Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_08_09_2023 If you are unable to attend this meeting, notify staff (920-236-5059). If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the office of Planning Services at andersonrach@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or 920-236-5059. CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes August 9, 2023 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Paulette Feld, Sara Stichert, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Steve Cummings, and Gerald Jacklin ABSENT: Kristopher Ulrich STAFF: Jeffrey Witte, Principal Planner and Amy Fels, Museum Archivist Meeting Minutes: 1) Call to Order Meeting called to order by Shirley Bradender Mattox at 3:01 pm. Ms. Brabender Mattox introduced new City staff liaison, Amy Fels, to the commission. The Commission members and Jeffrey Witte introduced themselves in return. Ms. Fels spoke briefly about her role with the Commission and her role as the archivist at the Museum. 2) Approval of July 12th, 2023 Meeting Minutes Ms. Feld motioned to approve the minutes and was seconded by Mr. Cummings. 3) Public Comment Mike Karrels of TR Karrels & Associates presented plans for renovation of the front façade and interior The Roxy Supper Club at 571 Main Street. Mr. Karrels stated that he was coming to the Commission for guidance and critique of the proposed project and presented drawings of interior and exterior plans. The intention is to replicate some of the existing Art Deco geometry on the current exterior with new construction elements, first removing the existing garage door and building a bank of contemporary windows in its place. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if Mr. Karrels knew what The Roxy was historically and if he had photographs. Mr. Karrels stated he had not been able to locate any, and Ms. Brabender Mattox offered suggestions of people to contact. Mr. Cummings suggested reaching out to the Bergstrom family, who have connections to the area, and Ms. Stoll Olthoff offered a resource she located online. Mr. Karrels offered drawings of a second phase of proposed exterior design construction and a relocated main entrance. Ms. Brabender Mattox emphasized that the concern of the Commission in this case is keeping the historical appearance of the exterior, particularly the previous automotive space, rather than the interior. The Commission expressed concerns that the proposed façade designs did not fit with the design and feel of Main Street in Oshkosh, but that it felt more southwestern. The Commission asked which time period was trying to be replicated. Mr. Karells thanked the Commission for their thoughts and indicated he would provide updates in the future. 4) Local Landmark Nomination – 404 W. New York If you are unable to attend this meeting, notify staff (920-236-5059). If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the office of Planning Services at andersonrach@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or 920-236-5059. Ms. Brabender Mattox provided an update that she had met with Rich Green, owner of the building, and provided him with the necessary forms and other information regarding the nomination process. Ms. Brabender Mattox indicated that Mr. Green is in favor of going through the process and that Mr. Green will be back in the area in the fall. The nomination is considered in progress. 5) Renovation of the Grand Opera House Ms. Brabender Mattox deferred to Mr. Witte regarding an update. Mr. Witte and Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that a representative from the Grand Opera House should be invited to a meeting to provide information about any work being done. Ms. Brabender Mattox reiterated that because the opera house is a municipally owned building, any work done to it is immediately under review by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and that SHPO must be notified. Ms. Brabender Mattox has contacted SHPO. 6) Pending Permits a. 411 N Main Street – Windows Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she has yet to contact the Community Foundation to see if there is a façade grant available but that she intends to do so. Ms. Brabender Mattox indicated that the owner wants to do the work right and is not in a hurry. Mr. Witte explained the owner would qualify for tax credits if she could generate $50,000 worth of work across the entire building. 7) Historic Plaque Application a. 1641 Jackson Street - application remains pending, looking for additional information. Owners are out of the country until August. b. 413 North Main – Working group to continue exploring an exhibit honoring Lewis Hine. c. 222 East Parkway Avenue (Helen Farnsworth Mears) – Efforts continue to contact the current owner and let them know about the program to identify historic properties in the City of Oshkosh. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested promoting the historic plaque program at future neighborhood alliance meetings to increase participation. Mr. Cummings expressed frustration at the lack of participation and felt that it is due to too few owners controlling too much property, particularly on Main Street. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that the Time Community Theater may be a good candidate to connect with, and Ms. Feld and Ms. Stoll Olthoff agreed. 8) Commissioner Statements a. Oshkosh Herald Article If you are unable to attend this meeting, notify staff (920-236-5059). If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the office of Planning Services at andersonrach@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or 920-236-5059. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that her article regarding bungalows was published a week later than expected because of lack of space in the paper. Ms. Feld stated that Kristopher Ulrich will be writing the August article and that she and Ms. Stichert would be writing the article for September regarding the Museum. Ms. Brabender Mattox indicated that ideas for an October article should be brought to the next meeting. Mr. Cummings expressed interest in wanting to write articles regarding the industry that has disappeared from the river area. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that the articles remain focused on preserving existing structures and sites. b. Lewis Hine Working Group The group scheduled a meeting with each other to work on the project on Tuesday, August 29th. Ms. Stoll Olthoff expressed interest in the project and indicated she would like to join the working group. Ms. Brabender Mattox readily agreed. c. National Association of Preservation Commission Webinar Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she would be attending a two-day webinar from the National Association of Preservation Commissions on August 23 and 24. She stated that SHPO is offering to pay for commissioners to attend and that interested Commission members should let her know if they are also interested in participating. Mr. Jacklin asked what the topic was, and Ms. Brabender Mattox provided a list of session titles. d. Winnebago County Health Institutions Marker Dedication Ms. Brabender Mattox informed the Commission that the Winnebago County Archaeological and Historical Society would be dedicating a historical marker for the past Winnebago County health buildings, like the Poor Farm, Sanitarium, and Asylum that previously existed, near the current site of the Parkview Health Center. She informed the Commission that she would be speaking at the event on August 17. e. Wisconsin Historical Society Annual Conference Ms. Brabender Mattox provided information about the upcoming 17th annual Local History and Historic Preservation conference presented by the Wisconsin Historical Society in La Crosse on October 18-20. She stated that she would pay for the registration fee for any Commission members interested in attending. 9) CLG Grant Application – Baumann Bock Ms. Brabender Mattox motioned to nominate the Baumann Block building at 1124-1128 Oregon Street for placement on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained the process, which would include applying for a CLG Grant. Ms. Feld seconded the motion. All Commission members all voted in favor. If you are unable to attend this meeting, notify staff (920-236-5059). If anyone requires reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact the office of Planning Services at andersonrach@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or 920-236-5059. 10) Public Notice – Section 106 Review a. U.S. Cellular / Oshkosh DT (776305) Ms. Brabender Mattox provided an update on the project, stating she wrote a letter to the consultants on the project. She had a phone conversation with Jake Rieb, expressing the Commission’s concerns with the proposed cell tower addition. She stated that there were concerns from the consultants regarding placing the tower on the roof due to the weight but that Mr. Reib would contact the consultants for additional discussion. b. Jackson/Oregon Street Bridge Replacement / WisDot #4994-07-00 Ms. Brabender Mattox provided an update. Discussion occurred regarding if the Park Plaza mall could be considered a historic structure that would factor into the bridge replacement project, because the building is contiguous with the bridge. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated she contacted John Vogel, consultant on the project, and the Department of Transportation. Mr. Vogel will get back in touch with Ms. Brabender Mattox on the topic. Mr. Witte stated that the DOT intends to construct a high arch bridge that does not need to open to allow river traffic through. 9) Building Permit Review No permits were reviewed. 10) Agenda Items for Next Meeting No items were suggested for the next meeting agenda. 11) Adjournment Ms. Stoll Olthoff motioned to adjourn and Mr. Cummings seconded at 4:32 pm.