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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 shutters 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. Kutz 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 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 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 and 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 and 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 said 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 a member 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 an Architectural Commission member for review; second by Krogstad. The members suggested any changes be sent to Puestow. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Puestow excused himself from discussion/ voting on the next item due to a 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 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 recommendation to approve the guidelines. 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; these are guidelines; and 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 consistent throughout. Dean Fredrick of the Plan Commission said the team from the City 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