The Planning and Zoning Commission has been known for putting its thumbprint on renderings that come before it–adding cupolas, gables and other architectural ornamentation to proposed buildings in Crystal Lake.
But on Wednesday commission members said they would stop.
“Unless we grossly object to a project,” said James Batastini, commission member, “final architectural detail should be referred to the City Council. We don’t want to be getting too involved in the minutiae. We could be staying here to 2 in the morning debating architecture.”
Commission Chairman Tom Hayden agreed.
Batastini cut short architectural discussions regarding a new Harris Bank branch proposed for the Lutter Center, a commercial development east of Rakow Road and Illinois Highway 31.
Joe Gottemoller, an attorney representing Harris Bank who has represented many petitioners before the city, said officials often have spent too much time discussing architecture, causing projects to be tabled for weeks and months. And opinions have been based on individual tastes, sending conflicting messages to developers.
The Harris Bank plan was endorsed by the commission. The City Council will consider the proposal Aug. 1.
