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Minutes - 12/03/2019 -Zoning Board of AppealsVILLAGE OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 3, 2019 OAK BR -9 K REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Acting Chairman Alfred Savino in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at 6:59 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: ROLLCALL Gail Polanek called the roll with the following persons: PRESENT: Acting Chairman Alfred Savino, Members Jeffrey Bulin, Natalie Cappetta, Baker Nimry, James Pontrelli and Steven Young ABSENT Chairman Wayne Ziemer IN ATTENDANCE: Trustee John Baar, Planner Rebecca Von Drasek and Planning Technician Gail Polanek APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES REGULAR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5.2019 NOVEMBER 5, 2019 Motion by Member Bulin, seconded by Member Nimry to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2019 Regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting as written. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 5. NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS A. 616 ENTERPRISE DRIVE — HBK ENGINEERING — VARIATIONS — TO 616 ENTERPRISE D HBK ENO - VAR - T ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WALL SIGN IN THE CENTER OF ALLOW A WALL SIG THE BUILDING FACADE ABOVE THE ROOFLINE ON THE HVAC HVAC SC BENIN SCREENING ABOVE TH ROOFLINE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 1 of 6 l� December 3, 2019 Acting Chairman Savino announced the commencement of the public hearing for the proposed variations and all witnesses testifying were sworn in. Robby Whitehead, Olympik Signs, 1130 North Garfield, Lombard, sign contractor for the applicant HBK Engineering gave a brief overview of the variations requested. The proposed sign is 8 -foot by 12 -foot with individual LED illuminated channel letters mounted on a control backer panel. The backing would be blue to match HBK Engineering's corporate logo and will be mounted to the screening on top of the building. Mr. Whitehead reviewed the variation standards as follows: La. The property in question cannot yield a reasonable return if permitted to be used only under the conditions allowed by the regulations governing the district in which it is located. RESPONSE: A major part of any business is to have a presence that extends visually throughout the community in a tasteful way. The most effective way to do this is by advertising their company/services thru signage. The purpose of these proposed variations is to be granted approval of where the sign will be installed on the 616 Enterprise Dr. building. Per the Village of Oak Brook Zoning Ordinances 13-11-10 C.8 and 13-11-10 EA to allow the placement of a wall sign with two lines of text in the center of the building fagade and located above the roofline on the steel HVAC screening (centered). The sign will contain two rows of text as in the tenant's corporate logo and will be installed on a blue background per HBK Engineering's corporate logo colors. Due to the configuration of this building, a visible sign cannot be placed on the building bands because they are too thin and it would block the windows of the office spaces. The only place a sign would be aesthetically pleasing on the building would be on the HVAC steel structure above the roofline. The proposed sign will be installed in an attractive way and not alter the surrounding properties. 1. b. The plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances. RESPONSE: The fagade of the 616 Enterprise Dr. building has a unique design. The building has thin horizontal steel beams separating each floor, which does not allow for specific "sign areas". In addition, the existing monument sign on site has very low tenant visibility to the public. The installation of the wall sign onto the steel structure on the roof is a key factor to ensure HBK's clients and the public is aware of their predominant Oak Brook location being they are a long-term commercial resident who plans to be in the community for the next 10+ years per their lease agreement. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 2 of 6 December 3, 2019 1. c. The variation, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. RESPONSE: The essential character of the locality will not be altered because the sign will be built with the highest quality materials and neighboring buildings have similar signs on their permanent roof structures. The proposed signage seeks to maintain the stylistic approach Oak Brook prides themselves on. 2. a. The particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographical conditions of the specific property involved would bring a particular hardship upon the owner as distinguished from a mere inconvenience if the strict letter of the regulation were to be carried out. RESPONSE: The physical nature of the building with its thin steel horizontal steel beams prevents a visible sign from being placed on the side of the building without covering the windows. In addition, the steel HVAC screening is centered on the building and anchoring the sign to one side as required in the zoning regulations would not be aesthetically pleasing. Finally, the building is located within a business park with limited signage exposure. Only (1) monument sign is currently on site with small tenant copy and limited identification. From this perspective, it would be advantageous for HBK Engineering to install their signage on the steel HVAC screening on the roof to provide increased visibility to the public. They are a predominant business in the Oak Brook community and showing their location from a signage standpoint is an important component. 2. b. The condition upon which the petition for variation is based would not be applicable generally to the other property within the same zoning classification. RESPONSE: Other surrounding properties do not have the thin steel horizontal beams on their building properties. 2. c. The granting of the variation will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property or improvements in the neighborhood in which the property is located. RESPONSE: Signs such as Citibank, The Renaissance Hotel, Tree House, and RPAI have existing signs including those installed on the permanent roof structures. The proposed signage location seeks to allow HBK Engineering a visible sign showing where this company is located within the Oak Brook community. The adjacent buildings are office spaces and not competitors, installing a sign on the steel roof structure would not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other properties. The sign will face I- 88 and will not be facing the neighboring properties. The sign is such a far distance VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 3 of 6 December 3, 2019 4�2 across from I-88 that there would not be a negative impact or harm to others property values. 2. d. The proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, or substantially increase the danger of fire, or otherwise endanger the public safety or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood. RESPONSE: The proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent properties and will not substantially increase the danger of fire or endanger the public safety within the neighborhood because the sign will be UL inspected and will be built and installed to the highest quality. The sign will not change the building itself so the properties value remain the same. 2. e. That the purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to make more money out of the property. RESPONSE: The applicant wants to improve their visual identity within the community so their business will be successful in the Village of Oak Brook and it has no monetary interest in the property itself. The hardship has to do with the building's aesthetics. HBK Engineering would like to maintain a degree of presence within the surrounding community without altering the integrity. 2. f. That the alleged difficulty or hardship has not been created by any person presently having an interest in the property. RESPONSE: The building was constructed before the signage regulations were changed allowing for rooftop signage. The hardship proposed is based on the existing building conditions. The sign is being located within a business park that requires more visual sign presence than most buildings due to the architectural features it possesses. The applicant reviewed a PowerPoint of the sign details, conceptual day/evening views of the proposed sign placed on the building and from I-88, as well photos of the existing building. Member Cappetta questioned if the size of the proposed sign would meet village code requirements. Planner Von Drasek replied that it was under the maximum allowable size. Member Cappetta stated that the applicant had met the standards for the proposed variations and was supportive of the request. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 4 of 6 December 3, 2019 Member Young asked if there would be additional lighting other than the letters. He also wanted to know if staff received any comments from the tollway authority. Mr. Whitehead responded that only the channel letters would be internally illuminated. Planner Von Drasek was not aware of any correspondence from the tollway. Trustee Baar commented that he had spoken with staff about the sign and his questions had been addressed. Motion by Member Young, seconded by Member Pontrelli to recommend approval of the requested variations to Section 13-11-1OC.8 to allow the sign to be placed at the center of the building with two lines of text and to Section 13-11-10.E to allow the placement of the sign above the roofline and to be attached to the HVAC screening as requested, subject to the following conditions: 1. The design and placement of the proposed sign shall be in substantial conformance with the plans as submitted and approved. 2. Notwithstanding the attached exhibits, the applicant shall meet all Village Ordinance requirements at the time of building permit application except as specifically varied or waived. ROLL CALL: Ayes: 6 — Members Bulin, Cappetta, Nimry, Pontrelli, Young and Acting Chairman Savino. Nays: 0 — Absent: 1 — Chairman Ziemer. Motion carried. The public hearing was concluded. 6. OTHER BUSINESS Acting Chairman Savino announced that he would be resigning as of January 1, 2020. He praised the Zoning Board noting how astute, diversified with so much talent; and with all of the boards he has served on over the many years, this one was one of the better boards he has served with over the years. He thanked staff and Planning Technician Polanek for the organized case files, and mentioned that Planner Von Drasek had the Zoning Ordinance memorized. The village and residents can be proud of the people that serve on the various boards. Planning Technician Polanek thanked Acting Chairman Savino and said it was an absolute pleasure and privilege working with him over the past 27 years. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 5 of 6 December 3, 2019 -fD OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Baar thanked Acting Chairman Savino for his many years of service on behalf of the Village Board. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Member Young, seconded by Member Nimry to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. ATTEST: /s/ Tony Budzikowski Tony Budzikowski Director, Development Services Secretary VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 6 of 6 December 3, 2019 PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT