Minutes - 06/16/2014 - Plan CommissionMINUTES OF THE JUNE 16, 2014 REGULAR
MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION OF THE
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN
ON AUGUST 18, 2014
1. CALL TO ORDER: CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Plan Commission was called to order by Chairwoman
Tropinski in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at
7:09 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL
Gail Polanek called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Chairwoman Marcia Tropinski, Members, Thomas Doyle, Raju Iyer,
Naveen Jain, Raj Lal and Simon Sheers
IN ATTENDANCE: Director of Community Development Robert Kallien Jr. and
Planning Technician Gail Polanek
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION OF MARCH 17 2014
Motion by Member Iyer, seconded by Member Jain to approve the minutes of the
March 17, 2014 Regular Plan Commission meeting as written. VOICE VOTE:
Motion Carried.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A. Village of Oak Brook — Text Amendment — Sign Regulations AMEND - SIGN
REGULATIONS
Director of Community Development Kallien provided an overview of the first
phase of the sign regulations amendment in order to move it forward to the Village
Board for its review and then would refer it to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the
official public hearing.
The first issue was clarification of the code as presented by Bill Hudson without
changing any real intent of the code and these changes are needed for the day -to -day
administration. One change requires that a permit would be required for any change
to a sign face.
The second issue was gaps left in the code after the adoption of the sign regulations
several years ago. When crafted it was meant to satisfy the inequities, needs and
concerns of the business community, which they embraced. Many businesses have
improved their signage based on the regulations and it has led to businesses moving
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Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 1 of 5 June 16, 2014
into Oak Brook. During that process, some things were inadvertently missed for the
Institutional district, the Historic Graue Mill Gateway Area and the Conservation
Recreation District.
Lastly, the sign code gave great latitude to governmental units, which were not
required to obtain permits for signage. On governmental properties, some temporary
signage situations need to be addressed. The village has many events on its
property, such as the Taste of Oak Brook, Polo, book sales, fund runs, etc. There
has never been a standard as to where temporary signs should be located or how
long they could be there. One item with the Park District was all of the baseball
field banners on the outfield. Banners are not necessarily bad; however, there was
no direct linkage between the banners and the actual activity or connection to the
Park District. The recommendation requires a permit and the direct linkage to the
governmental entity and the sponsorship to the event, etc. The Forest Preserve
District has some very expensive monument signs, which are consistent throughout
DuPage County. They use secondary signs, which are tied to trees, telephone poles,
light standards, etc., all of which will be prohibited in the proposed regulations. If a
temporary sign is installed, it must be in a rigid frame or affixed to something that is
affixed to the ground on sturdy poles. The Forest Preserve District indicated that
was how they advertise special events. They would like the regulations to continue
at least for the next year or two until they find a better way.
There are two categories for the temporary signs. Commercial — the way it relates to
business and it is strictly controlled under permit limited to 30 days maximum, with
parameters of location, size, etc. The second category is for the temporary and
sponsorship signage that would be allowed for the governmental entities, including
the Forest Preserve District, Village of Oak Brook and the Oak Brook Park District.
William Lindeman, resident, I 1 Pembroke Lane, suggested that the Park District use
the same approach as the McDonald's has used on the sponsorship sign for the
soccer field. He noted that they do not make use of their internal areas to post
sponsorship materials. There was a walk in the park and 90% of the sign was
graphics rather than essential information. Most of their postings along Jorie Blvd
are displays to attract your attention rather than with information. He thought the
signs for the county did not need to be large. The Park District should combine
signage or have a sign with changeable panels to advertise upcoming events. He
thought the Plan Commission was on the right track. He noted that it was an unusual
situation to have a gated residential area in close proximity to the Park District and
have it diminished by soda machines, on sheet parking along with those hazards.
McDonald's has a very nice and simple sign for the McDonald's Lodge.
Member Sheers reviewed some proposed changes, one to page 13.a — Illumination.
He noted that there was nothing included that would prohibit up lighting to the sky,
along with a couple of grammatical changes.
Director of Community Development Kallien noted that if done properly on a
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Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 2 of 5 June 16, 2014
building the fixture would not be seen and suggested that language be included that
says it has to be directed to the building and not into the sky.
The Commission discussed the need /benefit of requiring permits and that it ensures
compliance with the codes. Discussion on "Open House" and "For Sale" signs,
sizes and locations.
Member Iyer asked if there was a concern regarding banners located inside the Park
District property.
Director of Community Development Kallien used the Oakbrook Center as an
example. Its banner program is located within the interior of the mall and on their
parking lot light fixtures, which is done very tastefully. The Park District would
also like that opportunity. There are banners within the Peabody Mansion property
located along the driveway with very tasteful banners. He did not believe that the
Village should stifle that. He also noted that there were some looking at the
possibility of banners that could be affixed to the Village light fixtures.
Member Doyle questioned whether 100 square feet was appropriate for the signage.
The Commission discussed the maximum size of the signs, from 100 down to 50 or
60 square feet. They agreed upon 60 square feet per sign face. If an entity finds that
it is too restrictive then they would need to come to the public hearing to prove they
would need something more.
Member Lal noted there was a merit to allow a 100 square foot maximum, which
does not mean that it would all be used. Member Sheers suggested 75 square feet.
Director of Community Development Kallien noted that none of the temporary
banners have used 100 square foot maximum.
Member Lal questioned the feedback from the Park District and Forest Preserve
District.
Director of Community Development Kallien responded that the Park District's
concern is that they want to be able to do the banners that are in the parking lot and
way finding, which the code allows. It does not prohibit them from using the
temporary signage that they have to advertise the Park District events. Where the
sign is located today, the way the code is drafted; it would have to be moved in
order to create a 250 -foot separation from the corner to wherever the temporary sign
is located.
Director of Community Development Kallien said that he would not be opposed to
limiting the signs to a reasonable 50 or 60 square feet per sign face and would not
prohibit any users from doing what they currently do today.
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Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5 June 16, 2014
Director of Community Development Kallien said that when it goes to the public
hearing he would ensure that the governmental bodies are invited. The members
agreed to revise the signage from 100 to 60 square feet per sign face or 120 square
feet total.
Director of Community Development Kallien noted that after the public hearing
process the Village Attorney will also review the language to ensure that it is
properly stated from a legal standpoint and enforceable.
Member Sheers suggested that the banners with two poles tend to verge together and
wondered if whether it might help to have a top member across the top to keep it
from sagging.
Director of Community Development Kallien responded that what is needed to keep
the two poles vertical and language could be included that would require support to
not allow sagging temporary signs.
Motion by Chairwoman Tropinski, seconded by Member Doyle to recommend
approval of a text amendment to the sign regulations relating to the housekeeping
items as discussed on pages B — B.25 of the case file. ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: 6 — Members Doyle, Iyer, Jain, Lal, Sheers, and Chairwoman Tropinski
Nays: 0 — Motion Carried.
Motion by Chairwoman Tropinski, seconded by Member Iyer to recommend
approval of a text amendment to the sign regulations relating to the Institutional
District, CR District and Historic Graue Mill Gateway Area as discussed on pages 9
— 9A of the case file case file. ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: 6 — Members Doyle, Iyer, Jain, Lal, Sheers, and Chairwoman Tropinski
Nays: 0 — Motion Carried.
Motion by Chairwoman Tropinski, seconded by Member Iyer to recommend
approval of a text amendment to the sign regulations, which provides greater clarity
to requests for temporary signage in our commercial districts as well as those on
governmentally owned property as discussed, including the reduction of the single
sign face from 100 to 60 square feet and 120 square feet total. ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: 6 — Members Doyle, Iyer, Jain, Lal, Sheers, and Chairwoman Tropinski
Nays: 0 — Motion Carried.
Director of Community Development Kallien provided an overview of some of the
upcoming signage discussion:
• Signage along I -88
• Location of wall signage with proximity of the buildings to the street
• Electronic boards — a type of standards may need to be set at some point
• Way finding signage
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Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 June 16, 2014
5. NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
A. 1220 -1300 KENSINGTON RESUBDIVISION — 1220 AND 1300 INo
KEENN SINGTON
KENSINGTON ROAD — FINAL PLAT — TWO -LOT SUBDIVISION RESUBDIVISION -
EINAL PLAT
Chairwoman Tropinski announced that the matter would not be heard because the
applicant had requested that the matter be continued.
6. OTHER BUSINESS OTHER
BUSINESS
Director of Community Development Kallien reviewed possible upcoming cases.
There was no other business to discuss.
%. ADJOURNMENT: ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Member Doyle, seconded by Member Lal to adjourn the meeting at 8:05
p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
ATTEST:
/s/ Robert L. Kallien Jr.
Robert Kallien, Director of Community Development
Secretary
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June 16, 2014