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ON THE WATER
CITY OF OSHKOSH
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES
February 14, 1996
Members Present: Fred Dahl, Joyce Goers, Randy Husman, Reinhard Roehlig, John Schorse
Excused: Chris Baudhuin, Don Krueger
Staff: Bruce R. Roskom, Principal Planner; Patricia Wendorf, Recording Secretary.
Vice Chairman Roehlig called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared
present.
Motion by Goers for approval of the January 24, 1996 minutes as distributed; Seconded by Dahl. Motion
carried 5 -0.
Vice Chairman Roehlig stated that 4 affirmative votes are required to approve a variance; if 3 affirmative
votes, the item will be laid over; less than 3 affirmative votes, the item is denied. He also explained the
process for obtaining building permits, if the variance is approved, or the appeal process, if the variance is
denied.
1: 250 NORTH SAWYER STREET - Citizens First Credit Union, owner /applicant
The applicant is requesting a variance to construct a ground sign with a 1 ft. front yard setback from North
Sawyer Street and a 10 ft. front yard setback from Southland Avenue; whereas Section 30 -22(B) Standards
of the C -2 Light Commercial District of the City of Oshkosh Zoning Ordinance requires a 25 ft. minimum
front yard setback for ground signs.
Paul Greeninger, 734 Monroe Street, representing Citizens First Credit Union, gave a brief history of the
property in question and reiterated the variance request. He stated the present sign is blocked by trees
owned by the adjacent dentist. He had been in communication with the dentist relative to having the trees
cut down to which the dentist was adamant in keeping his trees in tact. He stated the current sign has a 40
ft. setback and if you drove down Sawyer Street you wouldn't be able to see the sign until you were just
upon it, which is a detriment to the credit union. He stated there are other signs along Sawyer Street that
are a lot closer to the sidewalk, but he admitted he did not know the history of said signs.
Vice Chairman Roehlig stated he was wondering if the credit union were to place the sign at the north end
of the parking lot; basically right in the corner aisle, wouldn't they be able to meet setbacks in all directions.
Mr. Greeninger stated the parking lot is striped. There are parking stalls facing Sawyer Street and there
would be a problem with people backing up to the sign.
Mr. Roehlig stated they would have trouble with traffic visibility using the "B" location as the base of the sign
would block vehicular traffic.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES PAGE -2- FEBRUARY 14, 1996
Mr. Greeninger stated if the sign were pushed back any further, it wouldn't be visible. The sign is already
block by trees and they need to do something to make the sign visible. He stated they are not allowed to
trim the trees because they don't belong to the credit union.
Mr. Roskom stated the newest sign along that strip, north of the church on the east side of North Sawyer
Street, is the Associated Bank; they just did their sign about one year ago and they were able to provide
adequate setbacks. They were faced with a similar situation and met the setback requirements. He stated
it may be more advantageous for the credit union to look at different types of signs.
Mr. Dahl stated he couldn't quite see why a code compliant location for that sign would cost the credit union
any more parking.
Vice Chairman Roehlig concurred with Mr. Dahl and stated he could understand the credit union's situation,
but noted the problem here is to actually display a hardship that would be created. There is a viable
alternative and no distinct hardship that can be proven. He pointed out to the applicant that the Board is
guided by what the Court's allow us to do and we need to defend our reasons for approval or denial of
requests.
Motion by Schorse for approval of a variance to construct a ground sign with a 1 ft. front
yard setback from North Sawyer Street and a 10 ft. front yard setback from Southland
Avenue. Seconded by Goers. Motion denied 0 -5.
As to the Findings of Fact, Mr. Dahl stated this is a self- imposed hardship and there are plenty of
alternatives. Vice Chairman Roehlig added the credit union has a viable option within which to place the
sign and meet all codes.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce A. Ro: om
Principal Planner