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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 PRESENT: Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Robert Hughes, Vicky Redlin, Steve Cummings and Shirley Mattox EXCUSED: Arlene Schmuhl STAFF: David Buck CALL TO ORDER Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 3:09 pm and a quorum was declared present. APPROVAL OF JULY MINUTES Mr. Arnold moved for approval of the August minutes. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW AUGUST, 2011 Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of August and described work done. Ms. Mattox inquired if the St. Mary's Convent structure (441 Boyd Street) that was razed was on or eligible to be on the Register of Historic Places? Mr. Arnold responded that it was eligible but not officially on it. Ms. Mattox stated that if it were eligible that the Commission could have landmarked it and the demolition could then have been stalled. Mr. Buck responded that it was listed as eligible but is not located in a historic district and the owners must be in agreement with the landmark designation. Ms. Mattox stated that she believes that the SHPO could have been contacted, who have the power to stop demolition of eligible properties. Mr. Buck stated he was unaware of any such power unless state or federal funds had been used on the property. Mr. Clark said that this discussion brings up a good point of discussion on the role of the Landmarks Commission as an advisory group or as a "police power" type group that could be more involved with historic or potentially historic property preservation than it currently does. Ms. Mattox suggested that the commission should have a representative from the State Historic Preservation Office come to discuss powers that they have and what is available for local commissions. Mr. Clark felt this will help to determine a "game plan" on how the Commission wants to deal with threatened historic /cultural properties in the future. Ms. Mattox stated that the State Historic Preservation Office has much more control than we as a local entity do not. Mr. Buck mentioned that Municipal Code changes will most likely be required to change the scope and authority of the Commission. Mr. Cummings suggested contacting Jim Draeger to speak to the group as well as find examples of other cities codes on historic preservation. Ms. Redlin stated she would look a few up and share with the Commission. It was determined that this topic should be placed on the next agenda. CN RAILROAD MOA & CURATION PLAN - UPDATE Mr. Buck explained the agreement has been signed and sent to the railroads consultant. The agreement and curation plan 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. 1 of 3 HISTORIC SIGN/PLAQUE PROGRAM - UPDATE Mr. Buck went over the handout /tier 1 application related to the individual structure historic plaque program and informed the Commission that the second tier for review has not been determined yet. He asked that the commissioners look over the flyer and have comments for the next meeting as well as thoughts on what additional information would be required and what would qualify to be able to get a plaque approved. Ms. Redlin suggested that the cost of the plaques should be increased slightly so that a fund could be established to continue a limited no cost plaque distribution on an annual basis, whether or not it is tied to the Acanthus Awards, landmarking or other program. Mr. Cummings addressed the interpretive marker /sign element of this program and stated that a fund is being set up as an endowment with an initial donation of $5000 plus interest. He went on to describe that the first of these signs would be going up at Riverside Park. A draft of the sign design and content would be brought to the Landmarks Commission when created. NORTH MAIN STREET HISTORIC BUNGALOW DISTRICT Ms. Mattox stated that she has been working on this action item and that she has received several estimates from consulting firms who do National Register nominations. She went on to state that the next step is to set a date to have a meeting with the 23 property owners in the identified area and have a SHPO representative available to gauge the interest in establishing it as a new historic district as well as reevaluate the properties included to determine if they are still eligible. Ms. Mattox said that the process includes getting introduction letters together, have a meeting place and make a map of the potential district. Mr. Cummings asked if it would be wise to have a neighborhood representative "lead the charge" as it is extremely important to get the neighborhood and owners involved. Ms. Mattox responded that she would look to see if she personally knew any of the owners. MR. CLARK LEFT THE MEETING A T 4:45 PM INTERN WORK PROGRAM DISCUSSION Mr. Buck stated that internship possibilities exist especially with the start of the new school year but that the Landmarks Commission needs to come up with programs or duties that are clearly defined to "pitch" to the University and potential interns. Ms. Redlin suggested that the website update would be a great project for many different majors. Mr. Buck thought a reevaluation of the existing historic properties listed in the 1981 and 2005 inventories /surveys was a good project, at least when the weather is ok. Mr. Buck asked that each commissioner come up with three items that an intern could work on and we can see at the next meeting if any of the suggestions are mutual among members and can be further developed and implemented. CITY OWNED PROPERTY DISCUSSION Mr. Buck stated that this item is on the agenda because there has been discussion at the Commission about landmarking property at 633 Mount Vernon as well as discussion on the south side steps of City Hall. Mr. Arnold distributed a brief history of the home at 633 Mount Vernon Street. Mr. Buck stated he will forward the history to the staff person working with NeighborWorks to attempt to get the property landmarked while still under city control. Mr. Cummings wondered if there would possibly be grant programs out there to replace the steps at City Hall or possibly a donation program be put in place from former students /graduates and the community at large. It was determined that an estimate would first need to be gotten and then a fund raising campaign be started. Mr. Buck stated that the City Manager would definitely need to be included at the forefront 2 of 3 in any discussion of such a campaign. He stated that he would get a map and list of city owned properties overlaid onto the historic districts to see what we have out there. After that we could get Allen Davis in to discuss future course of action on the topic. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck stated that topics for the next meeting on the Planning Calendar are a discussion on bar backs and the newsletter. He also added that the Commission had wanted to discuss creating a work program for potential intern(s), address what other communities have for historic preservation codes, and review of city owned properties in historic districts or by themselves. Also, the continued discussion of the plaque program will be included as well as an update on the progress of the North Main Street Bungalow District. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 5:05 pm was made by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Ms. Mattox. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3