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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks Minutes 10.08.2025 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes October 8, 2025 (Approved at the November 12, 2025 Commission meeting) PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Rich Green, Vicky Redlin, Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Councilman Brad Spanbauer ABSENT: Alec Lefeber CITY STAFF: Avis Seizert, Museum Archivist and Staff Liaison; Brian Slusarek, Principal Planner 1) Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:01 pm by Ms. Brabender Mattox. 2) Approval of September 10th Meeting Minutes Mr. Green motioned to approve the September 10, 2025 meeting minutes, seconded by Mr. Cummings. The motion passes unanimously by voice vote. 3) 582 N. Main Street – Review Plans and Vote for Advisory Approval Jeremy West, owner of the property was present to discuss the proposed plans for renovation and development. He gave a brief overview of the previous work he has done on properties in Oshkosh and his prior work in conjunction with Landmarks. Also present was the project’s architect, Tim Kent, and consultant John Zarate. The property is located on North Main Street and is around 125 years old. Mr. West gave a brief overview of the building’s structural history and its current state. Mr. West and Mr. Kent discuss their plans to put in a garage door to open up the building more, adding a doorway to make the building more conducive to movement and ADA accessible, uncovering the windows in the front that are currently covered up, replacing windows for safety and conditional concerns, and lowering the floor level on the south-half of the building. The Commission discusses the building’s current transoms and window condition and placement, future window placement and materials, and mullion alignment with Mr. West and Mr. Kent. Discussion turned to the plans for the brick. Ms. Brabender Mattox expressed concerned for their plans to paint the brick, citing concerns for the integrity of the brick. Discussion commenced on the options to update the exterior while protecting the building materials. Mr. Kent and Mr. West noted that some portions of the building are already painted and that a portion of the building is newer cinderblock. Mr. West and Mr. Kent note that they are agreeable to leaving the currently unpainted brick areas of the building unpainted in their updates. Discussion turns to the plans for the rear of the building, which is a newer addition. Mr. West notes that his plans to update the rear will return the space closer to the original building than its present state. Also discussed are options for the design of the garage door to preserve the historic aesthetic of the building. With the conclusion of discussion, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked for a motion to support, as advisory, the presentation and plans for 582 N. Main Street. Mr. Green moves for advisory approval of the plans/presentation with the discussed recommendations and alterations, seconded by Ms. Stoll Olthoff. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Spanbauer, Mr. West, Mr. Zarate, and Mr. Kent exit the meeting at 3:56pm. 4) Chapter 30 Zoning Code – Article XIV – Historic Preservation Ordinance – Subcommittee Update Ms. Brabender Mattox updated the body that the subcommittee met and examined four recommended ordinances (Fond du Lac, Beloit, Tomah, and Madison) to compare them and begin to analyze the City of Oshkosh ordinance. They plan to meet again to review the ordinance page-by-page. Mr. Green noted that he began examining these ordinance line by line and noticed some similarities in vocabulary and verbiage. Mr. Cummings added that while he knows there are legal guidelines that the document needs to adhere to, he hopes that it will be readable and understandable for community members. Ms. Redlin exited the meeting at 4:03pm. 5) CLG Grant Letter of Intent Update – Shirley Brabender Mattox Ms. Brabender Mattox updated the Commission that she sent the CLG letter of intent for resubmission of the Hazel Street Historic District proposal. At this time, not other current submissions by the Commission have been made for this cycle. 6) Tour of the Grand Opera House – Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox notes that the Grand Oshkosh has offered to give a tour to Commissioners. She also noted that the Commission did not yet give their advisory approval to the building plans since they had not yet gone through the State Historic Preservation Office. She believes that it would be of benefit for the Commission to see the building with this in mind before voting on the matter at a future meeting. Commissioners agree that they would like to participate in a tour to be arranged prior to the next month’s meeting. 7) Sustainability Plan Update – Councilman Brad Spanbauer This agenda item was not discussed. 8) Local Landmarking Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that this is the main focus of the Commission and that there are some properties and owners and mind that may be interested in pursuing this designation. 9) Discussion of Commission Goals a. Creation of Priority List Ms. Stoll Olthoff outlined the priority matrix that she put together for the Commission to fill in with desired projects that have been discussed over the previous few years. Commissioners briefly discussed other ideas that can worked into the spreadsheet such as budget considerations and timelines. 10) Commissioner Statements a. WHS 19th Annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, October 15-17, Ho-Chunk Conference Center, WI Dells i. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Green are registered and plan to attend. b. Merrill Dedication – Friday October 17th, 11:30am i. Ms. Brabender Mattox received a personal invitation for herself and to extend to others as appropriate. c. Lewis Hine Display – Jambalaya Arts i. This display will be up through October 31st. The Public Museum is also doing a Lewis Hine exhibition next year. 11) Staff Liaison Report a. Agenda Items for Next Meeting: project priority list 12) Adjournment Ms. Stoll Olthoff motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Cummings. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Meet adjourned at 4:28pm. The remaining agenda items were not discussed.