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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 February 4, 2025 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES February 4, 2025 PRESENT: Joshua Belville, Margy Davey, Karl Loewenstein, Ed Bowen, Meredith Scheuermann, Kathleen Propp, John Kiefer, Thomas Perry EXCUSED: Council Member Nichols STAFF: Kelly Nieforth, Community Development Director; Justin Gierach, Engineering Division Manager; Brian Slusarek, Principal Planner; Jeff Nau, Planner; Brandon Nielsen, Associate Planner; Emma Dziengeleski, Assistant Planner; Katrina Malson, Office Assistant; Oshkosh Media Chairperson Perry called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. Mr. Bowen arrived at 4:02 pm. The minutes of January 21, 2025 were approved as presented. (Davey/Scheuermann) I. CONSENT AGENDA: A. ACCEPT BUS SHELTER EASEMENT AT 220 WASHINGTON AVENUE (WINNEBAGO COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES CENTER) B. ACCEPT STORM SEWER EASEMENTS AT 3123 JACKSON STREET (ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF FUTURE FERNAU AVENUE) - Withdrawn by Applicant Motion by Kiefer to accept the consent agenda (I-A). Seconded by Belville. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. There was none. Motion carried 8-0. II. EXTERIOR DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE FOR A BUILDING ADDITION AT 1485 WEST 20TH AVENUE Site Inspections Report: Mr. Belville reported visiting the site. Staff report accepted as part of the record. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 February 4, 2025 Mr. Nielsen presented the items and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. Staff recommends approval of a variance from the City’s Exterior Design Standards to allow for a building addition to be sided with a material that does not match the existing building at 1485 West 20th Avenue with the finding listed in the staff report. Mr. Perry opened up technical questions to staff. Ms. Davey wondered about permits for the addition. Mr. Nielsen stated any necessary permits will be required, if they have not been issued yet. Mr. Kiefer wondered about procedure, since the addition is already built. Mr. Nielsen stated staff is treating this as if it has not been built yet. An exterior Design Standards Variance would be necessary even if they had not built the addition yet. Mr. Perry opened public comment and asked if the applicant wanted to make any statements. Susan Hirschberg of RH Design Build, applicant, stated due to homeless people occupying the space, this former open patio area needed to be enclosed. She also talked about the exterior materials. Lisa Marshall of BLD Properties LLC, owner, reiterated the need to enclose the exterior bar area. The coolers were broken into several times, sink water was left on overnight, and security cameras did not deter any of it. They quickly put up the garage doors, and people still try to break in. There is no heat; it is supposed to be a summer patio bar. She stated they regret not looking into the permit process before doing it. It is not fully attached to the main building. Mr. Perry asked if any members of the public wished to speak. There were none. Mr. Perry closed public comment. There was no closing statement from the applicant. Motion by Propp to adopt the findings and recommendation as stated in the staff report. Seconded by Scheuermann. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. Ms. Davey spoke in support of the project. Motion carried 8-0. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 February 4, 2025 III. SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AMENDMENT FOR A MERRILL SCHOOL MEMORIAL LOCATED AT 108 W NEW YORK AVENUE AND PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WEST CUSTER AVENUE & KENTUCKY STREET (PARCEL 1500740100) Site Inspections Report: Ms. Davey, Mr. Bowen, Ms. Scheuermann, Ms. Propp, Mr. Kiefer and Mr. Perry reported visiting the site. Staff report accepted as part of the record. Ms. Dziengeleski presented the items and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. Staff recommends approval of the Specific Implementation Plan Amendment as proposed with the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. Mr. Perry opened up technical questions to staff. There were none. Mr. Perry opened public comment and asked if the applicant wanted to make any statements. Jim Fochs, Director of Facilities for the Oshkosh Area School District, made himself available for questions. Mr. Perry asked if any members of the public wished to speak. There were none. Mr. Perry closed public comment. There was no closing statement from the applicant. Motion by Propp to adopt the findings and recommendation as stated in the staff report. Seconded by Belville. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. There was none. Motion carried 8-0. IV. COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN MAP AMENDMENT FROM LIGHT DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1705 OSHKOSH AVENUE Site Inspections Report: Ms. Davey, Mr. Loewenstein, Mr. Bowen, Ms. Scheuermann, Ms. Propp, Mr. Kiefer and Mr. Perry reported visiting the site. Staff report accepted as part of the record. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 February 4, 2025 Mr. Slusarek presented the items and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. Staff recommends approval of the requested land use map amendment from Light Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial for property located at 1705 Oshkosh Avenue with the finding that the proposed amendment is consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan goal to encourage compatible land use development as the proposed neighborhood commercial land use is consistent with existing commercial land uses to the east and north of the site. Mr. Perry opened up technical questions to staff. Mr. Perry asked about screening or landscaping towards the neighbors. Mr. Slusarek stated it has not been discussed since the last meeting, but there are code requirements for buffer yards along the neighboring residential properties. Mr. Perry opened public comment and asked if the applicant wanted to make any statements. Will Steiner of Rowlock LLC, owner/applicant, 3220 Shorewood Drive in Oshkosh, made himself available for questions. He discussed buffer zones. He is thinking maybe vegetation to the south and fencing to the west. The alternative use that they have in mind for this property, if not rezoned for commercial, would be as a residential Airbnb or a Bed and Breakfast. They would probably still pursue the same type of parking lot and buffer areas. Mr. Perry asked if any members of the public wished to speak. Katherine Jackson, of 1255 North Westfield Street in Oshkosh, lives next door and does not support this. She does not want her home to be 10’ from a parking lot. She wants to maintain and enhance the residential neighborhood. Robert Fox, of 1235 North Westfield Street in Oshkosh, does not support this. He discussed the Comprehensive Plan, and how the city should not change it. Bob Kelly, of 1245 North Westfield Street in Oshkosh, wondered about the lot size. Paige Smoody, of 1270 Locust Street in Oshkosh, has concerns with impact on taxes, future resale value of their home. She requested a privacy fence be installed to protect their residential privacy. She stated the owner/applicant recently purchased another residential property, two houses down from the subject property. She has concerns that he will want to change that to commercial also. Mr. Perry closed public comment. Mr. Steiner had a closing statement. He discussed his awareness of neighbor concerns/interests. He intends to be responsive. Motion by Propp to adopt the findings and recommendation as stated in the staff report. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 5 February 4, 2025 Seconded by Scheuermann. Mr. Perry asked if there was any discussion on the motion. Mr. Kiefer spoke in opposition. He discussed the Comprehensive Plan, TIF 35, and his intention to vote against this. He wants to maintain the residential area. Ms. Propp wondered what would be required if this was to be a short-term rental (Airbnb). Mr. Slusarek stated short-term rentals are allowed for 180 days per year, and can use the property as is. There are no additional parking or screening requirements. The property would remain residential if it were to be used as a short-term rental. There is a permit required, state lodging inspection reports, and a county health requirement. Mr. Nielsen stated the owner could install four (4) uncovered parking spots, which would need to be screened with evergreens or a fence, at least 5’ tall. Mr. Bowen discussed the Comprehensive Plan and how at times changes may be necessary. Mr. Belville discussed the potential uses of the subject property. Ms. Davey spoke in support of this item. She wondered about TIF assistance. Ms. Nieforth discussed TIF assistance, and the Oshkosh Avenue/Sawyer Street intersection reconstruction. Ms. Propp spoke about why she is torn on this item. She does not want zone creep, where eventually this residential area will become commercial. She wondered if Plan Commission (PC) would be looking at this property again in the future, for buffer requirements and such. Mr. Slusarek stated a zone change would be the next step in the process, if this were to be approved. A Planned Development (PD) Overlay could be put on the property, which requires an extra layer of review by PC and Council. Mr. Loewenstein spoke in support of this, and hoped the owner would preserve the historical character of the property. Mr. Bowen spoke in support of putting a PD on this when it is rezoned. He wondered about future steps in the process. Mr. Slusarek stated if this is approved, a zone change to Neighborhood Mixed Use District with a Planned Development Overlay (NMU-PD) would be the next step in the process. At the same time the owner/applicant could request a General Development Plan (GDP) or GDP and Specific Implementation Plan. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 6 February 4, 2025 Mr. Perry discussed prior meetings regarding the Comprehensive Plan. He discussed the surrounding area, and buffer area. He understands the neighbors’ concerns, and hopes the applicant/owner works with the neighbors on a buffer zone if this is approved. Motion carried 5-3 (Propp, Kiefer, & Perry). Mr. Slusarek stated this will go to Common Council on 3/11/25 for the first reading, and the vote would be on 3/25/25. PLANNING MANAGERS REPORT Ms. Nieforth stated the next Plan Commission meeting will be on Wednesday, 2/19/25, due to an election on Tuesday. She also stated that a Planning Services Manager has been hired, and will start on 3/17/25. Her name is Kimberly Gierach and she has a great planning background. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:57 pm. (Kiefer/Scheuermann) One workshop followed the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Nieforth Community Development Director KN/km