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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes1 of 3 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 09, 2014 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Dennis Arnold, Sharon Kipetz, and Angela Merrill EXCUSED: Karen Heikel, Shirley Brabender Mattox, and Steve Cummings 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:10 pm and a quorum was declared present. 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVIEW FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT; 401 NORTH MAIN STREET (NEW MOON CAFÉ) – LAID OVER BY PLAN COMMISSION - JULY 1, 2014 Mr. Buck discussed the July 1, 2014 Plan Commission meeting where this was an item for action and he explained that the Plan Commission laid the item over for two weeks. He discussed the information that Lueck’s Home Improvements provided in relation to the cost of replacing the windows and also went over the information that Ms. Brabender Mattox received from Marvin Windows and the State Historical Society. Mr. Arnold said that he went to Omni Glass who said that Eagle/Anderson can make custom windows to the dimensions needed for duplicate replacements in wood or wood clad but that they are much more costly than vinyl. Additionally, he spoke with Mark Haase who is a carpenter that has done historic window repair and that he would be interested in the job but had to get into the building to assess the windows conditions. Mr. Arnold further explained that in his experience the bottom sash is usually bad but the tops may be in decent condition. Mr. Haase did the window repair at the Star Gallery on W. 12th Avenue and Oregon. Mr. Haase told Mr. Arnold that he would have to see the windows in order to supply an estimate on repair and that the timing for repair will be longer than for replacement but that the costs may not be as high. Ms. Kipetz stated that anybody that would supply an estimate would need to get into the building. Mr. Arnold added that the Landmarks Commission needs to be able to get contractors to contact and evaluate as all of the window’s frames and openings may be of different sizes and conditions. Ms. Kipetz stated that we could, at a minimum, provide a list of contractors/manufacturers that can make appropriate replacements such as Eagle/Anderson, Marvin, Pella and Colbe & Colbe or do the repairs such as Mark Haase or other carpenters. She added that at a minimum we can provide this information to the Plan Commission and owner and ask that additional time be granted to truly assist with appropriate rehab as two weeks is simply not long enough. Mr. Arnold said that if the Plan Commission were to allow the inappropriate replacements at the next meeting that at a minimum he would ask that the windows be salvaged and either stored in the building or offered to an organization that could reuse or sell them. He added that the Landmarks statement needs to emphasize that the Commission believes there are options and alternatives but that the limited two week timeframe and inability to access the building that we are not able to provide better details. 2 of 3 Ms. Redlin inquired if the Commission could put together a list of contractors that are historically sensitive? She suggested sending out a request for qualifications and have results available to owners. Mr. Buck stated that he was unsure if the Commission could do that as it could be considered the city endorsing specific businesses over others. He said he would check with the City Attorney and get back to the Commission. 3. HISTORIC MARKER REVIEW – CN BRIDGE, RAILWAYS & FISHING TOPICS Mr. Buck gave an update that the two railroad markers are completed and ordered but that only one can be installed as the river walk on the south side is not constructed but is scheduled for 2015 and temporarily installing and removing would damage the framing. He suspects that the railroad bridge marker will go up next to the trail by the Leach Amphitheater. Mr. Buck then went over the final text for the fishing marker and the Commission amended the text. When reviewing the photographs the Commission suggested looking for additional photographs of the fishing platforms/shanties. Ms. Kipetz suggested an advertisement be placed in the newspaper to see if anyone has photos of the shanties or more of a commercial/watercraft based fishing activities. Mr. Arnold suggested that we reach out to the “You know you’re from Oshkosh” or “Old Oshkosh” Facebook pages to see if additional photos can be gotten that way. Mr. Buck asked if he should reach out to the individuals that came for the fishing platforms/shanties study. Ms. Redlin also suggested that ice fishing could be a good photo topic and also that the DNR may have some. It was also thought that the Fox Wisconsin Heritage Parkway may have something as well. Mr. Buck then mentioned that Ms. Heikel did give him the contact from the University but that he had not contacted them yet. 4. BROCHURES/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The Commission talked about having the rough drafts of two of the brochures on several agendas as well as not getting to even a rough draft form for the tax credit or the tours brochures. Ms. Redlin said she has made an attempt at the tours but that they are not complete. Ms. Merrill said the ones in the packet were not the most recent either. Mr. Buck said he hoped to have something to have at the farmers market on August 23rd where we will have a portion of the Sustainability Boards table so we should try to have something for the August 13th meeting. Ms. Kipetz suggested having a special meeting to discuss if we don’t have something ready by the 13th or if they need amendment. Mr. Arnold mentioned that we have information boards that were used for the State of the City. Mr. Buck said we need a volunteer or two to sit at the table as well. Ms. Merrill suggested having a signup sheet for people interested in history and historic preservation. 5. ANNUAL REPORT DISCUSSION Mr. Buck provided the previous year’s agenda to Ms. Redlin and she said she would go over them to find the items she thought should be included in the Annual Report. Ms. Redlin said she will ask for the minutes from those meetings if needed. 6. WISCONSIN STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (SHPO)-HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND SUBGRANTS Mr. Buck described that the Wisconsin Historical Society Preservation Fund Subgrant applications are coming up with a letter of intent needed to be submitted by September 12, 2014. The Commission looked over the guidelines briefly. Ms. Redlin suggested we request funds for the West Washington Street Area historic district. The Commission felt we will need to get a quote or estimate for the work of the entire district, the suggested neoclassical district from the survey and/or for the Masonic Center only. Also the thought that we should get three estimates for a range. Mr. Buck said he will get the proposed district boundaries together as discussed previously by the group and have each property checked against the States Architectural Inventory. Ms. Redlin questioned if we would be able to do the district nomination 3 of 3 work without the grant. Mr. Buck said we could try to ask for funds by the City or try to get the individual owners to pitch in. Ms. Redlin said that the Masons are very interested and may do fundraising to do their structure on its own. 7. WORKING GROUP REPORTS Website Update Working Group: Ms. Kipetz said she would get a hard copy of a mock-up or strike- through of the existing webpage and then we can get together with the City’s IT Department to get changes made. Any large amounts of text will be provided as a word document. Ms. Kipetz said that many of the housing type examples on the existing web page are in the university area and have not held up well so maybe we could find other examples to use. 8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS The Commission discussed the concept of working with the CVB for a historic bar/tavern tour like they had done last year. The thought was that the Landmarks Commission could partner with them and possibly provide a docent and work with them to come up with educational and/or marketing material. Ms. Redlin believed that Neenah has a historic beer tour that we could fashion ours on. It was determined that the Commission needs to have Mr. Cummings coordinate this type of event with the Historic Bar Working Group. 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Arnold motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Ms. Kipetz. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck, Principal Planner