Village of Deerfield Appearance Review Commission met Oct. 26
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held electronically at 7:30 p.m. Chairperson Lisa Dunn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Present were
Beth Chaitman
Lisa Dunn, Chairperson
Sherry Flores
Jason Golub
Troy Mock
Daniel Moons
Amy Schneider
Also Present:
Liz Delevitt, Planning & Design Specialist
Jeri Cotton, Secretary
Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Manager (present at Village Hall) Public Comment:
There were no emails received before the meeting and no one present at Village Hall for Public Comment.
Document Approval
Ms. Flores moved to approve the minutes from the September 22, 2020 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Mock, Moons, Schneider, Dunn (7)
NAYS: None (0)
Business:
1. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 190 Waukegan Road – Wall Sign and Monument Sign Panels
Salam Najjar, Owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Tony Stephens with Heritage Companies were present. Mr. Najjar explained they propose a wall sign and two (2) sign panels for the monument sign. The proposed wall sign will be centered over the tenant space frontage and meets the 190 Waukegan Road Sign Criteria and Deerfield Zoning Ordinance. The proposed monument sign panels use the franchise’s three (3) colors to stay consistent with their brand identity and matches the wall sign.
Mr. Najjar explained the returns on the wall sign would be black. The restaurant name uses the font Mencken Standard Narrow for the word “Tropical” and Bebas Neue Regular for the words “Smoothie Cafe”. Ms. Flores believes the yellow on the wall sign will be readable with black returns, but expressed concern that the yellow on the monument sign panels will be difficult to read. The proposed wall sign has LED internally illuminated letters with acrylic faces. Ms. Chatiman asked if there were color limitations for the center. Ms. Delevitt noted this center does not have color limitations. She noted the previous sign for C2 Education was centered over the door instead of the tenant space. Mr. Stephens expressed concern about the future wall signs over the remaining portion of the former Panera Bread space getting too crowded. Mr. Stephens explained they are trying to work with the spacing in the sign criteria. The Commissioners were ok with the proposed sign location. Ms. Delevitt noted the wall needs to be repaired and painted from the former sign before the new sign is installed.
The Commissioners discussed the proposed monument sign panels. Ms. Flores is concerned about the readability and recommended only having the blue color. She is okay having the branded fonts if they are all in Intense Blue 3M 3630-127. Mr. Mock noted the Commission previously discussed having multiple colors on the monument sign panels when Jersey Mike’s Subs came through. He is okay with having multiple colors on the wall sign, but believes all three (3) words on the monument sign panels should match the Intense Blue color on the adjacent panels. Ms. Schneider agreed that the word “Tropical” would not be readable. Mr. Najjar showed other color options for the monument sign panels. He agreed it makes sense to be consistent or have the word “Cafe” in orange. Ms. Flores, Mr. Golub and Mr. Mock prefer using only the Intense Blue color. Ms. Schneider and Ms. Chaitman are in favor of either the all blue panels or the blue and orange panels. Ms. Chaitman likes the pop of color. Mr. Moons is okay with either the orange or all blue options.
Ms. Flores moved to approve the Tropical Smoothie Cafe wall sign as proposed with the wall behind the sign restored to a like-new condition. Ms. Schneider seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Moons, Schneider, Dunn (6)
NAYS: Mock (1)
Ms. Schneider moved to approve the monument sign panels with the words “Tropical” and “Smoothie” in Intense Blue and the word “Cafe” in orange. Mr. Moons seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote:
AYES: Chaitman, Moons, Schneider (3)
NAYS: Flores, Golub, Mock, Dunn (4)
Mr. Mock moved to reconsider the vote and approve the monument sign panels with all three (3) words in Intense Blue. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Mock, Moons, Schneider, Dunn (6)
NAYS: None (0)
ABSENT: Golub (1)
2. ComEd Substation, 525 Lake Cook Road – New Antenna Support Structure
Darren Boundy, Christopher Collins and David Blackmore with ComEd, Darren Olson with Christopher Burke Engineering, Scott Saef with Sidley Austin LLP, Kyle Sakach with Sargent & Lundy LLC and Robert Kolar with HBK Engineering LLC were all present. The petitioners took turns presenting the project to the Commission.
Darren Boundy, External Affairs Manager with ComEd, discussed the Smart Grid Initiative project, including the proposed antenna support structure. The structure’s location is within the existing substation property to minimize the visual impact on the surroundings. Most of the equipment for the program will be located inside the existing building with the exception of the new structure.
Christopher Collins, Senior Manager at ComEd, explained this is a companywide program, which will result in decreasing outages and the duration of outages as well as increasing overall efficiency. ComEd is planning to deploy more equipment on distribution poles, creating the need for another antenna structure that will service the local area. Mr. Collins noted the proposed structure is not a cell tower; its use is for internal communication only. One requirement is that it has to be close to the building within the substation housing the equipment. They are utilizing the existing building. The antenna structure is placed as far as possible from nearby buildings.
Darren Olson, Vice President at Christopher Burke Engineering, noted railroad tracks border the substation property to the west. There is landscape screening along portions of the east and west property lines. The remainder of the grounds are generally grass. The north portion of the site is 20’ above the roadway, due to the railroad underpass. Mr. Moons asked if there is a sidewalk running along Lake Cook Road. Mr. Olson explained there is an existing sidewalk with a chain link fence that is currently unscreened.
Land Use Attorney Scott Saef noted ComEd has unique considerations when it comes to landscaping. Mr. Olson explained there is 16.5 feet from the sidewalk to the substation fence along the north property line. Vegetation cannot be closer than 10’ from the substation fence for security reasons. Mr. Olson noted vegetation is also limited to 8-10’ in height. This is due to overhead wire clearances and preventing someone from climbing over the fence. Ms. Delevitt noted there are 16.5 feet between the property line and fence is at its narrowest point. Mr. Moons added as you move further west the distance increases to over 52 feet, which is plenty of room for landscaping. Mr. Saef noted the proposal does not include a landscape plan due to the limited visibility from Lake Cook Road.
Ms. Delevitt noted the Commission is voting on the appearance of the antenna support structure, not the use. Mr. Moons believes it would be nice to improve the appearance of the property while they are doing work on the site. The Commissioners would like landscaping added to the proposal. Ms. Schneider inquired about other appearance options, as the proposed structure does not blend in well with the surrounding area. Mr. Collins noted the other structures on the site are the same color and tone. Ms. Chaitman and Ch. Dunn believe it would be hard to hide such a massive structure. Mr. Mock would like to see this parcel of land look nicer. Ms. Flores noted the City of Lake Forest painted their water tower to match the sky. Ms. Delevitt explained any approval from the ARC would be dependent on the Plan Commission and Board’s approval of the new antenna structure.
Mr. Moons moved to approve the new 104’ high ComEd antenna support structure as presented. Ms. Chaitman seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote:
AYES: None (0)
NAYS: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Mock, Moons, Schneider, Dunn (7)
Ms. Delevitt noted the applicant could revise and resubmit drawings for the upcoming Appearance Review Commission meeting in November or December. Mr. Saef explained they heard the feedback and will do their best for a different vote next time.
3. NorthShore Center for Oral and Facial Surgery, 700 Osterman Avenue – Wall Sign and Ground Signs
Architect Luigi Randazzo with Keystone Planning and Design and Dr. Walter Tatch, business Owner, were present. Dr. Tatch explained North Shore Center for Oral and Facial Surgery (NSCOFS) revised their signage submittal to comply with the ARC’s requests. Mr. Randazzo discussed the proposed signage changes. The signage meets the Deerfield Square Sign Criteria, which is applicable to the property. The proposed wall signs fit within the existing sign panels. One (1) wall sign will be off Osterman Avenue, one (1) wall sign will face the parking lot and one (1) wall sign will face the driveway.
NSCOFS also proposes a 3’-10” high monument sign. The monument sign will have a white painted aluminum background with vinyl letters in the brand’s colors. There is a logo and two (2) rows of letters. The monument base is composed of masonry brick with a limestone cap.
The proposed wall signs will be on three (3) different elevations. The signage represents two (2) businesses with branding that differs in color and proportion. The sign on the west elevation is a combination sign, which represents both businesses on a single sign to comply with the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance. The branded colors are blue and green. The top row of lettering for all three (3) wall signs will be 5” deep backlit channel letters. The bottom row of lettering will have a white aluminum background with push-through, edge-lit letters. Each letter will have a glow. Dr. Tatch noted the two (2) businesses are separate, but share the same facility.
Mr. Randazzo discussed the combination sign. It will have 9” tall letters on the top row with smaller letters on the bottom row, pushed-through a 7” white aluminum background. Ms. Flores expressed concern about the lower white panel too close to the bottom edge. Mr. Randazzo explained there is 1 inch of negative space on the bottom and 2 inches from the letters to the top of the sign. He noted they could change the negative space to 1.5 inches on both the top and the bottom. Ch. Dunn asked about dimensions between “NorthShore Center” and the white background. Mr. Randazzo explained there are 4 inches. Ms. Flores believes it could be less crowded on the bottom if the sign were tightened up a bit. The Commissioners expressed concern about the readability of the sign and the different size and kerning of the letters. Mr. Randazzo noted there will be low speed and pedestrian traffic viewing the combination sign. He believes it will be helpful in reading the signs. Mr. Golub believes the color is too light for readability. Ms. Flores suggested having the white panel be green with white letters for readability. Dr. Tatch noted they also have offices in Gurnee and Libertyville, and they would like to keep their brand consistent. The colors have been the same in those businesses for 20+ years. Mr. Mock and Mr. Moons do not have any issues with the proposed signs.
Ms. Delevitt indicated the letter height dimensions are not consistent between the three (3) wall signs. Ms. Flores added in the combined sign the white panel with “Oral and Facial Surgery” is justified differently than the panel with “MedSpa Aesthetics”. Mr. Randazzo noted the signs are on three (3) different walls and never viewed together. The proportions work out differently for each sign. Ms. Flores believes the signs should all be consistent and flush with the word “NorthShore”. Mr. Randazzo will make the signs flush, with the same proportions. Ms. Flores believes the signs are still very crowded on the bottom and should have more negative space. She also noted the space between the two (2) lines of text on the combination sign looks larger than on the individual signs. The individual MedSpa Aesthetics sign has 2” between the top line and the oval, while the combination sign has 4”. She would prefer the proportions to be consistent. Dr. Tatch agreed that the space between the top line and the oval should be consistent.
Ch. Dunn explained the Commission can consider the wall signs for possible fast track approval. She asked the petitioner to align the ovals with the “N”s in the word “NorthShore” on all three (3) signs, be consistent with the space between the top line and the oval on all signs and increase the bottom negative space on the signs, so they match the NorthShore MedSpa individual sign.
The Commissioners discussed the ground sign and landscaping around it. Ms. Flores would prefer to keep the sign consistent with the wall signs. She indicated the top and bottom rows of text have too much negative space between them. Mr. Randazzo explained they made an effort to maximize the wall sign size. He could match the proportions across the board.
Mr. Golub asked about the two (2) colors proposed for each sign. Mr. Randazzo noted they are using the darker blue and green colors. Ms. Delevitt spoke with the sign vendor and the colors will match the samples.
Mr. Mock moved to approve the monument sign as presented. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion did not pass by the following vote:
AYES: Mock, Moons (2)
NAYS: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Schneider, Dunn (5)
Ch. Dunn suggested the petitioner send drawings with dimensions, including the negative space and letter size, for fast track consideration. Mr. Randazzo asked if the monument sign could become wider to maintain the proportions while being readable. Ms. Delevitt explained the sign needs to be 10 square feet or less to comply with the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance. The proposed sign is currently at 9.6 square feet.
Items from the Commission
Ms. Flores noted Café Zupa’s signage has half the letters non-illuminated. She will send a picture to Ms. Delevitt. Bar Taco whitewashed their logo, so it is gone from the building.
Ms. Schneider asked about the Jewel Osco’s parking lot signs. Ms. Delevitt explained the Village is putting some of the larger violations on hold to be pro-business; however, they are going to look into this one for safety concerns. Ms. Schneider expressed concern about the red directional sign off Lake Cook Road. She believes it is a safety issue,
because people stop at the sign due to its location and color.
Ms. Flores indicated some of the temporary Panera Bread signs were removed. Mr. Golub noted Jersey Mike’s Subs put small temporary ground signs near Subway and Carson’s Ribs. Ms. Flores noted Bobby’s has igloos. Mr. Lichterman explained the Village is being very flexible with outdoor seating and outdoor dining. As long as there are safety features in place, the Village is okay with it.
Items from Staff:
Ms. Delevitt reported she contacted a few businesses and their feather banners should be removed by end of week. Next month, the Commission will have a final review for the 833 Deerfield Road residential building and Walgreen’s Pharmacy next to Chick-fil-A. The TeleScript Pharmacy sign was removed. They are moving along with construction, but are not permitted to have a sign.
Public Comment
Ms. Delevitt and Mr. Lichterman indicated there was no Public Comment received during the meeting.
Adjournment:
There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Moons moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Flores seconded the motion. The motion by the following vote:
AYES: Chaitman, Flores, Golub, Mock, Moons, Schneider, Dunn (7)
NAYS: None (0)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 pm.
http://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10262020-702
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