MINUTES OF THE

OAK CREEK PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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 22, 2006 Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Siira seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.

Mr. Fortin updated the Commissioners on the actions taken at the September 5, 2006 Common Council meeting.  There were no comments or concern from the Plan Commissioners.

Plan Review – TCF Bank
2440 W. Ryan Road
Tax Key No.:  878-9994-002

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a new bank building in front of the Pick n’ Save on W. Ryan Road.  The building will be 4,080 square feet and will be constructed of brick and glass.  There will be four (4) drive through lanes.  The applicant has moved the ATM to the rear of the building, per the requirements of the Conditional Use Permit.

Commissioner St. John questioned where the brick enclosure was on the ATM.  Mr. Fortin explained since the ATM was moved to the back of the building they did not need the brick.  Commissioner St. John did not like the red panels on the ATM. 

Commissioner Siira requested additional landscaping to (help some problem with the curbs)

Commissioner St. John questioned if the brick was still an option.  Mr. Mike Peine explained the brick was a trade off to allow the ATM on the Ryan Road side and now the ATM has been moved to the back of the bank off of the road. 

Mr. Richard Thirmonn, TCF, explained the brick was eliminated because of economics. 

Commissioner Correll questioned the tower sign.  Mr. Fortin explained it was looking more like a wall sign with a glass face than a window sign.  The building on Howell Avenue has a channel letter sign inside the tower not the window cling sign.  Commissioner Correll questioned the reason for changing the sign type.  Mr. Thirmonn explained there have been some problems with the sign on Howell Avenue with the heat that builds up inside the tower.  Commissioner Correll agreed it seemed more like four wall signs than a window sign.  Mr. Peine would like some more time to work with staff regarding the tower sign and return to the Plan Commission with the sign at a later date. 

Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop pointed out that the west corner traffic island has a large amount of landscaping and the fire hydrant was located within that island.  They may want to move some of the landscaping to allow access to the hydrant.

Mayor Bolender requested the ATM not be a fire engine red and would like to see it a more pleasing color.

Commissioner Peterson moved that the Plan Commission approve the site building and landscaping plans for the TCF Bank located at 2440 W. Ryan Road, subject to the following conditions:

  1. That all building and fire codes are met.
  2. That the lighting plan is approved by the Electrical Inspector prior to the issuance of building permits.
  3. That all grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans are approved by the Engineering Department prior to the issuance ob building permits.
  4. That the final landscaping plans are reviewed and approved by the Department of Community Development and the City Forester prior to the issuance of building permits.
  5. That the tower includes clear glass windows on each of the four faces.
  6. That the proposed monument sign is moved outside of any City easements and displays the street number.
  7. That the large TCF Bank Express Teller sign on the south elevation of the ATM is removed.
  8. That the applicant returns to the Plan Commission with an alternate color scheme for the ATM.

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

Minor Land Division (Certified Survey Map) – Giuffre XX
7929, 8081 & 8131 S. Howell Avenue
Tax Key No.:  813-9010, 813-9012, 813-9011

Mr. Fortin explained to the Plan Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a minor land division that will adjust some property lines between the future Woodman’s parcel, the Delphi parcel, and the property at 8081 S. Howell Avenue.  No additional parcels will be created.

Mr. DeMichele, Willow Tree Development explained to the Plan Commission which lines would be moved and the reason for the move.

Commissioner Dickmann moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the certified survey map for the properties at 7929, 8081 & 8131 S. Howell Avenue is approved subject to any technical corrections being made prior to recording, including showing the access easement along the west side of 310 W. Forest Hill Avenue.

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

Certified Survey Map – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
7265, 7295 and 7235 S 1st Street
Tax Key No.:  765-9033, 765-9023 & 765-9032

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a certified survey map that would reflect a new property line configuration.  The CSM will essentially shift the property line on the Journal property six feet to the north and eliminate an existing property line that split the Journal property into two separate parcels.  Each of the lots created will meet or exceed the zoning requirements.

Commissioner Kopplin moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the certified survey map for the properties at 7265, 7295, and 7235 S. 1st Street be approved subject to any technical corrections being made prior to recording, including showing the existing floodplain on each of the lots.

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

Certified Survey Map – Aron & Sandy Warner
9200 S. 15th Street
Tax Key No.:  870-9047

Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission Aron and Sandy Warner were requesting approval of a certified survey map for the property at 9200 S. 15th Avenue.  The CSM will create two lots in the Rs-2, Single Family Residential zoning district.  Lots in this district require a minimum of 17,000 square feet and a minimum lot width of 100 feet.  Each of these lots created meets or exceeds this requirement.

Commissioner St. John informed the applicant they would need a development agreement to extend water.  Mr. Warner questioned why they could not drill a well.  Commissioner St. John stated it was unlikely to be approved because the water main was 100 feet away.

Commissioner Correll questioned if there would be an additional driveway or a shared driveway.  Mr. Warner stated it would have its own driveway.

Mr. Seymour reminded the Commission 15th Avenue is a collector street and advised the Commissioner of the potential short falls of allowing access driveways onto a collector street.  While this is not excessive it may be precedent setting.

Commissioner St. John moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the certified survey map for the property at 9200 S. 15th Avenue be approved, subject to the following conditions:

  1. That any technical corrections are made prior to recording.
  2. That a grading plan for parcel 1 is approved by the Engineering Department prior to recording.
  3. That the applicant enters into a waiver of special assessments hearing and notices agreement for the costs of any future public improvements to S. 15th Avenue prior to recording.
  4. That a development agreement for water be approved by the Water and Sewer Utility and installs the necessary infrastructure prior to recording.

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

Vacation of right of way along E. Elm Road – WE Energies
From 4352 E. Elm Road east to existing terminus (NE & NE ¼ Section 36)

Mr. Fortin explained to the Plan Commission the Common Council vacated a 2,650 foot portion of E. Elm road on the WE Energies properties with the understanding that once a secondary access point form E. Oakwood Road was constructed the remaining segment of E. Elm Road abutting WE Energies properties could be vacated.  The remaining segment runs from 4352 E. Elm Road east to existing terminus of the road. 

Ms. Linda Sodeman, WE Energies, confirmed the secondary access road was in and E. Elm Road was ready to be vacated.  This will allow the recreational trail to be constructed and the wetland mitigation to move forward.

Commissioner Correll moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that portions of the right of way for East Elm Road from 4352 E. Elm Road east to the existing terminus be vacated as proposed after a public hearing and subject to WE Energies granting appropriate easements for any public utilities on the vacated portion of E. Elm Road.

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

Sign Plan Review – Oak Creek Medical Offices
2603 W. Rawson Avenue
Tax Key No.:  762-0016

Mr. Fortin explained to the Plan Commission the owners of the multi-tenant medical office building at 2603 W. Rawson Avenue are requesting approval of an overall sign plan. 

Mayor Bolender commented this area was part of the 27th Street Corridor and he would like to have the applicant return with quality signs or at least look like a higher quality application.  Mr. Bruce Mohr, So-Lite Sign, felt the applicant chose this type of signage because of the existing signs on the building.  (At this point there was a problem with the recording system and some of the discussion was lost)  Mr. Mohr believes that a precedent has been set for this building and they have the right to have the box signs.

Mr. Seymour does not see the reason for having every service that is offered at the medical center.  He would hope that they would work with the City a bit more on the signs.

Commissioner St. John commented the signs are not over doors they are over windows on the front of the building so they are not helping to direct anyone.

Mr. Mohr questioned if the Commission was looking for a master sign plan for the building.

Mayor Bolender directed the item held.

Plan Commission Discussion – 1-94 & Drexel Avenue Planning Study
Vicinity of West Drexel Avenue and Interstate 94

Mr. Fortin explained to the Plan Commission the Common Council adopted an ordinance placing a six-month development moratorium for properties within the vicinity of West Drexel Avenue and Interstate 94.  The Commission should discuss what they would like this project to entail and provide staff with a general direction how to proceed with the Planning Study.

Mayor Bolender commented the City of Franklin and Oak Creek were beginning to work together on the interchange project and it is going to happen the question is when. 

A notification area was established and the item will be discussed thoroughly at the next meeting after the residents are notified. 

Commissioner Grabowski moved to adjourn.  Commissioner Dickmann seconds.  Roll call, all voted aye.  The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.