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PDC continues Renaissance Place sign-package amendment after debate over awnings and total sign count
Summary
After extended discussion about awning graphics, the number of identification signs and precedence for Renaissance Place, the Plan and Design Commission continued DES2026-0086 (1849 Green Bay Road) to Feb. 17, 2026, asking the applicant to provide individual awning-element dimensions and reduce signage (applicant originally proposed up to 11 sign elements, revised to 8).
The Highland Park Plan and Design Commission continued consideration Feb. 3 of a sign-package amendment for Unit 112 at Renaissance Place (1849 Green Bay Road) after lengthy debate over awning graphics, sign counts and visual uniformity.
Planner Anthony Mistretta told the commission the property is subject to a 1998 PUD sign package that allows one identification sign per pedestrian frontage and that the applicant's proposed set of awning and wall signs had triggered design-review requirements. Staff initially presented totals showing two wall signs (about 63.2 square feet total) and a larger awning-sign area (reported as 178.4 square feet, which staff said included substantial blank space). On closer review staff counted 11 separate awning sign elements under the code's measurement method and recommended the commission require the applicant to show individual dimensions for each awning element so the commission could measure and approve the containers precisely.
Corey Glass, co-owner of Twinkle Twinkle Little 1, said the business needs the combined space to expand inventory and offer car-seat and stroller education to first-time parents, and asked for signage that helps customers locate the store. Glass said one acceptable alternative would be a single long awning with a centered logo and single name band to reduce visual clutter: “one long awning all the way across… I think that looks a little bit more” to unify the two storefronts.
Commissioners raised two recurring concerns: that multiple logos and repeated name bands would create visual clutter in Renaissance Place and that approving a large number of identification elements could set an unwanted precedent. Several members expressed preference for the revised rendering Glass offered — a long awning with a centered logo and reduced repetition — and staff and counsel recommended focusing on container size (number, size and placement) rather than the sign content itself. As corporation counsel observed, “The content of the sign is something that you cannot regulate,” and the commission may lawfully regulate the number and size of containers.
Given the outstanding need for precise element dimensions and the commission's concerns, Commissioner Henry moved to continue DES2026-0086 to the commission's Feb. 17 meeting and asked the applicant to return with amended renderings that show dimensions for individual awning elements and remove one sign on the Green Bay frontage; Commissioner Freeman seconded the motion. The continuance passed unanimously.
The applicant will return Feb. 17 with revised drawings and dimensioned sign elements; staff recommended the commission base any future approval on the smaller ‘‘box’’ measurements for individual sign elements to preserve design control and avoid overly broad containers.
