MINUTES OF THE

OAK CREEK PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 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, Commission Kopplin, Mayor Bolender, Commissioner Grabowski, Commissioner Correll and Commissioner Peterson.  Also present were Doug Seymour, Director of Community Development, Jeff Fortin, Planner, and Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop.

Commissioner Grabowski moved to approve the minutes of August 8, 2006 Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Peterson seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye with the exception of Commissioner Kopplin who abstained.  Minutes were approved as submitted.

Plan Review – Journal Sentinel Building
7265, 7295 and part of 7235 S. 1st Street
Tax Key No.:  765-9033 & 965-9023 & 765-9032

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of an 8,000 square foot addition and a driveway around the perimeter of their existing facility.  The building would be constructed of gray split face block to match the existing building.  There would also be four new overhead doors added, three onto the addition and one onto the north elevation of the existing building.

Commissioner Dickmann questioned the reasoning behind eliminating the access point.  Mr. Fortin explained staff was concerned with a property of this size having three points of access and it helps them with green space. 

Commissioner St. John expressed concern with institutionalizing this fast tracking that puts a huge burden on engineering and inspection.  He would like to see the compensation done and certified before any permits are issued.

Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop commented the Fire Department has concerns about access and have worked an arrangement with the owner that he would provide a fire access lane.  The cars are parked on the west side and the north side of the building and the lane away from the building will be designated as a fire access lane in the agreement with the fire department.

Commissioner Dickmann moved that the Plan Commission approve the site building and landscaping plans for the properties at 7265, 7295, and part of 7235 S. 1st Street, subject to the following conditions:

  1. That the grading plan, including flood volume compensation areas, is approved by the Engineering Department prior to the issuance of footing and foundation permits.
  2. That the applicant submits grade certifications, which must be reviewed and approved by the Engineering Department, prior to the issuance of full building permits.
  3. That the applicant submits a certified survey map that reflects the property line changes prior to the issuance of building permits.
  4. That all building and fire codes are met.
  5. That the lighting plan is approved by Electrical Inspector prior to the issuance of building permits.
  6. That the final landscaping plan is reviewed by the City Forester and Department of Community Development prior to the issuance of building permits.
  7. That the fire access lane be dedicated.

Commissioner Grabowski seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.  Motion carries.

Certified Survey Map – H.C. Brill Company
7350 & 7412 S. 10th Street
Tax Key No.:  764-9025-001 & 764-9026

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a certified survey map that would join the properties at 7350 and 7412 S. 10th Street.  The properties are being joined in anticipation of a significant building addition.

Commissioner Correll moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the certified survey map for the properties at 7350 and 7412 S. 10th Street be approved subject to any technical corrections being made prior to recording.

Commissioner Kopplin seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.  Motion carries.

Plan Review – Tim & Janice Finke (T.L. Finke & Associates)
6901 S. 20th Street
Tax Key No.:  737-9027

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of site, building and landscaping plans for a two story 5,411 square foot architectural firm office with residential living quarters.  The residential living quarters for the owner is permitted as an accessory use so long as the residential area does not exceed the floor area used for business purposes. 

Commissioner St. John questioned what restrictions the Council had put on the rezoning of this property.  Mr. Fortin explained the deed restrictions needed to be recorded within ninety days.

Mr. Tim Finke presented material samples to the Commission.  Ms. Rosheen Styczinski, New Eden, landscape architect explained what she was trying to accomplish with the landscaping. 

Commissioner Dickmann questioned the future street right-of-way shown on the map.  Mr. Fortin explained it was not a right-of-way but an officially mapped street that was not very likely to go in given the deed restriction but the street is still on the map.

Commissioner St. John questioned the future dormers on the drawings and if they were to be part of the action at this time.  Mr. Finke explained he would like the Commission to approve the future dormers at this time so when they became necessary to put in he would not need to return to the Commission for another approval.  Commissioner Siira felt the dormers added to the overall architecture of the building.

Commissioner Siira moved to approve the site, building and landscaping plans for the property at 6901 S. 20th Street subject to the following conditions:

  1. That the final site grading and drainage is approved by the Engineering Department prior to the issuance of building permits.
  2. That no building permits are issued until the City receives a copy of the recorded deed restrictions.
  3. That all building and fire codes are met.
  4. That the lighting plan is approved by the Electrical Inspector prior to the issuance of building permits.
  5. That the final landscaping plan is reviewed by the City Forester and Department of Community Development prior to the issuance of building permits.
  6. That the applicant enters into a development agreement with the City to specify the responsibility for and timing of any required public improvements.
  7. That the final utility plans are approved by the Water and Sewer Utility prior to the issuance of building permits.

Commissioner Grabowski seconds.

Commissioner Kopplin added the following condition:

      8.  That the City Attorney approves if necessary any warranty deed restrictions.

First and second concur.

Commissioner Peterson questioned what would be done with the dormers.  Commissioner Siira added the following condition:

      9.  That the future dormers currently shown on the elevations are part of this approval any changes to them would require Plan Commission approval.

Second concurs.  Roll call, all voted aye.  Motion carries.

Plan Review – Carwurx Exterior Modifications
6900 S. 27th Street
Tax Key No.:  737-9025

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting after-the-fact approval of an exterior paint color scheme for the Carwurx Quick Lube and Car Wash located at 6900 S. 27th Street. 

Mayor Bolender stated he preferred the original colors and felt these current colors stood out like a sore thumb.  Mr. Nick Griswold liked the current colors and felt they helped his building stand out to customers.

The Commission did not approve of the orange stripe on the building and was willing to work with the applicant on a more pleasing color scheme. 

Mr. Seymour questioned what the plus in quick lube plus was for.  Mr. Griswold stated they do some brake jobs on site.  Mr. Seymour explained the site was only approved as an oil lube center specifically. 

Mr. Charles Mann, 111 E. Suzanne, questioned if the Commission was going to make the applicant make both buildings look alike.  He did not want to see the Commission getting too restrictive on the business.  Mayor Bolender explained they were not trying to be too restrictive but they also want to make 27th Street look nice. 

Commissioner Peterson moved that the Plan Commission approve the revised paint scheme at 6900 S. 27th Street  and approves a revised paint scheme at 6906 S. 27th Street replacing the orange with the same blue that is on the 6900 S. 27th Street within 60 days.

Commissioner Dickmann seconds. 

Roll call, Dickmann; aye, St. John; aye, Sokol; aye, Siira; aye, Kopplin; nay, Bolender; aye, Grabowski; nay, Correll; aye, Peterson; aye.  Motion carries.

Temporary Use – Woodman’s Property (formerly Delphi) Concrete Crushing Operation
8131 S. Howell Avenue
Tax Key No.:  813-9011

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission Inland Construction was requesting a temporary use permit to allow for the crushing of concrete on the future site of the Woodman’s grocery store.  There will be no materials brought onto the site for crushing and there will be no materials trucked off the site.  All crushed concrete will be used in the construction of Woodman’s store. 

Commissioner Grabowski questioned how this crushing operation would differ from others within the community.  Commissioner St. John did not feel it was different but the crushing equipment has improved and they have not had any problems with the noise from the actual crushing operations.  Commissioner Grabowski also questioned when they intended to start the crushing operation.  Mr. John Halaska, Inland Construction, stated they intended to start crushing within a two month period.

Commissioner Sokol questioned what considerations they City had taken with respect to the day care center located on Forest Hill.  Mayor Bolender questioned what the issue was with the day care.  Commissioner Sokol commented the facility would be having a K-4 program and wondered if the City considered that when looking at the crushing.  Mayor Bolender commented DeMattia has offered to help the day care with a fence in the past and the day care should be watching the children so they are not wandering off.  Commissioner Sokol commented it would be the noise that would be a factor.  Mr. Halaska explained the crusher would be oriented to minimize noise and the stock pile of concrete would provide a very large barrier to help keep the sound down.  Commissioner Sokol requested if the wind was directed towards the day care on a given day that crushing not be done on that day.  Mr. Halaska stated he would accommodate if time permitted.  Mayor Bolender added the noise and dust are very minimal with the crushing operation. 

Keri Dudek, Ebenezer Child Care, expressed concern for the vibration from the vehicles.  Mr. Halaska requested that Ms. Dudek let him know if there were any problems with the operation and he would do his best to correct them.  Commissioner St. John suggested the site be designed so the trucks could pass through without having to back up to eliminate the noise from the back up signals.

Mr. Charles Mann, 111 E. Suzanne Drive, questioned if they had to shut down for wind direction could the permit be extended for additional days.  Mayor Bolender directed Ms. Dudek to call the Police Department if there were any concerns with the operation and if there were wind days they could add those to the permit.

Alderman Lampe suggested adding in the plan of operation as part of the temporary use permit.  Mr. Seymour did not have a problem with staff issuing a stop work order if necessary but did see potential problems with adding additional days with the wind issue.  Commissioner St. John suggested changing the time of the permit to six weeks to cover any days they may not be able to work because of wind direction.

Commissioner Peterson expressed concern for suggesting tampering with the reverse signals on the trucks.  Commissioner St. John explained they were trying to eliminate the backing up of the trucks not the signal from the trucks.

Commissioner Dickmann moved that the Commission approve the temporary use permit to allow for the crushing of concrete at 8131 S. Howell Avenue subject to conditions 1 through 9 provided by Jeff Fortin.

Commissioner Sokol asked that additional conditions be added. 

Commissioner Dickmann withdrew his motion.

Commissioner Sokol moved that the Plan Commission approve the temporary use permit to allow for the crushing of concrete at 8131 S. Howell Avenue, subject to the following conditions:

  1. That the applicant notifies the Department of Community Development in writing of the date that they will start crushing concrete.
  2. That this temporary use shall expire six (6) weeks after the start date.
  3. That crushing and material moving shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday.
  4. That no additional materials to be crushed shall be brought onto the property; also crushed material may not leave the site during the duration of the permit.
  5. All crushing machines used must be manufactured after August 31, 1983.
  6. That an “L” shaped berm of concrete be constructed around the crushing machine.
  7. That the crushing machine is oriented to minimize noise directed towards the daycare facility.
  8. That truck traffic is oriented to minimize the reverse movement of the trucks.
  9. That City staff has the authority to issue stop work orders for violations of the temporary use permit.
  10. That the submitted plan of operation becomes part of this temporary use permit.
  11. That Inland Construction complies with all City Ordinances.

Commissioner St. John seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.  Motion carries.

Tax Incremental District Number 7 Project Plan Review

Mr. Seymour explained to the Commission the City of Oak Creek was considering the creation of a Tax Incremental District Number 7, which would be developed by Liberty Property Trust.  The TID would encompass 27.7 acres located near S. 27th Street and W. Southbranch Boulevard.  Liberty Property Trust intends to develop an industrial office park consisting of two industrial warehouse buildings, one office/retail site, and one office/showroom building.  A preliminary site development plan is included in the Project Plan.  The Plan Commission will not take action on the Project Plan it is being presented so the Commission can familiarize themselves with the Project Plan.  Action on the Plan would occur at the special meeting of the Plan Commission. 

Mr. Neil Driscoll, Liberty Property Trust gave a short presentation on the Project Plan. 

Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the site was just going to be an enhanced warehouse.  Mr. Driscoll explained that was not the case.  The front third of the site was guided towards office and the back two thirds would be guided towards industrial.  There will be high image nice looking buildings with a lot of glass on the portion most visible from 27th Street.

Commissioner Dickmann questioned the length of time involved with this TIF.  Mr. Seymour explained the difference between this TIF and previous TIFs is this is a developer funded TIF.  The City will not be borrowing any monies in order to make the improvements for this TIF.  The monies will be put up by Liberty Property Trust. 

Commissioner Grabowski would not be supportive of the proposal in the current form. 

Commissioner St. John questioned if negotiations took place before the public hearing and exactly how good the proposal was for the City.  Mr. Seymour explained the Plan Commission would be charged with looking at the physical layout of the plan and not the financial aspects of the plan. 

Plan Commission Discussion on the Sign Ordinance – Multi-Tenant Center Signs

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission they would be looking at different types of signs and how other communities regulate them.  At this time they would be discussing and looking at multi-tenant center signs.

Commissioner Peterson presented some additional sign information for the Commission to consider before making any sign decisions.

Mr. Seymour commented it would be difficult to come up with a code that would fit every situation.  To have everything in black in white would not happen.  It is important that the discretion lies with the Plan Commission if there is any.  The Commission has been doing a good job in the review of sign appeals and he applauds the actions of the Commission.  He cautioned about trying to develop a code that was narrowly focused to try to avoid any sign appeals. 

Commissioner Dickmann commented he liked the idea of having a planned sign program if there were three or more tenants in a development.  He also like the idea that tenant board signs were not intended to be visible from the street.

Commissioner Peterson stated the future of signage seems to be in changeable message signs and electronic billboards.  They need to look forward at what they might anticipate in the future with signs and the industry and develop guidelines from that point.

Commissioner Siira commented the Commission needed to look at both ends of the spectrum.  He did not feel painted wall signs looked well and they should set bare minimums for signs also.

Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn.  Commissioner Grabowski seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.  The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.