MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVE.
NORMAL, IL
REGULAR MEETING
March 14, 2005 @ 4:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Rick Kentzler, Dennis French, Pam Locsin, Kathy Wilcox, Mark Comerford, Rebecca Landau, Dirk DeWerff
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Lauren Kerestes, Associate Planner; Mercy Davison, Town Planner; Kathy Wilson, Resident
Call to Order:
Mr. Kentzler called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Minutes:
The commission approved the minutes of the regular meeting of February
14, 2005.
The motion carried 7-0.
Moratz Façade Improvement Grant Program Review
Discussion commenced on changing the minimum amount of grant money that is eligible for request from $1000 to $250. This would mean that a project would have to cost at least $500 and $250 of that would be available for reimbursement through the 50/50 matching Moratz Grant. The commission felt that this change would specifically allow for more businesses to able to obtain newer and better signage in the downtown. Ms. Locsin mentioned the average cost of quality signs to be approximately $500. Ms. Kerestes concurred saying that while signage types and pricing vary greatly, her research indicated an average cost of about $500.
There was some discussion as to whether the minimum grant request amount should only apply to signage or to all improvements in the B-2 District. The commission determined that the minimum would apply across the board.
Mr. French moved that the minimum grant request be lowered from $1000 to $250 to encourage and accommodate new signage for downtown businesses. Ms. Locsin seconded. The motion carried 7-0.
Downtown Design Ordinance Review
Discussion commenced on the proposed revisions to the ordinance. Ms. Kerestes noted that the revisions were the same as they had been when given to the commission at the February meeting with the exception of two changes, the first change being the addition of illustrations to the text of the code. Ms. Kerestes explained that these illustrations were intended to clarify the text and to provide better interpretation of the code by the Commission, Town staff, and the public. Ms. Davison presented the second change to the code since the February meeting in relation to Sec.15.17.-11(A)(7)(b)(1) and Sec.15.17.-11(A)(7)(b)(4) of the code.
Sec.15.17.-11(A)(7)(b)(1) should now read:
“Size. Every property may display signage in an amount not to exceed one square foot of signage per lineal foot of street frontage, with additional restrictions stated as follows.”
Sec.15.17.-11(A)(7)(b)(4) should now read:
“Monument signs may be no more than 6 feet tall. A ratio of one square foot of sign area per each linear foot of storefront determines the maximum signable area, however, no monument sign may have more than 50 square feet of signable area and every momument sign may have at least 25 square feet of signable area.”
Mr. French made a motion to adopt the changes as written. Mr. DeWerff seconded and the motion carried 7-0.
Adjournment:
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Kerestes
Associate Planner