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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes April 8, 2015 PRESENT: Harold Buchholz, Steve Cummings, Sharon Kipetz, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Paul Arnold, Vicky Redlin, David Buck, Alexa Naudziunas and Elizabeth Williams EXCUSED: Karen Heikel, and Angela Merrill 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval Of March 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes The commission pointed out six corrections for the March meeting minutes. The first correction was found in item two - line three: the term “museum collection” should be changed to the “museum within the church” in order to differentiate between the main museum in Oshkosh. The second correction was found in item four - line ten: the name Mr. Merrill needed to be change to Ms. Merrill. The third correction was found in item four - line 11: Mr. Buchholz wanted to clarify the intention of his comment about tourism and said that the line should be rewritten to read “Mr. Buchholz said that tourists would be confused by where to get information on tourism when coming into the city”. The fourth correction was found in item five - last sentence: begins with “They” should be changed to “The Commission”. The fifth correction was found in item six - line two: it states “Historic properties”, but it should be “History districts”. The sixth correction was found in item seven - second sentence: the “William Waters” property should be “Gothic Revival” property, which is not located on Jefferson Street, but on Frederick Street. Ms. Redlin made a motion to approve the March meeting minutes as amended and Mr. Cummings seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Building Permit Review Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about 686 Franklin Street, specifically about the section describing window closure in the kitchen and where that was on the exterior. Mr. Buck replied that it is on the rear side of the structure. There was discussion about sidewalk café permits. Mr. Cummings expressed a concern about the aesthetics of the fence connected to Peabody’s Ale House Side yard on North Main Street and that he felt it could have been more historically sensitive. Mr. Buck explained that Peabody’s was not remodeled for historic details and the work was related to bathroom alterations on the interior. He also stated that he felt the fence was intentionally designed to match the theme of the outdoor bar. 4. Fraternal Reserve Association Building at 105 Washington Avenue – Project Introduction Mr. Buck explained that item four is purely informational and went over proposed redevelopment plans of the building known as the Fraternal Reserve Association Building at 105 Washington Avenue. The property owner is currently in the process of designing a redevelopment of the site to change the use from the current office use to residential and intends to purchase a portion of the city owned parking lot and convert it into parking garages for the future tenants of luxury apartments. The commission went over the plans and elevations and discussed alterations to the site and the replacement of a window and repairs to the existing masonry as well as minimal alterations to the exterior which includes a new handicap ramp and associated lighting. Mr. Cummings stated that the property owners have applied for historic tax credits on the project but was unsure if they had received them. The commission asked if the structure will be placed on the National Register of Historic Places if it received the tax credits and Mr. Buck replied that it would need to be to receive the credits. The commission determined that the project would be a good reuse of the building and was encouraged that they were attempting to get historic tax credits. Additionally, the commission determined that the details of the plans would not affect the historic integrity of the structure. 5. William Waters Plaza Update Ms. Williams attended in order to update the commission about the William Waters Plaza redevelopment project progress. Ms. Williams gave background information on the project and explained that the Department of Public Works plans to replace the utilities underneath the site in the near future. Ms. Williams explained that a visioning session was held with stakeholders including neighbors, Landmark’s Commission, Library and property owners. She stated that three renderings will be created from the ideas that were expressed at the visioning session. Ms. Williams said that eventually the consulting firm will create one rendering that is their best version for the plaza based on the visioning sessions. Ms. Williams explained that there is an interest in adding a feature that honors William Waters. Mr. Buck stated that the original plaza was designed and paid for by the Oshkosh Rotary. Ms. Williams explained that the Department of Public Works will need access to the site; therefore items in the plaza must be easily movable. Ms. Williams asked the commission to decide how they felt the plaza could honor William Waters and what elements could be included in it. Ms. Redlin pointed out that since the Rotary had originally intended the plaza to honor William Waters, it should retain that element. Mr. Buchholz wondered if William Waters designed any flower planters. Ms. Williams planned on attending a future Rotary Club meeting to inform them about the progress of Williams Water Plaza. The commission discussed generalities of William Waters and elements that could be included like trademark architectural elements, planters, and other general Waters design themes. 6. Editorial on Demolition of Historic Structures Ms. Brabender Mattox expressed an interest in writing an editorial in the Northwestern about historic property protection to compliment the editorial done by the Winnebago County Historical and Archeological Society. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she would like to take a different approach in the editorial and how she imagines the editorial to be. She did not want to replicate the editorial that was published in March, but she wanted to add to it. Ms. Brabender Mattox said she would put a draft together and bring to a future meeting. Ms. Redlin and Ms. Brabender Mattox discussed that many people don’t understand the capabilities of city groups in the case of preventing a building from being demolished. The commission discussed the multiple Facebook groups and how many active participants are on it and that could be a good place to start a local/municipal historic society. 7. Acanthus Awards Mr. Buck explained that the commission needs to choose their nominations for the Acanthus Awards. The commission decided to hold a special meeting to discuss nominations for the awards. Mr. Buck stated he would send out an online meeting request to find the best date. 8. Website Update Discussion Mr. Buck told the commission that he and Mr. Buchholz met to discuss website improvements. Mr. Buck explained that they found that there needs to be a more direct link to the Landmarks Commission page and/or a scrolling banner is needed for more immediate announcements. Mr. Buck said the website link needs to be simplified and the content was found to be out of date as well. Mr. Buck explained that the historic description will be improved and photos will be added. He will set up a meeting with the City’s IT Department and coordinate with Ms. Kipetz’s work that was previously completed. 9. Historic/Cultural Tourism Project – Update Mr. Cummings updated the commission on the status of the historic/cultural tourism program and that there have been three meetings to date. Mr. Cummings mentioned some of the groups involved include the Convention Visitors Bureau, the Public Museum, The Paine Art Center and Gardens, Public Library, Todd Cummings from Oblios and the Winnebago County Historical and Archeological Society. The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has donated $750 and City Council decided to allocate $2,000 for the program. Austin Frederick was hired as a historic researcher to compile an inventory of historically significant items in the defined area of the city, which is focused on the central city area (Irving Avenue to the river and Jackson Street to Broad Street). Mr. Cummings explained the focus will also be on grabbing the attention of tourists based on stories, people and places. They set an aggressive goal of having the first tour ready by June 1st, 2015. 10. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned a monument that went up in Riverside Cemetery that she felt may not have had a permit. She wanted the cemetery to be added to future agendas. Mr. Cummings wanted to discuss the old fountain from the cemetery for the next agenda. Mr. Buck explained that the agenda is getting lengthy and at this time it includes cemetery fountain discussion, social media outreach, Schreiber House status, Acanthus Awards, Longfellow School marker, Editorial review, Tourism program and building permits. 11. Adjournment Mr. Arnold made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Ms. Kipetz. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p. m. Recorded by Alexa Naudziunas, Assistant Planner