Architectural Control Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMISSION VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS July 12, 2012 Commission Members Present (5) Alan Schwall, Chairman Lori Jordison Robert Katz Mike Rubenstein Cliff Town Commission Members Absent (2) F. Dirk Heidbrink David Menn Village Staff Present Nick Desario, Assistant Director of Building and Development Michaela Kohlstedt, Senior Planner Stacy Seiden, Recorder Additional Attendees Anna Amen, Business Manager, Northbrook Public Library Sharon Bergstein, Trustee, Northbrook Public Library Jennifer Betancourt, Architect, Dewberry Architects Inc. Mark Crampton, Resident at 1247 Church Street Danny Konovalchik, Owner, DK Signs & Graphics Inc. Brian Meade, Design Director, Dewberry Architects Inc. Chadwick Raymond, Director, Northbrook Public Library Eric Robbins, Assistant Director, Northbrook Public Library 1. Call to Order Chairman Pro Tem Town called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall at 5:35 PM. 2. Public Comments There were no comments from the public. 3. Review of Minutes Member Katz moved, seconded by Member Jordison, to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2012 meeting of the Architectural Control Commission (ACC) without any corrections. On a voice vote, the motion carried. 4. VGO Design Review Permit Applications  2 a. 1384 Meadow Road – Danny Konovalchik on behalf of Sarpino’s Pizzeria: Request for a Level III Design Review Permit to install a new wall sign Senior Planner Kohlstedt presented the application. The property is located within the Village Green Overlay (VGO) District. Consequently, design review is necessary before any new sign can be installed. Specifically, a Level III Design Review permit is required. As such, the commission reviews the permit application and forwards its recommendation to the Board of Trustees for its consideration and approval, as appropriate. Sarpino’s Pizzeria requests a Design Review Permit for a new wall sign on the east façade of the tenant space within the recently renovated commercial building. The proposed sign would be installed on the façade above the tenant space windows and entrance, similar to the other signs on the façade. The sign states “Sarpino’s” in red plexi glass letters and the word “pizzeria” below in a white plexi box, with green and red vinyl on top. Senior Planner Kohlstedt shared relevant color samples and reported that the proposed sign complies with the total allowable square footage for a sign on the tenant space façade within the shopping center. She also reviewed relevant Design Guidelines. Upon determining that the proposed sign met relevant guidelines, Member Rubenstein motioned, seconded by Member Katz, to recommend approval of the application for a Level III Design Review Permit for 1384 Meadow Road. On a voice vote, the motion carried. b. 1201 Cedar Lane – Northbrook Public Library: Request for a Level III Design Review Permit for a façade change (Docket No. 12-15) Senior Planner Kohlstedt presented the application. The Northbrook Public Library proposes constructing a 2,000 square foot addition to the first floor of the existing library. The proposed addition would increase the size of the auditorium and meeting spaces, as well as provide additional storage and reconfigure the entrances to maximize the usable space on the first level. Since the property is located within the VGO District, the proposed façade change requires ACC review of the Level III Design Review Permit application. The application is also scheduled for a public hearing before the Plan Commission on July 17. Both the ACC and Plan Commission will forward their respective recommendations to the Board for its consideration and approval, as appropriate. To create a cohesive façade with the proposed addition, the library would install a new façade around the entire first floor of the building. The new façade would consist of varying shades of Trespa Meteon panels placed in a rhythmic pattern. The panels, ranging in color from Pure White, Silver Gray, Mid Gray, to Iron Gray, would be installed in varying widths to create the effect of pages in an opened book. Senior Planner Kohlstedt reviewed relevant Design Guidelines and presented relevant material samples. Staff also shared relevant color elevations and renderings of the proposed design. Mr. Meade elaborated on the proposed façade and vision to unify previous library building additions by creating a consistent base and look. The Trespa panels are a dense and durable European product that has been in use for over 50 years. Local buildings featuring the panels include Harper College and the College of DuPage.  3 Mr. Meade described creating a gradient pattern using nine feet high panels in varying widths and a neutral color palette. He discussed with commission members how the proposed façade would fit in to the existing building, municipal campus, and community as a whole. Upon questioning, Mr. Meade clarified that the white and black panels would not be placed side by side at any point along the proposed façade. Member Rubenstein suggested that other products manufactured in the United States might be considered. While the commission agreed with the overall design concept, members discussed the importance of viewing the planned colors and pattern in context, particularly since the request involves a bold change to a prominent building. Therefore, the commission requested to view a full-size mock up of part of the proposed facade prior to approving the Level III Design Review Permit application. Accordingly, depending on availability, either full-size Trespa panels in the appropriate colors or plywood cut to scale and painted the appropriate colors will be available for commission members to view later this month. Senior Planner Kohlstedt will notify members when the mock up is available for viewing individually outside the library. The commission will then vote on whether to recommend approval of the Level III Design Review Permit application at its August 9 meeting. Senior Planner Kohlstedt requested that members contact her if they have serious concerns about the proposed facade after viewing the mock up, so that these concerns can be addressed at the August meeting. 5. Request for Permit Extension a. 1243 Church Street – Dr. Walid Hindo: Request for a permit extension for a new single family residence (Permit #10-G-213) Assistant Director Desario presented the request. Dr. Hindo owns the property at 1243 Church Street. On October 22, 2010, a building permit was approved for the construction of a new single family residence on the property. The development is currently not complete and the initial permit expired on April 22, 2012. Staff granted a 90-day extension, which expires July 22. In a letter dated June 29, 2012 to the ACC and Building Department, Dr. Hindo requested a permit extension though November 2012 in order to complete the remaining work. He stated that he is making arrangements to secure the necessary financing and reported that, according to his architect, the remaining work can be completed in three to four months, assuming that the requisite financing is available. As the architect and general contractor for 1243 Church, Member Town answered questions about the development. Mr. Crampton expressed several concerns regarding the unfinished development, most notably the absence of a garage, which Mr. Crampton believed may indicate that Dr. Hindo does not intend to use the property as a residence. Mr. Crampton also cited drainage issues, which have resulted in flooding of his backyard. Member Town noted that a driveway is included in the architectural plans. Assistant Director Desario also commented that the issued permit was for a single family residence and final exterior grading has yet to take place.  4 To address the drainage issues raised by Mr. Crampton and the permit extension request of Dr. Hindo, Member Rubenstein moved that: 1) a 30-day permit extension be granted for exterior site grading at 1243 Church Street, 2) the property owner must submit an as-build drawing, confirming that final grades conform to permit-approved drawings, and 3) upon confirmation that the exterior grading contingency has been met, a full permit extension will be granted through December 31, 2012. The motion was seconded. Member Town recused himself from voting and, on a voice vote, the motion carried. 6. New Single Family Elevations There were no new single family elevations for the commission to consider. 7. New Business There was no new business. 8. Old Business There was no old business. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Member Rubenstein moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded and, on a voice vote, the motion carried. Chairman Schwall adjourned the meeting at 6:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Stacy Seiden Recorder