CORRECTED MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL UPTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVE.
NORMAL, IL
REGULAR MEETING
February 12, 2007@ 4:00 p.m.
Members Physically Present:
Rick Kentzler, Dennis French, Mark Comerford, Dirk deWerff, Rebecca Landau
Members Physically Absent:
Pam Locsin, Kathy Wilcox
Others Physically Present:
Lauren Kerestes, Associate Planner, Debbi Feid, Office Associate, Nora Dukowitz, Fredrick Ragsdale Jr., Zachary Cravens, Andre Stewart, Larry Maschhoff, Terry Stralow, Ron Crick, Nathan Loy, Mr. & Mrs. George Schultz
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 January 8, 2007, 5-0.
CC-07-01-04, 200 W. College, Signage Plan
Ms. Kerestes provided background on the Bank of Illinois signage plan and introduced Mr. Maschhoff. She said that the proposed plan is a revision of the Bank’s initial signage submitted back in 2005. The proposed/revised Bank of Illinois signage plan contains the following components:
- One wall sign on the College Avenue façade
- One monument sign on College Avenue
- One pylon sign on Mulberry Avenue
Waivers
The proposed signs require the following waivers from the Uptown
Design Code:
- Wall Sign
The wall sign (individual backlit letters) is the same as the one submitted by the Bank and recommended for approval by the UDRC in March of 2005; however, the Bank now requests that the sign be mounted higher on the building than in 2005. The proposed location is between the second and third floors rather than between the first and second floors. The reasoning is that a brick column divides the cornice area perpendicularly at the first and second floor cornice, which would make placing the lettering difficult and irregular. The brick column does not bisect the cornice between the second and third floor and thus presents an ideal location for the signage; however, it would require a waiver:
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(a)(2): Wall signs are generally limited to the storefront; however, up to 25% of the sign may project onto the upper façade as long as no other rules are violated, such as covering a window.
- Monument Sign on College Avenue
The design for this sign is different from the 2005 version. It is approximately the same height (10’9”); however, it now is brushed aluminum without a brick planter base. This sign also is different from the 2005 version in that this sign proposes a multi-colored LED message display. In addition, the “Bank of Illinois” individual lettering is no longer backlit as with the wall sign, but instead the blue area behind the lettering with be internally lit. The proposed sign would require the following waivers:
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(b)(4): Monument signs may be no more than 6 feet tall.
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(c): Interior lighting of signs is prohibited. Signs may not flash or move, with the exception of signs on buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings.
- Pylon Sign on Mulberry Avenue
Rather than a second monument sign, the Bank of Illinois is now proposing a freestanding pylon sign on Mulberry Avenue. Pylon signs are not allowed in the B-2 Central Business District under current code, although several existing pylon signs were grandfathered in after the code was established, including those at the Normal Public Library, Express Mart and University Christian Church. The Bank requests an approximately 17 foot tall pylon sign along Mulberry Avenue for several reasons:
- Based on site-distance concerns associated with the
change in topography along Mulberry.
- The grade limits the location in which to place a monument
sign.
- Ideal grade locations pose visibility concerns for patrons
exiting onto Mulberry from the Bank’s drive thru.
The pylon is the Bank’s solution. The pylon sign would also include a message display, like the monument sign on College, but smaller. The proposed sign would require the following waiver:
Sec.15.17-11(A): Only monument, wall signs and projecting signs are permitted. - Based on site-distance concerns associated with the
change in topography along Mulberry.
Ms. Kerestes said that in total, the proposed signage plan absolutely requires four (4) waivers from the existing uptown design code. She said that staff recommendations on the waivers are as follows:
- Wall Sign
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(a)(2): Wall signs are generally limited to the storefront; however, up to 25% of the sign may project onto the upper façade as long as no other rules are violated, such as covering a window. Staff Recommendation: In Favor. Building design limitations, as well as the scale of the bank building, justify the placement of the sign and the need for the waiver.
- Monument Sign on College Avenue
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(b)(4): Monument signs may be no more than 6 feet tall. Staff Recommendation: In Favor. Height and scale of the Bank building’s design makes a taller monument sign appropriate.
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(c): Interior lighting of signs is prohibited. Signs may not flash or move, with the exception of signs on buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. Staff Recommendation: In Favor. Staff supports the use of the sign.
- Pylon Sign on Mulberry Avenue
Sec.15.17-11(A): Only monument, wall signs and projecting signs are permitted. Staff Recommendation: In Favor. The Bank of Illinois understandably would like to have two signs, one on Mulberry and another on College. After discussing various sign types, as well as alternative sign locations along Mulberry, staff concludes that this seems to be the best in a limited number of alternatives. The scale of this sign, in proportion to the new bank building – or the existing bank building - will not be as extreme as it would be next to an existing historic building.
Mr. Kentzler had some concerns about the LED Sign, and traffic issues that it might cause. There were also concerns about the colors of the lettering in the LED sign. Mr. Maschhoff said the primary purpose of the sign will be to display time and temperature.
Mr. deWerff moved to approve the modified signage plan as submitted. Mr. French seconded.
Ayes: Mr. deWerff, Mr. Kentlzer, Mr. French, Mr. Comerford, Ms.
Landau
Nays: None
Motion declared carried 5-0.
UBL-07-01-01, 202 North Street, Harold’s Chicken Shack
Mr. Cravens spoke about the history of Harold’s Chicken Shack. He said that there are two other franchises, one in Bloomington and another in Champaign, Illinois. Mr. Cravens said that he and the other two co-owners with him are graduates of ISU and they look forward to opening this establishment in uptown Normal.
Ms. Kerestes said the applicants have filed for an Uptown Business Loan for interior remodeling.
The commissioners welcomed the applicants and their new business. The applicants will be back at later date to discuss façade plans.
Mr. French motioned to approve the Uptown Business Loan for Harold’s Chicken Shack, 202 W. North Street. Mr. deWerff seconded.
Ayes: Mr. French, Mr. deWerff, Mr. Comerford, Mr. Kentlzer, Ms.
Landau
Nays: None
Motion declared carried, 5-0.
Other Business:
Pub II, Preliminary discussion of outdoor banner sign and proposed door awning
Mr. Stralow said he would like to have some outdoor awnings over the restroom doors adjacent to the Pub II’s outdoor seating area. He would also like to add a banner sign to the outdoor seating area. Mr. Stralow said the mural would be on the west wall of the Ace hardware building which faces his seating area.
Mr. Crick had some examples of what the vinyl banner sign would look like. It would have an ISU sports theme and could be changed out to every so often. The vinyl banner would be 10’x15’ and stretched across a permanent frame; however, the banner sign itself would be changeable.
Ms. Kerestes indicated that the code does not necessarily address this type of project. It’s not necessarily a sign, banner or mural. She said that it would likely require a waiver from the entire code, much like a parking deck whose design is also not addressed within the code.
The Commission expressed positive comments about the banner sign. Several of the commissioners said they thought the banner would be in theme with the Pub II’s atmosphere and be a nice addition to the outdoor seating area. Mr. Stralow said he intended to file for the March 12, 2007 meeting.
Ms. Kerestes said the awnings could be done with an expedited review.
Other Business:
Ms. Landau had some concerns about the Cosi parking lot, because the parking lot screening had not yet been installed. Ms. Kerestes said she has spoken with Mr. Peterson, City Manager about this issue and that it would addressed soon.
Adjournment:
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi Feid
Office Associate