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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJoint Plan Commission and Park Board Minutes PLAN COMMISSION & ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES November 6, 2017 PRESENT: Jeffrey Thoms, Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, John Kiefer, Michael Ford (Plan Commission) EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Robert Vajgrt (Plan Commission) PRESENT: Amy Davis, Tony Dirth, Bill Gogolewski, Todd Kaufmann, Bill Miller, Carrie Rule, Megan Schuessler, Terry Wohler (Advisory Park Board) EXCUSED: Steve Herman (Advisory Park Board) STAFF: Allen Davis, Director of Community Development; Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; Deborah Foland, Recording Secretary; Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Stacy James, Recording Secretary Chairperson Fojtik called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Roll call was taken for both boards and quorums declared present. I.STAFF PRESENTATION FOR LAND DISPOSITION FOR PORTION OF LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE City Administration is requesting to dispose an approximate 35 acre portion of the 100+ acre Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course. The purpose of the disposition will be to transfer the land to Oshkosh Corporation to develop a 160,000 square foot global headquarters with associated site improvements. Allen Davis, Director of Community Development reviewed the Power Point presentation and identified the area for the proposed land disposition and how it meets the specific attributes that Oshkosh Corporation requires. He also reviewed the items that will need to be addressed in the future if the sale occurs such as the creation of streets and utility infrastructure. He reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He reviewed the City’s Comprehensive Plan Land Use map which will be required to be amended if the land disposition is approved. He also reviewed the conceptual plan for development of the site which is not finalized at this time and discussed the development areas and open space areas of the property. He also reviewed aerial photos of the concept plan and stated that the Common Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, November 8, at 5:30 pm at City Hall for final th approval of the land disposition. He further explained the process for land disposition of city- owned property which is the item that the Plan Commission and Advisory Park Board would be voting on today to provide their recommendation to the Council. Ms. Propp requested an explanation of the 35 acres +/- depicted on the subject site map for the land disposition and what it meant as far as the vision for the development of the area. __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 1 Mr. Davis responded that the 35 acres was based on the request by Oshkosh Corporation at this point and was a concept view which would be determined by surveyors when they have boundaries established and this was an approximation only. Ms. Propp questioned why there was an extra five acres that extended out to Oshkosh Avenue. Mr. Davis replied that this area was to make sure that the development has access to Koeller Street and Westfield Drive as both points would be necessary as they would need to have frontage on the public road. Mr. Thoms commented that the land disposition is proposed primarily for use by Oshkosh Corporation and questioned if the disposition will be used for any other purpose. Mr. Davis indicated that the land disposition was for the development proposed by Oshkosh Corporation only and would not be utilized for any other user if the proposal does not move forward. Mr. Thoms then questioned if the 65 acres left after the disposition was to remain as park land to be developed under a master plan. Mr. Davis responded affirmatively. Mr. Gogolewski inquired regarding the footprint of the property and the amount of parking spaces as well as whether a parking ramp was discussed. Mr. Davis stated that the parking lots are more cost efficient than a parking ramp would be. The proposed design is such that it tries to maintain the greenspace and mature trees that are already in the area. The plan also calls for storm water management that would benefit the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Thoms also questioned if some of the 65 acres would be used for detention basin purposes for the development. Mr. Davis responded that some area would be utilized for storm water management and that existing water features on the golf course property could be modified for this purpose. Mr. Hinz inquired if extra land surrounding the proposed development by Oshkosh Corporation will allow for expansion of their facility in the future. Mr. Davis replied that potential expansion area was included in the land disposition purchase area. Mr. Hinz then inquired if Oshkosh Corporation would have the ability to expand into another area surrounding this site if necessary in the future. __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 2 Mr. Davis responded negatively. Mr. Thoms stated that at the last meeting there was two draft plans with more area potentially used for development and less for park space. Mr. Davis indicated that Oshkosh Corporation will prepare a site plan for the 35 acres in the land disposition and other alternatives previously considered have been rejected. Mr. Gogolewski inquired of the timeline for putting together these proposals even in advance of the last meeting. Mr. Davis answered that there was about 2-3 week’s worth of intensive work to put the plans together. Mr. Dirth inquired about public access to the new park space. Mr. Davis answered that there would be access points with a parking lot on Punhoqua as well as around Mary Jewell Park and the new pump house. There would also be public access along N. Koeller St. When asked whether the parking would be sufficient for a park of this side Mr. Davis stated that he would have to defer that question to the Parks Department. Mr. Miller inquired whether a comprehensive master plan would be completed for the new park. Mr. Maurer answered that the plan is conceptual at this point. The public and council has stated that the remaining land should be utilized as park space and as such if this moves forward a comprehensive master plan would be created for the new park space. Ms. Propp questioned the dotted line around the current golf course property and if that represented the boundaries of the course property. Mr. Davis responded affirmatively. Ms. Propp then questioned that the green space on the concept plan appears to extend outside of the park space boundaries. Mr. Davis explained the limits of the golf course property and discussed the future trail extension and that it would potentially have a trail along the backside of the commercial properties. Mr. Gogolewski inquired regarding the cost of extending N Westfield St and N Koeller St as well as who would be paying for that. Mr. Davis replied that the City would be responsible for the road and utilities. Discussions have been made that a portion of the proceeds from the land sale would go to the infrastructure work as well as a reallocation of the planned money that the City will borrow. An impact analysis will be __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 3 completed at the newly created intersection and it is anticipated that traffic lights will be installed at that location. II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON LAND DISPOSITION FOR PORTION OF LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Chanda Anderson, 542 W. 16Avenue, stated that as a local small business owner she wanted to th thank the Board and all involved for identifying the need to keep Oshkosh Corporation in Oshkosh as well as all the jobs that it will retain and potentially add. When Oshkosh Corporation has had layoffs in the past she recognized how it affected her business and knows that it would be even more of an impact if their headquarters left Oshkosh. She discussed the importance of the white collar jobs to this community and that she supports the plans to dispose of the land as she felt that the city has to do whatever it can to keep Oshkosh Corporation’s headquarters based in this community. John Doemel, 455 Zarling Avenue, spoke as a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and discussed the collaboration with the Chamber and the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation. He is happy to see how the community has worked together to try to keep Oshkosh Corporation in town and that he understands the costs to tax payers. He feels this is how you grow as a community and wants people to stop seeing this as a loss of 35 acres but a gain of 65 acres that is usable park space for the entire community. He stated that he appreciates all the opportunities that have been made available to the public to comment on this issue. Marc Dosogne, 501 E. Parkway Avenue, speaking on behalf of the Oshkosh Boys and Girls Club, discussed the impact of Oshkosh Corporation as a big supporter of non-profits in the city and they are vital to the community with their support for charitable organizations and community functions. For them to leave would put Oshkosh “out of sight and out of mind” of future donations. It would be too big of a loss for the entire community. Burke Tower, 933 Starboard Court, discussed his background and stated that he appreciates the difficult decisions the Boards have been faced with as well as the opportunity for the public to speak. He is retired and has lived in the community for 40 years. While he doesn’t want to lose a quality of life feature like the golf course, including the land in the proposal is critical for it to be successful in keeping Oshkosh Corporation here in a competitive market. There are alternatives to golfers if the land is sold as there are other golf courses in the vicinity however there are not alternatives for the city if Oshkosh Corporation leaves the community. He further discussed the negative impact on the economy of our community if they should choose another location for their headquarters. Andy Levitt, 1423 Congress Avenue, stated that he supports the proposal. There have been 600+ UW Oshkosh graduates who are now employed by Oshkosh Corporation. If the community wants to keep Oshkosh available to the youth entering the job market, it is necessary to keep companies like Oshkosh Corporation here as well. __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 4 Connie Drexler, 1559 Georgia Street, spoke on behalf of the West Side Association who enthusiastically endorses the sale of the land. Keeping Oshkosh Corporation headquarters in Oshkosh is vital to the growth of the City. She mentioned that the company impacts the city through charitable donations, providing wages to many families supporting revenues, home ownership of employees which affect the tax base in the city as well as the school systems. She discussed the negative impact to property values and local businesses that would result if the company left and that without Oshkosh Corporation, it is a bleak future for Oshkosh. Mike Russell, 1118 Bowen Street, thanked the Boards for the opportunity to speak and the efforts that went into this proposal. He stated that he mirrored all prior comments made tonight and would support recommending the land disposition. Jason White, 1204 Fairfax Avenue, representing Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, stated that he supports the land disposition. This is the only site that Oshkosh can offer that meets all of the criteria that Oshkosh Corporation is looking for. He commented on all of the other park space in the city that isn’t included in the usual numbers such as County Park, school playgrounds improved by neighborhood associations as well as the availability of the rivers and lakes which are heavily utilized in the area. Moving forward with the disposition does not discourage people from continuing to be active in their community; it actually opens up additional land for all of the community to use. He feels that this should be approved to encourage Oshkosh Corporation to build a Fortune 500 Company world class headquarters in Oshkosh. Karlene Grabner, 1910 Cliffview Court, speaking on behalf of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation stated that she agrees with Ms. Drexler in that it would be a tragedy to the community of there was not a positive recommendation for the disposition. John Davis, 1560 Arboretum Drive, stated that he is excited for the opportunity for great recreation options near him with the new proposal. He sees this park space as an opportunity for fishing, ice skating and is particularly fond of the trail connections between the WIOUWASH Trail and the Riverwalk. He feels a positive recommendation would benefit the entire community and provide more opportunities for all users. Board Discussion on Proposed Land Disposition Mr. Thoms discussed the negative impact of closing facilities that he has experienced in his working career in other communities and that it was positive to keep Oshkosh Corporation’s headquarters in this community. He also discussed the other companies in this area that also benefit from the presence of Oshkosh Corporation and other amenities and quality of life features that already exist in the community. He felt that the 65 acres of park space will be available to more users than just people utilizing the golf course and he supports Oshkosh Corporation staying in the community. He continued discussion on the impacts on home ownership and businesses in the area if the company left the city and the possible expansion of the company in the future. He stated that he was in favor of the land disposition. __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 5 Mr. Hinz discussed other companies in the vicinity that benefit from Oshkosh Corporation’s presence and the amount of people that come to Oshkosh due to their business. He felt that if the headquarters was relocated to another city, it will result in a loss of other business that comes from their presence and this action will open up park land to the city to be developed for all users. He stated that he supports the land disposition. Ms. Propp stated that she previously made statements in support of the parks and golf course as the city has a need for more park area however this proposal can be used as an opportunity to gain more park land. She stated that she would like to see more funding provided for acquisition of park space through this sale which could also be utilized for park development purposes. Mr. Davis commented that the Advisory Park Board has the opportunity to look at options for park land however the funding is within the Common Council’s prevue. Oshkosh Corporation will pay 3.5 million dollars for the land which could be used to provide for park needs. Ms. Propp commented that she would support the land disposition and that she was happy to see the removal of other commercial development within this area. Mr. Dirth questions where the proceeds from the sale would go. He has concerns that a lot of the money is going to infrastructure and there will not be sufficient funds remaining for park funding. Mr. Maurer understands that concern and states that if this proposal is accepted, Oshkosh Corporation is looking to break ground in April or May 2018. Action would need to be taken to get public input as well as the Park Board input to move forward. This process would take 6-7 months. Ultimately it would be up to the City Council how much money is set aside for park improvements. Changes will not be seen in spring but further down the road. Mr. Gogolewski inquired whether this would close the golf course and if so, would the proceeds go toward the debt that has been incurred on behalf of the golf course. Mr. Maurer confirmed that if the land sale goes through the course would be closed. Mr. Davis stated that it would be up to the Common Council to address the debt. Mr. Wohler states that he has been on the Advisory Park Board for 20 years. He wanted to make it clear that the Board has minimal building opportunities in a year due to budget constraints and while Oshkosh Corporation Headquarters will be finished in a short period of time, the park space surrounding it will not be completed for another 5, 10 or even 15 years because of the process it takes to complete items. Ms. Rule thanked Mr. Wohler for his statement but voiced that she feels it is imperative to support the land disposition and move forward. III. ADVISORY PARK BOARD ACTION-RECOMMENDATION LAND DISPOSITION FOR PORTION OF LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 6 Motion by Miller to approve the land disposition for a portion of Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course with the following condition: 1.Oshkosh Corporation to utilize the land disposition area for development of a global headquarters. Seconded by Davis. Motion carried 5-3. (Dirth, Gogolewski and Wohler) IV. PLAN COMMISSION ACTION-RECOMMENDATION LAND DISPOSITION FOR PORTION OF LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Motion by Hinz to approve the land disposition for a portion of Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course with the following condition: 1.Oshkosh Corporation to utilize the land disposition area for development of a global headquarters. Seconded by Thoms. Motion carried 7-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:03 pm. (Cummings/Kiefer) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services __________________________________ Plan Commission MinutesNovember 6, 2017 7