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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes1 of 3 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 08, 2014 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Dennis Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Karen Heikel, Sharon Kipetz, Steve Cummings and Angela Merrill EXCUSED: None 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:12 pm and a quorum was declared present. 2. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 11, 2013 MEETING MINUTES Mr. Arnold motioned to approve the meeting minutes of December 11th as presented. Motioned seconded by Ms. Brabender Mattox. Minutes were approved unanimously. 3. LANDMARKS PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS PROCESSES - DISCUSSION WITH ALLEN DAVIS AND JOHN ZARATE Mr. Buck introduced Allen Davis, Community Development Director; John Zarate, Chief Building Official; and Kelly Nieforth, Economic Development Specialist. They described their functions. Mr. Buck mentioned that the reason for their visit today was to discuss the processes involved in the issuance of building permits and other planning documents as they relate to the Landmarks Commission involvement. Mr. Davis discussed the City’s general desire to cut time for permits to be processed as a lean process directed by the Common Council. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the former reputation of the department was that it was difficult to work with but she felt that this has improved over time and the reputation has improved. Ms. Brabender Mattox added that the Landmarks Commission is here to improve or preserve the integrity of the historic aspects of the City and that many people are very concerned with damage of historic elements and that tax credit information needs to be disseminated when or before permits are applied for and that the Planning, Inspections and Community Development Departments need to be an educational resource on preservation and appropriate options for building. Mr. Davis commented that the City’s Neighborhood Planners are looking at ways to make the tax credit information and processing more available and understandable. Mr. Cummings stated that the use of tax credits for preservation is the most important element for developers/homeowners and that it would be ideal to discuss the projects prior to or at an earlier stage of the project than permit issuance. Mr. Davis stated that he would ideally like to have a planner or other staff person on duty to provide that element but that there needs to be a balance between the counseling aspect and the speed for permit issuance. Mr. Zarate mentioned that there is a need to get ahead of the permits on the historic properties with educational materials so that they have the education by the time they get to the Inspection Division, as it is often too late by that time. He stated that the trend in Oshkosh is to be extremely fast through the permitting process and they may not have the appropriate information to submit for an appropriate review. Ms. Kipetz added that contractors also need to be educated as homeowners rely on contractors to know what the appropriate rehabilitation for specific housing styles is. She asked if the City could do an “Angie’s List” type of program to direct a historic homeowner to an appropriate contractor. Mr. Buck stated that staff could not promote individual contractors. Discussion took place regarding the use of a Certificate of Appropriateness that is commonly used in many other areas including many communities in the state. Discussion took place regarding rewarding projects that were done appropriately. Ms. Kipetz felt that positive “pride in place” incentives for owners and contractors who complete preservation oriented projects. Mr. Davis thought that the Landmarks Commission Acanthus Awards could showcase neighborhood associations or individual homeowners/contractors. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she felt “flippers” and bad landlords are doing the greatest damage, which creates an environment that owners 2 of 3 are not encouraged to invest in their property because of neighborhood breakdown. Ms. Merrill suggested that when a project goes through a historic review that an incentive could be a break in the cost of the permit. Mr. Davis agreed that incentives are extremely important and need to be utilized to a greater extent. Ms. Redlin asked what the Landmarks Commission can do help facilitate the education element. Mr. Davis said that communication between the Commission and the owners and/or contractors is vital including mailing to contractors and owners. Ms. Kipetz mentioned that the incentive for historic preservation should be on the City’s website, on bulletin boards outside the Inspection Office and when the permit is being pulled. Mr. Davis suggested that the permit applications could have a “yes/no” checkbox to be sure they are aware of credits or incentives so we can pull the information together and print out a copy for the owner/contractor when the permit is applied for. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that the Landmarks Commission could possibly go through the 1980 and 2005 Historic Surveys to determine which homes would be potentially eligible, even if they are not in a district. Once these were determined, information could be sent to the owners with education materials. Ms. Redlin thought a handout or form that includes incentive information could be created and attached to “historic flagged” properties in the City’s permit software. Mr. Davis and Mr. Zarate went over the process for commercial building review and suggested that when a historic building project was being reviewed at staff site plan review that a Landmarks Commissioner could attend to get involved at the beginning rather than the separate permit review during the regular Landmarks Commission meeting. Mr. Arnold talked about the Certificate of Appropriateness examples from Milwaukee and Houston and the discussion that these communities had varying degrees of control and how the process is handled after the concept is engrained in the mindset of the community. Discussion then took place regarding educational sessions that are held about appropriate preservation techniques that could be done in Oshkosh like what is done in Platteville several times a year. 4. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW Mr. Buck discussed the two permits issued in December. There was little discussion as the items were roof and interior work. 5. ROOFTOP CELL ANTENNA PLACEMENT RECONSIDERATION - 780 HIGH AVE (TAYLOR HALL) Mr. Buck discussed that the Oshkosh Landmarks Commission registered a statement regarding the installation/collocation of antennae on Taylor Hall, 780 High Avenue that included the concern that the installation may have a negative visual impact on the Oshkosh Normal School and the Algoma Boulevard National Register Historic Districts, both of which are within two blocks. The Landmarks Commission commented that adjustments or modifications to the plans could lessen any potential impact. The developer has requested a re-review of the proposal based on the information that the antennas were replacements rather than additional installations and that the State Historic Preservation Office felt there was no impact. After discussion, the Commission reaffirmed its original position because the existing placement of multiple skids and existing (or replaced) antenna sets are easily visible from the historic districts and that the adjustments to their locations and stealth techniques suggested would greatly decrease the impacts that currently exist. 6. GOALS FOR 2014 Mr. Buck went over the 2013 goal list including the Commissioners who are working on them. There was considerable discussion on multiple projects of interest and it was determined that the Commission would look at several items that they individually want to address and bring them back to the next meeting to establish, as a group, what items are to be worked on in 2014 and what the timeframes will be for them. Ms. Redlin mentioned that the Washington Street District needs to be included, especially the Masonic Temple. The item of locally Landmarking School District, City, County and State owned properties was also discussed as an item. 3 of 3 7. WORKING GROUPS a. Website – No report. b. Tourism/Brochures – No report. c. Historic Marker/Plaque Program – Mr. Buck stated that the City offered someone the position of the LTE Historic Research Assistant. He mentioned that once the research is getting along that we will have to come up with a program to solicit more markers. Mr. Buck also stated that he has ordered three more building plaques that will be in soon so we will have to organize a time to present them to the property owners. Discussion took place regarding the spring installation of the Historic Street Signs for the North Main Street Bungalow District and the Washington Avenue District and the desire to have the press involved to advertise and showcase the ornamental street signs. d. Grant/Budget – No report. e. Riverside Cemetery – Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that Ginny Gross has a sent her a “Complete History of Riverside Cemetery” and that she was concerned that some older improvements have been removed from the site. Mr. Cummings said that he felt City owned Historic Properties need to be reviewed by the Landmarks Commission. The Commission asked that a meeting with Bill Sturm and/or Ray Maurer from the Parks Department and possibly Jon Urben with Facility Maintenance. f. Historic Bar Elements – No report. 8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck mentioned that the goals for 2014 will be an item. Other items were determined to include building permits, acanthus awards, the New Moon venting item and possible a slide show from Mr. Cummings. 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Arnold motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Ms. Heikel. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck, Principal Planner