Architectural Commission & Historic Preservation Commission

City of Oconomowoc Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes October 2, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flint at 4:30 pm. Members Present: Krogstad, Schulz, Otten, Johnson and Flint Staff Present: Gallo, Weber, Magnus, Frye, Boettcher and Dehnert 2. Minutes of September 4, 2024: Motion by Johnson to approve the September 4, 2024 minutes; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Stapleton Realty – Consider/approve after-the-fact Special Exception for signage located at 112 N. Main Street: Weber explained the applicant has a sign which advertises properties for sales and off-premise businesses and is internally illuminated. Staff informed the applicant they must remove the sign as it violates several sections of the zoning code, but they do not want to so they are appealing the decision of the Zoning Administrator to allow them to keep the sign in place through the contracted timeframe (June 2026). Bonnie Lewis-Tschannon and Holly Narloch of Stapleton Realty said they didn’t realize they were going against City code; didn’t consider it to be a sign; the light is off at 5 pm; and there are 26 businesses listed on the interactive screen and not sure how to proceed if they aren’t allowed to keep the sign. Narloch explained how the screen works and is the only one in the area. Members said the company providing the sign should have checked our City Code to see if this type of screen is allowed in the City; asked if a lot of people use the interactive screen; and this sign could set precedence. Mayor Magnus suggested conditionally approving the sign for 6 months and then come back for review. Gallo agreed and said staff could monitor the business and have them report back in 6 months. Motion by Johnson to approve the after-the-fact special exception for signage for Stapleton Realty at 112 N. Main Street and to revisit it for final approval in 6 months, allowing staff enough time to discuss the issue of outside businesses and city ordinances, field any complaints in the meantime and give staff time to address the issue; second by Schultz. Motion amended by Johnson to include 1 sign is allowed to have off-premises content for 6 months with the hours to be 9 am to 5 pm; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Panera – Consider/approve building plans for the restaurant at 1361 Olympia Fields Drive: Mike Gilbert of DMG said there had been 4 comments from the last meeting and his response to each: 1) coping – updated the coping to match adjacent building material except the green towers; 2) remove storefront transit windows on north elevation – has been removed; 3) paint roof ladder to match the brick – the color has been changed to match the brick; and 4) paint electrical panels to match the brick – the color has been changed to match the brick. Gilbert also supplied building materials and updated renderings. Motion by Krogstad to approve the building plans for Panera at 1361 Olympia Fields Drive as presented today; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Panera – Consider/approve signage plans for the restaurant at 1361 Olympia Fields Drive: Gilbert said there were no real changes from the last meeting, and he intends to remove the signage above the drive-thru. Gallo noted wayfinding signage has to be shown on the plans, but it doesn’t go against total signage. Weber added the sign package will go to a local sign company, and she will work with them. Motion by Schultz to approve the signage plans for Panera at 1361 Olympia Fields Drive as presented; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Evin – Consider/approve building addition plans for the senior housing facility at 1101 Silver Lake Street: Weber explained this project was previously reviewed in July. They are now presenting an updated site plan, layout, entryways and building proportions. She questioned location of the PTAC units in the rear; said the garbage enclosure matches the building materials; and recommended approval. David Raschka of Thrive- Architects explained the adjusted footprint and building features; the steel connector piece will be a graphic gray; S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 10-2-24 some units have been enlarged to face the PTAC units inward; 23 PTAC units face out on the golf course side and will be painted to match nearby material. Members said they did a good job on the backside of the building; the addition is greatly improved; and they are okay with the location of the PTAC units because the articulation of the building overall is good. Motion by Krogstad to approve the building addition plans for The Evin, 1101 Silver Lake Street as submitted; second by Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. 7. 212 E. Wisconsin – Consider/approve a building facade update at 212 E. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained she worked with the applicant on the site considering the use, signage, food trucks etc. The applicant is proposing to paint the building, and Weber is asking that a dumpster enclosure match building materials or at least be a block material and referenced other issues listed in her background. Mike Braatz of MSI General provided materials; will provide a master sign plan when ready; and included future plans for a public restroom for tenants and pervious pavers to address stormwater. Property owner Mike Herro said the restroom and other items are a long range goal for the site. Members said the proposed main front elevation of the building looks way better; consider adding a small awning over the windows, main entry or entire length of the building; encouraged the applicants to work with the City on a stormwater plan for the vacant lot; consider uplighting; and overall is a big improvement. Herro suggested adding horizontal composite siding material to the dumpster enclosure which will be located in the back lot and landscaping around it; and prefers downlighting versus uplighting. Motion by Johnson to approve the building façade update at 212 E. Wisconsin Avenue and should include awnings along the front elevation and the architect/builder should look to do more historical enhancements in the parking lot and building; second by Otten. Motion amended by Johnson that the dumpster enclosure should be clad with vinyl siding and landscaped as well; second by Otten. Motion carried 4-0-1 (Krogstad abstained). 8. City Beach: Buddy’s Beach Bungalow – Consider/approve building plans for the restrooms / concessions / guard shack at 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue: Weber explained the applicant is requesting approval of plans for a new building at the City Beach with restrooms, a concession stand and guard shack which is part of a 10-year City partnership with John Suttner. The architect provided updated plans which show stone going all the way up the columns, and the building with cream colored stone on the top and block below. Members suggested using the Community Center building as precedent; smooth block; and the texture could be over whelming with everything being split face. The architect, Allan Francois, explained there are tight constraints because of the building being located outside the 100-year floodplain; columns will be tapered; ledge to remain under the windows; and a gable has been included on both ends, similar to what is proposed on the east elevation. The applicant, John Suttner, said the railing will be stainless steel; there will be pavers on the roof deck; wood treads to e-pay stringers; the railing will be located behind the star; and HVAC will be wall packs. Motion by Krogstad for conditional approval for the footings and foundation to continue for Buddy’s Beach Bungalow at 324 W. Wisconsin Avenue and the architect is to return with updated drawings to include gable ends; material specification sheet; column size and style; include proposed lighting; and update the base stone line; second by Schultz. Motion carried 5-0. 9. John & Lavina Rockwell Park: Restrooms – Consider/approve building plans for restrooms at 517 N. Lake Drive: Boettcher and Frye explained Phase II of the proposed project at Rockwell Park which will include a shade garden and a prefab bathroom structure which will be located on a concrete pad. Members were concerned with the aesthetics of the proposed building; would like to see other types of siding for it; suggested horizontal siding with white trim; and questioned if they could adjust the roof pitch. Boettcher did not think the roof pitch could be changed. Motion by Krogstad to postpone action on the building plans for a restroom at John & Lavina Rockwell Park at 517 N. Lake Drive; second by Otten. Motion carried 5-0. 10. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: None. 11. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: Members shared concerns with the number of HVAC units on the Momentum and The Valerie in Pabst Farms. S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 10-2-24 12. Adjourn: Motion by Johnson to adjourn at 6:50 pm; second by Flint. Motion carried 5-0. Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2024/ACmin 10-2-24