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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 11, 2011 PRESENT: Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Shirley Mattox, and Steve Cummings EXCUSED: Arlene Schmuhl STAFF: David Buck and Allen Davis CALL TO ORDER Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Buck stated that Ms. Schmuhl had contacted the Planning Department to say that she would not be in attendance. APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES Mr. Arnold stated there was a correction to a name of the plaque company on page four. It reads "Eerie" and should be "Erie ". He then moved for approval of the April minutes, with correction. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. PRESENT SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR ELECTION Mr. Buck stated that Ms. Schmuhl's term is up on June 1 st as is Mr. Cummings. Additionally, we have one open seat for a regular commissioner and two open alternate member seats on the Commission. Mr. Clark offered to contact Ms. Schmuhl to determine if she was still interested in serving on the Commission as well as to talk about the Acanthus Awards. Ms. Mattox stated that she spoke with Mr. Chuck Williams about becoming a Landmarks Commission member. He is an attorney who serves on the Wisconsin Historic Trust Board and he did Oshkosh's Webster Block listing for the National Register. She said she would pick up an application and get it to him. Mr. Clark expressed his thought that David Young, who had attended the last Cemetery Subcommittee meeting, might be interested. Mr. Clark thought he lived on New York Avenue but he may have an exclusive interest in the cemetery itself, not general landmarks. Mr. Cummings said a Mr. Lee Reiherzer was interested as well but has time constraint issues as he works nightly until 11 p.m. Ms. Mattox inquired if we had ever heard from the people who live on Knapp south of South Park who had attended the meeting. Mr. Clark stated that he had attempted to call them but will try to stop in and make a personal visit. Mr. Cummings suggested we look at the museum for additional members such as Bob Hughes and Ms. Mattox said she would contact Brad at the museum to follow -up. It was determined that Todd Clark would remain the Chairperson of the Landmarks Commission and Mr. Arnold would remain the Vice -chair but that they would hold another election of officers once there was a full Commission. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW APRIL, 2011 Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of April and described work being done. Discussion on the rental/leasing signage at 602 Elmwood Avenue took place and focused on why it was allowed and if a text amendment to the sign regulations could be made to prohibit these signs in residential districts /properties city -wide. Mr. Buck and Mr. Allen stated that 1 of 3 it is possible as a text amendment or as part of the rewrite of the signage code but the political will to do so must be present. Mr. Arnold pointed out that the landlords who currently use this type of signage will argue that they need it to keep their rentals occupied. Mr. Cummings believed that many of the elected officials on the council ran on the platform of neighborhood revitalization and may support tighter controls on rental properties. Mr. Davis said he would follow up with his staff and the City Attorney to determine what the best vehicle was to address the rental sign issue. ACANTHUS AWARDS Discussion on the progress of the four Acanthus Awardees took place and it was determined that if time was a factor that the Commission could remove the CR Meyer Construction Company from this year in order to conduct additional research. As it stands, the following are the 2011 awardees: 1. Grand Opera House — Restoration efforts. Joe Ferlo could accept the award on behalf of the citizens of Oshkosh. 2. Architect Leonard Reinke — For his vision and contributions in designing institutional structures that define and grace the public realm of Oshkosh. Mr. Reinke will accept the award. 3. Jerry's Bar on Ceape Street— Celebrating their 100 anniversary of continued contributions to the City of Oshkosh. It was yet to be determined who would be present to accept the award. 4. CR Meyer Construction Company — For their many architectural contributions to Oshkosh over the years. It was yet to be determined who would be present to accept the award. Mr. Buck stated he would contact Ms. Schmuhl to get the awards created and ready for printing. The City can do the printing and Mr. Buck believed that the City Manager's office frames them. Mr. Buck asked that the final titles and who is accepting be sent to him by May 17 to be put on the Council agenda. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CODE DISCUSSION Mr. Davis presented an Oshkosh neighborhood map which focuses on where neighborhood revitalization efforts will be focusing. Mr. Davis briefly discussed Neighborworks; local, state and federal budget cuts and the focus of the City's CDBG and Neighborworks on exterior work as impact on the community. Mr. Davis explained that Neighborworks will hold neighborhood meetings and surveys to determine key issues and to generate "buy -in" on any potential regulatory changes such as an "Equity Protection Overlay Zone ". COMMISSION REVIEW OF ANNUAL REPORT Mr. Clark handed out a rough draft or outline of the annual report. He stated he went through the minutes of past meetings for content. He asked that everyone review the report and the commission can finalize it at the June meeting. It would be completed and forwarded to Council at either the second meeting in June or the first meeting in July. STATUS UPDATE: GRANTS DISCUSSION (TYPE AND TIMING) Mr. Buck discussed the list and spreadsheet of historic preservation funding sources and asked if anyone had looked them over or done any other research on grants for Certified Local Governments. Ms. Mattox stated she had not had time and would be looking over funding sources in the near future. STATUS UPDATE: LANDMARKING 1365 ALGOMA BOULEVARD Nothing to report. 2 of 3 AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck stated that topics to get an agenda for the next meeting have been determined by the Planning Calendar as well as the carryover item from this meeting. Additional items would include building permit review. He stated that the Paine Garden and Art Center would like to discuss an amendment to their Planned Development as well as let the Commission know what its plans are for the property that currently houses the Schreiber House, which it has acquired. They had offered the Schriber House as a meeting place if it was felt acceptable to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 4:50 pm was made by Ms. Mattox and seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3