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PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 PRESENT: Thomas Fojtik, Shirley Mattox, Kathleen Propp, Jeff Thorkildsen, John Weinsheim, and Cathy Scherer, Vice Chairman EXCUSED: Lee Bettes,
David Borsuk, Jon Dell’Antonia, Steven Gehling, and Donald Simons STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; and Vickie Rand, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to
order at 4:00 p.m. by Vice Chairman Scherer. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The meeting minutes of September 6, 2005 were approved as mailed. (Propp/Thorkildsen)
Unanimous. A: LAND ACQUISITION (behind 225 Idaho Street) – Parks Department The Parks Department is requesting acquisition of a 32,000 square foot parcel of land for the purpose of establishing
a municipal nursery. The land locked parcel is located behind (to the west) of 225 Idaho Street. Tom Watson, 818 W. 4th Avenue, questioned if any buildings would be erected on the subject
site. He stated the assessment of their property had gone up and he was concerned about the decrease of his property value with this acquisition. He stated he had approached Lenora Pekot
regarding the purchase of her property years ago, and she was not interested in selling. Mr. Watson stated he has been having problems selling his house and has recently been approached
from an interested party who would like to buy both his property and Mrs. Pekot’s property at the same time, and now has received this meeting notice of the City’s intent to acquire
the subject property. Mr. Watson also questioned the water runoff in the area as he noted he had 3 willow trees until 1 was lost recently in a storm. He stated these willow trees absorb
a lot of water and is worried now about flooding. Mr. Watson also questioned if a fence was going to be erected around the property, and where the City was getting the money to purchase
the property with the recent budget concerns. Vince Maas, City Parks Department, stated he understood that Lenora Pekot had approached the City to purchase the property from her. He
stated the City intends to use the land as a nursery for landscape stock. He stated the property would not be fenced in at this time, as there are no funds for that. He also stated if
the City was going to expand it would be to the north, where there are already buildings. Mr. Maas stated he wasn’t aware of any water issues in the area. He also stated he was starting
to draft a grant at this time to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide stock for the property.
Plan Commission Minutes -2-September 20, 2005 Mr. Burich questioned if the stock would be planted in an organized manner. Mr. Voss stated it would be planted in rows and be very organized.
Ms. Mattox stated she was thrilled with the proposed acquisition of this property for nursery stock. She stated she understands the City spends less on plantings than City’s within a
100 mile radius of Oshkosh. Ms. Mattox also stated that trees absorb water and this should help with any water concerns the neighbors may have. Mr. Maas discussed the proper water level
for the best nursery stock growing conditions. Mr. Watson noted that his lot is elevated and is filled in with a lot of concrete and asphalt as well as his surrounding neighbors properties
are. Mr. Weinsheim questioned if the Plan Commission would be approving the land acquisition or the land use. Mr. Burich stated they would be approving the land acquisition to establish
a nursery. Mr. Weinsheim questioned the maintenance of the site. Mr. Burich questioned if if the site has been prepared for the nursery. Mr. Maas stated they have only walked the site.
Mr. Burich stated they would discuss more of the site preparation process in the following workshop. Mr. Fojtik questioned how this land use would affect the surrounding property values.
Mr. Burich stated he couldn’t answer that question at this time. B: VACATE 25 FOOT WIDE SANITARY SEWER AND WATER EASEMENTS BETWEEN SOUTH PARK AVE AND THE VULCAN QUARRY – Department of
Public Works, petitioner, O’Neill Enterprises, et al., owners The Department of Public Works is requesting to release several easements that were obtained in 1937-38 for purposes of
installing sewer and water utilities through the area. The easements are 25 feet wide and involve 4 parcels of land. There was no discussion on this item. Motion by Propp for approval
of the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Thorkildsen. Motion carried 6-0. II: ACCESS CONTROL VARIANCE FOR A 40 FOOT WIDE DRIVEWAY AND 65 FOOT WIDE CURB CUT AT 2550 S. WASHBURN STREET – Fox
Cities Construction, petitioner, Richard Kohlhoff, owner This item was laid over from the September 6, 2005 Plan Commission meeting to allow the developer to discuss the request with
the Commission.
Plan Commission Minutes -3-September 20, 2005 The property at 2550 S. Washburn Street is currently under development for a new 20,000 square foot retail store. In order to facilitate
better traffic flow into their site, in particular for truck traffic turning left from Washburn Street, they are requesting to construct a driveway that is 40 feet wide and has a 65
foot wide curb cut at the pavement whereas the Access Control Ordinance currently limits the property to a 30 foot wide driveway opening and a 40 foot curb cut. Vice Chairman Scherer
questioned the origin of the median. Mr. Burich stated he did not have an answer as to why a median was placed at that location. Ms. Mattox questioned if the median would be cut back
or leveled off. Mr. Burich stated he didn’t know of any plans for the removal or adjustment of the median. Jim Lefeber, Fox Cities Construction, 4614 Red Fox Road, Oshkosh, distributed
a drawing showing a semi making a left hand turn into the subject property. Mr. Burich noted that basically they were asking for an extra wide flare for the driveway. Ms. Mattox questioned
how many semi’s per day would be making deliveries to the site. Mr. Lefeber stated he didn’t have an exact number, however, there was a basement to provide ample storage space. Ms. Mattox
questioned if two lanes constructed for ingress and egress of the site were for the amount of customer traffic or for the convenience of semi traffic. Mr. Lefeber stated he believed
it was mostly constructed for the convenience of the semi traffic. Motion by Weinsheim for approval of an Access Control Variance to permit a 40 foot wide driveway and 65 foot wide curb
cut at 2550 S. Washburn Street. Seconded by Thorkildsen. Motion carried 6-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:25 p.m. (Thorkildsen/Propp). Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted, DARRYN L. BURICH Planning Services Director DLB/vlr