MINUTES OF THE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006
Mayor Bolender called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Commissioners were present at roll call: Commissioner Dickmann, Commissioner St. John, Commissioner Sokol, Commissioner Siira, Commissioner Foeckler, Mayor Bolender, Commissioner Grabowski, and Commissioner Peterson. Commissioner Correll was excused. Also present were Jeff Fortin, Planner and Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop.
Commissioner Siira moved to approve the minutes of December 6, 2005 and December 13, 2005 Plan Commission meetings. Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Minutes were approved as submitted.
Report on Significant Common Council Actions
Mr. Jeff Fortin updated the Commissioners on the actions that were taken at the December 20, 2005, Common Council meeting. There were no comments or concerns from the Commissioners.
Sign Hearing and Appeal – Starbucks Coffee
2015 W. Ryan Road
Tax Key No.: 903-9032
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting a variance from the City of Oak Creek Municipal Code Section 17.0706(i)(3), which states that freestanding businesses are allowed two signs per street frontage. Starbucks Coffee is requesting a variance that would allow them to have three signs.
Ms. Kelly Benoit, Design Manager from Starbucks was sworn in and explained the need for the additional sign and where they would like to place the additional sign on the building.
Commissioner Foeckler motioned that the Plan Commission grant the request for a sign variance from the City of Oak Creek Municipal Code Section 17.0706(i)(3) to allow for three signs for Starbucks located at 2015 W. Ryan Road.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, Dickmann; aye, St. John; nay, Sokol; aye, Siira; aye, Foeckler; aye, Bolender; aye, Grabowski; aye, Peterson; aye. Motion carries.
Sign Hearing and Appeal – Bruegger’s Bagels
8750 S. Howell Avenue
Tax Key No.: 860-9996
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting a variance to the City of Oak Creek Code Section 17.0606(i), which stated that shopping centers and multi-tenant buildings may provide one wall sign or one canopy sign for each business in the building.
Mr. Don Nummerdor was sworn in and explained to the Commission that Bruegger’s was trying to get an additional 70 square foot sign to help attract customers from both sides of the building.
Mr. Scott Schedler, Bruegger’s Bagels, was sworn in and commented they have looked at the size of the sign requested and would like their sign to complement the other signs on the building.
Commissioner Foeckler motioned the Plan Commission grant a variance to the City of Oak Creek Code Section 17.0606(i), to allow an additional 70 square foot sign for Bruegger’s Bagels located at 8750 S. Howell Avenue.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, Dickmann; aye, St. John; nay, Sokol; nay, Siira; aye, Foeckler; aye, Bolender; aye, Grabowski; aye, Peterson; aye. Motion carries.
Planned Unit Development – Heartland Development Group
8100, 8240 and 8268 S. 27th Street
Tax Key Nos.: 810-9977-001, 810-9976 and 810-9975-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the Plan Commission recommended that the Common Council rezoned the subject properties with a Planned Unit Development ordinance to allow for the development of the Colonial Woods Condominiums at their December 13, 2005 meeting. Staff has prepared the PUD conditions and restrictions and general development plan for the Plan Commission’s review.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned the three lots on 20th Street. Mr. Robert Patch, Heartland Development stated the lots were not supposed to be on the map and they would be removed. She also questioned if the alignment of the north south streets was taken care of. Mr. Patch stated it was and showed the Commission the current alignment of the streets.
Commissioner Dickmann questioned the alignment of Forest Hill Avenue. Mr. Fortin explained the alignment and the way other property owners to the east could connect to the road.
Mr. Patch brought it to the Commissions attention that there was a typo in the conditions and restrictions 5 n and there would actually be thirteen (13) 16-unit buildings.
Commissioner St. John questioned the location of the retention ponds and the developer’s intentions to store water from the north side of the site. Mr. Jason Ekert, engineer, explained the water from the north side of the site would be brought to the retention pond on the south side through the storm sewers. Commissioner St. John questioned if that would be a one hundred year storm sewer. Mr. Ekert confirmed that was the case.
Commissioner St. John questioned if the duplex lots on the public street were entitled to garbage pick-up. Mr. Fortin stated the development agreement stated it would be the responsibility of the owners and the homeowners association. Commissioner St. John was not sure that right could be waived. Mr. Fortin stated he would check with the City Attorney.
Commissioner Siira questioned if the buildings were going to meet the 65 % brick requirements. Mr. Patch stated they would meet the 65 % and would return to the Commission with adjusted plans to meet those requirements.
Commissioner Foeckler commented that a couple of main goals were met with this project but there was still a question of density and would reserve further comments until the Common Council meeting so he could hear from any other residents.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned the ingress and egress access points for the development. Commissioner St. John stated the requirements were met as requested by DOT.
Alderman Kopplin, 6931 S. Howell Avenue, questioned if Forest Hill in Franklin was staying the way it was so that it may not line up in the future with this project. Commissioner St. John felt the roads would line up and the road would have to meet DOT approval. There would be room to shift the street if necessary.
Rosemary Robinson, 8446 Melrose Drive, questioned where the north south connection would connect to the Apple Creek subdivision. Mr. Fortin explained where the connection would be made if the property that was between the two developments were developed in the future.
Al Rollingson, 8170 S. 20th Street, requested the officially mapped street that goes to 20th Street be removed from the map. Mr. Fortin explained that street was outside of this development and would have to be addressed at a different time. He also requested that more detailed maps be included with the notices.
Mr. Jim Roloff, 8281 S. 20th Street, thanked the Commission and Heartland Development for their hard work in making this a good fit for the neighborhood and the City.
Commissioner Dickmann motioned that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that they adopt the attached PUD conditions and restrictions and general development plan with a change to 5n as part of the Colonial Woods rezoning and Planned Unit Development after a public hearing.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Plan Review – Riteway Bus Service
7433 S. 10th Street & 7470 S. 13th Street
Tax Key No.: 764-9008-001 & 764-9012
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of site and landscaping plans for a parking lot expansion for employees and visitors. The Common Council rezoned this property from B-4, Highway Business to M-1 Manufacturing with a Conditional Use for a private bus storage yard on October 18, 2005. The Plan Commission also recommended to the Common Council approval of a certified survey map joining the properties. The applicant is in the process of revising the CSM, which will then be forwarded to the Common Council for approval.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned if it was necessary to have 123 parking spaces for just employees and visitors. Commissioner St. John commented he could not answer that question because it was way beyond what the zoning code required for the building. Mr. John Russert, Capital Survey and Engineering, the number of parking spaces is needed for employees.
Commissioner Sokol questioned the number of buses on the site. Mr. RJ Bast, 2740 N. Frederick, stated they currently have about 65-70 buses. Commissioner Sokol questioned the need for so many parking stalls. Mr. Bast explained Oak Creek was a growing community and with drivers and staff they would need the parking stalls.
Alderman Kopplin commented the current parking situation for the company was dangerous. If they were to move the company to Pennsylvania they would have to renovate because they have a very secure and tightly run business with no problems. She supports the addition of the parking lot in her district.
Commissioner Sokol added there was some conflicting information regarding this site. The Commission was told there was no suitable space to buy and they did not want to rent. Now we are told that Oak Creek is growing and they may possibly be buying something near the current site. He expressed disappointment in receiving conflicting information. Mr. Bast explained the number of families moving into Oak Creek is increasing so the number of school buses would be increasing and they would be adding additional employees and buses as needed.
Commissioner Peterson motioned the that the Plan Commission approve the site and landscaping plans for Riteway Bus, subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, Dickmann; aye, St. John; aye, Sokol; nay, Siira; aye, Foeckler; nay, Bolender; aye, Grabowski; aye, Peterson; aye. Motion carries.
Certified Survey Map – NDC, LLC
311 E. Puetz Road & 8770 S. Howell Avenue
Tax Key No.: 860-9012
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was proposing a certified survey map that would result in the creation of three parcels in the B-4, Highway Business zoning district.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned where the entrance would be. Mr. Gary Kaufmann stated access would be through an existing curb opening off of Puetz Road. Commissioner Grabowski also questioned if there would be screening for the medical building located next door. Mr. Kaufmann explained he has spoken with the City Forester and believes they have a landscaping plan in place. Mr. Fortin explained the landscaping plan was approved at the last meeting and was on file.
Commissioner St. John questioned the diagonal dashed lines on the CSM. Mr. Fortin explained it was an easement for a telephone line and a development agreement. Commissioner St. John stated the telephone line would need to be moved.
Commissioner Dickmann motioned that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the certified survey map for the property at 311 E. Puetz Road be approved, subject to any technical corrections being made prior to recording.
Commissioner Peterson seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Certified Survey Map – Weas Development
701 E. Puetz Road
Tax Key No.: 860-9999-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a 4 lot land division for the property at 701 E. Puetz Road. The certified survey map would divide the property in accordance with the official map for this area as well as the general development plan that was approved as part of the Planned Unit Development for this area.
Mayor Bolender directed the item held until the applicant could be present to answer questions from the Commission.
Plan Review – KEI Enterprises
824 E. Rawson Avenue
Tax Key No.: 732-9993-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting site plan approval of a salt storage shed. KEI also has a conditional use permit to allow for the outdoor storage of materials and equipment. The shed will be constructed of white steel panels.
Commissioner Dickmann commented the building should not be able to be seen from the road. The only people that may see it would be at the County Dog Park.
Mayor Bolender commented the City garage that was being built has the same situation.
Commissioner St. John questioned if the color could be changed to a more natural color of green, brown or tan. Mr. Ron Kujawa, commented it was a standard Menard’s building and if other colors were available they would change the color of the building.
Commissioner Siira motioned that the Plan Commission approve the site and building plans for the KEI salt storage shed, subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Sokol seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Plan Commission Consultation – Apple Tower Development CSM
8351 S. 20th Street
Tax Key No.: 831-9029
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission that Apple Tower Development was requesting Plan Commission comment and input on a conceptual 3-lot land division. The proposed certified survey map would create 3 parcels within the Rm-1, Multi-Family Residential zoning district. No action will be taken on this item at this time.
Commissioner Foeckler questioned if parcel two was all woods. Mr. Norb Theine stated it was probably about 90% woods.
Mr. Theine explained this was a proposal on his part to build four units for the personal use of four couples.
Commissioner St. John questioned what was the point of the dedication. Mr. Fortin explained they would like to remove the dedication for public street.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned the intention of the arts and crafts building. Mr. Theine explained it would be for the personal use of the four units. It would technically be a four family building appearing to look like to duplexes side by side. There would be a lower level interconnected to form the arts and crafts area.
Commissioner Siira questioned if there would be signage on the driveway indicating a private drive. Mr. Theine felt that they would have to put in a private drive sign just for safety reasons with the alignment of the street.
Commissioner Foeckler questioned the reason behind not leaving parcels one and two together as one lot. Mr. Theine explained there were two reasons and one of which he did not want to discuss at this time and the other was to separate the woods as a separate parcel.
Commissioner St. John questioned how close to the structures could he maintain trees. Mr. Theine was not sure but he did not want to tear the woods down but wanted to build into the woods. They would try to come up with a good design to fit into the woods.
Commissioner Foeckler commented to be clear some trees would come down for the buildings but he felt it would be a wonderful environment and he did not have any issues with the plan.
Zoning Text Amendment – Drive through facilities for banks and other financial institutions
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission at the December 20, 2005 Common Council meeting an ordinance making drive-in and drive-through restaurants a conditional use in the B-4 zoning district was adopted. The Council suggested that banks and other financial institutions with drive-through facilities should also be a conditional use in all business zoning districts.
Commissioner St. John motioned that the Commission recommend to the Common Council the adoption of the zoning text amendment for drive through facilities for banks and other financial institutions.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
South 27th Street Streetscape Plan – Memorandum of Understanding
South 27th Street – S. 27th Street Implementation Plan
Mayor Bolender directed these items held.
Commissioner Peterson motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Dickmann seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm.