Appearance Review Commission (ARC)

APPROVED COPY Appearance Review Commission Meeting Minutes July 24, 2017 A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairperson Dunn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Beth Chaitman Lisa Dunn, Chairperson Sherry Flores Tony Fulmer Elizabeth Low Absent were: Jason Golub Daniel Moons Also Present: Jean Spagnoli, Village Planner Jeri Cotton, Secretary Public Comment: There were no public comments on non-agenda items. Document Approval Ms. Low moved to approve the minutes from the June 26, 2017 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Mr. Fulmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote with Ch. Dunn and Mr. Fulmer abstaining. Business: 1. Firestone Complete Auto Care, 120 Waukegan Road - Signage Demetria Peterson, Construction Manager with Bridgestone and Anthony Perna with Signco were present. Mr. Perna explained Firestone recently changed their logo. They removed their old logo and would like to install an updated LED sign on the front Appearance Review Commission July 24, 2017 Page 2 of 5 elevation. The square footage of the proposed sign is significantly smaller than what was removed. The information is now compact and more aesthetically pleasing. Ch. Dunn noted the east wall sign will be both Firestone Aristech Red with Wagner True Red trim caps and Aristech Blue with Wagner Intense Blue trim caps. There will also be a little white on the sign. The colors are consistent with Firestone’s national branding. Mr. Perna noted the illuminated colors are slightly brighter than the returns, but the color differential is not visible from the street. Ms. Chaitman questioned whether the words “Since 1926” is part of the logo. Ms. Peterson explained it is part of their national logo. Mr. Perna noted the letter height is 2’ 5” for the “F” in the word Firestone and 10-13/16” for the words Complete Auto Care. Ms. Flores questioned whether the trademark is allowed. Mr. Perna noted this is a national brand and would like the trademark (™) to remain. He indicated the ™ would be a piece of metal and would not be illuminated. Ms. Low noted other national companies have removed the ™ or ® from their signs. Ms. Peterson explained they would prefer to have the ™ on the sign. He confirmed the sign would be centered both horizontally and vertically. The commissioners discussed the proposed sign for the north elevation. Mr. Perna explained there used to be a neon-illuminated sign on a mansard roof. They are proposing lowering the sign and making it non-illuminated on the wall. The sign would be mounted on the brick. Ms. Chaitman noted the sign is not centered. Ms. Peterson explained the sign is off-center for visibility from Waukegan. If the sign were centered, it would not be visible from the street. Ms. Low questioned whether the sign could be centered between the downspout and the end of the building. Ms. Chaitman noted there are a number of bushes as well, which would impede visibility. Mr. Fulmer indicated the proposed sign is white, rather than red and blue like the other sign. Ms. Peterson explained the red letters would not show up on the red brick, so they opted for white letters. The commissioners discussed the proposed face change for the ground sign. Mr. Perna explained the face change would make the sign consistent with the other signs. Ms. Flores questioned whether the blue pole matches the blue on the sign. Ms. Peterson suggested painting the pole bronze, so they would not have to match the blue. Ch. Dunn questioned whether the cabinet could be bronze as well. Ms. Peterson explained the blue on the sign cabinet would match the sign. The commissioners believe the pole and the cabinet need to match in color. They would prefer the sign cabinet and pole match the Aristech blue (PMS 300C). The commissioners did not have any objections to the face change. Ms. Spagnoli confirmed the sign face would be flat. Ms. Chaitman expressed concern about the trademark on all the signs. Ms. Flores noted other large companies have removed the ™ symbol. She explained the ™ is also on their website. Ms. Low agrees, especially because it is such a solid brand. Mr. Fulmer is okay with the signs as presented. Ms. Peterson noted this is a new sign with Appearance Review Commission July 24, 2017 Page 3 of 5 a new logo. They would not want it copied. Ms. Low noted the Commission requested Shell and BP to remove the ™ on their sign. Ms. Peterson requested documentation where other companies have been requested to remove the ™ from their sign. Ch. Dunn explained the Commission could vote on this as presented. If the Commission votes this down, the petitioner can either prepare a submittal for fast track consideration or try to appeal the decision before the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Ms. Low moved to approve the wall sign on the east elevation for Firestone as presented with the trademark. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: Fulmer (1) NAYS: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Low (4) Ms. Flores moved to approve the wall sign on the east elevation for Firestone as presented without the trademark. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Low (5) NAYS: None (0) Ms. Chaitman moved to approve the wall sign on the north elevation for Firestone as presented with the trademark. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion did not pass AYES: Fulmer (1) NAYS: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Low (4) Mr. Fulmer moved to approve the wall sign for the north elevation for Firestone as presented without the trademark. Ms. Low seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Low (5) NAYS: None (0) Ms. Low moved to approve the ground sign for Firestone as presented with the clarification that the color or paint selected for the sign cabinet and pole matches the blue in the main Firestone sign (Aristech 2051/PMS 300C) and the trademark on the sign. Ms. Chaitman seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote: AYES: Fulmer NAYS: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Low (4) Appearance Review Commission July 24, 2017 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Chaitman moved to approve the ground sign for Firestone as presented with the clarification and pole would match the Aristech 2051 without the ™. AYES: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Low (5) NAYS: None (0) Items from the Commission Ms. Low noted the new bike shop has been parking bicycles with signs on them throughout the Village. Items from Staff Ms. Spagnoli noted Mr. Ed Mistretta from Exxon appeared before the Commission a few months ago. At that time, the foot candles were much higher than what was acceptable in the Appearance Code. They have presented an adjusted plan along with a photometric plan for fast track consideration. They have also requested approval to replace the bulbs under the building soffit. Ch. Dunn noted the lighting is brighter under the canopy but is in compliance with the Appearance Code. Ms. Low moved to approve the lighting package for Exxon at 700 Waukegan Road as presented. Mr. Fulmer seconded the motion. AYES: Chaitman, Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Low (5) NAYS: None (0) Ms. Spagnoli noted there is a violation of the window signage Ordinance with California Closets, as the entire window area is covered. Ms. Spagnoli noted some of the Public Works staff has requested additional decorations for the holidays. She distributed pictures of their proposals. The commissioners did not feel the images kept with the image of Deerfield. The commissioners liked what was done last year, as it looked lovely. The commissioners discussed the art panel on the AT&T building. Ms. Spagnoli distributed a photograph of the winning design and explained there was a competition at the high school. The mural will be refreshed every couple years. Ch. Dunn believes the mural looks lonely. Ms. Flores suggested adding a plaque near the sidewalk introducing the artist and the inspiration. Ms. Spagnoli spoke with administration about the outdoor eating area at the Italian Kitchen. She suggested bringing in the property owner, Jonathan Berger, to discuss planters for the center and having him guide Italian Kitchen through the process. Appearance Review Commission July 24, 2017 Page 5 of 5 The area by Jimmy Thai and the former Abruzzo has roof leakage problems. Once everything is fixed, they will paint the building removing all evidence of the old signs. Ch. Dunn noted Abruzzo still has directional signs as well. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, Ms. Chaitman moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Fulmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. The next regular meeting of the Appearance Review Commission will take place on August 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary