Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes June 13, 2018 Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Anne Krogstad, Paul Schultz, Kurt Schrang, Kent Johnson and Jeremy Flint Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Ald. Shaw and Chris Dehnert 2. Approve the May 9, 2018 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the May 9, 2018 minutes; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Mueller Square – Consider/approve a Master Sign Plan at 524 E. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained this is for approval of a master sign plan for a building with entrances on 3 different streets and contains multiple tenants. Photos of existing building signage were shown which includes a variety of types, colors, backgrounds and styles. Staff worked with the applicant to create a master sign plan to make all signage look more cohesive, bring signage into compliance with code and allow for individual branding. Weber noted the Cousin’s in the building is going through a branding change and plans to conform to the requirements of the master sign plan. Members were concerned because one section of the building has no fascia but no tenants currently have any signage there. If that changes, then the master sign plan will need to be adjusted to accommodate the request and back to AC for approval. Motion by Flint to approve the Master Sign Plan for Mueller Square, 524 E. Wisconsin Avenue, as submitted; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Mill’s Fleet Farm Gas Station / Convenience Store / Car Wash – Reconsider / reapprove Building Plans at 1501 Pabst Farms Blvd: Weber explained this applicant is requesting approval of several changes they made to the gas station / convenience store / car wash which were different than previously approved by the Architectural Commission. Staff was displeased that the applicant went ahead with changes to the building without notifying the City and told the applicant that only staff has the authority to approve / deny any changes. Building changes included removal of one overhead door on the west elevation; removal of one overhead garage door and replacement of 2 doors painted to match wall panels on the east elevation; move one door further north on the east elevation; remove one double-door on the south elevation; added a second storefront entry door in the arched entry on the west side of the south elevation; added a second storefront entry door and glazing on the east side of the south elevation; removed “FF” building signage on the east side of the south elevation; and added a 6’ tall stained cedar board mechanical screen and access gate to hide the mechanicals on the northwest inside corner of the building. Staff suggested additional changes to give the building a more cohesive look which included: add a second window to the left of the door and add a large “FF” logo on the center of the large metal wall on the south elevation; and change the cedar board mechanical screen to match the building materials with a cedar board wood gate. Lastly, staff was at the site and noted that venting has been installed without staff’s knowledge which is contrary to the minutes of 4/12/17 when the original plans were approved. Adam Almquist of Stephen Perry Smith Architects explained construction was in process when Fleet Farm changed the design of the convenience store / car wash to remove one car wash bay and move the mechanical equipment there, and make the store larger. In order to keep the project moving they didn’t notify staff of the changes but agree that they should have. Almquist believes the design of the store has been improved on the south elevation with these changes and requested the window not be added as suggested by staff. They removed the overhead doors because they got rid of the car wash bay. In addition, they thought they were supposed to minimize the venting and match nearby materials. They are trying to keep venting off the north / south sides of the roof and intend to paint whatever venting is on the building. Almquist said they assumed that permits were being reviewed and that planning staff was informed. Members comments included to leave the entry as proposed without the addition of another window; at what point does changing the design become a serious issue; agree they should have pointed out the changes timely but they don’t wreck the original design; doesn’t think it’s a drastic change but it should have been brought to AC’s attention; and okay with changes but should include some additional concessions such as larger / more mature trees. Motion by Schultz to reapprove the changes to the building plans for the Mill’s Fleet Farm Gas Station / Convenience Store / Car Wash at 1501 Pabst Farms Blvd subject to the addition of the FF logo to be located in the middle of the precast ribbed wall area on the south elevation; approval of the trash enclosure and door changes on the south elevation as submitted; request an increase in the caliber of the landscaping 2-fold for the project with staff to administratively approve said landscaping; and any rooftop venting should be minimized and colored to blend into the building; second by Flint. Motion carried 5-0. S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\6-13-18.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 June 13, 2018 5. Tower Ridge Apartments – Consider/approve Building Plans at 265 Thurow Drive: Weber explained this request is for approval of plans for two 18-unit apartment buildings to be located by the water tower on the east side of the City. This is the same site as a previously approved 48-unit complex. Materials include split face CMU block; smart siding; architectural shingles; stucco finish panels; engineered trim; painted steel railings; and a low profile roof pitch. Colors will be earth tones; a landscaping plan has been included; and the dumpsters will be located in the underground parking garage. HVAC units are shown as cream colored, and staff agrees their location helps break up the wall composition. Weber recommended approval contingent on that the lighting be individual unit based so that they can be turned off / on by each unit owner, and all mechanicals be minimized and painted to match adjacent building materials. Tim Seidel, architect and Dave Hoffman, building owner, provided material samples and colors. They intend for the building to have a prairie /craftsman style with earth tone colors. Seidel noted their intent is to have a more severe overhang for the roof and said other roof pitches they tried added bulk to the building. Members liked the colors, architectural detail and roofline on the building. The members asked that they reconsider steel railings and suggested white aluminum instead; consider adding detail to the smaller gable ends; add larger vent detail to the other larger gables; and raise the HVAC units (“Majic Paks”) on the second story so they are located above the white band. Seidel agreed to work with staff on the railings. Motion by Nelezen to approve the building plans for Tower Ridge Apartments at 265 Thurow Drive subject to raising the “Majic Paks” above the white continuous band around all sides of the building; the railings on the individual balconies are to be aluminum instead of steel; include decorative venting in the gable ends; and all rooftop units are to be screened and all rooftop and elevation venting should be minimized and colored to blend into the building; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Silver Lake Street Senior Housing – Discuss Building Plans at 1101 Silver Lake Street: Weber explained this is an opportunity to review the building plans for an 80 unit senior complex to be located on Silver Lake Street. The applicant is requesting feedback on the design, colors, rooflines, massing and articulation. The applicant, Aaron Matter provided information on the site; building location; underground parking; central courtyard and building heights. Jeremy Bartlett of Thrive Architects said they are proposing a mix of Cheyenne masonry brick; a monumental masonry product for the base; rust red smart siding; terracotta roof shingles; and a parapet for screening the rooftop mechanicals. The average roof heights will be 45’ at the rear and 34’ at the street. The dumpsters will be located internally. Bartlett handed out photos of other buildings which they took inspirations from for their building. Members thought it was a good start; suggested they do not make their presentation next time as a flat drawing; they liked the 3rd floor layout on the handout and suggested a slightly different color of brick in this location; and suggested screening some of the corner units, particularly on the golf course side of the building. Staff requested that concept images be included in the next packet as they are helpful. No action was taken. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planner: Gallo explained at the last meeting members requested the vinyl windows of a proposed senior living project be a different color than white as presented. Nothing was submitted to staff for review since the last meeting, but the applicant was at the meeting with tan and brown samples of the windows for the members to review along with pictures of what each color would look like on the building. Members agreed the tan was acceptable, and staff will follow up with the applicant. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: Members requested clarification on the color of Fleet Farm’s silo feature. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Schrang to adjourn at 6:29 pm; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\6-13-18.doc