Appearance Review Commission (ARC)

APPROVED COPY Appearance Review Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2017 A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Low called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Beth Chaitman Sherry Flores Jason Golub Elizabeth Low, Acting Chairperson Daniel Moons Absent was: Lisa Dunn, Chairperson Tony Fulmer Also Present: Jean Spagnoli, Village Planner Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Manager Jeri Cotton, Secretary Public Comment: There were no public comments on non-agenda items. Document Approval Mr. Moons moved to approve the minutes from the May 22, 2017 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote with Ch, Low abstaining. Business: 1. 630 Central Avenue - site improvements Amy Olson with Olson Landscape Architecture and Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Management were present. Mr. Lichterman explained the Village purchased the property at 630 Central Avenue last year, because it was consistent with what is shown Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 2 of 8 in the Comprehensive Plan. The 100’ x 165’ lot is currently zoned R-4. The Board authorized Gewalt Hamilton Associates to prepare a basic parking lot design that meets Village code. The proposed lot would have 29 parking stalls with two stalls reserved for handicapped parking. The Village worked with Ms. Olson to assist with the landscaping while beautifying the property and bringing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge onto the property. Mr. Lichterman spoke with some neighboring residents who expressed concern regarding the location of the ingress and egress, the aesthetics of the lot, location of trash receptacles, lighting and time limitations. Mr. Lichterman indicated the Village intends to follow the appropriate land use processes. Ms. Olson created a site plan with low maintenance, a well screened landscape and a beautiful backdrop for the cemetery. She also looked at the invasive species as well as a mechanism for a monarch habitat and education environment. Ms. Olson indicated they are required to have one tree for every six parking spaces, but the proposed plan has more. The parking lot will be screened with native shrubs to try to attract butterflies and bees. Ms. Olson noted the design is focused on repeating ribbons of blue stem grasses. She also rearranged the sidewalks and provided benches and a seating area. The proposed butterfly garden will have niches with crushed gravel and out croppings. The center area is the entry to the historic cemetery. Ms. Olson is proposing a curved bench with stone as well as a butterfly sculpture. She indicated there would be a few, heavily seeded grass bands which would provide seasonal interest. There would be perennials clustered between the grass bands. The proposed landscape is very colorful and provides a multi-height habitat for the butterflies. Ms. Olson explained they are also proposing educational signage. Ms. Olson indicated they will need to remove a number of trees for the parking lot. Ms. Spagnoli added many of those trees appear unsafe. Mr. Lichterman explained they propose four Sternberg light fixtures. The lamps will be low and there will be zero spillover at the lot line. The proposed signage would complement the Sternberg light fixtures. The commissioners discussed the proposal. Ch. Low questioned the timing for this proposal. Mr. Lichterman explained this would be a temporary parking lot, but temporary is a relative term. Ms. Spagnoli explained the Cemetery Commission would like a landscaping buffer to be maintained. Mr. Lichterman noted the long term vision for the area, as defined by the Comprehensive Plan, would be to develop the entire area, including the post office and the bank. Mr. Golub questioned the need for 29 parking spaces behind the cemetery. Mr. LIchterman explained parking on Central has been an issue. Mr. Bob Neary, 683 Central, explained many employees of Rosebud park on Central. Mr. Golub does not see a need for a parking lot but believes the landscape plan is beautiful. Ms. Spagnoli indicated there is no parking for the cemetery as well. Mr. Lichterman explained the Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 3 of 8 Village could work out an agreement with Rosebud or Renu for parking. He believes the proposed parking lot would provide some relief. Mr. Neary believes the landscape plan is beautiful. He expressed concern about increased traffic due to the entrance on Central Avenue. Mr. Neary noted there is still an issue with Rosebud and suggested moving the entrance to the commercial side so it does not disturb the residential. Mrs. Vicki Neary noted people frequently speed along Robert York and Central. Ms. Spagnoli indicated the alley on the commercial side is very narrow. Mr. Lichterman believes there are safety concerns about turning out of the alley. Mr. Golub believes if the spaces are rented out, residents would not be able to park to enjoy the butterflies and beautiful landscaping. Mr. Moons noted the proposed parking lot would help the cemetery and help with overflow for Renu and Rosebud. Mr. Neary noted there are vehicles parked on Central for several hours every day. Mr. Lichterman noted it is a public street and parking is permitted. Ch. Low indicated the proposed use is important, but the Commission’s charge is aesthetic. The commissioners believe the proposed landscaping is beautiful. Ch. Low expressed concern about the amount of plant species variety. The commissioners discussed the proposed signage. They are in favor of adding an educational component to the signage proposal. They are also in favor of the proposed Sternberg fixtures, but believe 14 feet is too high. The commissioners discussed the proposed benches, which are different from the other benches in the Village. Ms. Olson prefers the curved bench that is comfortable and not as heavy. Mr. Moons also likes the cropping bench stone. Ms. Olson noted they have also discussed coloring the concrete pathway in a neutral color. Renata Slavenas, 675 Central Avenue, asked about the height of the shrubs. Ms. Olson explained they propose shrub clusters that will be about 4’ tall. Ms. Slavenas would prefer the shrubs a little higher, to screen the cars. Ms. Olson explained the vehicles would not be facing Central. Ms. Slavenas questioned the number of self- seeding plantings. Ms. Olson noted the milkweed plant, which is essential for the Monarch butterflies, would be harvested in the fall. The other plantings are not as aggressive. Paul Slavenas, 675 Central, expressed concern about headlights. Mr. Neary noted the trees will be installed smaller and would grow. The existing 11 trees are currently very tall. He asked that removing the trees be held to the end of the project. Ms. Olson explained some of the existing trees are not in good condition and could present a hazard. Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 4 of 8 Ephrain Nieto, 739 Central, asked if something could be done to screen the noise from the post office. Ms. Olson explained they propose planting on the post office lot, a narrow strip adjacent to their building. Ms. Slavenas asked about the possibility of having just a butterfly garden. Ms. Olson believes there is a need for parking. Mr. Golub and Ms. Flores suggested reducing the number of parking spaces by half and increasing the landscaping and butterfly garden. 2. Deerbrook Shopping Center; redevelopment of mid-section – final review Michelle Panovich and Patti Mahoney with Mid-America Asset Management, Gil Magnelli with OKW Architects and Bill Ferguson with Daniel Weinbach & Partners, LTD Landscape Architects were present. Mr. Magnelli discussed the deconstruction of the interior mall. He discussed the proposed changes, including extending the entry drive, adding parking to the front of the center, raising the grades, adding landscaping and adding a new building. Mr. Magnelli showed the photometric plan. Ms. Mahoney indicated all of the poles up to Hobby Lobby would be changed to LED. Mr. Ferguson explained they will enhance the parking lot islands with perennials and flowering shrubs. The islands will all match what is being planted for Jewel. Mr. Magnelli indicated they will also have trash enclosures and benches that are similar to what is near Jewel. Mr. Magnelli discussed the proposed façade, which will use the same materials as Jewel. There will be a white, open air trellis on both ends of the building, which is in line with the white coping element at Jewel. Ch. Low discussed the proposed changes. She noted the petitioner has addressed the Commission’s concern about incorporating some of the materials used on the east and south elevations to the west elevation. Ch. Low noted the Appearance Code states, “Painting of masonry materials, including stone, brick and certain block, is strongly discouraged.” Mr. Golub indicated the only other option would be to add an integral seam. Mr. Magnelli noted the exterior would still need to be sealed. Mr. Golub explained painting is strongly discouraged, but is not against the Code. Ch. Low noted the Commission has not had a good experience with painting masonry. Ms. Mahoney believes the paint would be a better option aesthetically. Ms. Flores and Ms. Chaitman are okay with the paint, as long as it does not peel. Ch. Low agreed. The commissioners discussed the lighting. At the last meeting, they stated additional lighting should be added to the drive aisle between the buildings. Mr. Magnelli explained they changed the fixture head and added two sconces near Ulta. He explained they also added conduit for holiday decorations. The commissioners also expressed concern about the proposed average foot candles being greater than what is allowed in the Appearance Code. Ch. Low noted there is Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 5 of 8 better uniformity between the east and west parking lots, with the west parking lot average foot candle of 2.25 and the east of 2.13. Mr. Moons moved to approve the plans submitted for June 26, 2017 for the mid-section of Deerbrook Mall as presented. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) NAYS: None (0) 3. Art Van Furniture 120 S. Waukegan Road; building improvements and signage – final review Darron Green with Art Van Furniture, Marc Chamberlin, Senior Architect with Ehresman Associates, Inc., Patti Mahoney and Michelle Panovich with Mid-America Asset Management were present. Mr. Green explained they are trying to get the red color right. At the last meeting, he thought the commissioners felt the red color was too bright and wanted it toned down. Mr. Green presented some toned-down samples. Mr. Chamberlin showed Art Van Furniture’s brand identity color. Ch. Low questioned whether changing the color would address the concerns about changing the cladding or toning down the area a bit. The commissioners believe the color is ok, but the volume is too much. Mr. Moons suggested continuing the top EIFS band. Mr. Green does not think it would look bad, but would need internal approvals as well. Ms. Mahoney suggested making the top of the panel white instead of red. Mr. Green suggested changing the canopy to silver instead of red. The commissioners discussed the current proposal. Mr. Moons was okay with the current proposal, as it provides a nice balance. Ch. Low would prefer the aluminum canopy. Ms. Chaitman does not believe the red is too overpowering when looking at the entire shopping center façade; however, she would also prefer the aluminum canopy. Ms. Flores would prefer the horizontal access being white instead of red. Mr. Golub believes there is a lot of red. Ch. Low indicated they are proposing 8 LED flood lights with 5 being located in the ground to highlight the building and 3 above the entrance doors illuminating the composite metal panel. Ms. Mahoney noted the property owner does not have any issues with the proposed lighting. She explained the lights would illuminate to one hour after close. Ms. Low noted that the Appearance Code states up-lighting that causes artificial sky glow shall be avoided. Mr. Green noted that the renderings are representative of the actual photometrics. The bright spot is near the bottom of the building and will not light the sky. Mr. Green indicated this is the first store proposing this lighting. He noted there are existing sconces that illuminate similar to what is being proposed. Ms. Chaitman would prefer more consistency in the lighting. Mr. Green Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 6 of 8 questioned whether the parking lot lighting would illuminate the building. Ms. Mahoney explained the parking lot lighting would not illuminate the building. Mr. Green noted if the building lighting were removed, people would not see the building elements; rather, they would only see the storefront and the sign. Mr. Moons would not be in favor of the proposed flood lights. Mr. Golub believes there are other ways to highlight the building. Ch. Low does not have an issue with flood lights, but would prefer consistency. She would like to see additional lighting options. The commissioners discussed the proposed tenant panels for the Lake Cook Road and future Waukegan Road pylon signs. The letters on the sign would be Pantone 200C, which is the trademark color for Art Van Furniture. The panel background is brushed aluminum. Mr. Green questioned whether the letters should be white. Ms. Spagnoli indicated there would be a white reveal behind the red letters. Ms. Flores believes the white letters would be easier to read. Mr. Green noted the Oracal vinyl color being used on the actual letter is shown as dark red. He believes it is too dark and appears almost brown. Mr. Green would prefer Oracal 017 red, which would be a much better match to the building as well as the corporate red color. Ms. Chaitman moved to approve the tenant panels for the pylon signs on Lake Cook Road and Waukegan Road with a 4” margin around the text. The letters will be red with a white reveal. Mr. Moons seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) NAYS: None (0): Mr. Moons moved to approve the building design including the red panels around the entry, landscaping, red canopy and wall sign for Art Van Furniture as proposed. The vinyl color for the sign will be Oracal 017. The canopy will be red. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: Moons, Low (2) NAYS: Chaitman, Flores, Golub (3) Mr. Golub moved to approve the building design including the red panels around the entry, landscaping, aluminum canopy and wall sign for Art Van Furniture as amended today with the vinyl color for the sign being Oracal 017. Mr. Moons seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) NAYS: None (0) Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 7 of 8 Mr. Golub moved to approve the façade lighting and photometric plan as presented. Ms. Chaitman seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) 4. California Closets, 720 Waukegan Road – wall sign Stephanie Larry, Senior Manager with California Closets, Eric with Neon Signs and Chris Siavelis with CRM Property Management representing ownership, were present. Mr. Siavelis explained they will be replacing the former tenant space of White House Black Market. The existing backer panel will either be refurbished or replaced. The sign background panel will be painted black and a new black aluminum overlay panel will be added. The proposed white letters will be face lit with white trim caps and returns, matching the other signs on the building. Ms. Chaitman asked if the awnings would be black, to match the black background panel. Mr. Siavelis explained the existing awnings will remain. He will bring the awning comments back to ownership and the tenant. Mr. Moons asked if there is a past history with the sign background matching the awning. Ms. Spagnoli said the sign background has always matched the awning. Ms. Flores moved to approve the wall sign with a black background panel and white letters as shown, contingent upon changing the awning color to Sunbrella black, to match the black background panel. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) NAYS: None (0) 5. Chipotle, 675 Deerfield Road; wall and blade signs Guy Dragasic with Olympic Sign Company, proposes removing six blade signs. The proposed letters on the wall signs will be backlit. The four blade signs will have the verbiage Chipotle Mexican Grill and will not be illuminated. There would be one blade sign on the north and south elevations and two blade signs on the east elevation. The metal panels will be replaced with new panels. The panel will be seamless, the colors will match and the holes in the brick will be patched prior to installation of the new metal panel. Ms. Spagnoli noted the Deerfield Village Centre sign criteria states, “Blade signs are to include logo or graphic images without additional text or lettering.” Ch. Low believes the proposed blade signs show their logo rather than a graphic image. Ms. Chaitman noted blade signs are supplemental signs. Ms. Spanoli added the blade signs were supposed to be an embellishment rather than a business sign. The proposed blade signs have white letters with a slight black reveal. Mr. Golub believes the existing green metal Appearance Review Commission June 26, 2017 Page 8 of 8 panels are faded and the old and new panels need to match. Mr. Dragasic indicated all of the brackets would be removed. Mr. Moons is not in favor of having the business name on the blade sign. Blade signs were meant to have an image or logo. Ms. Spagnoli noted Chipotle currently does not have a business sign on the east elevation. Ms. Chaitman would approve one logo blade sign on the east elevation as the tenant does not have a building sign on this elevation. Ms. Spagnoli indicated this was done at Kid Snips. Ms. Flores noted the Kid Snips logo sign is above their entry door. Mr. Moons moved to approve the wall signs as submitted contingent upon all green panels for the tenant space being replaced when the backer panel behind the wall sign is replaced so all of the green backer panels match. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) NAYS: None (0) Mr. Golub moved to remove the 10 existing bade signs and replace only four of the blade signs with the proposed Chipotle Mexican Grill blade signs as presented. Ms. Chaitman seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: None (0) NAYS: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Low, Moons (5) Items from the Commission Ms. Flores distributed photographs of multiple planters with plantings in front of the Italian Kitchen, which are not properly maintained and were never approved by the Village. She noted they also have added outdoor seating and heat units that were never Village approved. Ms. Flores noted the words, “Thai Thai” and “Abruzzo” are still visible on the storefronts, even though the signs have been removed. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, Ms. Chaitman moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Moons seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:54 pm. The next regular meeting of the Appearance Review Commission will take place on July 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary