Sugar Grove — The Village Board voted to approve a minor amendment to the planned unit development for Lot 8 at Sugar Grove Center to incorporate a signage package for the new Starbucks, addressing several elements that did not meet standard code dimensions. President Stilwell called for a roll call vote after community development staff and the plan commission recommended approval; the motion passed with all trustees voting aye.

The action matters because the PUD amendment formally authorizes signage already installed on the site and prevents a requirement that the signs be removed if formal approval had not been obtained. Community Development Director Danny Marion told the board that staff had approved the signs initially to avoid delaying the store opening but required the developer to submit a full signage plan for the entire property and obtain PUD approval.

Marion said the submitted package included three items that exceeded code: an extra menu board at the drive-through (the code allows two), a menu board wider and taller than the code limit because of an overhanging structure, and directional signs that exceeded the village maximum height by eight inches. He also said the Starbucks emblem mounted on the building is two square feet larger than permitted under the village’s linear-foot allowance for tenant signage. Marion told the board the plan commission reviewed the application and recommended approval.

Bob Smoots of GMX Real Estate Group, who identified himself during public comment as representing the developer, said the additional menu boards and other sign features were developed after the original PUD approval because a signage plan had not been included with that earlier application. He asked the board for “a couple minor variances” to regularize the signs.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about the drive-through menu boards and whether the menu board was a kiosk; Marion and the developer confirmed there are technically three menu boards at the drive-through. The board then voted by roll call to adopt the ordinance approving the minor PUD amendment.

No amendments to the motion were recorded. The ordinance incorporates the signage plan into the PUD and preserves staff’s interim approval subject to the village’s sign permit and PUD conditions going forward. The board did not direct additional changes to the sign package during the meeting.