Lake County Gazette

Village of Deerfield Appearance Review Commission met Aug. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A meeting of the Appearance Review Commission was held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Chairperson Sherry Flores called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Present were:

Sherry Flores, Chairperson

Dustin Goffron

Neil Goldberg

Jason Golub

Absent was:

Amy Charlson

Troy Mock

Daniel Moons

Also Present:

Liz Delevitt, Planning & Design Specialist

Jeri Cotton, Secretary

Document Approval

Mr. Goldberg moved to approve the minutes from the July 28, 2025 Appearance Review Commission meeting. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments on non-agenda items.

Business:

1. Deerfield Commons, 710 Deerfield Road & 800 Waukegan Road - Facade and Site Improvements

Ilija Pod with Horizon Realty Services, representing the ownership, explained they would like to participate in the Village’s Business Facade Rebate Program to update the appearance of the building and make several necessary improvements. A few years ago, they worked on the other portion of the property where Cherry Pit Cafe and Walter’s Tailor Shop are located. This building’s tenants are Aligned Modern Health and Fleet Feet. Ms. Delevitt explained the property has two (2) separate buildings under one ownership, which is why they can apply for the rebate program again. She noted with the initial renovation, they kept the historic nature of the building. 

Mr. Pod explained the existing wood storefront windows and doors are starting to deteriorate and do not work as efficiently as aluminum storefront systems. The Owners wish to replace all of the windows and doors on both storefronts. The style of the windows will be similar to the historic style of the current windows with white frames and grill transoms. The southeast corner entrance door will have a fanlight window detail that closely matches the existing window. The grill details on this corner were removed to match the other elevations.

Chairperson Flores asked if the windows would be coated, as it gets hot inside the buildings. Mr. Pod explained the windows will be replaced with new, insulated aluminum windows that meet the current energy codes. Chairperson Flores believes some of the historic Fleet Feet door and window details have been lost. Ms. Delevitt noted they initially removed the fan detail and bay windows, but she requested they be included.

Chairperson Flores would prefer the grid be added back to the front windows as it gives the storefront a quaint feeling. Mr. Golub agreed and would like the windows to be close to what is existing as this is a prime location in the Village. Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Goffron were neutral to adding the grid to the windows.

The existing gutters and downspouts will also be replaced with new seamless, prefinished gutters and downspouts. New and existing wood fascia elements will be repainted to match the current building. Mr. Golub asked about the color of the downspouts. He would prefer the downspouts to be a consistent color, as the submittal shows multiple colors. Ms. Delevitt explained the historical color was copper. It appears to have been painted white in certain areas. Mr. Pod noted the downspouts, gutters and coping above the windows will all be the same color. The Commissioners suggested the gutters, downspouts and coping should be copper. Mr. Pod asked if the copper around the bay windows needs to be replaced or if it could be reused. Mr. Goffron believes it would be difficult to reuse them.

Mr. Golub moved to approve the facade improvements as discussed with the gutters, downspouts and coping changed to copper and the mullions in the front windows be included. Mr. Goffron seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:

AYES: Goffron, Goldberg, Golub, Flores (4)

NAYS: None (0)

Ms. Delevitt noted the next step is to update the drawings to match the approval. Then they will present this project to the Village Board for the facade rebate.

2. US Bank, 700 Deerfield Road - New Ground Sign

Joe Paldo with Paldo Sign and Display explained they are the local sign installer for the project. They propose to replace the fallen pole sign with a new aluminum framed ground sign in the same location. The top portion of the sign will have routed out, push-through acrylic letters. The lower portion of the sign will be routed-out letters backed with white acrylic. The sign base will be red brick to match the bank building with a painted blue aluminum base cap. The only illuminated portion of the sign is the lettering, as the sign cabinet is painted aluminum.

Mr. Goldberg expressed concern about the drivers’ sight lines. Chairperson Flores believes vehicles will not encroach into the sidewalk. Ms. Delevitt noted the petitioner’s clear sight triangle meets the Village’s criteria. Mr. Goffron believes the 3’-8” sign height would not block pedestrians. He questioned whether the sign could be moved closer to the street for sign visibility. In addition, the driver would have a better sight line of pedestrians as they approach the sign. Ms. Delevitt noted moving the sign forward would interfere with the clear site triangle.

Mr. Goffron moved to approve the US Bank signs as presented. Mr. Golub seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:

AYES: Goffron, Golub, Flores (3)

NAYS: Goldberg (1)

Items from the Staff

Ms. Delevitt followed up on a number of violations. She contacted Sweetgreen about replacing their peeling window vinyl. The condition has worsened over time. Rosebud’s umbrellas still have liquor advertising. New plain red umbrellas have been approved but not installed. Sky Zone is removing their window advertisements within the next couple weeks. Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins is fixing their incorrectly installed signs.

Items from the Commission

Mr. Golub noted the pylon sign insert where McAllister’s Deli used to be is now a leasing sign. Mr. Golub noted a scrap metal collector with a full truck is parking near Rosebud every Saturday and Sunday. He also noted the trash dumpster behind Italian Kitchen was full of pillows and boxes.

Adjournment

There being no further business or discussion, Mr. Goffron moved to adjourn the meeting.

Mr. Goldberg seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm. The next Appearance Review Commission meeting will be September 15, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

https://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08252025-1248