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Lake Bluff board approves sign-code exemptions for East Scranton storefront
Summary
The Village Board approved a resolution granting sign-code exemptions for six signs at 49279 E. Scranton Ave., after the Architectural Board of Review recommended approval with conditions including raising projecting signs and mounting a digital menu board.
The Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees on July 20 approved a resolution granting sign-code exemptions for six signs at 49279 East Scranton Avenue, the location of new restaurant and retail uses. The exemptions allow a door sign, a window sign, a digital menu board, and two projecting blade signs shared between businesses at the address to remain or be installed despite technical conflicts with the village sign code.
The move follows a recommendation from the Architectural Board of Review, which voted 5-2-0 on July 1 to recommend approval of the signage with two conditions: that projecting blade signs be raised so their bottom edges are above the windows, and that the digital menu board be mounted on the building wall. The ABR also noted the applicant could program the digital board to power off at midnight.
Village staff summarized the request, saying proprietor John Desrosiers applied for permits for six signs, some of which were already installed. "I could program the new board sign to turn off at midnight," Desrosiers said during the board discussion. Staff noted the code allows hours-of-operation limits as a condition of approval.
Board members agreed with the ABR recommendation and supported limiting hours for the digital board. The board approved the resolution by roll call vote; the clerk recorded all present trustees voting in favor.
The board and staff discussed that businesses sometimes install signage before final permitting and that the village’s permitting procedures include remedies for retroactive applications. The record shows the ABR reviewed the signs July 1 and forwarded conditions to protect the village’s visual character.
The resolution does not change the sign code itself; it grants a site-specific exemption consistent with the ABR conditions. The board’s action was procedural approval with the stated mounting and height conditions noted in the ABR materials and staff memo. The board wished the proprietor luck as the motion carried.
