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BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2005 PRESENT: Dan Carpenter, Robert Cornell, Larry Lang, Meredith Scheuermann, and Cheryl Hentz, Chairperson EXCUSED: Donald Pressley and Ed Wilusz
STAFF: Matt Tucker, Associate Planner; Patty LaCombe, Clerk Typist, and Vickie Rand, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hentz. Roll call was taken and
a quorum declared present. Minutes of the December 8, 2004 meeting were approved with corrections. (Hentz /Cornell). Unanimous. I: 910 N. SAWYER STREET Principal Jami Kohl, applicant,
for the Oshkosh Area School District, owner, requests a variance to permit a bulletin board sign that will be 32 sq. ft. in size; whereas Section 30-37(F)(1)(c) of the Zoning Ordinance
permits a bulletin board sign not to exceed 24 sq. ft. in size. Jami Kohl, Principal for Roosevelt Elementary School, 910 N. Sawyer Street, introduced herself along with Ann Simons,
Appleton Sign Company, and Pamela Hendershaw, Roosevelt School PTO member. Mrs. Kohl stated she is requesting a larger sign because of the amount of activities they wish to share with
the students, parents and the general public, such as the visit this week by dignitary Jessica Doyle, along with other school announcements. Ms. Hendershaw stated the children from the
Roosevelt Elementary School have worked hard to raise money to pay for the sign. She stated taxpayer’s dollars were not going to be spent on the sign, but money raised by the students
and PTO would be used. Mr. Lang questioned what was going to happen to the existing sign. Ms. Kohl stated the sign would be repainted and used either inside the school or outside on
the playground. Mr. Lang also questioned if the sign would be legible with a 60 foot setback. Ms. Simon stated it would be legible and they tried to work within the confines that would
be acceptable to the city. Mr. Lang questioned the lighting of the sign and if it would be set on a timer. Ms. Simons stated the sign would be internally illuminated and run on a timer.
Chairperson Hentz questioned the hours the sign would be lit. Ms. Kohl stated the sign would be lit from 5:30 p.m. to no later than 8:00 p.m. on events nights.
Board of Appeals Minutes -2 -January 12, 2005 Mrs. Scheuermann questioned if this sign was consistent with signage other schools have. Chairperson Hentz stated it would be somewhat similar
to the bulletin signs placed at other schools. Discussion followed regarding bulletin board signs displayed by other schools. Mr. Carpenter cited the example of Webster Stanley Elementary
school, where at night the lighted sign appears to be washed out by the streetlights and does have a negative effect on the neighborhood. It was noted other signs of this size and design
have been installed at schools such as Perry Tippler, South Park, and Merrill. Mr. Cornell stated it appeared the bulletin board sign would prove to be an asset for the school and serve
the advertising and communication needs between the school, parents, children and the general public. Motion by Cornell to approve a variance to permit a bulletin board sign that will
be 32 square feet in size. Seconded by Carpenter. Mr. Lang stated the only concern he still had was for the sign to be large enough for the information to be legible from the street
as this is the largest setback he has seen for a sign of this nature. Mr. Carpenter stated he looked at the horseshoe drive with the landscaping and sidewalk in front of the school as
to what dictated the setback for the sign. Motion carried 5-0. Finding of the Fact: Chairperson Hentz stated this sign didn’t appear to have an adverse impact on the surrounding property
owners. Mr. Lang stated the sign was consistent with signs displayed by other schools in the community. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Lang stated in reference to the last meeting, he did not agree
with City Attorney Kraft’s ruling of how to proceed with policy changes and a private properties’ policy of enforcement in regard to parking issues. He stated as a quasi board he felt
they had the authority to go to the property owner and request them to have a policy in place and also ask for documentation as to how they are enforcing such policy. Chairperson Hentz
questioned if Mr. Lang had contacted the Plan Commission with his concerns. Mr. Lang stated to date, he has not. Mr. Tucker stated the Planning Services Department has the information
and the staff is currently working on revisions to the Zoning Ordinance on a variety of issues. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Lang /Carpenter. Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted, MATT TUCKER Associate Planner MWT/vlr