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Plan Commission approves sign-face change for 133 East Ogden Avenue, asks applicant to improve landscaping
Summary
The Hinsdale Plan Commission approved a sign-face replacement for 133 East Ogden Avenue (case A-1-2026), moving from an illuminated white background to a darker face intended to reduce nighttime brightness; commissioners asked the applicant to investigate landscaping improvements around the sign.
The Hinsdale Plan Commission approved a sign-face replacement at 133 East Ogden Avenue on a motion that included a request the applicant pursue landscaping improvements.
Commissioner Willoughby moved to approve case A-1-2026 as submitted with a request to improve the landscaping; Commissioner Cernovich seconded. The roll call recorded aye votes from Commissioner Harlow, Commissioner Curry, Commissioner Cernovich, Commissioner Willoughby, Commissioner Moore and Sherman Cashman, and the motion passed.
The application proposes replacing the existing illuminated white background with black lettering with a dark background and white lettering on the ground sign serving the Consolidated Community School District 181 administration building. The sign representative said the panels are large and have already prompted complaints about brightness; "it won't be as bright at all," the representative said, adding that the darker face "would minimize that greatly."
Commissioners questioned how tenant panels would be handled. The applicant said the sign currently contains two tenant panels; when a tenant departs, the panel would be removed and either replaced with a new tenant panel in the same style or blacked out. Commissioners noted the presence of a dentist occupying a small portion of the building and that the sign layout permits additional tenant panels in the future.
A commissioner asked about landscaping around the sign. The application indicates existing landscaping would remain; commissioners requested the applicant "investigate improving the landscaping" around the site as part of the approval.
The approval followed a brief meeting that included routine roll call and a separate motion to approve minutes from 01/14/2026 for which the transcript records multiple abstentions and some procedural confusion; the minutes' final disposition is not clearly stated in the transcript. The commission adjourned shortly after the sign permit vote.
What happens next: the applicant may proceed with the approved sign-face change in accordance with the conditions recorded by the commission, including the request to investigate landscaping improvements.
