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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2011 PRESENT: Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Arlene Schmuhl, Vicky Redlin, Steve Cummings and Shirley Mattox EXCUSED: Robert Hughes STAFF: David Buck and Allen Davis CALL TO ORDER Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Buck stated that he had not heard from Mr. Hughes so was unsure of his attendance at this meeting. NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTION — VICKY REDLIN Mr. Buck introduced and welcomed Ms. Redlin to the Commission, distributed a Welcome Packet for new commissioners and briefly discussed the function of the Landmarks Commission and their current list of activities. APPROVAL OF JULY MINUTES Ms. Schmuhl moved for approval of the July minutes. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW JULY, 2011 Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of July and described work being done. He noted that there was only one exterior building permit, which was a porch roof tear -off and replacement at 618 Jackson Street. CN RAILROAD MOA & CURATION PLAN Mr. Buck explained the agreement that had been worked out between the Wisconsin Central LTD Railroad and the City in regard to the replacement of the railroad bridge at Pioneer Drive. He stated that though the Landmarks Commission had requested the ring girder or span from the bridge be salvaged that the cost of moving, cleaning, and storing either of the elements is cost prohibitive at nearly $80,000. The agreement and curation plan now stipulate that the City will receive the 1899 date plaques to be incorporated into two interpretive panel signs to be placed on both shores, for which the railroad has agreed to provide up to $20,000 for research, design, fabrication and installation. Mr. Buck stated design and content would be brought back to the Commission for review and acceptance and that what is needed at this point is a recommendation to the Council to accept /sign the agreement and curation plan or to deny it. Ms. Schmuhl recommended approval /acceptance of the agreement and curation plan, which was seconded by Mr. Arnold and passed unanimously. Ms. Redlin added the comment that the County Parks Department uses the Correctional Facility to fabricate signage at an extremely discounted rate for such things as soccer fields, the WIOUWASH Trail and park entrance signs and suggested the City contact them in relation to a way finder of other historic signage treatments. Mr. Buck said he would pass the information on to the Parks Department and will keep it in mind as the City moves forward. 1 of 3 MAINVIEW APARTMENTS ANTENNAS Mr. Buck informed the Commission that there have been more inquiries on the relocation/new installation of antenna onto Mainview Apartments on North Main Street. He asked if the Conditional Use Permit /building permit application came in if he should use the former letter of objection from the Landmarks Commission or if they would like to review the item again. The Commission collectively stated that if it was the same application that staff should use the letter but if there were substantial changes that the item should be brought back through for comment. It was determined that the former letter of rejection or a new one should be forwarded to the Plan Commission during any Conditional Use Permit review. MURAL ORDINANCE Mr. Buck discussed the status of the amendment to Sections 30 -1 Definitions and 30 -37 Signs allowing murals within certain districts. He went over several sections of the code and the Commission went over the proposed ordinance. Ms. Mattox asked if there were any provisions for historic commercial murals. Mr. Buck stated that he was unsure and would get back to them but thought that it could be a concern of the Landmarks Commission to be forwarded to staff, and if it was truly not addressed then the comment can be forwarded to the Council when considering the ordinance amendment. Mr. Cummings stated that he felt it needs to be addressed as these types of signs are culturally and historically significant to Oshkosh. The suggestion was to include language under (G)(2)(f) stating "unless the sign is 50+ years of age and considered historically or culturally significant by the Landmarks Commission ". Motion to approve with amendment was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Ms. Schmuhl. Motion carried unanimously. STATUS UPDATE: WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER Ms. Schmuhl updated the Commission on the status of her computer /publishing software and said she is thinking that the ranch style home would be the featured architectural style for the next newsletter. She further stated that she would like any suggestions for additional material. Mr. Buck suggested a "blurb" about the CN Bridge. Mr. Cummings thought that the back bar research he was doing would be good as well as possibly writing about the historic sign and plaque program, when developed /implemented. Mr. Buck made the observation that the newsletter is truly a quality product of the Commission but is not utilized to its greatest potential and not distributed properly. The Commission brainstormed to determine desired newsletter distribution locations including: • Library • Museum • Winnebago County Historical Society • Grand Opera House • Convention and Visitors Bureau ■ Realtors • Home Builders • Neighborworks • Banks /Credit Unions • Larger Retail Centers • Antique Malls /Stores • City Council and Commissions Mr., Clark stated that Ms. Schmuhl and himself still need to get together to discuss the website design. Mr. Buck explained that the City's Information Technology Department has agreed to create the website for the Landmarks Commission if they come up with a design and electronic data to attach/link. Ms. Schmuhl asked if it could have an individual URL so it was easier to find and not "buried" in the City's pages. Mr. Buck did not think an individual URL was going to be an option but he would check when the website update got further along. STATUS UPDATE: LANDMARK MT VERNON & NORTH MAIN STREET DISTRICT Mr. Buck said he has been inquiring with the staff liaison to Neighborworks to determine if they are willing to Landmark the home on Mount Vernon (Honeymoon House) before it is out of City /RDA 2 of 3 control but has not gotten a clear answer yet. He will continue the inquiry and report back. Ms. Mattox stated that there are potential grant opportunities for the North Main Street Bungalow District designation at 1500 -1600 blocks of North Main Street. She stated that CLG funding would be necessary to hire the professional(s) needed to get it as a state or national district. Ms. Mattox explained that an informational meeting with the 23 individual property owners in the potential district would have to take place to discuss the process so it must be determined what dates a representative from SHPO could come to present to the owners as 51% must be agreeable to becoming a district for it to be considered. Ms. Mattox indicated that the timing would be most ideal if coordinated with Main Street reconstruction. Mr. Cummings added that the concept of equity protection and enhancement is a crucial concept. Ms. Schmuhl added that fostering a sense of pride also plays a part. ANNUAL REPORT The final /finished Annual Report was distributed to the Commissioners. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck stated that a topic for the next meeting on the Planning Calendar is a discussion on City owned properties in relation to historic /cultural preservation. He also added that the Commission had wanted to discuss creating a work program on a couple of topics for potential interns. An update on the historic sign/plaque program and the railroad bridge interpretive display /sign will be included. Ms. Schmuhl informed the Commission she would be unable to attend the September meeting as she will be out of town. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 5:06 pm was made by Mr. Arnold and seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3