Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes March 3, 2021 Chairman Flint called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Paul Schultz, Kurt Schrang, Kent Johnson, Jeremy Flint and Anne Krogstad Staff Present: Kristi Weber, Jason Gallo and Chris Dehnert 2. Approve the February 3, 2021 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the February 3, 2021 minutes; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Dairy Queen – Consider/approve Building Plans on the south side of the west property at the intersection of Corporate Center Drive and Oconomowoc Drive (Tax Key OCOC 0634999051): Weber explained this item was carried over from the meeting last month so the applicant could make changes to the building façade per the members direction as follows: include a more durable product by heavy traffic areas (a sketch was given to the applicant with the suggestion of a Nichiha product); provide the height of the parapet and location of mechanicals; and update the type of material around the freezer unit and to be used in the trash enclosure. Weber said the applicant is suggesting the Dryvit EIFS system as a durable product around traffic areas, the freezer unit and trash enclosure. They also provided a section of proposed parapet height but not the location of the HVAC units or venting and had no description of the closure system for the trash enclosure. Lastly, the Corporate Park board has not reviewed the new submittal. Weber requested input from the commissioners on the proposed material change and recommended the applicant use the same closure system on the trash enclosure as the Marriott’s. Janet Smith of Dairy Queen explained after the last meeting she informed Corporate about the requested change in materials, and they told her they had Nichiha material installed at their Minnetonka, MN store and didn’t like its appearance. Smith said updated plans for this location include more metal to be installed around the drive thru and side entrance; the wainscot around the building will be Dryvit, a cement board finish system with EIFS over it; and the trash enclosure will consist of concrete block with the EIFS finish system but are willing to use a decorative block instead. Smith added they don’t have the mechanical plans done yet but they should have a 4’ tall parapet wall which she believes will be tall enough to hide the mechanicals and roof venting. Members comments included the cement board system vs foam EIFS will still have the same finish so this doesn’t address the aesthetic issues; a 4’ parapet is okay but otherwise they should plan to screen mechanicals; other buildings in the area are flat which will make this building stand out; okay with material change; and questioned the opening under the freezer. Smith did not send the new plans to the Corporate Park board because she wasn’t sure how the members would feel of the material change but will make sure to send the Corporate Park board the final plans. Weber clarified staff will want confirmation from the Corporate Park board to acknowledge they have reviewed the new material. Motion by Krogstad to approve the building plans as proposed for the Dairy Queen as presented this evening with the option to have dark gray decorative split-face block for the dumpster enclosure with gates to match the dumpster enclosure at the Marriott Hotel and receipt of approval from the Corporate Park board; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Dairy Queen – Consider/approve a Special Exception for Signage on the south side of the west property at the intersection of Corporate Center Drive and Oconomowoc Drive (Tax Key OCOC 0634999051): Weber explained this item was also postponed at the meeting last month but the application remains the same. The applicant is requesting to be allowed 3 wall signs – 1 on the north, 1 on the east and 1 on the south elevation which exceeds code by 1. The applicant is requesting this exception to help customers to be able to visually see their building. They are also requesting 2 text signs above the entrances on the north and east elevations and 4 exterior promo boards on the exterior of the north and south elevations. Weber noted the members had another applicant located in the Corporate Park replace their promo boards with murals and S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 3-3-21 recommended this applicant do the same. Weber recommended approval with considerations listed in the background. Janet Smith of Dairy Queen noted the building will be located along a highly used corridor and said the 3rd wall sign will help with visibility. The “Grill & Chill” text signs are important to their Corporate and the promo boards are important to promote deals to customers. She added the boards will not be illuminated. Members comments included: no issues with the requested signs; if there were no menu boards, then there is a need for the promo boards – otherwise, other restaurants include deals on the menu board; are we setting precedence with this sign package; and okay with “Grill & Chill” on both elevations. Motion by Johnson to approve the special exception for signage for the Dairy Queen as presented; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Mullen’s Dairy Bar – Consider/approve a Façade Update at 120 E. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained this request is for a façade update for a new business to be located along the boardwalk behind Wisconsin Avenue. This will be an exterior only based business located on the backside of Vino Etc. Staff has already administratively approved the proposed wraparound deck, and the applicant is proposing a large menu, 3 new windows for placing orders, and 3 smaller menus to be located on the rear wall of the building. There will be a red and white striped awning above the menus, windows and back entrance to Vino’s. Lastly the applicant plans to put sandblasted cedar boards on the stair tower and would like to paint a smiley face sign on it above the business. Weber noted she has also been working with the applicant on a sign to be located off premises which should be on next month’s agenda. Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request, noting the smiley face doesn’t provide a name, but it gives the building character. The applicant, Josh Keepman, explained they considered the demographic when designing the wraparound deck which includes a small seating area. He gave the history behind the smiley face which is painted on the wall of their Watertown location and would like to include the smiley face on the tower at this location to align both locations. The members loved the concept; had other ideas for the ramp; suggested wrapping the siding around all elevations of the tower; don’t like the smiley face as it feels like a billboard; suggested placing the business name in a smaller font on the tower lit with gooseneck lighting and paint the smiley face on the west elevation of the building next door; questioned if the chimney could also be painted; and preferred to see the façade and signage together to see what it will look like. Gallo suggested the members could approve the façade update with the menus and canopy this evening and request they come back in April for signage. Motion by Krogstad to approve the façade update at 120 E. Wisconsin Avenue, including the canopy, menu signs and siding attached to all elevations; consider placement of a smaller logo on the east and west elevations of the tower; and paint the block chimney to match the siding on the tower; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Blue Ribbon Baseball Complex – Consider/approve Building Plans to be located at Blue Ribbon Circle N, (Tax Key OCOC 0635999008): Weber explained the applicant is requesting approval of updated plans for the proposed baseball park. Changes from the previous plan include a decrease in the size of the indoor training facility (from 45,000 sf to 19,000 sf) to be now known as a Health & Wellness Facility; elimination of the large canopy entrance on the SW corner of the facility; the addition of a press box to be located under a large canopy entrance to the ballpark; and a decrease in the overall site (from 21.7 acres to 17.1 acres). All materials and landscaping (modified to reflect the changes) are the same. Weber noted the new building includes a step back, and a deck on the 2nd story on the east elevation which is not accessible. There is also landscaping shown along the wall which will be used to break up wall mass, and the Plan Commission liked the placement of arborvitaes along the wall. Weber noted the HVAC units will be located on the roof, and all mechanicals should be screened and all venting painted to match the roof; the lighting plan indicates wall packs but Weber recommended they include up lighting on the brick columns; two different plans are shown for the dumpster enclosure, and she recommends the block enclosure; and questioned the white tents shown on the drawings and recommended they be either red or black. Weber recommended approval with conditions as listed in the background. Sonny Bando, applicant, explained the white tents are a placeholder for a type of special event, such as a Leine Lodge, that could be held for a larger group. He preferred to keep any tents white because red or black tents would absorb heat in summer. Bando acknowledged roof top units will be screened; they will use up/down lighting on columns S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 3-3-21 as directed; and a block dumpster enclosure was acceptable to them. Members comments included they understand that the tent feature is something that is a rental feature and not an architectural feature; they like the up/down lighting that was previously proposed; suggested up lighting under canopy areas in the evening; questioned the location of the tower; suggested changing the color of the tower feature to be a mid-tone gray; consider lowering the roof canopy at the facility; and like the updated building overall. Weber noted signage will be addressed at a future meeting once they know where all signs will be located. Motion by Johnson to approve the building plans for Blue Ribbon Baseball Complex to be located at Blue Ribbon Circle N as designed with the following considerations: all rooftop units are to be screened; include up lighting in the main entrance; include a man door on the dumpster enclosure; tents are allowed to be a white color; and lower the canopy at the entrance to the wellness center by 4 – 5’ to bring it more into scale; second by Schultz. Motion by Krogstad to amend the motion to include to change the tower section to create definition from the rest of the building by painting it a mid- tone gray; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planner: Weber stated they are working on the Annual Report and should have it ready for review at the April meeting. The members noted how much they appreciate the report. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Johnson to adjourn at 5:56 pm; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 3-3-21