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Hinsdale commissioners approve most sign permits; Hinsdale Wine Shop review continued
Summary
At their Jan. 8 meeting, Hinsdale commissioners approved four business sign permits and continued a contested application from Hinsdale Wine Shop to Feb. 12 after debate over height and illumination.
Hinsdale commissioners on Jan. 8 approved sign permits for four downtown businesses and voted to continue a fifth application — Hinsdale Wine Shop — to the Feb. 12 meeting after extended discussion over sign placement and lighting.
The approvals clear proposed replacement or new storefront signs for Celestial Art Creation, Gan Grazie, Kelsey Resale Boutique and Sterling and Knight Jewelry and Pawn. The commissioners continued the Hinsdale Wine Shop application so the owner can return with alternate mockups showing a lower placement and an alcove-mounted, backlit option requested by the Historic Preservation Commission and several commissioners.
Why it matters: storefront signs affect pedestrian and vehicular visibility, the appearance of Hinsdale’s downtown historic district and business competitiveness. Commissioners weighed business visibility against historic-district compatibility and recommended alternatives to balance those goals.
The votes and key details
- Case A-37-2024, 9 E. First St., Celestial Art Creation — installation of two non-illuminated wall signs. Motion to approve by Commissioner Curry, seconded by Commissioner Cernovich; roll-call vote: all aye. Applicant Edwin Gebauer described two small, proportional wall signs, one above the door and a secondary pedestrian-level sign. He said they are “designed to comply with all requirements.”
- Case A-43-2024, 19 W. First St., Gan Grazie — one wall sign and one permanent window sign (dimensions provided by applicant: window logo about 22½ by 23½ inches; panel above door about 34¼ inches by 10½ inches). Motion to approve made and seconded; roll-call vote: all aye.
- Case A-48-2024, 49 S. Washington St., Kelsey Resale Boutique — replacement of an existing wall sign, same size as previous panel; motion to approve by Commissioner Kirillenberger, seconded by Commissioner Curry; roll-call vote: all aye.
- Case A-2-2025, Sterling and Knight Jewelry and Pawn (240–244 E. Ogden Ave.) — permanent window signs for two suites; motion to approve (mover not specified in the record), seconded by Commissioner Willoughby; roll-call vote: all aye. Staff noted the new paneling will be about 3 inches shorter than the existing ribbon above the windows.
- Case A-47-2024, 12 E. Hinsdale Ave., Hinsdale Wine Shop — application for an illuminated wall sign to replace weathered signage was continued to the Feb. 12 meeting. The owners, Joe Vittore and Ryan Jansky, proposed an internally illuminated gable-mounted sign to improve night visibility. Commissioners and the Historic Preservation Commission expressed preference for a lower, alcove-mounted sign or a softer backlight; commissioners asked the applicant to provide photo mockups (foam-core or similar) showing the proposed sign and the alternative in the alcove and to confirm blade-sign dimensions. Motion to continue carried by roll call: all aye.
Discussion highlights and conditions
- Visibility vs. historic character: Applicants repeatedly said visibility for drivers and nonlocal shoppers was the reason for higher placement. Commissioners and several members of the Historic Preservation Commission urged lower placement in the existing alcove and warmer or more subtle illumination. Staff pointed commissioners to the sign-permit review guidelines (staff report, page 2) as the criteria for decisions.
- Lighting specifics for the Hinsdale Wine Shop case: commissioners discussed color temperature and dimmability; several commissioners preferred a warmer (around 3,000 K) illumination if backlighting is used. The applicant said LEDs would be dimmer-compatible, could meet 50 foot-candle limits and would be programmed to turn off at 10 p.m.
- Documentation requested for continued item: commissioners asked the wine shop owners to return with a) a rendered alternative showing an alcove-mounted, backlit sign per Historic Preservation Commission guidance; b) photos or mockups demonstrating street-level visibility from multiple vantage points (including from the train and two storefronts over); and c) confirmation of allowable blade-sign dimensions per code and any applicable earlier approvals.
What comes next: the Hinsdale Wine Shop applicants agreed to prepare the alternate renderings and photos and return at the Feb. 12 meeting. The other four approved sign permits may proceed as submitted, subject to standard building and permit inspections.
