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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES February 10, 2010 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Joe Blechl, Shirley Mattox and Arlene Schmuhl. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Tina Haffeman, Burk Tower STAFF: David Buck OTHERS PRESENT: Mark Ferguson CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Clark called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. There was an introduction of Commission members and others present. Chairperson Clark recommended that Item 10: Agenda Items for Next Meeting /Commissioner Statements be moved to the next point of discussion. Moved by Mr. Arnold and seconded by Ms. Mattox. Motion passed unanimously (5 -0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dennis Arnold moved approval of the January 2010 Minutes as presented. Arlene Schmuhl seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously (5 -0). NEXT MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Chairperson Clark asked if there were any general comments of the commission and seeing that there were none asked the member of the public present to comment on his attendance this evening. Mr. Mark Ferguson introduced himself as the owner of the Historic Buckstaff Observatory property. He stated he has owned the property for approximately 25 years and is at the point where he can no longer afford to maintain it. He gave a brief history of the property and the observatory and hoped that the Landmarks Commission could discuss the possibility of help with preservation at an upcoming meeting. Ms. Mattox asked if he had spoken with anyone at the Historical Society and Mr. Ferguson stated he had not recently. Ms. Schmuhl discussed the displays and improvements within the buildings and Chairperson Clark stated that the Commission would get it on a future agenda. Mr. Ferguson said he has spoken with the Community Foundation in regard to fundraising and thought this body was the next logical avenue to address the property. GRAND OPERA HOUSE UPDATE Chairperson Clark stated that the Decorative Elements Committee spoke with paint and restoration specialists who told them that they are taking 1883 elements and paint back which 1 of 3 didn't get done in 1983 due to budget constraints. He anticipates that the work should be completed at the end of the summer or early fall. Ms. Schmuhl stated that she believed the (re)opening is planned for the end of October. PAINE ART AND GARDEN CENTER PLAN REVIEW Mr. Buck provided an update of Plan Commission and Council actions regarding the Paine Art and Garden Center request for changes to the site. Mr. Arnold stated that he hoped the Paine could salvage the entire home or at least the main historic element of the home they have purchased on Elmwood Ave. Mr. Clark agreed that it would be an ideal infill home but also felt that at least significant portions of the structure could be salvaged. Ms. Mattox felt they should recycle and reuse anything they could. COMMISSION STATUS Mr. Buck asked if the Commission wanted to stay with the 6 member — 2 alternate commissioner make -up of the Landmarks Commission? The consensus was to keep the make -up as is even though it allowed for an even voting situation that could potentially create a 3 -3 voting scenario. Mr. Buck asked how the commission wanted to have a joint meeting with the ad -hoc Landmarks group, which includes the Paine and the Museum. Chairperson Clark stated that he would like to have 1 or 2 joint meetings for a plethora of reasons. Mr. Buck asked about timing and Ms. Mattox added that the timing should fit the convenience of the ad -hoc members. Mr. Arnold asked that Winnebago County Historical Society be added as an ad -hoc member. Ms. Schmuhl stated that they would be good as they should be more than just a Morgan House Historic Society and would be a good resource for general historic preservation. REPORTS OF WORKING GROUPS Chairperson Clark stated that the Riverside Cemetery Subcommittee has not met for quite some time. Ms. Mattox and Ms. Schmuhl informed the group that the requested Raymaker software purchase had been approved by the City Council and approximately $44,000 was allocated for the cemetery. Chairperson Clark mentioned that the Local Landmarks Subcommittee has the goal of landmarking 1 -3 William Water structures. Mr. Arnold stated that he is the only remaining member of that subcommittee. He stated that when it left off, the Pansky property at 324 Fulton Street had agreed to landmarking and also that 815 Ceape had showed interest but then was unsure. Chairperson Clark said that the Brooklyn Fire Station on 5 th Avenue was also considered. Ms. Schmuhl stated that the landmarking of structures is good for marketing purposes as well as recognizing a historic or significant property. Chairperson Clark added that the commission should brainstorm and set the website to show landmark incentives. Ms. Mattox discussed the issue of historic homes being demolished and recalled discussion with staff regarding receiving "after the fact" information on demolition of historic property. She commented that she would like to receive information when a demolition permit goes to Inspection Services that a note is sent to staff to check it out. Chairperson Clark was previously told that staff time is too tight and the process had some procedural issues. Mr. Buck stated he would speak to the Director of Planning to try to coordinate something with the Temporary 2 of 3 Director of Inspection Services. Ms. Mattox stated that a warning needs to be given when a property on the historic surveys are impacted. 2010 GOAL SETTING Chairperson Clark addressed goal setting for 2010 and mentioned that the commission may wish to scale back or simplify the number of goals to achieve. Mr. Buck agreed that from a staff perspective it is better to have 3 -4 good goals to focus on and accomplish rather than working on too many and not completing a majority of them. Ms. Mattox agreed. Chairperson Clark stated he wanted to focus on website development and education as a link to the city as well as the landmarking of structures. Ms Schmuhl excused herself from the meeting at 5:10 pm. Discussion continued regarding the use of historic building codes and how that fit in with the Certified Local Government Status of the City of Oshkosh. Mr. Buck stated he would look into it and report back when he found information pertaining to it. ADJOURNMENT Other items on the agenda were not discussed due to time constraints. Ms. Mattox moved approval of adjournment of the meeting. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion, which passed unanimously (4 -0) Meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3