MINUTES OF THE
TUESDAY, JULY 11, 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 Kopplin, Mayor Bolender, Commissioner Grabowski, Commissioner Correll and Commissioner Peterson. Also present were Jeff Fortin, Planner, and Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop.
Commissioner Grabowski moved to approve the minutes of June 27, 2006 Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Siira seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Report on Significant Common Council Actions
Mr. Jeff Fortin, Planner updated the Commissioners on the actions that were taken at the July 5, 2006, Common Council meeting. There were no comments or concerns from the Commissioners.
Plan Review – Joseph Campione Enterprises
2201 W. Southbranch Boulevard and 9870 S. Reinhart Drive
Tax Key No.: 903-0004-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of the site, building and landscaping plan approval for a 102,016 square foot addition to their existing facility. The addition will be onto the southern end of their existing facility.
Mr. Sal Campione, 2201 W. Southbranch Boulevard, showed a short video of the building and the internal operations of the building.
Commissioner St. John informed the applicant that there were issues with the stormwater that would need to be worked out if the application was approved.
Commissioner Siira questioned if there would be a way to spread the cost of the addition out so that the building as a whole would have more of a balanced look. The addition looks great but needs more of a balance with the existing building. Mr. Campione explained the original building was mostly metal and they were planning on putting more brick on and eventually they would change the face of the original building.
Commissioner Dickmann questioned if there would be additional jobs along with the addition. Mr. Campione estimated about fifty new positions would be added.
Commissioner Siira questioned at what point in the planning process did they become aware of the thirty percent green space requirement and what necessitates the amount of square footage being added. Is there some possibility that they would be able to abide by the thirty percent rule? Mr. Campione explained this piece of property had limitations because of the way it was configured. They new about the thirty percent but have tried to get a compromise by allowing Black Bear to have access to a loading dock on their west end of the building. They plan on putting in a driveway between the two buildings to take traffic off of Southbranch and to allow for ease of movement into their facility. Campione parking lot south of the building would be used together for Black Bear to move back and forth and loading. If they were to put up a structure and have thirty percent it would not be worth while to do because they would not be able to get the equipment into the building. They were not trying to bypass the laws.
Mayor Bolender questioned what percentage the greenspace would be. Mr. Fortin stated it would be nine percent on the second parcel. Commissioner Correll questioned the amount of greenspace currently on the front parcel and commented the greenspace that would be provided with this development would not even be of a benefit to the City because it would not be seen. Commissioner St. John commented Reinhart Drive which is now a cul-de-sac is projected to come out to 27th Street. The parcel that has been purchased will be visible as you come in and out of the park. Mr. Fortin clarified with the existing up to the north and the second parcel greenspace would be 15 percent total for the whole project.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned the brick versus metal percentage. Mr. Campione felt 50% of the addition was brick.
Commissioner Dickmann felt the architecture added to the building but agreed with Commissioner Siira that the brick could perhaps be spread out over the addition. Commissioner Siira felt the addition had a disjointed look and perhaps they should incorporate the architectural features along the entire addition to dress everything up a little.
Commissioner Sokol questioned the amount of money being spent on the machinery for the addition. Mr. Campione explained the total addition was costing around $18 million and of that the building would be about $8.5 million and ten million in machinery.
Commissioner Sokol questioned what Mr. Fortin felt in his professional opinion was the intent of the thirty percent rule. Mr. Fortin stated it would serve two purposes, one would be for aesthetics and the other would be for stormwater management and drainage type of issues.
Mayor Bolender commented the company had been in the neighborhood for many many years and they have been a good corporate neighbor and he would stand up with them. To diminish their ability to produce bread and be a good neighbor in Oak Creek rather than stand at the expressway and wave them good bye over the greenspace. This is the time to make a decision on whether to kick people out the door over greenspace or use your heads and see that they are building a great building with many good things for the City of Oak Creek. If the Commission starts hanging their hats on the thirty percent there is going to be a lot of other cities making phone calls to the Campione Enterprise and he would not stand for that. This is a company that he feels the greenspace issue is a tough one but that is what this committee is for. Businesses lower taxes and houses raise taxes.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the stormwater could be met with the amount of greenspace being proposed. Commissioner St. John explained they could meet it with the current greenspace but it would cost money. Mr. Fortin stated some of the stormwater detention would be underground.
Commissioner St. John felt they could work a compromise with additional landscaping. Mr. Campione stated they would be doing a nice job with the landscaping with this project. They would enhance the landscaping if that was what the Commission wanted.
Commissioner Sokol stated he did not believe this would set any kind of precedent. When a company wants to put this kind of investment into a City he would challenge anybody to match this kind of investment into the community.
Commissioner Peterson moved that the Plan Commission approve the site, building and landscaping plans for the properties at 2201 W. Southbranch Boulevard and 9870 S. Reinhart Drive, subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Dickmann seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion approved.
Plan Review – Maritime Savings Bank Center Awning Addition
111 W. Ryan Road
Tax Key No.: 906-9010-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a standing seam metal awning along the north façade of the existing multi-tenant building at the above address. The awning will be blue to match the existing roof on the building. There will be a series of support posts constructed of split-face cmu.
Mr. Dave Krummel explained they were proposing one tenant for the building.
Commissioner Correll moved that the Plan Commission approve the awning addition for the property at 111 W. Ryan Road, subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Grabowski seconds.
Commissioner St. John requested an amendment to condition that would not allow additional signs until the plan was approved.
First and second concur.
Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Special Exception Request – Residential Deck
1741 W. Drexel Avenue
Tax Key No.: 811-9023
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the owner of the property at 1741 W. Drexel Avenue was requesting a special exception to the development moratorium that the City has placed on the properties around the intersection of Interstate 94 and W. Drexel Avenue.
Commissioner St. John moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the special exception request to allow for the deck at 1741 W. Drexel Avenue be granted, subject to the applicant obtaining the required building permits from the City of Oak Creek Inspection Department.
Commissioner Kopplin seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Plan Review – Dealrite Company Building Addition
9735 S. 20th Street
Tax Key No.: 903-0002
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was returning from the June 13, 2006 meeting where the Plan Commission denied the request for a building addition because they wanted additional architectural features to enhance the building which is primarily constructed of metal panels. The applicant has submitted a revised site plan with more landscaping in front of the building as well as awnings over each of the building’s entrances.
Alderman Michalski commented he would just like to see some additional landscaping to spruce up the building otherwise he was comfortable with the proposal.
Commissioner St. John commented his opinion of the addition has not changed with the addition of two awnings. He would not like to see the building hid, but would like the building to be the substantial value being showcased on the lot. Mayor Bolender questioned what he would suggest they add to the building. Commissioner St. John would like to see the office area stand out in some way perhaps with additional brick or adding a roof feature over the door.
Commissioner Siira commented this project was right across the street from the Campione project that was approved and there was a substantial difference in the general appearance of the buildings. The addition of two awnings was minimal at best.
Mayor Bolender questioned what could be done to make the building more attractive to the eye. Mr. Smith explained they have tried to add the masonry and carry it across and it does not make it look any better. Windows also did not enhance the building.
Commissioner Siira suggests taking advantage of the offset on the addition and perhaps having an entry element that starts half way. The building could have an entry canopy of some sort.
Mr. Smith explained the small door on the building was for UPS driver to do pick-ups and deliveries.
Commissioner Dickmann commented they were on two different wave lengths. Dealrite was trying to push the addition back and have it not be seen whereas the Commission is looking at the whole building as a structure and trying to make it look good.
Commissioner Correll commented the addition would not be visible and the Commission is trying to dress something up that will not be seen.
Mr. Fortin commented in the past the Plan Commission has issued approvals for all metal buildings if they were matching the existing building. Commissioner St. John was bothered by staff using the precedent perspective when it was something they wanted. When they want something different they say it is individual.
Commissioner Kopplin commented the building has been at this location a long time and precedent is not set on a case by case basis. This building is very hard to see and she does not have a problem with the proposal.
Commissioner Peterson moved that the Plan Commission approve the site, building and landscaping plans for the addition for the property at 9735 S. 20th Street, subject to the following conditions:
Commissioner Correll seconds.
Commissioner Sokol questioned what the applicant’s future plans for the building were and how this addition was meeting their needs. Mr. Ken Deal, 9735 S. 20th Street, explained this was about all they could put on the lot because of the floodplain surrounding the building.
Roll call, Dickmann; aye, St. John; nay, Sokol; aye, Siira; nay, Kopplin; aye, Bolender; aye, Grabowski; nay, Correll; aye, Peterson; aye. Motion failed because of lack of ¾ majority vote.
Mr. Fortin suggested the Commission give the applicant some direction on what they would like to see. Commissioner Grabowski questioned what type of recommendation the Planning Department had given the applicant. Mr. Fortin explained his recommendation was to approve as submitted because any changes made did not seem to look right on the building.
Mayor Bolender requested the three dissenting members of the Commission give him three written suggestions on how to improve the building by Monday.
Plan Commission Discussion on the Sign Ordinance
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission this was a time for the Commission to give comments or suggestions on the existing sign ordinance and what could be done to address some of the more common variance requests.
Commissioner Peterson requested City staff do more research on what is being done elsewhere and what they are doing so all the work does not have to be done over.
Commissioner Sokol commented he agreed they did need something to handle signs to eliminate some of the variance requests. He would like to see a bond be posted by businesses wanting a temporary sign and have there be a substantial fine for noncompliance. Also with the signs he believes they should only be for the primary business going in the establishment. Signs should not be used as billboards to gain more money for the company by clogging the roadways with signs advertising other people’s products.
Commissioner Correll commented Oak Creek is far from the most restrictive in the current format and to stretch the rules to avoid variance hearings would be a mistake. Businesses are going to ask for every sign they can get and lessening some of these things would be a mistake.
Commissioner Dickmann commented something needed to be added for the big box retailers to allow them larger signs for being set back so far from the road. Banners need to be limited but the process should not take up to much of the City’s time.
Commissioner St. John commented non profit signs would need to be addressed.
Mayor Bolender commented they need to see what is going on in the world around the City of Oak Creek and this should be the job of the Planning Department. Mr. Fortin stated he would be happy to do the research but was looking for a starting point and comments from the Commission.
Mr. Guy Kavolas, 2130 E. Birch Drive, questioned if the City was allowed to limit the number of signs allowed inside the store windows. Mayor Bolender explained they were not allowed to limit the number of signs in the windows currently.
Commissioner Peterson felt the ordinance should be taken in chunks such as was outlined for the Commission.
Mayor Bolender directed Mr. Fortin to get some information together for the Commission and they would figure out what was good for the City and for business within the City.
Zoning Text Amendment – Driveway gates in residential districts
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission at their last meeting they reviewed a proposed ordinance that would allow for driveway gates on residential properties.
Mayor Bolender commented it did not make sense to change an ordinance for one person but this person should be sent to the Board of Appeals.
Commissioner Grabowski commented the problem was in her district and if they were not going to get a consensus they should send the resident to the Board of Appeals.
Commissioner Kopplin moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that they not adopt the changes to allow for driveway gates.
Commissioner Sokol seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. Motion carries.
Commissioner Correll moved to adjourn. Commissioner Dickmann seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.