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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1331 ApplicationCity of Oshkosh Application for Variance Oshkosh Public Museum- Signage Project Supplemental Information 1. Explain your proposed plans and why you are requesting a variance: Response: The proposed plan is to replace an existing sign at the corner of Congress Ave and High Ave that has been in place for over 30 years and replace a stone sign on Algoma Blvd (formerly located in the street terrace) that was struck by a vehicle and demolished. These signs are an important element for wayfinding and displaying the latest exhibits at the Museum. The proposed signage is single sided, constructed of a combination of stone or cast-stone and brick matching the existing entrance gate columns, and similar to the historic Sawyer home. They will include the Oshkosh Public Museum name and logo and an interchangeable poster displaying current exhibits (see details). The Museum requests a variance for the two signs to be located closer to the property line than the zoning defined setbacks. In this case, the Institutional district front setback is 30’ and the street side setback is 25’. Several options for sign locations were evaluated and ultimately the proposed locations are the only viable locations for visibility, legibility, and physical placement. Locating the signage behind the setback lines would result in the signs being obscured by existing mature trees (which are highly desired to remain), located down grade from the roadway, and/or over existing landscaping and sidewalks. The east sign on Algoma Blvd, if located behind the 30’ setback, would need be much larger than the current proposed sign to be legible from the roadway and due to existing trees, on-street parking, and other site features, there would be a very limited sight line (See Exhibit 4, Image A1). The proposed location optimizes the sight lines along Algoma Blvd while providing a more than adequate vision triangle along the existing entrance drive. The proposed location also allows for a smaller scale sign, being more in scale with the domestic side of the Museum, while still be highly visible from the roadway (See Exhibit 4, Image A2). The northwest sign at the intersection of Congress replaces an existing sign in the same location but will be a larger sign for better visibility (See Exhibit 4, Image B1). This is an optimum location for visibility from both east bound Congress Ave traffic and High Ave traffic, while maintaining the vision triangle at the corner. Locating the sign behind the setback line would place the sign behind mature existing trees, obscuring the view from the roadway. The attached exhibits illustrate the proposed signage concepts and locations as well alternate locations beyond the required setback. Oshkosh Public Museum- Signage Project Supplemental Information- Continued 2. Describe how the variance would not have an adverse effect on surrounding properties: Response: This project proposes to replace two existing signs in relatively the same location. The existing signs have been in place in for over 30 years without adverse effects to surrounding properties. The proposed locations of the signs do not impact sight lines to or from adjacent properties. Improved signage legibility and visibility will improve wayfinding, potentially improving traffic flow to the Museum. The proposed signs will also be located outside of the roadway and drive entrance vision triangles, maintaining traffic safety. The signage will not change or affect the use of the Museum or adjacent properties. The signs will not be interior lite so they will not be directing light onto adjacent properties or the roadway. The Paine Center directly across Congress Ave from the Museum has a recently installed sign in front of gates of similar stone-like material at the sidewalk edge on the corner of Congress Ave and Algoma Blvd, so the proposed locations and signs are within the existing character and context of the surrounding properties. (See Exhibit 4, Image C1) 3. Describe the special conditions that apply to your lot or structure that do not apply to surrounding lots or structures: Response: This property is uniquely located at the north end of a residential block with roadways on three sides, a park to the north, a vacant lot to the east, and a church to the west. A portion of the Museum is the Historic Sawyer Home with a portion of the historic front entrance drive remaining. The building is located in the center of the lot, surrounded by mature trees and manicured landscape. This historic standing requires special consideration for minimizing the impact of the signage on the public views to the homes east façade in particular. The neighborhood uses the property as a park space and desires the existing landscape and mature trees to remain. 4. Describe the hardship that would result if your variance were not granted: Response: The existing old stone sign in the terrace along Algoma Blvd has been demolished and cannot be replaced in the same location. Removing additional trees, landscaping, or hardscape to place the signage 25’ to 30’ beyond the property lines would be to the detriment of the Museum and its visitors. If the variance were not granted, there is not a suitable location on the site for legible or functional signage, so the Museum would likely need to forego signage, again at the detriment of the Museum and the public. CONGRESS AVE HIGH AVEONE WAYONE WAYALGOMA BLVDPROPERTY LINE25' STREETSIDE SETBACKSAWYER HOUSEEAST ENTRANCE SIGN,SEE EXHIBIT 2CONGRESS AVE. AND HIGH AVE. SIGN,SEE EXHIBIT 3MUSEUMANNEX66'-8"19'-7"96'-3"95'-33 4"117'-2"65'-2"7'-6" SIDE SETBACK30' FRONT SETBACKPROPERTY LINE25' STREETSIDE SETBACKPROPERTY LINEHIKER PARKRESIDENTIALRIVER VALLEY CHURCHVACANT LOTVIEW C1VIEW B1VIEW A1VIEW A2PAINE CENTERSCALE:1" = 50'-0"1PROPOSED SIGN LOCATIONS - SITE PLANNORTH050'100'1" = 50'-0"OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM1331 ALGOMA BLVDOSHKOSH, WI 30' SETBACKEXISTING HONEYLOCUST, 27" DBH 20' AND 40' VISION TRIANGLES EXISTING LINDEN, 28" DBH EXISTING MAPLE, 7" DBH EXISTING LINDEN, 27" DBH EXISTING LINDEN, 20" DBH EXISTING MAPLE, 18" DBH EXISTING HONEYLOCUST, 24" DBH EXISTING HACKBERRY, 24" DBH EXISTING BLACK WALNUT, 16" DBH ALGOMA BLVD ENTRY DRIVE EX. WALKWAY EX. LAWN EX. LAWN CITY SIDEWALK SAWYER HOUSE EXISTING DEPRESSION RELOCATED STONE PILLAR ONE WAY EX. IRON FENCE EX. IRON FENCE EX. BENCH & PLANTING AREA EX. PLANTINGS PROPERTY LINE PROPERTY LINE VIEW CORRIDOR, TYP. ALT. SIGN LOCATION A ALT. SIGN LOCATION B ALT. SIGN LOCATION C EX. ENTRY GATE EX. LIGHT POST DEMOLISHED SIGN LOCATION PROPOSED SIGN LOCATION 96'- 3 "95'-334"ON-STREET PARKING VIEW A1VIEW A2 EX. WALKWAY 7'-6" SETBA C K PARKING5'-934"0 20'40' 1" = 20'-0"SCALE:1" = 20'-0"2 PROPOSED SIGN AT EAST ENTRANCE - SITE DIAGRAM NORTH OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM 1331 ALGOMA BLVD OSHKOSH, WI 25' S E T B A C K 25' SETBACKEXISTING SERBIAN SPRUCE, 15" DBH EXISTING HOPHORNBEAM, 15" DBH HIGH AVECONGRESS AVE20' AND 45' VISION TRIANGLES CITY SIDEWALKCITY SIDEWALKEX SIDEWALK TO MUSEUM EX TURF PROPOSED SIGN LOCATION ONE WAY EXISTING SIGN LOCATION ALT. SIGN LOCATION AT SETBACK PROPERTY LINE VIEW B1 5'5'-8 " 0 10'20' 1" = 10'-0"SCALE:1" = 10'-0"3 PROPOSED SIGN AT CONGRESS AVE AND HIGH AVE - SITE DIAGRAM NORTH OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM 1331 ALGOMA BLVD OSHKOSH, WI SCALE:NTSA1LIMITED VIEW FROM ALGOMA BLVD SCALE:NTSB1VIEW FROM CONGRESS AVE AND HIGH AVE SCALE:NTSC1PAINE CENTER SIGN AT CONGRESS AND ALGOMA SCALE:NTSA2DEMOLISHED AND PROPOSED SIGN LOCATIONS Former Sign Proposed Sign Location Existing/Proposed Sign Location OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM 1331 ALGOMA BLVD OSHKOSH, WI SCALE:NTS4REFERENCE IMAGES 0 4'8' 1/4" = 1'-0"SCALE:1/4" = 1'-0"5 PROPOSED SIGN AT CONGRESS AVE AND HIGH AVE - SIGN CONCEPT OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM 1331 ALGOMA BLVD OSHKOSH, WI SCALE:1/4" = 1'-0"6 PROPOSED SIGN AT EAST ENTRANCE - SIGN CONCEPT OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM 1331 ALGOMA BLVD OSHKOSH, WI 0 4'8' 1/4" = 1'-0"