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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/22/2002 P&Z minutes 23-02MINUTES OF TIlE REGULAR MEETING OF TIlE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO, PZ-23-02 PETITIONER: Hearing Date: August 22, 2002 Holland Design Group, for Kosta Apostolopoulos d/b/a Fiesta Market PROPERTY ADDRESS: PARCEL NUMBER: PUBLICATION DATE: REQUEST: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: INTERESTED PARTIES: 1902 S. Elmhurst Rd. 08-23-401-038 August 7, 2002 Special Use for an electronic message board sign and Variation for size and number of wall signs. Merrill Cotten Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Richard Rogers Matthew Sledz Keith Youngquist Judy Cormolly, AICP, Senior Planner Michael Jacobs, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Planning Holland Design Group Kosta Apostolopoulos Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Approval of the minutes was tabled to the September 26 meeting since a quorum of members from the July 25 meeting were not present. At 7:51, after hearing another case, Ms. Juracek introduced Case No. PZ-23-02, a request for a Variation for size and number of wall signs, and a Special Use for the installation of an electronic message board as a part of a freestanding sign. She explained that this case would be Village Board final. Judy Connolly, Senior Planner presented the case, reporting that the property owner is currently remodeling the existing building and converting it into an international grocery store. She said that as part of the remodeling project, the owner would like to install new signs and is seeking relief from the Village's Sign Code regulations for the size and number of wall signs. In addition, the applicant would like to install an electronic message board on the new freestanding sign, which requires Special Use approval. Ms. Connolly reported that the front building elevation would contain a wall sign that reads "Fiesta Market" and an awning that reads "Supermarket of International Fresh Produce, Meats and Morel" She said that the Sign Code allows one wall sign per street frontage that measures up to 50% of the signable area, with a maximum size of 150 square feet. Calculating the sign according to Sign Code regulations, the wall signs total 209.4 square feet. Ms. Connolly said that the building is setback over 340-feet from the Elmhurst Road property line and that the building is located on an irregular shaped lot with minimal frontage on Elmhurst Road. She said that Variations have been prev/ously granted for larger wall signs when businesses were located a significant distance fi:om the right-of-way and had large front elevations. Sizes of wall signs that received variation approval ranged from 366 square feet to 250 square feet. She said that the petitioner's request for 209 square feet would cover less than 46% of the signable area and is consistent with previous variations. Ms. Connolly said In order to approve the variation, the Board must fmd that the request meets the standards listed in the Sign Code. These standards relate to: being able to reasonably identify the business; the unique circumstances and not a convenience to the petitioner, the sign will not be detrimental to the public welfare or to other property in the neighborhood; that the sign will not impair visibility to the adjacent property, create a traffic hazard, or alter the character of the neighborhood. Planning & Zoning Commission Arlene Juracek, Chairperson PZ-23-02 Page 2 Ms. Connolly said the basis for granting previous variations for larger wall signs was that the signs would be on buildings with large elevations, set back behind a large parking lot, which is consistent with this request. In addition, the signage on the awning balances the "Fiesta Market" wall sign, and will provide better visibility for the store. The proposed variation is in keeping with the Standards for Sign Variations and Staff recommends that the Planning & Zoning Commission approve the petitioner's request to install two wall signs that total 209.4 square feet for case No. PZ-23-02 for the property at 1902 S. Elmhurst Road. The Planning & Zoning Commission's decision is final for this request. Regard/ng the Electronic Message Board Sign, Ms. Connolly said, the petitioner is/nstalling a new freestanding sign and wants to haclude an eleclronic message board. The proposed electronic message board will measure 36 square feet and have two, 12- inch lines of text used to list weekly sale items and special promotions. The sign structure measures less than 12-feet fi.om grade to the top and meets applicable sign code requkements. Electronic message centers are listed as Special Uses in the Sign Code. In order to approve the request, the Commission must fred that the request meets the standards hsted in the Sign Code, which relate to: protection of public safety and welfare; hamaony with the scale and architecture of nearby buildings and signs; lack of negative impacts on adjacent properties or signs; and compliance with other provisions of the Sign Regulations. Ms. Connolly said the proposed Special Use sign is positioned on a ffeestancrmg sign along a major arterial mad, adjacent to commercial uses. The Sign Code requires a 600-foot separation between electronic message boards and the proposed Fiesta Market sign would be located slightly more than 400-feet from an existing electronic message board. Although the separation between the electronic message boards does not comply with Sign Code regulations, the proposed design and materials are consistent with the proposed commercial build'rog and other signs in the area. The alternative to the electronic message board would be a changeable copy sign, where the owner would manually change the message. This alternative is permitted by the Sign Code and does not require special approval. In discussions with the Village's Traffic Engineer, Ms. Connolly reported, it was determined that the 600-fcot separation requirement between signs was not based on a current traffic safety standard and that the travel distance between the two signs would not create a traffic ba:'nrd or conflicts. Therefore, staff concluded that the proposed sign was a reasonable request despite it not meeting the 600-foot separation. Based on review of the Special Use standards, the proposed sign, and its location on the site, Staff recommends that the Planning & Commission approve the proposed Special Use to permit an electronic message center on the freestanding sign at the Fiesta Market, 1902 S. Elmhurst Road at its proposed location. 1. The electronic message center must meet the requirements of Section 7.330.A at all times. The Village may revoke this approval for violations of those requirements and it is determined that the electronic message poses a traffic hazard. 2. Submit a detailed landscape plan as required by the Sign Code. Merrill Cotten asked the setback at the Brunswick Lanes and Jewel, Bally, etc. Ms. Connolly said she thought the Brunswick setback was at 320', and the others were at least 200' back. Ms. Juracek pointed out that the Fiesta Market property, in addition to the 360' setback, is behind two other entities, a restaurant and a donut shop. Tom Holland of the Holland Design Group, was sworn in and testified he has worked with the owner for a couple of years, first at the Streamwood Fiesta Market, a semi-chain of international foods. They are not deviating much from the shape of the roof as it exists. They are not building a new electronic message center sign, they are revamping the "Frank's Nursery" sign and using the same construction. Ms. Juracek said the Market is set so far back, it seems the sign is needed to describe the international foods that are available. Mr. Cotten asked what electronic message board sign was closest to this sign. Ms. Connolly said the Auto Mall. Mr. Holland said the scroll time on the Fiesta sign would be variable lanning & Zoning Commission PZ-23-02 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 3 Mr. Cotten asked if the Sign Code limited the sign speed. Ms. Cormolly said yes, and noted that the Commission has limited the text speed of previous electronic sign requests more strictly than code regulations. Ms. Juraeek said she had checked the scrolling on the Library sign and noticed that it is not hazardous to traffic. Mr. Holland said the sign will be advertising specials, new and seasonal products, so each message will be on 5-10 seconds. Ms. Juracek told Mr. Holland the sign code restricts animation, etc. Mr. Holland said he was aware and held training sessions on electronic signs to ensurue compliance with code regualtions. Mr, Floros asked if the owner of Fiesta Market was in attendance and if he could provide details about the new store. Kosta Apostolopoulos, owner of the Fiesta Market, was sworn in and testified that theirs is a family business employing several uncles and cousins. They opened their first store 6 years ago in a 6,000 s.f. store in Chicago and 2 years later they opened their Streamwood International Fiesta Market. Mr, Floros asked when they planned to open. Mr. Apostolopoulos said within 30 days. Ms. Juracek welcomed Mr. Apostolopoulos and, seeing no other speakers, closed the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Joseph Dounelly moved to recommend that the Village Board approve the proposed Variation for the size and number of wall signs for the Fiesta Market at 1902 S. Elmhurst Road, Case No. PZ-23-02. Leo Floros seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Cotten, Donnelly, Floros and Juracek NAYS: None Motion was approved 4-0. Leo Floros moved to recommend that the Village Board approve the proposed Special Use for an electronic message center subject to conditions cited in Staff's memo, Special Use Standards in the Village Code, Landscaping Plan, for Case No. PZ-23-02. Joseph Dounelly seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Donnelly, Floros and Juracek NAYS: Cotten Motion was approved 3-1. At 8:39 p.m., after hearing two more cases, Joseph Donnelly made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Merrill Cotten. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary Judy Connolly, Senior Planner H:\GEN~P LANrNING\Plmming & Zoning COMM~&Z 2002~inut~\PZ-23-02 1902 S EIn~hurst Rd cloe