Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2018 Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Members Present: Kurt Schrang, Kent Johnson, Jeremy Flint, Anne Krogstad and Paul Schultz Staff Present: Jason Gallo, Kristi Weber, Ald. Shaw and Chris Dehnert 2. Approve the July 11, 2018 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the July 11, 2018 minutes; second by Flint. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Sherper’s – Consider/approve Special Exception for Wall Signage at 225 E. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained this is for a special exception for additional signage next to a wall mural to be placed on the west wall of an existing business in downtown Oconomowoc. The mural would be visible from both Wisconsin Avenue and Cross Street. Weber provided background on the mural project which is regulated by the Tourism Commission. The design of the mural has been approved by the Tourism Commission and is not considered a sign or part of this request. Sherper’s wishes to include a wall sign with this mural to be visible by eastbound traffic, which will require a special exception as they have wall signs on both the Silver Lake Plaza and Wisconsin Avenue elevations. Weber worked with the applicant on creating the additional sign to complement the proposed mural and showed the members several options. She was acting on behalf of the applicant who was unable to attend this evening’s meeting and said their preference was Option #2 which includes their logo. Staff recommends approval of the special exception conditioned on the applicant taking part in the Downtown Mural Project. The members agreed the sign would have great presence; they prefer Option #2; the signage should be centered between the edge of the building and the mural, and the scale of the signage is appropriate. Motion by Schrang to approve a special exception for wall signage at 225 E. Wisconsin Avenue, conditioned on using Option #2, moving the signage over and centering it between the building edge and the mural, and taking part in the Downtown Mural Project; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 4. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and School – Consider / approve a Master Sign Plan at 1650 Brown Street: Weber explained this is for approval of a master sign plan for a multi-tenant building which consists of the Church, school and children’s daycare. The applicant requested postponement last month to allow them more time to put together a cohesive sign package. Their plan is now updated which includes 1 ground sign with a readerboard, 2 regular ground signs, 2 wall signs and 3 crosses. The main ground sign will be 10.44’ tall and 69.52 sf and exceed code requirements for height and square footage. The applicant included information which explains their reasons for exceeding sign height and overall square footage. The sign will have an opaque background on a masonry base and includes a readerboard which exceeds code at 26.9% of the total sign area. The sign will be located by the main entrance on Brown Street and set back 33’ from the property line which is outside of the vision triangle. Staff supports all exceptions included with this proposed ground sign. Other signs include a secondary ground sign adjacent to Schumacher Street, a ground sign by the entrance to the child care center, a wall sign on the gym wall facing Brown Street, a wall sign to be located on the future addition to the church and 3 non-illuminated crosses. Staff has no issues with any of these signs and recommends approval. Members were concerned with granting the exceptions and questioned the road height of Brown Street where the main ground sign would be located. Gallo was also concerned with the request for exceptions and due to the setback and speed limit in the area, agreed with their request. Eric Ziel, Principal of St. Matthew’s School, Jeff Natzke of St. Matthew’s Church and Andy Sommers of Graphic House were present. Natzke noted the road, which is under construction, is going to be built up by 1” – 2”. Members noted this makes a difference and could justify the proposed height. Motion by Flint to approve the Master Sign Plan for St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and School at 1650 Brown Street as submitted; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Evin at Oconomowoc (formerly known as Silver Lake Street Senior Housing) – Consider/approve Building Plans at 1101 Silver Lake Street: Weber explained this is for approval of a senior housing complex to be located on Silver Lake Street. The building colors and design were inspired by St. Jerome’s Church and the Echelon Apartments in Wauwatosa. Materials include precast concrete panels, “Amber Rose” brick veneer, “Red Barn” Smart Siding, “Buff” horizontal banding and “Terracotta” True Definition shingles. There will also be a pergola by the golf cart path. Staff feels the building has too much mass and recommends stepping back the upper portion of the building; and the roof has a long S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\8-8-18.doc Architectural Commission Meeting 2 August 8, 2018 line and suggested dropping it in some spots to add movement and look segmented. Gallo added these suggestions were shared with the applicant and said they shouldn’t add cost. Staff requested additional information on the windows, frames, railings and materials to be used for the generator enclosure. There is no signage at this point, and when the applicant is ready to submit their signage plan staff will review to determine if it can be administratively approved. Weber recommends approval conditioned on all mechanicals being minimized and painted to match adjacent building materials and all issues being addressed. Aaron Matter of Matter Development, Jeremy Bartlett and Dave Raschka of Thrive Architects were present. Matter reviewed the plans and provided heights of the proposed development, noting they had presented a conceptual plan and received good feedback from the members and staff at last month’s meeting. Since then they have defined their color choices and siding materials; broke up the rooflines by bringing the overhangs back to make them look more like a dormer; carried the brick through the corners; and same or similar color tones as previously presented. They were concerned that with the roof as staff proposed, the porches won’t line up as planned. They also offered to go to a lighter color brick. Members preferred the lighter shade of brick and suggested bringing the brick down one level in place of siding; preferred a brown roof over the current color; would like the corner units to look like previously shown in a sample photo presented at the last meeting; and like the darker shade of brick for the 2nd / 3rd floors. Weber requested the PTAC units match siding color. She also suggested the wall by the front entrance should either be changed or landscaping added by it; and questioned what color the railings and window frames will be. Matter would like to stay in the same color family; loves the current shingle color; and will add the corner element from the Echelon building. Bartlett said the building will have fiberglass windows with dark brown frames and aluminum railings. Motion by Schultz to approve the building plans for Evin at Oconomowoc at 1101 Silver Lake Street subject to the roofline as proposed; inclusion of brick on the corners of the building; the use of a lighter brick color; roof color as proposed; with dark brown railings and window frames; and the upper floor be dark brick down onto the 2nd floor; all visible rooftop units/and or venting be screened and any venting on the elevations be minimized and colored to blend in with the building; with final plans to be administratively approved by planning staff; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Reports and comments from the City Planner: A. Tower Ridge – Administrative Approvals: Weber explained changes were made to the proposed Tower Ridge buildings including relocating the Magic Packs to the other side of bedroom 1, changing out the double gables to be a single gable, adding circle louver elements in these locations, and double hung windows in place of casement windows. Weber said the changes were minor, and staff administratively approved them. Members preferred mullions in the windows, and staff will request the developer to make this change. B. Architectural Commission Requirement Handout: Weber explained that when a developer comes through she creates a checklist for the development which works well. Based on this, she is proposing that this checklist be handed out to future developers as part of the review process. Members requested under Materials to change Smart Siding to Hardiplank Siding if the intent is for the siding to be durable; and under Signage add Pedestrian Friendly (projecting). Weber noted some of the items on the checklist are ordinance driven while others are developer driven. In addition, staff did a site visit at the Pizza Hut and the owner is aware of the paint issue. They are looking at alternatives and said the roof should be repainted by the end of the month. Lastly, Weber distributed Festival Week brochures. 7. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 8. Adjourn: Motion by Schultz to adjourn at 6:15 pm; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Architectural\Minutes\2018\8-8-18.doc