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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES July 17,2018 PRESENT: David Borsuk, Thomas Fojtik Michael Ford,John Hinz,John Kiefer, Andrew Mott, Thomas Perry Kathleen Propp, Robert Vajgrt EXCUSED: Ed Bowen, Steve Cummings STAFF: Darryn Burich, Planning Director;Jeff Nau, Associate Planner; Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner; Darlene Brandt;Grants Coordinator;Andrea Flanigan, 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 July 3, 2018 were approved as presented. (Vajgrt/Kiefer) I. STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION OF A PORTION OF N. WESTFIELD STREET; ALL OF UNNAMED STREET BETWEEN RATH LANE TO N. WESTFIELD STREET; PORTION OF N. EAGLE STREET;ALL OF BUTTE DES MORTS STREET;ALL OF SHOMIN STREET;ALL OF WATER STREET;PORTION OF RAINBOW DRIVE;ALL OF PUBLIC ALLEY BETWEEN SHOMIN STREET&RAINBOW DRIVE;ALL OF PUBLIC ALLEY BETWEEN BUTTE DES MORTS STREET &SHOMIN STREET; PORTION OF GRAHAM AVENUE The City is requesting several vacations of street right-of-way located in the former Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course property, Rainbow Memorial Park and a portion of recently dedicated N. Westfield Street. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the sites and surrounding area. Eight of the vacations are located on either the former Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course property or Rainbow Memorial Park, while one is located on recently dedicated N. Westfield Street dedicated by H2Oshkosh Ave. LLC. The City dedicated an unnamed street between Rath Lane and the N. Westfield Street extension which was to provide Oshkosh Corporation access to their global headquarters site. Since then the Army Corps of Engineers conducted a re-delineation of wetlands on the golf course property which removed and reduced some of the wetlands in the area. This caused the City to redesign the alignment of the unnamed street (now known as N. Koeller Street) to avoid the newly mapped wetlands. The City is recommending the vacation of the entire street segment to be followed by a new street dedication with the new alignment. The remainder of the vacations are located at the east end of the golf course property and Rainbow Memorial Park. During review of a preliminary Certified Survey Map for the golf course, research indicated that the aforementioned streets were not officially vacated, although the historic use of the lands were treated as if they were. This request is essentially a cleanup of the area by making the vacations official. Plan Commission Minutes 1 July 17,2018 Mr. Borsuk questioned if streets are vacated down the middle and then given to the adjacent property owners. Mr. Nau stated that is usually the case however during a partial street vacation of Rainbow Drive, property owners were given back the south 33 feet of Rainbow Drive. The north 33 feet of Rainbow Drive will revert back to parkland. Mr. Burich stated it is not always the case that street vacations are 50/50 going back to the adjacent property owners. If it can be proven the street dedication was taken all from one property owner, the street would revert back to the original property owner if vacated. Barb Repp 1506 Repp Avenue questioned why there was a 6 foot strip to the north of their property. She stated they sold a portion of their property and have an abstract showing that portion of Rainbow Drive was sold to the property owner to the north. Mr. Nau stated the road was never formally vacated according to City records and the proposed actions now would formalize that. Mr. Repp 1506 Repp Avenue questioned who the private property owners are that would get the vacated right or way and if there would be private development on the parkland to the north. Mr. Nau showed on a map the adjacent property owners that would receive the vacated right of way and stated there is no intention for private development to the north and that the vacated right of way will be park. Motion by Propp to approve the street right-of-way vacation on a Portion of N. Westfield Street, all of Unnamed Street between Rath Lane to N. Westfield Street,portion of N. Eagle Street, all of Butte Des Morts Street, all of Shomin Street, all of Water Street,portion of Rainbow Drive, all of Public Alley between Shomin Street & Rainbow Drive, all of Public Alley between Butte Des Morts Street & Shomin Street, portion of Graham Avenue. Seconded by Ford. Motion carried 8-0. II. THREE-LOT LAND DIVISION/CERTIFIED SURVEY MAP AT FORMER LAKESHORE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE The petitioner requests approval of a three-lot land division/CSM from one existing lot and outlot located in the former Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course property. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. A change to the right-of- way configuration is being proposed,resulting in a slightly smaller Lot 1 and larger Outlot area. As such, division of the outlot into two smaller outlots is being proposed. Staff does not have concerns with the change to Lot 1 as the size reduction is minimal. The small sizes and irregular shapes of the Plan Commission Minutes 2 July 17,2018 proposed outlots make them undevelopable. However, the City does have the option to dispose of the outlots to the adjacent properties to create larger lots for potential redevelopment. Mr. Hinz questioned if the area to the east of Lot 2 on the CSM would be incorporated into the park. Mr. Nau responded it would be part of the park. Mr. Ford questioned what Outlot 1 and Outlot 2 could be used for. Mr. Nau stated they are undevelopable at this time but could be disposed to adjacent property owners. Ms. Propp stated she would support the outlots being retained for a trial connection to the park. Motion by Borsuk to approve a three-lot land division/CSM from one existing lot and outlot located in the former Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course property. Seconded by Hinz. Motion carried 8-0. III. STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF N.KOELLER STREET The petitioner requests the dedication of street right-of-way for an extension of N. Koeller Street between Rath Lane and N. Westfield Street. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. He stated on February 13, 2018, the Common Council approved the dedication an unnamed street between Rath Lane and the N. Westfield Street extension which was to provide Oshkosh Corporation access to their global headquarters site. Since that time, the Army Corps of Engineers conducted a re-delineation of wetlands on the golf course property which removed and reduced some of the wetlands in the area. This caused the City to redesign the alignment of the unnamed street (now known as N. Koeller Street) to avoid the newly mapped wetlands. To simplify the process, the City is recommending the vacation of the entire unnamed street segment (Item I) and a new dedication of an extension of N. Koeller Street with the new layout. The proposed 80-foot wide right-of-way will accommodate four-lane streets and provide area for public sidewalks and ample terrace area for terrace trees and snow storage. There was no discussion on the item. Motion by Perry to approve the dedication of street right-of-way for an extension of N. Koeller Street between Rath Lane and N. Westfield Street. Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 8-0. Plan Commission Minutes 3 July 17,2018 IV. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A PATIO IN THE FRONT YARD AT 1215 GEORGIA STREET The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City's Residential Design Standards to allow construction of a patio in the front yard at 1215 Georgia Street. Mr. Wiley presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The applicant approached Planning Services staff regarding the possibility of constructing a patio on the subject property. The principal structure is situated closer to the rear lot line than it is to the front lot line. Staff and the applicant realized that the placement of the principal structure on the lot would not afford enough room for a patio that could be usable and comply with SR-9 required setbacks. The applicant proposed a scheme that would include a patio and landscaping in the front yard and face South Park. After evaluating the petitioner's application and site plan, and discussing the proposal and variance internally, staff is of the opinion that the proposed patio and landscaping will not adversely impact the curb appeal of the subject property or neighborhood beyond. Mr. Vajgrt returned at 4:25 PM. Motion by Propp to approve a variance from the City's Residential Design Standards to allow for the construction of a patio in the front yard at 1215 Georgia Street with the following conditions and finding: Condition: 1. Patio shall be located outside of the required front and side yard setbacks. 2. Existing front concrete walk shall be removed during construction of new patio. 3. Patio shall be at grade. 4. Applicant shall install landscaping as mentioned in the application and shown on the proposed site plan. 5. Work shall be started within 6 months of variance approval and completed within one year of approval. Finding: 1. The variance will not be contrary to the public interest because the installation of the front yard patio will not adversely affect the structure's architectural design, the neighborhood character, or curb appearance of the block. Seconded by Vagjrt. Mr. Fojtik stated this design looks really nice and would like staff to consider allowing tasteful patios and decks in the front yard as a way to bring people to the front yards. Ms. Propp stated it looks very nice and is a good idea. Motion carried 9-0. Plan Commission Minutes 4 July 17,2018 V. INDUSTRIAL DESIGN STANDARDS VARIANCE TO ALLOW A NEW ADDITION CLAD WITH CLASS IV EXTERIOR MATERIALS AT 3740 FISK AVENUE The applicant is requesting approval of a variance from the City's Industrial Design Standards to allow a new addition clad with Class IV exterior materials at 3740 Fisk Avenue. Mr. Wiley presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area. The petitioners approached Planning Services staff and explained that they would like to construct a new addition to the existing office/customer training facility. The new addition will include new classrooms and shop bays. The petitioners would use metal wall panels to clad the building. The metal wall panels were selected to ensure a consistent appearance between the new addition and the existing building. Staff recognizes the nature of the existing building, and location of the site among other properties owned by Oshkosh Corporation. The proposed addition would be located behind the existing building away from the main street corner. If the property was located in a more prominent location or the existing building was clad with higher quality materials, staff would have more inclination to recommend denial of the variance request. Staff does,however,believe that the Plan Commission can consider imposing a number of conditions on the variance. Ms. Propp stated it is not very visible from the road and will support the variance. Motion by Vajgrt to approve a variance from the City's Industrial Design Standards to allow for construction of a new addition clad in Class IV materials with the following conditions and finding: Condition: 1. Petitioner shall install landscaping to help soften or break up the view of the new addition and screen the area from Fisk Avenue. 2. Petitioner shall submit an acceptable landscaping plan and obtain approval from the Department of Community Development. 3. Colors of the cladding on the new addition shall be similar in appearance to that of the cladding on the original building. 4. Any additional work involving the exterior of the property shall be filed as a separate request(s)for review by the Department of Community Development and the Plan Commission. Finding: 1. The variance is needed so that the spirit of the ordinance is observed. Seconded by Hinz. Motion carried 9-0. Plan Commission Minutes 5 July 17,2018 VI. REVIEW OF 2017 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Ms. Brandt presented the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the period of May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018 summarizing accomplishments and detailing how funds received from HUD were expended. Funding is received annually from HUD based on census data and is required to be utilized on programs benefiting low to moderate income objectives such as housing, public services/facilities, acquisition and demolition,neighborhood initiatives, and planning/administration. Available funding for 2017 was$1,115,137.87 comprised of$761,417.00 of grant funding and$353,720.87 of program income with expenditures totaling$1,050,381 with a percentage of 99% of current funding expended to benefit low and moderate income, 12.58%for public service programs, and 8.52%for administration activities. Ms. Brandt explained some of the projects these funds were utilized for such as housing rehabilitation projects and homebuyer assistance loans, lead abatement grants, rental rehabilitation, and neighborhood initiatives/services. She also summarized the amounts granted to local public service sub-recipients,funding spent on demolition of slum and blight properties in the central city,neighborhood projects, acquisition of two properties in neighborhood areas to be demolished, oversight of programs involving Fair Housing issues, and total planning and administration expenditures. She discussed the carryover of funds from last year and why this occurs. She also reviewed a report on the low to moderate income programs served by this funding. Ms. Brandt stated that the full CAPER report has been prepared and will be submitted to HUD,who will perform a comprehensive review of the program activity. A copy of this report is available in the Planning office, library or online for anyone who wishes to review it. Any comments on this report can be either mailed or emailed to her. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:40 pm. (Vajgrt/Hinz) Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services Plan Commission Minutes 6 July 17,2018