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Village of La Grange Design Review Commission met Oct. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:

A meeting of the Design Review Commission was held in the Auditorium of Village Hall, 53 South La Grange Road, La Grange, IL and was convened at 7:33 p.m.

Present (and constituting a quorum): Commissioners Baker, Hanson, Volkman, and Chairperson Banks.

Absent: Commissioners Wisthuff and Cahill.

Also Present: Brianna and Jonathan Cowan of Wooden Paddle, John D'Ortenzio of DXU (Wooden Paddle architect), Anthony Segretto of White Buffalo, Brent Norsman and Hong-Yeol In of Norsman Architects and Design Build (White Buffalo architects), and Village Planner Heather Valone

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Commissioner Baker and seconded by Commissioner Volkman to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2022 Design Review Commission meeting as presented at the meeting. A voice vote was taken to approve the minutes.

III. BUSINESS AT HAND:

DRC #117 DESIGN REVIEW PERMIT FOR 23 W. CALENDAR AVE., BRIANNA COWAN, WOODEN PADDLE

Chairperson Banks introduced the application.

Ms. Valone showed on the overhead screen the exiting building. She discussed the previous user of the building and the new eating establishment, Wooden Paddle, which will be occupying the building. She provided a summary of the proposed changes for all elevations. She then showed on the overhead screen the proposed changes by elevation. Ms. Valone also discussed the proposed changes to the roof top area to accommodate the elevator penthouse and mechanical units. The mechanical units are proposed to be screened from view per the Zoning Code.

Mr. and Mrs. Cowan and their architect Mr. D'Ortenzio were then invited up to the podium to speak on their application.

Commissioner Volkman stated that overall he did not see too many challenges to the proposed changes. However, he asked why the second floor windows on the east elevation needed to be removed and bricked over.

Mrs. Cowan stated that cooking equipment was proposed be placed in front of those locations.

Mr. D'Ortenzio stated that health codes typically require that the surfaces within the cooking area be smooth and easy to clean. Leaving the existing windows would create a maintenance issue behind the equipment that would be challenging to keep clean. Although they are bricking over the window, the intent to have the work look seamless as if the windows were never there. They will be sourcing the brick from other portions of the building where they are removing brick. The brick is a common Chicago brick that can be locally sourced to ensure that it matches as well as possible. They will tooth in the bricks which is a technique to install the replacement bricks so that they blend with the existing bricks rather than interrupting the brick pattern and cutting bricks.

Commissioner Volkman stated that the toothing technique was not listed on the plans. Mr. D'Ortenzio said he would be happy to update the plans to list the technique.

Commissioner Volkman also stated that the drawings do not accurately reflect the penthouse and mechanical equipment on the front and rear elevations. Although the most visible sides for these items is the side elevations, there would be some visibility on the front and rear that is not being shown per standard drawing practices.

Mr. D'Ortenzio said he can update that drawings accordingly.

Commissioner Volkman stated that the Village does have other buildings that are two or more floors that would be able to see these items and it is important to reflect that appearance. He said that he does not have an issue with the proposal, but he does not love the bricking over of the windows. If it were done right, then he would not have concerns. He was concerned that the windows might be original to the building and removal would impact the historic nature of the building.

Discussion related to the windows and potential historical impacts continued. Chairperson Banks noted that the windows may not be original and may have been added.

Commissioner Volkman discussed that thinking long term if the windows are eliminated and the second floor is converted into an office use again that windows may have to be added back to meet Building Code requirements.

Ms. Valone said that the commission reviewed a similar situation when Brick & Mortar proposed changes to the former Nickson’s Eatery. All the windows on the first and second floor were added for the office use. She then showed on the overhead the side of the building that was being discussed and mentioned the visibility of the two existing windows. Discussion related to potential future uses of the second floor and the visibility continued.

Mrs. Cowan stated that they own the building and are planning to use the entire building for the Wooden Paddle restaurant.

Commissioner Hanson stated that she did not have an issue with the removal of the windows as they were not required per the Building Code.

The Commissioners agreed with Commissioner Hanson.

Commissioner Volkman asked the applicant to clarify that the door within the recessed area that provides direct access to the second floor adjacent to the storefront windows was remaining.

Mrs. Cowan responded that that door was going to remain.

Commissioner Volkman asked if the proposed new storefront windows would match the same line as the existing ones.

Mr. D'Ortenzio responded that the proposed windows and doors would be in line with the existing ones.

Commissioner Hanson asked about the screening for the mechanical equipment.

Ms. Valone showed on the overhead screen the proposed screening and discussed the Zoning Code section that required it.

Mr. D'Ortenzio stated that the type and brand of screening that is proposed was selected because it was easy to maintain and access the equipment. Especially for restaurant uses. They are also less likely to be damaged by high winds.

Chairperson Banks asked if there were any other comments or questions on the application. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.

Design Review Commission Recommendation

A motion was made by Hanson, seconded by Baker to recommend the proposed design review permit with the following conditions:

1. The installation technique for the brick infill (toothing) should be listed on the drawings.

2. The front and rear elevations should be updated to show the massing of the penthouse and screened mechanical equipment.

A roll call vote was taken

Ayes: Baker, Hanson, Volkman, Banks

Nays:

Motion passed

DRC #119 DESIGN REVIEW PERMIT FOR 31.5 S. LA GRANGE RD., MICHAEL SEGRETTO, WHITE BUFFALO

Chairperson Banks introduced the application.

Ms. Valone provided a summary of the application. She showed on the overhead screen the existing building and provided some history on the building. The applicant is making significant changes to the front façade including straightening the facade and replacing all the storefront windows. She also showed the wooden slats that are proposed over the storefront windows and door. The existing brick wall at the top will remain. The applicant is straightening the storefront, which brings it closer to the front property line. The survey the applicant had provided indicates that the slats may overhang the property line. The architect has determined that the survey is incorrect. The existing brick area on the top of the façade that is being kept is four inches back from the property line. The submitted survey does not take the measurement from the brick wall, but a small decorative overhang that is attached to the brick under the awning. She then showed the overhang on the overhead screen. The applicant will have to get a correct survey and provide it to the Village. The applicants will be required to submit the updated plat of survey to prove the location of the brick before it will be placed on a Village Board agenda for consideration. The applicant had stated that he is not proposing for any of the new façade to overhand the right-of-way.

Mr. Segretto discussed the proposed barbershop business that will occupy the building. He provided background information on the existing barber and beauty shops that the business is affiliated with. He also provided insight into the interior design choices that impacted the proposed exterior design. All design choices were made to ensure a welcoming and family friendly atmosphere for the shop. A modern take on the tradition barbershop the secondary goal. This was also the intent behind the storefront window being operable to blend the store with the activity on the sidewalk.

Mr. Norsman then presented the physical material same of the proposed aluminum storefront and wooden slats. He discussed that there was no consistency in the neighboring buildings so they did not feel that their design would be out of context next to the existing buildings. He discussed the selected material for the slats. The Ipe wood was selected because it is a low maintenance material that is very hardy. The slats will be backlit to provide contrast between the slats. The storefront window opens six of the total 10 ft. storefront. A traditional storefront door is also proposed.

Chairperson Banks asked the applicant to provide more information on how the proposed Ipe wood would weather given that it will have a lot of sunlight and is adjacent to a mature street tree.

Mr. Norsman stated that the material weathers to a light grey like traditional wood. Oil can be applied to have the material stay looking more like fresh cut wood for three to five years, but ultimately it will weather grey. However, the material is very hardy. It is typically used for rooftop decks or other outdoor installations that may be impacted by water or other weather events.

Commissioner Hanson asked why the oversized door.

Mr. Norsman stated that the storefront door is a standard size. The storefront window is six feet and swings inward to act somewhat like a bi-fold window.

Chairperson Banks asked the applicant how he planned to maintain the painted brick behind the painted slats.

Mr. Segretto has experience with other painted brick buildings and their maintenance requirements. He understands the responsibility to maintain the façade and will keep the high quality façade appearance per La Grange standards.

Commissioner Hanson stated that the presented design that is very unique. She cautioned the applicant that the slats could also attract the accumulation of trash or birds’ nests. The maintenance for the entire façade, not just the painted brick, will need to be considered.

Mr. Segretto confirmed that he understand he will have to maintain the façade per La Grange standards. There are much larger properties in the family of businesses that have to be maintaed so this small space does not concern him from a maintenance standpoint.

Commissioner Volkman stated that the third page of the submittal is the materials page. It states that Ipe or other will be used. He asked the applicant to describe what the other alternative material could be.

Mr. Norsman stated that the alternative product Accoya and is very comparable to the Ipe. It is lighter and that might be easier for the operation of the six foot window.

Commissioner Volkman said that the plans should be updated with the alternative material being labeled.

Chairperson Banks asked if there were any other comments or questions on the application. Hearing none, she asked for a motion.

Design Review Commission Recommendation

A motion was made by Volkman, seconded by Hanson to recommend the proposed design review permit with the following conditions:

1. Update the material board to include the Accoya wood as the alternative material for the slats.

A roll call vote was taken

Ayes: Baker, Hanson, Volkman, Banks

Nays:

Motion passed

IV. OLD BUSINESS

None.

V. NEW BUSINESS

None.

VI. ADJOURNMENT:

There being nothing further to consider, on motion by Commissioner Volkman and seconded by Commissioner Hanson, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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