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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2008MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD February 14, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Macsal, G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss STAFF PRESENT: Karlton Mims OTHERS PRESENT: None OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 10/08/07 meeting and passed by unanimous vote. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 1639 Orrington — Omaggio Restaurant #08SVF- -00001 Presented by Christopher Mayione The presenter noted the need for the sign with the "two style" service concept of this restaurant, namely a carry -out section and a fine dining section. This sign will mark the carry -out area which might be missed otherwise. He displayed the blade sign, its mounting bracket, and location on the building. The Board agreed that the sign should relate to the existing elements of the landmark building to which it will be attached. They indicated the sign and its mounting should be harmonious with the building design in a natural manner and should be in proportion to the building elements. A motion was made to table the proposal and to have a revised sign submitted to the Board members for review and possible approval before the next Board meeting. (Revised drawings were submitted and approved by the majority of the Board, subsequent to the meeting.) ADJOURNMENT was at 8:05 PM NEXT MEETING March 13, 2008 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD May 8, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS S. Felts, M. Kadish, G. Summers, M. Tendam, J. Weiss W. Hallen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 06/14/08 meeting and passed by unanimous vote. None 1117 Howard — McDonalds Restaurant #08SVF- -00002 Presented by Nick Karavites, Don Blanton, Dawn Boursean, Rich Neubauer The presenters reviewed the signage proposed for the site/ building and noted that it basically was `one -for -ore" to the existing signage with only minor variations. Some changes include a preview board sign; a "Gateway" array over the drive-thru entry lanes; and canopies over the drive-thru order positions. These produce faster service in the drive-thru function; give notice of the two lane drive-thru staging; and control sound + offer some weather protection, respectively. A long discussion of the proposal was held with all questions answered directly and a lively interchange of thinking on the proposed signage. P. The presenters explained some items more fully. They noted that the north wall "arch" sign was not illuminated, but could remove is anyway, if so desired. The proposed CVMS sign is intended as the two line type, not the three line shown and will be smaller that the existing manually changed reader board. Sign panel on the existing pole sign will not include the number of hamburgers sold, as this is not current corporate policy. The sign Types C and D will be located farther back from the property line than their height to agree with the Sign Regulations. Major concerns of the Board members centered around the following issues: -the sheer number of wall and free standing signs being proposed -any signs on the north wall -the commercial variable message sign (CVMS) to be added to the existing pole sign on the property The owner indicated that he was willing to reduce the number of wall signs if the Board required it and could remove signage completely from the north wall. When requested to remove the preview board sign he said he was reluctant to do so as it helped move the drive-thru operation faster and created less time for autos in the north drive lane, which was an issue raised at neighborhood meetings. The CVMS sign, added to the existing pole sign, has its message changed about three times a day, at most. It also has adjustable u-intensity which can be controlled by the ambient light level. A motion was made to approve the signage proposal with the following changes: -Three wall "arch" signs will be removed from these locations: -North wall -West wall, north end. -South wall, center. The preview board will be removed, but may be re -considered by the Board in the future -The American flag will be not larger than 50 sq. ft. to agree with the Sign Regulations as an exempt sign, and passed with G. Summers voting no to the CVMS sign only. ADJOURNMENT was at 9:00 PM NEXT MEETING June 12.2008 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD July 10, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS S. Felts; M. Kadish: J. Macsai, M. Tendam W. Halton None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 05/08/08 meeting and passed by a unanimous vote. None 1741 Sherman — WineStyles Presented by Maggie Noonan and Gordon Magill #08SGNA-0037 The presenter explained that an awning addition to the Unified Business Center signage plan would be in character with her business and control over future awnings could eliminate some unfortunate existing awnings. A Board member questioned the use of scalloped edges on the awning and the presenter noted that seemed appropriate for a wine shop. The board agreed that the text on the awning edges was modest and similar locations/ content had been approved in other locations. Having the existing wall sign centered over a pier was noted by the Board as not in the best agreement with the building architectural elements, but did not have to be changed. A motion was made to approve the change to the Unified Business Center signage plan as submitted and was approved by unanimous vote. 1835 Grant — Evanston Day Nursery #08SGNA-0038 Presented by Kirsten Williams and Fiod Kedbar The Board agreed that the freestanding sign adjacent to the building acted much like a wall sign and deserved approval with some limitation on its overall height. A motion was made to approve the freestanding sign as submitted with the condition that its top be no higher than 5'-0" above grade and was approved by unanimous vote. 1701 Maple — Bravo Restaurant #08SGNA-0039 Presented by Tomi Minner This change to the Special Sign District is needed for Bravo Restaurant to replace Wolfgang Puck's location in the complex. The Board agreed that the proposal was for less signage than existed and generated a somewhat 'quieter" presence on Maple Avenue. A Board member asked why food item text was proposed on the awning edges and the presenter indicated that it was the corporate standard for Bravo. Staff noted that review by the Planning and Development Committee and by the City Council is required by the Sign Regulations for any change to a Special Sign District. A motion was made to approve the change to the Special Sign District as submitted and was approved by unanimous vote. 1603 Orrington — Orrington Plaza #08SGNA-0040 Presented by Jack Weiss and Stephen Yas The presenters indicated that this Unified Business Center signage plan was intended to allow some variations within an organized framework. The wall signs, which occur in back of glass storefronts and on the edge of a canopy, limit the size and location of signage elements, but allow freedom in choice of font and text color. It was noted by the presenter that text should be corrected to show that the logo size on wall signs is to be limited to 18" to 24" high. Suggestions to remove or limit the height of some pylon signs from the Site Plan and Appearance Review committee were rejected by the Board. The pylon sign marking the complex at the comer of Davis and Orrington seemed OK to the Board. How the tenant pylon sign would be used was questioned by the Board and it was agreed that it could be unnecessary with tenant mixes in certain locations. A long discussion occurred on the question of including company logos on the wall signs mounted on the canopy at the north end of the site. Since the lettering on these signs is limited to natural aluminum color (medium gray) it was questioned how colorful company logos would fit into this design. The presenters noted that the wall signs on the canopy were not behind glass storefront as the wall signs on the southern portion of the site and the common text color mix with various color logos was intended as variation within an established design structure. This variation was too much in the view of some, but not all, Board members. A motion was made to approve the Unified Business Center signage plan with the conditions that: -the retail pylon will only be installed for a tenant without street frontage -it is clarified that colored logos are permitted on the canopy wall signs and was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 9:00 PM NEXT MEETING Auoust 14.2008 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD August 19, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Felts; G. Summers, J. Weiss STAFF PRESENT: W. Halien OTHERS PRESENT: None OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 07/10/08 meeting and passed with G. Summers abstaining. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 901 Church — Uncle Dan's Presented by Brent Weiss and Jonathan Plotkin #08SGNA-0041 A change to the Special Sign District is proposed to allow an internally illuminated 3' X 5' blade sign mounted on a building pier by the store and a neon attention attracting array on the east wall of the building at the extreme south end. The owner maintains that the location has a visibility issue, being at the end of the building on the south side and having Urban Outfitters wrapping the corner and dominating this fagade. With only a two bay exposure on the south wall the fact that the space expands to three bays on the exterior is not readily seen. Uncle Dan's has been in Evanston for 15 years and was at a very prominent location at the SW comer of Church and Orrington which utilizes window displays as "signage". They feel that this new location will not offer similar visibility and business may suffer. The signage proposed addresses this issue with a internally illuminated blade sign designed like other stores in the company and serves to establish a "branding" for the outlets. A neon array on the east wall provides excitement and is used as a decorative attractor. Building management noted that the Church Street portion of this complex has seen five store failures, two being at the location of Uncle Dan's. Pedestrian traffic is driven on Maple by the theater and by Borders with less traffic on Church Street. It was noted that in today's economic downtum the success of retail stores is even more difficult to maintain than usual and requires good street presentation. As the store will open soon it needs signage and any change to a Special Sign District requires an ordinance be passed by the City Council, which adds time to the process. Board members noted that the existing metal canopies blocked a good view of the proposed blade sign from the west and that moving it down would only partially solve this problem. As a useful signage element, the neon array proposed for the east does not contribute much and only can be considered an "art" element and an attention grabber. A board member questioned why the tenant felt they needed a 100% variation from the Special Sign District criteria and thought that some of the permitted signage would serve the stores needs. A concern was expressed of creating a precedent for future signage variations. No blade sign of this size or with internal illumination has been approved by the Board in previous variation requests. A motion was made to reject the signage as proposed and passed with a majority of the members present. An offer was made to entirely remove the metal awnings in the two bays occupied by Uncle Dan's with the reaction from the Board being that they form an important element in the building's architectural design. Use of signage was considered very important for this business by the presenters. Being a local, not national, business they do not use print and TV advertisements extensively. With Board members liking the use of some signage on the east wall it was suggested that this location be used as a location for the neon signage used on Chicago stores by Uncle Dan's. Uncle Dan's presenters were given a short time to consider alternatives suggested by the Board with the following result: A motion was made to tentatively approve a variation to the Special Sign District for: - A X X 5' neon sign with letters and surrounding oval shape only, mounted directly to the masonry on the east with top at about 15'-6" and centered on the southernmost mullion of the east window opening. - Entry and wall signs on the south wall that conform to the Special Sign District criteria, but including a variation to allow external Illumination of the wall signage. with the additional agreement that revised signage drawings would be sent to the Board members for review and final approval. This motion passed with a majority of the members present. On September 10, 2008 Board members responded to a revised signage proposal, e-mailed to them, and approved a wall sign on the east wall and a blade sign on the south wall by a majority. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:50 PM NEXT MEETING September 11.2008 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD October 14, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Kadish: M. Tendam; J. Weiss STAFF PRESENT: W. Hallen, JIll Chambers OTHERS PRESENT: None OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made to approve the meting notes for the 08/19/08 session of the Board and was approved by unanimous vote. CITIZEN COMMENT None NEW BUSINESS 400 Lee — Abbey Garth Presented by Jim Wells, Steven Klopack #08SGNA-0070 The 4' X 8' FOR RENT freestanding sign proposed is required to display the many elements in this extensive rehab of this rental property, according to the presenters. This 26 unit building has been up -dated under new management/ ownership and is ready for rental. A photograph of the 2' X 3' exempt real estate sign permitted by the Sign Regulations showed it was dwarfed by the building. Low rents, large units, fireplaces, etc. are some of the notable features the owners need to display. A location nestled within the building profile without blocking of any windows is proposed. The Board expressed concern about the permanent use of such a large FOR RENT sign. When asked, the presenters agreed that this could be treated a temporary sign with a six month life. A motion was made to approved the proposed sign as a temporary sign with a six month life and passed by unanimous vote. 716 Church — Radio Shack Presented by Andy DeMonte #08SGNA-0071 The presenter indicated that additional signage is needed on the Sherman side of the store since the blank, white coated window panes give a "store closed" appearance. The area in back of these two windows is a stock room with a wallboard partition directly behind the windows. The large (6' X 8'?) sign area was noted by the Board and the use of brilliant red for a good portion of this area was also mentioned. The signage proposed creates a very strong visual impact on the streetscape. A Board member suggested changing the red back round area of the window coverage to white and changing the "R" logo from black to red in color. Another Board member suggested limiting the words "RADIO SHACK" which occur four times on the two window panes. A general agreement was given to these suggestions by the presenter, pending upper management approval by Radio Shack. A motion was made to approve the signage proposed with the following changes: -the red back round area will be changed from red to white -the "R" logo will be changed from black to red -the words "Radio Shack" will only appear once on each pane (two locations total) and was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was at 8:00 PM NEXT MEETING November 13, 2008 s MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD November 13, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Felts; M. Kadish; G. Summers STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS W. Hallen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 10/14 meeting and was approved by unanimous vote. None B12 Church — Untitled Presented by Luke Cho (by speaker -phone) #08SGNA-0082 The presenter has noted that customers do not think of his shop "around the comer" as part of the Sherman Plaza complex and he thinks that he needs recognition from the Church/ Sherman comer to attract patrons. His sizing of the banner "blade" sign proposed was based on not being overpowered by the large banners higher on the building for the health club. Use of the banner, its colors and content are in place as a "corporate logo" at other Untitled store locations. Board members considered the signs too large and the mounting too high for the position proposed on the building. A smaller sign at a lower level would be more in the "pedestrian zone" for good visibility from the sidewalk areas, in the Board's opinion. The presenter thought that these were good suggestions and was willing to make modifications to the proposal to agree with them. A motion was made to approve a banner "blade" sign with: -the top at the top of the stone lintel over the store window opening (13'+, -sign size of 60" high by 18" to 20" wide -bottom of sign a minimum of 7'-6" above the sidewalk level and was approved by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT was av 8:15 PM NEXT MEETING will be on December 11.2008 MINUTES of the SIGN REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD December 11, 2008 Meeting Evanston Civic Center - Room 2404 MEMBERS PRESENT: S. Felts; M. Kadish: J. Macsai, M. Tendam STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: OTHER BUSINESS CITIZEN COMMENT NEW BUSINESS W. Hallen None A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 11113 meeting and was approved by unanimous vote. None 1701 Maple - BRAVO Restaurant Presented by Tomi Minner #08SGNA-0089 The presenter indicated that the purpose of the sign was to attract customers and increase the restaurant's business. The owner's feel they need to show the presence of the location in a stronger manner by removing the southwest comer awing and placing a 48" X 80" blade on the building corner. Staff noted that no other store has a blade size of this size and none have internal illumination. Board members noted that the sign in this position would be difficult to see and questioned its usefulness. View of the sign by pedestrian's coming from the north would be blocked by an awning. The view from of the sign from eastbound auto traffic on Church Street would be the edge, not the faces, of the sign. As the local sign installer, the presenter did not design the sign or select its location and did not know the intended impact of the sign. The Board could not determine how the sign was to function, as it only had good viewing from the limited amount of pedestrian traffic from the south end of the building. A Board member suggested that signage on the inclined faces of the awnings would be more prominent from more points of view than the sign proposed. This location for signage is included in the Sign Regulations up to a limit of 15% of the vertical section of the awning. This type signage is not included in the existing Special Sign District and would have to be added by Ordinance. A motion was made to reject the proposed sign, as it does not serve a clear function, and passed by unanimous vote. ADJOURNMENT 8:15 PM NEXT MEETING January 8.2009