Villageboard approves sign variation for Rec Park bathhouse gate

The Arlington Heights Village Board voted to grant a sign-variation to the Park District to allow an artistic, perforated-aluminum rolling gate at Recreation Park’s bathhouse entrance, the board said Oct. 6.

The variation request covers a rolling gate with an approximately 188.8-square-foot decorative panel that depicts a sun and waves; the gate will be closed when the pool and bathhouse are not open to the public. Staff told the board the Design Commission unanimously recommended approval at its August meeting.

Trustee Dunnington moved to direct staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting the requested sign-variation; Trustee Manganaro seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: The proposed gate is larger than the village’s sign code typically allows for a public-lands setting; the variation acknowledges the artistic component while preserving the village’s sign-standards process. Staff said the issue turned on whether the depiction should be treated as a sign (promotional) or as an artistic element, a determination typically addressed by the Design Commission.

Key details and conditions: Staff described the gate as perforated aluminum with a dark-bronze finish. The interior pool-entry gates remain separate and are required by the Illinois Department of Public Health to be self-closing and self-latching; patrons pass through a secondary controlled point of entry for pool access.

Trustee questions focused on parity with private businesses and interpretation of the code: Trustee Bertucci asked whether a private business proposing a similar design would be treated the same; staff said the code is partly subjective and that similar proposals would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and, if necessary, would require a variation.

Ending: With unanimous board approval, staff will draft the final documents and conditions as set forth in the meeting packet.