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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes May 10, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Paul Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, Vicky Redlin, Alexa Naudziunas, Steven Wiley, Mike Lyster EXCUSED: Angela Allen, Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:08 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of April 19, 2017 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the April meeting minutes. The Commission requested a revision for one spelling error in Item 10 (Louis Schrieber House should be spelled Louis Schriber House without an e). Mr. Buchholz also mentioned Item 3 and stated that he was not requesting a revision to the minutes but stated that he had not remembered asking a question about the guardrails on the porch of 641 Franklin Street. Mr. Arnold made a motion to approve the April meeting minutes as amended and Ms. Redlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Building Permit Review The Commissioners reviewed the list of historic building permits. In reviewing 1393 Washington Avenue, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley what Azek material was. Mr. Wiley explained that the material is a composite decking material meant as an alternative for traditional wood decking. Commissioners examined whether design standards exist for new garages in historic districts such as the garage proposed at 1611 N. Main Street. Commissioners also discussed the Paine Art Center at 1410 Algoma Boulevard and the proposed plantings, fountain, and walking paths. Ms. Naudziunas presented information on the Paine Art Center proposal to the Commission. After conclusion of discussion, Ms. Redlin made a motion to approve the building permits and Mr. Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Update – Washington Avenue Neoclassical District Mr. Wiley informed the Commission of the April 10th 2017 date of entry onto the National Register of Historic Places for the Washington Avenue Neoclassical District. Commissioners suggested potentially framing the notices received from the Wisconsin Historical Society and displaying these in the hall on the second floor of City Hall. 5. Historic Fish District - Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that she had talked to a historian who had not heard of the reference “Fish District” before. Mr. Buchholz mentioned the need to do a historical perspective and research. The Commissioners asked to table the discussion and put it on the June agenda until Mr. Cummings was available to further discuss this project. Mr. Cummings arrived afterwards and the Commission resumed discussion on the Fish District. He proposed boundaries at Bowen Street, Washington Avenue, Ceape Avenue, and Frankfort Street. Mayor Cummings stated that it would be important to talk to different people regarding whether a written historical record exists referring to the area as the Fish District. Mr. Cummings stated that he would call Bill Wyman regarding the Fish District. 6. Acanthus Awards - Discussion Ms. Naudziunas explained that staff needed the Landmarks Commission to determine what categories the two Acanthus Award nominees will fall under this year. The Commission decided that 310 Waugoo would fall under Façade Rehabilitation of a Residential or Commercial Building. The Louis Schriber House would fall under Retention of a Residential or Commercial Building and Preservation Activities. The next steps were for staff to reach out to Devooght Movers and send letters to the nominees. Ms. Naudziunas stated that staff could send photographs of the properties to Media Services to display during the Council meeting. Staff would also work on getting the Acanthus Awards on the May 23 Council agenda. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would work with staff to finalize Acanthus Award materials. 7. Commissioner Statements a. Court House Update – Austin Frederick Mr. Frederick mentioned that the security addition to the Courthouse was open and that the brass taken out from the revolving door as part of the project was retained. b. Longfellow School Lintel – Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz provided an update on the Lintel, stating that it is in 3 pieces, is 6-8” thick. and 5- 6’ long, The Lintel became a restoration project and discussed a written ownership agreement, The Commission further discussed neighborhood association intent and stated that someone had put a picture of the Lintel on Facebook before the Lintel issue came to the Commission. Mr. Wiley stated that the project might be eligible for Great Neighborhoods funding when Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about potential funding. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to talk to the City Attorney to determine what is necessary to obtain ownership of the Lintel. Mr. Buchholz stated that the owner said the Commission could have it. c. 612 Elmwood – Mike Lyster came to the Landmarks meeting late and informed the Commission that he was interested in getting his home locally landmarked. He wanted to know where to go to do additional research for this. Commissioners engaged in discussion and Mr. Frederick found a date of 1897 as a potential date for the house’s construction, Ms, Brabender Mattox mentioned the Sanborn Maps at the Library as a potential source of information on the house. Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Lyster what his reasons were for wanting to landmark the house. Mr. Lyster stated that it was worth pointing out that this house was an historic structure. He also would like to see incentives for preservation such as a local slush fund. Mr. Lyster was also concerned about what could happen to the house in the event that he was to sell it. 10. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements The approval of the May 4th Granary review minutes, Historic Fish District, Historic Preservation Ordinance, and Longfellow School Lintel were mentioned as items for the next agenda. 12. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Ms. Redlin. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner