Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes February 14, 2018 The meeting was called to order by the Deputy Clerk at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Kurt Schrang, Jeremy Flint and Paul Schultz Members Excused: Kent Johnson and Anne Krogstad Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Ald. Shaw and Chris Dehnert Due to the absence of Chairman Johnson, motion by Schultz to nominate Flint as Chairman pro-tem; second by Schrang. Motion carried 3-0. 2. Approve the December 13, 2017 and January 10, 2018 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the December 13, 2017 minutes; second by Schultz. Motion carried 3-0. Motion by Schrang to approve the January 10, 2018 minutes; second by Schultz. Motion carried 3-0. 3. Aldi – Consider/approve a Special Exception for Signage at 1521 Unity Drive: Weber explained this applicant is requesting approval to update their wall signs, increase the height of the existing ground sign and add temporary signage for their location which is currently undergoing a 2200 sf building addition. The request to increase the height of their ground sign and the number and duration of temporary signage requires a special exception be granted for each. In 2007 the Architectural Commission approved a special exception for Aldi to be allowed 3 wall signs with channel letters. They are now proposing to replace the 3 wall signs with cabinet signs which are smaller in proportion to the building. Staff is comfortable with the compact look and recommends approval of these signs. The applicant is also requesting to increase the height of their ground sign from 8’ to 14.12’ due to the height difference caused when WIS 67 was reconstructed. A survey from Pinnacle Engineering has been included which verifies the existing grade elevation at the curb. The base of the sign will be landscaped. Staff recommends approval of the increase in height for their ground sign and requests that the applicant provide a detailed landscaping plan. The applicant is also requesting temporary signage which includes 3 double-sided banners, 2 double-sided construction signs and 6 single-sided banners. These signs are intended to be displayed during the construction to help customers identify when they are open / closed and how to get around the building. The number of temporary signs and duration exceeds code, and 3 of the banners exceed size requirements. Staff is comfortable with the number of temporary signs and requests the members to determine size and if the duration is warranted. Members questioned the height difference with the road as shown on the plans as they want to be consistent with all signs affected by the grade difference on WIS 67. Gallo recommended that the members make separate motions on each type of signage and include rationale for granting or denying approval. The applicant, Tom Howald of Aldi, Inc. arrived late for the meeting. He said the temporary signage is very important, with the most important sign facing WIS 67. He said while they prefer to have all 3 banners they would like one on Unity Drive and could remove the one on the west elevation. The construction will last over 10 weeks and without signage it doesn’t appear like they are open. Howald said they would like to have the temporary signage up for 60 days at the most and without this signage they would have a hardship. Gallo noted planning staff follows through with violations when there are issues. Members questioned code requirements; recommended removing signs E1 and C1; suggested different sizes the signs could be changed to in order to get them within code requirements; and suggested removing the small temporary sign by the ground sign as the lettering on it is small and hard to read. Motion by Schultz to approve the special exception for the ground sign as submitted at 14.12 feet; second by Schrang. Motion carried 3-0. Motion by Schultz that the 3 new 5’x15’ wall signs are allowed because the 3 previous signs were approved by a special exception; second by Schrang. Motion carried 3-0. Motion by Schultz for a special exception for temporary signage on the north and east elevations that can be up to 5’x15’ and the west side of the parking lot on Unity Drive can be up to 8’x4’ (32 sf); second by Schrang. Schultz stated the reason is that Code allows up to 32 sf on each face of the building and this building has 3 faces. Members discussed with Howald the different size combinations of the temporary signage as to what may work best on the building. Motion carried 3-0. The members clarified the temporary signage is allowed while the building is under construction and when completed, the signage can remain up for no more than 30 days past the grand opening. 4. Reports and comments from the City Planner:  2017 Planning Department Annual Report – Weber presented the Planning Department’s annual report, noting that the members of the Architectural Commission had approved 17 building reviews, 1 project and 11 signage requests for a total of 29 items. In addition, the application form was updated by staff and all Architectural Commission packets S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\2-14-18.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 February 14, 2018 were available in 2017 for viewing by the public on the City’s website. It was a very busy year and City staff recognized the Architectural Commission members for the work that they did during 2017. 5. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: Schrang will be unavailable for the March Architectural Commission meeting. 6. Adjourn: Motion by Schultz to adjourn at 5:50 pm; second by Schrang. Motion carried 3-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\2-14-18.doc  Department of City Planning Kristi Weber | 262.569.2173 oconomowoc-wi.gov/planning Architectural Commission Background March 14th 2018 : 5:00 pm at City Hall in Conference Room #3 Item #3 – 128 Silver Lake Plaza Building; Master Sign Plan The 128 Silver Lake Plaza Building had received approval by the Architectural Commission on December 13th 2017 for a façade update. At that time the Property Owner was informed that a Master Sign Plan (§17.609(3)(a)) was needed since it is a multi-tenant building (first floor retail/office with residential above). In February 2018, it has come to the attention of the Planning Department that two tenants have since occupied the first floor space. One tenant has installed a projecting sign, and the other had requested Administrative Sign approval. Planning Staff had notified the Property Owner and placed the property under non-compliance for signage. Now the tenants are requesting approval from the Architectural Commission for a Master Sign Plan. Front Façade – Projecting Signs & Window Signs (§17.607(3)) & (§17.603(1)(h)) The applicant is proposing projecting signs and window/door signs only. Both types of signage meet code requirements and no special exceptions are being requested at this time. Based on the location of the building, projecting signs maximize each tenant’s visibility to E. Wisconsin Avenue. Commissioners to determine if the signs proposed are acceptable with different sizes and brackets. South Elevation – Wall Signs (§17.607(1)) The building location offers great exposure to Silver Lake Street. The applicant is requesting #5, (1) wall sign per tenant permitted on the south building wall. Total square footage of signage not to exceed 1.5 square feet per lineal foot of building face. Plus condition #6, the tenant wall signs not to exceed 50 SF. Even though the existing tenants are interested only in projecting signs, at this time, they/future tenants may want to utilize signage on the south elevation. Planning Staff is okay with offering the additional visibility to the businesses on the south elevation. Rear Façade – No Signage The applicant does not request any signage on the rear façade of the building. Planning Staff conducted a site visit and concurs with the applicant to keep signage on the east and south elevations. Property Owner Approval The property owner, David Byczek (Oconomowoc Holdings LLC), has contacted the Planning Staff via email and approves of the Master Sign Plan as submitted to the Architectural Commission. Note: Pending approval of the Master Sign Plan, the tenants can apply for a sign permit from Building Inspection located on the second floor of City Hall for $25. Recommendation: Approve the Master Sign Plan for 128 Silver Lake Plaza Building located at 128 Silver Lake Plaza.  Architectural Commission Meeting Background March 14, 2018 – Page 2 Item #4 – The Roots Coffeebar & Cafe; Master Sign Plan The Roots Coffeebar & Café is requesting approval from the Architectural Commission for a Master Sign Plan at 124 E. Wisconsin Avenue. The applicant had received approval by the Architectural Commission on November 8th 2017 for new paint, and a corrugated metal awning on the E. Wisconsin Avenue facade. At that time, the applicant didn’t know what type of signage they would like on the Wisconsin Avenue façade. Understanding that they have a multi-tenant building with the coffeebar fronting Wisconsin Avenue and additional tenants on the rear/lakeside, with offices above. In February 2018, the applicant requested approval for a wall sign for the coffeebar & café. At that time, Planning Staff requested knowledge of all signs to be placed on the Wisconsin Avenue elevation to be brought forward to the Architectural Commission for a Master Sign Plan review. Rear/Lakeside Signs The applicant is not proposing any changes on the rear/lakeside elevation signage. Wall Sign (§17.607(1)) The applicant had removed their previous “The Roots Coffeebar & Café” wall sign when they painted the E. Wisconsin Avenue façade. The applicant is proposing to install a new sign in the same location. The sign meets City Code and Planning Staff supports the new wall sign. Hanging Signs The applicant is going to reinstall their awning frame in the same location, with the previously approval corrugated metal top. Then the applicant is proposing to install individual tenant hanging signs from the awning. • One hanging sign per tenant (10”x40”). • Spacing based on awning frame. • The sign would be white with black lettering. • Double sided. • No logos. • Font will vary. • 83” (6’-11”) clearance from the sidewalk. • No additional lighting under the awning. Note: Pending approval of the Master Sign Plan, the tenants can apply for a sign permit from Building Inspection located on the second floor of City Hall for $25. Recommendation: Approve the Master Sign Plan for The Roots Coffeebar & Cafe located at 124 E. Wisconsin Avenue.  Master Sign Plan 128 Silver Lake Plaza Property Owner: Oconomowoc Holdings LLC 333 Bishops Way Suite 141 Brookfield WI 53005 It is intended that the signs for the property located 128 Silver Lake Plaza, Oconomowoc WI 53066 (the “Property”) be designed, executed, and maintained in a manner that results in an attractive appearance in harmony with the architecture of the building. Signs will be well designed and proportioned. This master sign program is intended to give standards and guidelines to signs and business identification in the development by overall control of size, color, location and sign characteristics. Each sign covered by this master sign program must be permitted separately and meet the provisions of the City of Oconomowoc Sign Code, as it may be amended from time to time. TENANT SIGNS ~ All signs will be: 1. Per City Code, projecting signs may not project more than 5’ into the public right-of-way. 2. Per City Code, the maximum area for projecting signs is 12 SF. 3. The projecting sign shall be located along the horizontal band between the first and second floors. 4. Tenants are allowed to add signage to the windows/doors of the building as long as they meet the 25% coverage allowed by the City Code 17.603(1)(h). 5. (1) wall sign per tenant permitted on the south building wall. Total square footage of signage shall not exceed 1.5 square feet per lineal foot of building face. 6. Individual tenant wall signs not to exceed 50 SF. 7. Corporate logos, crests, or shields may be used in conjunction with text when logo are part of a corporate identity. 8. All signs should have steady illumination. No flashing or blinking lights will be permitted. SIGN APPROVALS ~ A sign permit must be obtained from the City of Oconomowoc before any construction of any sign can commence. All signs are subject to the criteria in the Master Sign Plan. This sign criteria has been submitted to the City of Oconomowoc’s Planning & Zoning Department and is subject to the Cities approval. All sign criteria must meet the Cities requirements.