HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10PLAN COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DECEMBER 2, 2025
ITEM 10: Industrial Design Standards Variance for Exterior Building Materials on a
New Storage Building at the Northeast Corner of Fernau Court
Applicant: Jeremy J. Wesener
Property Owner: Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing Authority
Action Requested: The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City’s Industrial
Design Standards to allow for a new storage building consisting of non-decorative metal panels
not enhanced with Class I or II materials on all elevations.
Applicable Ordinance:
Code Reference Regulation
30-244(B)(4) Non-decorative metal panels may be used if enhanced on all elevations with Class
I or II materials in combination with decorative fascia, overhangs, trim, lintels,
sills, headers, belt courses, reveals, pilasters, windows, chimney, or other
architectural features as deemed appropriate by the Director of Community
Development or designee. In such cases, Class I or II materials amount to more
than 15% of each facade.
Property Location and Background:
The subject site consists of a 2.58-acre vacant lot located at the north end of Fernau Court, parcel
91225800203. The property is located within a Heavy Industrial Zoning District (HI) and the
2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan recommends industrial development for the site. The
surrounding area consists of industrial uses to the west and south and residential uses to the
north and east.
Adjacent Land Use and Zoning
Existing Uses Zoning
North Residential Town of Oshkosh
South Industrial HI
East Residential Town of Oshkosh
West Industrial HI
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Recommendation Land Use
2040 Comprehensive Land Use Recommendation Industrial
Variance Criteria: The City’s Zoning Ordinance establishes design standards for new
construction and additions with the overall purpose/intent to: “Regulate the design and materials
used for the exterior of buildings and structures within the City so as to maintain and enhance the
attractiveness and values of property in the community.” The Ordinance states the following for new
construction: “The requirements of this Section shall apply to all structures and buildings within the
City constructed after the effective date of this Chapter”.
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ITEM 10 – DSV: 0 Fernau Ct.
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.
The applicant has proposed a 9,300 sq. ft. building for Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing
Authority staff offices and vehicle storage space. The proposed building will consist of metal
panel siding on all facades. Code allows non-decorative metal panels to be used if enhanced on
all elevations with a minimum 15% Class I or II materials. The front (south) façade is enhanced
with stone veneer and windows to exceed the 15% requirement. The applicant is requesting a
design standards variance to allow the side and rear elevations to be deficient of the 15% Class I
or II material requirement.
• South (front): Class I – 39%
• East (side): Class I – 3%
• West (side): Class I – 3%
• North (rear): Class I – 0%
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ITEM 10 – DSV: 0 Fernau Ct.
According to the applicant, the front façade is enhanced with Class I materials (stone
veneer/storefront glass) and a decorative canopy to identify the entrance and improve the curb
appeal of the building.
The overhear doors are placed on the (east) side of the building to be minimally visible from the
street. The applicant has also noted that the proposed side and rear facades, with nearly 100%
metal siding exterior, is compatible with neighboring industrial buildings on Fernau Court;
which include minimal Class I or II materials.
Staff evaluated the proposed plans and impact of the exterior materials being proposed in
regards to the purpose and intent of the industrial design standards. The standards relate to
architectural integrity of the building and the potential impact on adjacent properties, as well as
the “curb appeal” of the block.
In reviewing this request, staff considered:
• Location of the site and character of the surrounding properties
• Zoning, uses of the property and surrounding context
Page 3
ITEM 10 – DSV: 0 Fernau Ct.
Staff has determined that the proposed exterior materials will not have a detrimental impact on
the overall appearance of the site. The front façade will exceed the Class I material requirement
to enhance the view of the site from the street, while the side and rear facades will be minimally
visible from the street. In addition, the proposed materials are consistent with neighboring
buildings on Fernau Court, which appear to include primarily of metal siding without Class I or
II materials included on the sides and rear of the buildings. Along with this, a design standards
variance was recently approved for the adjoining property to the west (Monroe Equipment) to
allow an addition with side/rear facades clad in metal panel siding without Class I or II
materials.
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of a variance from the City’s Industrial Design
Standards to allow a new storage building consisting of non-decorative metal panels not
enhanced with Class I or II materials on side and rear elevations at 0 Fernau Court (Parcel
91225800203):
Finding: The variance will not be contrary to the public interest because the addition will be
minimally visible from the public right-of-way and will be compatible with the existing
neighboring industrial buildings.
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2
March 2025
Please Type or Print in BLACK INK
CITY OF OSHKOSH
APPLICATION FOR DESIGN STANDARD VARIANCE REVIEW
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Petitioner: _________________________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________
Petitioner’s Address: _____________________________________ City: ______________________ State: ______ Zip: __________
Telephone #: ( ) ________________ Fax: ( ) _______________ Other Contact # or Email:________________________
Status of Petitioner (Please Check): Owner Representative Tenant Prospective Buyer
Petitioner’s Signature (required): ____________________________________________________________ Date: ______________
PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION
Owner(s): __________________________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________
Owner(s) Address: ________________________________________ City: ______________________ State: _____ Zip: __________
Telephone #: ( ) ________________ Fax: ( ) _______________ Other Contact # or Email:________________________
Ownership Status (Please Check): Individual Trust Partnership Corporation
Property Owner Consent: (required)
By signature hereon, I/We acknowledge that City officials and/or employees may, in the performance of their
functions, enter upon the property to inspect or gather other information necessary to process this application.
I also understand that all meeting dates are tentative and may be postponed by the Planning Services Division for
incomplete submissions or other administrative reasons.
Property Owner’s Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________
SITE INFORMATION
Address/Location of Proposed Project: __________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Project Description:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Use of Property: ___________________________________________________________ Zoning: _____________________
In order to be granted a variance, each applicant must be able to prove, in the judgment of the Oshkosh Plan
Commission, that at least one of the following criteria applies:
1) The intent of the standards have been incorrectly interpreted
2) The standards do not apply to the project
3) The enforcement of the standards cause unnecessary hardship
Jeremy J. Wesener 10/20/2025
N1040 Craftsmen Drive Greenville WI 54942
920 209-1193
): OwOwOwwwwOwwOwOwOwOOOwOwwOwOwOOwOwOwOwOwOOwOwOwOwOOOOOwOwwOwOOOOwOwOwOOOwOwOOOOOwOOOOwOOOOOOwOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOner ReRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRprprprrprprpprprprprprprpprrpprppprppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppesentative
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10/20/2025
Wendy Fromm - Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing Authority 10/20/2025
1100 W 20th Ave Oshkosh WI 54902
920 292-4450
Fernau Court, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Vacant Land Heavy Industrial
Relocate the maintenance department of the Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing Authority to this
new building. New 9,300 sf building to have offices for staff and shop for vehicles. Space to the east
has been allowed for future expansion of an additional 12,000 sf if needed.
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March 2025
1. Explain in detail your proposed plans and why a variance is necessary:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Describe how the variance would not have an adverse effect on surrounding properties or
curb appeal of the neighborhood:
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3. Describe in detail the materials and construction methods that the proposed project would
use. Attach any supplementary information including, but not limited to, material data sheets,
product information, supplemental photographs, elevation plan(s) and site plan(s):
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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The current elevations do not meet the requirement of zoning code Section 30-244 Industrial Uses
sub-parent B sub-parent 4 for the amount of Class 1 or 2 materials.
The new building is located at the southwest corner of the property so that the building will be
visible to anyone traveling down the street to easily see the front of the building. The masonry,
storefront glass and canopy of the building on the front were added to easily see the entrance of the
building. This hardship for this project is unique to the building owner, as the budget that the
not-for-profit housing authority has is limited in the funds they can use for projects. That being said,
we were still able to make the building appeal better than and complementary to the other existing
buildings that are in the existing industrial park. With the materials that were chosen, we are not
setting any precedent in this park with the percentage of Class I and II materials that are on the other
existing buildings.
The new building was designed to not have any overhead doors facing Fernau Drive and also
have some masonry and a canopy on the front of the building to address the curb appeal though
most of the buildings in this park do not have any masonry on the buildings as there are
not any covenants to this park. The metal wall panel used on this project is equal to or greater
in appearance than the adjacent properties and there is a different color for the trim and windows
versus wall color to enhance the look of the building. (See submitted building rendering) Being
that the park already has these types of buildings in it, it makes sense to have this building in this
park and not at another location.
The materials used for this building along with the color choices of the building are addressed on
the building elevations page A2.1. The profiles of the panel and roof sheets are on the lower right
hand side of the page along with the masonry veneer that will be on the front of the building. We
also have a decorative canopy support structure painted to match the trim and windows that will
add character to the front of the building.
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March 2025
________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Describe why the intent of the design standards have been incorrectly interpreted (if
applicable):
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5. Describe why the design standards do not apply to this particular project (if applicable):
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6. Describe the unnecessary hardship that would result if your variance were not granted (if
applicable):
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The Oshkosh/Winnebago Housing Authority is a not-for-profit organization and adding more costs
to this project takes away money that can be used for other needs such as providing housing for
people in need.
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PROPOSED BUILDING
155'-4" X 60'
9,319.8 SQ FT
CIVIL FF = 786.7'
ARCH FF = 100'-0"
FUTURE
BUILDING
240' X 50'
12,000 SQ FT
CIVIL FF = 786.5'
ARCH FF = 100'-0"
MEDIUM DUTY
ASPHALT
24,563 SQ FT
CURB CUT
(DETAIL 7/C5.1)
7" CONCRETE APRON
W/ #4 BARS AT 12" O.C.
EACH WAY
WETLAND AREA A
3,812 SQ FT
0.0875 ACRES
TO BE REMOVED
Know what's
R
1" = 20'-0"C2.0
1 SITE PLAN
NTSC2.0
2 HANDICAP SIGN
SITE DATA
TOTAL AREA = 112,482 SQ FT
BUILDING AREA = 9,319.8 SQ FT (08.29%)
PAVED AREAS = 25,921 SQ FT (23.04%)
TOTAL BUILDING & PAVED = 35,240.8 SQ FT (31.33%)
GREEN SPACE = 77,241.2 SQ FT (68.67%)
FUTURE AREAS
BUILDING AREA = 21,319.8 SQ FT (18.95%)
PAVED AREAS = 43,134 SQ FT (38.35%)
TOTAL BUILDING & PAVED = 64,453.8 SQ FT (57.30%)
GREEN SPACE = 48,028.2 SQ FT (42.70%)
NOTE:
ALL AREAS DESIGNATED AS "GREEN SPACE" SHALL BE TOPSOILED TO A
DEPTH OF 6 INCHES, SEEDED AND MULCHED. AREA TO BE RAKED FREE
OF STONES AND CLUMPS
SI
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0 30 60
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ZONING
HEAVY INDUSTRIAL - HI
FRONT/STREET SIDE SETBACK - 30 FT
SIDE YARD SETBACK - 20 FT
REAR YARD SETBACK - 25 FT
PAVEMENT SETBACK = PRINCIPAL SETBACK (EXCLUDES
DRIVEWAY ENTRANCES)
MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATION = 70%
BENCHMARKS
LABEL ELEVATION DESCRIPTION
BM 1 787.93 SW HYDRANT TAG BOLT
LEGEND
DESCRIPTION EXISTING PROPOSED
CONTOUR MAJOR
CONTOUR MINOR
SANITARY SEWER
STORM SEWER
WATER MAIN
PROPERTY LINE
SILT FENCE
GRADING LIMIT
SPOT ELEVATION
1 SPACE PER 1,000 BUILDING SQ FT
TOTAL 9,320/1,000 = 9.32 (10) SPACES REQUIRED
TOTAL (15) 10' X 20' PARKING SPACES + (1) A.D.A SPACES PROVIDED
(1) A.D.A. SPACES REQUIRED FOR 1-25 PARKING SPACES
PARKING INFORMATION
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FINISHED FLOOR
100' -0"
EAVE HEIGHT117' -2"
DCBA
1
A3.1
4
A3.1
TOTAL FASCADE = 1,120 SF OR 100%
METAL PANEL = 1,120 SF OR 100%
STONE VENEER = 0 SF OR 0%
WINDOWS/DOORS = 0 SF OR 0%
FINISHED FLOOR
100' -0"
EAVE HEIGHT117' -2"
D C B A
1
A3.1
4
A3.1
T/O MASONRY
104' -0"
T/O HIGH MASONRY
112' -8"
T/O CANOPY
110' -0"
TOTAL FASCADE = 1,120 SF OR 100%
METAL PANEL = 692 SF OR 61%
STONE VENEER = 300 SF OR 27%
WINDOWS/DOORS = 128 SF OR 12%
1' - 0"
9'
-
3
"
FINISHED FLOOR100' -0"
EAVE HEIGHT117' -2"
54321 6 7 8 9
2
A3.1
T/O CANOPY110' -0"
TOTAL FASCADE = 2,715 SF OR 100%
METAL PANEL = 2,642 SF OR 97%
STONE VENEER = 9 SF OR 1%
WINDOWS/DOORS = 64 SF OR 2%
FINISHED FLOOR100' -0"
EAVE HEIGHT
117' -2"
5 4 3 2 16789
TOTAL FASCADE = 2,715 SF OR 100%
METAL PANEL = 2,642 SF OR 97%
STONE VENEER = 9 SF OR 1%
WINDOWS/DOORS = 64 SF OR 2%
Date
Drawn By Approved By
Project No.
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Page Information
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1/8" = 1'-0"A2.1
AS REFERENCED BY:A1.1
1 NORTH ELEVATION
1/8" = 1'-0"A2.1
AS REFERENCED BY:A1.1
2 SOUTH ELEVATION
1/8" = 1'-0"A2.1
AS REFERENCED BY:A1.1
3 EAST ELEVATION
1/8" = 1'-0"A2.1
4 WEST ELEVATION
ROOF STANDING SEAM ROOF PANEL
-GALVALUME COLOR
ARCHITECTURAL METAL WALL PANEL CULTURED STONE -PROFILE -D
-LEDGESTONE BLACK ISLE
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FERNAU CT
VINLAND ST
W FERNAU AV
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh 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: 10/27/2025
1 in = 160 ft1 in = 0.03 mi¯FERNAU COURTNOTICE MAP
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
FERNAU CT
VINLAND ST
W FERNAU AV
FERNAU CT
VINLAND ST
W F E R N A U A V
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
Oshkosh City Limit
HII
I-PD
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: 10/27/2025
1 in = 160 ft1 in = 0.03 mi¯FERNAU COURTZoning & Aerial MAP
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
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