Architectural Commission Agenda Packet - 4:30 PM
City of Oconomowoc · Waukesha County · meeting of Oct 7, 2026 · Agenda packets
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City of Oconomowoc
ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, October 7th 2026 @ 4:30 PM @ City Hall, Conference Room #3
NOTICE: If a person with a disability requires the meeting be accessible or materials at the meeting be in an
accessible format, call the City Clerk, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at 262-569-2186, or TDD at 262-569-
3272 to request adequate accommodation.
AGENDA:
1. Roll Call and Confirmation of appropriate meeting notification
2. Approve Minutes of August 5th, 2026
3. Knights of Columbus- Consider/Act on the sign exception for the business at 117 W. 2nd Street to allow
for a reader board sign
4. Brickview Tattoo- Consider/Act on a new sign and awning for the business at 128 A Silver Lake Plaza
5. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department
6. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners
7. Adjourn
Members of other C ity governmental bodies (boards, commission, committees, council, etc.) may attend the above noticed
meeting of the Architectural Commission in order to gather information. The only action to be taken at the above noticed meeting
will be action by the Arch itectural Commission. Architectural Commissioners should notify the City Clerk's Office at 262-569-
3236 if they are unable to attend.
S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2026/ACmin 8-5-26
City of Oconomowoc
Architectural Commission Meeting Minutes
August 5, 2026
Due to the absence of Chairman Flint, the Deputy Clerk called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm and requested a
motion to nominate a Chairman Pro Temp. Motion by Otten to nominate Krogstad as Chairman Pro Temp; second
by Puestow. Motion carried 3-0-1 (Krogstad abstained).
Members Present: Otten, Krogstad, Puestow and Matteson
Members Absent: Flint
Staff Present: Grams, Gallo, Mayor Rosek, Frye, Ald Frankowsky and Dehnert
2. Approve minutes of July 13, 2026: Motion by Otten to approve the July 13, 2026 minutes; second by
Matteson. Motion carried 3-0-1 (Puestow abstained).
3. Fiesta Cancun – Consider/act on a revised building plan for the business located at 159 E Wisconsin
Avenue: Grams provided background on this request and said the applicant provided 3 options for shudders on
the west side of the building: 1) lighter wood arch; 2) dark wood round; and 3) dark wood rectangle. Grams
recommended amending the original motion from the September 4, 2024 Architectural Commission meeting to
allow for closed shutters on the wall in the alley as shown in option 3. John Kutz from MSI said the owners prefer
option 3 also. The product will be a premanufactured cedar with 3 coats of finish; either 14” x 54” or 14” x 60” and
will install them as quickly as possible. He offered to get a sample to staff before installation if required. Members
liked the change; the natural product makes sense due to the proximity of people to the shutters; and thinks they
should include a pair of shutters under each light. Kutz said there is no issue with adding more shutters under the
other lights and explained how they plan to attach the shutters. Motion by Otten to approve amending the motion
from the 9/4/24 meeting that required 2 murals to be placed on the side of the building at 159 E Wisconsin Ave to
allow for closed shutters on the wall in the alley with option 3 as presented with long shutters in the color Dogberry
under each light; second by Matteson. Motion carried 4-0. Kutz said he will get the shutters on order and install
them when they come in.
4. 262 Dental – Consider/act on the sign exception for the business at 1672 Old School Road to allow for
a third sign: Grams explained this applicant is requesting a special exception to allow a third wall sign on their
building. They currently have wall signs on the west and south elevations and want another wall sign on their
north elevation. Staff is recommending denial based on City Code Section 17.608. If granted by the members, the
new sign should not exceed 50 sf. Todd Lowe of Milwaukee Sign Co said the additional sign is due to public safety
and could be considered wayfinding because clients have missed the building. Dr. Behrend said they put in a
handicap door and people keep parking in the wrong parking lot and then go in that entrance instead of the main
entrance. Members were concerned having a third sign could set a precedent; the building is located on an island
from other buildings in the development who have 2 signs; discussed sign locations; and want to find a solution
without going against City Code. Motion by Matteson to approve the special exception request to allow a third sign
at 1672 Old School House Road as presented and not to exceed 50 sf; second by Krogstad. Motion amended by
Matteson that they proved their request due to safety concerns; people coming in the wrong door; and their
building is located on an island parcel; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0.
5. Silver Lake Studio – Consider/act on building plans for a façade renovation at 206 S. Silver Lake Street:
Grams explained the applicant wants to update the façade of their building with white vertical board & batten
siding; a stone base; updated awnings and new windows. Gallo said if they update their sign it must adhere to the
sign code. Grams recommended approval with considerations listed in the background. Bridget Pritchard, owner,
said she has the approval of the owner. Members said the plans are a great improvement. Motion by Puestow to
S:Clerk/Committees-Commissions/Architectural/Minutes/2026/ACmin 8-5-26
approve the buildings, materials, signage and lighting as shown at 206 S. Silver Lake Street; second by Otten.
Motion carried 4-0.
6. Violet Table – Consider/act on building plans for the exterior remodeling of the building located at 127
E Wisconsin Avenue: Grams explained the applicant is planning to paint their building a black color on the front
and rear elevations with a cream color in the vestibule. Grams recommended approval with considerations in the
background. The applicant, Douglas Herman, said the new owner of the building wants to update the building, and
he would like to get the painting done before Fall Fest. Members comments included the front building loses its
character with the proposed paint color; painting metal windows is never a good idea; the current colors highlight
the building’s elements; they could still do the paint color but use gray or another color to highlight the
architectural elements; believes he should be given the creative ability to choose to highlight what he wants; and
suggested having a full image of the building with the other buildings around it to get a full view. Gallo suggested
the applicant could make some changes, then send them to staff who would forward onto the Chairman to see if
the changes are acceptable. Motion by Puestow to deny the façade renovation at 127 E Wisconsin Avenue, due
to the color and lack of detail noting that painting the building is fine but request to adjust the color selection to
highlight areas of the building then send the updated plan to Planning staff who will then forward it to the
Architectural Commission Chairman for review; second by Krogstad. Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Puestow excused himself from discussion/ voting on the next item due to a potential conflict of
interest.
7. The Harvest Design Guidelines – Consider/act on the Design Guidelines for the Harvest at Pabst
Farms: Grams explained there have been discussions between the City and the Village of Summit on the design
guidelines as the development will be located in both the City and the Village. Chairman Flint was one of the
members of the team from the City working on these guidelines and sent an email today with his approval of the
guidelines. There will also be signage including pylon, gateway and wall signs. Grams recommended approval
with the inclusion of minor changes from the Village of Summit and giving approval to staff to make those
changes. Brian Bell from Pabst Farms explained the entry into the development. Gallo pointed out that Costco is
not part of the development though it is located on 3 sides. Gallo explained there is an issue because Costco has
30’ tall light poles which the City wants to continue throughout the development; however, Summit wants 15’ poles
with a 3’ base. Gallo doesn’t believe the Village is willing to compromise on this issue. Scott Yauck from Cobalt
Partners explained the different meetings, thinks there will be no big changes and these are guidelines. He said
buildings in the development will have natural colors and materials. Frye said the intent of the guidelines was to
make the overall appearance of the development being consistent. Dean Fredrick of the Plan Commission and the
team from the City on these guidelines added they wanted continuity with everything flowing together to look like
one site. Members liked the materials and colors; appreciated all the work involved; and trusted Flint so they didn’t
have any issues on the proposed guidelines. Motion by Krogstad to approve the design guidelines for the Harvest
at Pabst Farms as presented; second by Otten. Motion amended by Krogstad to include the changes being
incorporated into the design guidelines based on feedback from the Village of Summit and giving planning staff
authority to incorporate minor changes; seconded by Otten. Motion carried 4-0.
8. Reports and comments from the City Planning Department: None.
9. Reports and comments from the Architectural Commissioners: None.
Motion by Otten to adjourn at 5:44 pm; second by Matteson. Motion carried 4-0.
Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk
Architectural Commission Background
October 7th 2026: 4:30 pm at City Hall in Conference Room #3
Department of City Planning
Robin Grams | 262.569.2173
oconomowoc-wi.gov/planning
Item #3- Knights of Columbus
The applicant is applying for a special exception to allow for a electronic LED sign for the
business located at 117 W Second Street.
Background:
The City of Oconomowoc Planning Department received a complaint on September 1, 2026 that a
sign using electronic LED lights was being used at 117 W Second Street. The sign was placed in
front of the building without a sign permit. Typically, these signs are not allowed in the downtown.
Per City Code, these types of signs can only be used with the approval of the Architectural
Commission (17.609(I)). The owner was given the option to remove the sign or to apply for the
October 7th Architectural Review Commission.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal, charitable organization. They are requesting the special
exception to allow them to share information about their charitable programs, community service,
and fundraising activities. The sign would be used to communicate timely information to the
community and encourage participation in our charitable efforts. The sign is located in front of
the building on the lawn area. It would be operated and maintained in accordance with sign,
building, and electrical requirements.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends denial of the special exception request to allow for an electronic LED sign at
117 W Second Street and to have the sign removed by November 9, 2026. If the Architectural
Review Commission grants the special exception for the sign, staff would ask the Commission
to discuss restrictions on the time of day the electronic sign may be displayed and what content
may be shown.
Architectural Commission Meeting Background
October 7th 2026 – Page 2
Item #4- 262 Brickview Tattoo
The Applicant is looking to install a new awning with a sign, to the façade of the building located
at 128A Silver Lake Plaza.
Background:
The applicant is seeking approval from the Commission to install a new awning with a sign, to the
building at 128A Silver Lake Plaza. The tenant, Brickview Tattoo is looking to update the façade to
add to the aesth etic of the building and to make the business more visible. Brickview Tattoo was
established in 2019 and moved to this current space approximately four years ago.
The proposed awning will be approximately 3’ tall by 24’ wide. The front width of the tenant space
is 30’ which would allow for the sign to be a maximum of 45 sq. ft. The awning would be dark
green in color with the lettering to be a cream color. The applicant is also considering applying for
the façade grant program, therefore, approval from the Architectural Commission is required.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the awning and sign for Brickview Tattoo, located at 128A Silver
Lake Plaza with the following considerations:
• The size and color of the awning is deemed appropriate for the location by the
Architectural Review Commission.
• The sign cannot exceed 45 sq. ft. in size.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal charitable organization. We are requesting
approval to install an LED sign at 117 S 2nd Street to share information about our
charitable programs, community service, and fundraising activities.
The sign will help us communicate timely information to the community and
encourage participation in our charitable efforts. We believe an LED sign is a cost-
effective way to promote these activities and keep the public informed.
The proposed sign will be located in front of our front steps in our lawn area. It
will be operated and maintained in accordance with applicable sign, building, and
electrical requirements. We respectfully request approval of this permit
application.
Zoning Committee,
I here by authorize Jon Kopps to put up a sign in front of Columbian Hall located on 117 Second St. in the
city of Oconomowoc WI.
Jim Houk Bldg. Corp. President
Source: City of Oconomowoc website. First collected Oct 7, 2026.