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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES June 09, 2010 PRESENT: Acting Chairperson Dennis Arnold, Shirley Mattox, Arlene Schmuhl, and Steve Cummings EXCUSED: Chairperson Todd Clark, Joe Blechl STAFF: David Buck, Principal Planner, Allen Davis, Community Development Director, and Chris Strong, Director of Transportation OTHERS PRESENT: None CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Arnold called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm and a quorum was declared present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES David Buck stated that the discussion on the minutes of March 10 ended with an incorrect assumption that Tina Haffeman should be shown as absent in the March minutes but in fact she had resigned on February 19 so was no longer a member of the Commission in March. The Commission agreed and corrected the minutes to remove Tina Haffeman from the March minutes altogether. Dennis Arnold stated that the May minutes listed Joe Blechl as absent when in fact he was present. Motion by Arlene Schmuhl and second by Dennis Arnold to amend the March minutes and approve the May minutes with changes. Motion carried. STREET NAME SIGNS IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS David Buck stated that Chris Strong, Director of Transportation is here today to discuss changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices ( MUTCD) as they relate to the street name signs within the Algoma Boulevard Historic District and the Irving- Church Historic District. He stated that in 2004 -2005, grant funds were used to purchase historic district specific signs that had white lettering and black backgrounds and also had unique poles and mounting systems. Chris Strong stated that changes to the MUTCD reflect that black backgrounds and the use of all uppercase lettering is discouraged because of visibility and readability concerns, especially for seniors in the evenings. He further stated that these standards are not regulatory, just good practice so we can continue to use our existing signs however we no longer have blanks in stock so replacements are not available and it is a good time to discuss the situation. Dennis Arnold asked what color scheme is deemed appropriate. Mr. Strong stated white lettering on green, blue or brown and black lettering on white. He also stated that the use of pictographs (basic image) was an option to make the signs stand out. General discussion took place regarding using the existing poles and casements, color choices and fonts in relation to the intent of the signs to identify historic areas /districts. It was determined that Chris Strong would return to another meeting with a sample of the brown sign with white lettering to give the Commission a feel of how they will look. It was also discussed if CDBG funds could be used to get additional signs for Washington Avenue Historic District. David Buck 1 of 4 stated he would look into it but suggested that if they went with a different color sign with or without a pictograph, that these could be installed on the existing sign poles in all the districts including the Washington Avenue district and other designated historic districts to help them be identified and "showcased ". 6 -MONTH PROGRESS REPORT ON 2010 GOALS The Commission looked over the 2010 Goal list as well as the ongoing activities and discussed them individually: Develop New Website — Arlene Schmuhl stated she has been reviewing the existing website, which is difficult to access now that the new city webpage has been implemented. She asked if staff had spoken with the Information Technology Department on their ability to work with the Commission. David Buck stated that he had and they are able to create and /or build a new website for Landmarks but that the design and content will have to be supplied to them. General discussion on content (such as "History of Oshkosh" and definition of Acanthus Awards) and data sources (such as photos) took place. Steve Cummings asked if 35 mm slides could be converted to digital images. David Buck stated he was unsure but will look into it. Both Dennis Arnold and Steve Cummings stated they are willing to assist Arlene Schmuhl with website design and content. Landmarking Homes — Shirley Mattox said she was still in contact with Mr. Buchholz about putting 1165 Algoma Boulevard (his home) up for local landmarking. Dennis Arnold stated that 324 Fulton was also a possibility and that the blueprints /plans are needed. Shirley stated that she thought the owners had the plans. The discussion then focused on the actual process for landmarking property. It was the general consensus that in the past landmarking process, the contact legwork and the compellation of data was done by the Commission and that staff would do the paperwork. David Buck stated he would look up former paperwork but suggested that Shirley Mattox dig up info she had from previous landmarking efforts and that he would look through staff records. A future meeting can focus on what exactly needed to be done so we can get going once confirmation from homeowners was given. North Main Street Historic District — Discussion took place regarding the desire of the Commission to look at the homes on North Main Street to determine if it can be designated an official historic district. Arlene Schmuhl said she believed the Intensive Resource Survey update indicated that the inventory of homes in the area would make it viable. Budget Framework — As goals are being moved towards and activities being considered, the financing of ideas such as the plaques for landmarked properties or Acanthus Award winners was discussed. Additional discussion took place on the need for the Commission to come up with a specific and detailed program for an activity that they would like to do that includes a dollar estimate to be placed into a budget request. The concept of performance or outcome of spending needed to be included as a measure of the validity of the expenditure. David Buck suggested that the Commission look at what other communities are doing to honor or "showcase" individual historic preservation efforts and that he would get quotes on plaque costs. David Buck added that the costs can potentially be offset through trophy company discount or donation but that the Commission would need to negotiate with vendors. Gallery Walk — The Commission had two concepts for adding a display to be incorporated with the city's gallery walk. One was showcasing all Acanthus Award winners in a display and the other was the history of statues in the city. Shirley Mattox explained that an issue with the 2 of 4 gallery walk is that the display would be included at the library but that a lack of staffing at the library would make it difficult to have it open. She explained that both the front and the rear entrances would need to be opened in the event handicap accessibility was needed. David Buck suggested looking into contacting the owners of one of the vacant storefronts on Main Street to ask if an exhibit could be placed in the building so as to be more visible from Main Street and be more in -line with the route of the gallery walk. He further suggested that Commissioners could "man" the building during the walk. Dennis Arnold commented that this may be better as a longer term goal and may not be part of the work for this year but for next year. Riverside Cemetery Subcommittee — The Commission briefly conversed about the activity of the subcommittee, which has been meeting regularly. The chapel, as a place for the Paranormal Activity Convention to meet or utilize in November was mentioned and the Commission felt some maintenance such as interior painting will be needed to make the structure usable. David Buck said he would check to see if interior painting will affect it as a contributing structure in the Riverside Cemetery Historic district and that he would speak to Bill Sturm, City Parks Department to see if the painting can or must be done by city staff (union issues) or if it can be done by citizen volunteers. It was determined that Bill Sturm would need to be consulted. Arlene Schmuhl stated that he is scheduled to be at the next subcommittee meeting to not only discuss the chapel but to provide an update on items such as the new software package, historic signage and landscaping. HISTORIC AND EXISTING BUILDING CODES David Buck discussed the handouts included in the packet and stated that, based on his web research, that the historic building code is managed by the Department of Commerce and is actually a variance scenario over an actual text code and that it applies to multiple family, commercial and industrial property and can't be applied to a single or two - family residential structure. Shirley Mattox commented that she thought there was one for single and two - family structures as well. David Buck stated he will do more research and call the Department of Commerce and /or the State Historical Society and also our own Inspections Division to try to get more clarification and put as an agenda item on a future meeting. Arlene Schmuhl left the meeting at approximately 4:10 p.m. CELL ANTENNA AT UW- OSHKOSH David Buck gave an explanation on the antenna placement on a building at the University and its proximity to multiple historic properties and three Historic Districts. He stated that comment has been requested by the antenna companies, which will be sent onto the State Historic Society. Discussion on antenna placement in relation to historic districts took place and concluded the following opinion: 1. Complete objection to antenna installation on historic structures that are on the register or eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or contributing structures within a historic district if they could pose threat to historic integrity; 2. Strongly discourage installation of antenna on historic structures that are on the register or eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or contributing structures within a historic district even if they are incorporated into the architecture as not to be visible; 3 of 4 3. Discourage installation on noncontributing structures within a historic district but if sited on said structures, the installation should be screened and /or incorporated into the architecture as not to be obvious or visible; 4. Concerned with installation on noncontributing structures outside of a historic district if it has a visual impact on a historic districts or other areas of local historic significance. A motion to have Shirley Mattox draft a written statement on behalf of the Commission was made by Dennis Arnold and seconded by Joe Blechl. Motion carried. Continued discussion on the installation took place as it is outside a district and would fit under #4, above. Dennis Arnold also commented that at least the antennae are on a non - historic structure and shielded by the campus. MEETING DATES AND TIMES Steve Cummings suggested that, depending on work volume that the Commission might want to consider meeting twice a month instead of once a month as they currently do. In this way he felt that issues could be dealt with faster and workload of Commission members could get done more quickly and the Commission could add focus on getting more "teeth" in their ordinance as well as doing a more extensive job of advertising /educating and getting activities accomplished. General discussion took place on not making this decision at this meeting because of not having the Chairperson or full Commission present. Additionally, statements were made about Commissioner availability, especially in summer, as well as the use of subcommittees to pick up workload on specific projects rather than the Commission as a whole. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Possible items for the next meeting include the landmarking process /paperwork, date /historic ID plaques, use of the chapel for convention in November, and Historic District street name signs. ADJOURNMENT Joe Blechl moved and Steve Cummings seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 4 of 4