Lake County Gazette

Village of Deerfield Appearance Review Commission met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Chairperson Sherry Flores called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  

Present were: 

Amy Charlson 

Sherry Flores, Chairperson 

Dustin Goffron 

Troy Mock 

Absent was: 

Beth Chaitman 

Jason Golub 

Daniel Moons 

Also Present: 

Liz Delevitt, Planning & Design Specialist 

Document Approval 

Mr. Goffron moved to approve the minutes from the January 22, 2024 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Mr. Mock seconded the motion. The motion passed  unanimously on a voice vote. 

Public Comment: 

There was no Public Comment on non-agenda items. 

Business: 

1. Lake Cook Crossing - New Construction, Final Review 

Jen Patton, Director of Development for Continental Properties, and Carl Peterson and Megan Weiss, landscape architects with Gary R. Weber and Associates, were present. Ms. Patton provided a brief overview of the Lake Cook Crossing development, which includes seven (7) 32-unit, three-story buildings and one (1) 30-unit building. There will be a 4,300-square-foot clubhouse with a resort-style pool. They are working with both Metra and the Village on the pedestrian connection from the site to the closest platform. Ms. Patton explained some of the changes to the site plan since the last review. They’ve  added a gated pedestrian entrance and vehicular access at the northwest corner, shifted some buildings to enlarge the green spaces and added features like a fire pit, bocce ball and pickleball courts. The overall goal was to increase green space from 28% to 35%, adding almost an acre more of open space without sacrificing parking. Ms. Patton highlighted specific improvements in landscaping, seating areas, and amenities  throughout the site. The pool deck has been enhanced with cabana-like pergolas, grilling  stations and seating areas. They also added bike racks, per some of the comments from  the Commissioners. The landscaping in the courtyard area between the four (4) buildings on the north end was further developed to add seating areas and grilling stations. There are other little pocket areas throughout the site with seating as well. The goal was to create green spaces that were more functional for the residents. 

Ms. Patton explained the building elevation materials were modified, as requested by the ARC, to replace flat panel Hardie Board with similar lap and board and batten siding. The clubhouse exterior was also modified slightly to accommodate a lower wall sign. She explained the ancillary structures on the site have not changed. 

The monument signs were updated to remove the "by Continental Properties" verbiage and add the words "Lake Cook Crossing" to the signs. Ms. Patton noted the sign depth, or distance between sign faces, can be reduced to 18”. The font used on the directional and informational signs was updated to a more readable font, as suggested by the ARC. 

Mr. Peterson discussed the landscape plans, consisting of a mixture of shade trees,  ornamentals, evergreens, perennial grasses and plantings throughout. They beefed up the landscaping around the foundations of the buildings, the clubhouse area and all the  interconnecting pathways. The plant variety is heavily native. In areas with sun challenges they added cultivars, but a native theme is definitely prevalent. The plantings on the site include 149 trees, 830 ornamental grasses, 584 deciduous shrubs, 376 evergreen shrubs, and 3,146 perennials.  

The Commissioners discussed the changes to the project. Ch. Flores questioned whether non-residents could use the Metra connection. Ms. Patton explained the area  will be fenced for safety reasons. They are working with the Village and Metra on finalizing the details of the agreement. They want to avoid the area becoming a drop off area for non-residents. Continental Properties is aware they would be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the pedestrian path. 

Ms. Flores asked about the perimeter fencing. Ms. Patton noted the fence is a solid  composite material as opposed to cedar due to the lower maintenance. The posts are structural, so they won’t start to lean like typical cedar fencing. Ms. Patton explained the fence abutting the retail will be the eight-foot solid fencing. The fencing along the Metra and tollway is a five-foot, vinyl-coated chain link fence. Ms. Patton noted there is a large grade differential between the property and the tollway.  

The Commissioners discussed the residential buildings. The Commissioners liked the  material change. Ms. Delevitt noted the building heights will require an exception as the maximum allowable height is 35-feet, and this will be almost 45-feet high. She explained the ARC and Plan Commission were okay with the proposed heights at the earlier  reviews.  

Ms. Delevitt explained the monument signs, as presented, would require two (2) exceptions, but Ms. Patton informed the Commissioners that the depths could be reduced to 18-inches face to face to meet the Zoning Ordinance. The exception still needed is for the signs’ elements to be constructed on multiple planes. Ch. Flores prefers the signs to  be on a single plane. Ms. Charlson asked about the distances between the planes. Ms. Patton explained the depths between planes are very minimal, within an inch. Mr. Mock believes the signs would look worse on one plane. He noted if the Commission suggests getting rid of the planes, they would be painted structures all on one plane. He believes that option would look significantly less attractive. Ms. Charlson and Mr. Goffron agreed. Ch. Flores noted the composition of the signs needs to be reworked now that “by Continental Properties” was removed. She suggested making the words bigger to space them out better. Ms. Patton agreed to revise the signs as suggested.  

Ms. Delevitt noted the Commissioners can approve the wall sign, because it is within three (3) feet of the roof line. Ch. Flores is in favor of the font change for the signage. There will also be a flagpole with an American flag just left of the clubhouse entrance. 

The Commissioners discussed the proposed furniture and light fixtures. Ms. Patton  explained the fixed furniture, like benches and bike racks have specifications. The movable furniture is taken down during the winter. She also noted the string lights will look similar to the lights in the renderings. An on-site maintenance person is responsible for changing bulbs. 

Ms. Delevitt noted the developers are looking to add signage on one of the Deerbrook  Mall pylon signs, but this would be considered an off-site sign. The Commission believes a pylon sign would help with visibility for the development. They noted it would be helpful to place the sign at the appropriate entrance. Ms. Delevitt explained the petitioner would need to return to the Commission in the future for a pylon sign approval. 

Mr. Mock moved to approve the Lake Cook Crossing development as submitted, pending approval of the exceptions for the building height over 35-feet and the monument signs on different planes by the Board of Trustees. The monument signs will be revised as discussed and additional plantings will be added to the secondary monument sign base. These revisions will be confirmed by Staff and Ch. Flores. Mr. Goffron seconded the  motion. The motion passed by the following vote: 

AYES: Charlson, Goffron, Mock, Flores (4) 

NAYS: None (0)

Items from the Staff 

Ms. Delevitt sent violation notices for banners at Deerfield Bottle Shop and the Floor and Decor construction site. Shake Shack will be opening next month if the weather cooperates. She noted that there are a couple of new businesses that will be coming to the Commission next month. 

Items from the Commission 

There were no items from the Commission. 

Adjournment 

There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Goffron moved to adjourn the meeting.  Mr. Mock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm.

https://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02282024-1075