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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/28/2009 P&Z minutes 12-09 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ-12-09 Hearing Date: May 28, 2009 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 930 E. Rand Road PETITIONERS: Shade L. O'Quinn, Architect - Martha T. Martinez OWNER: Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust PUBLICATION DATE: May 13,2009 PIN NUMBER: 03 -35 -302-013 -0000 REQUEST: Variations - Additional Wall Signs MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Rogers, Chair William Beattie Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Ronald Roberts Keith Youngquist MEMBER ABSENT: Marlys Haaland STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Brian Simmons, AlCP, Deputy Director of Community Development Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner INTERESTED PARTY: Martha T. Martinez Chairman Richard Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Mr. Beattie made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2009 meeting; Mr. Donnelly seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6-0. After hearing one previous case, Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ-12-09, a request for two Variations for additional wall signs, at 7:57 p.m. Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner, stated the Petitioner for Case PZ-12-09 was seeking two Variations for wall signage for the Walmart store at 930 E. Rand Road. Ms. Andrade said Walmart proposed to install new wall signage as part of the redevelopment of the store. The Petitioner proposed to install two additional wall signs on the front elevation of the store, which required a Variation for each additional sign. One wall sign would identify the market and pharmacy located inside the store and the other sign would identify the pharmacy drive-thru and site to store pick-up canopy located on the east side of the store. Ms. Andrade stated per Code, one wall sign per street frontage was permitted, unless there is a separate entrance from the exterior of the building. Walmart is currently being redeveloped to include a new front fayade that included one principal entrance to the store; the market and pharmacy and drive-thru would not have separate entrances. Therefore, the Petitioner was seeking two Variations for 1) the market and pharmacy wall sign and 2) the pharmacy drive-thru site to store pick up wall sign on the canopy. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 28, 2009 PZ-12-09 Page 1 of 4 Ms. Andrade said the proposed market and pharmacy sign would be located above the front entrance and windows, on a sign band that measures 505 square feet. The proposed "Market & Pharmacy" wall sign measures 102.74 square feet and would cover approximately twenty percent (20%) of the signable area. Ms. Andrade stated the pharmacy drive-thru and site to store pick-up wall sign would be located on the sign band area that would be located on the front elevation of the canopy. The signable area measures 103.65 square feet. The proposed "Pharmacy Drive-Thru, Site to Store Pick-Up" wall sign measures roughly 33.28 square feet and would cover approximately 32% of the signable area. Ms. Andrade said required findings for sign variations are contained in Section 7.725 of the Village of Mount Prospect Sign Code. The following is a summary of the sign variation standards that must be made in order to approve a variation. . The hardship is created by unique circumstances and not serve as convenience to the petitioner; . The variation will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property or improvements in the neighborhood; . The variation will not impair visibility to the adjacent property, increase the danger oftraffic problems or endanger the public safety. Ms. Andrade stated the Petitioner noted in the attached application that the market and pharmacy wall sign was needed to provide a pedestrian friendly urban design and to insure safety for the patrons. The Petitioner further noted that the sign was needed to inform the general public of the distinct services and the main entrance. This Walmart would provide market and pharmacy services, which are distinct uses to a Walmart store because not all Walmart stores provide them. Ms. Andrade said Staff discussed relocating the market and pharmacy wall sign so that it is right underneath the Walmart wall sign to act as one, which is permitted by Code as long as the overall size does not exceed over forty percent (40%) of the signable area. The Petitioner determined that relocating the market and pharmacy wall sign would not aesthetically be consistent with the new front fayade of the store, and that by installing the sign right above the entrance doors will provide patrons a direct view of the location of the main entrance. Ms. Andrade stated the Petitioner also noted that the pharmacy drive-thru, site to store pick-up wall sign on the front elevation of the canopy was needed to direct customers to the location of the drive-thru canopy and act as a directional sign for customers and ensure safety between pedestrians and traffic flow in the area Ms. Andrade said in the past, the Village has granted relief for a similar request for US Bank when it located inside the Dominick's store at Golf Plaza II and for 1 sl Chicago when it located inside the former Dominick's located at Mt. Prospect Plaza. The proposed market and pharmacy wall sign would be permitted if relocated right underneath the Walmart sign or if it had a separate entrance. The pharmacy drive-thru, site to store pick-up wall sign would identify the distinct use of the drive-thru and will direct pedestrians and vehicles to the location of the drive-thru canopy. Ms. Andrade stated both requests are in keeping with the intent of the Sign Code to facilitate effective communication between the public and the environment through signage which are appropriate for the type of street and protect the public from damage or injury by placing signage in a way to direct motorists and inform pedestrians. Additionally, each sign will be designed to promote a better visual environment that is consistent with the new front fayade ofWalmart. Staff recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve the Variations listed in the Staff report. The Planning and Zoning Commission's decision is final for the case. Chairman Rogers asked Ms. Andrade if she notified the Petitioner that the Planning and Zoning Commission normally only allows one sign over the door and that what is being requested is actually three signs. The "pharmacy drive-thrum site to store pick up" sign is really a directional sign and has too much verbiage. Ms. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 28, 2009 PZ-12-09 Page 2 of 4 Andrade answered that Staff did advise the Petitioner that only one wall sign per street frontage is allowed but the Petitioner decided to pursue the Variations. Staff discussed with the Petitioner possibly relocating the Market and Pharmacy sign to underneath the Walmart sign, but the Petitioner felt that it would not be consistent with the new front fayade of the store. The "Pharmacy Drive-Thru, Site to Store Pick-Up" will cover less than 40% which would be permitted. Ms. Andrade stated that Staff did not discuss removing some of the verbiage. Mr. Floras asked if the sign on the east side of the building was permitted by code. Ms. Andrade said the pharmacy sign on the east side would be permitted because the canopy faces Mt. Prospect Plaza Drive. Mr. Beattie confirmed the sizes of the proposed additional wall signs as per the elevation drawings. Mr. Floros asked if there would be any signage on the west side of the building. Ms. Andrade stated that a Walmart and logo wall sign would be located on the west side of the building. Chairman Rogers swore in Martha Martinez, 211 N. Record Street, Dallas, Texas. Chairman Rogers stated that normally only wall sign is allowed and they could probably live with the market and pharmacy because they are identifying functions, but not with the site to store pick up. Ms. Martinez stated that the site to store pick-up is a distinct service that they offer. Chairman clarified if the sign would actually serve two functions. Ms. Martinez stated that it would and that there are two drive-through lanes on the west end of the building to serve the pharmacy customers and the site to store pick-up customers. There was general discussion and questions regarding the pharmacy use and the site to store pickup use on the west end of the store. Mr. Simmons clarified how the pharmacy use and the site to store pickup would utilize the west end of the store per the site plan. There was further discussion regarding the site to store pickup area in relation to the doors on the southeast of the building. There was general discussion regarding traffic signs directing customers once they were in the pharmacy and site to store area. Mr. Youngquist stated that there needed to be signage for the store pickup area. Mr. Roberts agreed and said it is a different service and type of entrance. Chairman Rogers asked the Commission how they approve the signs without setting a precedent for wall signs. Mr. Youngquist and Mr. Floros believed the pharmacy and site to store pickup sign was more of a directional sign. Mr. Donnelly stated that the issue seems to be more in regards to the Market and Pharmacy sign in the front of the store. He asked if the Petitioner really needed the market and pharmacy sign; it could be Code compliant if the Petitioner incorporated it with the center Walmart sign. Mr. Beattie asked if the market and pharmacy sign would be okay if it was moved over the door. Mr. Youngquist stated he understood the market and pharmacy sign to provide information to the customer that a market and pharmacy was located inside this specific store. Chairman Rogers said this was no different than other stores advertising additional services inside their store; he believed there was too much information with the market and pharmacy sign in front. There was additional discussion whether or not approving these signs would set a precedent. Mr. Beattie stated there was a general agreement amongst the Commission regarding the pharmacy and site to store pick up sign. He said that they were directional and serving two distinct services of the store. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 28, 2009 PZ-12-09 Page 3 of 4 Chairman Rogers asked if there was anyone else in the audience to address this case. Hearing none, he closed the public portion ofthe case at 8:33 p.m. and brought the discussion back to the board. There was additional discussion regarding the signage and verbiage for the pharmacy and site to store pickup sign. Mr. Roberts compared the size of a Walmart store to a Walgreens store. He stated the signs are not out ofline for the size of the Walmart building. Mr. Roberts also discussed where the store is located on Rand Road; he said the sign request was reasonable. Mr. Floros agreed and said this is not overdone by Walmart. There was additional discussion regarding the signage of commercial stores in the area. Mr. Youngquist said that the building has been modified architecturally to provide different massing to make it look like that the Walmart is the mother building and the market and the pharmacy are lower building elements. He mentioned that not all Walmart stores have a market. There is a need by the Petitioner for the Market and Pharmacy wall sign. He reiterated that the sign differentiates what is in the store. Chairman Rogers stated he does not have a problem with the size of the signs as the building is a huge fayade; he was still concerned with setting precedent. Mr. Beattie made a motion to accept as shown in the elevations, seconded by Mr. Floros to approve the following motion: "To approve a Variation to allow: 1. An additional 102.74 square foot wall sign on the front elevation of the Walmart retail store stating "Market and Pharmacy", 2. An additional 33.28 square foot wall sign on the front canopy elevation of the Walmart retail store stating "Pharmacy Drive-Thru, Site to Store Pick-Up", as shown on the Petitioner's exhibits prepared by Shade L. O'Quinn Architect date stamped May 6, 2009 for the property at 930 E. Rand Road." The Planning & Zoning Commission's decision is final for this case. UPON ROLL CALL: A YES: Beattie, Donnelly, Floros, Roberts, Youngquist, Rogers NAYS: NONE Motion was approved 6-0. After hearing one additional case, Mr. Donnelly made a motion to adjourn at 10:23 p.m., seconded by Mr. Beattie. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Ryan Kast, Community Development Administrative Assistant Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 28, 2009 PZ-12-09 Page 4 of 4