Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Plan and Design Commission met Oct. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER

At 7:30 PM Vice Chair Reinstein called the meeting to order and asked Director Fontane to call the roll.

II. ROLL CALL

Members Present: Glazer, Kutscheid, Leaf, Pearlstein, Reinstein

Members Absent: Hecht, Waxman

Planner Cross took the roll and declared a quorum present.

Staff Present: Cross, Fontane

Student Rep.: None

Council Liaison: Blumberg

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 25, 2018

Vice Chair Reinstein entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2018 meeting. Commissioner Kutscheid so motioned, seconded by Commissioner Pearlstein. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Vice Chair Reinstein entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2018 meeting with corrections. Commissioner Pearlstein so motioned, seconded by Commissioner Kutscheid. Commissioner Glazer voted present. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

IV. SCHEDULED BUSINESS

A. Design Review for a Façade Renovation at 1799 Green Bay Rd., the Former Moose Lodge.

Planner Cross made a presentation for the above item including property history, brick façade work added in 1971, façade restoration, proposed improvements, landscaping, metal awning over side door and recommendation.

Commissioner Kutscheid asked if the stairs were on City property or on the Moose Lodge property.

Planner Cross stated they were on private property.

Commissioner Kutscheid asked if there was any historic significance. Planner Cross stated no and it is not a local landmark.

Councilman Blumberg asked Mr. Emilfarb if he would consider eliminating the stairs at the front and some how develop an entrance that leaves more sidewalk. The biggest impediment discussed relative to the Green Bay Rd. retail corridor is the pedestrian access which is very narrow.

Mr. Hal Emilfarb, 601 Mulberry, Highland Park, IL, Owner, stated he would love to consider this and does not want to a delay due to this. He will meet with the people next door and discuss. He was not sure how it would work out.

Councilman Blumberg stated it was part of the design review and part of the design is the stairs.

Mr. Emilfarb stated he was interested in exploring this and will meet with the people next door and see where it leads.

Planner Cross stated Mr. Emilfarb was referring to one of the administrative approvals. Commissioner Kutscheid asked if they were planning on refinishing the face of the stairs.

Mr. Emilfarb stated they are trying to restore the original stucco look. They basically need to be repaired and may do tile. They would come back and discuss this. He did not know it was USO building. They want to bring it back as much as possible to the original building.

Commissioner Kutscheid stated there was a relief line runs that even with the awning that goes all the way across the base and helps break up the façade.

Mr. Emilfarb stated he will look at trying to keep to the art deco look. Commissioner Pearlstein stated it was a clean look.

Commissioner Leaf stated the historical photo shows the flagpole off center and the current shows it centered. He asked why they are keeping it since it is in bad shape.

Mr. Emilfarb stated it was the original flagpole, and thought it had karma. They may come back and ask to take it down. He stated there was a whole history he is still trying to figure out.

Commissioner Leaf stated it looks funny to see it bisecting the front.

Mr. Emilfarb stated the rendering does not show this. Before he does anything, he will come back and discuss this.

Vice Chair Reinstein mentioned the stairs on the west elevation and they had to be fixed. He thought the front looked better 50 years ago. He asked if there were elevation changes.

Mr. Emilfarb stated Green Bay Rd. was not as wide. Planner Cross stated there was a grade difference.

Mr. Emilfarb stated he agreed on the stairs and the sidewalk was his and the neighbor’s issue. All he is asking for tonight is to remove the brick.

Vice Chair Reinstein asked if he had a schedule.

Mr. Emilfarb stated no, they will have one after it is approved.

Commissioner Glazer stated his feelings about the flagpole were undetermined and it depends on the use of the building.

Mr. Emilfarb stated he is trying to keep the character of what is there. There is a theater and it was used for community events. There could be offices with open spaces. They want to keep the character of the building in and out. He stated the more he looks at the pole the odder it looks.

Commissioner Glazer stated if they rent to the VFW they may want to keep the flagpole there. He asked if they had any tenants.

Mr. Emilfarb stated they have a few people who are interested but they have not closed on anything.

Commissioner Glazer asked if the facility needed new HVAC.

Mr. Emilfarb stated they would probably install radiant heat. Commissioner Glazer asked if they had spoken with the neighbors. Mr. Emilfarb stated not yet.

Commissioner Kutscheid asked if parking was in their purview. Planner Cross stated no. He asked about the landscaping plans.

Mr. Emilfarb stated they are going to have flatter plants with a lower look. A tree would not look good in front and would hide what they are doing. They need to determine the best way to rearrange it. A tree off to the side will make the area look nice. They were thrilled to find it was a USO building.

Commissioner Kutscheid asked if the side is his property.

Mr. Emilfarb stated it ends at the end. The north is too crowded.

Commissioner Leaf asked if there was a tree there now.

Commissioner Kutscheid he was in favor of not putting a tree in.

Commissioner Leaf agreed.

Vice Chair Reinstein asked if there was a specific landscape requirement.

Planner Cross stated any time a building is modified it needs to meet the foundation planting requirements and the need for a tree is triggered.

Vice Chair Reinstein asked if there will a landscape plan.

Planner Cross stated staff did not pursue a formal plan because there are two planters and if there are eight shrubs there is relief to the tree requirement.

Vice Chair Reinstein asked if the stucco was like old time Chicago stucco or EIFS.

Mr. Emilfarb stated his bid is from Chicago Stucco. The only reason they would think about EIFS would be for insulation. They are thinking about regular stucco right now.

Commissioner Leaf stated he was OK with not requiring a tree. Commissioner Pearlstein stated she liked it a lot.

Commissioner Kutscheid stated the top third needs to be broken up. Commissioner Pearlstein asked why.

Commissioner Kutscheid stated it looks too heavy on top and the front entrance seems to be out of proportion. He asked if the applicant would take a look at adding the line.

Mr. Emilfarb stated they will seriously consider it and work with staff.

Planner Cross stated there is a vague shadow line. There was a canopy over the entrance. Commissioner Kutscheid stated there are two fake columns with a little overhang.

Vice Chair Reinstein asked if he was looking to have it drawn out to the ends of the building.

Commissioner Kutscheid stated if does not turn to be he was not going to hold it up. Planner Cross stated this would be a recommendation versus a condition.

Vice Chair Reinstein entertained a motion to approve. Commissioner Kutscheid so motioned with a recommendation to look at the architectural element even with the top of the entry plinth and include a variation to not install one tree, seconded by Commissioner Glazer.

Director Fontane called the roll:

Ayes: Pearlstein, Leaf, Kutscheid, Glazer, Reinstein Nays: None

Motion carried 5-0.

V. OTHER BUSINESS

A. Administrative Design Review Approvals - None

Planner Cross stated the new Park Dist. building has a modified rooftop screening and minor items.

Commissioner Kutscheid stated the Park Dist. utility screen is horizontal in look and asked if they could make it vertical.

Planner Cross stated he will pass this along. B. NextRegularMeeting-November6,2018

There are two design review items. A local architectural firm has been hired to update the fountain in Port Clinton.

Razny Jewelers is asking for a new sign package.

McGovern House will appear for a variation for parking relief. B’nai Torah is coming forward with a formal application.

The Karger Center PUD may be on the agenda.

Commissioner Leaf requested, for the Karger Center, all the parking relief granted for the large projects in Highland Park for the last five years.

Planner Cross stated he could do this and McGovern House used lifts. Councilman Blumberg stated he is asking to be excused from the lifts.

Director Fontane stated this was correct but they should not discuss this matter since it is not a public hearing.

Commissioner Kutscheid asked about the theater property received relief. Planner Cross stated yes.

Director Fontane there are quite a few items and they could begin earlier as a special meeting.

Commissioner Glazer stated the November 20th meeting was wide open.

Planner Cross stated the Karger Center could be moved to that date and the 2789 B’nai Torah project is straight forward. The McGovern parking relief will require some discussion.

Councilman Blumberg suggested there be a more formal approach to the meeting process. When there is a large backlog they could defer to the Chair and have him move down the line and question staff and applicant, go to public comment and then deliberate and vote. They would move through the items more rapidly.

Planner Cross stated they would work with Chair Hecht. C. CaseBriefing

Director Fontane stated Council approved Acura’s SUP with a series of conditions from the public hearing. They voted to approve the 120’ existing tree buffer remain. They are looking to move forward quickly. There is no ETA for the amended plans. The 176 Skokie Valley veterinarian hospital was approved. The amendment to Chapter 150 related to small wireless facilities and the amendment to Chapter 153 were approved.

Commissioner Leaf stated he would like to see the Commission be briefed on the Highland Park master plan.

Planner Cross stated the master plan was done in 1976 and updated 1999-2002. The goal is to do a major update. It was created before desktop publishing in disparate Word documents. It was reformatted into one single document with small changes. It also has to go through a public hearing.

Commissioner Leaf stated he would like to see a staff report addressing the industrial use and what their recommendations would be far as retaining industrial use areas in Highland Park and allowing them to change to residential.

Commissioner Leaf stated he would like to be briefed regarding the protective covenant regarding the Solo Cup property. Mr. Bernstein’s interpretation is different from theirs.

Planner Cross stated his interpretation is that it is held by the City. Commissioner Glazer asked if they were supposed to be discussing this. Director Fontane stated it is not before the Commission tonight.

VI. BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC

None.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair Reinstein entertained a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Kutscheid so motioned, seconded by Commissioner Pearlstein. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

The Plan and Design Commission adjourned at 8:15 PM.

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