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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 May 5, 2015 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES May 5, 2015 PRESENT: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Jeffrey Thoms, Thomas Fojtik, Kathleen Propp, Gary Gray, Donna Lohry, Robert Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger EXCUSED: John Hinz, Steve Cummings STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Jeffrey Nau, Associate Planner; Brian Slusarek, Planning Technician; 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 April 21, 2015 were approved as presented. (Vajgrt/Propp) I. EXTRATERRITORIAL LAND DIVISION/CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP AT THE 5200 BLOCK OF LEONARD POINT ROAD IN THE TOWN OF OMRO The applicant’s request is for a two-lot land division/certified survey map from one existing parcel (Lot 2, CSM 3851) containing a total of 14.99 acres. Size of the proposed lot is as follows: Lot 1 = 14.99 Acres Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use in this area. He stated that the subject site is proposed to be gifted to the Town of Omro for park and/or recreational purposes and is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He further stated that the Department of Public Works has reviewed the request and noted that there may be wetlands on the property and wetland delineation would be necessary prior to any development on the site. Ms. Lohry questioned if the land would remain as park area permanently. Mr. Nau responded that this would be up to the Town and parties gifting the land and the City has no jurisdiction to require that future uses remain as parkland. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the extraterritorial land division/certified survey map at the 5200 block of Leonard Point Road in the Town of Omro. Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 9-0. II. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE REQUEST TO PERMIT REDUCTION OF WINDOW SIZE GREATER THAN STANDARDS PERMIT AT 1117 IOWA STREET The applicant/owner requests approval of a variance from the City’s Residential Design Standards to permit a window replacement that is more than 10% variation in size than the original window on the south side façade of the single family home at 1117 Iowa Street. Mr. Slusarek presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He reviewed photos of the window proposed to be replaced and __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 May 5, 2015 stated that the primary reason for the reduction in window size is to accommodate the remodel of an existing bathroom. He reviewed photos of the bathroom area and existing window and explained the need to reduce the size of the existing window. He also reviewed the findings supporting approval for the variance request. Mr. Thoms inquired if there was any discussion regarding the type of window to be utilized for the replacement of the existing window. Mr. Slusarek responded that the replacement window would match in size and appearance with the adjacent window on the same elevation of the home. Mr. Buck added that the City ordinance just requires the window size to be retained and the design standard variance is addressed by the new window matching in size to the existing window adjacent to it. Mr. Burich commented that the Commission could add a condition to the request that the replacement window must match other windows in the home as far as style. Mr. Gray questioned if both of the windows located on this elevation are in the bathroom area. Mr. Slusarek indicated that the window replacement is the middle window on this elevation. Mr. Gray then questioned if a window replacement design standard variance request would come to the Plan Commission for approval to increase the window size. Mr. Slusarek responded negatively. Jacob Albright, 1117 Iowa Street, explained the bathroom remodeling project and the reason to reduce the size of the existing window. He further stated that the other window of similar size adjacent to the bathroom window is located in the laundry room and that the replacement window would be the same style as the existing other windows. Mr. Burich commented that to increase the window size more than 10% would also require a variance from the Plan Commission. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the residential design standards variance to permit reduction of window size greater than standards permit for property located at 1117 Iowa Street with the following findings: 1. The standards do not apply to this particular project because the proposed window replacement will: a. Retain the overall fenestration and design of the home’s side façade. b. Be symmetrical with existing windows on the side façade of the home. c. Not adversely affect the neighborhood character or curb appearance. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 9-0. Mr. Borsuk stated that the ordinance relating to window replacements should be reviewed to see if requirements would need to be changed to address issues such as the types of window replacements allowed. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 May 5, 2015 III. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE REQUEST TO PERMIT LESS WINDOW AREA ON AN ADDITION THAN DESIGN STANDARDS PERMIT AT 1657 GEORGIA STREET The applicant/owner requests approval of a variance from the City’s Residential Design Standards to permit less than 25% window area on the street-facing façade of an addition at 1657 Georgia Street. Mr. Buck presented the item and distributed photos of the home as well as photos of neighboring properties. He also reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He discussed the proposed project and noted that the home was located on a corner lot and displayed on a site plan the location where the addition would be placed. He reviewed the criteria to grant a design standards variance as well as the site plan for the proposed addition. He also discussed the reason for the proposed addition which was necessary for area for the kitchen, dining room, and storage space within this smaller home. He reviewed photos of the existing house and explained that most of the addition will not be visible due to the location of landscaping on the property. He reviewed the location of transom windows above the kitchen cabinets but they do not maintain the required 25% of area to meet the design standards criteria and the Plan Commission could add a condition to require additional landscaping be added to the site if they felt necessary. He further discussed the addition which he felt the roof line adds articulation to the home and reviewed other homes in the area with a number of these properties containing similar style windows as proposed for this addition. He reviewed the finding to allow this design standard variance and the condition recommended for this request. Ms. Lohry questioned if the garage structure in one of the photos was part of this property as the window on it looks similar to the proposed transom windows. Mr. Buck responded affirmatively. Mr. Gray inquired if the petitioner agreed with the condition placed on this request. Garry Fred Ruppel, 4507 Stonefield Drive, petitioner for this request, responded affirmatively. Motion by Nollenberger to approve the residential design standards variance to permit less window area on an addition than design standards permit at 1657 Georgia Street with the following condition and following findings: Findings: 1. The design standards do not apply to this particular project because the “blank” section of the front façade will not detract from the architectural integrity of the building and will not adversely affect the neighborhood character or curb appeal of the block. Condition: 1. The landscaping currently located in front of the addition along 17th Avenue be retained or reinstalled, if removed, at a height of no less than four feet to act as a screen to the “blank” portion of the addition’s wall. Seconded by Vajgrt. Motion carried 9-0. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 May 5, 2015 IV. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPROVAL FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT AT 401 NORTH MAIN STREET (NEW MOON CAFÉ) The applicant is requesting approval of a conditional use permit for an exception to the building design standards of the Downtown Overlay District to install an exhaust vent through a window opening on the building’s North Main Street façade. Mr. Buck presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He also reviewed photos of the proposed coffee roaster which would increase the attraction to the downtown business. He discussed the location on the interior of the structure for the coffee roaster and the layout of the interior as well as the required venting for the roaster. He displayed photos depicting the location for the proposed venting and discussed alternatives for the venting which would require alterations to both the inside and outside of the building. He explained that the proposed location was most desirable as this option could be reversed without causing damage to the structure. He also discussed the conditions placed on this request to have a decorative vent cap installed to match the historic context of North Main Street and the necessary encroachment agreement as the vent would extend over the right-of-way. He further stated that this request was presented to the Landmarks Commission who approved of this request with the condition for the decorative vent cap with the approval of the Department of Community Development. Mr. Thoms commented that the vent cap should not only be decorative in nature but should be the same color as the structure and questioned if the condition needed to be adjusted to address this issue. Mr. Buck responded that both staff and the owner had discussed this matter and came to an understanding that it would match the structure and would require approval by the Department of Community Development before building permits could be obtained. Mr. Burich added that wording to take this into consideration on the condition could be added if the Plan Commission felt necessary. Ms. Lohry questioned how far out the venting would need to extend from the building and if in winter the venting would cause ice on the Main Street sidewalk. Mr. Buck replied that it would not protrude any more than signage on other buildings on Main Street and should not create any issues. Mr. Burich added that the owner would still be responsible for maintaining the sidewalk as far as clearing ice. Mr. Thoms commented about if the amount of smoke would be limited from this vent and if the Landmarks Commission discussed this factor as smoke could damage the brick over time if excessive. Mr. Buck responded negatively and stated that the Landmarks Commission did not discuss this aspect of the project. Jason Baer, 921 Harney Avenue, stated that the distance of the venting pipe is only a foot or two long and the smoke generated from its use would be minimal. He discussed commercial roasters and stated that this model is small in comparison and the moisture generated from its use would also be minimal __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 5 May 5, 2015 as it would only be used for 8 to 12 hours periodically in winter and somewhat more often in summer months. He further stated that they looked into a number of options for the venting method and desired something that would look historic to blend with the historic structure. He stated that they are considering incorporating it into a hanging sign of some nature to further hide the venting. Motion by Vajgrt to approve a conditional use permit for an exception to the provisions of the Downtown Overlay District at 401 North Main Street with the following conditions: 1. The vent cap is decorative in nature and match the historic context of North Main Street and the building, as determined by the Department of Community Development; and 2. An encroachment agreement for the vent extending over the North Main Street right-of-way is established between the property owner and the city. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 9-0. V. POTENTIAL AMENDMENT TO DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE FOR 6 MYRNA JANE DRIVE This item was withdrawn from the agenda by the request of the petitioner. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Buck discussed the Zoning Ordinance sections that have been drafted and reviewed as well as other sections which are in the draft stage but have yet to be reviewed by the working group. He stated that sections relating to administration and procedures have yet to be drafted. Mr. Burich discussed some of the side façade issues that have arisen since the Design Standards ordinance creation and stated that they would be reviewing this with the Zoning Ordinance update. Mr. Thoms commented that mixing window styles should be addressed in the update as it is not included in the current code requirements. Mr. Buck stated that he would be setting up a meeting with the working group for the last week in May and would be holding another workshop with the Plan Commission to review the sections of the ordinance completed after that. Mr. Thoms questioned if changing zoning classifications due to the Zoning Ordinance update would create situations that would not be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Burich responded negatively and stated that the proposed Zoning Ordinance update may result in some land use issues but should not have any issues with consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:47 pm. (Vajgrt/Borsuk) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services