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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES September 4, 2012 PRESENT: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Jeffrey Thoms, Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, Robert Vajgrt EXCUSED: Donna Lohry, Karl Nollenberger STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Jeffrey Nau, Associate Planner; Deborah Foland, Recording Secretary Chairperson Fojtik called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of August 21, 2012 were approved as presented. (Vajgrt/Cummings) IA. PARTIAL STREET VACATION OF CEAPE AVENUE LOCATED ADJACENT TO 1 NORTH MAIN STREET The applicant requests the vacation of a portion of Ceape Avenue public right-of-way. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. He explained that the right-of- way serves no purpose to the City and the City has no issues with the vacation request. Typically half of the vacated land goes to each adjoining property owner however, in this case, the City has no use for their portion of the vacation and the land is needed for the proposed private sidewalk for the hotel. Therefore the City has agreed to dispose of the City’s portion of the vacation to the hotel property with the condition that the City retains full utility easements within the vacated right-of-way. IB. LAND DISPOSITION OF A PORTION OF VACATED CEAPE AVENUE LOCATED ADJACENT TO 1 NORTH MAIN STREET The applicant requests the land disposition of a portion of vacated Ceape Avenue. This item was discussed in conjunction with Item IA. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the partial street vacation of Ceape Avenue located adjacent to 1 N. Main Street and to approve the land disposition of a portion of vacated Ceape Avenue with the following conditions: 1)The City retains full utility easements within the vacated right-of-way. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 8-0. II. DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN ALMUNI WELCOME AND CONFERENCE CENTER AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PEARL AVENUE AND WISCONSIN STREET The petitioner requests approval of a Development Plan for creation of a new University Welcome and Conference Center with associated site improvements. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 September 4, 2012 Mr. Buck presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area and discussed the privilege in street that was granted in 2011 for the parking lot. He also reviewed the UW-O Campus Master Plan and stated that the request was consistent with said plan as well as the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He reviewed the site plan for the development and stated that hours of operation would be from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm and would house 40 employees with 50-200 visitors daily. He further commented that the development meets most required setbacks and reviewed the accesses for the site for both vehicles and pedestrians. He discussed the number of parking stalls provided and commented that a condition was added to provide bicycle parking in the site design. Formal lighting and landscaping plans have not yet been submitted but will be required to meet code standards at the Site Plan Review Committee level. Stormwater management plans have also not yet been submitted but will require approval by the Department of Public Works. He also reviewed the elevations for the structure and although signage plans have not yet been submitted, staff was recommending a base standard modification to regulate the signage for the property as if it were in a C-1 Neighborhood Business Zoning District. He also reviewed the conditions recommended for this request. Mr. Thoms questioned what was located in the parking and greenspace area to the south side of the proposed development. Mr. Buck responded that it was City park area with an associated parking lot. Mr. Bowen requested clarification of the trail area near the site. Mr. Buck displayed on the map the location of the trail area. Mr. Cummings inquired when we will see the material design and colors for the structure. Mr. Buck replied that we have not requested this type of detail in the past but we could start to review these things in greater detail if the Commission felt necessary. Mr. Borsuk questioned if these types of details were in the Plan Commission’s purview to review. Mr. Burich indicated that a planned development has the ability to look at architectural design under those guidelines however in the past items were not usually reviewed at that level unless there was a specific request or concern. Mr. Borsuk questioned why the two parcels were not required to be consolidated and where Carl Steiger Park ends. He also felt that the landscaping should be heavier on the Wisconsin Street side. Mr. Burich responded that they were not consolidated as the property owners of the two parcels were not identical and displayed the parameters of the park on the map. He also explained that the landscaping issue would have to be addressed at some point when the parking lot was being reconstructed. Mr. Bowen read an excerpt from the application materials and stated that it sounded like the parking lot work may be considerable. Mr. Buck indicated that the parking lot work was considered to be maintenance only according to City standards. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 September 4, 2012 Art Rathjen, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation, stated that they do not have any issues with suggestions from staff and the formal landscaping plan will have greater detail and will address some of the concerns mentioned. He also commented that the State of Wisconsin owns the parking lot which was why the two parcels could not be combined and that the Welcome Center will serve as the new front door to the campus. He indicated that the building will be constructed with a brick style similar to Sage Hall and will be aesthetically attractive. Mr. Thoms inquired if energy efficiency features would be included as with some of the previously constructed buildings on campus. Mr. Rathjen responded that energy efficiency features would be included and the structure will meet gold standards however they may elect not to be certified. He also described the offices to be housed in this building. Mr. Burich questioned if there were any plans for activities to be held in the greenspace area. Mr. Rathjen indicated that there were no plans to utilize this area for activities but it was planned to be used for passive space only. Mr. Cummings commented that the Commission has discussed raising the bar in architectural trends in the past and felt that this development met the standards for riverfront development. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the planned development for construction of an Alumni Welcome and Conference Center at the southwest corner of Pearl Avenue and Wisconsin Street with the following conditions: 1)Base standard modification to allow the existing parking facility within the required front (Pearl Ave) and side yard (south lot line) setbacks as depicted on the site plan, until the parking lot is reconstructed. 2)Base standard modification to allow a seven foot rear yard setback for parking. 3)Parking facilities for bicycles are incorporated in the site design. 4)Sidewalk is extended to connect to Wisconsin Street and installed through the Osceola Street driveway. 5)Base standard modification to regulate building and ground signage for the property as if it were in a C-1: Neighborhood Business Zoning District with the added conditions that ground signage be no taller then 15 feet and be architecturally compatible with the building, as approved by the Department of Community Development. 6)Landscaping around all mechanicals and surrounding the loading/service areas as well as the refuse enclosure be designed to act as year-round screens, as approved by the Department of Community Development. 7)Appropriate and safe vision at vehicular driveways is maintained, approved by the Department of Public Works. 8)Grading, erosion control and stormwater management plans be reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Works. 9)Refuse enclosure’s materials and design is architecturally compatible with the main building. Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried 7-0-1. (Ayes-Borsuk/Bowen/Thoms/Hinz/Cummings/ Propp/Vajgrt. Abstained-Fojtik. (He is employed by the University). __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 September 4, 2012 Mr. Borsuk suggested that the City review the zoning classification for the University area sometime in the future. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 pm. (Vajgrt/Cummings) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 September 4, 2012