Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes March 6, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flint at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Flint, Krogstad, Schulz, Schrang and Johnson Staff Present: Gallo, Weber, Mayor Magnus, Frye and Dehnert 2. Approve Minutes of February 7, 2024: Motion by Johnson to approve the February 7, 2024 minutes; second by Schrang. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Krogstad abstained). 3. Momentum Early Learning / Multi-Tenant Building – Consider/approve a Master Sign Plan for 1281 Blue Ribbon Drive: Weber explained this request is for approval of a master sign plan for a new multi-tenant building with 3 tenant spaces. Currently there are only 2 tenants, and each business wants a different sign type (face lit and halo lit, with different fonts). If a third tenant requests signage, they will have to come back to the Architectural Commission for approval. Weber questioned sign placement and visibility; said there is no placeholder for signage on the other side of the building; noted items have changed on the building that are different than what was approved by the Architectural Commission; and recommended approval with considerations. The applicant, Jenni Miller, handed out an updated sign plan which showed placeholders for additional signage; said they would like to have signage for their daycare be the same as their other locations; and liked the halo lit logo for the other business which helps to differentiate it. Miller added the general contractor removed the man door from the garage enclosure and changed the material to be precast panels to match the building. She said the doors of the enclosure will never be left open. Motion by Schulz to approve the master sign plan for Momentum Early Learning / Multi-Tenant Building as submitted with the dumpster design as built with no man door, and with halo lit locations as shown on updated plans at the meeting; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Landmark Credit Union – Consider/approve a Special Exception for signage at 1391 Olympia Fields Drive: Weber explained the applicant is requesting approval of a special exception for a full color/graphic EMC which is 50% of the ground sign and 3 full color/graphic EMC’s on their drive thru. They have already maxed out allowable signage per the Council approved Master Sign Plan for Olympia Fields and the City Code. Staff does not support these requests and recommends denial. Gallo added the design standards were approved by the Architectural Commission and the Council. Peter Tan of Strang said the colors on the monument sign will match the master sign plan with a darker gray; the EMC will be dark gray with white letters; there will only be 2 lines of text; and the proposed EMC is the same as others along Summit Avenue. Brian Melter of Landmark Credit Union said they would change the messaging 1x / week; the intent is not to put advertising on it; and the EMC light can be dimmed down at night. Tan said the EMC boards by the Bank’s drive thru’s should be considered menu boards, not EMC’s; are vastly superior to overhead signs; and provided a drawing of how they will look on site. Members said the applicant has already requested a lot of special exceptions for signage. Weber explained reasons for approvals of other EMC’S, and asked the members if the applicant changed the EMC to 25% would they approve. Motion by Flint to approve the request for menu signage for Landmark Credit Union at 1391 Olympia Fields Drive as presented with the restriction that there be no other signage requested for the building and deny their request for a special exception for an EMC; second by Krogstad. Members noted other signage along Summit is larger than the proposed; a one line EMC doesn’t seem to work; they are not entitled to a special exception; and they have more signage than they need. Lake added Wangard could restrict an applicant to no more than one panel on an EMC. Motion carried 4 – 1 (Schrang voted no). 5. Olympia Fields Mixed-Use Building – Discuss a Mixed-Use building located at the northeast corner of Pabst Road and Olympia Fields Drive: Weber explained the applicant is asking for direction on the changes they made to their mixed-use building. Weber referenced the design standards for this development and said the S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 3-6-24 applicant has supplied an updated roof elevation. Weber added the applicant would like some kind of statement from the Architectural Commission as to whether the updated building design is acceptable. Gallo noted the Plan Commission is considering their request later this evening for an amendment to the Olympia Fields Planned Development ordinance to remove the 5’ step back on this building which would then go the Council. Thereafter the building design will come back to the Architectural Commission for final approval. Gallo is looking for feedback on the proposed building from the Architectural Commission members which he will share with the Plan Commission. Ron Tannenbaum of RDL Architects explained the language regarding step backs on the building is being adjusted, not eliminated. The building will be 62’5” tall with a parapet up to 72’ which will screen mechanicals on the top. They plan to adjust the proportion of the building as it goes across, with a diminished scale at the ends on both front and back elevations. There will be ribbon windows across the building and wrap the corners on the end. There will be quality/detail on both the front and back of the building. Members requested the applicant make an 8” return on the top floor ribbon windows; said the building has been improved 100%; and was concerned with the plans showing stucco on the top 2 elevations. Tannenbaum said materials would be horizontal siding, white fiber cement panels on the top floor and the color of the siding is brick. Members would like a closer view of materials and colors; the new roof design is much better; and the applicant is going in the right direction with ribbon windows. No action was taken. 6. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: a. 2023 Annual Report Weber presented the 2023 Annual Report. 7. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 8. Adjourn: Motion by Flint to adjourn at 6:19 pm; second by Schrang. Motion carried 5 - 0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 3-6-24