New Naperville bar seeking approval for lighted signs
Downtown Naperville could be getting a little brighter.
Seven members of the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission recommended Wednesday night that Empire, a new bar, receive city council approval for lighted, projecting signs. The city council will take a final vote on the sign request at a later meeting.
Empire is under construction at the former Rosebud site at 48 W. Chicago Ave.
The first proposed sign is a 25-foot projecting sign with bare bulbs that would light up the corner of Chicago and Main Street. Plans also call for a 22-foot sign that would be mounted on the south facade of the building, which faces the DuPage River.
After reviewing variance requests for the signs, the Naperville planning services staff supported them.
Speaking about the proposals, Derek Rockwell, of Naperville's planning services staff, said that while the signs vary from city codes, “we do believe (the signs) remain in harmony with the intent of the code” because the proposed plan limits the total signage.
Commissioners asked how long the lights would be left on during operation and whether they would flash. The brightness will be constant, and the lights will turn off when the bar closes each night, said Ed Carroll of Sign Shop Express, the company building the signs.
“We're not trying to light up the river,” Carroll said.
According to a planning and zoning memorandum, the intent of the prohibition on bare bulb illumination is to prevent “visually unappealing or undesirable signage that could potentially conflict with the character and aesthetic of the surrounding area.”
No residents showed up to speak at the hearing.
Commissioners Carrie Hansen supported the request for the design, noting the “retro feel.” Commissioner Kamala Martinez said it was “tastefully done.”
Commissioners Robert Williams and Sean Hastings were absent.
The inspiration for the signage came from the industrial look of old buildings that has become popular in Chicago, said owner Phil Cullen.
“There's a couple in the city of Chicago, like the old Chicago theater,” Cullen said. “I've always loved that look.”
The three-floor location, which will feature craft beers and burgers, a retractable roof and an upstairs whiskey bar, is expected to open in May.
Cullen, who owns Ballydoyle pubs in Downers Grove and Aurora, expects the atmosphere, the retractable roof and the live music will make Empire an exceptional addition to the Naperville bar scene.
“We (will) have tremendous music,” Cullen said. “I've got a lot of experience. So when we bring in bands, they're going to be great bands.”