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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/2009 P&Z minutes 28-09 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ-28-09 Hearing Date: December 10,2009 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 333 E. Euclid Avenue PETITIONER: Nate Wagner ofCamburas & Theodore, Ltd PUBLICATION DATE: November 25, 2009 PIN NUMBER: 03-27-401-271-0000 REQUEST: Sign Variation . Number of Wall Signs (west elevation) MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Rogers, Chair William Beattie Leo Floros Theo Foggy Keith Youngquist MEMBERS ABSENT: Joseph Donnelly Ronald Roberts ST AFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner Brian Simmons, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development INTERESTED PARTIES: Peter Theodore and Nate Wagner Chairman Richard Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Mr. Beattie made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 22,2009 meeting; Mr. Floros seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 4-0; with Mr. Youngquist abstaining. Mr. Floros made a motion to continue case number PZ-26-09 to the January 28, 2010 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Mr. Youngquist seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. After hearing one previous case, Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ-28-09, 333 W. Euclid Avenue, requests for Sign Variations, at 7:42 p.m. Ms. Andrade said the petitioner for PZ-28-09 was requesting three variations to increase the number of wall signs for the Jewel-Osco store located at 333 E. Euclid Avenue. Ms. Andrade stated the sign proposal for the Jewel Osco consisted of replacing two of the three existing wall signs on the west building elevation and installing three new additional wall signs on the west elevation. The existing wall signs that are located on the south and east building would remain as is. Ms. Andrade said Jewel-Osco presently has five wall signs on the building. The east and south building elevations each have one wall sign that reads Jewel-Osco. The west building elevation has three wall signs. The Sign Code only permits one wall sign per street frontage per establishment. However, since the Jewel Osco was granted Variations in 1996 for additional wall signs, the store presently has five wall signs. The Petitioner is proposing to install three additional wall signs on the west building elevation, and therefore is requesting three Variations to allow for the proposed signage. Ms. Andrade showed a slide that illustrated the three existing wall signs on the west building elevation. The bottom image illustrated the elevation with the addition of the three proposed wall signs. A graphic image Richard Rogers, Chair PZ-28-09 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting December 10,2009 Page 1 of 5 measuring 8 feet by 12 feet would be located to each side of the existing Jewel Osco sign. The graphic would be of fruit and would have a window frame element overlaid on top of the graphic. Per the Sign Code definition ofa sign, the graphic is considered a sign because it will be used to attract attention to the business by means of images. The third wall sign proposed is a 20 square foot pharmacy drive through sign to be located on the southernmost part of the fayade. Ms. Andrade showed a slide of an existing Jewel Osco as an example of a store with graphic images installed on the front elevation. The Jewel Osco is located in Buffalo Grove and has two graphic images on the front elevation. The slide of the Jewel Osco store in Buffalo Grove was provided as a visual reference for what the signs would look like. The design and size will slightly differ to what is being proposed in the Village of Mount Prospect. Ms. Andrade stated required findings for Sign Variations are contained in Section 7.725 of the Village of Mount Prospect Sign Code. The section contains specific findings that must be made in order to approve a Variation, including a hardship that 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; and the Variation will not impair visibility to the adjacent property, increase the danger of traffic problems or endanger the public safety. Ms. Andrade said the Petitioner noted in the application that Jewel-Osco wanted to update the current exterior wall signage to bring signage up to the latest corporate brand identity standards. The two graphic signs are described as window boxes that will bring additional architectural elements to the fayade and encapsulate a corporate image in an artistic and tastefully manner. The pharmacy drive-thru sign is being added to maintain competiveness in the market by identifying the new amenity and to direct traffic. Ms. Andrade stated the Variation requests to increase the number of wall signs failed to meet the standards for a Variation because there is no hardship as defined by the Sign Code. The Variation requests are based on convenience and the existing signage on the building reasonably identifies the business by presently providing more wall signage than is permitted by Code. . Ms. Andrade said the Petitioner has the option to revise the proposal for the pharmacy drive-through sign and comply with Code. By reducing the size and relocating the sign to underneath the pharmacy wall sign, the sign would identify the new amenity and direct traffic to the location of the drive through without a need for a Variation. Staff recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission deny the Sign Variation for case number PZ-28- 09. The Planning and Zoning Commission's decision is final for this case. Chairman Rogers confirmed that the Planning and Zoning Commission has already granted four sign Variations for the subject property in 1996. Chairman Rogers swore in Peter Theodore and Nate Wagner of Camburas & Theodore Architects, 2454 E. Dempster, Des Plaines, Illinois. Mr. Theodore explained his working relationship with Jewel-Osco since 1994. He stated that the signage over the entry ways was actually being reduced in size. The Jewel-Osco sign in the middle of the west elevation would remain the same size. Mr. Theodore said the only additional sign that is being requested is a directional sign for the pharmacy that is similar to Dominick's, Walgreens, and Walmart. Mr. Theodore discussed the graphics that were being identified as signage. An actual curtain wall system with a permanent graphic will be created. He stated that the graphics have been approved in other local communities like Evanston, Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove. The graphics being proposed are not changeable; they will be permanent and part of Jewel-Osco's corporate identity. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting December 10,2009 PZ-28-09 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Beattie discussed graphics and how they were included and defined by the sign code. Chairman Rogers stated that the Village's sign code was revamped over a ten year period to clean up signs and make them uniform. He said that they originally just wanted signs to identify the store itself. Chairman Rogers believed the additional Variations for wall signs were too much for the building. Mr. Youngquist asked Staff if the Petitioner installed two awnings with graphics, would that be permitted under the sign code. Mr. Simmons stated that ifthe graphics on the awning were bringing attention to the business, then it could be considered a sign. There are limitations on the size of signs on awnings within the sign code. Mr. Youngquist discussed signage inside a Walgreens store. Mr. Simmons said signs that are inside a store, set- back one foot behind the glass would be considered an interior sign. It would not count as an exterior wall sign. Mr. Beattie asked if Jewel Osco had an actual window with the image at least one foot behind the window, it would be permitted. Mr. Simmons stated that this was correct and Staff did advise the Petitioner that this situation would be permitted. If the sign was attached to the window, then the sign code would only allow 20 percent of the area for the sign. Mr. Theodore believed that whether or not the sign was one foot behind a window or on the surface, it would serve the same purpose. He showed an example of a local competitor that had window signs all along the bottom of their windows. Mr. Theodore said he did not want to do this with Jewel-Osco. Mr. Theodore stated that he has met with focus groups and people to analyze the proposed graphics. They are trying to let the public know that change is coming and they want to attract new customers to the store. He has discussed the Sign Variations with Randhurst management and has only received positive comments. Mr. Theodore showed and discussed the renovations that would be completed inside the Jewel Osco store. He stated that most everything inside the store would be taken out and be replaced. Chairman Rogers said the Jewel-Osco store is an asset to the community, but the Village would like to maintain a certain look to the community. He was worried that this case would set a precedent for other businesses in the future. Mr. Theodore stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission should look at this case on an individual basis. Chairman Rogers stated that Jewel-Osco was already given substantial leeway for additional signage. Mr. Theodore said that if he grouped the "Wine and Spirits" sign with the "Pharmacy" sign, and did not add the graphics sign; he would not need permission from the Planning and Zoning Commission for the drive-through Pharmacy sign. He separated the two services signs for symmetrical reasons to create balance. There was additional discussion regarding the total number of Variations for wall signs and the Sign Code. Mr. Foggy asked if two graphics were not approved, Jewel-Osco would not go ahead with the interior renovation of the store. It was determined that the renovation still could happen if the graphics were excluded. Mr. Foggy confirmed with the Petitioner that the graphics would be the same size on both sides and would not rotate with seasons. Mr. Foggy suggested that the Petitioner case and frame the graphics like a window to be included with the fayade. He believed the drive-through sign would be helpful. Mr. Floros stated that the Petitioner would be providing less clutter by reducing the number of lines over the doors. The signs would be reduced from three to one line. He believed the Petitioner has enhanced the look of the building. Mr. Floros said the proposed plan would be an improvement. Mr. Youngquist asked what kind of feedback the Petitioner received from the focus groups. Mr. Theodore said that customers, communities, people picked at random, and Plan Commissions were interviewed. He asked the focus groups if there was an enhancement to the building; also whether or not the building was attractive or not. Mr. Theodore stated there has been an increase in sales after a renovation has been completed. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting December 10,2009 PZ-28-09 Page 3 of 5 There was discussion regarding companies changing identities and re-branding. Mr. Youngquist asked the Petitioner if there was anything else happening along the store front besides the proposed signage Variations. Mr. Theodore said there were no intentions to add graphics to the windows along the front of the store. There was general discussion regarding the graphics. Mr. Theodore stated that the graphics would not be illuminated. He said that if the Planning Commission felt that the 8 feet by 12 feet size of the graphics was too big, he would be willing to reduce the size to 8 feet by 8 feet. Chairman Rogers asked if the graphic sign is cut into the brick or is it surface mounted. Mr. Theodore said it is a surface mounted window system. He stated that the graphics signal a change is coming to Jewel-Osco customers. There was discussion on reducing the size of the graphics. Chairman Rogers believed that adding three additional elements to the fayade would be too much. He said there are no other buildings in Mount Prospect that have a total of six wall signs. Mr. Theodore said he would be willing to mount the Wine and Sprits sign together with the Pharmacy sign and take them off the entries completely and move them elsewhere. There was discussion regarding the size of the graphics on the black and white elevations compared to the colored renderings of the elevations. Mr. Theodore said the black and white elevation would be the accurate representation of the size of the graphics. Mr. Foggy asked if the graphic mounted system would be permanent. He wanted to know if the same graphic would be displayed year round. Mr. Theodore stated that he would need to talk to the Jewel-Osco corporate office, but he wanted to display something that would reflect the brand's identity. Mr. Youngquist made a motion to approve the following Variation for Wall Signs: 1. A 64 square foot wall sign to the north of the main identification sign on the front elevation of the Jewel-Osco store. 2. A 64 square foot wall sign to the south of the main identification sign on the front elevation of the Jewel-Osco store. 3. A 20 square foot wall sign on the southernmost part of the front elevation of the Jewel-Osco store located at 333 E. Euclid Avenue. Mr. Floros seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Beattie, Floros, Foggy, Youngquist NAYS: Rogers Motion was approved 4-1. The Planning and Zoning Commission's decision was final for this case. Mr. Floros made a motion, seconded by Mr. Foggy, to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting December 10, 2009 PZ-28-09 Page 4 of 5 Ryan Kast, Community Development Administrative Assistant Richard Rogers, Chair Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting December 10,2009 PZ-28-09 Page 5 of 5