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Commission approves Best Buy monument sign and a mechanically attached blue substrate for building signage after debate
Summary
After debate over painting brick and alternatives, the Planning Commission approved a blue monument sign for the Glenbrook shopping center and allowed a blue building background for Best Buy only as a mechanically attached substrate (not painted brick).
The Planning Commission considered two sign‑variance requests from Best Buy for the former Stein Mart at 1018 Andrews Run in the Glenbrook planned development: (1) a blue facade behind the building‑mounted letters and (2) a blue background on the development’s monument sign. Commissioners debated whether painting the existing cream‑colored brick was acceptable and explored alternatives before voting separately on the two waivers.
Caitlin, planning staff, summarized the request and explained Glenbrook is subject to a master signage plan that generally limits building‑mounted signs to raised or recessed letters. She said the monument panels for the development currently feature white backgrounds and Best Buy requests a blue background with white lettering and the company’s yellow “price‑tag” logo.
Shaqir (Shakir) Hussain, a signage contractor with EZ Signs representing Best Buy, said the retailer signed a lease and included sign exhibits with the landlord and only later discovered the center is governed by a master sign plan. He told the commission Best Buy needs visibility: “They’re going away from the larger tag, which is their main identifier from a distance.”
Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with painting brick because of long‑term maintenance and removal concerns. Commissioner Silkwood asked how painted brick would be removed if Best Buy left; Shaqir replied repainting would be the likely remedy and said Best Buy typically occupies properties for long periods. Staff and multiple commissioners cited a past waiver allowing Staples a red EIFS inset (approved in February 2004) and discussed whether a similar EIFS or other mechanically attached substrate could be used instead of painting brick.
An initial combined motion to approve both waivers “as submitted” (including painting the brick) failed on a roll call vote, recorded in the transcript as denied with 3 yeses and 6 noes. Commissioners then worked toward compromise options with the applicant and staff.
On a subsequent motion the commission approved the building sign as presented with modifications: the blue background may be retained but must be a mechanically attached substrate or EIFS (not painted directly on the brick), with decorative trim, and with white channel letters mounted to the substrate. That motion passed 7‑2.
The commission then separately approved the monument sign with the blue background, white letters and the yellow price‑tag logo; that waiver passed 9‑0.
Staff confirmed the approved building solution could be an EIFS or another mechanically affixed substrate and asked the applicant to submit final drawings for staff review; staff said it would process the submittal quickly. Planning staff also said that a cabinet‑style sign (a full‑face box) normally is not allowed under the master signage plan, but the commission’s waiver creates the flexibility to accept a substrate in this specific case.
The record contains no landlord communication in the transcript; staff said the landlord had been copied on correspondence but had not responded. Commissioners asked staff to contact the landlord to clarify sign‑plan responsibilities and to avoid similar issues for future tenants.
The monument sign and the building facade approval conclude the commission’s review; staff instructed the applicant to provide detailed design documents (EIFS or substrate detailing and channel letter specs) for final review and processing.
