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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 October 18, 2016 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES October 18, 2016 PRESENT: Jeffrey Thoms, Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz, Kathleen Propp, John Kiefer EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Steve Cummings, Donna Lohry, Robert Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; Jeffrey Nau, Associate Planner; Brian Slusarek, Zoning Code Enforcement Inspector; Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works; 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 4, 2016 were approved as presented. (Hinz/Propp) I. ACCESS CONTROL VARIANCE TO REDUCE SEPARATION OF DRIVEWAY APPROACHES, ALLOW A FIFTH DRIVEWAY APPROACH, AND REDUCE CURB CUT AND ENTRANCE WIDTH AT 1512 SOUTH MAIN STREET The petitioner is requesting an access control variance to permit the following: 1. Reduced separation of driveway approaches to 4 feet where code requires a minimum of 20 feet. 2. A fifth driveway approach where code requires a maximum of two (2) driveway approaches per property. 3. Reduced curb cut and entrance width to 14-foot wide curb cut and 8-foot wide entrance. Mr. Slusarek presented the item and explained the access control variances being requested and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the current use of the property for manufacturing purposes. He also reviewed the site plan and explained that the need to reopen the loading dock was due to a recent fire and that this curb cut existed prior to the reconstruction of W. 15th Avenue. He discussed the new curb cut to be installed if the variance is approved as well as the existing curb cuts and reviewed the site plan for this curb cut which would be located on W. 15th Avenue. He stated that the City did not have concerns with the additional curb cut and reviewed the proposed size and that its purpose would be for access to the loading dock only and not for access to any parking lot facilities. He also reviewed photos of the existing conditions of the site and accesses. Mr. Thoms questioned how far it was from the street as it appeared to be only about ten feet. Mr. Burich confirmed that this estimation seemed correct. Mr. Thoms then questioned if they would be able to leave trucks parked in this area overnight. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 October 18, 2016 Mr. Burich responded that this issue is something that would be enforced by the Oshkosh Police Department and that the purpose of the additional curb cut would be to move materials in and out of their facility. He further stated that this portion of W. 15th Avenue is right-of-way however it essentially only services the two adjacent properties. Mr. Hinz commented that there is no traffic on this street as it is a dead end however he questioned if there were any concerns with the Ultramart service station located across the street as there are vehicles coming in and out of this site and he had concerns with if there would be a safety issue as the driveway access to the service station is a blind approach coming from the south to the north. Mr. Burich replied that the request was not analyzed from that standpoint. Bob Coglianese, partner in the ownership of the Blended Waxes facility, stated that they had a fire on September 3rd and that their warehouse is on the north side of W. 15th Avenue and it was a leased facility from the owner of Ultramart with no vehicular traffic on this portion of the street other than forklifts. He further stated that the owner of the service station across the street is aware of the situation and has no issues with the additional curb cut and that there is no parking on the south side of W. 15th Avenue. The curb cut for this access was for forklift use and there would be no truck traffic utilizing this access and there was some urgency to this matter as they currently do not have access to move products to and from their facilities. He stated that this curb cut existed prior to the reconstruction of 15th Avenue and if the variance is approved to allow the curb cut, they would like it to be permanent and not for temporary purpose only. Any vehicles utilizing this portion of 15th Avenue are minimal as their facilities and Ultramart are the only uses on this portion of the street. Mr. Thoms questioned if this access was to be used for forklift traffic only between the two facilities, does the City ordinance allow the use of the right-of-way for forklifts. Mr. Burich responded that he was not aware if this was permitted by ordinance as this was another aspect that would be enforced by the Oshkosh Police Department. Mr. Thoms stated that he felt the owner should look into this matter and questioned why this dead end of 15th Avenue is still a street as it serves no purpose to the public. Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works, indicated that the street allows access to the two properties as well as access to the railroad and would be difficult to maintain if vacated. In addition, there also are significant storm sewer facilities in this area. Mr. Burich questioned if the railroad also has access to their property from 15th Avenue. Mr. Gohde responded affirmatively. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 October 18, 2016 Mr. Thoms suggested that there could be a shared access agreement established between the sites and the City could vacate the street. Mr. Coglianese indicated that they had inquired about the abandonment of 15th Avenue at the time it was reconstructed and was told it could not be done due to the storm sewer facilities in this area. Motion by Propp to approve an access control variance to reduce separation of driveway approaches, allow a fifth driveway approach, and reduce curb cut and entrance width located at 1512 South Main Street. Seconded by Thoms. Motion carried 5-0. II. OLSEN ANNEXATION The petitioner is proposing direct annexation (by unanimous approval) of approximately 0.248 acres of land currently located in the Town of Oshkosh. Mr. Nau presented the item and discussed the existing use of the property as a single-family home and that the site is surrounded by other city properties. He reviewed the site and surrounding area and stated that the request to annex into the city was due to a failing septic system. He further stated that the annexation with the proposed R-1 zoning designation was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and that the Department of Public Works reported that City sanitary sewer and water main were available to serve the site and the Oshkosh Police and Fire Departments have reviewed the request and do not have any concerns with providing services to this property. Mr. Thoms questioned if it would be the owner’s responsibility for the lateral stub to be extended to this property and if the septic system would have to be vacated. Mr. Nau responded that the owner would be responsible for the connection to the home and that the septic system would need to be abandoned within one year although they would be able to maintain the well if desired. Mr. Gohde added that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources dictates the requirements regarding the septic system however there was a one year requirement to vacate it once connected to city sanitary services. Mr. Thoms then questioned if the Town of Oshkosh supported the annexation. Mr. Nau replied that the city has not had any contact from the town regarding this matter. Mr. Burich added that the towns usually do not support annexations into the city however it was necessary in this case to provide the sanitary services required. Mr. Thoms questioned if the entire street was already city parcels. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 October 18, 2016 Mr. Nau displayed areas in this vicinity that are city and town parcels as this area is a mix of both with town parcels still existing to the north. Mr. Kiefer inquired if the properties on the map that show a numbered address indicated that they were city parcels. Mr. Nau responded that these numbers were for identification references only. Motion by Thoms to approve the annexation for property located at 2508 Shorewood Drive in the Town of Oshkosh with a temporary and permanent zoning designation of R-1 Single Family Residence District. Seconded by Hinz. Motion carried 5-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:20 pm. (Thoms/Hinz) Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey Nau Associate Planner