HomeMy Public PortalAbout1991-10-15 ZBA minutesPLAINFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DATE: OCTOBER 15, 1991 AT: VILLAGE HALL
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: CHAIRMAN SOBKOVIAK, T. CONSOLA,
M. KRIPPEL, D. NORRIS, W. SCHEMPF
ALSO PRESENT: P. J. WALDOCK, VILLAGE PLANNER
J. DJERF, VILLAGE ENGINEER
K. JANIA, SECRETARY
S. HART, NEW SECRETARY
Chairman Sobkoviak called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll
call was taken. H. Bayer was absent.
There being no additions or corrections, Chairman Sobkoviak
declared the minutes of September 17, 1991 meeting approved, as
presented.
Sharon Hart was introduced as the Planning Commission Secretary.
Case No. 328.-82$91V Steven and Julie Puntney, requesting a sign
variation, to allow a 42 square foot sign where a 34 square foot
maximum is allowed by ordinance. The location is 101 S.
;~ Division. This discussion is continued from October 1, 1991
meeting.
P. Waldock summarized his report to the Board as follows:
Subject site in this case has a facade frontage of 80.5 square
foot. This is a request for an interpretation of the exact
method of area calculation in the ordinance. By measuring
individual letters,, such as SUBWAY, or measuring the box around
the sign. The facade dimension is thirty four feet (34).
The applicants stated that their interpretation is .different from
Staff's. They interpret the regulation, since this is a corner
lot, that the combined facade area divided by two (2) would equal
the square feet allowed for each sign. The applicants also asked
to be allowed further calculations to eliminate square footage
from the areas above and below the arrows, on the diagram, we
have now discounted from the sign calculation. Reducing the
calculations to just over 38 square feet.
The ordinance is not specific as to how t:
made. If we calculate each individual
reduce the calculation to 35.1 square
calculations are based on the same sign.
letter sign, not a canister sign, which
calculation.
ze calc
letter
feet.
This
leaves
alation should be
we can further
All of these
is an individual
no options for
PLAINFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
October 15, 1991
Page two
The applicant is asking
calculation, or that a var
his 42 square foot sign on
Staff feels that credit
individual letters such as
to the community in having
credit is justifiable.
that we either allow for individual
fiance be granted to allow him to keep
at 34 foot frontage facade.
should be given to wall signs using
this one, that there is an advantage
individual letters, and therefore the
Staff wants applicants to do their own calculations if they
measure the letters. Sign size is usually done by measuring the
height by the longest length measurement that is how we reached
the 42 square foot measurement.
1 disagrees with counting each letter. What you need ~\_c~,R
to do to calculate signage square foot is the envelope that these
letters occupy. Including space between, and space in letters.
The consensus of the Commission is 4, envelope size; 1,
individual letters.
If we interpret that on corner lots we can calculate the gross
frontage as the total allowable sign, not to exceed 120 feet.
The facade of the building is 80.5 feet in length, the ordinance
says wall signs may be permitted one square foot of sign area for
each one lineal foot of facade frontage. That would allow a 40
square foot sign on each side.
P. Waldock recommended that the Board go with a variance approach
with this particular sign, citing unique conditions, so the Board
can review the sign questions on a case-by-case basis. We can
still change the ordinance so a variance might not be necessary
next time.
Mr. Steven Puntney, asked if the area above and below the arrow
is acceptable to discount.
The indication was yes, that being taken into consideration, the
applicant is very close to having acceptable square feet. The
business hardship is, shorter facia is on primary Route 59 and
the longer on secondary Roberts Avenue. Because of angles it is
hard to read the sign. The applicants are asking that the Board
PLAINFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
October 15, 1991
Page three
interpret the regulation,. since this is a corner lot, that the
combined facade area divided by two (2) would equal the square
feet allowed for each sign.
Findings of Fact:
1. Hardship would relate to
to primary access street
visual problem in reading
2. Added size sign area for
negative impact on surrou
3. The variance would result
and aesthetics of subject
traffic speed, and proximity
which is Route 59 creates a
smaller sign.
this facade would not cause
n.ding properties.
in signage promoting symmetry
site.
D. Norris moved to recommend to the Village Board that they
approve a variance for the sign at 101 S. Division St. based on
the hardships. Seconded by T. Consola.
Roll Call Vote: Krippel, yes, with the comment that if we
consider these three hardships on other
cases, we wi11 be granting variances;
Schempf, yes; Norris, yes; Consola, yes;
Sobkoviak, yes. 5 yes; 0 no. Motion Carried.
Adjourn: 7:44 p.m.
Sharon Hart, Secretary