Plan Commission Meetings and Agendas

PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
September 8, 2022 – 7:00 pm
Village Hall
235 Hickory Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

President Knutson called the meeting to order at approximately 7:02 p.m.
Plan Commission members present: Comm. Mark Grabowski, Comm. Theresa Hoff, Comm. Ryan Lange, Comm. Cheryl Mantz, President Jeff Knutson and Trustee Craig Roberts. Excused: Comm. Brian Belt.

Also present: Village Planner, Mary Censky; Village Attorney, Matt Gralinski; Village Administrator, Scott Gosse; and Village Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Jenna Peter.

2. Citizen Comments – Kathy Sewell Jensen of 451 Westfield Way expressed her concern with the bright green paint trim on the Dollar Tree building and does not believe the color fits with the other buildings in the area. She provided photos to the Commission members.

3. Approval of the Minutes – Regular Plan Commission Meeting – August 11, 2022 Comm. Grabowski motioned, seconded by Comm. Lange to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2022, Regular Plan Commission meeting as presented. Motion carried 5-0, Comm. Hoff abstained.

4. Old Business - Item 4.a. was discussed after New Business

a. Review and discussion on the topic of possible updates to the Village’s ‘Off-Street Parking Requirements’ as set forth in Chapter 40, Article VII, Division 2 of the Village Code. This topic is Village initiated.

Planner Censky provided an update regarding the Village’s parking requirements for all business zoning districts as it relates to the apparent decline in brick-and-mortar retail shopping and the continuing practice of working remotely – away from office environments. Of particular interest is the potential for excessive parking allocations displacing underutilized otherwise usable/developable space in the Village’s business area. The general consensus of businesses in the area was that the “new normal” has not been arrived at in terms of retail and office occupancies post-pandemic. They continue to see things moving back toward the “pre” conditions, but are unable to forecast how far or fast that will continue to be the case. None of the commercial property owners contacted felt that they had any excess paved parking areas that could be converted into new development at this time. Censky does not recommend any changes be implemented at this time. The Commission was pleased that the topic was investigated. The consensus was to revisit this again at some unspecified future date to ensure that we are always keeping step with the current market trends as far as parking stall demand is concerned. The Village doesn’t want to be over-paved unnecessarily, particularly if new development could take its place.
No action was taken.

5. New Business

a. Review, discussion and possible action on the Sign Code waiver request of Walmart, in c/o Jacob Hiatt of LK Architecture, to add multiple new wall signs to their existing building at 411 Pewaukee Road thereby increasing in the extent to which the building already exceeds (with waiver approval) the permissions of the Sign Code as to quantity and size of wall signs. This 13+/- acre property is zoned B-1 Community Business w/ PUD Planned Unit Development Overlay District. The property owner is CJM&W Investment Company LLC.

Planner Censky stated the applicant is requesting to install 4 new illuminated wall signs, totaling 92 square feet in combined sign area, to the front (i.e., main entrance) building elevation which faces the interior parking area attendant to the use and the internal private roads of Meadow Creek development. These signs range from 14 sq. ft. to 31 sq. ft. in area and will read “HOME”, “GROCERY”, “PHARMACY”, and “PICKUP”. An additional wall sign is proposed to replace existing “Tire & Lube Express sign on this elevation.
On the left elevation, the applicant proposes to remove/replace the few existing signs above the overhead doors and add additional signs over the doors that presently have no signs (or door numbers).

Village Planner Recommendation:
Given that the Planning Commission did fairly recently review but deny a similar request for the “Pick-up” sign to be added to the front elevation, it would appear that it remains the Villages intent at this time to prohibit secondary and tertiary wall signs for single use buildings such as this unless “specific hardships” warrant. The Planner doesn’t find that a “specific hardship” has been articulated in this case with respect to the proposed new signs and so does not recommend in favor of this request for waiver as regards the proposed new “HOME”, “GROCERY”, “PHARMACY”, and “PICKUP” signs. With respect to the signs proposed to be removed and replaced/expanded upon in the auto service area, the Planner suggests these might be considered directional in nature and wouldn’t necessarily object to allowing for the waiver as to these signs. If the Planning Commission is inclined toward granting any approval in this matter, it is recommended that the following conditions be considered for attachment:
1) Applicant to secure a sign permit, and including any electrical permits as may be
necessary, prior to the installation of any new signs at this location.

Kevin Spurgeon, representing Walmart, stated the signage is consistent with what is typically on the outside of existing Walmart’s across the country. Spurgeon also stated they will be adding sliding doors to the building for the new pick-up area. Censky stated that the Planner and Staff were not made aware that Walmart had plans to architecturally modify the building adding doors for the pick-up area. She stated that that architectural change requires an approval unto itself and would require a building permit as well.

Comm. Grabowski motioned, seconded by Comm. Mantz to approve as presented with the exception of not allowing “HOME”, “GROCERY”, “PHARMACY” wording and the “PICK-UP” sign pending approval and installation of the pick-up service door and to allow the proposed changes to the signage above the auto service bay doors, but only to the extent it is considered wayfinding.
Motion carried unanimously.

b. Review, discussion and possible action on the Architectural Plan Amendment request of Walmart, in c/o Jacob Hiatt of LK Architecture, to modify the exterior colors of their principal building by adding blue color in certain specific portions of the building elevations. This 13+/- acre property is zoned B-1 Community Business w/ PUD Planned Unit Development Overlay District. The property owner is CJM&W Investment Company LLC.

Planner Censky explained the Village received, on the day of this meeting, revised plans showing that the “Walmart Blue” paint color originally proposed has been reconsidered by the applicant and they are now proposing to use a specified gray color.

Comm. Lange motioned, seconded by Comm. Hoff to approve the color change to the specified dark gray color (instead of the blue) as requested by the applicant.
Motion carried unanimously.

c. Review, discussion, and possible action on the Architectural Plan Amendment (i.e., exterior building color changes [adding green color in certain specific portions of the building elevations] and applying window film/decals) request of Dollar Tree, in c/o Greg and Suzanna Kelson of VWS-Viper Construction Services LLC and in c/o Sarah Goeke of Access Permits. The owner of this B-1 Community Business zoned property is 690 Westfield Way LLC in c/o Saf Sarich of the Kenmore Group.

Planner Censky explained the Dollar Tree is requesting after-the-fact approval to retain the Sherwin Williams green paint color “Envy” they have added to certain specific sections of the building elevations which were, as previously approved, painted tan (and in some cases forest green) in color. Also, the applicant has added decals with imaging to the windows in this tenant space where the reviewed plan had called for an opaque window film. This is considered an amendment to the architectural plan as well since the original window specifications were approved as clear view glass with a recent staff level amendment given to the permit an opaque film covering.

Trustee Roberts motioned, seconded by Comm. Lange to deny the “Envy” green trim and compel Dollar Tree to return paint trim to original colors and to ask Village staff to work with the applicant on developing a final window covering plan that will only need to come back to the Plan Commission if there are issues in resolving the signage.
Motion carried unanimously.

d. Review, discussion and possible action on the Site and Architectural Plan Amendment request of property owner/applicant Ben Mohn to establish an outdoor dumpster storage location on this site with related screening structure, and to add elevated, exterior deck features on the north, west and south building elevations at the existing patio doors of the apartments. This +/- .9-acre site is zoned R-M Multi-Family Residential District.

The applicant is proposing to add nine elevated decks to serve the nine (out of 10 total) apartments in this building with elevated patio doors. Each 13.5 ft. wide x 5 ft. deep (i.e., 67.5 sq. ft.) deck will be supported by posts-to-ground and the entire system will be constructed of treated wood materials. A 13.5 ft. x 5 ft. patio will also be installed at grade for the 10th unit where the patio doors open at grade on the west side of the building. The applicant also proposes to place an outdoor dumpster at this site with a related 10 ft. wide x 8 ft. deep x 6 ft. tall screening structure constructed of treated wood materials and painted brown to blend in with the surroundings. A thorough landscaping screening plan is also proposed to be installed around the exterior of this proposed new enclosure.

Village Planner Recommendations:
1) Applicant to complete the requisite survey of the property and to depict the proposed new modifications/improvements thereon. In the event this survey detail reveals that the greenspace will be reduced to below 30%, or if any of the proposed new structures will not comply with the required setbacks/offsets, then the applicant must secure a variance for each digression from the Board of Zoning Appeals before being permitted to proceed with that element of the project; and
2) Applicant to secure all required building permits and grading/paving plan approvals from the inspections and/or public works/engineering departments prior to the start of any work in support of this project.

Comm. Mantz motioned, seconded by Comm. Lange to approve the request subject to the Village Planner’s conditions.
Motioned carried unanimously.

6. Citizen Comments – None.

7. Adjournment
Comm. Mantz motioned, seconded by Comm. Lange to adjourn the September 8, 2022, Regular Plan Commission meeting at approximately 8:35 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Jenna Peter
Deputy Village Clerk/Treasurer