Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks Minutes 3.11.26 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes March 11, 2026 (Approved at the April 8, 2026 Commission meeting) PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Councilman Brad Spanbauer, Alec Lefeber, Jeanne Tondryk ABSENT: Vicky Redlin, Rich Green, Nikki Stoll Olthoff CITY STAFF: Avis Seizert, Museum Archivist and Staff Liaison; Kimberly Gierach, Deputy Director of Community Development Agenda: 1) Call to Order a. The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm by Ms. Brabender Mattox. 2) Consent Agenda Consent Agenda items are those items of a routine administrative nature that are voted on by the Commission in a single vote. The Commission has been furnished with background material on each item. Any member of the public or Commission may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and to be voted on separately. The Commission considered the following consent agenda items: a. February 11th Meeting Minutes b. OshHop Update Ms. Brabender Mattox requested a motion to approve the consent agenda, so moved by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Councilman Spanbauer. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. 3) Annual Report – Discussion and Approval Action Ms. Seizert presented two drafts to the Commission for selection. Each draft had a different cover image. Some discussion commenced about the cover image of the annual report with differing opinions on what the best option was. Some Commissioners requested that an alternative photo be chosen. Ms. Seizert commented that this needs to be submitted to the state and council so the Commission could either approve it as it, or approve it under the condition that Ms. Seizert could use her discretion to select another image if the Oshkosh Public Library had a better option. Mr. Lefeber made a motion to accept the report with a potentially updated image, seconded by Mr. Spanbauer. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. 4) 404 West New York Avenue – Landmark Designation – Planning Commission Recommendation Update Ms. Brabender Mattox reported that the Landmark nomination for the property at 404 West New York Avenue went to the Plan Commission on March 3rd where it was recommended for approval. This item will now move on to the March 31st Council meeting. Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that she has a proposal for another in the future and that this will hopefully encourage others to pursue the designation. 5) Chapter 30 Zoning Code – Article XIV – Historic Preservation Ordinance – Subcommittee Update Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that the subcommittee has not met since the February Landmarks meeting. There was some discussion recounting that most recently, the subcommittee received feedback and suggestions on the ordinance from Jason Tish with SHPO. The next steps will be to meet with him, either in-person or virtually, to go over those in more depth. Ms. Brabender Mattox assured the Commission that at some point in this process, Jason will meet with the body to discuss the ordinance. 6) Acanthus Awards – Potential Nominations - Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox began by noting that neither she nor Ms. Seizert have received any nominations. She further inquired whether any Commissioners had nominations that they would like to bring forward. Mr. Cummings discussed potentially nominating the house next door to him, 1118 Bayshore Drive, noting that the current owner has put effort into researching and improving the aesthetics of the home since its initial building in the 1920s. He also cited the nature of this house’s nonconforming nature and that is it a good example of what can be done with modern, low-maintenance materials to replicate what was there and maintain the historic character while being on a small lot and a small home. After a general question from the Commission, and some discussion about potential nominations for next year, Ms. Brabender Mattox clarified that a project needs to be completed before nomination. Ms. Brabender Mattox then discusses a home she is looking to nominate at 912 Jackson Street at next month’s meeting. She briefly discusses some of the work done on the front porch. She will send the images to Ms. Seizert for distribution in the next month’s meeting materials so that Commissioners can look at the images she has before deliberations. Councilman Spanbauer inquired whether someone can only receive an Acanthus Award once. Ms. Brabender Mattox replied that there are individuals who have gotten more than one in the past. The Commission briefly discussed the need to update the list of recipients on the Landmarks website since it is about eight years out of date. This included some discussion of what awards have been granted in the past. Ms. Brabender Mattox also noted that there does not necessarily need to be multiple winners; there can be just one if that is what the Commission finds appropriate. 7) Oshkosh Herald Article(s) Ms. Brabender Mattox noted that the Herald published the article that she submitted about the Acanthus Awards. She was excited about the second-page positioning of the article and hopes that it will solicit nominations from the community. She also noted that the Landmarking of 404 West New York Avenue, upon its intended approval, is another opportunity for coverage in the publication. 8) Witzke’s Renovations – 1700 Oregon Street – Discussion – Steve Cummings Mr. Cummings voiced his concern that this matter did not come before the Commission before work started. He referred to his inquiry with Ms. Seizert about the matter where she noted that it did not come before the Commission because this property is not Landmarked, on the State or National Historic Register, or in a historic district, it was not required or funneled to the Commission, per the current City ordinance. Mr. Cummings continued that it is important for historic properties to consult the Commission regardless and it should not be up to the people in Madison to decide what qualifies. He voiced his concern about the south side of Oshkosh getting overlooked in comparison to the north side. Ms. Gierach added that this is part of why the Commission was being asked to look at the Historic Preservation ordinance. She continued that the previous owner who approached the Commission in 2003 did so voluntarily and was not required to. After this, it fell into foreclosure and was bought by a new owner. The current owner is not changing anything on the exterior; all of the current permits for this property are for interior work, which does not fall within the purview of the Commission per the ordinance. She added that if the Commission wants to expand or change guidelines, it needs to be updated in the ordinance. Ms. Gierach also suggested that this is an area that the subcommittee could talk about as an example of an area where they would like processes tightened up in the future or where property owners can be referred to the Commission even if not required. 9) Commissioner Statements Ms. Brabender inquired with Councilman Spanbauer as to the status of the Sustainability Plan. Ms. Seizert pulled up the City website and the survey created as part of this ongoing project. Councilman Spanbauer discussed the survey and that individuals can apply to be part of the community team. Councilman Spanbauer noted that he will create a write-up and send it to Ms. Seizert for posting on the Commission’s Facebook page. The meeting self-adjourned with the exit of Councilman Spanbauer at 4:05pm.