Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes January 10, 2018 Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Paul Schultz, Kurt Schrang, Kent Johnson and Jeremy Flint Members Excused: Anne Krogstad Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Ald. Shaw, Ald. Kowieski and Chris Dehnert 3. Casey’s General Store – Consider/approve building plans at the NE corner of E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Lapham Street: Weber explained this is for the approval of building plans for a new gas station to be located on Wisconsin Avenue between Lapham Street and Sheldon Road. The property is located in the 2nd phase of the Downtown Design Overlay District which is still in process. This project will also be moving forward to Plan Commission this evening. Proposed building materials include: brick and stone with steel sheeting on the rear elevation; flat security light fixtures on all building elevations; additional outdoor storage on the east side of the property; brick dumpster enclosure with a wood gate; and gas canopy which appears to be flat with one small gable for signage and steel columns. Weber questioned what the red material consists of on the front elevation of the building; suggested changing the gray steel sheeting to another color such as brown on the rear elevation; suggested adding landscaping along the storage area to the east; changing the light fixtures to goosenecks on the side and front elevations; questioned what color the gate will be on the dumpster enclosure; asked for verification of the gas canopy design and whether the fascia will be lit; and suggested wrapping the columns of the gas canopy in brick and adding a faux window on the west elevation only. Gallo explained the west elevation of the store will have a visual presence from both Wisconsin Avenue and Lapham. Lastly Weber noted the applicant supplied a rooftop plan which shows the mechanicals will be screened on all sides. She requested that any additional venting on the roof be minimized and colored to match. Weber recommended approval of the building plans with the considerations as listed. Ryan Swanson of Arc Design had no material samples available this evening but offered to provide them to staff for approval. The red material on the front of the building consists of a metal cladding or siding, which will not be illuminated, only the letters and logo will be. Swanson agreed to look at a different color for the metal siding on the rear elevation; said there will also be a retaining wall and fence along the north elevation which will limit the amount of siding that is visible; a window on the west elevation is acceptable; and roof venting will be minimized, screened and colored to match. The gas canopy will not be lit and contain one small logo facing Wisconsin Avenue. Staff liked the other style with a raised peak with the logo on three sides. Swanson will consider gooseneck lighting but would like to see what it will look like with the fixtures and sconces planned for the front elevation. Members questioned the retaining wall and fence detail. Swanson explained the fence will be cedar, 6’ tall, either flat or shadowbox, and the finished side will face the neighbors. The fence will sit on top of a retaining wall, and the grade difference will be made up with the wall. Members said details on both the fence and retaining wall must be provided, and had concern over water runoff due to elevation issues. Gallo noted site plan issues are a function of the Plan Commission though the Architectural Commission needs to know how the wall and fence will sit on the property due to the grade issues. Without objection, Chairman Johnson permitted Alderman Kowieski to speak. He suggested adding a mural of Oconomowoc on the west elevation which would tie into Casey’s hometown branding. Members said the building looks too generic; liked either a faux window or mural on the west elevation; suggested a faux window with a red or metal canopy on either side of the entrance; add brackets on the front elevation; preferred the gas columns wrapped with brick; and suggested Swanson should “play” with the roofline on the east and south elevations to help reduce the view of the rooftop units. Staff also said advertising signage may help break up the front façade, and members suggested placing signage above the proposed canopies and under the light by the front entrance. Members were concerned over the amount of bollards in front of another Casey’s store shown during staff’s presentation and suggested they be decorative. Swanson said the bollards are used on every store and have a brown cover. Lastly members requested Swanson provide a sample board of colors and materials and that the Plan Commission look at fuel truck access / turning radius’ into the site. Gallo said staff has been provided a plan with this type of information. Motion by Schultz to postpone action on the building plans for Casey’s General Store at the NE corner of E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Lapham to next month’s meeting; second by Schrang. Motion carried 4-0. Members requested that any ice machine or firewood storage areas be included on the updated plans, which Swanson agreed. He will also include fence materials, elevations and where it will be installed. 4. Casey’s General Store – Consider/approve signage plans at the NE corner of E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Lapham Street: Weber explained this is for approval of the applicant’s request for signage for the gas station just discussed. There will be a ground sign, two main business signs and three canopy signs. The proposed ground sign is 8’ tall, brick and includes the S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\1-10-18.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 January 10, 2018 company name, logo and gasoline pricing. Weber said part of the sign is in a vision corner, and staff is working with the applicant for the best location. In addition, the lot has topography issues and drops off where the sign will be located. Staff questioned if the height of the monument sign is sufficient at 8’ and if not, would request a special exception on behalf of the applicant to increase the height so the top of the sign is 8’ taller than the delta of E. Wisconsin Avenue. Weber said the application shows the sign to be one-sided and requested that it be two-sided and landscaped. There are two main wall signs which exceed the amount allowed per code by 11.635’. Staff recommends reducing the square footage to the amount allowed. Members said a larger sign may be warranted once the façade changes. Weber said there were two additional advertising areas on the front façade previously shown on the building application which staff feels may help break up the front façade. Members requested the applicant come back with how the signs would look scaled to code requirements. Motion by Flint to postpone action on the signage plans for Casey’s General Store at the NE corner of E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Lapham to next month’s meeting; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. 5. Reports and comments from the City Planner: None. 6. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 7. Adjourn: Motion by Schrang to adjourn at 6:00 pm; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\1-10-18.doc