The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutItem VIPLAN COMMISSION STAFF REPORT NOVEMBER 19, 2024 ITEM VI: RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE TO ALLOW WINDOW AND DOOR AREA CLOSURES ON THE FRONT FAÇADE AT 1120 OLSON AVENUE GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Paul Welhouse Owner: Peggy Shaffer and Konnie Strauss Action(s) Requested: The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City’s Residential Design Standards to allow window and door area closures on the front façade at 1120 Olson Avenue. Applicable Ordinance Provision the Variance is being requested: Code Reference Regulation Section 30-241(B)(1) Existing window openings on front facades including gables shall not be closed or filled (totally or partially). Section 30-241(B)(2) Existing door openings on front facades shall not be closed or filled. Property Location and Background: Page 1 ITEM VI – 1120 Olson Avenue - Design Standards Variance The subject property is a residential lot located at 1120 Olson Avenue and is approximately 0.41 acres in area. According to the City of Oshkosh Assessor website, the property contains a 1,680 square foot ranch style home that was built in 1964. The homes surrounding the subject property appear to be very alike in character, all being single-story ranch homes with an attached garage. The subject property and the surrounding properties are zoned Single Family Residential (SR-3). On September 13th, 2024 the applicant submitted a permit application for an interior remodel to convert an existing breezeway into a new laundry room and half bath. The permit description also explained the intent to close an existing door and window on the front façade that were part of said breezeway. At this time the applicant was made aware that a Design Standards Variance (DSV) would be needed in order to close the window and door on the front façade. The applicant proceeded to submit a DSV application. Subject Site Existing Land Use Zoning Single-Family Residential SR-3 Recognized Neighborhood Organizations None Adjacent Land Use and Zoning Existing Uses Zoning North Single Family Residential SR-3 South Single Family Residential SR-3 East Single Family Residential SR-3 West Commercial / Restaurant SR-3 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Recommendation Land Use 2040 Land Use Recommendation Light Density Residential VARIANCE CRITERIA The City’s Zoning Ordinance establishes design standards for single and two-family homes with the overall purpose/intent to: “Maintain the basic architectural quality of residences within the community, to minimize adverse impacts on adjacent properties and neighborhoods resulting from architectural and building construction practices that may detract from the character and appearance of the neighborhood as a whole, and to ensure compatible design between existing and new homes.” The standards apply to all single and two-family structures within the City and include the regulation that “Existing window openings on front façades including gables shall not be closed or filled.” These standards seek to prevent blank monotonous facades on the front and street side facades of residences. Oftentimes street facing facades are the most prominent portions of the properties. Page 2 ITEM VI – 1120 Olson Avenue - Design Standards Variance The Plan Commission is authorized to grant variances from the strict application of the standards when it is determined that one or more of the following apply: 1. The variance will not be contrary to the public interest. 2. Substantial justice will be done by granting the variance. 3. The variance is needed so that the spirit of the ordinance is observed. 4. Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship. 5. The variance will not allow an alteration of a historic structure, including its use, which would preclude its continued designation as a historic structure. ANALYSIS The applicant is requesting to close one window and one door on the front façade at the subject property. The applicant also plans to install one new transom window in this same area. 1120 Olson Avenue Current Proposed % Change Windows 55”x42” (2) 120”x66” (1) 41”x41” (1) 99 sq. ft. 55”x42” (2) 120”x66” (1) 84”x24” (1) 101 sq. ft. 2% Increase Doors 40”x84” (2) 46 sq. ft. 40”x84” (1) 23 sq. ft. 50% Reduction Total Window and Door Area 145 sq. ft. 124 sq. ft. 14.5% Reduction Façade sq. ft. 408 sq. ft. 408 sq. ft. 0% Estimated % of Façade Area (Windows/Doors) 35.5% 30.4% 5.1% Reduction Table 1 – window and door area calculations based on applicant drawing Page 3 ITEM VI – 1120 Olson Avenue - Design Standards Variance Current Front Façade Proposed Façade The above images are façade drawings from the applicant The applicant provided all necessary dimensions for the current front façade and the proposed front façade; and this helped staff during the DSV process. Staff evaluated the proposed changes to the front façade and the impact on the design of the home in regards to the purpose and intent of the residential design standards. The standards relate to preserving the home’s architectural integrity, the potential impact on adjacent properties, the neighborhood character, and “curb appeal” of the block. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of a variance from the City’s Residential Design Standards to allow for window and door closures on the front façade with the following conditions and finding: Conditions: 1. As proposed, install one 7’ x 2’ transom window on front façade. 2. All current and future work on the house shall meet the Residential Design Standards and any work not in compliance with the standards shall be filed as separate requests for Plan Commission review and approval. 3. Applicant/Owner shall obtain all required approvals and permits for this and any future work conducted at the property. Finding: 1. The variance will not be contrary to the public interest. Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 1146 1120 1082 OLSON AVOLSON AV Oshkosh City LimitOshkosh City Limit L:\GIS_Maps\Planning Base Map - For Windows 10.mxd User: katrinam 1 1 2 0 O L S O N A V E City of Oshkosh maps and data are intended to be used for general identification purposes only, and theCity of Oshkosh assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information. Those using the information areresponsible for verifying accuracy. For full disclaimer please go to www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/GISdisclaimer Printing Date: 10/9/2024 1 in = 30 ft1 in = 0.01 mi¯ 10 0 10 20 30 405 Feet Prepared by: City of Oshkosh, WI Page 8 DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE (DSV) 1120 OLSON AVE PC: 11-19-2024 JEFFREY L MONDAY 1135 W SNELL RD OSHKOSH WI 54901-1151 KENNETH M RICKER MARCIA SCHULTZ 1146 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1136 PEGGY SHAFFER KONNIE STRAUSS 1120 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1136 WILLIAM E ZASKE 1082 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1160 RUSSELL M CARPENTER 1083 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1161 ZE XIONG/PAO VANG 1121 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1135 WILLIAM J HAYES SR 1145 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1135 JACOB HENSE 1075 W SNELL RD OSHKOSH WI 54901-1153 WILLIAM & JUDITH ZASKE 1082 OLSON AVE OSHKOSH WI 54901-1160 TOWN OF OSHKOSH 1076 COZY LN OSHKOSH WI 54901-1404 Page 9 FARMINGTON AV OLSON AV W SNELL RD VINLAND ST Oshkosh City LimitOshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City LimitOshkosh City Limit J:\GIS\Planning\Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template\2023 Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template.mxd User: katrinam Prepared by: City of Oshkosh, WI Printing Date: 10/9/2024 1 in = 120 ft1 in = 0.02 mi¯BASE MAP1120 OLSON AVE City of Oshkosh maps and data are intended to be used for general identification purposes only, and the City of Oshkoshassumes no liability for the accuracy of the information. Those using the information are responsible for verifying accuracy. Forfull disclaimer please go to www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/GISdisclaimer Page 10 FREEDOM AV ZARLING AV NIELSEN DR WESTERN DR CHRISTIAN DR EICHSTADT RD ANDERSON ST GOLDEN IRIS DR WESTERN CT FARMINGTON AV HARVEST CT HARVEST DR OLSON AV GLENDALE AV PURPLE CREST DR LO G A N D R LOGAN DR ZION ST VINLAND ST W SNELL RD Oshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City LimitOshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City Limit Oshkosh City Limit DR-6 I I I MR-12 MR-20-PD SMU SMU-PD SR-3 SR-3 SR-5 SR-5 SR-9 J:\GIS\Planning\Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template\2023 Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template.mxd User: katrinam Prepared by: City of Oshkosh, WI Printing Date: 10/9/2024 1 in = 500 ft1 in = 0.09 mi¯ZONING MAP1120 OLSON AVE City of Oshkosh maps and data are intended to be used for general identification purposes only, and the City of Oshkoshassumes no liability for the accuracy of the information. Those using the information are responsible for verifying accuracy. Forfull disclaimer please go to www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/GISdisclaimer Page 11 OLSON AV W SNELL RD VINLAND ST J:\GIS\Planning\Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template\2023 Plan Commission Site Plan Map Template.mxd User: katrinam Prepared by: City of Oshkosh, WI Printing Date: 10/9/2024 1 in = 100 ft1 in = 0.02 mi¯AERIAL MAP1120 OLSON AVE City of Oshkosh maps and data are intended to be used for general identification purposes only, and the City of Oshkoshassumes no liability for the accuracy of the information. Those using the information are responsible for verifying accuracy. Forfull disclaimer please go to www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/GISdisclaimer Page 12