Requested Action
1. A variation from Chapter 30, Section 30-801.c.2 to allow a theater marquee with electronic message displays, where only manual change displays are allowed.
2. A variation from Chapter 30, Section 30-120.f to allow off-premises advertising on the theater marquee electronic message displays for theater sponsor names, where off-premises advertising is prohibited.
Recommendation
A public meeting was held by the Design Commission on November 12, 2019 where Commissioner Eckhardt moved and Commissioner Kingsley seconded:
A motion to recommend to the Village Board of Trustees, approval of the following sign variations for the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre at 111 W. Campbell Street:
1. A variation from Chapter 30, Section 30-801.c.2 to allow a theater marquee with electronic message displays, where only manual change displays are allowed.
2. A variation from Chapter 30, Section 30-120.f to allow off-premises advertising on the theater marquee electronic message displays for theater sponsor names, where off-premises advertising is prohibited.
This recommendation is subject to compliance with the plans received 10/25/19, Federal, State, and Village Codes, regulations, and policies, and the issuance of all required permits, and the following conditions:
1. A requirement that the sign manufacturer provide a photometric study of the footcandle light levels on the ground under the marquee sign, to be submitted and reviewed by Staff prior to the Village Board review.
2. A recommendation to consider decorative painting on the back side of the marquee sign, with strong encouragement to include some of the fenestration on the front of the sign on the back, to improve the view on the back of the sign from inside the building.
3. A requirement to provide for separate dimmable lighting control of the key elements of the marquee sign; the front 'Metropolis' light levels, the 'Star' light level, and bulb light levels, so adjustments to all three can be made separately.
4. The electronic displays shall only be used to advertise upcoming and current theater productions and events, except for theater sponsor names which shall be limited to a maximum of 10% of the electronic display area for a given theater production advertisement, and shall be in substantial compliance with the examples received 10/25/19.
5. The marquee lights and electronic displays shall be turned off at all times between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M that the business is not in operation. The lighting on the underside of the marquee only may remain on for 1 hour after the last business in the building closes, no later than 3:00 A.M.
6. The brightness of the individual light bulbs shall be dimmable, and they shall not chase or blink.
7. The electronic displays shall be static displays only with no scrolling, fading, flashing, animation, video, or sound.
8. The message on the electronic displays shall be held for a minimum of 10 seconds.
9. The electronic displays shall be equipped with auto-dimming photocell technology to control the brightness to .3 footcandles maximum above ambient lighting conditions, to be certified by the manufacturer.
10. This review deals with architectural design only and should not be construed to be an approval of, or to have any other impact on, any other zoning and/or land use issues or decisions that stem from zoning, building, signage or any other reviews. In addition to the normal technical review, permit drawings will be reviewed for consistency with the Design Commission and any other Commission or Board approval conditions. It is the architect/homeowner/builder’s responsibility to comply with the Design Commission approval and ensure that building permit plans comply with all zoning code, building permit and signage requirements.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Eckhardt, Kingsley, Seyer and Chair Fitzgerald voted in favor. Motion carried.