Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes April 3, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flint at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Krogstad, Schulz, Johnson and Flint Members Excused: Schrang Staff Present: Gallo, Weber, Mayor Magnus, Duffy and Dehnert 2. Minutes of March 6, 2024 – Unavailable. 3. Olympia Fields Mixed-Use Building – Consider/approve a mixed-use building located at the northeast corner of Pabst Road and Olympia Fields Drive: Weber explained Council removed the 5’ step back requirement in the Olympia Fields Planned Development Ordinance, and the applicant is now requesting approval of their plans for the mixed-use building which then must go to Council for final approval. There have been no major design changes from the previous submittal. Weber noted on their previous submittal there appeared to be different materials from the front elevation to the back, and the applicant has provided a better rendering of the materials along with sample boards. Weber said the “B” Wing west elevation shows blank and questioned the area marked tenant glazing zone. Weber recommended approval with considerations listed in the background. Mark Lake of Wangard provided updated drawings and sample material boards. Ron Tannenbaum of RDL Architects said the color renderings for the “B” Wing west elevation are correct; materials on the rear elevation include stone and stucco on the 1st floor, brick, and cement board siding for the rest of the floors; and explained the glazing zone is an area where tenants will decide the location of doors and glass from a selection of materials. Lake clarified that tenants must get approval from Wangard first before coming to the Architectural Commission for approval. Weber questioned if awnings would also be part of this approval. Members were concerned with tenant flexibility with doors; liked the stone on the 1st floor but noted it does not allow for flexibility with changing tenants; understands the intent is for every tenant to come through the Architectural Commission for approval and façade consistency; any time the applicant deviates from what is approved, they must come back for approval; and agreed tenants must come to the Architectural Commission for approval of awnings, etc. Weber added they must also come back for signage approval. Tannenbaum said they selected a flat deep grove material for the siding and not just a lap siding. Motion by Johnson to approve the Olympia Fields Mixed-Use Building located at the northeast corner of Pabst Road and Olympia Fields Drive as presented with the condition that all tenants prior to occupancy and build out will have to come to the Architectural Commission for glazing patterns including decorative awnings and signage; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Landmark Credit Union – Consider/approve a Special Exception for signage at 1391 Olympia Fields Drive: Weber explained last month the applicant requested a special exception for signage which was approved for menu signs only and no additional signage. The applicant provided a new proposal that reflects the EMC at 27.2% of the total sign which is 2.2% over code requirements. They are now asking for a special exception of 2.2%. Weber added the applicant included a lot of rationale with the request and recommends approval. Mike Neumann of Strang said Landmark had concerns with reducing the sign while still providing visibility. The 32 sf sign allows for 8 sf EMC, and the proposed EMC has a viewable area of 8.62 sf. Neumann provided additional information on the sign and requested approval of their attempt to minimize the EMC. Members noted the panels of an EMC are not the standard size of a monument sign and agreed the sign looks good. Motion by Krogstad to approve the request for a special exception for Landmark Credit Union at 1391 Olympia Fields Drive as presented; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 4-3-24 5. Pabst Farms Retail Center – Consider/approve a multi-tenant commercial building located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Pabst Farms Blvd and Pabst Farms Circle: Weber explained this applicant has had their building reviewed several times and are requesting approval of the updates they made to all elevations. They have also included a detailed roof plan. Weber questioned the appearance of the glowing around the blocks on the front elevation. Shawn Bandel of KP & J Architects & Engineers explained they have included LED lighting which outlines the boxes on the front elevation; there will be spandrel glass on the side and rear elevations; and provided material sample boards. Members asked if the LED lighting can be tampered with where it comes near an entrance; questioned the parking lot lighting and landscaping; and said a lot of thought went into the building and roof drainage. Gallo said the Plan Commission approved the exterior fixtures which match Pabst Farms lighting and there will be sufficient landscaping around the building. Members also noted the dumpster front wall is too tall and suggested the walls and gates be no taller than 8’4”; when using metal panels, you will have to replace the whole face when a business changes; and liked the uniqueness of the building design. Motion by Johnson to approve the multi-tenant commercial building located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Pabst Farms Blvd and Pabst Farms Circle subject to the dumpster walls being lowered or talk to the dumpster company to determine the correct height and provide protection for the LED lighting that comes within 7’ of the ground; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0. 6. Winnesota – Consider/approve building plans for the lot on the northeast corner of Blue Ribbon Circle North and Delafield Road: Weber explained this building was previously reviewed by the Architectural Commission and has an approved design. Weber said in the updated proposal the SW corner which is the entrance is blank; the blue stripe on the NW corner has been removed; there is no landscaping shown and long elevations because of the increase in building size; and banding on the building has to be addressed. Weber noted the entrance could be improved and suggested 3 different ideas, adding windows to the SW corner and banding to the west elevation. Caitlin LaJoie of Briohn Building Corp explained the exterior changed because the floorplan changed with the new addition. Nathan Schultz of Briohn shared the owner’s concern with design cost; said material changes with IMP stacked joints were part of the issue; and they could not go with any of Weber’s suggestions but was okay with adding some windows in the SW corner. Members were concerned with the dark color of metal doors because they will warp due to the building’s cold temperatures and recommended painting them white; suggested an awning over the main entrance; there are already approved plans for the building; the applicant is not doing enough on the front entry; and don’t know what the HVAC units will look like and where they will be placed. Schultz suggested adding spandrel glass and paint at the front entrance; and there will be a 2’ parapet wall on the roof, and the HVAC will be set back 20’ from it. Weber reiterated there are already approved plans for the building; she is not comfortable with approving these changes without seeing them; and would like to know what the changes are going to be. She said if the members are comfortable with painted stacked joints, she could send updated plans to the chairman to review. Motion by Krogstad to deny the building plans for Winnesota located at the northeast corner of Blue Ribbon Circle North and Delafield Road with the recommendation that the applicant resubmit the existing approved plan with the updated building exterior and will need to show any mechanicals on the rooftop, how they look visually from the ground and from the top; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. 7. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: None. 8. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None. 9. Adjourn: Motion by Flint to adjourn at 6:06 pm; second by Schultz. Motion carried 4-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 4-3-24