Trustees table variance request for 12'panel sign at Orland/Homer Glen shopping center

The Village of Homer Glen board considered a variance request (case HG2606'V) to permit a multi'tenant monument sign with 12 tenant panels at a shopping center on 143rd and Bell Road. The item drew extended discussion about enforcement, accrued fines for an unpermitted sign and remedies that would balance ordinance compliance with support for small tenants.

Trustee Mason proposed an amendment to the motion to allow the 12 panels but impose a $1,000 fine for the prior unpermitted installation. Trustees and staff walked through the staff report, noting the panels had been installed in 2024 and that, under daily fine provisions, fines could have accumulated to higher sums if applied retroactively. Trustee Holzhauser sought clarity on the staff calculations; staff confirmed the original notice date was 04/09/2024.

The petitioner (the shopping'center owner) apologized, described tenant struggles and offered to provide a revised, standardized sign layout and a rendering to improve visibility for lower'profile tenants. Several trustees recommended foregoing a punitive fine if the owner agreed to use sign funds to "clean up" and standardize the panels so tenants could be fairly represented. Trustees also discussed whether the zoning text should be revised so similarly situated centers are treated consistently in future.

Because plan commission had previously denied a similar request and this variance requires a supermajority, trustees voted to table the item to allow the petitioner to submit design options and cost estimates and for staff to review ordinance language; the motion to table passed on roll call.

Next steps: the petitioner will submit sign renderings and cost estimates; staff will return a revised ordinance or recommendation at a future meeting.