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Planning and Zoning Board approves sign-code amendment, allows non-illuminated aluminum sign at 311 Depot Street
Summary
The Antioch Planning and Zoning Board approved a text amendment and variance permitting aluminum and polycarbonate materials and a non-illuminated wall sign at 311 Depot Street; staff said the change would reduce routine variance requests though some members raised concerns about preserving village appearance.
The Antioch Planning and Zoning Board voted to approve a text amendment and a variance that will allow a business at 311 Depot Street to install a wall sign made of aluminum and polycarbonate and to do so without exterior lighting, staff and the petitioner said.
Staff told the board the current Downtown Sign District code permits only two sign materials — wood and HDU (high-density foam) — and requires exterior lighting in that district. The requested action included two parts: a text amendment to allow additional sign materials village‑wide and a variance to waive the lighting requirement at this specific site because running electrical to the storefront would be costly, staff said.
“My name is Aaron Hurry, and I am the owner of Libertyville,” the petitioner said, adding the proposed sign would reproduce the carved-wood look with a flat back and raised letters at substantially lower cost and greater durability for the property’s sheet‑metal storefront. “There is no electrical on-site,” he said, noting the current sign is unlit plastic letters.
Board members asked whether previous signs in the village had been illuminated and whether the text amendment would apply to all future signs. Staff confirmed that the amendment would allow aluminum, polycarbonate and other materials to be used throughout the village so applicants would not need to request individual variances repeatedly.
One board member said they supported the business but worried about preserving a consistent look across the village. “I like the continuous, like, materials that we use throughout the village to make it look nice,” the member said.
The board moved and seconded the measure and conducted a roll call; affirmative responses recorded in the transcript carried the motion. The transcript records multiple “yes” replies but does not list a complete, named roll‑call mapping in the audio; the motion was approved at the meeting.
Staff said a broader sign-code review is planned in the coming months to refine standards and guidance for the village, which the board said would address aesthetic concerns while reducing the administrative burden of frequent variance requests.
