HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes1 of 2 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 9, 2013 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Karen Heikel, Dennis Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Sharon Kipetz and Angela Merrill EXCUSED: Steve Cummings, Conor McGee 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:37 pm a nd a quorum was declared present. Ms. Redlin introduced Angela Merrill, the new Landmarks Commis sioner. Ms. Merrill gave some background about herself. 2. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 28, 2013 & SEPTEMBER 11, 201 3 MEETING MINUTES Mr. Arnold motioned to approve the meeting minutes of August 28 th as presented. Motioned seconded by Ms. Redlin. Minutes were approved unanimously. Mr. Arnold mentioned that the discussion under Item 6.c that the reference should be for Mr. Radig is writing a book on “grocery stores” rather than “gro ceries”. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated she has spoke with him in the past casually but has not officiall y as of yet. She also added that under Item 2 (at the bottom of the page) that the City Attorney’s answer is not clear that cities being able to absolve themselves from landmark properties as they can pas s amendments to codes. Ms. Redlin asked that staff ask for clarification on code amendments. Ms. Kipe tz motioned to approve the meeting minutes of September 11 th with changes. Ms. Brabender Mattox seconded the m otion, which was approved unanimously. 3. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW & DISCUSSION Ms. Brabender Mattox commented that several of the projects are significant such as the roof of the Wagner Opera House. She was interested to see if t he owners were interested in getting tax credits an d if anyone from staff had informed them of their availa bility? She added that 456 North Main Street is adding awnings and replacement windows and when the project comes forward do they follow and meet the design standards for the Downtown Overlay and i f that will improve the credibility of the historic district. Discussion took place about if the wind ows on the second floor had been previously replace d. Mr. Arnold mentioned that the first floor had been altered already and that the windows on the second may have been replaced in the past. The awning app eared to be more traditional and that it is only go ing on the north building as to separate the two from e ach other. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she wo uld rather have the original façade replicated rather t han a “Disney” façade improvement such as the fill that is replacing what would have been the transom windo ws on the south building. Ms. Redlin asked if South Main Street is included in the Downtown Overl ay. Ms. Brabender Mattox answered that it is just North Main Street. The Commission attempted to det ermine what specific nine windows are being replaced on 903 Oregon Street. The Commission requ ests a copy of the Downtown Overlay Design Standards. Ms. Merrill was asked and commented on Milwaukee’s policy giving recommendations on changes prior to the construction and providing a C ertificate of Appropriateness but that if the work is not affecting original building content that the recomm endation would reflect that. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggests that whenever a building in the North Main Street Historic District is altered that an image of the original should be provided to determine if the imp rovements are advancing the historic integrity or hindering it. Ms. Kipetz questioned if the Merritt Avenue driveway work was done before the permit? Mr. Arnold said that the permits are sometimes take n after the project begins. 4. ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE – REVIEW WORKGROUP Mr. Arnold stated that he attended the zoning workg roup meeting and stated that it is interesting to h ear
2 of 2 the comments of other commissions and boards and wh at problems they face. He added that at this point the Landmarks Commission Historic Preservation Ordi nance would be addressed as a separate effort. Ms. Brabender Mattox feels that Landmarks should at tend to keep historic interests in play. It was determined that Ms. Redlin, Mr. Arnold and Ms. Brab ender Mattox are all willing to attend. 5. WORKING GROUPS Ms. Redlin suggested that Ms. Merrill listen to the Work Group discussions to determine if there are a ny she would be interested in. The Commission went ov er who was working on each. Ms. Redlin mentioned that the reports should actually have a g oal to keep the groups on task. a. Website – Ms. Kipetz said that she has a student back worki ng so for the next meeting she will have some updated timeline items, focusing on buildings primarily. She also suggested that the Commission use different homes to showcase styles as many that are on there now have been really altered. The Commission discussed if they should consider having a section on a “preserved” house and an “altered” house as it shows the differences. b. Tourism/Brochures – No report. c. Historic Marker/Plaque Program – Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what the list of topic s are for the Markers and that she will speak with Dan Radig to s ee if he could assist with these items. The Commission questioned if a member could participate via internet or phone and not be physically presen t. Ms. Brabender also stated she approached Jim Backus to see if they would be “advisors” on items as we need a historian to assist with projects. Discussi on took place on research for the new applicants fo r plaques. d. Grant/Budget – Ms. Brabender Mattox stated her goal is to apply for another grant to get another historic district researched. Ms. Redlin asked if the Masons had been contacted as they are intereste d in designating their temple to help rehab without dest roying the structures historic integrity and that t he temple could even be a “hub” of a larger district. They are worried about the cost however. Ms. Redl in suggested maybe going to one of their board meeting s. e. Riverside Cemetery – No report but discussion on reviving the efforts to promote and preserve the chapel took place including the possibility of doin g interior rehab utilizing students or other volunt eer groups. It was determined that a tour of the cemet ery and chapel would be good and maybe hold a meeting there. f. Historic Bar Elements – No report. 6. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STAT EMENTS The Commission was wondering if the cemetery chapel could be used as a meeting place for the November meeting. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked to go over the overlay design standards. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 4:15 pm was made by Mr. Arnold and seconded Ms. Kipetz. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck, Principal Planner