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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/2000 ZBA minutes38SR-2000 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE NO. ZBA-38SR-2000 Hearing Date: October 26, 2000 PETITIONER: Lou Ennesser for Mount Prospect Park District 1000 W. Central Road PUBLICATION DATE: October 11, 2000 dOURNAL/TOPICS REQUEST: Special use for an electronic message board sign at 420 Dempster Street (RecPlex) MEMBERS PRESENT: Merrill Cotten Hal Ettinger Leo Floros Elizabeth Luxem Keith Youngquist Arlene Juracek, Chairperson MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Rogers STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Blue, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development Judy Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: Lou Ennesser David M. Thometz Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Elizabeth Luxem made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14 meeting, seconded by Keith Youngquist. Chairperson Arlene Juracek made a correction to the minutes of the ZBA-26-2000 case. Elizabeth Luxem made a motion to approve the corrected ZBA-26-2000 minutes and the minutes of the ZBA-33-2000 case, Leo Floros seconded the motion, and the minutes were unanimously approved. At 8:40, Ms. Juracek opened Case ZBA-38SR-2000, a request for a special use approval for an electronic message board sign at 420 Dempster Street (RecPlex). Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, stated that public notice had been published in the newspaper as required by the Sign Code and introduced the staff memorandum for the item, a request for a special use approval for an electronic message board sign at 420 Dempster Street (RecPlex). Ms. Connolly stated that the subject property is zoned CR and is a park district recreation center. The applicant is in the process of applying for a new freestanding sign and is seeking approval of a special use to include an electronic message center as part of the new sign. The proposed sign includes two brick columns at the base with a decorative metal feature linking the brickwork. The sign is designed to match the RecPlex Center building by including bricks similar to those on the main structure. The sign is 12-feet from grade to the top of the sign. The sign face is 45 square feet, including the electronic message center. The sign meets code for height and size, but the electronic message center is a special use and the petitioner needs approval to install it on the freestanding sign. The message center would have one line of text approximately 15" in height. The message center will provide time, temperature, and weather information, messages related to park district, non-profit organizations, and local Village activities. Ms. Connolly explained that the proposed electronic message board is positioned on a freestanding sign on park district property along a major arterial road, adjacent to commercial use to the east and multifamily buildings to the west. The sign is located 100-feet from the nearest residential property. The proposed design and materials are consistent with the existing Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA-38 SR-2000 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 2 recreation center and other signs in the neighborhood. The sign meets all applicable sign regulations regarding height, size, and design. Ms. Connolly stated that the special use standards for signs are similar in nature to the conditional use standards. As with a conditional use, special use signs are generally appropriate for most commercial and/or arterial road locations, but may present situations that need special consideration and/or control. In the case of an electronic message center, special use approval is intended to ensure that the sign meets safety and aesthetic concems of the Village. Ms. Connolly said that, based on review of the special use standards and the proposed sign, staff recommends that the ZBA approve the proposed special use to permit an electronic message center on the freestanding sign at the RecPlex, with the following condition: that 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. The Zoning Board's decision is final for this case. Chairperson Juracek asked for clarification on what would allow the Village to suspend the Special Use permit and require the Park District to remove the electronic message board. Ms. Connolly said that if the sign caused traffic hazards and accidents that the Village could require removal of the electronic message board. Elizabeth Luxem asked for assurance that this sign would have one line of text and no capability for two lines. Ms. Connolly said that could be made a condition of approval. Lou Ennesser of the Mt. Prospect Park District and residing at 405 W. Clarendon, Prospect Heights, and Dave Thometz of Whiteway Signs, 1317 Clybourn, Chicago, were sworn in and testified the sign would have one line of text 1' high, with just one line capability. Hal Ettinger asked for the cost of the electronic message board component of the sign. Mr. Thometz responded that it costs $5,000 for the message board plus $3,000 for the electric source. Mr. Ennesser said that the sign would announce the time and temperature, park district events and programs, joint Park District and Village events and RecPlex events. Mr. Ettinger asked how far the sign would be located from the intersection of Dempster and Rte. 83. Mr. Ennesser said about 600'-700'. Mr. Ettinger asked for clarification on the petitioner's need for the electronic message board and Mr. Ennesser responded that the message sign is necessary because the RecPlex is setback 200'-300' from the street. Mr. Thometz said an electronic sign is needed because it is much more convenient than signs that require someone to go out and physically change the letters on a sign. He also pointed out that the lights are only 3.85 watts with an automatic dimming device and would not throw off a glare for passing motorists. Chairperson Juracek asked if information to sign-up for park district classes would be displayed on the sign. Mr. Ennesser said messages would be brief because only 13 letters could be displayed at one time. Mr. Floros asked about the hours of operation for the sign. Mr. Ennesser said they had not yet determined the hours of operation of the sign, but the RecPlex is open from 5am - 1 lpm. Ms. Juracek said other message signs in the Village run continuously. Chairperson Juracek asked if anyone from the audience was present who wanted to address the ZBA about this case. As there was no response, the public hearing was closed at 8:51 pm and Ms. Juracek asked for a motion. Mr. Floros made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed special use to permit to permit an electronic message center on the freestanding sign at the RecPlex, Case No. ZBA-38SR-2000 with the one condition listed in the staff report imposed on the approval. Keith Youngquist seconded the motion. Ms. Luxem complimented the design of the sign, pointed out that, despite the initial high cost, message signs are an efficient advertising tool for any business, and would not create a traffic hindrance on Dempster. oning Board of Appeals ZBA-38 SR-2000 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 3 Mr. Cotten stated that he was unalterably opposed to moving signs. He said that not enough of the message would be seen by passing motorists because traffic moves at a fast speed along Dempster Street. Mr. Ettinger said message signs were not effective and he was concerned about the safety of motorists. Mr. Floros stated that the Village has permitted these types of signs at other locations. He said there are several electronic message boards at businesses along Rte. 83 and other main roads and that the proposed sign is not a unique request. Mr. Youngquist said he had no objections to this request. He said that the building is not signed and is set-back far from the street. Ms. Juracek concurred with Mr. Youngquist's remarks. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Floros, Luxem, Youngquist and Juracek NAYS: Cotten, Ettinger Motion was approved 4-2. At 9:44 p.m., Hal Ettinger made 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\PLNG\ZBA\ZBA 2000\Mh~utes~ZBA-38SR-2000 420 Dempster (RecPlex).doc