MINUTES OF THE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2007
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 Siira, Commissioner Kopplin, Mayor Bolender, Commissioner Grabowski, Commissioner Correll and Commissioner Nowak. Commissioners Sokol was excused. Also present were Jeff Fortin, Planner, and Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop.
Commissioner Grabowski moved to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2007, Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Dickmann seconds. Roll call, all voted aye with the exception of Commissioner Kopplin who abstained. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Report on Significant Common Council Actions
Mr. Fortin updated the Commissioners on the actions that were taken at the August 21, 2007, Common Council meeting. There were no comments or concerns from the Commissioners.
Temporary Use – Mcjensar Realty/Potters Creek Model Home and Sales Office
845 E. Orchard Street
Tax Key No.: 922-9101
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a temporary use permit to allow for the existing house at 845 E. Orchard Court to be used as a model home and a temporary sales office for the Orchard View and Shepard Orchard subdivision.
Commissioner St. John moved that the Plan Commission approve the temporary use for the model home and sales office located at 845 E. Orchard Court, subject to the following conditions:
- That the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 12 PM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM, or by appointment.
- The temporary use shall expire on August 28, 2009.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Temporary Use – Colonial Woods Trailer
8100 S. 27th Street
Tax Key No.: 810-9012
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting an extension granting them an additional 30 days from the meeting to connect to municipal sewer and water.
Commissioner Dickmann moved that the Plan Commission approve the revised plans for the temporary sales trailer for the Colonial Woods Condominiums subject to the following conditions:
- That the trailer shall be connected to municipal sewer and water no later that October 28, 2007. If the trailer is not connected to municipal sewer and water by this date it shall be removed from the site.
- That all building and fire codes are met.
- That the temporary use permit for the sales trailer expires upon occupancy of the model condominium or by April 1, 2008, whichever comes first.
- That the visitors and employees do not use the W. Forest Hill Avenue right-of-way.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Temporary Use – Karl’s Event Rental
950 W. Rawson Avenue
Tax Key No.: 735-9002
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting a temporary use to allow Karl’s to continue to use a 33’X36’ tent structure as a vehicle maintenance area. The tent structure is located at the east end of the building and is not visible from W. Rawson Avenue. The applicant is requesting the tent remain up indefinitely.
Commissioner St. John commented under the electrical code 90 days would be the limit for temporary and after that they would have to meet the stricter standards of the electrical code. Vehicle repair in the tent opens up more issues.
Mr. John Schlueter, President Karl’s Event Rental, explained the tent was more of a structure than a tent. It was manufactured in Oak Creek and they use the tent to show clients what can be done with this structure and they would be at a competitive disadvantage if they could not have the tent up. They would be happy to upgrade the electrical and also add sprinklers if required. It is not visible from the street.
Commissioner St. John commented if everything was brought into compliance then it would be a building and it does not meet any of the requirements of a commercial building in Oak Creek. Mr. Schlueter commented it would be a challenge but it was their stock and trade.
Commissioner Correll questioned if it was Karl’s position this was a sales tool. Mr. Schlueter stated without question it was a sales tool.
Commissioner Nowak questioned if the there was a door on the building where the tent was connected. Mr. Schlueter stated there was a door. Commissioner Nowak questioned if the tent would be marketed as it is currently being used. Mr. Schlueter commented they do sometimes attach the tents to structures.
Assistant Fire Chief George Krudop explained he discovered the tent during a fire inspection. The tent would need to be sprinkled and he questioned whether they would be allowed to bring customers into a tent being used for auto repair. There are many building code requirements that he was not sure the tent could meet.
Commissioner Siira questioned which was more important to the company the sales tool or the vehicle maintenance. He questioned if they would they be willing to do the vehicle repair else where on the site? Mr. Schlueter commented it was definitely used for both and it would be a challenge to do one or the other.
Commissioner Kopplin commented if they needed vehicle repair they should not have leased half of the building on 10th Street to a doggie day care when it could have been used for repair. Mr. Schlueter explained they only lease the offices and it could not have been converted because the ceiling height is only eight feet.
Commissioner Dickmann commented he looked at the structure and the area and if they are showing customers the product they should be embarrassed because it is a mess in that area. They way it is being used he feels it is more or a repair area and not a sales tool.
Commissioner Nowak commented the repair shop was an issue but it was a manufacturer and a common place for manufactures to bring in customers to see the product. A.C. Krudop commented if the Commission was to approve the request he would need to comply with all building and fire codes. Mr. Schlueter commented it would not be a problem to comply with the codes. Commissioner St. John commented Mr. Schlueter was not aware of what all the codes were. Mr. Schlueter commented he is aware of the sprinkler and the electrical codes.
Commissioner Siira commented the brochures would seem to be a much nicer sales tool. Mr. Schlueter commented Lexus has beautiful brochures but yet they spend money on show rooms. Commissioner St. John questioned if they could put the tent inside a building. Mr. Schlueter commented if it was in a showroom they would have to sprinkler it and have lighting.
Commissioner Grabowski expressed concern for setting a precedent with a tent as a permanent structure.
Commissioner Grabowski moved that the Plan Commission not approve the use of a tent as a temporary vehicle repair area and that the applicant is ordered to remove the temporary tent within fifteen (15) days (September 12, 2007).
Commissioner Siira seconds. Roll call, all voted aye with the exception of Commissioner Nowak who voted nay. The motion to deny carries.
Rezoning Ordinance Amendment – Goodwill Industries Center for Work & Training
140 E. Rawson Avenue
Tax Key No.: 733-9991-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting an additional 90 days be granted because there are still outstanding municipal approvals and due diligence items that must be completed before Goodwill can close on the property.
Commissioner Kopplin moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the property at 140 E. Rawson Avenue be rezoned from B-4, Highway Business to M-1, Manufacturing after a public hearing and with the condition that in the event that the transfer of this property to Goodwill Industries of Southeast Wisconsin does not occur within 90 days of the adoption of the new ordinance, the zoning of this property shall remain B-4, Highway Business.
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Plan Review – Goodwill Industries Center for Work and Training
140 E. Rawson Avenue
Tax Key No.: 733-9991-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of site, building, and landscaping plans for the Goodwill Industries Oak Creek Center for Work and Training located at 140 E. Rawson Avenue. The proposed 107,520 square foot building would house light manufacturing facilities and offices. There will not be retail sales or donation operations at this location.
Mr. Arden Degner, 8540 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, expressed concern for sidewalks being put in on Rawson Avenue for pedestrian traffic.
Mr. Ed Wenzler, Wenzel Architects, gave a brief description of the materials and colors that would be used on the building.
Commissioner Grabowski questioned how the rooftop mechanicals would be screened. Mr. Wenzler explained they would be screened with a product called cityscapes and visors that would attached to the rooftop unit and then panels would be added in a coordinating color.
Commissioner Kopplin moved that the Plan Commission approves the site, building and landscaping plans for the Goodwill Industries Oak Creek Center for Work & Training located at 140 E. Rawson Avenue, subject to the following conditions:
- That the final site landscaping plan is approved by the City Forester prior to the issuance of building permits.
- That the final site grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans are approved by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of building permits.
- That the final lighting plans are approved by the Electrical Inspector prior to the issuance of building permits.
- That all building and fire codes are met.
- The approval of site, building and landscaping plans is also contingent upon the amended rezoning of this property (see item 4d).
Commissioner Grabowski seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Plan Review – Life Creek Church
2020 E. Drexel Avenue
Tax Key No.: 779-9988-001
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval of a garage and storage building and an attached dumpster enclosure. The garage will be located to the north of the church gymnasium which is currently under construction.
Mayor Bolender questioned what would be stored in the garage. Mr. Justin Stuebs, Workshop Architects, stated he believed maintenance vehicles and lawn care equipment would be stored in the garage.
Commissioner Dickmann questioned what the existing building on the site was being used for. Mr. Stuebs explained that building would be removed as part of this project and he also mentioned the new dumpster enclosure would match the church.
Commissioner Kopplin questioned if Mr. VanBeck was notified of the meeting. Mr. Fortin stated he was notified. Commissioner Kopplin questioned if there was any possibility this would affect the land to the north. Commissioner St. John explained it was under a half acre impervious surface and the landscaping was not being touched. Mr. Stuebs explained the stormwater detention basin was upgraded to include the gymnasium and some additional space in case of future development on the property.
Commissioner Grabowski moved that the Plan Commission approve the garage and dumpster enclosure for the Life Creek Church located at 2020 E. Drexel Avenue subject to the following conditions:
- That all building and fire codes are met.
- That the final site grading and drainage plans are approved by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of building permits.
Commissioner Dickmann seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Rezoning – Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District East Middle School Lands
9160 S. Shepard Avenue & part of 9150 S. Shepard Avenue and 9330 S. Shepard Avenue
Tax Key No.: 873-9978 & 873-9979-003
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the applicant was requesting approval that additional lands acquired for the East Middle School be rezoned to I-1, Institutional, which is the appropriate zoning classification for school facilities from Rs-2, Single Family Residential.
Commissioner Grabowski moved that the Plan Commission recommend to the Common Council that the properties at 9160 S. Shepard Avenue and part of 9150 S. Shepard Avenue and 9330 S. Shepard Avenue are rezoned from Rs-2 and Rs-3, Single Family Residential to I-1, Institutional after a public hearing.
Commissioner Siira seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The motion to approve carries.
Zoning Text Amendment – Metal Roof restrictions for residential buildings
Mr. Fortin explained to the Commission the item was being brought back to Plan Commission for clarification on what the Plan Commission meant by “secondary roof applications”.
Commissioner Siira explained that he intended the main roof would be the main roof form covering the majority of the house. The secondary would be covered porches, dormers etc.
Commissioner St. John suggested setting a percentage such as no more than 25% of the roof.
Ms. Carol Grundy, 9160 S. Nicholson Road, commented the standing seam roofs can be very pretty and suggested they be allowed in Oak Creek.
Mayor Bolender did not see the disadvantage of having metal roofs in the City. There are different variations with metal roofs and he feels they should be looking at other types of materials including metal.
Commissioner Grabowski commented they support using the standing seam metal roofs for secondary roofs. Mr. Fortin explained a cedar shake roof that was made of metal that mimics the cedar is acceptable as primary roof material. The standing seam has to be on the secondary roof.
Commissioner Siira stated the standing seam was totally ruled out in the first discussion and then it was agreed it would be allowed as a secondary roof material. At this point it seems like the Commission may want to allow it as a primary roof material.
Commissioner Kopplin explained the reason it came back was to clarify that secondary roof did not mean a second roof being put over the top of the first layer.
Commissioner Siira would put together a packet for the Plan Commission that would show standing seam as a primary and secondary roof material.
The item was directed held.
Commissioner Grabowski moved to adjourn. Commissioner Siira seconds. Roll call, all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.