Village of Deerfield Appearance Review Commission met May 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairperson Lisa Dunn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Present were:
Lisa Dunn, Chairperson
Sherry Flores
Tony Fulmer
Jason Golub
Daniel Moons
Absent was:
Beth Chaitman
Elizabeth Low
Also Present:
Jean Spagnoli, Village Planner
Jeri Cotton, Secretary
Public Comment:
There were no public comments on non-agenda items.
Document Approval:
Mr. Fulmer moved to approve the minutes from the March 20, 2017 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Business:
1. Cadwell’s Corners: Modification of Pylon Signs – Preliminary Review
Rob Costello, Principal with Torch Architecture and John Streetz with Doyle Signs were present. The building owner is requesting to add additional panels to the existing pylon signs on Lake Cook Road and Waukegan Road. Ch. Dunn questioned why the petitioner should be given a variance. The proposed sign would be 143.3 square feet while 120 square feet are allowed. Mr. Costello explained they are seeking larger pylon signs to gain more exposure and add tenant panels. He added they are trying to attract tenants to fill the empty spaces, especially the former greenhouse. Ch. Dunn noted they are allowing tenants to be on both signs. Mr. Moons would be in favor of the signs if they assist in filling empty tenant spaces. Ms. Flores noted the petitioner changed the space. Ch. Dunn explained the petitioner is looking to add four panels on both pylon signs. Mr. Streetz noted if the sign is approved, they would make sure the new panels would match as closely as possible so it would appear seamless. Ms. Spagnoli expressed concern because the new sign box would be different, an add-on and not part of the original sign cabinet.
Ms. Spagnoli questioned whether the existing sign criteria would need to be altered, to make the smaller signs look more consistent. Ms. Flores would prefer one color and a uniform font, as the sign is very busy. Ch. Dunn suggested only allowing text (no logos) on the eight smaller panels, but the existing tenants would be grandfathered in. Moving forward, the Commission could only allow black lettering without a logo on the bottom eight panels of the sign. The property owner will determine the single allowed font.
Ms. Flores moved to approve the pylon signs for Cadwell’s Corners on both Lake Cook and Waukegan Roads, contingent on Board approval. A sign cabinet would be added on each side to match the existing cabinet and be as seamless as possible. The approval is contingent upon changing the sign criteria to include having the bottom eight sign panels on each side of each sign with black type and one font that will be proposed by the petitioner. There will be no logos. Mr. Fulmer seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Golub, Moons (5)
Nays: None (0)
2. Erik’s Bike Board and Ski: 636 Deerfield Road – Wall Signs
Stephen Prochaska, president of Michael Signs was present. Mr. Prochaska proposed adding signage that fits within the sign criteria. The three signs will all have LED illumination and will be mounted to a very small raceway on the I-beam. The black outline on the word Erik’s would be perforated and slightly stand off the logo cabinet. Ms. Spagnoli noted the depth of the logo face varies 2” where the faces are typically approved at 1” or less. The red oval has a 4” depth with an additional 2” protrusion. The Ordinance requires all the elements to be flat and on the same plane. Mr. Prochaska noted they would make the sign flat, even though this is their logo. He could bring the channel letter out only 1”. Ch Dunn noted that would still be a 1” deviation. Ms. Spagnoli noted this would make the faces all on one plane. Mr. Fulmer questioned whether the south and west elevations were different. Mr. Prochaska explained the elevations are the same size. Mr. Golub noted that the sign on the south elevation is not above the front door. Mr. Proschaska explained the sign is closer to the front door. Mr. Golub noted the signs appear to be off-centered and should be centered. Mr. Proschaska noted the sign was originally larger, and would be centered over the three windows which is the center of the tenant space on the south elevation. Mr. Prochaska noted they would revise the side view to make everything within the 1” plane. The channel letters would be face lit with white trim caps and returns.
Mr. Moons moved to approve the Erik’s Bike Board and Ski signage as presented with the following changes: The south elevation sign will be centered between the three window bays. The three Erik’s logo will have face lit channel letters placed 1” off the red oval. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Dunn, Flores, Fulmer, Golub, Moons (5)
Nays: None (0)
3. Village Center Signage: Municipal Design Concept
Ms. Spagnoli explained the Northwest Quadrant Task Force was charged with developing a unified plan for the northwest quadrant of the Village Center. A sign concept was developed as part of the overall master plan. The Village is proposing a municipal parking lot just west of the cemetery and the lot should have some sort of sign to identify it as public parking. The thought was to use the signage plan suggested for the northwest quadrant. The other Village Center municipal parking lots should have matching signage.
Ms. Flores likes the identity and concept, but is not sure of the black color. Ch. Dunn would prefer the black, as it appears classier than the green font. She suggested having a green background with white letters on the side and a white sign with black letters on the main portion of the sign. Mr. Golub likes the concept but is not sure about the signage. Mr. Moons likes the gateway signs. Ms. Flores would prefer a different font. Mr. Fulmer does not believe the white background is distinctive. He would prefer the main section to have a green background and the side to be white with a green logo and black letters. The green background would have white letters. The commissioners believe the secondary directional sign should have the words Village of Deerfield on it.
The commissioners discussed the community events sign. Ms. Flores does not believe the Village should have an LED sign when they do not allow reader boards elsewhere in the Village. She would prefer a kiosk on the corner because it is more quaint. Ch. Dunn believe that type of sign is more for a small town. Mr. Moons likes the concept with the double poles. Mr. Fulmer, Mr. Golub and Ms. Flores do not believe the poles are substantial enough. They would prefer more embellishments that are softer. The commissioners believe the logo should be standard. They prefer the font that is on the website.
Items from the Commission:
As the Commission learned much from the presentation “The Power of Uniqueness”, Ch. Dunn questioned whether there are any training programs available for commissioners. Ms. Spagnoli explained there is a group out of the American Planning
Association that has made more than 60 presentations. Ms. Spagnoli would bring this up to staff, because it was brought up by the Commission.
Items from Staff:
Ms. Spagnoli explained Naf Naf Grill, which was previously approved, would like to change the color of the camel in their logo to brown rather than red. Ms. Flores questioned the limitations to the number of colors. Ms. Spagnoli explained the brown camel is in their logo and the logos, per the Sign Criteria, are allowed two colors plus white. Ch. Dunn would prefer the approved red color.
Mr. Golub moved to approve the alternate sign for Naf Naf Grill to change the previously approved sign by changing the color of the red camel to a brown camel. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Flores, Fulmer, Golub, Moons (4)
Nays: Dunn (1)
Adjournment:
There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Moons moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Fulmer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 pm.
The next regular meeting of the Appearance Review Commission will take place on May 22, 2017 at 7:30 pm.
http://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05082017-305
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