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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-12-2021 Board of Appeals Minutes EDITED Part IIBoard of Appeals Minutes 1 May 12, 2021 BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES May 12, 2021 PRESENT: Robert Krasniewski, Kathryn Larson, Wesley Kottke, Barbara Schmitz EXCUSED: Cheryl Hentz, Dan Carpenter STAFF: Todd Muehrer, Zoning Administrator; Rachel Anderson, Recording Secretary Chairperson Krasniewski called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of August 12, 2020 and February 10, 2021 were approved as presented. (Schmitz, Kottke) ITEM I: 1331 Algoma Boulevard Saiki Design-applicant, City of Oshkosh-owner, request the following variances to permit two new freestanding monument ground signs for the Oshkosh Public Museum in the minimum required setbacks: Description Code Reference Required Proposed Street side setback (Congress/High) 30-53(G) 25’ 5’ Front yard setback (Algoma) 30-53(G) 30’ 5’9 ¾’” Mr. Muehrer presented the item and distributed photos of the subject site. The subject 2.84 acre (approximately 123,710 square feet) property is zoned Institutional with a Planned Development Overlay (I- PD) and is currently developed with Oshkosh Public Museum structures and associated off-street parking facilities. The irregular shaped parcel is triple-fronted and located on the west side of Algoma Boulevard; the south side of Congress Avenue; and the east side of High Avenue. Adjacent land uses include institutional in all directions, except the south, which is low-density residential. A second freestanding monument sign is proposed near the property’s intersection at High Avenue and Congress Avenue. This sign is also single-sided but is 21’4” wide by 10’8” in overall height. The required setback is 25’ in this location and a variance is requested to place a new sign at 5’. The existing freestanding sign at this location (see attached image) would be removed and the new sign located behind the existing sign’s nonconforming location. The submitted application and site plans show the proposed placements with variances and also show where the signs would be required to be located without variances. The primary issue with meeting setback in these circumstances is the difficulty viewing the signs would be related to large and mature trees at the historic site. The museum does wish to remove the landscaping as it would detract from the character of the property. The signage is an important wayfinding instrument for visitors to the site and meeting setback in this situation would be unnecessarily burdensome. The site’s campus-type setting with three street frontages along with historic and mature landscaping are unique physical limitations creating hardship in this instance. The property has also established sign Board of Appeals Minutes 2 May 12, 2021 locations within setbacks over several decades that visitors have relied on for navigation and event purposes. The proposed locations are out of the required vision triangles at driveway entrances and street intersections. Additionally both Algoma Boulevard and High Avenue have one-way traffic movement which enhances vehicular safety in the vicinity. Neither sign will create any harm to the public interest. Finally, both the Department of Public Works, as well as the Inspection Services Division have reviewed the proposed signs and their locations and have no objections or further recommendations. Mr. Krasniewski asked if anyone was present to speak for the applicant. Mr. Jared Vincent introduced himself from Saiki Design working with the Oshkosh Public Museum. Mr. Krasniewski swore in Mr. Vincent. Mr. Vincent thanked Mr. Muehrer for the introduction and said that it covers the application very well. He explained that they are looking to replace the two existing signs that are at different locations but given the limitations with trees, existing landscaping, and sidewalks it limited the areas to place them. They also looked at where they would be most visible and have the most impact to help with way-finding for all the people looking to visit the museum and see the new exhibits. Placing a larger sign at the corner of Congress and High Avenue where there is larger traffic volume and faster speed so things can be seen more clearly. The one on Algoma reduced the scale by 75% so it would be a more domestic scale and fit better with historic homes and fit in the space next to the driveway. There are some urns on both sides to help it look more like a sculpture piece of the landscape. The location of the signs maximize the views especially along Algoma with street parking and those trees and the grade drops from the sidewalks. If placed at 30 feet back it would not be viewable from the roadway so the best location is where they are proposing the sign and most easily identifiable for those driving down Algoma to see where the drive entrance is and what exhibits are currently happening. The sign on the corner of Congress and High is a little larger so it can be seen from a distance and the design is based off the existing pillars from Congress and Algoma. The placement is at an angle so it can read by traffic and it is on the corners where it is 5 feet and the rest of it is set back further from the property line. Ms. Larson joined the WebEx. Mr. Krasniewski asked if there were any questions from the board or the applicant. Ms. Larson asked how much bigger is the sign on Congress and High than the existing one, square footage- wise. Mr. Vincent replied to give a general idea the existing sign in the dark gray area that states “Geniuses of Oshkosh” is roughly 5’x8’ and the existing sign is slightly bigger than that piece of it. So the white frame of that portion is about the size of the existing sign. Mr. Krasniewski asked Mr. Muehrer if there are any landscaping requirements around either one of the signs, especially the one on High. Mr. Muehrer replied no. The property exceeds the minimum landscaping requirements from a city code perspective and the priority was to ensure visibility thru the vision triangle for safety purposes. Board of Appeals Minutes 3 May 12, 2021 Mr. Krasniewski questioned if the signs are internally lit. Mr. Vincent replied the signs will not be internally lit. If lighting was required it would be ground mounted lights shinning up at the sign. Mr. Muehrer stated it would then be an up light or landscape lighting. Mr. Vincent agreed with Mr. Muehrer and stated there is a decent amount of light on the corner of Algoma and High Avenue and this one would be an existing light on the left side of the sign and if more light was desired it would be a ground mounted light. Mr. Krasniewski asked again if there were any more questions or anything else from the applicant. Mr. Vincent replied the piece at the top that curves is proposed to be wrought iron or a metal feature so it would be open above where it is flat across the bottom. Mr. Krasniewski replied it would match the gate. Mr. Vincent said yes it would tie into the gate design and be mostly transparent. Ms. Larson motioned to approve the variances as requested. Seconded by Ms. Schmitz. Approved 4-0 Findings of facts: Board finds there is no harm to the public interest. Moving the sign to the required setback would create unnecessary hardship because of existing mature landscaping. Discussion of BOA Procedures: Mr. Muehrer asked how the board wants to meet in June since there will be no hybrid choice for meetings. Council will be meeting in person on May 25th. Mr. Krasniewski asked will there be distancing and a mask requirement. Mr. Muehrer replied yes. Mr. Krasniewski asked if everyone on the board is vaccinated. Ms. Larson replied I don’t think you can ask that. Mr. Krasniewski said he is vaccinated and feels confident in meeting in person. Board of Appeals Minutes 4 May 12, 2021 Ms. Larson replied she feels confident to meet in person. Ms. Schmitz said she would also like to meet in person. Mr. Kottle also agrees to meet in person. Mr. Muehrer also agrees to have in person meetings starting next month. Mr. Muehrer stated that Ms. Hentz will be resigning from the board. Ms. Schmitz replied that she would not be able to attend a July meeting because she will be having surgery at the end of June. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m. (Krasniewski/Kottke). Respectfully submitted, Todd Muehrer Zoning Administrator