Title/Name/Summary
Gyro District - 9931 151st Street - Appearance Review
History
This property has been the subject of past cases:
1999-0556
2010-0475
Project
DMP Restaurant Group, LLC. - 2026-0428
PPA-26-0029
Petitioner
Dimitrios Papadopoulos; President
Purpose
The purpose of this petition is to re-paint the façade of the existing structure, replace the outdoor light fixtures, and restore the landscaping to the approved plan.
Requested Actions: Appearance Review
Project Attributes
Address: 9931 151st Street
P.I.N.(s): 27-16-203-027-0000
Size: 0.65 acres
Building Size: 1800 sq. ft.
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Orland Grove Planning District
Comprehensive Land Designation: Neighborhood Mixed Use
Existing Zoning: BIZ
Existing Land Use: Restaurant with outdoor seating
Proposed Land Use: Restaurant with outdoor seating
Surrounding Land Use:
North: Neighborhood Mixed Use (Kiddie Academy) & Mixed Residential (Cameno Re’al Subdivision)
South: Mixed Residential (Villa Re’al Subdivision)
East: Mixed Residential (Villa Re’al Subdivision)
West: Neighborhood Mixed Use (mutli-tenant shopping plaza)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
The petitioner seeks to re-paint the existing façade with a new color scheme of white (Sherman Williams Greek Villa) and blue (Sherman Williams Naval). The distinctive façade, constructed of brick and EIFS, was approved as a part of Case 990556, approved in 1999, for a 1,663 square foot (SF) addition and Special Use Permit to operate a restaurant at this location. The approved addition gives the building the appearance of a 2-story structure compared with the attached single-story multi-tenant shopping center (Mills Plaza). The existing building was originally a blue, white and off-white color scheme but was re-painted to a cream and red color scheme in 2016 without receiving Village approval. The proposed project returns the building to the original color scheme, albeit unintentionally.
North
The building’s north façade currently features a cream-colored painted brick wall which rises to the top of the 4 windows facing 151st street. Above, a cream colored EIFS surface, bordered by a red copping and bulkhead as well as 3 red diamond shaped mounting plates approximately halfway in between. Atop the 3 diamond-shaped mounting plates are 3 gooseneck barn light style lighting fixtures, gray in color. The petitioner seeks to re-paint the façade to replace the cream coloring with white and the red with navy blue - following the same design. Additionally, the petitioner proposes changing the exterior lighting from the gooseneck barn light fixtures to 2-light cylinder light fixtures which will cast a triangular light above and below each fixture. The cylinders are black in color with 4 white stripes, grouped by twos, in the upper and lower halves of the cylinder.
Main Entrance
The main entrance for this building is a 3-sided angled vestibule facing north-west and features floor to ceiling class panes flanking the main entrance. The main entrance has a single glass and metal door bordered on both sides by sidelights. There are floor to ceiling glass windows on the angled walls between the sidelights and the north and west brick facades, and transom windows are featured above all the entryway windows. All the window mulling is black in color. Above the windowed vestibule there is cream-colored EIFS bordered by red bulkhead and copping, matching the north and west facades. The roofline rises to a triangular peak above the main entrance. Directly above the main entrance is the existing signage for the restaurant, which is to be removed as a part of the project. Future signage is not considered as a part of this review and will need to be approved separately through the established sign review process. Outside, the main entrance is framed by two moveable planters and a walkway constructed of red decorative concrete.
East
The existing eastern façade significantly changes between the addition and the original building. Approximately the first 10’ are constructed of cream-colored brick which rises to connect the northern façade to with the existing building height. Likewise, the EIFS surface, cream-colored and bordered by red copping and bulkhead narrows to meet the existing building height. There is a cream-colored downspout which serves as a vertical element before the existing building’s brown brick begins which continues for the remainder of the structure’s eastern façade. Along the eastern façade is a wooden trash enclosure and a gray walk-in cooler surrounded by concrete wheel stops. The walk-in cooler, and its rooftop equipment is unscreened from the neighboring parcel to the east, which does not meet current code requirements. The Petitioner proposes to install new concrete bollards at each corner of the cooler along the drive-aisle, to better protect the cooler from vehicles navigating the drive aisle. Improvements to the screening of the rooftop equipment should be undertaken as a part of future work to the site. Additionally, the existing building’s masonry façade appears to be in poor condition and tuckpointing work should be considered soon.
West
The building’s western façade matches the northern façade’s design, featuring a cream-colored painted brick wall which rises to the top of the 2 windows. Above, a cream colored EIFS surface, bordered by a red copping and bulkhead as well as 6 red diamond shaped mounting plates in between. Atop the 6 diamond-shaped mounting plates are 6 gooseneck barn light style lighting fixtures, gray in color which match the northern facade. The petitioner seeks to re-paint the façade to replace the cream coloring with white and the red with navy blue - following the same design. Additionally, the petitioner proposes changing the exterior lighting from the gooseneck barn light fixtures to 2-light cylinder light fixtures which will cast a triangular light above and below each fixture. The cylinders are black in color with 4 white stripes, grouped by twos, in the upper and lower halves of the cylinder and match the ones proposed for the northern facade.
Overall, the project conforms to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Codes and policies for this area. The re-painting is consistent with the character of the existing plaza and will freshen the façade’s appearance.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
This review uncovered numerous changes to the site that had not been documented or approved by the Village and the Petitioner and property owner have furnished documents and worked collaboratively with Staff to meaningfully address those items and bring the lot closer to full code compliance.
Mobility
The site is accessible from 151st Street and West Avenue through a cross-access agreement with the adjacent plaza to the west. The Petitioner is not proposing any changes to the established traffic circulation pattern on the site.
Parking/Loading
A review of historical aerial images revealed this site underwent multiple re-striping plans following the installation of an outdoor dining area established in 2011 (2010-0475), without Village approval. As a part of this Appearance Review, the Petitioner and Property Owner provided the current striping layout for review by Village Staff and has been determined to meet Code Requirements. Per Land Development Code, Section 6-306, restaurants require 1 parking space per 100 square feet of restaurant space. Therefore, the restaurant’s 2,200 SF size requires 22 parking spaces on site.
The site provides 36 standard-sized spaces and 1 ADA-compliant-spaces. Considered together, the parking requirements for this proposal have been met.
The Petitioner has not proposed any changes to the parking lot. The site appears to be deficient in the required landscape islands which should be addressed during future projects.
Outdoor Seating Area
An outdoor seating area was established for the Sweetz Ice Cream and Cake restaurant in 2011 (2010-0475). After Sweetz closed, Kismet assumed use of the area and installed signage restricting it to Kismet customers only.
The Petitioner was presented with two options: maintain the area as exclusive to Kismet customers, or allow the plaza to manage it as a shared amenity. The Petitioner and property owner elected to retain exclusive use for restaurant patrons and agree to maintain the space. In that effort, the Petitioner has committed to updating the landscaping plan and installing new landscaping to comply with current code requirements.
Landscape Plan
The Petitioner proposes a new landscape plan for the outdoor seating area that incorporates the existing foliage but replaces salt intolerant plants from the existing plan. The Petitioner proposes 3 Feather Reed Grasses along the south border, 2 Feather Reed Grasses along the west border, 9 day lilies and 1 feather reed grass along the northern border, and 3 knockout roses just below the dual-post sign for the restaurant along the eastern border. Additionally, the Petitioner proposes the installation of two moveable planters within the eating area which will contain seasonal plantings.
Case 2010-0475, which established the outdoor seating area also contained a condition that the asphalt courtyard area within Mills Plaza be established as green space. The courtyard area was converted to pavers but green space was never achieved. Accordingly, the Petitioner agrees to install a sizable planter within the courtyard to meet the spirit and intent of the original condition. The planter should be similar in size to a 72’’ x 22’’ planter and should feature seasonal plantings kept in good condition.
In all, the proposed landscape plan meets the minimum code requirements, addresses the outstanding condition from Case 2010-0475 and will improve the existing landscaping for the outdoor eating area which is in poor condition.
Signage
Signage is not part of this petition and should be submitted for separate review to the Development Services Department.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for the exterior improvements at 9931 151st Street, case number 2026-0428, was administratively approved on June 17, 2026. The project and exterior improvements are described in the plans prepared by Dimitrios Papadopoulos and attached to this file. The approval of the Appearance Review is subject to the following conditions:
1. A building permit must be obtained from the Village's Development Services Department prior to initiating work;
2. All building code-related requirements must be met;
3. All landscaping must be kept in good condition.