Commission approves design review and sign package for Twinkle Twinkle Little 1 at Renaissance Place

The Highland Park Plan and Design Commission on Feb. 17 approved a design review and sign package for 1849 Green Bay Road (Renaissance Place) that will allow an awning extension and two awning graphic signs for the tenant Twinkle Twinkle Little 1.

Anthony Mistretto, a planner with the planning division and community development, outlined the proposal and the applicable sign-package standards. Mistretto said the sign package requires “pin set letters,” non-illuminated signage and letter heights between 10 and 20 inches, and explained that the proposal includes two wall identification signs and two awning graphic signs. He described the awning extension as about 179 square feet and the awning graphics as 6.9 square feet each, bringing the grand total proposed sign area to about 77 square feet, below the 100-square-foot maximum for this façade.

Mistretto also told the commission that one existing light fixture on a stone masonry column would be removed to accommodate the awning and that the landlord has provided written approval for that change. Owner Corey Glass said the business has operated for 19 years and seven years in Highland Park and described the redesign as simplified and classical: “Let's make it as simple and just had a little bit on the lip, where, hopefully, everybody agrees it's pretty, classical,” he said.

A commissioner moved to adopt the draft certificate of appropriateness (COA); after a second and a roll-call vote in which ayes were recorded, the chair declared the motion carried and the commission approved the design-review sign package. The transcript records the approval on a roll call but does not list individual vote tallies.