04/25/1995 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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will be a barricade on either side of a landscaped area to be determined by Biskind to create a separation between the barricade with some hardy type landscaping that is as maiutenance free as possible,. The guard rails on either side of the bu.ffer should be a treated wood. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brennan, and unanimously approved. 2) Tony Roma's Restaurant, 26092 Great Northern Shopping Center Request permission to use neon on bu.ilding. Renovation of building approved as a minor change, but the neon was not approved Building Commissioner Conway presented a color board showing materials and Mr. Manders, architect, explained that they planned to have a cornice on top of their parapet which was colored to match the color scheme of the moti£ In discussion with Biskind Development, owners of the shopping center, there was opposition to exposed neon on top of other restaurants in the neighbor. Working with Biskind, they have developed a way to conceal a neon light within the coping and closing the underside offwith a2 inch plastic lens in order to give a soft wash on top of the wall and does not look like exposed neon at all. He presented a mock up of the light which indicated how much light would be projected. He noted that this was all the light that would be visible and that the neon would not be visible at a1L Mrs. O'Rourke questioned why neon, why not florescent. Mr. Manders explained that florescent bulbs have a bright spot at the end of every bulb and with neon there would be more continuity. Mr. Tallon stated that this was really a sign since they are outlining the building. Mr. Manders disagreed stating that they were merely illumiuating the top of the parapet so that the configuration of the building could be seen at night. This is Tony Roma's national motif except there is no exposed neon. He noted that there were several restaurants on Great Northem Boulevard with neon and this is what Biskind Development found objectionable. Mr. Tallon has a problem with outlining a building in lights since it could end up with all of the buildings being outlined. Mr. Manders believed that if they were all as softly lit as this, they would not be objectionable. Mr. Wolt the owner of Tony Roma's, explained that, nationally, Tony Roma's is using exposed neon, sometimes red if accepted by the city, but they are trying to enhance the building because, according to a study made recently, they were _not identified as a restaurant because there was no neon or exterior lighting. If people do not know it is there, it is difficult to find in the corner of the shopping center. Mr. Tallon is what makes the building a sign so that the building stands out, and each building will want another type of light to stand out. He has no problem with the lighting itself? it is toned down and concealed, but he does have a problem with the concept. W. Mauders listed other restaurants with exposed neon that were constructed after Tony Roma's. Mr. Conway stated that Red Robin has another type of lighting, but the concern over neon started when some of the others came in with neon. Mr. Manders believed that this was the least obtrusive lighting possible. Mr. Tallon responded that still does what the city is trying to eliminate, it singles out the building by lighting up the entire frame. Mr. Wolf responded that it would be around the front and side only and on the entrance and patio, not on the Brookpark Road side. They though it might be a soft light for patio dinning. Mr. Brennan agreed that the sole purpose of the light was to light up the bu.ilding, not to light the walkway or for security. Mr. Tallon stated that he appreciated what they did to hide the light, but it is still a sign and it lights the building. He explained tliat this is a bigger, better, best, type of issue, each person wants more and brighter lights. R. Tallon moved that permission to use neon on the building for the renovation of Tony Roma's restaurant be denied, in keeping with continuity of this board and the city without obtrusive lighting which serves no purpose other than to high lighting that particular build.ing and to try eliminate all outline lighting. The motion was seconded by K. O'Rourke, and unanimously approved. N. NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND SUBDIVISIONS: 1) Bridgeport Village Subdivision (Whitlatch Development Company) - Preliminary Plan 3