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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 09, 2011 PRESENT: Todd Clark, Robert Hughes, Dennis Arnold, Steve Cummings and Shirley Mattox EXCUSED: Vicky Redlin and Arlene Schmuhl STAFF: David Buck, Darryn Burich and Allen Davis CALL TO ORDER Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 3:06 pm and a quorum was declared present. NORTH MAIN STREET HISTORIC BUNGALOW DISTRICT – UPDATE Ms. Mattox described that the neighborhood meeting to introduce and gauge whether the owners of the 23 properties were interested in being a National Register Historic District was held October th 27 with approximately a dozen residents in attendance as well as Mr. Arnold, Mr. Buck and Daina Penkiunas, with the State Historical Society. Ms. Mattox explained that Ms. Penkiunas came several hours before the meeting and analyzed the proposed district to look at potential expansion based on housing stock but ended with the same area as proposed. Ms. Penkiunas explained to the neighbors/property owners the advantages and perceived negatives associated with National Registration. Mr. Buck briefly described the competition for the grant with other historic agencies and localities. Ms. Mattox detailed the application process. CN RAILROAD BRIDGE PROJECT - UPDATE Mr. Buck provided an update on the status of the CN bridge rebuild project and explained that the Canadian National provided the City of Oshkosh with a check for $20,000 to be used for the interpretive displays utilizing the date plaques of the bridge. He further explained that the historical survey of the bridge would be sent to the City in early 2012 and that the design of the sign could commence following. Ms. Mattox showed an example of the use of bridge trusses in Madison where it was used as an individual sculpture. Mr. Clark stated that he would have liked to utilize the truss or ring girder but that it was cost prohibitive and thought it was a good line of thinking to utilize historic elements of things lost in a positive way. WEBSITE STATUS – UPDATE Mr. Clark stated that Ms. Schmuhl and himself have not had a chance to meet to discuss the item but that Ms. Schmuhl already had more than the basics of the redesign down and that maybe a Landmarks meeting should be set aside to discuss the topic rather than trying to meet outside of the routine time. The Commission agreed that it would be a great “workshop” meeting that could be the only topic for discussion. Mr. Buck stated he would get it on one of the early agendas for 2012. POTENTIAL INTERN WORK PROGRAM Mr. Buck provided an update memo on potential intern work items listed by the Commission and also stated that the current Community Development intern, Elizabeth Schultz, has been taking new photos of all of the buildings in the Irving-Church Historic District and is updating sheets of information on them since the original historic survey id is over 30 years old. She will then put it into a PowerPoint presentation that staff will bring in front of the Landmarks Commission to reevaluate their historic significance with the results being sent to the State. Mr. Buck thought this 1 of 2 would be a January or February agenda item. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW – OCTOBER, 2011 Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of October and described work done. The Commission discussed the permit applications with special discussion on the awning for 424 and 459 North Main Street. Mr. Burich provided information on the Downtown Overlay design regulations and suggested holding an informational meeting with the Landmarks and maybe other Commissions/Boards to familiarize them with the newer design criteria. Ms. Mattox expressed her displeasure in not being involved in the original ordinance creation and expressed concern with using the “Disney” architecture over the true historical facades when creating design regulations. Mr. Burich stated that he believes the design standards meet the SHPO rules and Mr. Davis stated that the historic element of any work on the Main Street facades is taken into account when his staff performs site plan review. Ms. Mattox asked if Mr. Burich could do an interim update possibly including Joe DeRose with SHPO just to bring everyone up to speed. Mr. Burich said he would follow up. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck stated that topics for the next meeting on the Planning Calendar are to begin discussion on the goals for 2012. Ms. Mattox reminded the group that the Sustainability Plan will be coming to the Commission in December. Mr. Cummings stated that an update on the Riverside Park Riverwalk information sign would be a good topic. Discussion took place regarding any historical significance of the “River Cottages/Fishing Shanties”. Mr. Clark said he believed that LaCrosse has some painted river cottages and ours could be the topic of a worthwhile discussion. Ms. Mattox stated that there is a potential to preserve as they are a cultural item but that she was unsure of their quality. Mr. Cummings described the condition of them from a riverfront standpoint and both believed they were in extremely poor condition and were not well constructed originally. Additionally, Mr. Buck added that the DNR will not allow any reconstruction or other alterations to the structures as they are nonconforming to their codes. Mr. Buck described that the “River Cottages/Fishing Shanties” currently have no legal ownership as they are on the river which is public domain and cannot be owned by any individual entity. Mr. Davis described that the south shore riverwalk is coming and the topic of the “River Cottages/Fishing Shanties” will most likely be a topic. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 4:48 pm was made by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Mr. Arnold. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 2 of 2