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TO: City of Oshkosh Plan Commission
FROM: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner
DATE: October 2, 2018
RE: Design Standards Variance-202 W. Melvin Avenue
BACKGROUND
The applicant approached Planning Services staff regarding the possibility of replacing the front
landing and steps on the property. The current landing and steps on the property are architecturally
integrated into the design of the front facade and they are constructed of concrete. The steps are
flanked by two brick piers. The applicant would like to demolish the brick piers and replace the
concrete landing and steps with steps constructed of composite decking. Staff determined that the
work proposed was an alteration under the Exterior Building Design Standards. Due to the fact that
the proposed alteration would not use the same materials as the original house, staff has determined
that Plan Commission review is required. The Plan Commission heard and discussed this item at the
September 41h Plan Commission meeting. Plan Commission laid the item over to the October 2nd Plan
Commission meeting in order to give staff and the applicant an opportunity to work together and try to
come up with an acceptable solution or at least exhaust all available options.
City staff had a couple of further conversations with the property owner. Staff asked the owner if she
was aware of the City Housing Rehab loan programs. The owner stated that she is unable to borrow
more money. Staff explained the need for the Plan Commission to see a rendition of what the
applicant's proposed work would look like. Staff visited the applicant's property with Ken Gresser,
City Housing Specialist and Curt Klaske, City Inspector and both recommended that staff ask the
applicant to obtain at least two quotes from licensed masons or concrete contractors to determine
whether the preservation of the knee walls would be prohibitively costly. Staff has reached out to a
number of contractors that the City has worked with in the past and is awaiting bids from them.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Plan Commission lay over this item up to the November 6th meeting for staff
to obtain the additional quotes and determine the viability of working with the existing porch and knee
wall structure.
City Hall,215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1 130 Oshkosh,W 154903-1 130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us