HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes
Plan Commission Minutes 1 August 7, 2007 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 7, 2007 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Thomas Fojtik, Paul Lowry, Paul Esslinger, Kathleen Propp, Cathy Scherer, Jeff Thorkildsen,
John Weinsheim, Jon Dell’Antonia EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Meredith Scheuermann STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Jeff Nau, Associate Planner;
David Patek, Director of Public Works; Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works; Deborah Foland, Recording Secretary Chairperson Dell’Antonia called the meeting to order at 4:00
pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of July 3, 2007 and July 17, 2007 were approved as presented. (Scherer/Fojtik) Mr. Bowen arrived at 4:02 pm. I.A. ACCEPT
STORM SEWER EASEMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1418 COOLIDGE AVENUE City Administration is requesting storm sewer easement acceptance for the installation of a catch basin, as part of
concrete paving and underground work, on property located on the northeast corner of Hawk Street and Coolidge Avenue. I.B. ACCEPT STORM SEWER EASEMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1319 ARTHUR
AVENUE City Administration is requesting storm sewer easement acceptance for the installation of a catch basin, as part of concrete paving and underground work, on property located on
the southeast corner of N. Lark Street and Arthur Avenue. Mr. Nau combined the two easement requests for discussion purposes as they both are essentially the same. Mr. Fojtik asked what
the catch basins looked like that are to be installed. Mr. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works, responded that the basins are 2 feet by 3 feet rectangular open flat grates depressed
in the yard with the ground sloped to it. Mr. Weinsheim arrived at 4:05 pm.
Plan Commission Minutes 2 August 7, 2007 I.C. THREE-LOT LAND DIVISION/CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP ALONG SHERMAN ROAD AND LAKE WINNEBAGO (WINNEBAGO COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE & PICNIC POINT
AREA) The reconfiguration of three existing parcels containing 255.13 acres to three lots with sizes of 23.22, 83.17 and 143.74 acres. The purpose of the land division is for the State
to transfer surplus property from the Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services (WI D.H.F.S.) to the better-suited Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI D.N.R.) Mr. Nau
presented the item and noted that the two conditions contained in the staff report relating to a storm sewer easement should be withdrawn as a D.N.R. study has determined that they are
not necessary. Mr. Dell’Antonia inquired if the use of these lands was changing. Mr. Nau replied that it was not. The State was just transferring ownership from the Department of Health
and Family Services to the Department of Natural Resources. I.D. REVISE RIGHT-OF-WAY PLAT (AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT EASEMENTS, ACQUIRE PROPERTY AND DEDICATE RIGHT-OF-WAY NEEDED) FOR RECONSTRUCTION
OF OHIO STREET In August 2006, the Plan Commission and Common Council approved the administration’s obtaining easements and real estate interests to implement the right-of-way plat for
the reconstruction of Ohio Street. Since that time, more design work has continued and that has created the need to revise the rightof-way plat by obtaining more right-of-way or easements
for the project area. The additional right-ofway needed is typically due to the installation of handicap ramps at intersections. In addition to revising the plat to obtain additional
right-of-way and easements, other properties are being released from interests to be acquired. Mr. Burich presented the item and distributed a revised page 10 of the staff report. David
Patek, Director of Public Works, stated that the revised page 10 was due to a parcel on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Ohio Street which was in the process of redevelopment and it was
necessary to obtain real estate interest on this corner to install a handicapped ramp and an adjustment to the sidewalk along Ohio Street. Ms. Propp inquired if this project was funded
by the State Department of Transportation. Mr. Patek responded that it was but there was also partial City funding of the expenditure as well. Ms. Propp inquired if the handicapped ramps
could be constructed of a material that would not rust as the ones installed at the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Hazel Street have rusted within a year. Mr. Patek replied that
they have considered using a painted ramp instead to alleviate this problem, however, the painted surface was too slippery which made it unsafe. Motion by Thorkildsen to move approval
of the consent agenda as requested. Seconded by Scherer. Motion carried 9-0.
Plan Commission Minutes 3 August 7, 2007 II. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST TO ESTABLISH SEMI TRAILER STORAGE WITHIN AN EXISTING FENCED AREA AT 2404 HARRISON STREET The applicant is
requesting a conditional use permit to establish open storage of semi trailers within an area enclosed with a chain-link fence. Mr. Buck presented the item and noted that an additional
condition should be included to require stormwater drainage and grading plans be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Works. Mr. Burich added that a condition should also
be considered for landscaping requirements along the front of the property where the terrace area exists and is currently gravel. This should be turned into greenspace instead. Ms. Scherer
asked if the addition of landscaping would affect the DNR’s determination regarding the environmental clean up of the site. Mr. Burich responded that the DNR has determined the site
to be capped and conditionally closed so it should not be an issue but it could be added to the condition that approval from the DNR is required. Mr. Buck added that soil could be added
on top so as not to disturb the underlying surface. Mr. Dell’Antonia asked if the trailers were not in use and just being stored. Mr. Buck replied that the application submittal referenced
long-term storage. Jay Klinger, 1910 Harrison Street, inquired what the definition was of “long-term storage” would be – 10, 20 or 30 years? He also asked how long a period the conditional
use permit, if issued, would be granted for. Mr. Buck responded that long-term storage could be as little as 7-15 days and the conditional use permit, once issued, is in effect permanently
or until the use on site is not active for a 12-month period or is no longer needed. The conditional use permit will also require approval by the Common Council. Mike Anderson, 2450
Harrison Street, stated that he owns the mini-warehousing property adjacent to the proposed trailer yard and maintains greenspace on his site for aesthetic purposes. He would like to
see some greenspace on the proposed site, as it currently is all gravel and looks like a salvage yard and he is concerned that it is decreasing the value of his property. He agreed with
Mr. Burich that adding some greenspace to the site would be an improvement. He further stated that he does not oppose the Thoma’s or Oshkosh Truck, but he was required to blacktop around
his storage areas and he just wants to be treated fairly. He also commented that the site was already being used as a storage yard. Mr. Dell’Antonia asked if the use already existed
on the property. Mr. Burich replied that it was and the owners had been issued a correction notice and that is why the conditional use permit application needed to be submitted to allow
this use on the site. Jeanie Klinker, 2407 Harrison Street, reiterated that the trailer storage use was already present on the site and it appeared that some type of truck chassis’ were
also being stored there as well. She commented that she did not want it to look like a junkyard and that the gravel area in front of the fence is occasionally used for parking trucks
as well. She further stated that she goes to bed early and the noise
Plan Commission Minutes 4 August 7, 2007 from their operation late at night is disturbing. She lives directly across the street from the site and would like to see some type of fencing
installed that would look nice to screen the use. Mr. Gohde commented that after review of the site plan for this property, it appears that the driveways are currently gravel and existing
codes require that they be paved and he would like to see that added to the conditions for the approval of this request. Mr. Dell’Antonia inquired if the vehicles being stored here are
in the process of being worked on or what the purpose of the storage use was. Mr. Buck replied that the application submittal did not specify the purpose of the storage and the petitioner
was not present. Mr. Dell’Antonia commented that he would like the petitioner present to answer questions on their request. Mr. Burich commented that the petitioner had been sent a meeting
notice so they were aware that their item was being presented today, however, Oshkosh Truck was not notified since they are neither the owner nor petitioner on this request. Ms. Propp
stated that she felt that both the hours of operation and landscaping on the site were an issue here. Drainage and grading plans should also be required. She further stated that she
drove by the site today and witnessed that the trailers were already present and she felt that the request should be laid over until some answers could be obtained to the concerns brought
up at today’s meeting. Motion by Scherer to lay this request over until the next meeting when the petitioner could be present to clarify some of the questions regarding the use. The
board members briefly discussed if the request should be laid over or if the board should vote on the item with the information at hand so it could go forward to the Common Council for
approval. Seconded by Weinsheim. Motion carried 9-0. Ms. Propp commented that the staff should work with the petitioner on the appropriate conditions for this request prior to the next
meeting. III. PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT TO ZONING CODE CHAPTER 30/ARTICLE XII: OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES The city Department of Community Development requests review and
approval of an amendment to the City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance repealing and recreating Article XII: Off-Street Parking and Loading Facilities, which encompasses Section 30-36 of the
Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Burich briefly reviewed some of the ordinance revisions incorporated in the amendment to the ordinance and presented photographs displaying parking lots in both
older and newer developments displaying the aesthetic and environmental benefits with the new ordinance revisions. He explained that the ordinance revisions also benefit safety and functionality
of the parking lots as the internal landscape islands help to define traffic circulation. He stated that we would like to promote more grass areas with trees planted in these islands
instead of the gravel or mulch surrounding small bushes. The new
Plan Commission Minutes 5 August 7, 2007 ordinance also addresses the addition of pedestrian access in parking lots. The new ordinance would affect new construction projects and redevelopment
of existing parking areas. Mr. Buck stated that the proposed text amendment would repeal the old Chapter 30 and replace it with the new one. The amendment would enable the regulations
to be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan and conform to current planning standards. Mr. Thorkildsen asked if this would affect parking lots where older
buildings are demolished. Mr. Burich replied that it would only affect redevelopment areas if the entire parking lot were completely removed. Mr. Buck stated that the ordinance revisions
included in this amendment were previously discussed at four or five workshops of the Plan Commission, as well as being reviewed by outside organizations such as Chamco, the Chamber
of Commerce and independent developer groups. The current ordinance is difficult for the layperson to understand and the amended version is less confusing as it is placed in a more logical
order with less legalistic language and the addition of tables and graphs. Mr. Buck did an overview of the ordinance changes and reviewed some of the graphs, tables, and pictures that
should help to clarify the regulations. Mr. Buck asked if the board members had any questions regarding the amended ordinance. Mr. Fojtik asked if a petitioner would put together a parking
lot plan that is different from the usual regulations, is it possible for them to do this. Mr. Buck replied that they would have to be code compliant or they could go to the Board of
Appeals and apply for a variance. The other option would be standard base modifications allowed in an approved Planned Development. Motion by Thorkildsen to approve the proposed text
amendment to Zoning Code Chapter 30/Article XII as requested. Seconded by Weinsheim. Motion carried 9-0. OTHER BUSINESS 640 NORTH MAIN STREET Mr. Burich stated that he wanted to make
the board aware that the Common Council approved the conditional use permit for 640 North Main Street that was denied at the last Plan Commission meeting for a 12-month period. He further
stated that he discussed the violation issues with this site and the owner assured him that he would make more of an effort to remain compliant. Mr. Burich commented that staff would
be monitoring the site and would be reviewing it again in one year. Mr. Bowen asked if the owner would have to reapply for the conditional use permit. Mr. Burich responded that he would
put it on his calendar for review when the current permit expires.
Plan Commission Minutes 6 August 7, 2007 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mr. Burich commented that he has reviewed the land divisions in rural areas and distributed a hand out of the current and
proposed amended language to the Comprehensive Plan in an attempt to accommodate approval of small rural residential areas that may desire non-agricultural “infill” type land divisions
such as the one reviewed a few weeks ago. This proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is for review only at this time and will be brought up at a future meeting for discussion.
Ms. Propp asked if the board should discuss the amendment now and inquired if the creation of new maps would also be necessary. Mr. Burich responded that the amendment would be placed
on a future agenda for discussion and new maps would not be required that the issue could be addressed with a change in language only. A public hearing, advertising, and a majority vote
of the Plan Commission and Common Council approval would also be required for the approval of the proposed amendment to the Plan. Mr. Burich also commented that the change in the DNR’s
Shoreland regulations that was in the newspaper this morning regarding navigable waterways could have a significant effect on future development in the community. He reviewed some of
the proposed changes and how it would affect development. He displayed a map depicting what would be considered navigable waterways. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned
at approximately 5:10 pm. (Thorkildsen/Bowen) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services