Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 November 21, 2017 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES November 21, 2017 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Jeffrey Thoms, John Hinz, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, John Kiefer, Robert Vajgrt, Michael Ford EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Thomas Fojtik STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; Brian Slusarek, Assistant Planner; Jeffrey Nau, Associate Planner; Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner; 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 November 6 and November 7, 2017 were approved as presented. (Thoms/Cummings) I. ACCEPT AND RELEASE EASEMENTS AT THE EASTERN TERMINUS OF E. 14TH AVENUE The City of Oshkosh is requesting the acceptance of a storm sewer easement on the south side of E. 14th Avenue and the release of easement rights in a portion of vacated E. 14th Avenue. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the area for the easement to be accepted and released. He explained that the easement requests were part of a storm sewer project and the reason was to consolidate two existing outfalls into one larger outfall. He reviewed a map depicting specifics of the easement areas and stated that the property owner was agreeable to the request. Mr. Thoms questioned if the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources had approved the larger outfall proposed. Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works, responded affirmatively and stated that the necessary permits for it had already been obtained. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the acceptance and release of easements at the eastern terminus of E. 14th Avenue. Seconded by Kiefer. Motion carried 6-0. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 November 21, 2017 II. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE REQUEST FOR THE MODIFICATION OF ONE WINDOW ON THE WEST (SIDE) ELEVATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 614 W. 11TH AVENUE The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City’s Residential Design Standards to permit the reorientation of one window from vertical to horizontal on the west (side) elevation of a single family home located at 614 W. 11th Avenue. Mr. Wiley presented the item and discussed the reason for the request which was to change the orientation of one window from vertical to horizontal. He reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He discussed the Commission’s approval for the re-orientation of an adjacent window on the same façade of the home in July of 2017 and that approval of this request would allow the second window to be consistent with the other window on this façade. He reviewed the site plan and explained that the siding would be replaced and would be consistent with the remainder of the home. He described the concern with privacy for the property owner and reviewed photos of the structure and that staff was recommending approval of the request with a finding that it would not adversely affect the architectural design, the neighborhood character, or curb appearance of the block. He also reviewed the conditions recommended for this request. Mr. Vajgrt commented that the condition related to the siding being replaced refers to within one year of issuance of the first window permit and questioned when the first building permit was issued. Mr. Wiley stated that the window had already been installed however the building permit was not issued until October 16th. Mr. Nau added that the window had been replaced without obtaining a building permit and the property owner received the first notice from the city regarding this issue in April. He also reviewed additional photos of the home from both exterior and interior views. Mr. Thoms commented that the first variance request was approved after the fact since the work had already been completed and questioned why we were allowing them a year to complete the siding replacement. He felt that the time frame to replace the siding should be reduced to three months as the first window was replaced in April and the siding was still not installed. Mr. Burich responded that one year is the standard permit time frame that has been implemented in the past. Mr. Thoms stated that this portion of the home is very visible from the street and he felt that one year was too long of a time period. Mr. Bowen and Mr. Ford arrived at 4:15pm. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 November 21, 2017 Raymond Reinders, 614 W. 11th Avenue, discussed the previous window replacement which was completed without a permit and that they had to wait for the Commission’s approval of the variance. After approval was received, he was considering making a second request for the re- orientation of the adjacent window and he just paid for the building permit for the first window recently. He explained that half of the siding was complete on the east side elevation however winter was approaching and the last variance request allowed for a time frame of one year to complete the siding project. He stated that he could try to move up the completion of the siding replacement if possible. Ms. Propp questioned if three months is reasonable to complete the siding replacement. Mr. Reinders responded that the window permit was obtained 1 ½ months ago and he has had difficulty with the availability of contractors this time of year. He stated that he did not know if it can be done in a three month period at this point unless he found a temporary solution to cover the area until the work could be completed. He continued discussion on the improvements they have made to the home and that they were actively trying to convert an old home into something better. Ms. Propp commented that the homeowner most likely would need a time period extending until spring for the availability of contractors to complete the siding replacement. Mr. Reinders reiterated that he was engaged and trying to complete the project however the second variance request delayed the process and it is very difficult to find contractors for siding work this time of year. Mr. Hinz discussed how busy contractors are this time of year and that he did not see any reason to rush the homeowner with trying to get the work completed in a three month time frame. Motion by Vajgrt to approve a residential design standards variance for the modification of one window on the west (side) elevation at 614 W. 11th Avenue with the following condition: 1. Window to be the same size (width and height) of the previously reoriented window on the same façade and to be located in line vertically with the existing reoriented horizontal window. 2. Window trim to be consistent in appearance with that of the existing reoriented horizontal window. 3. All siding on the facade to be replaced with siding consistent in appearance with the siding on the rest of the house within one year of issuance of the first window permit. And the following finding: 1. The standards do not apply to this particular project because the re-oriented window will not adversely affect the structure’s architectural design, the neighborhood character, or curb appearance of the block. Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried 7-1. (Nay-Thoms) __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 4 November 21, 2017 III. ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING PLAN REVIEW FOR A PROPOSED SANITARY LIFT STATION AT 1507 N. EAGLE STREET (MARY JEWEL PARK) The applicant is requesting an architectural building plan review for construction of a sanitary lift station to be located at Mary Jewel Park, 1507 N. Eagle Street. Mr. Slusarek presented the item and stated that it was laid over from October to allow for the re- design of the structure to improve its appearance. He reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He also reviewed photos depicting the original design and the re-designed versions for all facades. He explained that the recommendation to move the HVAC unit to the interior of the structure was not feasible and it was proposed to remain on the north end of the structure. He also discussed the removal of the louvers on the west wall which is proposed to remain as it would be too costly. Mr. Hinz commented that the landscaping on the south elevation appears to be removed on the photos for the re-designed version. Paul Timm, representing AECOM, petitioner for the request, stated that they are not proposing to remove any landscaping from the original submittal. Mr. Bowen stated that if the louvers are to remain, what material would be utilized around them. Mr. Timm responded that it would be cement board that could be colored to match the structure or outstanding depending on the preference. Mr. Cummings questioned how visible the structure would be from Oshkosh Avenue. Mr. Kiefer responded that it appeared to be about 500 feet in his estimate. Ms. Propp stated that the petitioner did a commendable job on the re-design of the structure and hopes that the improvements do not prove to be too costly. Mr. Thoms inquired about the color scheme for the structure as it appeared to be grey. Mr. Timm replied that the exterior would be natural rock with grey or earth tones with aluminum style roofing and the color matching will happen during the submittal process. Mr. Thoms commented that he wants the structure to blend into the environment and he felt that grey would not be appropriate and more earth tones should be utilized. Mr. Timm explained that the renderings depict the structure as being grey however the colors utilized would not be as it appears. Motion by Vajgrt to approve an architectural building plan review for a proposed sanitary lift station for property located at 1507 N. Eagle Street. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 5 November 21, 2017 Seconded by Kiefer. Motion carried 8-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 pm. (Vajgrt/Thoms) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services