ZBA-Minutes 35-1991October 25, 1991
Mr. Michael K. Plumley
d/b/a P & L Insurance Agencies
S76 W18180 Janesville Road
Muskego, WI 53150
Dear Mr. Plumley:
The Board of Appeals wishes to advise you that your request for
a 20' setback variance from the base setback line for a sign has
been granted with the following conditions:
1. The total height of the sign/pole assembly is not to
exceed 14'.
Plan Commission approval will be required for the
sign and any illumination.
3. You are required to remove the existing sign from
the site.
4. The request for a size variance was denied. The
sign, therefore, is not to exceed 39 square feet.
Please contact the Plan Commission secretary, Cheryl, to be
placed on the agenda for Plan Commission approval.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF APPEALS
Jill Blenski
Recording Secretary
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cc: Chairman Gerald Fohr
Cify of f7ine /tedialenfial .inctuilrial and kecreuiional Jacibies
CITY OF MUSKEGO
BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 1991.
Chairman Gerald Fohr called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairman Fohr, Lloyd Erno, Thomas Berken, Donald Pionek,
Darryl Rowinski and Chuck Dykstra.
ABSENT: Vice -Chairman Terry O'Neil and Bonnie Posbrig.
Prior to the meeting, Mrs. Posbrig submitted a letter to Mayor
Wayne Salentine stating her resignation from the Board of Appeals.
A copy of said letter was fowarded to all board members.
MINUTES: Mr. Rowinski made a motion to approve the minutes of the
September 26, 1991 meeting and Mr. Berken seconded. Upon a voice
vote, the motion to adopt the minutes passed unanimously.
APPEAL 32-91 - Clem LaChapelle, S68 W19236 Lembezeder Drive,
Muskego, Wisconsin. Chairman Fohr read the appeal for Mr.
LaChapelle requesting a 5' height variance for a second garage
structure. Zoning: RS-2. Mr. LaChapelle appeared before the
board. He is requesting the variance so he can build a second
garage structure 20 feet in height for the storage of a boat.
There is another structure that is similar in size in his
neighborhood. Mr. Dykstra stated to the board that Mr. LaChapelle
did receive Plan Commission approval for the second garage
structure for the purpose of boat storage. However, the maximum
height allowed is 15'. When the building permit for the garage
was issued to Mr. LaChapelle, the height was not discussed. Mr.
Dykstra discovered that the proposed height would exceed the 15'
maximum when contacted by the contractor working on the project.
Upon the request of Mr. Dykstra, Mr. LaChapelle did discontinue
work on the structure until the matter could be resolved. He was
informed that he could apply for a variance to be granted by the
Board of Appeals and has been very cooperative.
APPEAL 33-91 - Haji Souri, W186 S6421 Topaz Drive,
Muskego, Wisconsin. Chairman Fohr read the appeal for Mr. Souri
requesting a 6' 6" offset variance. Zoning: RS-2. Mr. Dykstra
stated to the board that Mr. Souri wishes to remove the existing,
attached garage and replace it with a larger one that will be
moved back and be built even with the house. His Iot does not
currently conform to the RS-2 zoning offsets. Upon the removal of
the existing garage, the new garage would have to conform to the
offsets, but those offsets (20' and 15') are allowed to be reduced
by the percentage of nonconformance. The board members were
concerned about what was to the north of Mr. Souri's property.
Mr. Souri stated that there was a lot to the north of him with no
access from Topaz Drive. He would like to replace and increase
the garage size for various reasons: 1.) the garage needs repair
and replacing it would improve his property; 2.) his house is
small, and he would like the additional garage space; 3.) there is
Minutes of Board of Appeals
October 24, 1991 Meeting
Page 2
not much difference in the cost; 4.) he is optimistic that placing
the garage back will eliminate water problems he has. Mr. Souri
spoke with neighbors located in front of his property, and they do
not object.
APPEAL 34-91 - Jim Haag, S76 W17603 Janesville Road,
Muskego, Wisconsin. Chairman Fohr read the appeal for Mr. Haag
requesting an 18' setback variance from the base setback line and
one square foot size variance for a sign. Zoning B-3. Mr.
Dykstra explained that the Plan Commission reviewed the site plan
and signage as presented. After approval by the Plan Commission,
Mr. Haag discovered that the building could be placed closer to
Janesville Road due to an averaging process for determining
setbacks. Since the building was placed closer to the road, Mr.
Haag is now requesting an 18' setback variance for the placement
of a sign. Mr. Bernard Schulz appeared before the board on Mr.
Haag's behalf. He stated that the sign will be 3' x 8'. A size
variance will not be required. The sign will be lit and will go
off at 11:00 P.M. It will be a monument type sign with a brick
base planter. The base will be 10 feet. Mr. Schulz stated that
Mr. Haag would like his sign to be uniform with the others in the
vicinity. All the signs in the area are not in accordance with
the legal setback. In addition to the freestanding sign, Mr. Haag
is allowed a wall sign.
APPEAL 35-91 - Michael Plumley, d/b/a P & L Insurance
Agencies, S76 W18180 Janesville Road, Muskego, Wisconsin.
Chairman Fohr read the appeal requesting a 20' setback variance
from base setback line and 9 square foot size variance for a
sign. Zoning: RS-3 with Automatic Conditional Use Grant.
Mr. Dykstra explained that the automatic conditional use grant
stays with the property regardless of owner and allows the
property to remain separate from the RS-3 zoning which is
residential. The size allowed for the sign is 39 square feet. Mr.
Jeff Verburgt appeared before the board on Mr. Plumley's behalf.
He read a letter from Mr. Plumley to the board explaining his
reasons for requesting the setback and size variances. Several
area residents were in the audience to voice their objections.
Mr. Ron Hammond stated the concerns of the neighborhood: 1.) the
size of the sign is too large; 2.) the height is too high; 3.) the
placement is too close to the road; 4.) does the sign need to be
illuminated? Mr. Plumley's letter addressed the height issue.
The letter stated the height would be reduced. Laura and Greg
Mecha also spoke in opposition to the board granting the variances
requested. Why does P & L need such a large sign? Many of the
businesses have smaller signs. Mr. Mecha requested that the
neighborhood residents receive a copy of Mr. Plumley's letter.
The residents present were given copies. Mr. Lemke believes he
has rights and privleges too. He objects to all the variances
that are granted. The residents who were present believe the sign
as proposed will adversely affect their neighborhood. Mr. Dykstra
stated that the Plan Commission must still approve the sign. Many
of the concerns of the residents can be addressed to the Plan
Commission. The Board of Appeals is only to decide on the
Minutes of Board of Appeals
October 24, 1991 Meeting
Page 3
variances requested. The board asked Mr. Verburgt what the
hardships were to allow the granting of the variances. He stated
that a 6' x 8' sign would be provided by one of their companies.
Mr. Rowinski stated that financial hardship cannot be used as a
consideration. Mr. Verburgt also stated that it was their
intention to have the sign attract walk-in business. Mrs. Mecha
disagreed with that. She stated insurance companies receive very
little walk-in business and the parking lot would not be large
enough. Mr. Hammond believes once this variance is granted more
are likely to follow. He presented the board with a copy of a
signed petition and a letter circulated to neighborhood
residents. Mr. Verburgt stated he spoke with some of the
neighbors and some did not oppose the proposed sign and its
location. Mr. Maranowicz stated no one spoke to him. Mr. Dykstra
brought up the issue of the setback. Most of the concerns
addressed the size and height of the sign. Mr. Dykstra asked if
everyone understood the request for the setback variance and felt
comfortable with it. Several residents voiced concern that the
sign, if located too close to the road, would be a visual
obstruction that could create traffic problems.
Chairman Fohr called a short recess.
The Board remained in Open Session.
APPEAL 32-91 - Clem LaChapelle, S68 W19236 Lembezeder Drive.
Since the structure will be set lower than the house and is on a
one acre parcel, Chairman Fohr moved to grant the variance as
submitted. Mr. Rowinski seconded. The hardship being the size of
the structure itself and the need for the high roof for boat
storage. Upon a roll call vote, the motion to grant the 5' height
variance passed unanimously.
APPEAL 33-91 - Haji A. Souri W186 S6421 Topaz Drive
Mr. Erno made a
Berken seconded.
the lot. Upon a
offset variance
motion to approve the variance as submitted. Mr.
The hardship being the location of the house on
roll call vote, the motion to grant the 6' 6"
from the north lot line was passed unanimously.
APPEAL 34-91 - James Haag, S76 W17603 Janesville Road.
Mr. Rowinski made a motion to approve the variance as submitted.
Mr. Pionek seconded. The hardship being that the building was
constructed in consistency with other buildings in the area. Upon
a roll call vote, the motion to grant the 18' setback variance
passed unanimously.
APPEAL 35-91 - Michael Plumley, d/b/a P & L Insurance
Agencies, S76 W18180 Janesville Road. The board discussed this
appeal. Based on sign information presented by Mr. Verburgt, the
members believed that P & L was not limited to a 6' x 8' sign.
There were other sizes available that would work with the
allowable square footage of 39 square feet. Mr. Rowinski made a
motion to grant the 20' setback variance with the following
conditions: 1.) that the sign be no higher than 141; 2.) that the
Minutes of Board of Appeals
October 24, 1991 Meeting
Page 4
Plan Commission review the illumination issue in conjuction with
approving the sign; 3.) that the 9 square foot size variance be
denied; 4.) the existing sign on the site must be removed.
Chairman Fohr seconded the motion as stated with the conditions.
The hardship for the 20' setback variance is the construction of
the buildings in consistency with the others in the area. Upon a
roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mr. Berken made a motion to
adjourn and Mr. Rowinski seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion
to adjourn passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40
P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
ill Blenski
Recording Secretary
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POLINSURANCE AGENCIES
Full Service Insurance Auto • Home • Life • Health • Business
S76 W18180 Janesville Road • Muskep, W153150 • (414) 679-1511
Fax: (414)679-5183
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October 21, 1991
Dear Neighbor:
Just when you thought your neighborhood couldn't get nicer, you get
a friendly letter from your local Board of Appeals asking for a
sign variance for P&L Insurance (formerly CSS computer system, Fish
Market, and Jean's Deli, all of which have gone out of business).
While we are sure we do not object to a sign advertising a business
which blends in very nicely with otir residential neighborhood; we
are asking you to think very carefully about this size variance.
P&L Insurance is requesting an illuminated (from within) sign
8 feet by 6 feet (49 square feet) on a 12 to 14 foot pole. Please
take time to visually look at the area considering the height
(taller than the house) and the sign size (about the size of a
double patio door plus a foot wider). The other factor is that the
sign will be mostly white with black lettering which will throw a
lot of additional light (compared to Thomas Jewelry, which is
almost all black with white lettering).
Some signs in our business district are as follows: Parkland Photo
has a 5x.8 foot sign 16 foot tall; Thomas Jewelers has 58.5 square
foot sign sitting on a 8 foot pylon; and Bob Klenz has a 4xe foot
sign on an 11.5 foot high by 7 foot t-jide platform. Wade House has
a 4 x 5.75 foot sign height unknown.
While we agree they have done an excellent job of cleaning up the
property site, we still feel that we need to maintain the
residential image of the neighborhood. We are not a commercial
area, nor do �^ie want to appear as such, or be rezoned in the `utrrre
as such. The sign size could be scaled down to conform to the
neighborhood, and we feel the pole is unnecessary. A pedestal sign,
t-jould be more attractive, and the ideal situation`would be one made
of wood and illuminated with floodlights.
Please be a good neighbor and attend the meeting at City Hall on
Thursday October 24 at 7 P.M. We �-jould like to see our new
neighbor be a good neighbor and work out a compromise on the sign.
Show your concern -- be there!
Ron &. Sue Hammond
Greg & Laura Mecha
We, the undersigned residents, object to the request for a sign
size variance of an 6x6 foot sign for P&L Insurance, S76 W1818o
Janesville Road.
NAME ADDRESS DATE
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CITY OF MUSKEGO
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 62.23
(3) 6. that a public hearing will be held at the Muskego City
Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue, at 7:30 P.M., Thursday,
October 24, 1991 to consider the following appeals:
Appeal 32-91 CLEM LA CHAPELLE
S68 W19236 Lembezeder Drive
Muskego, WI 53150
Requesting a 5' height variance
for a second garage structure.
ZONING: RS-2
Appeal 33-91 HAJI A. SOURI
W186 S6421 Topaz Drive
Muskego, WI 53150
Requesting a 6' 6" offset variance
from north lot line.
ZONING: RS-2
Appeal 34-91 JAMES HAAG
S76 W17603 Janesville Road
Muskego, WI 53150
Requesting an 18' setback variance from
base setback line and 1 square foot size
variance for a sign.
ZONING: B-3
Appeal 35-91 MICHAEL PLUMLEY d/b/a
P & L INSURANCE AGENCIES
S76 W18180 Janesville Road
Muskego, WI 53150
Requesting a 20' setback variance from
base setback line and 9 square foot
size variance for a sign.
ZONING: RS-3 with Automatic Conditional
Use Grant
NOTICE OF CLOSED SESSION:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Appeals of the City of
Muskego will convene, upon passage of the proper motion, into
closed session pursuant to Section 19.85 (1) (a) of the State
Statutes for the purpose of deliberating concerning cases which
were the subject of a quasi-judicial hearing; said cases being the
above listed appeals.
The Board of Appeals will then reconvene into open session.
Detailed descriptions are available for public inspection at the
Clerk's office. All interested parties will be given an
opportunity to be heard.