MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FOR THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Secretary Lube called the Roll of Members physically present:

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Mr. Charles Stoub, Mr. Michael Anderson, Mr. Mark Benson, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Crecencio Gonzalez IV, Mr. Bryon Bednar.

ABSENT: Mr. Richard Toth.

ALSO PRESENT: Atty. Peck, CDP Swanson, and Ald. Jasinski.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of the October 2, 2012 meeting. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Stoub and carried unanimously.

Chairman Fullmer stated the Rules of Proceeding for the hearing before the Plan Commission – Zoning Board of Appeals will follow a strict order of presentation. A sign-in sheet for interested persons is located at the podium. This hearing is being recorded. Please silence all cell phones and pagers.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: SIGN VARIANCE FOR 5555 SO. BRAINARD AVENUE

Chairman Fullmer read the public hearing notice for the proposed sign variance request published in the October 11, 2012 edition of The Doings Newspaper.

Consideration of a Sign Variance to Section 8-5-9-C-1, Wall Signs: Size, the square footage of any wall sign shall not exceed two times the front linear footage of the building to which it is affixed; to permit a 144.76 s.f. wall sign instead of the maximum 102 s.f. wall sign – at the real estate commonly known as 5555 South Brainard Avenue, (Salem Square Shopping Center), Countryside, IL 60525.

The Applicant is Anchor Sign, Incorporated, representing the Famous Footwear business within the Salem Square Shopping Center. The Applicant’s address is 2200 Disc her Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina, 29405. The property is owned by the Inland Real Estate Corporation, 2901 Butterfield Road, Oakbrook, IL 60523.

Mr. Lube moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Benson and carried unanimously. The Applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. Proof of Notice has been received by the Building Department.

The Staff presentation was made by CDP Mr. Swanson. The subject property is zoned B-1 Retail and is included in a PUD, the Salem Square Shopping Center, 5555 S. Brainard. The tenant is Famous Footwear; the property owner is Inland Real Estate Corp. Anchor Sign is the Applicant seeking a sign variance to erect a wall sign exceeding two times the front linear footage of the building to which it is affixed, to permit

A 144.76 s.f. wall sign instead of the maximum 102 s.f. The aerial photo depicts the very busy area with the outlot building north of the shopping center near Plainfield Road.

Existing signage on the building is approximately 150 s.f. Maximum allowable signage is 102 s.f. The applicant seeks a variance to allow a sign of 144.76 s.f which is smaller than the existing sign. Countryside uses the size of the entire sign, including blank space, not just letters, to determine the square footage. Regardless of the outcome of this variance, any recommendations coming out of this meeting would go to the November 14, 2012 City Council meeting. Mr. Benson asked about the original sign construction. Chairman Fullmer suggested putting the word FAMOUS above the word footwear would make the sign smaller.

Russell Walter, on behalf of Anchor Sign, stated that this is a corporate re-brand across the country, changing the layout and the logo; this is the preferred layout for this type of fa̤ade. The purpose of the sign is to maintain visibility in a building that is set back from the road. If the sign was measured in three separate boxes and removing the empty space, it would be 127 s.f. The new sign is three feet shorter than the current sign. He stated that they could make it fit within the code; there are a number of standard signs.

Mr. Walter stated that these letters are 44; they next smaller sign are 36 letters. Mr. Lube asked about mounting the letters to the fa̤ade; it is LED illuminated. Since the building is set back from the road, they wish to maintain visibility. Ms. Grotzke stated that the sign is esthetically pleasing and is not too large for the space. There were no questions from interested parties. There was no closing statement.

Mr. Gonzales moved to close the evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Stoub and carried unanimously. Ms. Grotzke moved to recommend a variance to permit a wall sign of 144.76 s.f. which is greater than the maximum allowed 102 s.f. on the property commonly known as 5555 So. Brainard Avenue, in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, a photo of the Famous Footwear sign prepared by Anchor Sign dated May 21, 2012, seconded by Mr. Stoub and carried by Roll Call vote – 8/0/1.

Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on November 14, 2012.

OTHER BUSINESS

CDP Mr. Swanson gave the calendar dates for 2013 when the PC/ZBA will not meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Those dates are January 8, July 9 and September 10. Please note these dates on the calendar that will be distributed to Board members.

Discussion re: business openings in City Center – due to delay in the City obtaining SLSD permits, construction will begin in spring. TitleMax has asked for an extension of time to be on the City Council Agenda for November 14; they are willing to pay a PILOT fee. Board members should attend that meeting. The Council is behind the PC/ZBA decision.

There is one matter on next month’s agenda — Texas Roadhouse and the multi-tenant building in the City Center PUD plus subdivision of lots. He requested that Board members review the documents; it will be a large submittal requiring detailed review. He will provide documentation to Board members re: how a PUD differs from other developments. The City Council may override the Board re: design standards.

Discussion turned to The Flame reopening -a family member is interested in leasing the building from the bank – and make it an Italian steakhouse.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Grotzke moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Benson and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN