Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2006MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD February 9, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Weiss (Chairman), G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Macasi STAFF PRESENT: C. Brzezinski OTHERS PRESENT: Stephen Yas, Yas Architecture LLC. CITIZEN COMMENT: None OTHER BUSINESS: There was no January meeting of the Sign Review and Appeals Board. No meeting minutes were distributed with the meeting packets for this meeting. At the next meeting (March 9, 2006). the meeting notes from the December, 2005 will be included and on the agenda. As the only item on the agenda is a proposal designed by Jack Weiss Associates, J. Weiss recused himself from the Board at this point, and J. Macasi acted as Chairman. NEW BUSINESS 1603 Orrington — Orrington Plaza #06SVF- -00001 Proposed Unified Business Center signage plan for the retaiU business complex. Stephen Yas and Jack Weiss presented the proposal for this Unified Business Center sign plan for the proposed retail /office project. The proposal consists of 3 basic sign types: Window signage (behind the glass), exterior signage mounted vertically on a projecting awning and on the garage entrance wall, and free standing signs. C. Brzezinski stated that the Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee voted to recommend all signage except the free standing signage. Some comments made by the Committee concerned the proliferation of free standing signs around downtown area. The Board discussed the proposal. G. Summers asked about the determining factors in locating the free standing sign near the proposed curved portion of the fagade along Orrington. S. Yas responded that they did not locate this sign within a planting bed, like the other free standing sign along Orrington due to the concern of not losing any existing trees. C. Brzezinski pointed out that since the window signage may be white in color (S. Yas's preference) care should be taken with the specification of the color of the glass as 'clear glass is actually green, unless special glass is specified, which is colorless. J. Macasi commented that this project benefits from a good architect and a good sign designer and he is in favor of this proposal as submitted. M. Tendam complimented the applicant, stating that this is how a submittal is supposed to be presented. A motion was made to approve the Unified Business Center signage plan as proposed by M. Tendam, seconded by G. Summers and passed by a unanimous vote (3-0). Discussion of requested Board review of the draft Strategic Plan. The City Managers office of the City of Evanston requested that all Boards and Commissions discuss and provide some feed back (via e-mail) with regard to the City's proposed Strategic Plan. Chairman Weiss and the committee members discussed various topics, with Chairman Weiss stating that he will e-mail the Sign Review and Appeals Board's concerns with regard to the proposal. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:30 PM NEXT MEETING will be on March 9, 2006. MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD March 9, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Macsai, G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS W. Hailen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 12/08/05 and 02/09/06 meetings and passed by unanimous vote. None 821 Davis — City Parking Garage — Temporary FOR RENT banners #06SVF- .00002 Presented by Justin Pelej These temporary banners were not included in the Unified Business Center signage plan for the complex but are needed to promote the rental of the seven retail spaces within the garage component according to the presenter. He also noted that construction staging/ fencing and sidewalk closures around the garage have limited exposure of this area as FOR RENT retail space. The garage area rental has lagged while the Sherman Avenue spaces have rented at a good pace. The size and location of the banners are needed for visibility. The Board agreed with all these arguments. A motion was made to approve the temporary banners as proposed and passed by a unanimous vote. 1557 Sherman — Pete Miller's -- Awnings Presented by Matt David and Scott Levin #06SVF- -00003 The presenters noted that this longstanding Evanston restaurant wanted to create a 1940's steakhouse feeling in the awing array. They indicated that the manager thought once an awning permit was obtained some variations could be made in the awning design and signage. Many examples of awnings with signage on the sloped surface and on the apron area were presented. They said awnings are popular and noted that most have signage on them. The Board was very concerned that the awnings installed vary from the awning permit drawing In the following ways: -they are larger and do not respect the architectural elements of the fagade -the logos are larger and all the text on the aprons is added -the total awning signage is an average of 100% over the Sign Regulation limit This kind of serious variation from the permit process must be discouraged in the Board's view and any acceptance could set a dangerous precedent for future deliberations. Many of the examples of awning/ signage relationships shown by the presenter were the result of variations granted by the Board based on special conditions/ considerations. A lengthy discussion occurred with staff noting that the existing logo only signage, without text on the aprons, averaged 30% over the Sign Regulation limit. The Board agreed that the low contrast between logo dull gold color on the black awning field served to make them less prominent for their size. A motion was made, with great reluctance, to approve the awnings as installed with the restaurant logos on them but with no text on the awning aprons and passed with Greg Summers voting no. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:20 PM NEXT MEETING is on Aoril 13.2006 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD April 20, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Macsal, G. Summers, M. Tendam STAFF PRESENT: W. Hallen OTHERS -PRESENT: None ' OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2006 meeting and was passed by unanimous vote. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 1565 Maple —Winthrop Club Presented by Bob Homer #06SVF- -00004 A Board member noted that the Sign Regulations require a building permit, even a demolition permit, must be issued before the 'FOR SALE" signs can be installed on a site and this has not been waived on any other project to date. When asked why he did not demo the building now the presenter indicated that the current tenant has occupancy until September 2006 and noted that the signs are needed to begin the sales that will lubricate assembling financing for the building. The presented pointed out, with supporting photographs, that the size of the signs proposed agrees with signage permitted on other major condo projects in the City. Some of these signs have been up for longer than the 180 days requested in this proposal. The Board had no concern about the size and position of the proposed temporary signs. Greg Summers realized during the meeting that he may be involved in pending litigation with the developer on 182211830 Ridge issues and must recluse himself from this variation review. A motion was made to approve the proposal as submitted with the condition that the signs stay up no longer than 180 days starting 04121/06 and was approved by unanimous vote. 1925 Central —Various Stores #05SVF- -00022 Presented by Ray Pesavento and George Boddy While not perfectly clear from the documents submitted, the presenters indicated that all future signage would match the new Bank of America sign and create a consistent appearance at the building. He agreed that the existing signs created a hodge-podge array and would be corrected over time. When questioned on the size of the current sign off central for the currency exchange he replied that the tenant felt they needed the sign size to attract business since it was off the Central Street facade. Possible use of awnings was suggested by a Board member, but the owner did not feel this was appropriate at this location, even though he has used them on some Chicago properties he owns. He noted that the Bank of America signage was a branded array and had to be used at all locations. A motion was made to approve the unified business center signage plan with the following conditions: - all signs will have 32" high metal cabinets with dark background and light lettering in channel form -no window signs will be used except the text submitted for the Bank of America entry door and was approved by unanimous vote. 900 Chicago — Various Stores Presented by Iherin Pearson Staff noted that the new building was designed with a sign location in mind and the signs proposed in this Unified Business Center signage plan are in this position. A Board member queried the use of 16" high text in a 16" high sign band and the presenter agreed to change the text height to 14" maximum. The Board questioned including "list of services" in the permitted signage as too broad a class that could easily be subject to abuse. Use of upper and lower case lettering was also questioned but it was included as part of FROOTS standard signage. Staff pointed out that no window signs were included in the proposal and the presented responded that this was an oversight on their part. A motion was made to approve the unified business center signage plan with the following conditions: - all text shall be 14" high maximum -sign texts shall be limited to store names and graphic symbol (logo) -window signs that agree with the Sign Regulations can be installed and was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:30 PM NEXT MEETING will be on Mav 11.2006 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD May 11, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Summers, J. Weiss, M. Larson STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS W. Hallen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2006 Board meeting and passed by unanimous vote. None 501-507 Main + 904 Hinman —Various Stores Presented by Kamolpom Weeraprajuk #06SVF- -00006 It was difficult to determine the actual details of the Unified Business Center signage plan from the data submitted, but the presenter indicated that the intent was to extend the awning system over all the retail stores as they changed their signage. The Board questioned the Integration of the awing design with the building architectural elements, in particular since the building is a named historic structure. The presenter noted that the awnings would be fabric. A lengthy discussion of the awning design was joined by all Board members and a resultant motion was developed. A motion was made to approve the Unified Business Center signage plan presented with the following major changes: -Awnings will be fabric with no Illumination Top of awnings will be level with the top of the existing awning at the Oceanique restaurant (this preserves the strong horizontal line generated by the limestone band above this point) -Awning will be discontinuous at the limestone piers between store windows (this makes the awnings conform to the existing building "bays") -Messages on the awnings will conform to the Sign Regulations criteria and will only be located above a bay with a tenant entry and be centered In the bay. and passed by unanimous vote. 614 Dempster — Angelina's Boutique Presented by Eric Elmgren #06SVF- -00007 The Board did not feel that the added on mansard "roof" was a significant architectural element and therefore could be a location for signage. A motion was made to approve waif sign as submitted and passed by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:00 PM NEXT MEETING June B. 2006 _ � ..- ..--j,'Y.::"-_"'I4e"CF'4..�::4u_wA�dtiE3'L�{�+.�yJr=,l'�.•�1�'. MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD July 13, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss W. Hailen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2005 Board meeting and passed by unanimous vote. None 501-507 Main + 904 Hinman —Various Stores Presented by Suwit Suwanrattansbus #06SVF- -00008 This revision to an existing Unified Business Center signage plan would add window signs to the plan. The lower band of the window signs contain more than a name, logo, or address which is a variation from the Sign Regulations, but the window signs will conform to all other criteria in the Regulations. One Board member thought that the split of graphics by a mullion was awkward, and another member did not think so. It was also noted that an illuminated "OPEN" sign was in a window and the presenter asked that they be included in this variation to the Unified Business Center signage plan. A motion was made to approve the revision to the Unified Business Center signage plan with the addition of Illuminated "OPEN" signs and passed by a unanimous vote. 3333 Central — CVS Presented by Kelley Alcock. #06SVF-.00009 The presenter noted that this was a one -for -one replacement of existing signage to agree with the ownership change from OSCO to CVS. In this change the main signs have been reduced in height from 5 to 4 feet. A additional variation from the Sign Regulations was noted at the meeting. Namely that the box signs have a white backround which is lighter than the red text letters, The presenter agreed to a change in these signs. A motion was made to approve the variation proposal as submitted with the condition that the box signs have a red or brick color opaque backround with white letters or are replaced with channel letter signs in red or white and passed by a unanimous vote. 501.511 Davis —Davis Street Fishmarket #06SVF- -00010 Presented by Mathew David. It was noted that the sign area definition in the Sign Regulations does not take into account the density of the text/ logo proposed. The awning signs proposed have text with very light stroke widths and do not appear to occupy their area calculated by the Sign Regulation standard. The presenter clarified that the same signage is proposed on all seven awnings, It was also noted that the awning frames on Davis are existing and only extend 30", but that the new awning frames on Hinman would extend to 36" as required by the Sign Regulations. This was acceptable to the Board. Excessive signage was the conclusion of the Board. They saw no reason to have signage on every one of the seven awning A motion was made to approve the variation proposal as submitted with the requirement that the signage be used on only four of the seven awnings (blank awnings altemating with signed awnings starting with a signed awning on the west end and ending with a signed awning facing Hinman) and passed by a unanimous vote. 1620 Sherman -- Sherman Plaza: Retail Element #06SVF" -00011 Presented by Justin Pelej Only the exterior sign changes to the Unified Business Center signage plan are in the purview of the Board. Interior signage is not included in the Sign Regulations. The presenter noted that the: -SELF PARK ELEVATORS sign was increased in height from 8" to 11" and changed to all capital letters to assure in would not be lost in the signage array in the area. -Sherman Plaza sign was increased in height from 12" to 18" to improve its visibility as it is not illuminated and has charcoal gray text on a white building surface. -the freestanding sign noting the Sherman Plaza Self Park is required to direct pedestrians to the deeply recessed entry to this function which is not really obvious from the Sherman Avenue sidewalk. -the vinyl letter tenant sign zones on the entry area window are needed to show the existence of the tenants who are not visible from Sherman Avenue and are located back in the space, just before the elevator lobby. A question regarding the need to increase the Sherman Plaza sign height was answered by noting the low contrast between the text color and its backround and by its long distance from the viewers on the sidewalk. A motion was made to approve the variation proposal as submitted with a condition that the freestanding sign have no commercial messages on it and passed by a unanimous vote. 2934 Central Back-n-Balance Presented by Carole Oser and Ann Hunginger. #06SVF- -00012 Revisions to the proposed awning and window sign text was provided at the meeting. The awnings are proposed to be black with light aqua blue text and silver + purple logo. A major issue of the integration of the awnings with the architectural elements of the building generated a lengthy discussion. Presenters indicated that the awnings lap the masonry piers by 8" which does not respect their shape. The arrangement of the masonry with the expressed steel lintels and bolt heads makes it very difficult to relate awnings to the building elements. Lowering the top of the awnings to agree with he top of the lintels would result in a very low slope awning with limited signage visibility, snow build-up potential, and poor weatherability. Window signage seemed excessive to the Board for tenant identification. The presenters noted that they were creating a front door on the side street and a back door with location existence only on the main street, Central. This is a very unusual arrangement, but is created by space planning and good use of the interior area and natural light. Customers have found the store difficult to find, according to the business owner's recent experience. Using 6" high text on the 9" valance seemed crowded to the Board and smaller letters were suggested for this position. A motion was made to approve the variation as submitted with the conditions that: -the awnings shall lap over the brick by a maximum of 4". -the text on the awning valance shall be 5" high. -no window signs will be installed In windows #1 and #2 (northernmost windows on Hurd Street) and sign in window #3 will have the text shown for window #1 (centered), the business telephone number shall replace the words "Owner, Director", and the graphic logo elements (ball + curved line) shall be removed. The owner's name and the telephone number can be grouped to the lower left or split and placed lower left and lower right (centered). and passed with Greg Summers voting no. ADJOURNMENT was at 9:15 PM NEXT MEETING will be on Auqust 10.2006 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD Thursday, August 10, 2006 Evanston Civic center — Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Macsal, G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss (quorum) STAFF PRESENT: - OTHERS PRESENT: See below BUSINESS Meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2006 SRAB meeting and passed by unanimous vote CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 2401 Dempster — CITGO Gas Station #06SVF — 00013 The proposed height variations are required to replace existing signage in compliance with new Citgo Identity standards. New canopy signage will be at 18' utilizing existing structure. Freestanding sign will rise to 16'; standard is 15'5". The board requested that he freestanding sign post be void of additional signage/graphics. Board also requested it be noted in the minutes that presentation drawings were inadequate and did not supply dimensions. A motion was made to approve the variation proposal noting the freestanding signpost will be void of additional signagelgraphics. Motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote. 805 Davis — Washington Mutual #06SVF — 00015 The proposed variation to the Unified Business Center sign plan is required because of structural Inconsistencies in the building. The request is for raceway mounted letters rather than flush -mounted channel fetters (UBC signage plan). Board requested the background of raceway sign to match the building's brick per architect's specifications. A motion was made to approve the variation noting that it was a unique situation — not setting precedent. Motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote. OTHER BUSINESS None Meeting was adloumed at 8:00 o.m. Next meeting will be on Seotember 14. 2006. MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD October 12, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss W. Hallen See below. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2006 meeting and passed by unanimous vote. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 3333 Central — CVS Pharmacy Presented by: Kelley Alcock #06SVF- -00017 The presenter indicated that the proposal included adding a wall sign on the east wall and a freestanding sign at the southwest property comer area. The two existing wall signs on the western and northern faces of the building do not generate sufficient site recognition from Central Street as the building is set back a considerable distance from the street. Adding the two proposed signs will give the store good presence on Central, according to the presenter. A landscaped raised area is planned to be under the freestanding sign to protect it from automobiles. Adding the wall sign was easily agreed to by the Board. Addition of the freestanding sign was also acceptable, but the use of changeable copy on the sign was questioned by the Board. Using this text to display sale items, etc. would place in it in a noticeable location, according to the presenter, which cannot be obtained with window signs on the building at this site. Use of a white backround in the changeable copy area would make the freestanding sign very noticeable, in the Board's view and the presenter proposed changing it to red. While this would visually "tone down" the sign, it would still be a prominent site feature. Resistance to approval of any changeable copy sign area was very strong on the Board. A motion was made to; -remove all temporary signage before any new signage Is installed -approve the additional wall sign -approve the freestanding sign either with the changeable copy area completely removed or with only fixed messages replacing the changeable copy position using all red backround. (similar to the CVS sign at Howard and Asbury) and passed by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:30 PM NEXT MEETING is on November 9, 2006 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD November 09, 2006 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Macsai, G. Summers, M. Larsen, J. Weiss STAFF PRESENT: W. Hallen OTHERS PRESENT: None OTHER BUSINESS a motion was made to approve the minutes of the 10/12/06 meeting and passed by unanimous vote. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 555 Howard — Marathon Gas Station Presenter by Hapiz Yaqoob and ,John Doyle #06SVF- -00018 The site has a difficult time being seen from cars approaching from the east due to the Metra embankment and overpass. The presenters maintained that the gas station is basically invisible from the east and many customers say they cannot find it when coming for the first time. The previous owner relied mainly on repair revenue, but the current owner has changed the emphasis to gas sales, while still doing repairs. Signage at the southwest comer area of the site would be blocked by a three story adjacent building tight to its south and east property lines. The site is fairly visible when approached from the west. When questioned the presenters indicated that including the current gas price on the sign was vital to sales as many consumers buy by price only. Marathon corporate standards do not allow illuminated canopy signage and do not allow the gas price to be located on the canopy. A Board member wondered how the station has existed for 50 years without having the extremely tall sign being proposed. The sign is drastic change from the Sign Regulations and does not agree with the urban character of the area. It is more suited to a rural location. The Board agreed that they could not approve the 42 ft. high sign and a long discussion occurred trying to solve the site's signage problem. The only unpaved areas of the site are in the southeast and southwest comers, with the existing freestanding sign being in the southeast comer area. Limiting signage on the gas pump canopy is also a restriction. A motion was made to approve a replacement freestanding sign in the southeast site area matching the existing sign size and adding an Identical sign at the southwest site area, tight to the west property line. Both signs would be single faced (to replace the existing double faced sign), would have a LED gas price display with adjustable light Intensity level, and could abut the south property line. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 327 Howard — Subway #06SVF- -00019 Presented by Harunur Khan, Jeff Swift, and Anna Osis A 2'-6" X 5'-6" "retro" blade sign is proposed for this location that has been used successfully at other Chicagoland Subway stores. Some stores have used banner type blade signs that do not extend as far from the building face as the one proposed. A Board member noted that an individual blade sign is not as good as a group of blade sign on a building or in an area. The Board has approved very small (2' X 3") blade signs in the past, but none of them have had internal illumination as being proposed for this sign. A Board member questioned the presenters and it was discovered that the building houses six separate stores and therefore needs a Unified Business Center signage plan before any signs can be considered for the building A motion was made to table the proposal and passed by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:45 PM NEXT MEETING will be on December 14. 2006