Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES October 16, 2012 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Jeffrey Thoms, Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, Robert Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Donna Lohry STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Raymond Maurer, Director of Parks; Bradley Larson, Director of Museum; 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 October 2, 2012 were approved as presented. (Vajgrt/Bowen) I. APPROVE THE CITY OF OSHKOSH MENOMINEE PARK MASTER PLAN The City Parks Department and Advisory Parks Board requests the Plan Commission provide a recommendation of approval for the Draft City of Oshkosh Menominee Park Master Plan to the Common Council. Mr. Buck presented the item and stated that the Outdoor Recreation Plan was updated in 2011 and contained a recommendation for Menominee Park to have its own master plan created. He reviewed a site plan of the park area and stated that the master plan was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Raymond Maurer, Director of Parks, stated that the process began last fall when a firm was hired to help develop the Outdoor Recreation Plan. The Menominee Park Master Plan began with the completion of the needs assessments process along with surveys completed by citizens. A lot of public input was received from surveys as well as public meetings to discuss the master plan with residents in addition to Parks Board meetings. He also discussed the plan with various groups in the city that utilize the park and the Parks Board unanimously recommended approval of the master plan. He reviewed various graphs and features of the park and stated that residents desired to keep some of the park area that is currently open space preserved as such. He discussed the history of the park as well as inventory and other features of the area. He reviewed the site plan including current and future features of the park area with the future features being planned for in the Capital Improvement Plan for future years. He also discussed the enhancement or extension of the trails within the park as well as the ball fields, parking areas, and Ames Point. The shoreland areas were also discussed as far as the native plantings which will be reviewed in 2014 prior to any expansion of this program. Mr. Hinz questioned if Miller’s Bay was the largest boat landing in the city. Mr. Maurer responded that it is the busiest boat landing. Mr. Hinz commented that since the Boys and Girls Club was no longer going to be operating concessions in the park was another organization lined up to take over these responsibilities. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 October 16, 2012 Mr. Maurer replied that it was being discussed with the Recreation Department and they were still working out the details as far as the concession stands. Mr. Hinz also questioned how closing off ball diamonds or the possible loss of the Sawdust Days event would affect the park. Mr. Maurer indicated that the upcoming renovations were discussed with all the organizations involved that hold activities at the park. Mr. Thoms inquired about the request to approve the master plan as it does not contain a time frame or any information as to how the plan gets updated or any mention of the types of funding sources that would be possibly sought to pay for the proposed renovations. Mr. Maurer responded that the Menominee Park Master Plan was an insert into the Outdoor Recreation Plan and not a stand alone document. The entire plan addresses grant options and the Parks Board will prioritize projects based on funding availability. He further commented that improvements for all the City’s parks are included in the entire plan and updates are referenced in this plan as well. The Menominee Park Master Plan addresses only this park and South Park will also have a master plan developed by next year. Mr. Bowen questioned if the weed management in the bay areas had a separate plan adopted to address these issues. Mr. Maurer replied that the Sustainability Advisory Board and other plans address this issue and it is contained on page 7 of the master plan. Helen Herlache, 1029 Hazel Street, stated that she has lived at her residence for 20 years and has checked out the previous plan for Menominee Park and there was to be no organized sports on the north side of Siewert Trail. She further commented that since field #8 and the soccer field have been installed on the north side of the park, it has ruined their neighborhood. There are less teams participating than last year and their street has lots of traffic and the children crossing the street are creating a safety hazard. Field #8 was never approved by any City board when it was developed and the soccer field was approved without the knowledge of the adjacent property owners. She also discussed the reorientation of field #8 and the talk of installing permanent fencing and lighting in these areas which she objected to and felt it was unfair since the homeowners in this area pay higher assessments on their property due to its close proximity to the lake. She also discussed the Recreation Department’s plans to attempt to hold state tournaments at the park and voiced her concern that these activities should be relocated. She suggested other properties in the area that could host these tournaments and also suggested charging user fees for use of the park area to these organizations. She also commented about the many sources of funding available and that many of the participants utilizing the park are not from Oshkosh. She voiced her concern that the master plan does not protect the adjacent property owners, the children using the park, or the aesthetic values of the park. Jerry Diemel, 1706 Doty Street, representative of the Recreation Department Softball Commission, stated that they had requested a fence for safety purposes for the softball league and had utilized a portable fence at one time. He further commented that the participants in the softball tournaments love the park area and its amenities. Ms. Propp offered her thanks to the Parks Board and Raymond Maurer for their effort in this master plan as it prevents inappropriate improvements to the park area. She further stated that she appreciates __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 October 16, 2012 that there is no permanent fencing by the Webster Stanley School area as it would prevent other uses of the park by students who utilize this area and that she felt that portable fencing would be more appropriate. She realizes that the Recreation Department wants more ball fields and she felt the City and Town needs to get together to develop other sites for this use and that fencing and lighting should not encroach on the park area. She did feel that the document presented was an excellent plan to manage the City’s largest park. Mr. Fojtik stated that the plan addresses the issue that certain parks in the community garner specific attention regarding their facilities management. Mr. Thoms commented that certain elements of the plan give rise to concerns however the Parks Board has input to develop features as funding is available and the master plan provides the framework to start with. Community groups that utilize the park area can come back to the Parks Board as features are developed if they have concerns they wish to address. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the City of Oshkosh Menominee Park Master Plan. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 8-0. IIA. ZONE CHANGE FROM R-1C SINGLE FAMILY CENTRAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT TO R-1C PD SINGLE FAMILY CENTRAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT WITH A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY AT 1331 ALGOMA BOULEVARD (OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM) This request involves a zone change from R-1C Single Family Central Residence District to R-1C PD Single Family Central Residence District with a Planned Development Overlay (PD). The subject area being zoned residential (R-1C) significantly restricts any site changes/improvements or new construction on the property. The intent of the zone change is to bring the zoning into conformance with the current historical development on the property and the PD will be in place to ensure that any proposed changes to the use of the property be reviewed under the public hearing process while providing the ability for adjustments to zoning standards that are unique to the historic use of the land. IIB: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW FOR THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM AT 1331 ALGOMA BOULEVARD The petitioner requests approval of a Conditional Use Permit/Development Plan for the existing museum facility as well as improvements included in its master plan. Mr. Buck presented the items and stated that they would be discussed together as they were closely related and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the zoning classifications and land use in said area. He stated that the Museum has been operating at this site since 1924 and is part of the historic district in this area. He explained that the request was very similar to the one approved last year to rezone the Paine Art Center’s property as both the Museum and the Paine are grandfathered uses for which a conditional use permit brings the existing use into conformance with City code standards and is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He reviewed the main improvements that the Museum was planning to complete in the future which were alterations to the entrance drive and parking facility, outdoor displays/features and structure additions, walkway system and landscaping, and signage for the site. He discussed the relocation of the Algoma Boulevard access drive and that the three drive accesses would require an access control variance however it would increase pedestrian safety. He also discussed the limitation of parking in this area and the Museum’s desire to create an __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 October 16, 2012 aesthetically pleasing environment around the structure. He reviewed the conceptual plans for the outdoor features proposed to be added and that since accessory structures are not allowed to be placed in the front yard, a base standard modification would be necessary as the Museum property possesses three front yards. He also reviewed the walkway system proposed and discussed the limited signage allowed on the site due to its R-1 zoning classification. He explained that the Museum was proposing to relocate the entrance sign and add two directional signs on High Avenue. He also reviewed the conditions recommended for this request. Mr. Thoms questioned if the zoning classification for current use of the Museum property was nonconforming. Mr. Buck responded that it is considered a legal nonconforming use. Mr. Thoms then questioned if the R-1C zoning classification with a Planned Development overlay would bring the Museum into a conforming use. Mr. Buck responded affirmatively. Mr. Thoms also inquired if the base standard modifications for the access control variance and setbacks were to address current issues on the site or future features planned for it. Mr. Buck indicated that the base standard modifications were meant to address both current and future features of the Museum’s site. Mr. Thoms voiced his concern about approving new features at the Museum with the CUP/PD approval without knowing what all of them may be. Mr. Buck replied that any major changes to the submitted plan will have to come back to the Plan Commission and Common Council for an amendment to the CUP/PD. Mr. Thoms also voiced his concern about the use of the base standard modification for allowing signage as if the property was zoned C-1 Neighborhood Business Zoning District as he felt the signage could be further restricted if necessary and did not wish to set precedence for other requests. Mr. Buck suggested that condition #3 be modified by adding “as proposed within submitted application packet” which would require the signage to come back for further review if it is revised at a later date. Emily Richardson, 1301 Algoma Boulevard, stated that she lives next to the Museum and has reviewed the new plan and is in support of it. She would like to see the Museum become a destination for residents and tourists and felt that the relocation of the driveway would make navigating the site less confusing. Ms. Propp questioned if the relocation of the driveway on Algoma Boulevard would restrict on street parking in that area. Bradley Larson, Director of Museum, responded that there would be the loss of two parking spaces on Algoma Boulevard. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 October 16, 2012 Ms. Propp also questioned if the City owns the triangular property adjacent to the Museum where the hiker’s monument is located as the plantings in that area are beautiful. Mr. Buck indicated that the property was owned by the Paine Art Center. Mr. Cummings commented that he felt the plan was long overdue as the Museum does not get utilized to its full potential at this time. Motion by Nollenberger to approve the zone change from R-1C Single Family Central Residence District to R-1C PD Single Family Central Residence District with a planned development overlay at 1331 Algoma Boulevard. Seconded by Propp. Motion carried 8-0. Motion by Thoms to approve the conditional use permit/planned development for the Oshkosh Public Museum with the following conditions: 1)Base standard modification allowing three driveways to the property. 2)Base standard modification as depicted within the master plan proposal: a.Allow parking count as depicted on the proposed plan. b.Pavilion front yard setback of 19 feet from Congress Avenue. c.Existing parking area front yard setback of 15 feet from High Avenue. d.Parking rear yard setback of 10 feet from west lot line. e.Six foot masonry wall within front yard setback on Congress Avenue and High Avenue. f.Accessory structures in front of the primary structure’s front facade. 3)Base standard modification to regulate building and ground signage for the property as if it were in a C-1: Neighborhood Business Zoning District as proposed within the submitted application packet. Seconded by Nollenberger. Motion carried 8-0. Ms. Propp commented that she was pleased to see two major plans approved at one meeting and the City should help to see that they are implemented. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:08 pm. (Vajgrt/Propp) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 5 October 16, 2012