The Walton Hills Planning Commission met October 2 to review applications for site improvements and signage. The commission approved a restaurant expansion while tabling a decision on signage for an incoming manufacturing facility.
Hot Grillz Diner Expansion Approved
The commission approved preliminary site plan review for Hot Grillz Diner, located at 7188 Northfield Road. Owner Karen Harris-Huebner presented plans to expand the motorcycle and classic car-themed restaurant celebrating its seventh anniversary.
The diner, which opened in May 2018, specializes in comfort fusion cuisine and currently serves breakfast and lunch. The expansion will allow the business to add dinner service and increase seating capacity to accommodate growing demand. Plans include enclosing an outdoor walkway to create additional indoor dining space and extending storage areas. The project also calls for exterior improvements to enhance the building’s appearance.
Harris-Huebner told commissioners the expansion represents growth in the neighborhood and is important to the community. She expressed desire to improve the building’s exterior to reflect that growth.
Commission members praised Harris-Huebner for the business’s success and the proposed improvements. One commissioner noted being new to the village and having already enjoyed an amazing breakfast at the diner, expressing excitement about the expanded seating. Another congratulated Harris-Huebner on the well-deserved success.
The approval is pending variances from the board of zoning appeals related to yard setbacks on the south and west property lines.
Great Day Improvements Signage Tabled
Melissa Skinner, vice president of marketing for Great Day Improvements, presented signage plans for the company’s new manufacturing facility on Northfield Road. The third-largest home improvement company in the country is relocating manufacturing operations from Macedonia to the former Ford Stamping Plant site in Walton Hills.
The company requested approval for multiple building-mounted signs, a 40-foot freestanding pylon sign with digital messaging, and directional signs for truck traffic. Skinner said the facility will handle 30 tractor trailers daily and bring several hundred jobs to the community.
The freestanding sign proposal sparked discussion among commission members. Several expressed preference for a monument-style sign within the landscaping buffer rather than a tall pylon sign. Commission members noted the village’s mixed-use district zoning aims to move away from traditional pylon signage.
Jack, representing Brilliant Electric Signs, explained the sign design underwent an extensive process to suit the 247,000-square-foot building and 950-foot Northfield Road frontage. The company cited challenges with running electrical lines from the building and maintaining the existing tree line as factors in the design.
Matt, the property developer, clarified that the company has reserved rights for a future monument sign at the development entrance, limiting placement options for tenant signage.
After discussion, the commission approved the building-mounted wall signs but tabled decisions on the freestanding sign and directional signage. Members requested additional design options showing enhanced landscaping and alternative monument-style concepts.
The commission indicated support for the project overall but wanted to see signage more aligned with village character standards.
Solar Panel Regulations Approved
The commission approved recommendations to update village code regarding alternative energy facilities, specifically solar panel installations. The updates establish design criteria and regulations that had been missing from existing ordinances.
Members noted increasing requests for solar installations due to federal and state incentives, making updated regulations necessary. The approved language will be forwarded to village council for legislation.
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