VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE
MEETING MINUTES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL BOARD

REGULAR MEETING – May 14, 2007

7:00 PM

 

 Call to Order:  Chair Staub called the regular meeting of the Architectural Board (AB) to order at 7:01 p.m. with the following members present:

 

Members Present:         Chairman John Staub, John Marshall, Rod Beadle, Terry Connolly, Lynn Michaelson-Cohn, Lori Lyman (arrived at 7:18)             

 

Members Absent:        None

                         

Also Present:                Village Planner James Hogue, and members of the public

 

 

 

1.   Approval of the March 26, 2007 Draft Special Meeting Minutes.

 

Commissioner Beadle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to accept the March 26, 2007 special meeting minutes as presented. On a voice vote; all aye.

  

2.   Consideration of a request for signage for “McKee Real Estate”, 145 Old McHenry Road within the B-1 Historic District, submitted by Bobbie O’Reilly.

 

Ms. O’Reilly explained the history of the signage on the property and her request. She noted that McKee Real Estate has become part of Weichert Real Estate and the color of the sign has been standardized to reflect the company code with regard to signage.

 

After discussion the AB suggested more “character” be added to the sign and suggested a scalloped   black border be added to the top and bottom of the sign. This border should reflect the character of the structure in which the business is located.

 

 A motion was made by Commissioner Connolly, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to approve the request for signage as submitted with the addition of a border, as discussed, to be reviewed by Village Staff. On a voice vote; all aye.

 

3.   Consideration of a request for a replacement sign face within an existing sign structure for “Cutler Hardware”, 7105 N. Route 83 within the B-2 Business District, submitted by Mr. Norman Cutler.

 

       A representative from Grand Electric, the sign contractor for the project, explained the request noting just the sign panels would be replaced and the size of the sign will remain the same.

 

      Planner Hogue noted the non-conforming status of the illumination of the sign.

 

      Commissioner Marshall asked about the colors of the sign and was informed they would remain the same principally red and black on the white background.    

  

      Commissioner Beadle commented on the location of the copy on the sign face and asked if the spacing could be altered to better “balance” the sign. Petitioner’s representative noted that the sign face as presented was the preference of the client but he would see if the sign face could be better “balanced” as suggested by Commissioner Beadle. 

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Beadle, seconded by Commissioner Marshall to approve the request for signage as submitted with the suggestion that the margins of the sign be modified to better “balance” the copy on the sign. On a voice vote; all aye

 

4.      Consideration of a request for signage for “Victoria Mexican Grill”, 410 Robert Parker Coffin  Road  within the B-1 Historic District, submitted by Mr. Pablo Hernandez.

 

Chairman Staub introduced the request.  Mr. Pablo Hernandez indicated he was acting as sign contractor for petitioner and had created the sign being considered by the AB.

 

Commissioner Connolly asked for clarification of where the structure was located. He was informed it was the structure previously occupied by “Peppermint Stick” on the west side of Robert Parker Coffin Road south of Old McHenry Road.

 

Chairman Staub asked about the size of the sign. The petitioner indicated the sign measured 3’x3’ and was the same size as “Peppermint Stick” had previously.

 

Commissioner Marshall asked if the sign illustrated in the packet was the actual sign being proposed. Petitioner indicated that it was and there was no other signage being requested. The sign would be situated perpendicular to the building.

 

Commissioner Lyman indicated the sign could be more decorative and suggested the removal of the grill and food items from the sign face.

 

Motion made by Commissioner Lyman seconded by Commissioner Marshall to approve the sign as submitted with the suggestion that the food illustrations ( hamburger & chicken) be removed ( but the grill Illustration remain)  and that additional copy such as “sandwiches” would be acceptable along the bottom of the sign. On a voice vote; all aye.     

 5. Consideration of a replacement subdivision identification sign for the Mardan Estates/Mardan Lake Subdivision located at Route 53 and Middlesax Drive, submitted by Rachel Krishnan.

 

      Chairman Staub introduced the request. Ms. Krishnan explained that there were two options presented to the AB concerning sign placement. Option “A” was to no longer be considered as the proposed sign would be placed in the Route 53 right-of-way which is not permissible. She also noted the sign would be placed on private property and the property owner is agreeable to having the sign on their property. They will sign the application for signage in the near future.

 

      Motion was made by Commissioner Connolly, seconded by Commissioner Cohn, to accept the sign as submitted for the Mardan Estates/ Mardan Lake Subdivision with sign placement to be performed as outlined in “Option B”.  On a voice vote; all aye.   

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS: 

 

  1. Discussion of a potential new AB candidate.

 

It was noted that there were two very qualified candidates for the open AB spot; Valerie Plunkett and Marietta Calas. Both will be contacted regarding their interest in serving on the AB.

 

 

  1. Review and comment of the Joint Meeting of the PCZBA/AB held May 1, 2007 concerning amendments to the Village Zoning Code.

 

Planner Hogue explained that the Village Board had approved the amendments to the zoning code and that no changes from what previously existed (regarding bulk regulation) were made to the new regulations.

 

The AB noted they would like to be considered in future discussions regarding “bulk” regulations and review of new residential structures in the Village. It was also suggested that better landscape regulations be considered.  

 

  1. Discussion of illuminated “open” signage.

 

Planner Hogue noted that per the newly adopted zoning code illuminated “open” signs (non-neon) could be permitted with the approval of the AB. It had been discussed that in order to make the process easier for business owners 3 or 4 illuminated sign types could be pre-approved thereby allowing businesses to install an illuminated “open” sign more quickly. It was noted that illuminated “open” signs other than what pre-approved would still require AB approval.

 

Staff is waiting on a proposal from the downtown business community as to what types of illuminated “open” signs they would like to see prior to formal consideration of this item by the AB. Staff  will keep this item on the agenda and present it to the AB at a future date.     

 

 

Adjournment:  Commissioner Lyman made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Cohn.  On a voice vote the motion was unanimously approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted;

 

James M. Hogue

James M. Hogue

Village Planner