Planning & Zoning Board

April 28, 2015 WHEATON PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Schwarze called the April 28, 2015 Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were: Roll Call Vote Present: Chris Derrick Linda Johnson Patricia Schwarze Scott Weller Absent: Suzanne Fitch Bob Gudmundson Mark Plunkett City Staff Present: Tracy Jones, Staff Planner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 24, 2015 The minutes were approved as presented. III. PUBLIC COMMENT There was none. IV. NEW BUSINESS ZA #15-04/ TEXT AMENDMENT/ ARTICLE 23/ SIGNS Pursuant to notice duly published on April 9, 2015, Chair Schwarze called to order the April 28, 2015 public hearing requesting a proposed amendment to Article 23 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Signs. The proposed text amendment, initiated by City Staff, deletes the existing regulations for Article 23.4.1 Attention- Getting Devices and Article 23.7.3(d) Window Signs in their entirety and replaces them with new language in order to prohibit perimeter window lighting. Staff Planner Jones stated that Article 23.7.3(d) of the Zoning Ordinance currently allows perimeter window lighting provided it complies with the other regulations pertaining to window signs. Because it does not identify or advertise a specific business, product, etc., it is Staff’s opinion that perimeter window lighting is not a sign, but actually an Attention-Getting Device. Staff Planner Jones stated that although few businesses use perimeter window lighting, the type of lighting that was used for perimeter window lighting in the past was neon tubing, which was relatively dim and unobtrusive. Today, LED bulbs have replaced neon, and as a result, perimeter window lighting is extremely bright and obtrusive. Staff Planner Jones stated that the following language is proposed for Article 23.4.1 Attention Getting Devices: “No attention getting device, including but not limited to pennants, streamers, festooned lights, perimeter window lighting, whirligigs, nor any sign which is designed to be moved by the wind, shall be permitted, except as provided in this Article.” Staff Planner Jones stated that the following language is proposed for Article 23.7.3(d) Window Signs:  Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board April 28, 2015 Page - 2 - of 2 “Neon and/or LED signs may be installed as window signs subject to these regulations.” Mr. Weller questioned the motivation for the text amendment. Staff Planner Jones stated that Staff was trying to be proactive with the sign regulations. Mr. Weller moved and then Mr. Derrick seconded the motion to close the public hearing. On a voice vote, all voted aye. The Board decided to vote this evening. Mr. Weller moved and then Ms. Johnson seconded the motion to approve a proposed amendment to Article 23 of the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance deleting the existing regulations for Article 23.4.1 Attention-Getting Devices and Article 23.7.3(d) Window Signs in their entirety and replacing them with new language as presented by Staff. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Chris Derrick Linda Johnson Patricia Schwarze Scott Weller Nays: None Absent: Suzanne Fitch Bob Gudmundson Mark Plunkett Motion Passed Unanimously V. MISCELLANEOUS Chair Schwarze thanked Ms. Fitch for her 8 years of service to the Planning and Zoning Board and congratulated Ms. Fitch on her recent election to the City Council. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Weller moved and then Mr. Derrick seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. On a voice vote, all voted aye. Respectfully submitted, Tracy L. Jones, Staff Planner