Plan Commission

APPROVED PLAN COMMISSION VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD The Plan Commission of the Village of Deerfield held a Workshop Meeting at 7:30 P.M. on February 19, 2015 at the Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairman Shapiro called the meeting to order. Present were: Dan Shapiro, Chairman Larry Berg Alan Bromberg Elaine Jacoby Jim Moyer Mary Oppenheim Stuart Shayman Also present: Jeff Ryckaert, Principal Planner Dan Nakahara, Associate Planner Public Comment on a Non-Agenda Item There was no public comment. Prefiling Conference: Request for a Special Use and an Amendment to the Deerbrook Shopping Center Commercial Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Permit the Establishment of a Portillo’s Restaurant with Drive-Thru and an Outdoor Seating Area at 300 S. Waukegan Road (former Bally’s Fitness Outlot) Sherri Abruscato, COO and Rich Pozzi, Project Manager,Portillo’s Restaurant Group, were happy to be back to present a proposal to establish a Portillo’s restaurant in the Deerbrook Shopping Center. Walter Sydor, architect, introduced the former Bally’s Fitness outlot as the site in which they are proposing their restaurant. The proposed building footprint will be smaller than the previous Bally’s building but in the same location. The existing entrances into the site will remain the same. Mr. Sydor noted that the Portillo’s drive-thru operation is very different from other drive- through restaurant facilities during peak demand. Portillo’s will have a dual-lane drive- thru. During non-peak hours they operate their drive-thru windows and lanes like any other drive-thru facility. During busy hours, Portillo’s utilize employees (runners) to work in the drive-thru operation to take and fulfill orders. This is done to expedite the transaction and provide an efficient service for the customer. Mr. Sydor explained that in order to keep pedestrians away from drive-thru operation they wrapped the vehicle stacking on the western most part of the site. This allows pedestrians to park closest to the building and have access to the building’s main entrance. Perimeter parking will mainly stay the same with new parking islands to the north and west of the building. Workshop Meeting February 19, 2015 Page 2 There will be large trash enclosure south of the building and will be accessed by employees from the rear of the building. The trash enclosure area also acts as the loading area. All loading would take place before the restaurant opens at 10:30AM. Mr. Sydor noted that they will not be moving the existing transformers at the south property line. Mr. Sydor stated that there will be 162 parking spaces, an increase of 24 parking spaces that were on the site previously. Mr. Sydor commented that they will be putting in bicycle racks near the main entrance into the building and away from the outdoor dining area. Commissioner Moyer asked if they considered electric charging stations. Portillo’s had not considered this and a brief discussion ensued on the issue. Commissioner Oppenheim asked for clarification on how the dual drive-thru lanes are used during busy hours. Mr. Sydor commented that during peak hours employees are in the lanes taking and fulfilling orders and directing traffic through the lanes. Ms. Abruscato commented that during non-peak hours, one lane is used and the second lane is used to get vehicles out of line when orders have been fulfilled quickly. The second lane gives Portillo’s a lot of flexibility in their operations. Commissioner Bromberg asked where was the location of the menu board. Mr. Sydor noted its location in the south peninsula parking island. Jeff Atkins, designer, Mercury Studios, commented that he has been doing design work for Portillo’s restaurants for 29 years. For the subject property they have created a 70’s themed architecture. The north elevation is main entrance for the building and will have a large entrance feature with a waffle top soffit detail in classic 70’s style. A blade wall detail on the west elevation will have red LED banding. The structure will be a single- story precast building with brick accent detail. The color of the building will be earth tones with a softer color palate. The west elevation will have a metal sunshade detail that will provide some sun coverage and will break up the building elevation. Commissioner Jacoby inquired about the painting on the west elevation. Mr. Atkins noted that they incorporate period ghost signage. Mr. Atkins explained that ghost signage is hand painted and faded in appearance to simulate old advertisements painted on building structures. Ghost signage has the appearance of 60-70 year old advertisements and is used as architectural ornamentation. He explained that they intend to do some research with the Deerfield Historical Society to come up with an existing Deerfield business or product that could be illustrated for this type of vintage ghost signage. There are a total of four ghost signs on the building. Mr. Atkins discussed the remaining building elevations and noted that the lighting on the building shine down on the building and provide perimeter illumination for the outside workers. Mr. Atkins commented that their team had an internal discussion and have decided to integrate the Portillo’s logo font used on their print material for their building signage. This sign font detail would be used on the north and east elevation signs. Mr. Atkins displayed changes to the sign font detail. Another change from the originally submitted material was the freestanding “Pokey” sculpture over the main entrance of their building will be changed to a relief sculpture. Mr. Atkins noted that they are proposing a wall Workshop Meeting February 19, 2015 Page 3 mounted sign element of “Pokey” over the main entrance. The petitioner feels that this change to eliminate a 3-D floating sculpture addresses concerns of the sculpture while still integrating “Pokey” into their design. Commissioner Jacoby asked if the Portillo’s plans to have the 3 dimensional dog (Pokey) on other future Portillo’s restaurants. Mr. Atkins commented that they like the idea of integrating the sculpture into future restaurants and noted three existing restaurants with the “Pokey” sculpture. Mr. Atkins outlined the building textures, materials and colors as displayed on the submitted materials and colors sheet. Mr. Atkins noted that they build their parapets higher due to the fact that many of their roof top mechanicals can be up to 5-1/2 feet tall. He also noted the materials used for the outdoor area which will seat 44. Commissioner Moyer asked if there are safety measures in place for the outdoor seating area. Mr. Atkins noted that the seating area is enclosed by 6”X6” steel posts spaced 6’ apart in concrete. The area is fenced on the east and west sides of the seating area so that customers do not walk into the drive aisles, otherwise the outdoor area is open. Commissioner Oppenheim commented that the outdoor area would have to be enclosed if they seek a liquor license. Mr. Atkins noted that they are not seeking a liquor license at this time and have moved away from serving liquor at their restaurants. Commissioner Jacoby inquired about the trash enclosure. Mr. Sydor commented that the trash enclosure will have a concrete base with materials that will match the building. The gates will be a steel framed hinged structure and will match the color and material of the building. There will be a flower planter will cap at the top of the trash enclosure. Landscaping will surround the trash enclosure. A discussion ensued about the access door to the sprinkler room and emergency exit door both of which are on the west side of the building. Commissioner Jacoby asked if parking was designated for employees. Mr. Sydor noted that employees will park away from the building and will also utilize the parking spaces on the west portion and southwest corner of the site where drive-thru stacking will occur. Commissioner Bromberg commented that existing underground parking is available under the former Wonder building. Commissioner Bromberg asked the petitioner how many employees they will employ. Ms. Abruscato noted that they will initially hire approximately 120 employees including seasonal help. They will average approximately 85 employees with approximately 40- 45 employees on site during peak hours. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday, 10:30AM – 10:30PM, Friday and Saturday, 10:30AM – 11:00PM and Sundays, 10:30AM – 10:00PM. A discussion ensued on the access way from the trash enclosure to the building for deliveries. Deliveries will use the trash enclosure area for deliveries as it provides easy access to the rear of the building. Deliveries will take place before the restaurant opens for business. Workshop Meeting February 19, 2015 Page 4 Commissioner Bromberg asked staff about the variations for the signage. Mr. Ryckaert commented that there are variations for the height of the sign on the north elevation, exceeding the square footage, sign depth maximums, and some of the signage is not within the sign criteria for the Deerbrook Shopping Center. The variations will not go before the Board of Zoning Appeals although the sign variations will be reviewed by the Plan Commission and the Appearance Review Commission (ARC). Both the Plan Commission and ARC will submit their comments to the Board of Trustees independently. Commissioner Bromberg asked about the red LED banding on the building and if it is allowed. Mr. Ryckaert noted that if the LED banding were on a sign it would not be allowed. He stated the Appearance Code discourages light banding and staff has discussed with the petitioner making the LED banding less obtrusive. Mr. Atkins commented that ownership is okay with having multiple colors on their signage. Commissioner Shayman wanted confirmation that the brick will be colored as presented. Mr. Atkins stated that painting the precast brick elements are an involved and tedious process but the outcome is a very realistic brick look and color detail. He added that the texture and coloring have aged well in other restaurants where this process is used. Commissioner Oppenheim commented that the wall relief of the “Pokey” sculpture is a great modification from the previously proposed free standing sculpture. She realizes that this will be an additional sign on the north elevation and will require a variation. Mr. Ryckaert commented that this variation would be similar to the variation that McDonalds received for their “swish” (a second wall sign) above their McDonalds sign. Brad McAtee, President, VIP Service Group, LLC presented on the landscape plan. Mr. McAtee commented that the trash enclosure will be heavily landscaped and the flower planters on the top enclosure will be internally irrigated and have seasonal plantings. He noted Mr. Portillo puts a lot of money and emphasis into the design and look of his restaurants and he carries that theme in the landscaping. Mr. McAtee explained the landscaping plan and focal points on the site. Mr. McAtee commented that they are utilizing the areas along the drive-thru lane to provide a positive and pleasant experience with their plantings. He commented that a lot goes into the annuals and plantings around the building and that these will add color to the building. Trees and landscaping in the islands will be hearty and salt tolerant. Commissioner Shayman asked Mr. McAtee if they were responsible for the plantings on their site. Mr. McAtee said that typically they are responsible for the plantings on the site although he would have to defer to the lease agreement. Chairman Shapiro asked if there will be planters at the main entrance (north elevation). Mr. Atkins said that they will have larger container planters around the building. Commissioner Oppenheim applauded the petitioner that they have a smart choice in their perennial mix and landscape plan. The petitioner asked if there were any signage questions. Chairman Shapiro stated that he was fine with the signage package as revised and believes that as a group the Commission does not have issues with the signage. Workshop Meeting February 19, 2015 Page 5 Commissioner Oppenheim was impressed that the petitioner will reach out to the Deerfield Historical Society to find something appropriate as a vintage focal point and loved the vintage “Welcome to Deerfield” ghost sign on the south end. She commented that there are a lot of colors and textures on this building and feels that the modulation and design of the building and color palate will put it together nicely. She hopes the ARC will appreciate these aspects as well. Commissioner Moyer asked if this Portillo’s restaurant will also have a Barnelli’s. Mr. Atkins noted that it will not have a Barnelli’s but there will be a salad bar. A public hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2015. There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Daniel Nakahara