09/04/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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modifying the existing signage on the property. Mr. Mclntosh directed the board to the sign criteria in their packets. He said there is a site map. Mr. Rymarczyk pointed out that map is obsolete. He said the one distributed later is better. Mr. Mclntosh then gave a brief history of the mall. He said there is an agreement between Developers Diversified Realty, who now owns and manages the Plaza North and Plaza South, and the piece that Westfield owns. He said that DDR and Westfield have been working together for about 9 months on the sign package. Mr. Kremzar asked about the other entities at the mall such as Jared's, and Bennigan's. Mr. McIntosh indicated that Bennigan's is actually located on the Sears parcel. Jared's is part of Westfield. Remington is not theirs. He referred to the plans and said the real estate lines are on the map. There was further discussion about what is Westfield property and what is DDR owned. Mr. McIntosh said that DDR will have one pedestal on which to advertise the Plaza North and Plaza South, and Westfield is branding just the one side as Westfield Shopping Town Great Northern. The agreement is they will seek the entitlements for the signage as presented today and DDR will come back and work with them. Mr. Maloney asked if DDR would have the option later to come in and put more stores in on the sign. Mr. Mclntosh indicated it is their sign to use. They have signed off on the agreement. Mr. McIntosh said the first piece of the proposal is the monument signs and he referred to the plans. He said they are type 2 signs, a double pedestal sign that can be seen from cars as they approach the mall. He said there is another type 2 double pedestal sign at the intersection of Great Northern and Brookpark. Mr. McIntosh said they have revised the plan somewhat and he asked Mr. Rymarczyk to confirm that it is actually 12 signs now and not 14. Mr. Rymarczyk said for total ground signs it is 14. Mr. Farrell said the directional signage is at the entry magazines. The signs direct drivers to Kaufmann's, J.C. Penney's, and because they are not allowed under the existing ordinance, they need a variance. He said there are signs out there today but the current code does not allow it. Mr. McIntosh said the third set of type 2 signs is up at Brookpark on the northwest quadrant entry. Mrs. Sergi asked if there are 2 there. Mr. McIntosh said it is split with Westfield on one side and DDR on their side. It is where the existing 20 ft. pylon sign is now. Mr. Maloney asked if that will be removed. Mr. Mclntosh indicated it will be. Mr. Kremzar asked if it is considered 1 sign or 2. Mr. Rymarczyk replied it is considered 2 signs. Mrs. Sergi asked how far back it is. Mr. McIntosh indicated it shows on the figure drawing. He said there are 3 monument signs in addition to this. Mrs. Sergi said with the first set of drawings she received, the signs across from Office Max showed that the sign would be right where the tall sign is now. She said it would be on the sidewalk. Mr. McIntosh said it would not be. Mrs. Sergi expressed concern because it is a bad intersection already and the sight lines could be a problem. Mr. Maloney said it would be within the required triangle. Mr. McIntosh said the first monument sign will be by U.S. Bank. Mr. Workley confirmed it is a double-sided sign. Mr. McIntosh said they propose the second sign at the Dillard entrance and it would be set back so it is not a hazard, yet it still easily identifies that area as an entrance. Mr. Kremzar asked about the view for cars trying to get out. Mr. McIntosh said they were concerned about that and that is why it is set back 25 feet from their property line and 35 feet from the curb line. He said the third inonument sign in on the entry by the J.C. Penney furniture store. It sits back and is not a hazard. Mrs. Sergi asked why they are adding those signs. Mr. McIntosh said it is to identify those entries. Mrs. Sergi asked if it has been an issue in the past. Mr. McIntosh said they want to brand their centers and they usually put soinething at the entries to identify it as Westfield. Mrs. Sergi commented it is more name recognition than necessity. Mr. Archer said with the amount of lanes as people are approaching, they don't want anyone to overshoot the entry and have to swing around. Mr. Farrell said at every center they do identify the entrances. It is a branding issue but they always identify the entrances. Mr. Muldoon pointed out if you are a shopper, you want to be able to park close to a certain store. Mrs. Sergi pointed out these signs will just read Westfield. Mr. Kelly said when going to other malls, it helps him to know where certain stores are located. He believes it helps with the traffic flow. Mr. Kremzar went back to Mrs. Sergi's point and asked why they need that amount. Mr. McIntosh said one sign identifies the entry and the other identifies the property. There are existing signs to identify the mall and the plazas. He said the Crreat Northern complex is really significant to North Olmsted and this area. He said they need to be different from DDR. Mr. Konold asked if there is anything other than signs that has to be approved before they can proceed with their venture. Mr. Farrell said they simply need the variances from the board tonight. Mr. O'Malley said he believes the applicant has been before the board on one occasion for some other variance relating to the development plan. He asked Mr. Rymarczyk if the development plan was already approved by Council.