested cropping out the Mod Pizza signage. On exhibit page 4, Mr. Ehlke would add a “no” symbol on the third section of verbiage. Ms. Spagnoli noted it is not necessarily a “no” – the stripes could be a “yes” if within the allowable square footage of the sign. Ms. Spagnoli will replace the third photo, because it shows dimensioned (3D) signage. Mr. Ehke believes the lower right section under Upper Level Decks and Balconies is not clear. He believes the verbiage should change the phrase “should not” to “shall not.” b. Relationship of Building(s) to Site and Adjacent Areas, exhibits Ms. Low believes the third verbiage section of the Patio and Grade Level Decks section should read, “Outdoor dining areas without protection.” Ms. Spagnoli will look into additional, new language for this section. c. Lighting, Highlighted Text and Exhibit Mr. Ehlke explained the commission looked at the sample light pole heights, but the 30’ high pole photo does not provide enough sense of scale. Ms. Spagnoli explained those photographs are for the Commission’s consideration of an appropriate height, not to be used as an exhibit. The commissioners believe 25’ is the correct maximum height for a parking lot light pole. Ms. Low discussed the verbiage by the first illustration. She confirmed the parking lot fixtures shall not emit light above 90°, but the illustration shows the illumination below 90°. Ms. Low suggested reiterating that the light should emit downward. Ch. Coen suggested adding the word maximum after 90° as well as stating the light should emit downward. Ch. Coen suggested adding a note to the diagram, stating no light above the 90°. The commissioners agreed the note with an arrow pointing to the area above the 90° would be best. Ms. Flores indicated the interior lighting image does not address the issue with the dry cleaners. Ms. Spagnoli noted the illustration addressed part of the interior lighting section. The commissioners discussed the interior lighting text section. Ch. Coen suggested changing the “no” illustrations, to show the light fixture on the ceiling, emitting light outward. Ch. Coen would like marquee lighting and building outlining to be addressed with an exhibit. Appearance Review Commission July 27, 2015 Page 6 of 6 Items from the Commission: Mr. Ehlke went past the District 109 main offices on Deerfield Road and believes the berm looks like an unkept prairie weed patch. Ms. Flores added that Kipling School added a tag line, “Leadership begins here” in colorful letters on their brick. Items from the Staff: The next meeting will address Jewel and the north end of the Deerbrook Mall. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, Ms. Dunn moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40pm. The next regular Appearance Review Commission meeting will be held on August 24, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary