MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL UPTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVE.
NORMAL, IL
REGULAR MEETING
July 9, 2007 @ 4:00 p.m.
Members Physically Present:
Rick Kentzler, Dirk deWerff, Kathy Wilcox, Rebecca Landau
Members Absent:
Dennis French, Pam Locsin, Mark Comerford
Others Present:
Lauren Kerestes, Associate Planner; Wayne Aldrich, Downtown Re-Development; Debbi Feid, Office Associate; Kathy Finley, Stephanie McClellan, Sandy Bereth and Tony Eisel, all of Commerce Bank; Tim Maurer, One Main Development; Roger Taylor
Call to Order:
Mr. deWerff 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 June 11, 2007. The motion carried 4-0.
CC-07-07-11, 210 Broadway, Commerce Bank Signage Plan
Ms. Kerestes gave some background on the project:
As part of their lease agreement with One Main, Commerce Bank
has requested a sign package that includes the following:
- Two 38’9” x 5’ internally illuminated primary channel letter wall signs, spelling out “Commerce Bank” with the bank’s logo. There is one sign on Beaufort and the other on Broadway.
- Two 3’x3’ internally illuminated projecting blade signs of the bank’s logo.
- One 5’ diameter wall clock on the corner of Broadway and Beaufort
- One 2’6”x1’ internally illuminated drive-thru/ATM sign that says “Open-ATM”
- One 2’x1’ internally illuminated drive-thru/ATM sign that says “Open”
- One 3’x3’ internally illuminated future tenant sign on Beaufort, just west of the drive-thru
Ms. Kerestes noted that as submitted, the Commerce Bank signage plan would need the following waivers from the Uptown Design Code:
- Two Wall Signs
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(c): Interior lighting of signs is prohibited. - Two Projecting Blade Signs
Sec.15.17-11(A)(8)(c): Interior lighting of signs is prohibited.
Ms. Kerestes said that staff was amenable to all of the
signs, with the exception of the internally lit projecting blade
signs and the future tenant sign. She asked, in accordance with
the opinion of the UDRC when they preliminarily reviewed the
signs at their June 11th meeting, that the blade signs be
externally illuminated as has been the standard for all other
businesses with projecting signs in the Uptown, including The
Garlic Press, Emack and Bolio’s, The Groove Café, etc. Ms.
Kerestes added that, also in accordance with the opinion of the
UDRC from the June 11th meeting, staff was supportive of the
waiver for the two walls signs, because the signs are consistent
with the Bank’s current signs and are not the internally
illuminated box signs that the code attempts to discourage. She
said that staff recommended that the future tenant sign be
reviewed by the UDRC at a later date once more information
relating to size, color, material, etc. was available.
Mr. Eisel said that Commerce Bank would work with staff to
create external lighting for the blade signs instead of having
them internally lit. Ms. Kerestes said changing the signs from
being internally to externally lit would eliminate the need for
two waivers. She noted that any changes to the blade signs in
order to change them from internally to externally lit would
likely be considered minor and go through an expedited review.
Overall, the UDRC was pleased with the Commerce Bank signage
plan with the one waiver.
Ms. Landau moved to approve the sign package submitted by
Commerce Bank with the waiver for the two internally illuminated
wall signs and with the conditions that the two blade signs be
externally lit and that the future tenant sign be reviewed at a
later date when more detail was available. Mr. Kentzler
seconded.
Ayes: Ms. Wilcox, Mr. Kentzler, Ms.Landau, Mr. deWerff
Nays: None
Motion declared carried, 4-0.
Other Business:
113-115 W. North, preliminary discussion regarding future
façade work
Roger Taylor was present to speak about possible façade work for
his building on North St. Mr. Taylor brought a sample of
replacement windows that he would like for the front and rear of
the building. This sample wood interior and vinyl exterior.
Ms. Kerestes asked if he intended to ask for grant money for
both the front and rear façade projects. Mr. Taylor said that he
was primarily interested in grant funds for the front.
Several committee members thought it might be more appropriate
to have aluminum
clad or wooden windows, specifically on the front of the
building and specifically if Mr. Taylor was requested grant
funding. They did not prefer the vinyl window.
Mr. Taylor said he was not sure when this work would take place.
He intended to begin façade repair on the rear first and then
the front façade next year. Mr. Taylor said he could look into
estimates for the aluminum or wood windows and come back to the
commission with estimates and colors.
Adjournment:
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi Feid
Office Associate