DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

MINUTES OF MEETING

APRIL 11, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Dave Klug, John Cunningham, Larry George, George McVey, Alan Seymour and  Ken Kraus.  Scott Draughn was excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Kevin Chen, Michael Romary, Doug Furbee, Glenn Remo, Meg Michael, John Fyfe, Bill Morgan, City Planner Greg DeLong, Secretary Barb McCoy

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  

 

The following changes were made to the minutes of March 14, 2007:

 

Page 6 – Alan voted NO (not yes)

Page 6 – change “contrast” to “conflict”

 

ORGANIZATION:

 

Rules of Procedure:

 

Voice vote was unanimous for no changes to the rules of procedure.

 

Election of Chairman:

 

    Mr. Klug nominated Alan Seymour for Chairman; Mr. Seymour declined.  Mr. Seymour nominated John Cunningham for Chairman.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

Election of Vice-Chairman:

 

    Mr. Cunningham nominated Ken Kraus for Vice Chairman. Voice vote was unanimous.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Certificate of Appropriateness Historic Uptown – 2 signs in window for Union County Computers – 116 E. 5th Street

 

It was noted the applicant was not at the meeting.  Mrs. McCoy stated in January 2006 it came to her attention that a vinyl lettered sign had been installed on one of the windows at this business.  After several attempts the business owner went before the Architectural Review Board who approved the sign as it was already installed.  A few months later these two neon signs were in the window, both without a required zoning permit and Certificate of Appropriateness.  Several attempts were made until finally he applied for the appropriate permits through the Design Review Board.  Mr. Cunningham stated he felt the signs themselves are not so inappropriate but all of the other signs clutter the windows.  Perhaps a condition could be to require all the other clutter signs to be removed.  Mr. Kraus stated these signs went up without permits and the applicant simply ignored the rules and ordinances of the City.  Mr. Seymour stated the applicant may have been simply unaware of the code.  Also, Codified Ordinance 1136.12(d) states all signs within the District shall conform to the color and material standards of this section and be of such a style or design that reflects the era during which the structure was built.  The Board needs to make a decision of whether it is appropriate to have neon signs in order to be consistent.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated other things are to be considered such as color, font, etc., of the neon signs.  These signs are not outlandish.    Mr. Kraus stated under design guidelines adopted by the Board, neon signs are mentioned as being ok.  If everything else were to be removed, the neon signs may not be so bad.  Mr. Seymour commented that the zoning code is adjustable; maybe limit neon signs in some ways such as size.  Mr. Klug stated neon signs seem to fit in this instance but all the other signage in the windows need to go.  Mr. George stated he feels there is too much clutter.  Mr. Kraus stated the applicant should be reminded to contact the City for proper permits in the future.  Mr. Cunningham stated the applicant should be told in future the Board may view more strictly if permits are not applied for in the proper ways.

 

Mr. Kraus made the motion to approve this item with the following condition:

 

Ø     Remove all signs in the windows with the exception of the two neon signs requested and the OPEN sign

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Kraus Yes   Mr. McVey Yes   Mr. George Yes   Mr. Cunningham Yes   Mr. Seymour Yes   Mr. Klug Yes

 

First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus – 251 Coleman’s Crossing Blvd.

 

John Fyfe, CE&M, Inc. reviewed the site plan.  It was noted the driveway will be a dead end at this time.  The remainder of the property will be developed at a later time.  The City has informed him that a street may be proposed at the rear of the property to continue Charles Lane to E. 5th Street.  The detention basin is designed to accommodate entire lot.

 

Mr. Kraus asked what the 6 little circles in front of the building are – Mr. Fyfe stated they are light ballards.  Mr. Kraus noted the handicap parking spaces should be in front of entrance door.  Mr. Fyfe stated it was designed that way because of the ramp/sidewalk issue.  It is also hard to install signs.  Mr. Kraus also noted they should have handicap buttons on the door.

 

Curbing will be used for the entire site being developed.

 

Mr. DeLong asked if there will be a dumpster.    It was noted there will be a small concreted area outside the north door for a small tote which will be screened with landscaping.

 

Mrs. McCoy reviewed the landscape plan stating five more perimeter trees are required per code.  Mr. DeLong commented diversity in trees is important.  Mr. McVey stated he is concerned about the Callery Pear trees being proposed.  In general they are not good to use.  Would like to see something else used.

 

Mr. Kraus asked if there will be any landscaping in front of the building.  Mr. Fyfe stated yes, including shrubs.  It was noted shrubs will also be placed around mechanicals to shield.  Mr. Seymour asked if trees could be planted to be used to shield the tower.  Mr. Fyfe noted there is potential that tower could be moved to the back of lot.  If it is not moved, that is a valid request.

 

Mr. Fyfe presented samples of the building materials.  Cultured stone will be used with a band of air stone, brick and more matching air stone.  Shingles vary in colors of browns/tans.

 

There will be 2 light poles in front of building, 2 on south side, one on west side, one on north side.  They will be 20’ poles, down lit lights.

 

Discussion was held on the toter area with it being noted they will be using 4’ x 4’ area with a fence surrounding it to isolate the 90 gallon toter.  Pickup will be twice a week.  Fence will 5-6’ tall constructed of material compatible with the building.

 

Mr. Fyfe stated the only sign being proposed will be a freestanding sign – 10’ to bottom of sign.  Mr. Klug noted that all the other signs on Coleman's Crossing are lower monument signs.  Mr. Fyfe stated he understood that their property is not under the same guidelines as Coleman’s Crossing Blvd.  Mr. Seymour stated no, but they are with the Design Review Board.  They are requested to be similar.  Mr. Fyfe stated they want the visibility from Delaware Avenue – the height is required for that.  He stated the total square footage of the sign would be 100 sq. ft.  Mrs. McCoy stated the maximum size for a freestanding sign is 72 sq. ft. based on the sign regulations.  After discussion, it was agreed the sign would be held to a maximum height of 20’.

 

Discussion held on front elevation of the roofing and how it is not the same for all elevations.

 

Mr. Kraus made the motion to approve First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus with the following conditions:

 

Ø     Handicap parking to be placed in front of entrance

Ø     Handicap buttons to be installed on entrance door

Ø     Small trash area (4’x4’) to be inside a fence that will match exterior of building

Ø     Landscaping will hide mechanicals

Ø     5 additional perimeter trees required – not using Callery Pears

Ø     Landscaping will be installed in front and beside building

Ø     Trees will be installed by tower if not moved

Ø     Lights will be 20’ pole

Ø     Sign cannot exceed 20’ in height; 72 sq. ft/ 10’ to bottom of sign

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. McVey Yes   Mr. George Yes   Mr. Cunningham Yes   Mr. Seymour Yes   Mr. Klug Yes

Mr. Kraus Yes 

 

Plans to be resubmitted for final approval.

 

New Shopping Center – 651 Coleman’s Crossing (in front of Wal-Mart) – filed by Doug Furbee for Furbee Properties II LLC

 

Mr. Delong reviewed his memo states the Board previously reviewed plans for this project at the February 28, 2007 Design Review Board meeting.  As one of the tenants, Buffalo Wild Wings (BW-3’s), had concerns about the Board’s requirement of removing the yellow painted area around the wall sign and the removal of the black and white zinger. 

 

Mr. Furbee stated that is why they have resubmitted revised plans. 

 

Glen Remos, director of real estate for BW3’s stated the reason you are not seeing restaurants similar to this design is because this is a new trade dress look and it is relatively new in this area.  It picks up on the theme of BW3’s logo, black and yellow, black and white zinger, etc.  The zinger is an aluminum panel that is removed with signage if store does happen to close.

 

The exact color sample of “social butterfly yellow” was presented which shows it is mellower that originally presented.  Mr. Remos stated after a conference call with Mr. Seymour, Barb and Tammy, and after some staff suggestions, they went back to the drawing board to try to come up with a compromise.

 

Mr. Kraus stated he preferred the EIFS with light yellow stripes best.  It was noted the size of the zinger is reduced from 24” to 16”.

 

Mrs. McCoy clarified that from the color chips presented, the tan color is the light yellow color on the color rendering  and the other is the “social butterfly”.  The Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar sign is separate from the yellow painted background – the yellow background IS NOT counted as part of the sign.

 

Mr. Kraus made the motion to approve the new “Shoppes on Coleman’s Crossing” shopping center with the revision of 2 vertical EIFS #2 columns in tan, as well as  and the black and white zinger to be 16”x16” as submitted.  The question put, stood:

 

Mr. George Yes   Mr. Cunningham Yes   Mr. Seymour Yes   Mr. Klug Yes   Mr. Kraus Yes   Mr. McVey Yes 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Review of Parking Lot Landscape Island Tree List

 

Mr. DeLong requested this item be tabled once again because he has received revisions and would like to make the revisions before discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS:

 

Meg Michel stated she is representing Kevin Chen who is developing the lot on the other side of the driveway in front of Wal-Mart and stated she brought him for educational purposes.  They will be submitting in the next couple weeks.  An artist’s rendering was presented to the Board members for review.  Ms. Michel stated they would like to do something a little different because it will be  a Chinese restaurant.  Mr. Seymour stated he didn’t know which direction this architectural theme is going but certainly need to take into account the type of business.

 

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS:

 

Mr. Kraus stated that it was his understanding at the last meeting there was discussion held on the previous month’s decision of requiring approval of Phil Connolly on any lot in the City Gate Subdivision before the Design Review Board reviews the request.  He stated an official motion is required as a point of order to rescind the motion of two meetings ago if the Board has decided not to require the approval.

 

Mr. Cunningham requested an agenda item of “Developer Covenant” be added to next month’s agenda.

 

Mr. McVey stated he feels it is important not to allow Callery Pear trees as street trees.  Would like to take off the list altogether.

 

Mr. Seymour stated neon signs need to be discussed – what is acceptable?

 

Mr. Cunningham stated he is looking forward to be chairman once again.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.