HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/22/2005 P&Z minutes 35-05
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-35-05
Hearing Date: September 22, 2005
PETITIONER:
Village of Mount Prospect
PUBLICATION DATE:
August 10, 2005
REQUEST:
Text Amendment to the Sign Code - Electronic Message Centers
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Arlene Juracek
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Marlys Haaland
Ronald Roberts
Richard Rogers
Keith Youngquist
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jill Baty, Planning Intern
Judith Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
Bill Cooney, AICP, Director, Community Development
Ellen Divita, Deputy Director, Community Development
INTERESTED PARTIES:
Minerya Armando Celaya
Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Richard Rogers moved to approve the
minutes of the August 25, 2005 meeting and Ronald Roberts seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-
0; Marlys Haaland and Chairperson Juracek abstained from the vote. After hearing three cases, Chairperson
Juracek introduced Case No. PZ-35-05, text amendments to the Village's Sign Code for Electronic Message
Centers. She said that the Village Board's decision was final for the request.
Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, summarized the case. She said that as discussed at the August P&Z Meeting,
recent technology improvements make electronic message center signs affordable and more durable than
changeable copy signs. Consequently, the Village has experienced an increase in the number of Special Use
applications for electronic message centers and anticipates receiving more requests in the future. Therefore, the
proposed amendments to the Sign Code are intended to provide regulations that ensure the character of the
Village is not adversely impacted by future electronic message centers, yet reflect changes in the sign industry.
She said that Staff revised the text amendments to reflect discussion from the August P&Z meeting. However,
Ronald Roberts had some suggestions and would like them included. Ms. Connolly presented changes to the
proposed Text Amendment and incorporated Mr. Roberts' comments.
The Commission discussed allowing graphics on the electronic message sign boards. It was decided that
animated graphics were not allowed, but logos were permitted to be displayed. The text amendments were
modified to read:
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Arlene Jurcek, Acting Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting September 22, 2005
PZ-35-05
Page 2
A. Electronic Message Centers:
1. The electronic message center shall serve the public convenience at that location and shall be located no
closer than six hundred feet (600') to another such device directed to the same street.
2. The sign message is not required to shall periodically include public service information such as time,
temperature, date, weather, traffic conditions or other messages of interest to the traveling public, but such
information mav be displaved at the owner's discretion.
3. The electronic message center shall be designed and located such that the entire sign message will be
legible to the motorists viewing the sign; the Planning & Zoning Commission may require the size of the
signface and amount of text to be modified to ensure the information is legible. In addition. the sign
must be constructed from non-reflective materials and illuminated in a manner that does not create a
glare.
4. The size of the sign must be approved bv the Planning & Zoning Commission and the sign structure
shall otherwise conform to all applicable regulations as specified in this Chapter.
5. The sign message shall not consist of flashing, scintillating, chasing or animated lights or include
animated pictorial graphics; the text shall be a uniform color and it cannot scroll unless specifically
approved bv the Planning & Zoning Comm,ission. The sign shall not change more frequently than once
every two (2) seconds fifteen (15) seconds. text shaH appear in a uniform manner and be displaved
subject to the sign's location and it shaH be displayed in a uniform manner. A shorter display time mav
be approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission when frame patterns ami/or volume warrant a
shorter display time.
6. Prior to applying for a Special Use permit. the Applicant shaH subuiit photos of the proposed sign as
it would appear during the dav and the evening. Depending on the existing lighting levels at the
proposed location. a dimmer setting may be required for the sign so the text is less bright at night.
7. Menu boards used at drive-thru lanes and signs used hv gas stations to display gasoline prices only
do not require a Special Use permit. Information shall be displayed in a static manner (no motion
permitted), bave a uniform color. and illumination levels cannot exceed surrounding light levels.
Richard Rogers made a motion to approve the proposed text amendments as modified during the September 22,
2005 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, Case No. PZ-35-05; Keith Youngquist seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL:
AYES: Donnelly, Floros, Haaland, Roberts, Rogers, Youngquist, and Juracek
NAYS: None
Motion was approved 7-0. The case will go to Village Board for their consideration
Richard Rogers made a motion to adjourn at 9 pm, seconded by Ronald Roberts. The motion was approved by a
voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Judith M. Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
/kd C:\Documcnts and Scuings\kdcwis\Local Scttings\Tcmporary Internet Filcs\OLK2\PZ~35M05 (Text Amendment September Meeting c1cc message center signs).doc