HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/2026 PZ-17-26 / 801 West Kensington Road / Signage Variations1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-17-26
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
PETITIONER:
PUBLICATION DATE:
REQUEST:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Hearing Date: July 23, 2026
801 W. Kensington Road
Michael Sauer, ARCON Associates
Aneta Mistak, Township High School District 214
J u ly 8, 2026
Signage variations for the installation of a new video
scoreboard
Joseph Donnelly
William Beattie
Walter Szymczak
Richard Rogers
Michael Fricano
Donald Olsen
Ewa Weir
Fay Costa
Ann Choi — Development Planner
INTERESTED PARTIES: Michael Sauer, ARCON Associates
Aneta Mistak, Township High School District 214
Thomas Kroupa, Arlington Heights Resident
Chairman Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Vice Chairman Beattie made a
motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak to approve the minutes from the Planning
and Zoning Commission meeting on July 9, 2026. The minutes were approved 5-0.
Chairman Donnelly introduced Case PZ-17-26, 801 West Kensington Road, a request for
signage variations. The Planning and Zoning Commission will serve as the final authority for
the request.
Staff Presentation
Ms. Choi introduced Case PZ-17-26, a request by Michael Sauer of ARCON Associates, on
behalf of Township High School District 214, seeking several signage variations to replace
the existing athletic scoreboard with a new video scoreboard at Prospect High School.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
Ms. Choi explained that the subject property is bound by Kensington Road to the north,
Dale Avenue to the west, Memory Lane to the south, and Forest Avenue to the east.
Ms. Choi stated that the proposed video scoreboard is part of District 214's broader effort
to enhance athletic facilities and educational programming including hands-on experience
in journalism, multimedia production, broadcasting, live event coverage, instant replay,
and digital content management while building practical, career -ready skills. Ms. Choi
further states that hands-on learning opportunities include event production,
broadcasting, graphics, and live event management, and students will learn how to
program and operate the scoreboard under the direct supervision of a teacher, coach, or
other designated staff member. Ms. Choi noted that the old scoreboard was recently taken
down and was located at the southwest portion of the subject property, between the
sports field and running track, at the south end zone of the football field. Ms. Choi
presented photos of the previous scoreboard that showed it was a standard scoreboard
with changeable copy to keep score between the home team and guest teams with the
words "Prospect High School" and its logos prominently located at the top of the
scoreboard. Ms. Choi went on to state that the old scoreboard was approximately 25 to 26
feet in height and that sound was projected through a separate public address (PA)
system.
Ms. Choi stated that the proposed new scoreboard will be approximately 507 SF in area
with an overall height of almost 33' to the top of the Prospect High School mascot logo. Ms.
Choi explained that the structure would include an approximately 328-square-foot LED
video display, a 100-square-foot conventional scoreboard below the display showing game
statistics, and an overhead truss featuring the Prospect Knights name and logo. Ms. Choi
noted that the video portion of the scoreboard will be utilized during Illinois High School
Association (IHSA) sanctioned home games for athletic events, including football, soccer,
Lacrosse, and track meets, and the video display will remain off at all other times. Ms. Choi
stated that a variety of content including game highlights, scoring plays, halftime scores,
images of players or special guests, school announcements, information regarding
upcoming events, recognition of donors or sponsors, power ad messaging, including
advertisements from local sponsors, will be displayed during scheduled events. Ms. Choi
pointed out that sound will occur via existing and/or new speakers mounted near or on the
press -box and bleacher areas and will not be broadcast through the video -scoreboard.
Ms. Choi explained that the proposed new scoreboard is approximately 507 SF in area with
an overall height of 31'-2" to the top of the truss, or to 33' to the top of the Prospect High
School mascot logo. Ms. Choi stated that the new video scoreboard will be 25' wide and
will have a 10-foot clearance.
Ms. Choi went on to present a diagram identifying portions of the surrounding
neighborhood where views of the proposed video scoreboard would be obscured.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
Residences located south of the scoreboard would not be visually affected because they
are situated behind the face of the display. Ms. Choi noted that existing bleachers and
Landscaping along the west side of the athletic field would also obscure views for
approximately five (5) residences. Ms. Choi stated that the Petitioner identified a remaining
area between the sightline extending from the face of the scoreboard and the existing
bleachers where the scoreboard may be visible. To mitigate these views, Ms. Choi
explained that a row of new evergreen trees, including arborvitae, are proposed along the
west side of the field to screen the scoreboard from the residences at416, 420, 424, and
428 Dale Avenue and reduce potential visual impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.
Ms. Choi explained that to mitigate these views, a row of new evergreen trees, including
arborvitae, are proposed along the west side of the field to screen the scoreboard from the
residences at 416, 420, 424, and 428 Dale Avenue and reduce potential visual impacts on
the surrounding neighborhood.
Ms. Choi stated that there were other mitigation measures related to when the new video
scoreboard may be operated. Ms. Choi indicated that the scoreboard would be used only
during Prospect High School's IHSA-sanctioned events and games and would remain off
when no event is taking place. Ms. Choi pointed out that the recommendation included in
the agenda packet contains a condition requiring the scoreboard to be turned on no earlier
than 60 minutes before an event or game and turned off within 30 minutes after the event
or game concludes. However, Ms. Choi noted that the Petitioner has requested that this
condition be amended to allow the scoreboard to be turned on up to 90 minutes before all
football games. This would allow a 90-minute countdown to be displayed during pregame
warm-ups and drills, helping players and coaches track the time remaining before kickoff.
Ms. Choi went on to state that when a unit of local government, such as a school district,
park district, or county, comes to the Village with a zoning request, the Village should
consider whether the requested relief furthers the statutory mission of the unit of local
government and, if it does, give the requested relief some deference.
Ms. Choi referenced Section 7.605 of the Village of Mount Prospect sign ordinance which
provides that a variation shall not be approved unless findings are made on the following
standards. Ms. Choi stated that staff finds that strict compliance with the standard height,
sign area, changeable -copy, illumination, and operational limitations applicable to
conventional freestanding signs would substantially restrict the scoreboard's visibility and
functionality for athletes, students, and spectators within the athletic field, and that the
requested variations are therefore necessary for the video scoreboard to reasonably serve
its intended athletic, educational, and informational purposes. >s Choi further stated that
the video scoreboard must also be sufficiently elevated and sized to be visible across the
athletic field and spectator seating areas and must accommodate live game information
and video content associated with school events. Ms. Choi explained that staff finds that
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
4
the requested relief is necessary to permit a modern athletic scoreboard to function
effectively.
[The following variations from the signage regulations are required:
1. A sign variation from Section 7.302.G.2 to permit an increase to the maximum
height of a freestanding sign from twelve feet (12'-0") to thirty-three feet (33'-0") to
the top of the logo.
2. A sign variation from Section 7.302.G.3 to permit an increase to maximum area of a
sign face from seventy-five square feet (75 SF) to five hundred seven square feet
(507 SF).
3. A sign variation from Section 7.302.G.9 to permit a reduction in the required
Landscaping at the base of the sign from 1,014 square feet to zero square feet (0 SF).
4. A sign variation from Section 7.302.H.1 to permit more than six (6) permanent items
of information on the sign which incorporates changeable copy and to permit an
increase to the maximum area that the changeable copy portion of the sign face of
the total area of the sign face from forty percent (40%) to eighty-four and four -tenths
percent (84.4%).
5. A sign variation from Sections 7.302.H.2 to waive the requirement that the sign
display a static message only, with no movement, appearance of movement, or
optical illusion of movement during the static display period; that transitions
between messages be instantaneous, also known as a slideshowtransition, and
not dissolve, fade, scroll, travel, or include similar transitions; and that messages
not change more frequently than once every ten (10) seconds.
6. A sign variation from Section 7.302.H.3 to waive the requirement that the sign be
equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the
image in one position when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.
7. A sign variation from Section 7.302.1<.1 to waive the requirement that the sign direct
attention to a business on a lot adjacent to the lot on which the sign is located.
8. A sign variation from Section 7.302.K.2 to waive the requirement that the sign be
Located on a lot which is adjacent toa major arterial street.
9. A sign variation from Section 7.401.E to permit the sign to exceed seventy-five (75)
foot-candles when measured with a standard light meter perpendicular to the face
of the sign from a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of the sign.
10. A sign variation from Section 7.401.G.2.a to waive the requirement that the
electronic message center sign be turned off no later than the earlier of thirty (30)
minutes after sunset or seven o'clock (7:00) P.M.
11. A sign variation from Section 7.401.G.2.b to permit the electronic message center
sign to exceed four (4) foot-candles using the sign'snight-mode white screen
setting when measured with a standard light meter at a distance often feet (10')
away from the face of the sign.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
5
12. A variation from Section 7.302.K to permit off -premises sponsor advertisements on
the video scoreboard that do not comply with the applicable off -premises sign
regulations.]
Staff Recommendation
Ms. Choi stated that based on the information submitted, Staff finds that the proposed
signage variation standards have been met, as set forth in the Petitioner's and staff's
responses to the standards, and staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning
Commission make a motion to adopt staff's findings as the findings of the Planning and
Zoning Commission and approve the following motion with the modified conditions
.
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"To approve signage variations to allow a 507-square-foot, 33-foot-tall video scoreboard at
the Subject Property, also known as 801 West Kensington Road (PIN: 03-33-201-003-
0000), Case No. PZ-17-26, subject to the following conditions:
1. The video scoreboard shall be installed in strict conformance with the approved
signage plans which consist of the following (collectively the "Approved Plans"):
a. "Landscape Plan," Sheet L100, prepared by Eriksson Engineering
Associates, Ltd., and bearing the latest revision date of 04/14/26;
b. "Ground Sign Design Specifications," consisting of 4 sheets, prepared by
MBI Companies, and dated 02/25/26;
C. "Production Ready Artwork Needed for: Knight Logo," consisting of one (1)
page, prepared by Daktronics, and dated 06/09/2025;
d. "List of Expected Athletic Field and Proposed Video/Scoreboard Use"
(Video -Scoreboard Use/Operations Plan), consisting of one (1) page,
prepared by District 214, and dated Jul ,,,,, ,
2 . .... ,,,,,,,, operation and use of„ „ -i ,,,,,,,, video boarboalrd poirtion of„ the scoireboalrd shaLL ,,,,,,
r ,„ it it...........I , in in ,i ,r -athletic events,
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-
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
4. Sound shall not be broadcast through the video -scoreboard.
5. The video -scoreboard's illumination shall not strike nor produce glare that would
affect the nearby street or properties.
6. Off -premises sponsorship advertisements shall only be displayed during sponsored
events.
7. New evergreen shrubs/trees (arborvitae) shall be planted to screen the video -
scoreboard from the neighboring residences to the west along Dale Avenue, in
accordance with the Landscape Plan, Sheet L100, prepared by Eriksson Engineering
Associates, Ltd., bearing the latest revision date of 04/07/2026.
8. Prospect High School shall maintain a log of all complaints received. The complaint
Log shall be made available to Village officials upon request."
Ms. Choi concluded by stating that the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision is final
for this case.
Commission Questions for Staff
Vice Chairman Beattie asked whether additional landscape screening would be provided
in the area shown without screening on the site plan and sought clarification regarding the
existing versus proposed screening. Vice Chairman Beattie also asked whether the video
scoreboard could be used during daytime graduation ceremonies in addition to the
proposed permissible uses. Ms. Choi clarified that the proposed condition currently limits
use of the video scoreboard to IHSA-sanctioned events and games. Ms. Choi noted that if
the Petitioner wishes to allow its use for graduation ceremonies or other events, they could
request a modification to the proposed condition. Chairman Donnelly asked to direct the
questions to the Petitioner. Chairman Donnelly expressed that he would like to encourage
the school district to use it as much as they can.
Chairman Donnelly asked whether the proposed scoreboard would be larger than the
existing scoreboard. Ms. Choi explained that the proposed scoreboard would be narrower
than the existing scoreboard. Ms. Choi also noted that, because the Village's Sign Code
does not contain regulations specific to scoreboards, the proposed scoreboard is
classified as an electronic message center (EMC), requiring twelve sign code variations.
Hearing no further questions for staff, Chairman Donnelly swore in the following speakers:
• Petitioner: Michael Sauer, ARCON Associates, 512 W. Hintz Road, Arlington Heights
IL. Mr. Sauer is the architect for District 214.
• V.P. Trinh, ARCON Associates, 309 N Prospect Manor, Mount Prospect IL
• Aneta Mistak, 10659 Golden Gate Avenue, Huntley IL. Ms. Mistak is the Director of
Operation for District 214.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
Commission Questions for the Petitioner
Chairman Donnelly invited the Petitioner to present the proposal and address the
questions raised earlier by the Commission.
Mr. Sauer explained that the proposal would replace the existing scoreboard in the same
Location with a new, slightly narrower scoreboard that would be mounted higher for safety
and to accommodate the integrated video display. Mr. Sauer stated that the scoreboard
includes automatic dimming features to minimize brightness and is comparable to
scoreboards used at other high schools.
Chairman Donnelly asked whether the Petitioner could provide additional landscape
screening if concerns arose regarding visibility from nearby residences.
Mr. Sauer responded that additional screening could be installed in the unscreened area if
necessary and noted that the nearest homes are approximately 200 yards from the
scoreboard.
Vice Chairman Beattie commented that the scoreboard was not expected to be
excessively bright but observed that the unscreened area was the only location without a
natural or installed buffer. Chairman Donnelly concluded that additional screening could
be considered if complaints were received after installation.
Mr. Sauer stated that the proposed scoreboard would not include speakers and would not
change the existing sound system. Mr. Sauer noted that the proposal is limited to the visual
display and does not request any modifications related to sound. Chairman Donnelly
pointed out that relief for sound is not part of the request for signage relief.
Mr. Trinh was sworn in and stated that he is a principal with ARCON Associates and a
Lifelong Mount Prospect resident and Prospect High School graduate. Mr. Trinh noted that
his mother resides near the proposed scoreboard location where screening is not
proposed and stated that any concerns regarding the scoreboard or screening would be
communicated directly to the project team so they could be addressed promptly.
Vice Chairman Beattie asked whether the Petitioner had considered requesting additional
flexibility to allow the video scoreboard to be used for other school -related events, such as
graduation ceremonies or other activities held on the football field, in addition to the
proposed times. Vice Chairman Beattie asked the Commission whether the proposed
condition should be modified to allow the video scoreboard to be used for additional
school -related events beyond I HSA-sanctioned home games.
Ms. Mistak stated that the District would like the flexibility to use the video scoreboard for
additional school and District 214 events, such as band festivals, graduation ceremonies,
and other activities held at the stadium, while continuing to comply with all approved
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
8
hours of operation. Vice Chairman Beattie asked whether the proposed condition should
be revised to allow the video scoreboard to be used for additional school -related events.
Vice Chairman Beattie expressed support for providing flexibility for future school
activities, noting that such events would not be more impactful than athletic events in
terms of brightness or neighborhood impacts. Ms. Choi advised that the proposed
condition would need to be amended to allow additional permitted uses of the video
scoreboard.
Ms. Mistak stated that the District would comply with all approved operating restrictions
for the video scoreboard and would limit use of the video display to significant school
events. Ms. Mistak noted that expanding the permitted uses in the condition would provide
additional flexibility for future school activities.
Chairman Donnelly and Vice Chairman Beattie discussed revising the proposed condition
to allow the video scoreboard to be used for school events held at the stadium while
maintaining the approved hours of operation. Ms. Mistak explained that the video display
could be turned off independently while the scoreboard remained operational, if
necessary.
Chairman Donnelly asked whether the video scoreboard would operate only while the
stadium lights were in use. Ms. Mistak confirmed that the video scoreboard would follow
the same operating schedule as the stadium lights. Chairman Donnelly expressed support
for modifying the condition accordingly.
Chairman Donnelly, Vice Chairman Beattie, Ms. Choi, and Ms. Mistak discussed revisions
to the proposed condition. Following discussion, the Commission reached a consensus to
revise the condition to permit operation of the video board for school events held at the
stadium, rather than limiting use to IHSA-sanctioned home games.
The revised condition was summarized as follows: "The operation and use of the video
board portion of the scoreboard shall be restricted to school -sanctioned events that utilize
the stadium."
Chairman Donnelly stated that the revised condition would allow the video scoreboard to
be used during school events held at the stadium while the stadium lights were in
operation. Ms. Mistak expressed support for the revised condition.
Chairman Donnelly asked if anyone in the audience wanted to address this issue or
whether any additional questions remained for the Petitioner. Hearing none, Chairman
Donnelly asked staff to summarize the public comment letters received regarding the
petition.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26
Ms. Choi reported that two public comment letters were received. One letter expressed
support for the proposal, while the other raised concerns regarding potential noise from
programming and testing the video scoreboard through the existing PA system,
construction activities completed prior to approval, and remedies for any unforeseen
community impacts.
Chairman Donnelly asked whether programming and testing of the video scoreboard
would result in additional noise impacts to nearby residents.
Mr. Sauer responded that programming and testing of the video scoreboard would not
result in additional noise beyond existing operations and explained that the video display
would primarily be used for school announcements, sponsor recognition, and similar
content rather than commercial advertising.
Chairman Donnelly stated that programming and testing of the video scoreboard would
occur at the programming station without broadcasting sound through the existing PA
system. Chairman Donnelly further stated that any sound checks requiring use of the PA
system would occur only during the approved operating period for the video scoreboard
prior to an event. Based on the Petitioner's responses, Chairman Donnelly concluded that
the proposed video scoreboard would not create additional noise impacts beyond the
existing PA system.
Motion and Vote
Hearing no further comments or questions, Chairman Donnelly closed the hearing and
asked for a motion to approve the petition, as amended. Vice Chairman Beattie made a
motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak to approve the requested signage relief
subject to the amended condition.
UPON ROLL CALL AYES: Szymczak, Beattie, Rogers, Fricano, Donnelly
NAYS: None
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the motion (5-0).
After hearing no additional items of New Business, Vice Chairman Beattie made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Szymczak, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 PM.
Ann Choi, Development Planner
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting —July 23, 2026 PZ-17-26