Architectural Review Commission recommends approval for Aetna Development site design at Route 12

The Village of Spring Grove Architectural Review Commission on March 16 recommended approval of an architectural site design for 2120–2160 Route 12 submitted by Aetna Development Group. The commission set specific exterior and signage conditions intended to help the project blend with the Route 12 corridor and voted the recommendation in a roll-call motion that carried unanimously.

The application, presented by Eric Smith identified in the minutes as the project architect, included material samples and a note that building three will be built to suit when a tenant is identified. After extended review and discussion by commissioners about materials, lighting, sign size and landscaping, the commission recommended approval with these conditions: add a light-color rock-face masonry to the lower wainscoting bands; introduce a four-inch stone sill along the front and portions of the side elevations; set a horizontal accent band three-quarters of the way up to match the lower wainscoting; add vertical accent pilings on the east/west elevations of building two; and limit each of the three ground signs to 10 feet wide and no taller than 7 feet 6 inches. The minutes state that final sign approval will be handled at a later date.

A motion to recommend approval was recorded as made and seconded in the minutes; the roll-call vote listed Ayes: Bergloff, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Letzter, and Starsiak (5); Nays: none. The commission's recommendation is advisory to the Village's next permitting and sign-approval processes. The minutes do not record a final permit issuance or a separate sign approval decision at this meeting.

The recommendation advances a multi-building commercial development along a major corridor in Spring Grove; the commission highlighted exterior materials and landscaping as central to the decision. Next steps noted in the minutes: final sign designs and any permit-level adjustments will be reviewed later.