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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes1 of 4 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2015 PRESENT: Dennis Arnold, Steve Cummings, Angela Merrill, and Shirley Brabender Mattox EXCUSED: Vicky Redlin, Karen Heikel, and Sharon Kipetz 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:03 pm and a quorum was declared present. 2. LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE PLAN FOR THE OSHKOSH MPO Mr. Buck introduced Kathy Thunes, a Planner with East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC). Ms. Thunes stated ECWRPC is updating their long range transportation plan for the Oshkosh MPO that was originally done in 2010. Ms. Merrill asked how often it is updated and Ms. Thunes responded that it is updated approximately every 5 years. Ms. Thunes introduced the Cultural Resource component of the plan and she is here to receive input and comment on it. She added that there will be a public input session for the public in April as well but she wanted to come before the Landmarks Commission early. Ms. Thunes identified various cultural resources such as buildings, markers, cemeteries, and archeological sites in Oshkosh that are included within the document. She stated that they first look at National Register of Historic Places and list and map them within the document to show the projects identified in relation to the resources. The Commission went over the documents supplied. Mr. Cummings corrected the reference to the Paine Art Center and Gardens and Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the Frank Lloyd Wright House on Algoma Boulevard was not listed and she believed it was individually listed and in the Algoma Boulevard District. Mr. Buck also stated that Riverside Cemetery is shown but not as a district, which he believes was listed in 2003. Ms. Thunes believed it is located as a site with multiple buildings but does not believe it is a district in itself. Ms. Thunes added that additional resources can be listed as significant if they are locally landmarked. Mr. Arnold asked if they could check into the cemeteries as he thought Sunnyview was another toward the lake on north side of Snell. Mr. Cummings and Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the Military Veterans Museum had been relocated from the area shown to Poberezny Road on the south side of the city. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated the Algoma Methodist Church has a nativity museum as well that should be added to the listings. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked when ECWRPC would need additional information and Ms. Thunes stated they are in draft and changes can be made up to mid-April. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked that this item should be included on next month’s agenda so the individual members can have time to get their input together. The Commission thanked Ms. Thunes for coming and look forward to providing additional comments to her. 3. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 14, 2014 MEETING MINUTES Mr. Cummings motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Ms. Merrill. Motion carried unanimously. 2 of 4 4. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW The Commission went over the building permits issued in January of 2015. There was discussion on the permit for siding at 1518 North Main Street and whether it was a wood siding replacement, which it appears to be with painting scheduled for spring. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that 650 Franklin is replacing windows and she was concerned that they may not match the existing openings. Mr. Buck responded that, if they are on the front or the side, the design standards will not allow them to be closed or substantially changed in size. Discussion took place on the Commission putting some window replacement and repair manual or handout together and the Commission thought it would be something that the Commission can think about putting together in the future. Ms. Merrill stated it would fit with the educational element mission of the Commission and Mr. Buck stated there was a guide called spindles and shakes that provided some example material from the City of Milwaukee. The Commission went over other communities, such as Fond du Lac and Madison, Georgia that had produced these types of material, and Ms. Brabender Mattox thought that they may have utilized CLG grant funds to produce them. Mr. Buck added that the tax credit brochure is almost finalized and the window educational one can be next up. Ms. Merrill suggested we do one topic at a time and when enough are created over time they will act as a comprehensive guide that can be on the website and also individually printed. 5. WORK PLAN/COMMISSION GOALS FOR 2015 Mr. Buck stated that he simply wanted to go over the goals for 2015 that were approved at last month’s meeting, which include: Website Development/Update Cultural Tourism Program Development (inventory of assets, self-guided tour brochures and formal guided tour) Create West Washington Avenue/Neoclassical Historic District Creation Initiate Bayshore Historic District Nomination Education and Outreach Programming (mailings, appropriate rehabilitation methods community access show and/or workshops, event presentation and booth materials, etc.) Inventorying our existing historic districts (photos, street evaluations, etc.) Historic Marker Program (continue to market and create markers) Building Plaque Program (continue to market and research) Identify and coordinate with other Historic focused groups (UWO Programs, County Historical Society, Museum, Paine, Library, Facebook groups, etc.) Acanthus Award Determination and Award Annual Report Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that she wanted to add more emphasis on local landmarking, especially city properties. Mr. Buck mentioned that the Commission had left that emphasis off of local landmarking until the ordinance was updated. Ms. Brabender Mattox then suggested that we include update to the Historic Preservation Code. The Commission agreed to put the ordinance review and update as a 2015 goal. Ms. Merrill stated that we have to be careful not to make it too “heavy handed” at the beginning as in her experience those are the ordinances that get overturned or repealed. She added that, in combination with educational aspect, that more teeth be added to the ordinance over time as people get used to the increased design regulations. Ms. Brabender Mattox motioned to include locally landmarked properties and update to the code 3 of 4 as goals for 2015. Motion was seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion carried unanimously. 6. HISTORIC RIVERFRONT MARKER-LAKE & RIVER SYSTEM TOPIC DISCUSSION Mr. Buck mentioned that the Historic Research Assistant is beginning to work on the Lake and River System Marker and needs direction on information most relevant to be included on the marker as the amount of area dedicated to text is extremely limited and will not support the vast amount of information that is available on such a broad and general topic. Also, the design of the marker may have to be augmented for this marker. The list of possible focus points are Formation of the Lake Winnebago & Fox River, Ecology, Exploration, Geographical Facts, Environmental Impacts and Map Element. The Commission determined that a map must be included as the focal point and suggested using it as a background and put text along side or over the top in more of an individual topic/bullet point fashion. The Commission determined that the main item is the map with main topic points being the formation, geographical facts, and exploration history. Ecology and environmental impacts could be included but should not be focus topics. Mr. Buck stated he will relay the comments to the research assistant and the graphic designer. 7. WEDC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT GRANT - CENTRAL CITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY LETTER OF SUPPORT Mr. Buck went over the support letter from Landmarks Commission contributed to the application for the Community Development Investment Grant through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for a Central City Investment Strategy that was finalized at the last meeting. 8. HISTORIC/CULTURAL TOURISM PROJECT Mr. Cummings stated that he and staff have met twice with Brad Larsen from the Museum, Cassie Daniels from the Business Improvement District, Janice Dibble from the Library, Julie Johnson from the Winnebago County Historical and Archeological Society (WCHAS) and Wendy Hielsberg from the Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) to continue discussion on a cultural tourism project. At that meeting it was determined that we needed someone to begin compiling existing literature and data that currently exists such as an inventory of historic assets and information on buildings, monuments and “stories” and get the information down in a spreadsheet that can be sorted by larger or more general topics. An area was defined as Irving Avenue on the north to the River on the south and Jackson Street on the west to Broad Street on the east. Mr. Buck pointed out that this is not an architectural inventory but more on topics and features that have a cultural tourist appeal and be a foundation of a cultural tourism program that is exciting to tourists. Mr. Cummings stated that the CVB is including approximately $5,000 for marketing and he will be going to the Foundation for funds, staff will be requesting funds from the City Council, and Julie Johnson and he will be going to the WCHAS Board for funds to assist with marketing the history of Oshkosh. The project will be under the oversight of the CVB with Landmarks Commission, among others, as support. There was brief discussion on naming of the program. 4 of 4 9. HISTORIC DISTRICT INFORMATIONAL MAILING Mr. Buck went over the draft letter for the mailing and the Commission went over comments provided. Ms. Merrill stated that the volunteer has completed the tax credit brochure and will need pictures to be included. She added that when it is complete she will e-mail it out. Mr. Buck stated he would put it on next month’s agenda or as a special meeting for approval of the final letter and flyers. 10. DISCUSSION ON PRODUCING AN EDITORIAL ON DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES Ms. Brabender Mattox said that she was interested in putting together an editorial addressing demolition of historic structures. She added that Randy Doemer had written a draft of an editorial and she wondered if we should do one jointly with him or if we should, as a Landmarks Commission, create our own. Ms. Brabender Mattox also wanted to touch on sustainability of historic preservation as to adapted reuse as well as reclamation of materials when a structure is removed. Mr. Cummings said he felt that we should do our own as two separate letters or editorials would have greater impact. Ms. Merrill suggested getting buy-in from the Sustainability Board. Mr. Buck suggested a draft editorial be made and bring it back to the Commission and possibly bring it to Sustainability for additions and/or endorsement. 11. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Beyond the regular agenda items, the Commission wanted to include the approval of the letter and brochures for mailings as well as the editorial discussion should be included. 12. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Merrill motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Ms. Brabender Mattox. Motion approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck, Principal Planner