North Cook News

Village of Wilmette Appearance Review Committee met Oct. 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Nada Andric

Richard Brill

Mason Miller

Charles Smith, Acting Chairman

Members Absent: Carrie Woleben-Meade, Chair

Guests: Jeff Glazer, 505 Skokie Boulevard

Sharon Telleen, 912 Greenleaf Avenue

Jim Chambers, 3018 Main Street

Kevin Gazley, 1418 Scott, Winnetka, IL

Ross Friedman, 1492 Minthaven, Lake Forest, IL

Joseph Molfese, 1149 Wilmette Avenue

Edie Rowell, 2710 Hawthorn Lane

John Guy, 2601 Old Glenview Road

Ed McManus, 705 11th Street, Unit 205

Andy Tinucci, 230 W Superior Street, Chicago, IL

Staff Present: Lucas Sivertsen, Business Development Coordinator

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES; APPEARANCE REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 27, 2018.

Mr. Brill moved to approve the August 27, 2018 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

III. CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Miller moved to approve Case 2018-AR-34, 736 12th Street, Sweet’s Heating & Air, Projecting Sign. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brill. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

IV. CASES

2018-AR-16 Trillium Realty 514 Poplar Drive Appearance Review Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-16, 514 Poplar Drive, Trillium Realty, for an Appearance Review Certificate to modify parking from the original certificate.

Mr. Kevin Gazley explained the plans approved by the Village Board for the project, which showed one less garage and added two open parking spaces. They also committed themselves to using a pervious paver or concrete at the rear driveway. This was a change from the plans previously approved by the Appearance Review Commission. They were seeking approval from the commission for these changes.

Mr. Smith asked the reasoning for the placement of the gate leading from unit 4 to their garage.

Mr. Jim Chambers said it was due to the zoning code requirement that open parking spaces be located no closer than 5 feet from the property line. That requirement pushed the parking spaces west, which eliminated any room for a gate on the west side of the parking spaces.

Mr. Smith said the commission had asked at the previous meeting that the architect provide the detail of where the downspouts would be located.

Mr. Chambers showed the proposed building elevations and explained where the downspouts were proposed.

Mr. Chambers mentioned they had reduced the overall height of the building by twelve inches. It was a minimal impact, but he wanted to mention that to the Commission. It required the front door to be lowered in height as well. They had modified the metal roof on the rear of the units to asphalt shingles.

Mr. Miller suggested modifying the downspouts on the front elevation so that the upper roof drains onto the lower roof, rather than taking the downspout from the upper roof straight down to grade, thereby breaking up the south elevation.

Mr. Chamber said he could make that change. He said he would move the downspout to the interior corner.

Mr. Miller moved to approved Case 2018-AR-16 for an amended Appearance Review Certificate to reconfigure parking, as submitted with the stipulation that the downspouts at the south elevation for units 1 and 3 have a split downspout. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andric. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-25 Bella Cosa Jewelers 1149 Wilmette Avenue Sign Variation

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-25, 1149 Wilmette Avenue, Bella Cosa Jewelers, for a wall sign coverage variation.

Mr. Molfese said he was requesting approval for a wall sign above the storefront entrance.

Mr. Smith pointed out that the signable area was reduced by the break in the plane of the façade. The front bay of the storefront entrance limits the size of the signable area. He recalled discussion from the previous meeting where this was considered a hardship and that the commissioners were supportive of the request.

Mr. Miller moved to recommend approval of Case 2018-AR-25, 1149 Wilmette Avenue, Bella Cosa Jewelers for a 37.9% wall sign coverage variation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brill. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-26 Women’s Club of Wilmette 930 Greenleaf Avenue Appearance Review Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-26, 930 Greenleaf Avenue, Women’s Club of Wilmette requesting an Appearance Review Certificate to rebuild exterior walls and install new roofing to repair fire damage, install new landscaping and add a ramp and exterior stairs.

Mr. Andy Tinucci presented the history of the project as well as the current plans.

Mr. Smith asked about a set of double doors on the north elevation that open up onto a platform. He asked if there was a railing and if it was a required exit door.

Ms. Heather LaHood said the existing landing and stairs would remain. The existing doors would be replaced with new doors. While the plans show both doors are operable, that is for loading purposes only. For an exiting scenario, they can fix the door farther to the east so that it does not obstruct exiting.

Mr. Smith wanted to know if the door was required to meet egress requirements.

Mr. Tinucci said he didn’t think they needed that to meet their egress requirements.

Mr. Tinucci said the south elevation would need to be completely rebuilt.

Mr. Smith asked if the egress stairs on the south elevation needed to lead to a paved path toward the right of way, or if the lawn was a suitable landing surface.

Mr. Tinucci said it was his understanding that the lawn was acceptable.

Mr. Sivertsen added that the architect had been meeting along the way with the Village’s building plan reviewer Scott Berg. The plans should reflect what was preliminarily agreed to by the plan reviewer.

Mr. Smith asked how the stone on the south elevation transitions with the stucco on the east elevation.

Mr. Tinucci said the stone returns onto the east elevation.

Ms. Andric asked if they had considered a material other than stucco along that wall.

Ms. LaHood said they were proposing to replace what had been there previously, which was stucco. They did consider stone, however, the existing foundation, which they intend on keeping, would not support a stone wall.

Mr. Smith asked if the exhaust and make-up air were far enough apart. Mr. Tinucci said they will be at least 15 feet apart.

Mr. Miller said the previous time that the project was before them, the neighbors to the east had concerns with the location of the equipment above the kitchen.

Mr. Sivertsen said the previous architect had thought the condensing unit serving the kitchen would need to be placed directly above the kitchen. That was a concern for both staff and the commission; however, the current proposal shows the condensing units serving the kitchen on the flat roof above the second story. The exhaust and make-up air units are less of a concern.

Mr. Tinucci said the Women’s Club has been in communication with the neighbors to the east and shared the current proposal with them. The proposed screen will not only block the view of the mechanical units, but also attenuate some of the sound.

Mr. Smith asked that the architect give some thought to the ramp railing on the west façade.

Mr. Tinucci said they have had a lot of discussion about the railing. They could adorn it with a lot of ornamentation which would call more attention to it, or be minimal and have it blend in. The height of the ramp does not require it to be filled in with pickets. They thought it would be better to be minimal. In addition, if they proposed a stone wall it would push the ramp out further into the setback. They wanted to keep the ramp as narrow as possible.

Mr. Sivertsen said the ramp had received a setback variation because of its distance to the property line adjoining the street.

Mr. Tinucci said the railings and metal trim would be dark bronze and the windows would be black to match what had already been installed.

Mr. Brill asked how they were going to limit the potential of another catastrophic fire in the future.

Mr. Tinucci said the building would be steel framed and they are looking at the possibility of installing a sprinkler system if they have the funds.

Ms. Sharon Telleen said she lives at 912 Greenleaf Avenue. Her home is located three houses to the east of the Women’s Club. She wanted to make sure there is great care taken with the Brabands house (directly east of Women’s Club). Her second concern is the stormwater management plan. They had a new home built next to them at 916 Greenleaf Avenue. At the end of construction, they noticed the neighboring property had raised the ground which has caused them drainage issues, especially at their garage. She wanted to make sure the elevation of the ground does not change at the end of the Women’s Club project.

Mr. Smith asked where the gutters will drain at the end of construction.

Mr. Tinucci, said the existing gutters drained into the combined sewer system. They are working with civil engineers to do that same.

Mr. Sivertsen said that will be reviewed by our Engineering Department during the permit review process.

Mr. Brill moved to approve Case 2018-AR-26, 930 Greenleaf Avenue, Women’s Club of Wilmette, for an Appearance Review Certificate to rebuild exterior walls and install new roofing to repair fire damage, install new landscaping, and add a ramp and exterior stairs. The motion was seconded by Ms. Andric. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-29 Westmoreland Country Club 2601 Old Glenview Road Variation

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-29, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Westmoreland County Club, for an Appearance Review Certificate to expand an existing parking lot and an 11 parking island landscape variation.

Mr. John Guy explained the club needs additional parking for their employees and guests. The club and Village have received complaints about club employee vehicles being parked on the street in front of the residential homes along Old Glenview Road. The Club would like to expand the parking lot to provide more parking and reduce the likelihood of club related vehicles from parking on the street. Because they are expanding the parking lot, not only are they required to have landscaped parking islands in the new parking lot, but also the existing parking lot. The point of the expansion is to get as many new spaces as possible. The requirement of parking islands will reduce this number and so they are requesting a variation from this requirement.

Mr. Miller asked how often there is overflow parking over the course of a year.

Mr. Guy said it occurs during the summer time in peak season. Every day in the summer they were in need of additional parking.

Ms. Andric asked if the proposal will remedy this the parking issue.

Mr. Guy said it will greatly help to alleviate the issue, but can’t guarantee it will completely solve the issue.

Mr. Smith said his main concern are the large trees along Old Glenview Road that will need to be removed to allow the expanded parking area. There are several 30-40 foot tall evergreen trees. He wondered how tall the proposed arborvitae trees will grow.

Mr. Guy said they typically come in 6-7 feet in height when planted and they will get the tallest ones they can find.

Mr. Brill said the current vegetation is not dense enough to screen the proposed expansion. He thought the dense arborvitae will provide a better screen than what is currently out there. He wondered about the additional noise created by moving the parking closer to the street.

Mr. Guy said he didn’t think there will be an increase in the noise.

Mr. Brill asked if the arborvitae will screen the existing and proposed parking area.

Mr. Sivertsen said the arborvitae are only proposed along the new portion of parking lot.

Mr. Smith asked if they would be removing the trees along the berm on the south end of the parking lot.

Mr. Guy said those trees would be transplanted. They will need additional trees in that area to protect the vehicles from golf balls coming from the adjacent golf course.

Mr. Smith asked how many islands are being proposed.

Mr. Sivertsen showed the Commission a graphic of the proposed islands and where additional islands were required per code.

Mr. Smith asked if there was an issue of too much impervious surface.

Mr. Sivertsen said they were conforming to the impervious surface requirements of the Village.

Mr. Miller asked if they can construct islands in the existing areas that are hatched where parking is not proposed. In other parking lots those areas are typically landscaped. They also would not be losing any parking by landscaping those areas.

Mr. Smith asked how the parking lot is managed. Are some areas designated as employee parking?

Mr. Guy said they have valet service so most people choose to valet their car. They also chalk the parking lot indicating to employees where they can parking on any given day.

Mr. Guy said that area is largely an employee lot so he didn’t think it would be visible to the public and sometimes it will be used for additional materials.

Mr. Miller said he understands, but it is a code requirement and it wouldn’t be a hardship to follow the code since in those few instances they wouldn’t lose any parking.

Mr. Guy said he was okay with the proposal to add two additional landscaped islands.

Ms. Andric said she would like to see even more additional landscaping, but understands the club’s need to add additional parking.

Mr. Miller moved to grant an Appearance Review Certificate for Case 2018-AR-29, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Westmoreland Country Club to expand an existing parking lot with the conditions that 1) a new row of trees be planted along the southeast corner of the new parking area, and 2) the new arborvitae along the north edge of the parking lot will be planted at a minimum height of 6 feet. The motion was seconded by Ms. Andric. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

Mr. Miller moved to recommend granting an 11 parking island variation for Case 2018- AR-29, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Westmoreland Country Club as submitted with the condition that 1) two of the islands in the new parking area receive landscaping per code. The two islands being the easternmost island and the triangular shaped island between the existing and new lots. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brill. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-30 Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association 420 Linden Avenue Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-30, 420 Linden Avenue, Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association, for an Appearance Review Certificate to install a fence and railing in the front yard.

Mr. Ed McManus said he would like to install a couple of small fences in the front yard to keep dogs off the grass. The fence will look very similar to the existing balconies on the building. The existing handrail will be moving from the side of the front walk to the middle of the walk leading to the building entrance.

Mr. Smith said the footings for the fence posts are proposed above the frost line. He recommends the footing go 42 inches below grade to make sure it is below the frost line.

Mr. Brill moved to approved Case 2018-AR-30, 420 Linden Avenue, Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association, for an Appearance Review Certificate to install a new fence and railing in the front yard, with the condition that the footings be installed at least 42 inches below grade. The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-31 Images Med Spa 505 Skokie Boulevard Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-31, 505 Skokie Boulevard, Images Med Spa, requesting an Appearance Review Certificate to replace trim and paint the façade.

Mr. Miller moved to grant an Appearance Review Certificate for Case 2018-AR-29, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Westmoreland Country Club to expand an existing parking lot with the conditions that 1) a new row of trees be planted along the southeast corner of the new parking area, and 2) the new arborvitae along the north edge of the parking lot will be planted at a minimum height of 6 feet. The motion was seconded by Ms. Andric. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

Mr. Miller moved to recommend granting an 11 parking island variation for Case 2018- AR-29, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Westmoreland Country Club as submitted with the condition that 1) two of the islands in the new parking area receive landscaping per code. The two islands being the easternmost island and the triangular shaped island between the existing and new lots. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brill. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-30 Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association 420 Linden Avenue Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-30, 420 Linden Avenue, Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association, for an Appearance Review Certificate to install a fence and railing in the front yard.

Mr. Ed McManus said he would like to install a couple of small fences in the front yard to keep dogs off the grass. The fence will look very similar to the existing balconies on the building. The existing handrail will be moving from the side of the front walk to the middle of the walk leading to the building entrance.

Mr. Smith said the footings for the fence posts are proposed above the frost line. He recommends the footing go 42 inches below grade to make sure it is below the frost line.

Mr. Brill moved to approved Case 2018-AR-30, 420 Linden Avenue, Ouilmette-Linden Condo Association, for an Appearance Review Certificate to install a new fence and railing in the front yard, with the condition that the footings be installed at least 42 inches below grade. The motion was seconded by Mr. Miller. Voting yes: Acting Chairman Smith and Commissioners Andric, Brill, and Miller. Voting no: none. The motion carried.

2018-AR-31 Images Med Spa 505 Skokie Boulevard Certificate

Mr. Smith called Case 2018-AR-31, 505 Skokie Boulevard, Images Med Spa, requesting an Appearance Review Certificate to replace trim and paint the façade.

https://www.wilmette.com/download/agendas_and_minutes/arc/minutes/2018/ARC-10-15-2018-Minutes.pdf