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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/2000 ZBA minutes41SR-2000 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE NO. ZBA-41SR-2000 Hearing Date: November 9, 2000 PETITIONER: Northwest Electric PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2000 DAILY'HERALD REQUEST: Special use for an electronic message board sign at 600 E. Rand Road MEMBERS PRESENt[: Merrill Cotten Hal Ettinger Leo Floros Elizabeth Luxem Richard Rogers Keith Youngquisr Arlene Juracek, Chairperson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Blue, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development Judy Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: Tom Reindl Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Keith Youngquist made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 26 meeting, seconded by Leo Floros, and the minutes were unanimously approved. At 8:17, Ms. Juracek opened Case ZBA-41 SR-2000, a request for a special use approval for an electronic message board sign at 600 E. Rand Road. Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, stated that public notice had been published in the newspaper as required by the Sign Code and introduced the staffmemorandum for the item, a request for a special use approval for an electronic message board sign at 600 E. Rand Rd. for Northwest Electric. Ms. Connolly said Northwest Electric is in the process of relocating the business to this site and is installing all new signs The applicant would like to include an electronic message cemer as parr of the new free standing sign along Rand Road. This requires Special Use approval and is final at the Zoning Board level. She said the property is zoned B3 and will be used as a lighting store. The proposed sign includes two brick columns and is designed to match the new Northwest Electric Supply Store building by including bricks and a sign face similar to those signs included on the structure. Ms. Connolly explained that the proposed freestanding sign meets applicable sign code requirements but requires special use approval because it has an electronic message board. The sign face is 67 square feet, which includes the electronic message center. The proposed electronic message board will be 20 square feet and have two lines of text to provide time, temperature, and public service announcements. The sign measures 11-feet from grade to the top of the sign. She said the ZBA may approve Special Uses if the proposal meets the conditions listed in the Sign Code, which she read to the Zoning Board. Ms. Connolly said the proposed Special Use is positioned on a freestanding sign along a major arterial road, adjacent to commercial use and park district property. The sign is located over 100' from the nearest residential property, which is across Rand Road. The proposed design and materials are consistent with the building and other signs in the area. She said 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. Special Use approval for an electronic message center is intended to ensure that the sign meets safety and aesthetic concerns of the Village. Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA-41SR-2000 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 2 Ms. Connolly said, based on review of the Special Use standards and the proposed sign, Staff recommends that the ZBA approve the proposed Special Use permit for an electronic message center on the freestanding sign at the Northwest Electric Supply Store, 600 E. Rand Road, with the condition that the electronic message center meet the requirements of Section 7.720. A, which are the standards fur a Special Use, at all times. The Village may revoke the Special Use permit for violations of those requirements. An example of a reason to remove the message center or revoke the Special Use permit could be that traffic is adversely impacted by the sign, causing accidents. Chairperson Juracek asked Zoning Board members if they had questions for Ms. Cormolly. Richard Rogers asked for assurance there would be no "cartoon" movement on the sign. Ms. Connolly said the applicant could confirm the design of the sign. Tom Reindl, 9817 Arthur, Algonquin, and co-owner of Northwest Electric, was sworn in. He stated that the sign does not have the capability of moveable characters. Non-moving graphics would be possible on this sign, but that is not Northwest's intended purpose, just text. Them will be two lines of 8" text. Hat Etfinger asked if the sign could be moved further southeast along Rand Road. Mr. Reindl said the position of the sign was chosen as a centerpiece for the store to coordinate with the entrance and also because of the limitations between the sidewalk and the parking curb and setback requirements. To place it any further to the northwest the sign would lose visibility due to the Park District property screening. Mr. Etfinger said he had concerns that the sign would distract motorists. Mr. Reindl explained that, as motorists reach a point perpendicular to the sign, it can no longer be read by them and would not be a distrachon. Elizabeth Luxem asked about the landscaping plan for the sign request and was told the landscaping had been approved as part of the original Zoning Board case. Mr. Floros remarked on the attractive appearance of the building. Ms. Luxem also complimented Mr. Reindl on the building and the sign. Mr. Cotten and Mr. Ettinger reiterated their opposition to moving signs. Chairperson Juranek 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 8:30pm and Ms. Juracek asked for a motion. Richard Rogers made a motion to grant the request for a special use for an electronic message board sign at 600 E. Rand Road with the condition that the sign always meets requirements of Section 7.720.A. Keith Youngquist seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Floros, Luxem, Rogers, Youngquist and ~'uracek NAYS: Cotten, Ettinger Motion was approved 5-2 At 9:13 p.m., Elizabeth Luxem made motion to adjourn, seconded by Hal Ettmger. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary ludy Connolly, Senior Planner