HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes1 of 2 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 13, 2013 PRESENT: Dennis Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Sharon Ki petz and Angela Merrill EXCUSED: Vicky Redlin, Karen Heikel, and Steve Cummings 1 . CALL TO ORDER Mr. Arnold called the meeting to order at 3:11 pm a nd a quorum was declared present. Ms. Kipetz mentioned that she would need to leave the meeting at 4:30 pm and Ms. Brabender Mattox also stated she had an appointment that evening. Mr. Buck stated t hat the agenda was quite large so we may wish to selectively highlight items to discuss and gloss ov er others. He also updated the Commission on the status of Conor McGee in that he will be removed fo r failure to attend at the next Council meeting. Ms . Brabender Mattox discussed the Commissions need for a historian and possible contacts. 2. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 9, 2013 MEETING MINUTES Ms. Kipetz motioned to approve the meeting minutes of October 9 th as presented. Motioned seconded by Ms. Brabender Mattox. Minutes were approved una nimously. 3. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW Ms. Brabender Mattox commented that she would like to have historic photographs submitted with building permit applications. Mr. Buck stated that it is not current practice and the Commission woul d have to discuss a change in policy such as this wit h the Director of Community Development and/or Chief Building Official and suggested that they be contacted to attend a Landmarks Commission meeting to discuss it and get their feedback. Mr. Buck sai d it could also be a good time to address other con cerns that had come up in the past such as insufficient d etail in permit applications and the distribution o f tax credit info. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what Milwa ukee would require with permit applications and Ms. Merrill commented that the technical specificat ions for things such as replacement windows would be submitted prior to permit in Milwaukee. 4. HISTORIC PLAQUE REQUESTS General discussion took place on the eligibility an d merit of the buildings associated with the two building plaque applications. A motion was made by Ms. Kipetz to approve the appl ication for 441 North Main Street as a contributing structure within the North Main Street Historic Dis trict and the application at 1010 Bay Shore Drive a s an individually listed structure, both in good conditi on. Motion was seconded by Ms. Brabender Mattox. Motioned carried unanimously. 5. MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 30-27: DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT DISCUSSION Mr. Buck gave a brief history of the Downtown Overl ay District Design Standards and the façade grant program and how they came about as well as the curr ent sentiment that staff has heard about them from the property owners, especially on signage and mate rials. He quickly went over the general regulation s categories and then suggested that the Commissioner s read through it and think of changes that can mak e it better, and then we could put a list together an d bring it up to the administration. 6. ANNUAL REPORT DISCUSSION Mr. Buck stated he had not had the time to put the graphics and format the annual report so it was not ready for review. Discussion took place on the cov er and it was determined that it should be a focused/zoomed-in shot of a North Main Street Bunga low District house.
2 of 2 7. NORTH MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION – WISDOT HISTO RIC SURVEY RESULT Mr. Buck introduced the letter that came from the W isconsin DOT / Heritage Research, LTD stating that the Ladies Benevolent Society Home at 1628 North Ma in Street was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places with regard to Criteria A: History for its outstanding contribut ion to Oshkosh’s local history. The Commission then went over Mr. Arnold’s and Ms. Kipetz’s review of the other properties on North Main Street in the subjec t road reconstruction area. Mr. Arnold stated that the criteria of the review/evaluation were windows, sid ing and porch conditions. It was determined that t he categories to list the properties would be excellen t/exemplary, good condition, or modified/infill and that a list and map should be forwarded to the Wisconsin DOT and Heritage Research, LTD as well as a communication confirming that 1628 North Main Stree t is considered to be eligible by the Commission as well. Mrs. Brabender Mattox emphasized the importa nce of informing the Department of Transportation of our historic/cultural resources and be sure they are on record. 8. WORKING GROUPS a. Website – Mr. Buck explained that there were three chronolo gies included in the packets. There is the one currently on the website, a chronology from Ms. Kipetz that focused on buildings and filled in yea rs that were relatively empty and a list from the libr ary. It was determined that we could go over the t hree and update the chronology for the web. Mr. Buck al so said he needs to update the Commissioners list. Ms. Kipetz added that she wants to update the housi ng styles section as many of the examples were not very good representations or the home photos used w ere modified. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the state website will have photos of Oshkosh homes tha t can be searched by style and community. It was also determined that commercial structures should b e included. b. Tourism/Brochures – No report but brief discussion on the Tribal Heri tage Crossing leaflet. Mr. Buck also mentioned that Ruth McGinley and Millers Bay Neighborhood are looking to do a rededication of the Washington monument at Menomonie Park and th at she would like to coordinate with Landmarks on it. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the mon ument was part of the Hicks Foundation and the Oshkosh Public Library is the keepers of records an d funds associated with that foundation. A tour brochure for monuments was discussed briefly. c. Historic Marker/Plaque Program – Mr. Buck briefly went over the concept of using a Limited Term Employee to do the research on the historic ma rkers program but that funds are extremely limited and coordination with the museum will have take pla ce to augment the small amount of funds available t o use. d. North Main Street Bungalow District – This item was previously discussed under number 7. e. Grant/Budget – No report. f. Riverside Cemetery – No report but discussion on Ginny Gross’s self-gu ided walking tour book took place and Ms. Kipetz suggested that she be contacte d to see if it can be promoted in coordination with Landmarks as a tourism element. g. Historic Bar Elements – No report. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STAT EMENTS Mr. Buck suggested that the goals for 2014 be the t op item as well as thinking about the locations for future meetings including the Paine Carriage House and the Cemetery Chapel. 10. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Kipetz had to leave at 4:38 pm ending a quorum. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck, Principal Planner