Park District agrees to 10 p.m. cutoff for new electronic message board after neighbors raise concerns

The Village Board of Northbrook voted to approve a special permit for an electronic message board at 3323 Walters Avenue, but amended the ordinance to limit illumination after 10 p.m.

The public hearing drew neighborhood speakers who said the proposed double-sided sign — which would allow up to six messages per minute and auto-dim based on ambient light — would be visible from nearby homes and could change the residential character of adjacent blocks. Resident Vlad Vasluvik asked the board to shorten the village-code default of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. illumination to 10 p.m., seeking a clearer complaint-and-adjustment process if the sign proved intrusive.

"If the board would be willing to consider shortening that to 10 p.m., that would also be very much appreciated by the residents in that area," Vasluvik said.

Another neighbor, Philip Littman, who lives on Hemlock, said the sign would shine into his family room and urged the board to approve the smallest, dimmest effective display if it moved forward. "We don't need a veto, but we just do want it to be considered," Littman said.

Park District Executive Director Chris Liner told trustees the sign is meant to clarify that the facility is a community center with programs, a 200-seat theater and other services. Liner said the district wants to be "a good neighbor" and was open to a 10 p.m. cutoff even though the Park District preferred the flexibility of the existing 7 a.m.–11 p.m. code.

"I think if we are accepting 10 p.m. and in two years we realize this isn't an issue, we're certainly willing to come back and work with the team," Liner said.

Trustees discussed enforcement and the mechanics of any adjustment, with the village attorney explaining the board could draft the permit with a fixed 10 p.m. cutoff or include a look-back clause that would allow review and potential amendment without a full planning commission rehearing. After brief discussion, a motion to approve the ordinance with an amendment limiting illumination past 10 p.m. passed on the board vote.

The board directed staff to document neighborhood concerns — including the condition of an existing fence that will be followed up by the Park District — and to include the agreed hours in the special-permit paperwork. The special permit otherwise keeps sign height, setback and sign-area measurements in compliance with code; the changeable message portion is what required the special permit.

Next steps: the board approved the amended ordinance (item 10b) and staff will include the 10 p.m. illumination limit in the final permit language. Neighbors were told the Park District will follow up on fence repairs and that staff will monitor complaints and compliance.