HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION
Minutes
December 14, 2016
PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Paul Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin
Frederick, Elizabeth Hintz, Katie Breselow
EXCUSED: Angela Allen, Alexa Naudziunas
ABSENT: Vicky Redlin
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:09 p.m. and a quorum was declared present.
2. Approval of November 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes
The commission discussed the November meeting minutes. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned her
name was misspelled multiple times and that Art Grafton is from UWO. Mr. Arnold asked that when
address Item II, could his sentence be added to the following paragraph due to that is what he was
discussing. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that the minutes do not seem to be interpreted correctly and are
lacking detail. Mr. Arnold made a motion to approve the November meeting minutes with changes and
Mr. Buchholz seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Building Permit Review
The commissioners reviewed the list of historic building permits. Specifically 1005 Washington was
discussed about the location of home, condition of home and work already being done. The Varsity
Club has $45,000 worth of working going to be done, the Commission was wondering what that was
for. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned she spoke with the owner of 1500 Arboretum and informed him
of the tax credits that he could potentially be getting with the work he is going to be doing. Mr.
Buchholz asked if it would be possible to see the mailing that was done when David Buck was here to
the property owners about historic tax information. Ms. Breselow said she had the information and
would give it to Ms. Naudziunas.
4. Riverwalk Historic Signs – Discussion Vicky Redlin and Steve Cummings UWO Area
Mr. Cummings stated that this project is currently dormant but is still working on it.
5. Neoclassical Historic District – Update
Mr. Buchholz updated the commissioners on the visit to the the Wisconsin Historic Preservation
Review Board meeting in Madison on December 2, 2016. He stated that not enough people understand
what a Neoclassical Historic District actually is but that he had a great experience. Ms. Brabender
Mattox gave a handout of the District that included photos and information that she collected. She
asked if there was potentially anything that the Commission missed out on that they could do better
with next time around such as letters from the owners themselves. Mr. Buchholz asked if now that this
District was established in the neighborhood even knew. He suggested that letters be sent along with
preservation tax information. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that an article be placed in the Oshkosh
Northwestern about this. Commission agreed and Ms. Brabender Mattox stated she would look into
getting it published.
Mr. Frederick arrived at 3:36 pm.
6. Federal Reserve Building – Discussion
Ms. Brabender Mattox stated the research that was done on this property was phenomenal along with
the photos included. She hopes that future nominations will look similar to this though she was less
than impressed with the presenter. Mr. Arnold wondered how much the bid for this cost. Perhaps that
is why the individual did such superb work.
7. Bayshore Drive Historic District – Discussion
Mr. Cummings asked that this item be call the “Fish District Historic District” instead of Bayshore
Drive Historic District moving forward. He then explained that this area has been called the “Fish
District” historically for many years. Mr. Cummings believes that this would be an appropriate name
for this area based on its history. Mr. Cummings would like the district to go beyond Bayshore Drive
so that it includes more neighbors. Currently the neighborhood does not want to be a Historic District.
Mr. Frederick asked if something could be done to get the neighborhood on board such as find out
what obstacles the neighbors are having with this being created. Mr. Buchholz looked up the
ordinance and stated that 51% of the area must approve the District. More research is going to be done
on this.
8. Longfellow School Lintel – Discussion
Mr. Frederick stated that there are no updates on this as it is under a foot of snow at this time and there
is not much that can be done with it. Mr. Arnold asked if it would be possible to have Ms. Naudziunas
look up the minutes with David Buck about the placement that was discussed previously, as he was
fairly certain something was already decided.
9. Eagles Club Re-Purpose - Discussion
Mr. Cummings discussed that this is currently being used by the YMCA as they are under
reconstruction. He mentioned discussion with Planning Services Director Darryn Burich about
possible future plans. It was mentioned that a children’s museum would be a great use. Ms. Hintz
discussed raising the bar about educating individuals about historic preservation as this building is a
great building with historic preservation potential but whoever buys it will decide its future.
10. Agenda Items for next meeting
Mr. Buchholz asked that this be done after Commissioner Statements as items can be added to the next
agenda afterwards. Ms. Brabender Mattox agreed.
11. Commissioner Statements
Mr. Buchholz stated that a “Landmarks Library” is something that needs to be established. Rockwell
would be a great add to that library once it is created and it is something Commission could reference
in the future along with other individuals interested in the Historic Preservation of the city. Mr.
Buchholz explained that he is interested in working on pushing historic preservation holistically as a
city. He believes that there should be information in the City’s strategic plan on historic preservation.
Mr. Buchholz wants to move forward on creating and adopting a historic preservation ordinance. The
commission is hoping to work on this with the city of Oshkosh Planning Division. The commission has
requested the input from Planning Division Director Darryn Burich.
Mr. Frederick shared work the Winnebago County is doing to redo the light in the Courthouse. It is to
be up and running sometime in 2017.
Mr. Cummings stated that the Granary Building is going to be a restaurant along with office buildings
per Chet Wesenberg, Architect.
Ms. Brabender Mattox stated she would continue to follow-up with the Arboretum Drive tax
credits/building permits.
10. Agenda Items for next meeting- Revisited
Longfellow School Lintel, January meeting Historic Signage – Elizabeth Williams, Riverwalk Historic
Signs – Discussion Vicky UWO area(on hold) , Building Permit Review, Jodi Vandermolen – Home
Builders Association, Fish District Historic District – Research , Annual Report – Discussion, Historic
Preservation Ordinance- Darryn Burich, Irving Church Historic District – Zoning Change, Eagles Club
Re-Purpose, Landmarks Library- Discussion.
12. Adjournment
Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Mr. Arnold. Motion
approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Recorded by:
Katie Breselow – Planning Division Secretary