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PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2001
PRESENT:Lurton Blassingame, Don Krueger, Achim Reschenberg, Jim Smith, Fred Timmerman
EXCUSED:Melanie Bloechl, Steve Gehling, Don Pressley, John Ruppenthal, David Borsuk
STAFF:Jackson Kinney, Director of Community Development; John Bluemke, Principal Planner;
David Patek, Director of Public Works; Darlene Matulle, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Don Krueger. Roll call was taken and a quorum
declared present.
Theminutes of February 6, 2001 were approved as distributed.
I:CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW – 926 Woodland
Metro Southwest PCS, LLP, petitioner, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, owner, requests review and
approval of a conditional use permit/development plan to install 6 communication antennas and
associated equipment on the roof of the Arts and Communications Building at 926 Woodland Avenue.
Tom Sonnleitner, Assistant Chancellor UW-Oshkosh, and Bob Sobieck from Cell-Com, appeared to
answer questions of the Commission.
Mr. Bernie Pitz, 617 W. Irving Ave., inquired if the antennas would affect cellphone communication or
television reception?
Mr. Sobieck replied there would not be a problem as the FCC prohibits interference.
Motionby Blassingame to move approval of the conditional use permit for a planned
development to install 6 communication antennas and associated equipment on the
roof at 926 Woodland Ave. Seconded by Smith. Motion carried 5-0.
II:CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - 2450 W 9th Ave
Elaine Fritz, petitioner on behalf of Ameritech, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, owner, requests
review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit for construction of an Ameritech telecommunications
building at 2450 W. 9th Avenue.
Mr. Pitz stated this is church property and tax exempt. How much land will be taxed with the
construction of this utility structure? He felt this item should be laid over until an opinion was obtained
from the City Attorney's office.
Plan Commission Minutes- 2 -February 20, 2001
Mr. Bluemke replied to the best of his knowledge it would not be taxed.
Ms. Elaine Fritz from Ameritech stated this is an easement that is leased from the church and she did not
believe it was taxed.
Motion by Smith that the request is found consistent with standards set forth in Section
30-11(D) of the Zoning Ordinance, and the conditional use permit be approved. Seconded
by Reschenberg. Motion carried 5-0.
III:CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - 2505 Oregon St.
Elaine Fritz, petitioner on behalf of Ameritech, and Cynthia Martinez, owner, requests review and
approval of a conditional use permit for construction of an Ameritech telecommunications building at
2505 Oregon Street.
There was no discussion on this item.
Motion by Timmerman that the request is found consistent with standards set forth in Section
30-11(D) of the Zoning Ordinance, and the conditional use permit be approved. Seconded
by Reschenberg. Motion carried 5-0.
IV:STREET NAME CHANGES / Warren Rd. and Pearl Ave.
The City Administration requests review and approval ofstreet name changes (a) from Warren Road to
Pearl Avenue for Warren Road from Rockwell Avenue to its terminus with Pearl Avenue, and (b) from
Pearl Avenue to University Court from Wisconsin Street to a point about 130 feet east of where it
intersects with Dawes Street.
Mr. Bluemke noted that a communication had been forwarded to property owners along Pearl Ave. from
Wisconsin St. to N. Main St. regarding the proposed street name changes. Of those that responded, most
of the residential property owners did not have an objection; however, most businesses/property owners
were opposed because it would be costly for them to change their address. The Police Department also
had a concern with naming the short section of Pearl Ave. to Pearl Ct. so staff is recommending that
"Warren Road" from Rockwell Ave. to its terminus with Pearl Ave., be changed to "Pearl Avenue", and
"Pearl Avenue" from Wisconsin St. to a point about 130 ft. east of where it intersects with Dawes St., be
changed to "University Court".
Robert Kujawa, 405 W. Nevada St., stated he is the citizen that asked for the name change to University
Boulevard from Rockwell Ave. to N. Main Street. However, if the Commission does not agree with this,
the small section of Pearl Ave. from Wisconsin St. to Dawes St. could be named University Ave. or
Court. He asked the Commission to keep in mind the UW-O master plan and how that relates to the
overall redevelopment of this area.
Plan Commission Minutes- 3 -February 20, 2001
Mr. Pitz felt this would impact every business in this area, as well as their customers, and it would be a
burden to all those affected.
Chief David Erickson, Oshkosh Police Dept., supported changing the short section of Pearl Ave. to any
name except Pearl.
Mr. Smith felt "University" would be a good name for this overall area and would tie everything
together. He did not feel the small section of "Pearl" should be a Court since it has an intersecting street.
Mr. Kinney noted there is nothing that specifically suggests you cannot have a Court with an
intersecting street. He stated he had checked with the Transportation Director whom did not see a
problem with Court. If the Commission is looking at different names than the property owners were
notified of, new notices should be sent and input received from the property owners.
Discussion ensued and it was the concensus that University Blvd. or Avenue would be appropriate for
Warren Rd. and Pearl Ave. to N. Main St. and the short section of Pearl Ave. be changed to Pearl Place.
Motion by Smith to recommend the street name "Warren Rd." be changed to "University
Blvd. or Avenue" from Rockwell Ave. to Pearl Ave.; "Pearl Ave." be changed to "University
Blvd. or Avenue" from its intersection with Warren Rd. to N. Main St. and the street name
"Pearl Ave." be changed to "Pearl Place" from Wisconsin St. to past Dawes St.; staff notify
affected property owners to obtain their input and the item be placed on an agenda in March.
Seconded by Reschenberg. Motion carried 5-0.
V.STREET DEDICATION; AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION / WISCONSIN STREET
The City Administration requests approval of street dedications for the widening of Wisconsin Street in
the vicinity of the Marion Road/Pearl Avenue Redevelopment Area.
Staff noted the dedication at this time is for additional right-of-way for future improvements and no time
frame has been scheduled for any street improvement work on Wisconsin St. at this time. The Dept. of
Public Works is recommending the dedications at this time because the City currently owns the land
with the exception of right-of-way that would need to be purchased from the owner of the Papa John's
property.
Mr. Pitz felt this was very poor planning. Wisconsin St. was recently done and should have a 25 year
life. He also questioned whether the City had the authority to dedicate right-of-way for a state highway,
and whether the state had reviewed the improvement plans.
Mr. Patek replied the City could dedicate right-of-way in this area, and that the plans that were shown
were only concept plans. However, if the City were to pursue these or other road improvements at the
intersection of Wisconsin Street and Warren Road sometime in future, the State would be involved in
approving the plans.
Mr. Pitz also questioned the City’s prerogative to dedicate land per the land sale agreements the City has
with developers.
Plan Commission Minutes- 4 -February 20, 2001
Mr. Kinney noted the City has worked with the potential developers in regard to the proposed street
dedication.
Mr. Pitz also questioned the impact of the dedication on Papa John’s, and staff noted that the dedication
may require the sign along Wisconsin Street to be removed, but that as the area was zoned C-3 Central
Commercial District there are no setbacks so the building would not become nonconforming.
Additionally, it was noted that the area between Warren Road and Pearl Avenue will be redeveloped at
which time the Papa John’s building is likely to be removed.
Mr. Pitz inquired what would happen to the new right-of-way area that would be created, but on which
no improvements would be made for some time. Staff noted that this area would have to be maintained
similar to terrace.
Mr. Pitz stated that the new right-of-way should not be used for beautification purposes because that
would be unfair to other property owners on Wisconsin Street. It was noted by staff that the new right-
of-way would allow for terraces and possibly some streetscaping should the City decide to include those
elements in future street improvements.
Mr. Reschenberg felt the plan looked good. The Wisconsin St. bridge will probably be going to 4 lanes
as well at some point in the future, and this is a step in the right direction.
Motion by Reschenberg to acquire the necessary right-of-way from the Papa John's property
and dedicate street right-of-way for Wisconsin St. as proposed. Seconded by Blassingame.
Motion carried 5-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. BLUEMKE
Principal Planner