Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2023 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flint at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Johnson, Flint, Krogstad, Schultz and Schrang Staff Present: Gallo, Weber, Duffy, Magnus and Dehnert 2. Approve the December 7, 2022 Minutes: Motion by Krogstad to approve the December 7, 2022 minutes; second by Johnson. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Schultz abstained). 3. Olympia Fields Master Sign Plan – Consider/approve the updated Master Sign Plan for the Olympia Fields Development: Weber explained the Master Sign Plan for the Olympia Fields development was approved June 2022, and the applicant is requesting the following updates to it: 1) LED reader board – Allows for an LED reader board to be located on a building. Staff recommends limiting the building EMC to 24 sf and allowing for only 1 EMC on site. 2) Fin/Blade Sign – The color is now listed as slate. Staff noted the graphic on page 8 does not reflect this and requests it be updated to a slate background. 3) Directional / Wayfinding – Graphics have been updated on the proposed wayfinding signs. Staff is requesting the MSP show where these signs will be located, noting that if it is for a business they should be located on the site of that business. 4) Corporate Signs – MSP lists color “to be determined” and staff recommends it be changed to “earth tones.” The request also references the use of a pole as a support which is not allowed per the zoning code. 5) General Notes ‘J’ – Staff is requesting more information on the parking lot signs. Lastly, the revised MSP will need to go to Council for approval, and the applicant wants it to move forward at the next Council meeting. Weber recommended approval with considerations listed in the background. Mark Lake of Wangard explained they changed the term “Corporate Signage” to be “Single Tenant” in the MSP; the intent of the LED reader board request is not for a specific tenant but to be prepared if one is requested; an LED reader board would be counted in the number the signs allowed; agrees with limiting its size to a maximum of 24 sf.; and directional signage is supposed to be at entrances. Weber noted the large monument sign was moved from the roundabout to the entrance of the development, and any off-premises sign will need to be reviewed by the Architectural Commission. Members comments included an LED reader board should be included in the overall signage of a business; a business should comply with code when determining 25% of allowable sf; no issue with wayfinding signage when on the same site of the business but agree with showing placement on a map; be careful with signage because they could be located in vehicular blindspots for pedestrians; agree with changing “Corporate Signage” to be “Single Tenant”; agree with changing from “TBD” to “earth tones complimentary to the design of the building”; and remove the reference to poles as a support option and General Notes ‘J’ completely. Lake clarified the wayfinding specific locations are TBD; and asked if the MSP could move forward tonight for approval but then when the locations of those signs are known contact staff for the approval process. Weber suggested allowing the wayfinding locations to be administratively approved. Lake agreed and will create a separate map. Motion by Flint to approve the updated Master Sign Plan for the Olympia Fields Development with the following changes: LED Reader Board on Building-Limit max of 1 EMC per site and it should be a max of 25% of allowable building signage; Fin/Blade Sign-Applicant to update graphic to represent the slate/charcoal background; Directional/Wayfinding-No off-premise businesses to be listed on the signage, a site map showing the placement w/dimensions noted and design of each sign being requested, and take into account vehicular visibility of pedestrians, for administrative review; Corporate Signage, Color-Change the color of the tenant signage from ‘tbd’ to ‘earth tone’ colors complimentary to the building design; Corporate Signage, Pole/Support: Remove the word ‘pole’ and replace with ‘base’ and add ‘to be attached to building’; omit General Notes ‘J’ completely; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. Johnson added it is important to maintain the spirit of the development and that it is not just a corporate building. As a commission, their focus is on the building, but they also recognize the partnership with the business and our long term commitment to the community. 4. VA Clinic at Olympia Fields – Consider/approve building plans located at 1291 Olympia Fields Drive: Weber explained this item was discussed at the December 2022 AC meeting, and the applicant has since updated their plans to S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2022\ACMin 1-4-23 include: the site layout did not change; the dumpster size has been reduced; and material locations are not specified on the Exterior Building Materials sheet. Michael Schaefer of Plunkett Raysich Architects handed out an updated sheet which included the types of materials and provided samples for the members to view. Schaefer summarized banding was added in upper sections of the building; windows were downsized; mullions were added, and the corners have been raised as discussed at the last meeting. Members comments included the updated building looks better and fits the prairie style / craftsman architecture as intended in the developer’s agreement; doesn’t agree that it meets prairie style as the height adjustments aren’t tall enough; could add 3’ to the corner height; consider adding landscaping around the building and larger landscaping around the dumpster area along WIS 67, lower the roof elevation by 1’ and increase the height of the middle column on the building. Gallo noted there was a lot of discussion previously about the view from WIS 67 and asked if there was going to be landscaping or something else on the corner facing WIS 67. Mayor Magnus was in the audience and suggested putting the VA logo on the NE corner with a little bit of landscaping. Schaefer will look into changing the roof height and consider signage in the NE corner. Motion by Schultz to postpone action on the building plans for the VA Clinic at Olympia Fields with the following changes: recognizes the building looks good but consider raising the corners or lowering the roof; include landscaping around the building; arborvitae around the trash enclosure; and signage on the NE corner of the building; second by Flint. Motion carried 5-0. The Chairman called a 2 minute break at 5:37 pm. The meeting continued at 5:39 pm. 5. Landmark Credit Union at Olympia Fields – Discuss building plans located at the northeast corner of Olympia Fields Drive and Pabst Road: Weber explained this item is for discussion of a new 4,230 sf credit union to be located on the NE corner coming into the development with 3 drive thru lanes, a bike/walk up drive thru, art murals for placeholders on one wall and a unique dumpster enclosure. Access to the site will be through an access easement. Brian Melter of Landmark Credit Union, along with Peter Tan of Strang, explained Landmark’s tie to the city and their plans for the inside and exterior of the building. Materials include manufactured cream city brick; wood soffit and deck; exposed duct work; murals of local landmarks; dark color steel structure; anodized windows; silver metallic ribbed metal panels; standing seam metal sloped roof with a wooden deck underside; mullions on first floor windows; and black steel brackets. Signage includes (2) steel sign towers with painted aluminum cutout backlit letters along with a glowing beacon element at the top representing a lighthouse. The members felt the form and massing is appropriate; the design invokes emotion and is visually appealing; the building is tastefully designed with a connection to the community and location; important to incorporate landscaping with the final plans; and should include stone barrier elements as they will be necessary to prevent/hinder removal of Tyme units from the site. No action was taken. 6. Store-It Right at Oconomowoc – Discuss building plans for the lot located on the northwest corner of Blue Ribbon Circle North and Delafield Road: Weber explained this project was previously reviewed by the AC in June 2022, and the applicant is requesting additional feedback from the members on the materials, colors and design of their storage building. Dave Raschka of Thrive Architects explained materials include vertical gray and horizontal white metal panels; split face gray block base course up 4 ft; prefinished red fascia canopy and accents around the building; glass overhead door; and storefront glass entrance with black anodized aluminum frames. Members suggested bringing up the material 8” at the entrance for durability and prevent erosion from salt; and should incorporate visual storage element on the south elevation. Raschka said the building architecture has been presented to Pabst Farms and an approval letter will be forthcoming. No action was taken. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: None. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Schrang to adjourn at 6:53 pm; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk\Committees-Commissions\Architectural\2022\ACMin 1-4-23