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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES April 17,2018 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Thomas Fojtik, Michael Ford,John Hinz, Andrew Mott, Thomas Perry, Kathleen Propp EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Steve Cummings,John Kiefer, Robert Vajgrt STAFF: Darryn Burich, Planning Director;Mark Lyons, Principal Planner; Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works;Jeff Nau, Associate Planner;Brian Slusarek, Assistant Planner; Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner;Andrea Flanigan and Mina Kuss, 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 3, 2018 were approved as presented. (Propp/Bowen) I. EXTRATERRITORIAL TWO-LOT LAND DIVISION/CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP AT 5143 W RIPPLE AVENUE IN THE TOWN OF UTICA The petitioner is requesting a two-lot land division/certified survey map from one existing 19.56 acre parcel. Sizes of the proposed lots are as follows: Lot 1 =5.003 Acres Lot 2= 14.560 Acres Mr. Slusarek presented the item and reviewed the proposed parcel layout of the land division and discussed the size of the proposed lots and the purpose of the land division. The subject site is located on the south side of W Ripple Avenue in the Town of Utica, about 1.7 miles southwest of the Oshkosh city limits. The site is currently being used for residential and agricultural purposes. The surrounding area consists of predominantly agricultural. The purpose of this land division is to separate the existing home and outbuildings from the agricultural land. The proposed two-lot land division will not alter the existing land use patterns in the area and is consistent with the City's 10-year and 20-Year (Rural and Residential) Comprehensive Plan land use recommendations. Lot 2 does not have public street frontage. As such, the CSM includes a note that Lot 2 may only be sold to an adjoining land owner until public street frontage is provided. The Department of Public Works has reviewed the proposed two-lot land division and did not have any additional concerns. There was no discussion on the item. Motion by Hinz to approve a two-lot land division/certified survey map located at 5143 W Ripple Avenue. Seconded by Mott. Motion carried 7-0. Plan Commission Minutes 1 April 17,2018 II. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE TO ALLOW REPLACEMENT OF A DOOR OPENING WITH A SMALLER WINDOW OPENING ON THE FRONT FACADE AT 1234 MOUNT VERNON STREET The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City's Residential Design Standards to allow for an elimination of a door opening and replacement with a smaller window opening on a front facade of the residence at 1234 Mount Vernon Street. Mr. Wiley presented the item,reviewed photos of the home and discussed the surrounding area which is predominantly residential. The applicant removed an entry door from the front facade of the house and installed a smaller window of an unknown size. Planning Services staff found that the door opening was closed off without a design standards variance and without a permit while performing inspections in the area on July 27, 2017. Planning Services informed the property owner that the work would have required a design standards variance through Plan Commission and appropriate permit. The applicant replaced the door which was never used since it opened into a stairway on the interior of the house. The applicant appears to have installed J channels around the perimeter of the previous opening and installed matching siding that aligns closely with the existing siding. Staff believes that the window replacement and new siding would not have a detrimental impact on the front facade if the siding was consistent around the window and installed in a more seamless manner than the current J channels. Ms. Propp stated that she understood why the applicant eliminated the door and approved of the proposed conditions. She wanted to confirm that the front facade being discussed was actually the side of the house and not the front of the house due to the property being on a corner lot. Mr. Wiley confirmed the property has two front yards because it is a corner lot. The side of the house where the door was removed is not the front of the house. Motion by Bowen to approve the residential design standards variance to allow for an elimination of a door opening and replacement with a smaller window opening on a front fagade of the residence at 1234 Mount Vernon Street with the following conditions: 1. Window trim to match color and appearance of the existing windows on the home. 2. Completed work to be revised so that the perimeter of this window maintains the same appearance as the perimeter of existing windows on the same fagade. 3. Siding to match existing siding below the new window and around the sides and head of new window. 4. Any seams between new and existing siding shall be installed in a manner that minimizes the appearance of a single straight vertical seam from the public right of way whether this is staggering or some other method. 5. Window and siding work shall be completed within 6 months of design standard variance approval. 6. Area where previous concrete walk was removed shall be reseeded and restored as grass within 6 months. Plan Commission Minutes 2 April 17,2018 And the following finding: 1. The variance will not be contrary to the public interest because the decrease of window area will not adversely affect the structure's architectural design, the neighborhood character or curb appearance of the block. Seconded by Hinz. Motion carried 7-0. III. ZONE CHANGE FROM INSTITUTIONAL (I) DISTRICT TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL -9 (SR-9) DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 0 (422) MONROE STREET The applicant requests a zone change from the existing Institutional (I) District to Single-Family Residential-9 (SR-9) District for a portion of the property located at 0 (422) Monroe Street. Mr. Slusarek presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The subject area included in the zone change request consists of a 6,834 square foot vacant parcel that was previously used as a playground for St. Mary's School, which has closed. The surrounding area consists predominately of single and two family uses. The petitioner is requesting a zone change from the existing Institutional (I) District to Single Family Residential-9 (SR-9) District to combine the subject parcel with the residentially-zoned vacant parcel to the south for construction of a new single family home. The applicant states that they currently own the vacant lot to the south and are in the process of purchasing the subject property from Most Blessed Sacrament Parish and plan to combine the lots, pending the zone change. They do not have plans drawn up for the new single family home at this time. The proposed zone change will be consistent with the surrounding zoning and surrounding residential land uses. Staff does not have concerns with extending the zoning to maintain consistency with adjacent land uses. Ms. Propp asked if St. Mary's still had ownership of the vacant lot located to the north of 0 (422) Monroe Street. Mr. Slusarek verified it was still owned by St. Mary's. Gerald Jacklin,408 Monroe Street stated that he is the applicant and feels the zone change would be beneficial in many ways. Some of the benefits would be an improvement to the church environment, landscaping and benefits to the city including a tax benefit. He explained that previously he and his wife purchased 414 Monroe adjacent to 0 (422) Monroe Street. They bought the property because the house was in disrepair and needed to be demolished. He stated that their goal is to combine both vacant parcels and build a single family home to help improve the area. Cheryl Jacklin,408 Monroe Street explained more about 414 Monroe St. and how demolishing the home improved the property. She stated that they have not purchased the 0 (422) Monroe Street lot yet because they are waiting on the zoning approval. She reiterated that the goal is to build a single family home that blends with other homes in the neighborhood. Plan Commission Minutes 3 April 17,2018 Motion by Bowen to approve a zone change from the existing Institutional (I) District to Single-Family Residential—9 (SR-9)District for a portion of the property located at 0 (422)Monroe Street. Seconded by Perry. Motion carried 7-0. IV: GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT AND SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROVAL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1819 WITZEL AVENUE The applicant requests approval for a General Development Plan amendment and Specific Implementation Plan for a daycare facility and outdoor play area at 1819 Witzel Avenue. Mr. Lyons presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The property currently consists of an approximately 5,500 sq. ft. commercial building. The applicant is in the process of converting one tenant space into a daycare facility. The daycare is a permitted use within the Suburban Mixed Use (SMU) District. As part of that conversion the applicant is proposing approximately 1150 sq. ft. outdoor play area. The outdoor play area will be enclosed by a 5'metal fence. The site will continue to use the existing shared access to the south. The applicant is proposing to eliminate 5 of those spaces as part of the outdoor play area. The staff does not have a concern with the reduction of onsite parking spaces as the development has a shared parking/ access easement with the parcel to the south. The elevation drawing of the existing signage and the area remaining for the daycare provided meets the underlying SMU zoning requirements. Drainage plans have been submitted and are being review by the Department of Public Works. Finalized storm water management plans will need to be submitted and approved as part of the Site Plan Review processes. The applicant is proposing minor changes to the exterior of the building. There was no discussion on the item. Motion by Propp to approve a General Development Plan amendment and Specific Implementation Plan for 1819 Witzel Avenue with the following conditions: 1. Signage shall meet the underlying SMU district standards. Seconded by Mott. Motion carried 7-0. V: GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT AND SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROVAL FOR A DAYCARE AND PARKING/ STORAGE FACILITY AT 223 E. NEVADA AVENUE The applicant requests approval of a general development plan amendment and a specific implementation plan approval for a daycare facility and parking/storage facility at 223 E. Nevada Avenue. Plan Commission Minutes 4 April 17,2018 Mr. Lyons presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The subject site consists of two parcels totaling approximately 5.19 acres in size. The subject site was previously approved as planned development in December 2016. That approval included the development of a 56 residential units, community room, laundry room, a portion of the surface parking and extensive landscaping that incorporates an outdoor picnic area. At this time the petitioner is proposing to begin Phase 2 and redevelop the existing structure located on Lot 1 into a two shift daycare facility and begin construction of the parking/storage facility as outlined in the Phase 1 approval. The applicant is proposing to remove existing pavement and gravel to restore the areas to turf grass. The applicant is proposing minor site contour changes to accommodate more soil on-site. The applicant is requesting a Base Standard Modification(BSM) to allow storage units within the parking structure, parking and to be allowed to construct a 6' fence along the western portion of the building. Staff is in support of the BSM for storage units, parking and to allow a 6' fence within the front yard for an outdoor play area. The daycare would also include the development of a gymnasium, outdoor playground, covered play area, kitchen and art room. A developer is proposing a new monument sign and wall sign. Only minor changes to the previously approved storm water/grading plans are proposed. Mr. Bowen questioned if on-street parking is currently allowed on Nevada Street. Mr. Lyons responded on-street parking is allowed on Nevada Street. Ms. Propp wanted to confirm that once the project has finished, all of the buildings on the property will be improved. This would include completing the building on the west side. Mr. Lyons confirmed all buildings on the property would be improved or reconstructed and stated the applicant is present for further questions. Paul Jansen, 1734 River Mill Road stated that he owns property from the north side of Nevada to Georgia Pacific and back to the railroad tracks. He is concerned about the on-street parking on Nevada Street because the street is already very narrow. He routes numerous semis through the area daily. He has had issues in the past with maneuvering semis through the area because of construction and on-street parking. Ms. Propp asked what the current route is for the semis. Mr. Jansen said that the semis would come in on Harrison St., turn east on Nevada Avenue and turn north into his facility. Mr. Lyons stated that there is no request to change the parking on Nevada. The parking is currently permitted and there no parking restrictions. He stated that there will be more temporary traffic but there are enough parking spaces for the daycare that there should not be a need to park on Nevada Avenue. Plan Commission Minutes 5 April 17,2018 Matt Wiedenhoeft, Martin Riley Architects confirmed that they would be closing off the west side of the building once construction has completed. He stated that there is parking in the front of facility as well as parking for buses or larger vehicles in front of the entrance doors. The applicant is not asking for any changes to what is currently allowed for on-street parking. Ms. Propp asked if there is another way into the building and if clients would be using the eastern parking lot. Mr. Wiedenhoeft confirmed that there is a back entrance into the building for employees and only staff would be using the eastern parking lot. Mr. Perry asked if there would be two new curb cuts in the parking lot and if so,it would reduce the number of cars parking on the street along Nevada Ave. Mr. Wiedenhoeft stated they are removing one curb cut and putting in two new curb cuts. Mr. Bowen stated that from personal experience,the turnover for parking is fairly rapid at daycares and believes 23 parking spaces is sufficient for this development. Motion by Propp to approve the of a general development plan amendment and a specific implementation plan approval for a daycare facility and parking/storage facility at 223 E. Nevada Avenue with the following conditions: 1. Base standard modification to provide 33 parking spaces for the daycare facility as indicated on the proposed site plan. 2. Base standard modification to allow the rental of storage units to non-tenants of Waite Rug Place. 3. Base standard modification to allow a 6'fence within a front yard for an outdoor play area. Seconded by Mott. Motion carried 7-0. VI. APPROVE BUILDING ELEVATIONS FOR VERVE AT THE 1000 BLOCK OF N. WASHBURN STREET The petitioner is requesting approval of building elevations for a Verve bank located at the 1000 block of N. Washburn Street. Mr. Lyons presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The subject property is a commercial parcel located at 1000 block of N. Washburn and is approximately 3.17 acres in area. The development was approved as Planned Development in August, 2017. The Planned Development proposed a 2 phase development containing three buildings totaling 61,500 sq. ft. The surrounding area consists predominately of commercial uses. The subject property as well as the surrounding area are zoned Suburban Mixed Use with a Planned Development Overlay (SMU- PD). The Common Council approved the Planned Development at it August 8, 2017 meeting. The approval included a condition that stated elevations needed to be approved by the Plan Commission. The developer is now ready to move forward with the bank building and elevations have been provided. Plan Commission Minutes 6 April 17,2018 Mr. Bowen stated that the material used is identical to the Verve building on Murdock Street in case anyone had further questions. Ms. Propp pointed out that the roof line looks modern but also seems to be dipping or slopping. She wanted to ensure that the elevation of the roof met code. Mr. Lyons confirmed that it did meet code. Motion by Ford to approval of building elevations for a Verve bank located at the 1000 block of N. Washburn Street. Seconded by Hinz. Motion carried 6-0-1 (Abstain:Bowen). There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:54 pm. (Hinz/Bowen) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services Plan Commission Minutes 7 April 17,2018