HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DECEMBER 08, 2010
PRESENT: Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Shirley Mattox, Arlene Schmuhl and Steve Cummings
STAFF: David Buck, Principal Planner
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 3:08 pm and a quorum was declared present.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES
Ms. Schmuhl moved for approval of the November minutes as presented. Mr. Arnold seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW NOVEMBER, 2010
Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of November and
described work being done. He also discussed a future agenda item dealing with changing the
Landmarks Commission permit review process for permits of landmarked or historic properties to
be held before the permit is issued. Mr. Buck added that in January or February he will have Allen
Davis, Director of Community Development and Kevin Ciabatti, Director of Inspection Services to
attend said meeting as they are necessary to affect change in the current process. Ms. Mattox said
that she would also want to see demolition permits in advance, as stated in the Zoning Code, as
there have been many historic structures removed without Landmarks review. The consensus of the
Commission would be to see any demo of structures over 50 years old (built prior to 1960).
HISTORIC PLAQUE DESIGN
Mr. Arnold went over the elements of his suggested design in both round and rectangular versions
which includes the name /address of the building, the year of construction and the Oshkosh
Landmarks Commission. He also showed a photograph of a 4" x 6" plaque on the facade of his
home and stated that the 4" x 6" bronze plaque costs $260 and a 5" x 7" costs $310. Mr. Buck
asked the Commissioners if they were interested in plaques for Landmarked properties and
Acanthus winners. Mr. Cummings said he had an associate /friend who is interested in being
involved with the Landmarks Commission but does not live within the City. This individual may be
interested in setting up a trust for plaques but is more interested in larger signs for historically
significant structures or areas such as the riverfront and the previous uses that were there. A
discussion on the different type of informational signs, kiosks, plaques and other identification
elements were discussed including the use of the Streets Department sign making capacity. Mr.
Clark stated that Appleton has some fine kiosks that we should take a look at.
[Ms. Mattox arrives at 3:40]
Ms. Schmuhl suggested the use of 5" x 7" round plaques for Acanthus winner buildings with
cheaper indoor plaques for nonstructural winners, square /rectangular for Landmarked Buildings and
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individual specialty for "special areas of interest'. She added that Chris Strong could put the
regular signs currently used as directional signage along trails or riverwalk to address pointing out
historic areas. Mr. Buck stated that he would discuss this with Allen Davis and put on a future
agenda. He also added that he thought it is a great idea but that a riverwalk or other historic
information sign system/plan needs to be included as a "project' and that the work to make specific
areas and information details needs to be thought through and put down in a cohesive program
before the process to get it to be put in place. Mr. Buck suggested that the planning calendar and
work plan for 2011 include development of the two programs ideas: 1) Acanthus/Landmark Plaque
Program and 2) Special Area Information Signs /Kiosks Program.
530 NORTH MAIN STREET CELL ANTENNA UPDATE
Mr. Buck informed the Commission that he was contacted by Ms. Wiegand from Bradburne, Briller
and Johnson, LLC who represents Verizon Wireless in regard to their proposed installation of
antenna on the roof of 530 North Main Street, discussed at the last meeting. He stated that she had
received the commission objection to relocation and new installation and asked if there was
anything that could be done to change the recommendation. Mr. Buck said that he advised her to
look at ways to "stealth" the antenna and send revised plans to the Commission for review but that
the significance of the building from a historic standpoint may be an obstacle anyway and that she
should contact the Chairperson. Ms. Mattox also stated that she was contacted and that Ms.
Weigand asked if the petitioner could be included in a future meeting via conference call. Mr.
Clark said that he had not yet been contacted.
ANNUAL REPORT REVIEW
Mr. Clark distributed the draft 2009 Annual Report, which was reviewed and felt to be appropriate.
Mr. Clark asked Ms. Schmuhl is she could "dress it' up with graphic cover and more aesthetic text.
Ms. Schmuhl stated that she would and she would keep it to two pages. Ms. Mattox motioned and
Mr. Cummings seconded to approve the annual report as written with the layout being modified.
Motioned carried 5 -0.
INFORMATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
Mr. Buck went over information he had taken from the internet in regard to Historic Home Tax
Credits and Tax Credits for Income - Producing Property that he thought would be good information
for a flyer /brochure /mailing insert. He stated that there are currently no Historic Preservation Fund
Subgrants in Wisconsin. A flyer /brochure from the City of Lancaster, WI was went over as a
possible example of what could be done here. Mr. Buck further stated that the earliest mailing that
a flyer could be included would be August of 2011 as all other mailings (water bills, tax bills, etc.)
are already spoken for, unless a "dollar bill" size flyer could be produced. Discussion took place
regarding sending out our own mailing.
[Ms. Schmuhl leaves at 4:30]
SOUTHSIDE SURVEY REVIEW
Mr. Buck provided information from the 1980 and 2006 surveys of historic properties and went
over the Doty Street residences and explained which were considered eligible in these surveys for
national or state designation. Mr. Cummings stated that there are pockets of south side homes and
individuals that are significant to local interests. Ms. Mattox stated that these areas, individual
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properties or people and possibly the thematic group of building style could be locally designated
and not necessarily need be on the National or State lists. There was further discussion on areas
around the south side that could be candidates for local designation. Mr. Buck suggested that if this
item, as well as the North Main Street area previously discussed is to be locally designated, there
needs to be an item on the planning calendar as goals for the 2011 year and an action plan must be
put in place to achieve the goal.
MURAL DISCUSSION
Mr. Buck went over the draft mural regulations with the commission. Mr. Cummings asked how a
mural that had a historic message would be addressed in the ordinance as it contains a historic
message but that it is still a piece of art as Americana. Ms. Mattox mentioned that the Castle Pierce
mural on David Sparr's Law office is an example of this situation. Mr. Buck said he believed that
the proposed Public Arts Commission (PAC) would have to make the determination if a mural has
historic significance and is not just a commercial message. Ms. Mattox asked about the make -up of
the PAC and inquired why there were no artists listed. Mr. Arnold stated that there are three at-
large members and he would expect that they would be artist types.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS
Items for the January agenda include the demolition and building permit review, annual report 2010
and calendar for 2011, information/education material determination, CLG grant availability and
commission membership. Mr. Buck said that Allen Davis and Kevin Ciabatti would like to address
the regulations included within the Historic Preservation section of the Zoning Ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Arnold and seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion carried 4 -0.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Buck
Principal Planner
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