MEETING MINUTES OF THE
LONG GROVE ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
December 7, 2009
7:00 P.M.
Call to
Order: Chairman Michaelson-Cohn called the regular
meeting of the Long Grove Architectural Commission (AC) to order at 7:05 p.m.
with the following members present.
Members Present: Lynn Michaelson-Cohn; Chairman, Terry
Connolly, Marietta Calas and Valerie Plunkett.
Also Present:
Village Planner James Hogue, and members of the public.
Absent: Rod Beadle; (2 vacancies exist on the
Commission).
1. Approval of the November 16, 2009 Draft
Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Connolly moved to accept the November 16th
draft meeting minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Calas. On a voice
vote; all aye.
2.
Consideration of a request for signage at Long Grove Commons for “Dog
Days Grooming”, Building #6, Suite C in Long Grove Commons, RT. 22 & Old
McHenry Road, within the B-2 PUD District, Submitted by John Milstead.
Village Planner Hogue explained the request and noted the petitioner
was not present although notified of the meeting.
The
AC had issues with the sign font and overall look of the sign as presented and suggested
the following:
·
Modify the print
font on the sign with a “softer” font (copperplate gothic or similar “softer”
font suggested).
·
Scallop the
corners and/or modify the border of the sign to enhance the overall look of the
sign.
·
Consider adding a
third color to the sign and a softer background color for the sign.
·
Consider colors
which pick up colors from the façade of the building in the color scheme of the
sign.
The
AC directed Planner Hogue to notify the petitioner of these recommendations and
to have revisions ready for consideration at the February 8th
regular meeting.
3. Consideration of a request for landscape
lighting at various locations within the B-1 Historic District submitted by Mr.
Art Hollis on behalf of Green Courte Partners.
Planner Hogue explained the
request and reviewed the items requested by the AC at the November meeting. He
noted additional mock-ups had been created for the AC to view this evening. He
reiterated that this request would likely be viewed as the “standard” for
similar future private lighting improvements in the downtown.
He urged the AC to consider a
conditional approval if the Commission was satisfied with the look of the
lighting as viewed in the mock-up. He stressed while plans on paper may look
good problems often arise in the field which require modification to the
approved plans. He asked the AC to consider having some flexibility in any
motion for approval to allow the project to move forward in a timely manner and
not to have to come back to the AC for minor “tweeks” to the lighting plans
which may be necessary. Once the AC is
satisfied with the look of the lighting staff will work with the petitioner to
ensure that “look” is maintained throughout the project area.
Mr. A.G. Hollis then
presented a lighting plan with revisions to what the AC had considered at the
November meeting. He stressed these modifications were in keeping the with
downtown design guidelines for the Village and addressed some of the concerns
raised by the AC at the last meeting.
Low voltage lighting would
now be used in place of the lighting plan as presented in November. A 35 watt
light source in an “angled well light fixture” would replace most of the 50
watt metal halide spot lights previously proposed. These fixtures would be
buried or placed in existing landscaping close to the building wall and provide
up-lighting to illuminate the exterior of structures in the downtown. Sixty-one
(61) of these low voltage fixtures would be installed in the project area.
Eleven (11) brass spot light fixtures containing 50 watt lights would replace
the 100 watt and 175 watt lighting previously proposed. Some of these fixtures
would replace existing fixtures on buildings.
Some of these fixtures would also be ground mounted. Ground mounted
fixtures would be hidden in landscape features either existing or to be planted
as screening for the light source. Any exposed fixture would be a brass
fixture.
He noted overall the newly
proposed fixtures were smaller and more desirable from the architectural
perspective. The lower wattage lights allow the fixtures to be placed closer to
the building which minimizes glare and light pollution. The low voltage
lighting also allows greater flexibility in the addition or subtraction of
individual fixtures at a particular location. Maintenance is also simpler with
this system. Also, the low voltage
system will use the about same or less electricity to illuminate structures
making it “greener” and more cost effective to operate. Existing inappropriate
and “overpowering” lighting would be removed.
The AC then reconvened in the
downtown area to view the mock-ups at both Mill Pond and the Farm Side Grocery
and Winery. Upon completion of the review of the mock-ups Commissioner Connolly
made a motion, Seconded by Commissioner Calas to accept the lighting plan and
fixtures dated 12.7.09 by Kirkman and Associates as submitted with the
following conditions;
·
Fixtures and
light sources shall be identical or as similar as possible in design to those
presented 12.7.09 lighting plan.
·
Lighting shall be
low voltage lighting and individual fixtures shall not exceed 50 watts except
as required by village staff to promote pedestrian safety or create consistent
and uniform lighting in the project area.
·
A maintenance
plan shall be submitted for review and kept on file by Village Staff.
·
Angle well lights
shall be buried, integrated into landscape features or otherwise concealed to
minimize glare and maintain a neat and tidy appearance.
·
Exposed fixtures
shall be brass and shall be identical or as similar as possible in design to
the BB-12 flood/spotlight fixture as presented in the lighting plans.
·
Exposed brass
fixtures, not affixed to a structure, shall be concealed within the existing
landscape scheme and shall be subject to additional landscaping as determined
by Village Staff to conceal the light source.
·
Lighting
placement shall be in substantial conformance with the site plan prepared by
Kirkman and Associates dated 12.7.09 as submitted; however staff shall have the
ability to work with the petitioner to add or subtract individual fixtures,
adjust wattages and to require additional screening and concealment of any
lighting fixtures to achieve consistent and uniform lighting in the project
area.
On a voice vote; all aye; the
motion was approved.
Adjournment: Commissioner
Connolly made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Plunkett. On a voice vote; all aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
James M. Hogue
James M. Hogue
Village Planner