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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 May 7, 2024 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES May 7, 2024 PRESENT: Kristopher Ulrich, Kathleen Propp, Meredith Scheuermann, Karl Loewenstein, Mamadou Coulibaly, Margy Davey, Council Member Nichols, Thomas Perry EXCUSED: Ed Bowen, John Kiefer STAFF: Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager; Brian Slusarek, Principal Planner Chairperson Perry called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of April 16, 2024 were approved as presented. (Davey/Scheuermann) I. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT AND SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR A VEHICLE SERVICE FACILITY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST 20TH AVENUE AND WEST SOUTH PARK AVENUE (PARCEL 1323120200) Site Inspections Report: Mr. Ulrich, Ms. Propp, Ms. Scheuermann, Mr. Loewenstein, Ms. Davey, and Council Member Nichols reported visiting the site. Staff report accepted as part of the record. The petitioner requests approval of a General Development Plan (GDP) amendment and Specific Implementation Plan (SIP) for a vehicle service facility at the southwest corner of West 20th Avenue and West South Park Avenue. Mr. Slusarek presented the items and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. The subject site consists of one 0.56-acre vacant parcel located at the southwest corner of West South Park Avenue and West 20th Avenue. The subject site is zoned Suburban Mixed Use District with a Planned Development Overlay (SMU-PD). A General Development Plan was approved for commercial development of the subject site along with two neighboring properties to the west/southwest on April 27, 2021. Specific Implementation Plans were subsequently approved for commercial development of the two neighboring properties: Dunkin Donuts and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The applicant is proposing a drive-through oil change facility with 3 vehicle bays. The existing General Development Plan (GDP) for the site was for a commercial building that was anticipated to be for office or retail use. A GDP amendment is required for the proposed vehicle service facility. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 May 7, 2024 The proposed plans were discussed at a Plan Commission workshop on February 2, 2024, with Plan Commission voicing support of the proposal. Staff is supportive of the proposed GDP amendment for a vehicle service use as it is consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan recommendation of Interstate Commercial. It is also compatible with the surrounding existing commercial land uses. The site will utilize an existing shared driveway access with entrance/exits from West 20th Avenue and West South Park Avenue. The existing GDP for the site included a Base Standard Modification (BSM) to allow front yard setback reduction to 10.7’ from West 20th Avenue for both commercial lots fronting West 20th Avenue. The plan meets the front setback requirement established by the GDP and meets street side, side, and rear yard setbacks of the SMU district. The plan also meets impervious surface and parking requirements. The proposed monument sign for the site meets setback requirements. It will be a 20’ tall pylon sign with a total of 54 sq. ft. of signage. The sign is within the maximum height of 30’ for the SMU district and within the maximum area of 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of public right-of-way frontage. The landscaping plan meets building foundation landscaping requirements with the exception of perennial plantings. The proposed perennial plantings will need to be exchanged for additional evergreen or deciduous shrubs to meet the point requirement. The paved area landscaping requirements are being met. The GDP included a condition that the landscape plan shall exceed the minimum point requirements along West 20th Avenue to compensate for that setback reduction. The plan does exceed the point requirement along West 20th Avenue to offset the parking setback reduction. The applicant is requesting a BSM to allow increased distance for the drip line for the street frontage landscaping along West South Park Avenue. The applicant has noted that there are existing utilities along that frontage that prevent them from placing all street frontage landscaping within that 10’ drip line requirement. Staff does not have concerns with that as there is an existing utility situation and the applicant has exceeded the total landscaping point requirement for the site to offset this request. The elevations meet the 50% Class I material requirement with the exception of the north façade (46%). The applicant will need to utilize a glass door opening or add additional Class I material the façade to meet this requirement. This can be addressed during Site Plan Review. Staff is supportive of the GDP amendment to allow a vehicle service facility as the use will be compatible with the surrounding area. The proposed site design is compliant with the existing GDP for the site. The applicant has sufficiently offset the BSMs by providing increased landscaping. Staff recommends approval of the GDP Amendment and SIP with the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. Mr. Perry opened up technical questions to staff. Mr. Perry opened public comment and asked if the applicant wanted to make any statements. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 May 7, 2024 Brian Wurdeman, Civil Engineer with Kimley Horn, 11995 Singletree Land in Eden Prairie Minnesota, made himself available for questions. He also thanked the city staff for all of their efforts. Mr. Perry asked if other members of the public wished to speak. Mr. Perry closed public comments. There was no closing statement from the applicant. Motion by Ulrich to adopt the findings and recommendation as stated in the staff report. Seconded by Coulibaly. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. Ms. Scheuermann stated this is a great example of how we got to see this during a workshop. It is an atypical lot, that had lots of questions about going in and out, and shared access. It may look like we are just putting a rubber stamp on this, but we really vetted this out pretty good in February. I think our time was well spent. Mr. Ulrich agrees. We need to make sure that they make that 50% requirement for building materials. This is a highly trafficked spot and really visible. Whatever we can do to get that last 4% to the north façade. I think that is our due diligence. Motion carried 8-0. II. PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 3: HOUSING OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040 Staff report accepted as part of the record. The City is requesting an amendment to Chapter 3: Housing of the City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan 2040. Mr. Lyons stated in 2023, as part of the Bipartisan Housing Legislation Package that was passed for the state, there were two acts (15 & 18) that enabled a number of programs for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to operate for housing throughout Wisconsin. The programs are called, Vacancy to Vitality Loan, Restore Main Street Loan, and Public Infrastructure Loan. In order for developers to qualify for the programs, the legislation required, a Municipality has updated the Housing element of its comprehensive plan within five years. The City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan, including the Housing element, was adopted in October 2018. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 May 7, 2024 The City is now just outside the five-year window requirement for developers to be eligible for the WHEDA programs. As part of our ongoing effort to support housing throughout the City, staff is proposing an amendment to Chapter 3: Housing of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. With the help of East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, staff has prepared an update the Housing element. We looked at a lot of geographic, demographic, and statistical information and updated it. Also refreshed the goals, objectives, and actions. The end goal is to get ourselves back into compliance so developers are able to apply for the WHEDA programs. A minor update was chosen, instead of a full rewrite, because the City of Oshkosh will need to do a complete update to their full Comprehensive Plan by 2028, with the process likely beginning in 2026. Staff recommends that the Plan Commission approve the resolution recommending the Common Council adopt the amendment to Chapter 3: Housing of the City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan 2040. Mr. Perry opened up technical questions to staff. Ms. Scheuermann and Mr. Loewenstein questioned what was updated. Mr. Lyons stated the whole housing section was updated with new data, goals, and objectives. There is some new information in there about the housing study, and the Day by Day Shelter for the homeless. Mr. Perry opened the public hearing and asked if other members of the public wished to speak. Colan Treml, Economic Director of the Oshkosh Chamber at 120 Jackson Street in Oshkosh, made himself available for questions. We are very much in favor of this. Throughout the past six to eight months, I have had over a handful of developers and property owners reach out to me asking about these funds, and these different programs. I have had to tell them sorry; we are in the works of getting the finer details worked out to qualify for the regulations and things like that. It is a great source of funding from the State of Wisconsin, and absolutely should be used in Oshkosh. On Main Street we have a lot of different developers and real estate owners who are wanting to use the funds. Mr. Perry closed the public hearing, and asked if the applicant wanted to make a final statement. Mr. Lyons stated he is hopeful for your support to get this through Council so people can qualify for these programs. Motion by Coulibaly to move to approve the resolution and recommendation as stated in the staff report. Seconded by Scheuermann. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. Motion carried 8-0. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 5 May 7, 2024 The resolution will be signed by Mr. Perry and Mr. Coulibaly. PLANNING DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Lyons read a letter from a former Plan Commission member, Council Member Esslinger. “Members of the Oshkosh Plan Commission and City staff. Unfortunately, my term of City Council representative to the Plan Commission has come to an end. I just wanted to take a moment to say that I enjoyed my time with all of you and that it was a pleasure to serve with you. The position of Plan Commission member is very important to the City of Oshkosh. The residents of Oshkosh, City staff and Council are very fortunate to have all of you serving on the Commission. I would also like to acknowledge the exemplary job of Chairman Thomas Perry. In all of the boards, commissions, meetings, etcetera that I have been a member of or attended, I have never experienced a better run meeting than from Chairman Perry! The respect that he shows to fellow members of the Plan Commission along with members of the public, contractors, and City Staff is fantastic. Further, his explanation of the rules to the public at the beginning of the meeting, organization, and attention to the details is second to none. All of you keep up the great work on the Plan Commission and I hope to see all of you again from time to time. Very sincerely yours, Paul Esslinger, Oshkosh Common Council.” Mr. Perry stated he appreciated the comments. Everybody here is also very respectful and appreciative of all the opinions that come before us, even though they may be diverse. It makes the job easier, and not necessarily the leader but more of a manager. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:19 pm. (Propp/Ulrich) The workshop listed on the agenda was cancelled. Respectfully Submitted, Mark Lyons Planning Services Manager ML/km