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Planning board approves pole sign, height and panel exceptions at Pembroke Corners
Summary
After petitioner Rick Struesinger explained the original 30-foot sign was taken down for safety and that he initially sought to rebuild it identically, the Planning & Zoning Board approved a special-use permit to allow a two-pole pylon freestanding sign at 5250 Grand Avenue and a minor exception increasing height to 18 feet and tenant panels to eight per face.
The Village of Gurnee Planning & Zoning Board approved a special-use permit and two minor exceptions on Dec. 3 for a proposed multi-panel freestanding sign at Pembroke Corners, 5250 Grand Avenue.
Rick Struesinger, the project architect/developer, told the board the original sign — about 30 feet tall and installed decades ago — had a top triangle that became dangerous because decayed timbers were hanging down. He said he instructed removal for safety; workers removed the sign and he later learned the current zoning would not grandfather the earlier configuration. Struesinger said he initially asked whether the original sign could be rebuilt on the existing foundation, but subsequently withdrew a separate request to return to the original 30-foot height and instead focused on the petition presented to the board.
Staff summarized the requests: a special use to allow a two-pole pylon (non-monument) sign in a district that otherwise requires monument signs; a minor sign exception to increase permitted height from 12 to 18 feet; and an increase from four to eight tenant panels per sign face. Staff explained that once structural work alters a nonconforming sign, legal nonconforming (grandfathered) status is lost.
Board discussion weighed competing concerns: several members cited architectural character and precedent supporting an exception for a multi-tenant center, while another member warned against appearing to reward failure to obtain a permit. Staff noted that removal of structural elements that affect the sign’s posts or electrical connections is the point at which nonconforming status would lapse.
The board first moved and approved the special-use permit to allow a two-pole pylon freestanding sign at the Pembroke Corners site. The board then voted to approve the petition final approvals to raise the allowed sign height to 18 feet and increase tenant panels to eight per face. Following the approvals, the petitioner thanked the board.
The decision modifies the sign standards for the property; any required building or electrical permits must follow. Struesinger’s earlier request to rebuild the original 30-foot sign on the old foundation was not advanced by the petitioner and was not part of the approvals.
