Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes May 9, 2018 The Deputy Clerk called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Jeremy Flint, Anne Krogstad, Paul Schultz and Kurt Schrang Members Excused: Kent Johnson Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Bob Duffy, Ald. Charlie Shaw and Chris Dehnert Due to the absence of Chairman Johnson, motion by Schultz to nominate Flint as Chairman pro-tem; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 3-0-1 (Flint abstained). 2. Approve the March 14, 2018 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the March 14, 2018 minutes; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. 3. Towner Crest Senior Housing – Consider/approve Building Plans to be located South of Lisbon Road, West of Brown Street across from Spruce Court: Weber stated this is for approval of a 74,000 sf footprint and 224,000 sf building complex to be located on recently annexed land on Lisbon Road. The building will have an underground garage, transition from 1 to 4 stories tall based on the topography of the land and have one main entrance along with a secondary access point. The building has many faces and elevations, consists of earth tone colors, and the property has many mature trees which assist with breaking up the building. The service area and trash enclosures will be located on the backside of the building tucked in between two wings. There is a rooftop terrace consisting of a woven mesh metal railing system for the memory care suite. Signs are shown on the plans but there is no action on them this evening. Staff recommends approval and requests that all mechanical equipment be screened and venting is to match the adjacent color. Dawn Wieczorek of In Site Architects and Joshua Pudelko of Trio Engineering provided samples of the various materials which included cultured stone; 3 types of siding; heather blend shingles; dark brown fascia; dark bronze aluminum balcony railings; columns wrapped in cedar siding to match the building; storefront windows at the entry and white vinyl windows on all residential areas. Members liked the building design and colors except they did not like the white vinyl windows and requested they be changed to a dark material. Gallo suggested the applicant provide a rendering with the white vinyl windows so the members can see what they would look like. Motion by Schultz to approve the building plans for the Towner Crest Senior Housing to be located South of Lisbon Road, West of Brown Street across from Spruce Court with the exception that the windows be changed from a white vinyl to a bronze color; the applicant is to come back to the next Architectural Commission meeting for review; and all rooftop units are to be screened and any rooftop venting should be minimized and colored to blend into the building; second by Schrang. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Brisk Residence – Consider/approve Building Plans at 307 N. Lake Road: Weber explained this applicant previously appeared in front of the Architectural Commission in 2016 for approval of a wrap-around porch and upper deck on their home which is located in the Isthmus District. They are now requesting approval to square up the previously approved rounded steps and add a portico on the south side of the residence. This property is also on tonight’s Plan Commission meeting for a vacation of Rockwell Street which, if denied, they will not be allowed to move forward with the plans for the portico. Staff recommends approval of the plans contingent on approval of the road vacation this evening. Mike Trego of Trego Architects explained they will match previously approved railings on the 2nd floor, the grade will come up during the renovation so 1st floor porch railings will not be necessary, the base of the deck will be lattice with plantings around it, and there was an issue with the rail system for the widow’s walk so it is not moving forward at this time. The members thought the plans were well done and very historical. They also preferred to see the widow’s walk completed as previously approved. Joseph Brisk explained there is more involved with the widow’s walk as they found out they will need to replace the roof of the home. However, he agreed when they do this work they will add the widow’s walk. Motion by Schrang to approve the building plans for the Brick residence at 307 N. Lake Road contingent on the vacation of Rockwell Street being approved and include the widow’s walk into the plans, which are to be reviewed by the Architectural Commission; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0. 5. Weston Meadows Phase II – Consider/approve Building Plans for multi-family apartments on Reddelien Road (Tax Key #OCOC.0553.989.001): Weber explained the applicant is requesting approval of six-8 unit residential apartment buildings which will be located next to the RR tracks on the west side of the City. This applicant intends to use the same S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\5-9-18.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 May 9, 2018 materials and colors that were used on his apartment complex in Ixonia which include brick with vinyl siding. The dumpster enclosure consists of brick walls with composite wood gates. The HVAC units will be located on the side of the buildings, and staff requests that the units be screened and any venting should be minimized and colored to blend into the building. Weber also explained the applicant intends to add two more buildings which would be located between buildings 2 and 5. Staff is requesting when the applicant receives approval that the land is okay to build on, that planning staff be allowed to administratively review and approve the plans for these 2 additional buildings. Weber agrees the proposed plans are cohesive with other buildings in the development, and she recommends approval. Mike Herro, property owner, explained excess fill was dumped in this area which ultimately created an isolated wetland. He is working with the DNR for approval of this area which he said once it dries up, should be acceptable to build on. Herro confirmed he is planning to use all the same materials as his other development as he is pleased with them. Members agreed with the design, materials and colors. Motion by Schrang to approve the building plans for the Weston Meadows Phase II multi-family apartments on Reddelien Road subject to any visible HVAC units being screened and any venting on elevations being minimized and colored to blend into the building and the two additional buildings, if they are the same or similar as proposed, may be administratively approved by Planning staff; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. 6. First Congregational United Church of Christ – Consider/approve a digital ground sign at 815 S. Concord Road: Weber explained this applicant intends to remove their existing monument sign and replace it with a new digital sign with a bell. There was an issue with how far the sign would be set back. Staff recommends the sign be located 43’ from the road as the property line is 33’ from the center of the road plus the minimum 10’ setback. Weber also noted the application indicates the background of the sign will be white, and due to its location adjacent to residential properties, staff recommends the background be changed to opaque while the letters will appear white at night. The applicant also indicated there would be plantings by the sign, and staff requests they provide a planting plan. Dave Schnepf, Senior Pastor of First Congregational, explained the elevation of the old sign actually sits 6’ lower than the road, while the location they are proposing is higher and flat. Dale Vercauteren, church member, said the bell matches an existing bell, is stationary and the clapper has been removed. There will be 2 LED lights in the sign which will be on a dimmer switch. Vercauteren explained how they came to the square footage of the sign and agreed with changing the lettering from white to opaque. Members questioned the length of the property; does it contain their address on it; concerned the sign will look too small for the size of the property; and landscaping may help it stand out. Motion by Schultz to approve a digital ground sign for First Congregational United Church of Christ at 815 S. Concord Road subject to changing the background of the sign to opaque with the letters illuminated; square footage of the sign is acceptable as proposed; and landscaping around the base of the sign is to be reviewed by Planning Staff; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planner: None. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: Commissioner Flint thanked Gallo for speaking to the students at the high school last week. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Schrang to adjourn at 6:19 pm; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\5-9-18.doc