Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes November 8, 2023 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flint at 4:32 pm. Members Present: Schrang, Johnson, Flint, Krogstad and Schulz Staff Present: Gallo, Weber, Duffy and Dehnert 2. Approve Minutes of October 4, 2023: Motion by Johnson to approve the October 4, 2023 minutes; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 3. UW Credit Union – Consider/approve a special exception for signage for a credit union located at the southeast corner of WIS 67/Summit Avenue and Pabst Farms Boulevard: Weber explained the proposed super graphic signage was shown at the Architectural meeting in August, and the members agreed it would need a special exception. The super graphic signage will be 438 sf and consist of an outline of the bank’s logo with the inside of the outline clear. Weber noted their other signage was approved administratively, but the monument sign as shown will be located over a sewer line so the applicant is considering a different location for it. Weber recommended approval of the request for a special exception. Mike Studnicka of Wisconsin Sign & Graphics explained the proposed sign will be like a watermark on the window. Members thought it was the best example of a special exception. Motion by Flint to approve a special exception for signage for the UW Credit Union located at the southeast corner of WIS 67/Summit Avenue and Pabst Farms Boulevard as presented; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Pabst Farms Strip Mall – Discuss a multi-tenant building located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Pabst Farms Boulevard and Pabst Farms Circle: Weber said the proposed multi-tenant building needs 4-sided architecture, more information on building materials and referred to the rest of her comments in the agenda background. Jolly Thulaseedas of KP & J Architects & Engineers explained the building will have 2 known tenants and will incorporate dark brown brick and lots of glass to attract other tenants. The rear elevation is plain but Thulaseedas is willing to add more articulation to it. Members said he should include as much texture, height and color to the rear elevation as the front; consider making the third building section either taller, lower or pulled back; add some height to the northeast corner of the last section; screen rooftop mechanicals; tone down the yellow color; consider extending the canopy by Dunkin’ Donuts toward the corner; and asked about a master sign plan. Weber suggested moving the yellow to the Wild Wings entrance which Thulaseedas agreed. Gallo said when considering signs on the building the applicant should include a box on the drawings where signage will go. No action was taken. 5. Blackrock Development – Discuss a multi-building development located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Oconomowoc Parkway and Old Schoolhouse Road: Weber said the proposed building will be 397’ long and referred to her comments in the background. She had concerns with the length and height of the larger building because of the surrounding context, especially Journey 21 which is located next to their property. The applicant, Jerry Erdmann, said the property is zoned Business Park, and his plan is to have industrial scale buildings with retail in the front and warehouse/storage in the rear. The other smaller buildings in the development could be flex uses. Bill Conine of Perspective Design Inc. explained they are designing building 1 first before the other buildings; there will be 3 entry portals (canopies) and black stone banding on the front elevation; and the architecture wraps around 3 sides of the building. The members questioned if he should include some Pabst Farms details due to its location; the building is well designed and could be put anywhere but does not fit in this location; should soften the building at the entry level similar to what Sendik’s did; questioned location of garbage containers, outdoor storage, parking and green space for all the individual businesses; will need to have good architecture to bring down the massing and scale of the building which will be located next to the Journey21 S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2023/ACmin 11-8-23 buildings; too industrial looking; the architectural language is the problem; consider bringing the flex use buildings by Journey21 down to a residential scale; and concerned with flex-use buildings being located next to residential buildings. Duffy added the property originally was zoned for a residential use but was changed to BP for a previously intended use which did not develop. No action was taken. 6. Olympia Fields Mixed-Use Building – Discuss a mixed-use building located at the northeast corner of Pabst Road and Olympia Fields Drive: Weber included the Olympia Fields Design Standards checklists for both residential and retail in the packet as a guide and referred to her comments in the background. The site consists of 2 buildings known as the A-Wing (facing east/west) and B-Wing (facing south/north) which are joined in the center. This will be a multi-tenant building which requires a master sign plan. Mark Lake of Wangard was present along with Ron Tannenbaum of RDL Architects via an internet connection. Lake explained the buildings will be 65’ deep on the first floor and 60’ deep on the second floor which is how they interpreted the 5’ step back requirement. The entire second floor will have a terrace, and the residential units will be set back from it. The buildings will be 65’ tall with an additional 10’ of mechanical equipment for a total of 75’; will consist of all natural materials including a variety of brick, metals and EIFS (not on the ground level); they are planning on having up to 2 restaurants on the first floor of the A-Wing building along with some retail; the B-Wing building will contain townhomes; the first floor of the center building will be a breezeway which leads to a parking lot and amenities will be located on the 2nd floor; and there will be a grassy area over the parking garage which they are working with City staff to determine its use. Members questioned where deliveries will be made for the businesses; how will they handle grease traps and exhaust for restaurants; concern about exterior mechanical equipment; and how is garbage going to be handled. Lake explained garbage will be through a cart system collected indoors and wheeled out on garbage day; and grease traps and exhaust for each restaurant will vent through a shaft to the roof. Members suggested they break up the roof line on the buildings, and Tannenbaum said he will work to make the building look less flat by adding vertical and horizontal fluctuations and depth with a modulating plane and add more character. Members complimented the detailing and liked how the retail areas are designed, along with the corner elements and color palette. No action was taken. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: Weber explained there were compliance issues on several businesses in the downtown. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Flint to adjourn at 6:25 pm; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2023/ACmin 11-8-23