PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Consider the Petitioner’s appeal to the portions of the Citywide Building Design Guidelines that restrict accent colors and materials to 25% of the façade at key locations in Block 59 and Westridge Court.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Sara Kopinski, AICP
ENTITLEMENTS REQUESTED:
• The Petitioner is requesting an appeal to the Citywide Building Design Guidelines <https://www.naperville.il.us/contentassets/7fed1bf2ba19496fa9a037f019616748/cdg-building-design-guidelines.pdf> in order to permit two wall murals in Block 59 and Westridge Court.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Per Code, official notice in the newspaper is not required.
BACKGROUND:
The goal of the Citywide Building Design Guidelines is to promote high-quality non-residential building design in the City of Naperville that will enhance the quality of life enjoyed by Naperville residents. Section C5 of the Citywide Building Design Guidelines restricts accent materials/colors to 25% of each building face excluding windows and doors.
The proposed murals cover nearly 100% of the facades they are proposed on as depicted in the attachments.
DISCUSSION:
The subject property is located at the northeast corner of IL Route 59 and Aurora Avenue, within the Block 59 and Westridge Court developments. The property owner, Brixmor Heritage Square LLC, proposes two murals that exceed the 25% accent color/material threshold established in the Citywide Building Design Guidelines. The proposed murals were not included in the planned unit development (PUD) approvals for Block 59.
The proposed murals have been designed to contribute to placemaking efforts within Block 59 and Westridge Court, fostering a sense of community and vibrancy in the area. They will be painted directly on the brick facades. The petitioner does not foresee changing any of the graphics for the foreseeable future and notes that the murals are intended to function as artistic installations. Details for each mural are as follows:
• North mural: The petitioner proposes one mural on the southern façade of the Five Below building. The mural will be approximately 1,800 square feet in size, and measure 18 feet in height and 100 feet in length. It will be oriented towards a parking area, internal to the site, and will feature a colorful, abstract image with different graphics to enhance the character of the area.
• South mural: The second mural proposed is on the rear/east façade of the multi-tenant building where Velvet Taco, Cava, and Crisp & Green are located. The mural is approximately 2,500 square feet in size and will measure 18 feet in height and 139 feet in length. Like the north mural, the south mural will be oriented towards a parking area, internal to the site, and will feature a floral pattern in blues, greens, yellows and reds.
Per the petitioner’s letter, both of the murals proposed are oriented away from the public right-of-way, minimizing visual impact on surrounding streetscapes while enhancing internal site aesthetics. The building façades where the murals are proposed do not feature prominent commercial signage, allowing the murals to serve as a creative and visually engaging alternative that strengthen the development’s identity.
Staff Recommendation
In accordance with the Citywide Building Design Guidelines, staff cannot administratively approve a mural that was not addressed during Block 59 PUD entitlements, or that covers more than 25% of a building façade. Upon reviewing the proposal, staff agrees with the petitioner that the murals will contribute to placemaking efforts within Block 59 and Westridge Court. Staff does not have concern with the proposal as the façades where the murals are proposed are internal to the site and not intended to be viewed from the adjoining public rights-of-way. Staff finds the petitioner’s request to be appropriate and to provide a creative placemaking element for the development.
PZC Action
Per the Naperville Municipal Code, the Planning and Zoning Commission is the body to review appeals to the Citywide Building Design Guidelines. PZC determinations are considered final, unless the petitioner appeals the PZC’s decision to the City Council.