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Hinsdale plan commission continues sign permit review for 25 West Chicago to April 9
Summary
The Hinsdale Plan Commission continued a sign permit and variance request from Coldwell Banker/Don McKenna Group for 25 West Chicago Avenue after commissioners raised concerns about visual clutter, wayfinding and sign placement. Applicant agreed to return with revised concepts.
The Hinsdale Plan Commission on March 12 continued consideration of a sign-permit and variance request for 25 West Chicago Avenue, asking the applicant to return with revised sign concepts at the commission's April 9 meeting.
The applicant, representing Coldwell Banker and Don McKenna Group, asked to install a reverse-lit wall sign on the building pediment plus an awning sign that would display the Coldwell Banker logo. The applicant said the design aims to preserve the historic brick facade that faces 5 North Lincoln while providing wayfinding for two businesses that will share the suite.
The request drew sustained discussion from commissioners who said the site already displays many signs in the small parking area and on multiple faces of the building. Commissioner Julie Willoughby said she was "not in favor of having the extra sign out front," citing the risk of added visual clutter. The applicant responded that the proposal sought to keep signage on a single face of the building so both businesses would be visible to traffic on Chicago Avenue rather than having signs facing different frontages.
Commissioners and the applicant discussed several possible revisions: combining the two proposed signs into one cohesive sign that includes both business names, reducing the size or prominence of the Don McKenna Group logo, relocating or shrinking the awning so it sits over the actual entry door rather than in a central gable, and adjusting paint and wayfinding to reduce confusion between two nearby doors (the applicant said the usable entry will be painted black while the unused door will be neutral). The applicant also said exterior work will include new paint and planter boxes and that awning and lighting would comply with the zoning standard for light levels and color temperature discussed in the packet.
Commissioners asked about parking signage in the adjacent lot (the applicant estimated about 15 existing reserved/realty signs) and whether any of those would be removed; the applicant said they would check with village staff. Commissioner Kirillenberger moved to continue the item to the April 9 meeting; Commissioner Julie Willoughby seconded. The roll call vote recorded all ayes and the commission continued the matter to April 9.
The applicant told commissioners they would return with alternate sign concepts and work with staff member Bethany on any submittal requirements.
Why it matters: The commission framed its decision around preserving the appearance of a historic building, enforcing local sign limitations (including limits on number of signs per frontage), and ensuring pedestrian/driver wayfinding in a busy intersection. The continuation gives the applicant time to present consolidated sign options and wayfinding changes for staff and commissioners to review.
Votes at a glance: Motion to continue consideration of the sign permit/variance for 25 West Chicago Avenue to the April 9 Plan Commission meeting — moved by Commissioner Kirillenberger; seconded by Commissioner Julie Willoughby; roll call ayes recorded (motion carried).
