Appearance Commission

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD MEETING MINUTES DATE OF MEETING: February 5, 2026 Appearance Commission Village Hall Board Room 6:00 pm 2020 Chestnut Street Homewood, IL 60430 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hrymak called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. ROLL CALL: Members Banks, Scheffke, Preston, Gonser, Kluck and Chair Hrymak were present. In attendance from Village staff were Angela Mesaros, Director of Economic and Community Development; and Darlene Leonard, Administrative Secretary. There were no members of the public in attendance, there were 4 members of the public attending virtually. AYES: 6 (Members Banks, Scheffke, Preston, Gonser, Kluck, and Chair Hrymak) NAYS: 0 ABSTENTIONS: 0 ABSENT: 1 (Member Quirke) APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Chair Hrymak asked for corrections from the December 4, 2025 meeting minutes. Member Kluck stated at the bottom of page 6 in Chair Hrymak’s comments that “business” should be changed to “busiest”. On page 7 in Member Quirke’s comments “bene” needs to be changed to “been”. Member Preston stated on Page 2 at the top “Meeting” has too many E’s and she is listed in attendance in absent. She was not at the meeting. On page 5 in the conditions, Number 7 needs to have a “.” after the 7 for continuity, and in number 5 “development” should be added to the title. Motion to approve the minutes as amended by Member Kluck; seconded by Member Banks. AYES: 6 (Members Banks, Scheffke, Preston, Gonser, Kluck, and Chair Hrymak) NAYS: 0 ABSTENTIONS: 0 ABSENT: 1 (Member Quirke) PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. Meeting Minutes | February 5, 2026 1 of 4 Q:\Appearance Commission\MEETINGS\2026\3. MINUTES\DRAFT\2026-2-4 AC Minutes.draft.docx Last Revised: 03/06/2026 7:43 PM  Appearance Commission Village of Homewood REGULAR BUSINESS: CASE 26-01- COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN, RAISING CANE’S AT 17601 HALSTED STREET: Chair Hrymak introduced the case and asked if it is Raisin’ or Raising.  Both Assistant Director Schumerth and Staff Liaison Mesaros stated Raising. Assistant Director Schumerth introduced the signage plan and stated the applicant wanted to install more signage so they submitted a sign plan. Chair Hrymak stated these are not variances.  Assistant Director Schumerth stated correct, it’s a sign plan. Kandyn Leach from AGI Architects stated they are proposing a creative approach to the signage. The site is the former Freddy’s and they will be updating the property and signage. The monument sign will be in the same location. Wall signage will go up around the building. There will be some modifications for the wall signs, but then will not exceed the square footage allotted. “One Love” is the motto and they propose no more than two signs per elevation. There will be a painted mural, which is standard, and they will include the Village name on it. There will be signage on the rear of the building, a logo on the side and the dog banner, which is their mascot. There is a maximum of 6 wall signs per site. They are asking for an additional 19-1/2 square feet to include “Homewood” on the mural proposed on the wall on the drive-thru side of the building. However, if necessary it can be relocated. There would be new pre-sale menu boards installed that allow customers to see the specials. They have found that these help expedite ordering and prevent traffic backups. They are proposing one additional mini board to help traffic get through as fast as possible and a neon “open” sign. They propose four additional wall signs, an increase of square footage for the mural, and the one additional menu board. Member Preston stated it is many nice displays and thinks the number is necessary for the footprint, and asked what would be done if the approval were only given for two signs.  Ms. Leach stated the submittal is what is thought to be needed for visibility. Customers get excited for the signage and the community gets excited. They try to avoid sign clutter, which is why they do the logo, mural, and banner. And, people enjoy seeing the dog.  Assistant Director Schumerth stated the previous tenant had six signs as well so this would not be an increase in the total number of wall signs.  Dorothy Parks stated the signage is important because of the topography of the site. The private drive is lower with the building higher. The higher sign is what would been seen. The mural is where exposure occurs while getting food. There is not a lot of visible because of the layout and topography. Chair Hrymak stated he likes the dog and likes that the name of the town is included; it’s a nice little touch. A motion to approve was made by Member Gonser, seconded by Member Preston AYES: 6 (Members Banks, Scheffke, Preston, Gonser, Kluck, and Chair Hrymak) NAYS: 0 ABSTENTIONS: 0 ABSENT: 1 (Member Quirke) Meeting Minutes | February 4, 2026 2 of 4 C:\Users\MeetingsOfficeUser17\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpA65C.tmp Last Revised: 03/06/2026 7:43 PM  Appearance Commission Village of Homewood OLD BUSINESS: Chair Hrymak asked if there was any old business. Member Kluck asked about the gable dormer at Park West Plaza. And, that the front wall is being torn down at the old Brunswick location.  Staff Liaison Mesaros stated that Staff spoke with the owner of Park West Plaza and confirmed that they will be putting the dormer up in better weather. Chair Hrymak asked when the donut shop would be opening.  Building Department Secretary stated they have not had their final construction inspections and they still need to apply for their business licensing. NEW BUSINESS: Chair Hrymak asked if there was any new business. Assistant Director Schumerth stated they would consider a sign variance for Dynamite Shrimp in Southgate. On the 10th at the Village Board meeting there will be 4 proposals for the TOD for the downtown sites. Staff Liaison Mesaros stated the TOD proposals are on the Village’s website, if the Commission wants to view them. The proposals will be narrowed to two and the Village Board will narrow it to one and vote on it on February 10th. Member Scheffke asked the criteria used to narrow it down. Assistant Director Schumerth stated they used feedback from previous comments and there are eight or nine categories including housing, design, open space and site needs. Staff Liaison Mesaros stated the reports include the criteria. Assistant Director Schumerth stated it can be provided if requested. ADJOURN: A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Member Gonser; seconded by Member Scheffke. AYES: 6 (Members Banks, Scheffke, Preston, Gonser, Kluck and Chair Hrymak) NAYS: 0 ABSTENTIONS: 0 ABSENT: 1 (Member Quirke) The meeting adjourned at 6:28 pm. Respectfully submitted, Meeting Minutes | February 4, 2026 3 of 4 C:\Users\MeetingsOfficeUser17\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpA65C.tmp Last Revised: 03/06/2026 7:43 PM  Appearance Commission Village of Homewood Darlene Leonard Darlene Leonard Administrative Secretary Meeting Minutes | February 4, 2026 4 of 4 C:\Users\MeetingsOfficeUser17\AppData\Local\Temp\tmpA65C.tmp Last Revised: 03/06/2026 7:43 PM