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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks Minutes 07.09.2025 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes July 9, 2025 (Approved at the August 13, 2025 Commission meeting) PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Vicki Redlin, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Brad Spanbauer, Rich Green ABSENT: Alec Lefeber STAFF: Avis Seizert, Museum Archivist and Staff Liaison; Kimberly Gierach, Planning Services Manager; Diane Bartlett, City Clerk 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3pm. Commissioners and guests introduced themselves and welcomed new commissioner, Mr. Rich Green. 2. Election of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary Ms. Brabender Mattox began the discussion by expressing concern over the electing a Commissioner as Secretary due to possible liability issues. She followed by reading aloud a portion of the relevant ordinance outlining the role of the Commission Secretary. Ms. Gierach pointed out that Chapter 30 of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code requires that the role of Secretary be filled in order to proceed in accordance with the code. She also noted that it can be revised moving forward. Discussion continued on the role of previous staff liaisons with the Commission, including acting in the Secretary role. Other Commissioners echoed the concerns of possible liabilities due to the legal stipulations involved with the Secretary position. Ms. Seizert then turned the discussion towards the election of the Chair and Vice Chair. Ms. Seizert called for nominations for Chair three times: Ms. Redlin nominated Mr. Cummings and Mr. Green nominated Ms. Brabender Mattox. There were no other nominations for the position of Chair. Voting commenced and Ms. Brabender Mattox was reelected as chair in a 4-2 vote (Spanbauer, Green, Stoll Olthoff, Brabender Mattox). Ms. Seizert then called for nominations for the Vice Chair position three times. Ms. Redlin nominated Mr. Cummings and Ms. Brabender Mattox nominated Ms. Stoll Olthoff, who respectfully declined the nomination. With no additional nominations, Mr. Cummings was elected as Vice Chair by default. The Commission revisited the conversation about the Secretary position and agreed they would like to pause on electing for this position this month. Ms. Gierach noted that they are not rehiring for Jeff Witte’s position currently and that the Planning Department is unclear of how or if the ordinance is being properly performed as outlined and it is therefore unclear who should hold this position. She also discusses that it does not appear to have been fully implemented as originally intended and outlined and while the currently property owner presenting to the Commission can proceed, the discussion needs to be had so that they can be in compliance in the future. The Commissioners reiterated their concerns over liabilities associated with certain duties identified as falling under the Secretary position. Some discussion continued about what properties Chapter 30 applies to. 3. Oaths of Office Ms. Bartlett administered oaths of office for Commissioners in order to update records and put the file online with the city’s records. Commissioners swore their oaths, signed their forms, and the process was completed. 4. Approval of June 11th Minutes Ms. Redlin motioned to approve the June 11, 2025 meeting minutes, seconded by Mr. Spanbauer. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. 5. Review and Make a Recommendation on 1122 Merritt Ave – Housing Loan Application Homeowner Wendy Stelzer was present to discuss her proposed updates to 1122 Merritt Avenue. Her home is in the Washington Avenue Historic District. Ms. Stelzer shared with the Commission that the exterior is in need of a paint job, which she was quoted at costing a minimum of $16,000. She noted that this is a very heavy cost to take on every 15 or so years. Instead, she discussed her desire to contract with a siding company to update the exterior with aluminum siding to cut maintenance costs and make exterior upkeep more accessible and sustainable. She noted that she has been unable to find any vendors that manufacture the original style and size of siding anymore, but that as many facets of the original exterior would remain intact in order to preserve the home’s integrity. The closest siding that she has been able to locate is about a half an inch wider. She also notes that other homes that look like hers in her neighborhood and Oshkosh generally have siding. The Commission had some concerns, but discussed that they know the limitations of cost and maintenance. Ms. Brabender Mattox discussed the possible tax credit eligibility implications that an update like this could have. She also mentioned the National Park Service briefs about preservation that may be relevant. Ms. Gierach pointed out that the Chapter 30 does have language covering the use of new material if it has the same or very similar visual characteristics or dimensions, of which she believed this property does. Ms. Redlin noted that the Commission has to follow what the adopted ordinance says regardless of what personal option is in terms of details and recommendations from other publications, such as the National Parks Service briefs. Mr. Green added that the wording in the ordinance is key, noting that the homeowner is doing the closest thing available in the market today. Mr. Spanbauer noted that with the features she is retaining, according to the ordinance, her proposed changes are acceptable as it will look almost identical. Ms. Redlin added, for clarification, that the Commission can approve the project and that they appreciate the effort she is putting in, but also make it clear that it could have future tax credit eligibility implications. The homeowner discussed the steps that would be taken to leave the original siding on and protect it from deterioration underneath the new siding. Mr. Spanbauer noted that if a future owner wants to take the newer siding off, that is an avenue that is available to them since the original will remain intact. Ms. Redlin motioned to approve the homeowner’s plan, seconded by Mr. Cummings. There is no discussion. The motion passes with a 5-1 vote (For: Redlin, Cummings, Spanbauer, Green, Stoll Olthoff; Against: Brabender Mattox). 6. Review and Provide Feedback on Chapter 30 Zoning Code – Article XIV – Historic Preservation Discussion resumed about Chapter 30 with Ms. Gierach noting that this matter was brought to her attention because of the current application from 1122 Merritt Ave. She noted that Planning staff are unaware how the process is currently being implemented, or how it has been done in the past. She also notes that it is an adopted ordinance that the Commission should be following. Ms. Redlin reiterated the previous concerns with liability and visiting properties. Ms. Gierach stated that it needs to be reviewed and discussed with relevant directors on whether this position needs to be a staff person. The Commission noted that in the past, the Secretary was filled by the liaison who was a Planning employee. Mr. Spanbauer asked for clarification on why the liaison position was changed from the Planning department to the Museum. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the Commission was given no rationale and were only notified of the change after the decision had been made and implemented. Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that she reached out to other Commissions across the state and the country and that no other Commissions were in similar situations. Ms. Redlin commented that she believes this particular change happened because the Common Council made adjustments to various boards and commissions that seemed logical, but that the Commission were not involved in the decision for feedback at all. Mr. Cummings expressed concern over the lack of staff that specialize in historic preservation in the Planning department. Mr. Green noted that Chapter 30 outlines the degree of approval needed from the Planning department and Commission, not the Museum, and questioned the efficiency of this. Both Mr. Spanbauer and Ms. Redlin commented that the Common Council needs to be made aware that the arrangement of the current staff liaison position is not appropriate or efficient. Mr. Cummings requested that Mr. Spanbauer discuss this matter with the Common Council, and that this matter is added to a future Commission meeting. Mr. Spanbauer notes that he will talk with Council members as well as with Community Development about precedent. He comments that he wants the Commission to make progress on their goals and purpose and wants to ensure it is done efficiently, successfully, and correctly. Ms. Gierach and Ms. Redlin both exit the meeting at 4:07p.m. Mr. Spanbauer exits at 4:08p.m. 7. Vote for Approval of the Grand Opera House Renovation Plans This item was not discussed and was requested for the next agenda. 8. 1875 Great Fire Initiative – Status Update Mr. Cummings recapped his goals and ideas behind the Great Fire Research Project and Marker that has been discussed at previous meetings for Mr. Green and Ms. Stoll Olthoff. 9. Oshkosh Herald Topics Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that she is working on an article about Riverside Cemetery Chapel. 10. Commissioner Statements a. Discussion of Sustainability Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that she discussed this with others at WAHPC and that all agreed this topic is vital for historic preservation. Ms. Stoll Olthoff noted interest in doing work in conjunction with the Sustainability Advisory Board. Due to time, this topic was requested for the next agenda for further discussion. b. Discussion of Local Landmarking Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that after a discussion with Jason Tish from the State Historic Preservation Office that the Commission needs to sit down and discuss local landmarking. Ms. Brabender Mattox referred to Green Bay’s methods for an example. Due to time, this topic was requested for the next agenda for further discussion. c. South Side Historic District Agenda item not discussed. d. Monthly Building Permit Reports: June Permits Mr. Cummings noted that he believed the Commission was notifying homeowners too late into their renovation project for qualification. Discussion commenced about the process. Mr. Cummings and Ms. Stoll Olthoff both agreed that it is worth discussing the efficiency of the permit review and notification process to better serve homeowners and requested that it be added to the next agenda. 11. Staff Liaison Matters a. Landmarks Commission Facebook Page Ms. Seizert noted that she is able to post on the Commission’s Facebook page. Send content to her. b. Reminder to Review Boards and Commission Materials Ms. Seizert reminded the body to review the City Boards and Commissions handbook and training materials for a refresher. Ms. Brabender Mattox also noted that Jason Tish with SHPPO has a new manual out that is worth reviewing. c. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Items for next month’s agenda include: a discussion about the process and efficiency for permits-holders; Opera house support vote; a discussion of a potential handbook for the Commission; sustainability discussion; local landmarking. 12. Adjournment Ms. Stoll Olthoff motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Green. Meeting adjourned at 4:29 pm.