Gurnee planning board approves UPS Store sign exception at Pembroke Corners

The Village of Gurnee Planning and Zoning Board on June 4 approved a minor sign exception allowing the UPS Store at 5250 Grand Ave., Suite 18 to use 4.4-inch main-lettering on a Pembroke Corners multi-panel freestanding sign instead of the 6-inch minimum required by the village zoning ordinance.

The request affects the sign panel for the UPS Store in the Pembroke Corners shopping center in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Planned Unit Development district. The applicant asked for relief so the store’s standard logo and lettering would fit on the pylon panel.

Julia Zobchanak, representing Design Group Signage Corporation, said the company was asking for the exception because “it’s their business standards to have the lettering specific size. And if we’ll make it a different size, it’s not gonna be up to their standards.” She said the proposed main-lettering would be 4.4 inches tall and that the UPS shield logo portion of the panel would be taller than the 6-inch requirement.

A Planning and Zoning Board member noted the village has granted similar exceptions for brand guidelines in the past, calling such requests “not unusual.” The board then moved to approve the minor sign exception. Board member Campbell moved to approve; board member Papp seconded. The board conducted a roll call and the motion carried by voice vote.

Board staff directed the applicant to follow the standard permitting and sign-permit process after the board action. No amendments or conditions to the exception were recorded during the meeting.

The board’s next meeting was announced for June 18; staff said no public hearings were published at that time but several plats might be forthcoming.