MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL UPTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVE.
NORMAL, IL
REGULAR MEETING
December 11, 2006 @ 4:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Rick Kentzler, Dennis French, Pam Locsin, Dirk DeWerff, Kathy Wilcox, Rebecca Landau
Members Absent:
Mark Comerford
Others Present:
Lauren Kerestes, Associate Planner; Wayne Aldrich, Uptown Redevelopment Director; Nora Dukowitz, Uptown Marketing Manager; Jeff Cruise, ILLICO; Harry Fuller; Ron Crick, Champaign Tent and Awing; Mike Sparks, Farnsworth Group, Inc.
Call to Order:
Ms. Landau 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 on October 9, 2006. The motion carried 6-0-1.
CC-06-11-20, 108 N. Linden, Express Mart, Larvin Nierman, New Signage
Ms. Kerestes provided background on the project and introduced Mr. Cruise. She explained that ILLICO has been working with the owner to update the image of the property in compliance with Phillips 66 standards. This includes changing the canopy veneer and the signage plan for the property.
A few of the proposed changes were approved through expedited review. These included:
- The change of colors on the veneer of the gas station canopy (like with like).
- The replacement of the internally lit Phillips 66 shield logo signs on the north and west sides of the canopy (like with like).
- The removal of the existing, non-conforming pole sign at the corner of Mulberry and Linden (There is a second non-conforming pole sign a little further south on Linden that will remain unchanged).
Ms. Kerestes said that the applicants would like to use the canopy to advertise gas prices since they are removing the existing, non-conforming pole sign that currently advertises sale prices. The proposed canopy signs would be red with white numbers, and the signs would be internally lit. There are two proposed price signs, one on the north side of the canopy and another on the south side.
Ms. Kerestes said that the issue before the Commission was first, the appearance of the signs, and second, whether the signs would require a waiver from the design code.
Mr. Kentzler asked if it was necessary to light the price signs. Mr. Cruise said that it would be necessary for drivers to be able to see the prices at night.
The Commission considered other methods of lighting the signs and agreed that internal light was best in this case.
Ms. Landau asked if the canopy was currently internally lit. Mr. Cruise said that the red band in the center of the canopy face was. He added that this band would be removed and no longer be internally lit once the canopy veneer was replaced.
The Commission concluded that this Certificate of Compliance was a “like with like” situation, given that the existing canopy is internally lit and the replacement price signs would also be internally lit.
Mr. French moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance for the replacement of the price signs at 108 N. Linden. Mr. DeWerff seconded.
Ayes: Mr. French, Ms. Locsin, Mr. DeWerff, Ms. Wilcox, Mr.
Kentzler, Ms. Landau
Nays: None
Motion carries 6-0-1.
CC-06-11-21, G Block, New Parking Deck east of new Bank of Illinois building
Ms. Kerestes provided some background on the project and introduced Mr. Sparks. She articulated the following concerns submitted by Mr. Comerford prior to the meeting:
- Transparency of the deck towers related to safety concerns
- Transparency of the deck’s masonry screens related to safety
- Concern over similarity of deck in style and design to the new Bank of Illinois building
Mr. DeWerff and Mr. Kentzler asked about security in the deck. Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sparks said that they are still determining which systems they will use; however, emergency phones and an alarm security system, in addition to systems used by a parking deck manager, are being explored.
Mr. Sparks spoke about the blank south façade of the deck. He explained that a private, multi-story, mixed-use component is being planned along College in front of this façade and will be developed separately from the deck. The new mixed-use development will have first floor commercial space and residential upper stories. He said that this component has not been fully developed and will have to be reviewed at a later date. This south façade of the deck will remain as a relatively plain, two-hour fire rated wall until the mixed use component is built.
The UDRC was very pleased with the design and appearance of the deck based on its consistency with the design of the hotel and Multimodal Transportation Center decks. The Commission also liked that the deck will mirror the colors, materials and cornice application of the adjacent new Bank of Illinois building. The Commission preferred a monochromatic color scheme for the brick that will match the bank’s brick.
Mr. Kentzler asked where Constitution Trail will be in relation to the first floor of the deck. Mr. Aldrich said that the trail will be lowered a bit and then be subject to grade as it drops gradually from north to south.
The Commission asked when the deck would commence. Mr. Aldrich said that it would likely be in the spring of 2007, once the existing Bank of Illinois building is demolished. The Town plans to fully build out the deck (all six levels) as opposed to building it in phases. Mr. Aldrich also noted that the Town has hired a consultant to create working on wayfinding and branding for all three uptown decks.
Mr. French moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance for the project. Mr. DeWerff seconded.
Ayes: Mr. French, Ms. Locsin, Mr. DeWerff, Ms. Wilcox, Mr.
Kentzler, Ms. Landau,
Nays: None
Motion carries 6-0-1.
Other Business:
107-111 E. Beaufort, Canopy/Awning on east facade
The Commission conducted a preliminary, non-action review of the proposed awning along the east façade of 107 E. Beaufort. The Commission determined that according to the existing design code, the proposed awning would not need to be segmented or require a waiver from the code. The Commission determined that the existing code language applies more specifically to street-facing storefront facades with display windows. Even still, concerns were expressed about the appearance of one long awning as opposed to two or three smaller awnings along that building face. The property owner will file for a future UDRC meeting.
Adjournment:
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Kerestes
Associate Planner