Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2017 Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Jeremy Flint, Kent Johnson, Anne Nelezen and Paul Schultz Members Excused: Kurt Schrang Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Robert Duffy, Ald. Shaw, Ald. Rosek and Chris Dehnert 2. Approve Minutes of February 8, 2017: Motion by Schultz to approve the February 8, 2017 minutes; second by Nelezen. Motion carried 3 – 0 – 1 (Flint abstained). 3. 1230 Corporate Center Drive – Consider/approve master sign plan at 1230 Corporate Center Drive: Weber explained this request is for approval of a sign plan for a multi-tenant building located off WIS 67 which currently does not have a plan on file. Existing signage on the building consists of cabinet boxes which will be removed as tenants request new signage. New signs will consist of internally illuminated individual channel letters on a raceway painted to match the building. Logos will be allowed and tenants can use their own branding font style. The plan also allows tenants to have vinyl graphics on the rear entrance doors. Originally the applicant had requested a maximum 60” height of text which concerned staff with the potential for two lines of stacked text. Staff also requested that signs be centered between the solider brick courses on the front façade. The applicant agreed and updated their plan to allow for a maximum 40” text height and centered as requested by staff. Weber noted the master sign plan has been approved by the Corporate Center Owner’s Association Review Board subject to City approval. Staff recommends approval subject to all tenant building signs on the front façade having a maximum sign height of 40” and centered between the solider brick courses. Ramona Marenda of Lemberg Electric appreciated staff’s help with preparing the master sign plan. She has no issues with setting the maximum text height at 40” or with centering the signage between the solider brick courses on the front façade. Marenda added all signage requests must be approved by the Association’s Review Board before it comes to the City. Weber confirmed that all future signage requests can be approved administratively as long as they comply. Motion by Flint to approve the master sign plan for 1230 Corporate Center Drive with the following 2 conditions: 1) maximum sign height for tenant signage shall be 40”on the front façade; and 2) tenant wall signage shall be centered between the soldier brick courses on the front façade; second by Nelezen. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Firestone – Consider/approve building plans at 1688 Old Schoolhouse Road: Weber explained the applicant’s original building plans were reviewed at the last Architectural Commission meeting and the members suggested changes at that time. The applicant updated their plans which now include the following changes: North elevation (interior) – added gable with brackets and a window on the west end, increased the height on the middle building; South elevation (facing Valley Road) – continued gable thru, increased the height on the middle building, reduced the number of and elongated the windows, added awnings and landscaping; East elevation – changed to all brick and added awnings over the doors; and West elevation - added gable with brackets and a window, and added landscaping. Weber requested clarification of the materials and colors and location of lighting. She pointed out other buildings in the development which have lighting tucked under awnings and suggested the same on this building along with wall mounted fixtures where necessary. Katie Kawczynski of VJS Construction Services agreed and said they will tuck most of the lighting under the awnings wherever possible. Weber noted the proposed trash enclosure consists of cedar and suggested instead that it consist of building materials and wood gates like others in the development. Staff reviewed the location of the rooftop mechanicals and said they should be okay as they will be located behind the middle parapet wall. However, if any part of them is visible then they must be screened and all venting should be screened or colored to blend in with the roof. Weber recommended approval with the conditions listed in the background. Kawczynski said the dumpster enclosure will consist of a cream colored base and brick to match the building. Other materials include cream colored split-face CMU for the building’s base, hardiplank siding and awnings to match the other building under construction in the development and brackets to match the US Bank/Jimmy John’s building. Flint questioned the brick grout and suggested a monolithic grout color which Kawczynski agreed. The members thought the whole submittal was a remarkable improvement over the original. Flint suggested instead of one canopy over the two doors on the east elevation that it would look better with two separate canopies. Motion by Schultz to approve the building plans for Firestone at 1688 Old Schoolhouse Road with the following conditions: On the east elevation the single canopy over the two doors should be two separate canopies, and the trash enclosure is to have a cream color base with matching brick and paneled wood gate, along with the remaining staff recommendations; second by Nelezen. Motion carried 4-0. Johnson said this building was a really good example of the process when the applicant works with staff to create a good looking building. S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2017\3-8-17.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 March 8, 2017 5. Firestone – Consider/approve a special exception for signage plans at 1688 Old Schoolhouse Road: Weber explained the applicant is requesting approval of a special exception for their signage plans which include four wall signs (3 business at 74.2 sf each and 1 brand name at 17.25 sf). Per code, a building is allowed up to two wall signs with the maximum sign area at 50 sf per sign. Based on the building’s location, size and visibility, staff is comfortable with this request and recommends approval of a special exception for their signage plans. Gallo noted this building is comprised of one large building with a single tenant so the signage is proportionate for the building. Motion by Flint to approve a special exception for the signage plans for Firestone at 1688 Old Schoolhouse Road as submitted; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. 6. Reports and comments from the City Planner: None. 7. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: Johnson inquired about a situation at the Guardian Software building. Gallo said he met with MSI representatives and found there are two separate issues at this building. First, the existing rooftop mechanical unit was being replaced and it was larger than the previous unit. They also had dumpsters on the site. Gallo said they are going to screen the rooftop units and place a coral around the dumpsters which should be done by the next meeting. He also reminded the members of the Special Architectural Commission meeting on March 22 at 5 pm. 8. Adjourn: Motion by Schultz to adjourn at 5:36 pm; second by Nelezen. Motion carried 4-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2017\3-8-17.doc