MINUTES OF THE
OAK CREEK
Mayor Richards called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Commissioners were present at roll call: Commissioner Rottel, Commissioner Dickmann, Commissioner Siira, Commissioner Jackson, Mayor Richards, Commissioner Seipert, Commissioner Kopplin and Commissioner Buchholz. Commissioner Foeckler was excused. Doug Seymour, Director of Community Development was also present.
Commissioner Seipert motioned to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2003. Commissioner Dickmann second. All voted aye. Commissioner Kopplin abstained. Minutes were approved.
Mr. Seymour updated the Commissioners on the actions that were taken at the February 18, 2003, Common Council meeting.
No questions or comments on the Common Council actions.
10101 S. Howell
Avenue
Tax Key No:
924-9006
Mr. Seymour explained to the Commission that this item was held over from the previous Plan Commission meeting. Opus North Corporation submitted revised building and landscaping plans for approval of site, building and landscaping plans for the first phase of the Oakwood Crossings development at 10101 S. Howell Avenue. The property is zoned M-1, Manufacturing.
Mr. Scott Espeseth explained the changes that have been made to accommodate the Commission. They are proposing to construct berms all the way up to Lisa Drive on Howell Avenue where a possible future drive would come in off of Howell Avenue. Also, they have put landscaping trees in the southern green space area and are proposing to plant trees in what may be a future parking lot area.
At the request of the Commission three site views of the park were developed to show how they related to masking the truck port. Mr. Espeseth explained how each of the views would work to block the truck area behind the building. All landscaping shown represented a seven-year growth and would be put on berm slopes as high as 8 or 9 feet.
Mr. Espeseth presented two different views for the east elevation with landscaping and the seven-year growth with and without the additional parapet wall. He also presented a visual of the distance from the building, driveway and the truck docks from the nearest residence.
Commissioner Kopplin wanted to know if the trees on the north side of the building would be destroyed once the second phase was started.
Mr. Espeseth stated that because of the site lines from Howell Avenue it was Opus’ intention to put the truck ports back to back so that the face of the building is facing the line of site on Howell Avenue.
Commissioner Kopplin wanted to know why the building could not be set back further on the lot to line up with the other industrial buildings in the area because of the major intersection of Howell and Oakwood.
Mr. Espeseth stated that given the existing infrastructure that is already in place that this is an ideal location for the first phase of the building. The larger buildings would be placed furthest away from the single-family neighborhoods as requested by the neighbors.
Commissioner Buchholz stated that at the second neighborhood meeting there were people from the east side of Howell Avenue and one lady was concerned about the view and Opus addressed her concerns at that meeting.
Mr. Dick Bolender, 3715 E. Ryan Road, Alderman 4th District, wanted to know why a trucking terminal was being put right out in front. He would prefer to see an office building out in front and the trucking terminal in the back of the development. If the trucking terminal was put in the back you could save the woods and you could also surround the people with a buffer zone.
Mr. Espeseth stated that this development is an office/warehouse development. It is called an office/warehouse development because the office component comprises about 10-15% of the overall building space. A trucking terminal is a depot that has very little warehouse space and has a high amount of truck traffic. The building planned would have a 28-foot clearance that could store about 24 feet of goods with a racking type of system. Unfortunately the City of Oak Creek is not an office market at this time and would not be appropriate for this neighborhood.
The back of this park is being saved for future development as it comes along. Opus has planned for this development and would like to bring a quality development to this neighborhood.
Mr. Seymour stated that it would be nice to see high quality office development here but he does not believe it would happen in this area. The parcel is zoned for Business Park and the Business Park does include buildings of the type proposed. He also stated that although this is not a truck terminal it does have truck doors and they do have visual impact. The Commission has been adamant about providing screening for the truck docks and it would have been nice to see something structural but the layering of the vegetation and the nine-foot berm will do a better job than what was proposed earlier.
At this time Opus is showing as part of the first phase the potential for 30 truck docks with a potential addition of 14 more depending on the types of users. Given the fact that we do have a concern with the visible nature of the truck docks could it be limited to the 30 planned truck docks.
Mr. Espeseth stated that he could not commit to that because it could be a problem in the future if a user needed more than 30 docks. He also stated that they are actively marketing the site and would be coming before the Council with a CSM to further along the development.
Mr. Ralph Doll, 1010 E. Fitzsimmons Road, wanted to know if the subdivision was there before the M-1 designation.
Mr. Seymour stated that it was probable that the subdivision was there before the industrial zoning.
Mr. Doll stated that most of the citizens in and near the area are not opposed to this development. He felt that if people build near an M-1 designation they must be aware that M-1 would be going in near them. He also stated that if the City kept trying to make Opus move the building on the lot maybe they would move it west into Franklin. He wanted to know why a business would want to come to Oak Creek if they were going to make them jump through so many hoops.
Commissioner Siira suggested that the building be made an “L” shape to shield the truck docks from Howell Avenue and Oakwood Road.
Mr. Espeseth stated that an “L” shaped building is a great idea in theory but it does not fit within the business model of Opus North. It also does not fit within the business model of the investment community. It does fit within the business model of build and hold for small individual users and does not equal success. Doing what is being suggested would limit the success of this building and this project.
Mr. Espeseth stated that he was feeling that there was some negativity towards the berms and wanted to know if the Commissioner could clarify what they wanted to see.
Mr. Seymour stated that the berms should stay and that they should be nine feet high at the highest point.
Commissioner Dickmann wanted to why there were two views for the east elevation.
Mr. Espeseth stated that there were to options so that the Commission could choose which they like better.
Commissioner Dickmann stated that he liked the view with the additional parapet.
Mayor Richards wanted to know what the setback requirements were from Howell Avenue.
Mr. Seymour stated that the City setback would be 40 feet baring in mind that there would be a land division at some point in time it would be prudent to use the State’s setback of a 50-foot setback along Howell Avenue. The building is setback almost 200 feet at this time primarily because of a wetland.
Commissioner Kopplin wanted to know where the detention pond would be and how far back it would be from the street.
Mr. Seymour stated that you couldn’t have the pond within the 50 feet.
Commissioner Kopplin stated that she liked the view for the east elevation with the additional parapet wall.
Mr. Don Schantzen, 9310 S. 8th Avenue, stated that he measured the width of the tree line from the cemetery to the edge of the property where the right-of-way goes through on the west side and it was 2/10 of a mile of trees in that area. He stated that it was unfortunate that some trees would be destroyed but this was one of the most well prepared companies that have come into the City in the last two years. He also stated that from his perspective from all the shrubs in front of the building and with the amount of traffic on the roads people should be looking out for their own personal safety and not at the building.
Dimity Grabowski, 3110 E. Elm Road, stated that Opus is consistently expanding its reputation for designing and building high quality efficient business environments. She stated that she has spoken with several of the representatives from Opus North Corporation and has found them to be extremely effective in their levels of communication in addressing the concerns of the citizens surrounding the area. Many of the residents came to the meetings and were upset with what was going on and Mr. Espeseth took the time to address their concerns.
She stated her concern for the City not having a woodland preservation ordinance on the books at this time. However, Opus has stated that the trees are a very big concern for them as well. Unfortunately trees will be coming down but that goes with development. She would like to see Oak Creek become a model community from a business investment standpoint. When you look at the Northbranch and Southbranch the City has not got it right. She also stated that the City needs to encourage good quality development to come into Oak Creek. She also stated that she would like to see the building set back further on the lot but is supportive of the project.
Commissioner Dickmann stated that he would like to see the three parapets on the east side of the building.
Mayor Richards wanted to know if truck traffic would be limited to only go eastbound on Oakwood Road.
Mr. Seymour stated that at this point there has been no action taken which would remove the no trucking designation from the portion of Oakwood Road. At this point truck traffic would be limited from the driveway east to Howell Avenue and will be a condition of approval.
Commissioner Kopplin would like to see it as a separate section in the development agreement so there is no misunderstanding.
Mr. Seymour stated that the development agreement would come before the Common Council and there are a couple of issues that need to be discussed.
Commissioner Kopplin stated that would be fine but that if it was not in the development agreement there would be no way to enforce it at a later date.
Mr. Seymour stated that a decision at this point and time might have negative consequences when it comes time to do the development agreement with the State.
Commissioner Jackson stated that because there would be further development on the site it is imperative that the traffic issue is taken care of at this phase.
Mr. Espeseth stated that it was his belief that the development agreement was tied to subdivision plans and plats and would tie the agreement to that.
Mr. Seymour stated that the development agreement would be tied to the first phase of the project.
Commissioner Dickmann motioned to approve the site, building scheme B (east elevation) and landscaping plan submitted by the Opus North Corporation for the first phase of the Oakwood Crossing Business Center at 10101 S. Howell Avenue subject to the following conditions:
Roll call, Rottel nay, Dickmann aye, Nirode aye, Siira nay, Jackson aye, Richards aye, Siepert aye, Kopplin aye, Buchholz aye. Motion approved.
7335 S. 10th
Street
Tax Key No:
764-9023
Mr. Seymour stated that DIC Imaging Products, USA was requesting Plan Commission approval of site and building plans for an expansion of their facility at 7335 S. 10th Street in the Northbranch Industrial Park.
Mr. Seymour stated that essentially what was being done was taking the front facade and moving it up the building and enhancing the building. Landscaping would be moved out in front of the addition..
Mr. Bredin explained that the retention pond was originally sized to handle the expansion of the building and would be adequate for the addition.
Mayor Richards wanted to know what type of building materials would be on the addition.
Mr. Bredin, DBI Inc., stated that the same building materials would be used on the addition as the existing building. The building will be raised by two feet, which would hide the existing and additional HVAC equipment.
Commissioner Kopplin questioned the green space requirements for this site.
Mr. Seymour stated that because they have more than the 30% required at this time they must maintain the 30% green space requirement.
Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop informed Mr. Bredin that since this was an addition the City of Oak Creek has several fire prevention code requirements that exceed the State requirements.
Commissioner Kopplin motioned that the Commission approve the site, building and landscaping plans for an expansion to DIC Imaging, USA at 7335 S. 10th Street subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Rottel seconds. Roll call, all voted aye.
1900 W.
Ryan Road and 9420
S. 20th Street
Tax Key Nos.:
877-9012, 877-9011
Mr. Seymour explained to the Commission that Kenneth and Kari Krimpelbein were requesting approval of a certified survey map that would redivide the property at 1900 W. Ryan Road and 9420 S. 20th Street. As proposed an irregular portion of the property at 1900 W. Ryan Road would be transferred to the property at 9420 S. 20th Street.
Commissioner Dickmann wanted to know what the reasoning was for the division.
Mr. Peter Juergens, representative for the applicants, stated that originally Mr. Fisher owned this parcel of land and when he agreed to sell it to the Krimpelbeins he wanted the odd shape to be squared off. The thinking behind this was to ensure that it stayed green space.
Commissioner Siepert motioned that the Commission recommend to the Common Council that the minor land division for the properties at 1900 W. Ryan Road and 9420 S. 20th Street be approved.
Commissioner Nirode second. Roll call, all voted aye.
Mr. Seymour explained to the Commission that at the direction of the Finance Committee an ordinance was prepared to increase the residential green space. The proposed changes to minimum lot width and are those that were proposed by the Finance Committee. Note that no changes are being proposed to the minimum home size.
Mr. Seymour stated that if the City was relying on this text amendment to preserve significant wooded areas that this would not do the job. As long as everyone is aware that other changes are being proposed that would strengthen the City’s position for making subdivisions better communities rather than just divided lots then it would be a suitable start.
Mr. Arden Degner, 8540 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, stated that with the increase in the lot width to 75 feet in the R-4 zoning his neighbors property could not be divided into three lots because he has exactly enough for three lots with the 65 foot width at this time.
Commissioner Nirode motioned that the Commission recommend to the Common Council that the following sections of the Municipal Code be amended as indicated after a public hearing.
17.0306(d)(1) –
Lots shall be a minimum of 15,000 17,000 square feet in area
and shall have a lot width of not less than 100 feet. Corner lots shall have
a lot width of not less than 100 feet. (Rs-2, Single Family residential)
17.0307(d)(1) –
Lots shall be a minimum of 10,000 12,000 square feet in area
and shall have a lot width of not less than seventy-five (75) eighty
(80) feet. Corner lots shall have a lot width of not less than eighty-five
(85) ninety (90) feet. (Rs-3, Single Family Residential)
17.0308(d)(1) –
Lots shall be a minimum of 8,000 10,000 square feet in area
and shall have a lot width of not less than sixty-five (65) seventy-five
(75) feet. Corner lots shall have a lot width of not less than seventy-five
(75) eighty-five (85) feet. (Rs-4, Single Family Residential)
Commissioner Siira second. Roll call, all voted aye. (Commissioner Kopplin in concept only)
Commissioner Kopplin motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Commissioner Dickmann seconded. Roll call, all voted aye.