Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes September 8, 2021 Chairman Flint called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Schrang, Johnson, Flint, Krogstad and Schultz, Staff Present: Weber, Gallo, Dehnert, Duffy and Magnus 2. Approve the August 4, 2021 Minutes: Motion by Schrang to approve the August 4, 2021 minutes; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Johnson abstained). 3. Moboevo – Consider/approve a Facade Update at 116 - 118 N. Main Street: Weber explained this applicant is requesting approval to paint the first floor of the front façade of his building and replace the concrete stairs as part of Phase I; add garage doors on the first floor, paint the second floor façade and add a LED light strip along the trim above the garage doors and along the roofline as part of Phase II; and add a cornice to the roofline and a balcony on the second floor as part of Phase III. Weber requested the members be concise with their motion due to unknown timelines of the different phases noted in the application. She is concerned the updated façade will look like a copy of another building in the downtown and not accent the historic nature of the building. The applicant, Mark Radler explained he wants to paint the first floor now and get approval for the bronze garage doors because it is expected to take a while to get them. He initially chose a light gray paint color but found 2 recently painted (unapproved) buildings in the block with the same color so he chose a lighter color instead. He intends to power wash the second floor brick and if it is in good condition, he will paint it the same color as the first floor. Members liked the paint color and garage doors; said the brick looks weathered; the choice of the cornice looks heavy; suggested a different color for the base and do not paint the brick on the second floor; painting brick requires a lot of maintenance; do not paint the brick if it has been acid washed and restored; like the idea of the arched windows; the color palette (brown) of the current building looks good; questioned 2 other buildings in the downtown being painted without architectural approval; suggested accenting the vertical pillars in a different color; and approving only the first floor and come back with plans for the second floor. Weber added the applicant will need to come back with their plans for signage. Motion by Johnson to approve the façade update to allow the applicant to paint the first floor only Sherwin Williams #SW9543 (Gypsum); paint all trim SW9565 (Forged Steel); order bronze garage doors; and install an LED lighting strip above the first floor and along the roof trim; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4 – 1 (Schrang voted no). 4. The Etcetera - Consider/approve a Façade Update at 118 E. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained this applicant is requesting approval of a façade update to the south and west elevations of his building to include trowel finishing and painting the building; remove existing awnings and install two half garage doors on the west elevation; and install a new black awning over the front entrance. Weber noted the building has a curved edge leading to the side elevation and suggested the design of the building shows some art deco features, so a border or different color combination could enhance the building and make it stand out. Currently the applicant is only requesting approval of the paint colors and black awning. The applicant, Jason Dvorak explained the front (south) elevation will be painted a taupe (Willow Creek); the door and trim painted black; and the awning will be replaced with new black fabric. The west elevation will be painted sage, and the door and trim painted white. The 3 windows by the kitchen will be blocked out but he is also waiting to hear if a public bathroom will be built in this area. The front paint color will end on the corner. Members questioned the location on the corner where the paint from the front elevation will stop; had concerns over a blank wall facing a public park and suggested a fun or historic mural; don’t agree the west elevation should be painted one color; the proposed half garage doors are good; and suggested awnings over the windows on the west elevation. Dvorak didn’t agree with a historic or fun mural and had considered green striped awnings on the west elevation but noted they would get ruined by nearby S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 9-8-21 trees. Motion by Schultz to approve the paint colors and black awning for the south (front) elevation only; the front color should end at the wrap around corner; and approve removal of the shingle awnings over the windows and installation of two new half garage doors on the west elevation; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5 – 0. Members requested the applicant come back with a design and colors in partnership with the City. 5. Thirst Church - Consider/approve a Master Sign Plan at 1260 Brown Street: Weber explained a master sign plan for the entire development was approved 2 years ago which designated that the 2 major tenants (Piggly Wiggly and the former Tobin’s) have their own master sign plans. The applicant provided a style guide for the signage within the sign plan which reflects clean simple lines and compliments the architectural style of the building. Weber has no concerns with the proposed building signage which also includes wayfinding signage on the south entrance. She noted the logo on the wayfinding signage is neat but the wording could be more legible. The applicant also plans to update the monument sign but is not ready with it due an issue with the electronic message center. Weber recommends approval of the master sign plan with conditions listed in the background. The members suggested an additional wall sign be placed on the east side of the drive thru overhang. Brian Harrigan, along with Brad Hubbard of Innovative Signs, explained the smaller wayfinding sign is existing and agreed with placement of a sign on the drive thru overhang but had concerns a tree located nearby could block it. Gallo suggested the applicant could come back with this additional sign when they come back for approval of the monument sign. Motion by Krogstad to approve a master sign plan for Thirst Church at 1260 Brown Street as presented and to come back with additional signage for the drive thru overhang and review of the monument sign; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. Due to a time conflict, Gallo requested Item 7 be moved ahead. 7. Historic Preservation Ordinance - Review/recommendation to create Chapter 29 in the City Municipal Code: Gallo explained Wisconsin Statutes requires communities with homes included on the National Registry of Historic Places to have an historic preservation ordinance. The City currently has 6 structures on the Registry which makes the City in noncompliance with State Statutes. An ordinance has been drafted which allows individuals to petition for an historic designation; requires any changes to a designated historic structure to be reviewed and approved by the City before making any changes; creates a Historic Preservation Commission; and allows the commission to nominate a property for historic designation. Gallo suggested that current members of the Architectural Commission would be the members of the historic preservation commission because they know City history and architecture. This commission would be responsible for reviewing requests and making recommendations to the Council. Gallo reviewed the ordinance and explained the powers and duties of the commission. He noted the ordinance has been scaled back and includes changes to 29.06 A 1. on the amount of time for notifying individuals of a public hearing to be 15 days instead of 10; 29.04 B.3. for the number of days for the commission to make a recommendation to be 60 instead of 45; and 29.05 A.2. and B.2 b. requiring approvals of parcels of a proposed historical district to be 100% of property owners instead of 80%. Gallo hopes the members will accept being part of this commission and doesn’t believe there will be a lot of requests overall. Members questioned the process for designating a historic district and what day/time meetings would be held. Gallo suggested a meeting could be held directly after an architectural commission meeting. Members recommended to act as members of the reviewing entity, Historic Preservation Commission, and postpone action on the ordinance creating Chapter 29 in the Municipal Code until next month to allow more time to review it. 6. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church - Consider/approve an Updated Electronic Message Center (EMC) at 145 E. Lisbon Road: Weber explained this applicant is requesting approval of a new Electronic Messaging Center (EMC). They currently have an EMC but would like to update it to a full color display that is dimmable based on the time of day. Cabinet width would match the existing, however the height of the EMC would increase by 5.44” and cover up more of the base. Weber supports this increase since the rest of the sign is staying the same but did note this EMC is in a highly visible area with adjacent residential properties. Any changes to EMC S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 9-8-21 signs with nearby residential areas usually cause complaints due to their brightness. The applicant is aware of these potential issues and is willing to adjust the brightness as needed. Brad Hubbard from Innovative Signs explained with the new technology of EMCs, they are unable to get the same cabinet size as the existing and felt this would be a nice compromise for the location. The applicant wants to share their service information and events on a new EMC similar to what they do now. There will be no flashing or animations. Motion by Flint to approve an Updated Electronic Message Center for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 145 E. Lisbon Road as submitted; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 8. Reports and comments from the City Planner: None. 9. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 10. Adjourn: Motion by Krogstad to adjourn at 6:18 pm; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5 - 0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2021\ACMin 9-8-21