Appearance Review Commission (ARC)

Approved Copy Appearance Review Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2015 A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Ch. Coen called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Dick Coen, Chairman Beth Chaitman Lisa Dunn Sean Ehlke Sherry Flores Elizabeth Low Absent was: Jason Golub 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 November 23, 2015 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The commissioners made minor corrections. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote with Ms. Dunn, Ms. Low and Ms. Chaitman abstaining. Business: 1. SportClips, 39 Waukegan Road, Pylon Sign Panel K. Kim with SM Deluxe Sign was present. Ch. Coen noted the sign was installed prior to the petitioner appearing before the Commission. Mr. Kim explained they installed a pylon sign panel that centered the text on the panel. The sign panel is 3’6” wide and 1’1” high. The sign has a 2.5” band of negative space around the sign’s text. Ch. Coen noted the PUD sign criteria allows for a one-color sign a two-color sign was installed. Appearance Review Commission December 14, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Dunn does not believe there is a reason to allow a two-color sign rather than what is permitted in the sign criteria. Mr. Ehlke indicated the red vinyl is 3M Cardinal Red, which matches PMS 200. The commissioners believe the sign should be in compliance with the sign criteria. Ms. Chaitman does not believe the extra verbiage (Haircuts) should be on the sign and questioned whether the word “Haircuts” is part of their logo. She does not believe it is readable. Ch. Coen noted the word “Haircuts” appears to be no larger than 3” tall. If the word “Haircuts” is important to the tenant, they should ensure it can be read. Ms. Dunn questioned whether the Commission can make a request to eliminate the word “Haircuts”, as it is part of their logo. Ms. Dunn moved to approve the SportsClips Haircuts pylon sign panel as submitted. The sign would have two colors and be 42” wide x 13” high. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke Flores, Low (6) Ch. Coen noted the petitioner could appear before the Mayor and Board of Trustees and try to appeal the Commission’s vote. Mr. Kim questioned whether the Commission could vote to approve a one-color sign with black letters which only shows “SportsClips” at the same size. Mr. Ehlke suggested “SportsClips” should be centered in the panel. Ch. Coen suggested the petitioner submit the sign for fast track consideration. Ms. Low moved to approve a pylon sign panel contingent upon receiving a revised submittal for fast track consideration. The sign panels will be located on the existing Waukegan Road pylon sign, one on each side. The sign will be black or red on a white background and will be centered vertically and horizontally in the sign panel. The sign panel will be 42” wide x 13” high. Ms. Dunn seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke Flores, Low (6) NAYS: None (0) 2. Sleep Number, 60 S. Waukegan Road, Signage Phil Herbst with Identity Sign & Lighting, Inc. and Lindsey Jerzyk, account executive with Identiti Resources were present. Ms. Jerzyk explained they propose three signs, with white letter faces, blue returns and a digital gradient logo. Ms. Spagnoli noted the maximum height of the sign for non-anchor tenants in the PUD is 28”. Ch. Coen noted the disc on the north elevation is at 44.5” high, which is substantially larger than what is permitted. The disc on the west elevation is at 31” high and the disc on the south elevation is 36” high. Ch. Coen explained the sign area according to the code is calculated by putting a rectangle around the entire sign, including the ascenders and descenders. Appearance Review Commission December 14, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Jerzyk indicated Sleep Number does not allow the sign company to alter their ratios. She explained a 28” high sign would render an 18” high “s”. Ch. Coen explained that is entirely their decision; but if they want their sign to be readable, they would make an exception. He noted the petitioner could try to appeal any decision before the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Ms. Dunn questioned whether the blue color matches the blue color in the center. Ms. Spagnoli explained the two tenants with blue signs in the center match the blue color in the sign criteria for the PUD. Ch. Coen noted the gradient blue makes the sign appear as a three-dimensional sign. Ms. Dunn believes the sign sizes and color should comply with the PUD sign criteria. Ms. Flores agrees that the sign should be reduced to meet the criteria. She noted the Starbucks letters are only 18” high. If the Sleep Number sign were reduced, Ms Flores believes it would look better. Ms. Chaitman agreed. Ms. Low suggested having black returns as the sign criteria only allows two colors for the entire sign. The proposal is requesting a gradient, a different color blue, more than two colors overall and a larger sign. Mr. Ehlke believes the gradient color would be okay. He is conflicted that the blue color is not the same as the approved blue color in the center. He would like the sign to comply with the 28” high sign including the logo. Ch. Coen would want to ensure the sign is readable. Ch. Coen noted the gradient sign is numerous colors, because each shade of blue is a different color. Ms. Flores disagrees because a gradient is a screen percentage. The commissioners believe the blue color should be the same as the approved blue color for the center, as there are already two tenants using that color. The commissioners would not be in favor of a gradient sign, as it would set a precedent in Deerbrook Mall. Ms. Jerzyk noted the illuminated sign would be face lit. The trim caps and returns would be painted blue to match the sign. The commissioners believe all elements should be within the allowed 28” maximum height. Ms. Jerzyk questioned if the Village would approve the larger sign if the change was approved by the landlord. Mr. Ehlke believes the tenant should have appeared before the Commission. Ch. Coen noted the cutoff switch should be moved so it is not visible to the general public. The Commission is responsible for upholding the sign criteria. Ms. Flores moved to approve the sign package for Sleep Number as submitted with a gradient logo. Ms. Chaitman seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Coen, Chaitman, Dunn, Ehlke, Flores, Low (6) Appearance Review Commission December 14, 2015 Page 4 of 4 3. Cadwell’s Corners Shopping Center, Building Alteration Rob Costello, principal with Torch Architecture, was present. He explained he is representing the landlord; this proposal is not for a prospective tenant. Mr. Costello explained the building alteration would include a buildout to make the former greenhouse into rentable space. They would be staying within the same footprint as the existing building. Mr. Costello explained they propose a new storefront that would be consistent with current tenants. Ch. Coen suggested the landlord supply the Commission with a site plan and landscape plan. He questioned why the submittal states the materials would closely match rather than match, because materials like EIFS should match exactly. Ms. Flores believes this will be a nice improvement to the center. The commissioners agreed. Mr. Ehlke requested a materials board to ensure the materials match. Ms. Chaitman questioned whether there should be a taller façade area, potentially for a sign, if the space is subdivided into multiple tenant spaces. The commissioners believe the updates will be an improvement and it could assist in renting the space. Ms. Low would like some landscaping elements added as they would be removing the green area to install a sidewalk on the south elevation. Items from the Commission Mr. Ehlke attended a webinar about LED lighting. As people get older, they need more, higher quality lighting. The Commission will take another look at the proposed Appearance Code’s light levels, allowed foot candles. Items from the Staff Ms. Spagnoli thanked the commissioners for their assistance and distributed a gift from the Village to those who were unable to attend yesterday’s reception. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary