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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes June 14, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Paul Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, Jake Krause, Jim Hoffman, Steven Wiley EXCUSED: Angela Allen, Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:02 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Wiley introduced Jake Krause to the Commission as a new Commissioner and Jim Hoffman was introduced as the president of the Museum Board and a new representative who plans to attend Landmarks meetings. Ms. Brabender Mattox presented new members of the Commission and the Staff Liaison with copies of The Field Guide to American Houses. 2. Approval of May 10, 2017 Meeting Minutes The commission discussed the May 10, 2017 meeting minutes. Mr. Buchholz wanted to point out the sentence under Item (7) (b) where the minutes state that “Mr. Buchholz stated that the owner said the Commission could have it.” Mr. Buchholz said that what he was trying to convey is that it was said that the owner told Steve Cummings we can have the lintel. Mr. Buchholz requested that the minutes reflect this. A motion was made by Mr. Cummings and Seconded by Mr. Buchholz to approve the May 10, 2017 minutes. Motion passed (5-0). 3. Approval of May 4, 2017 Meeting Minutes The commission discussed the May 4, 2017 meeting minutes. Ms. Brabender Mattox commented on where the minutes mentioned the architect employing corrugated metal in the design for an industrial aesthetic. Ms. Brabender Mattox wanted to know why the Granary architect has not pursued historic tax credits. Commissioners mentioned that the final design should have come back to them for review and comment rather than just going to Plan Commission and going forward. A motion was made by Mr. Buchholz and seconded by Mr. Arnold to approve the May 4, 2017 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Building Permit Review The commissioners reviewed the list of historic building permits. Ms. Brabender Mattox wondered who the owner was of 514 Union Avenue. She also wondered if the owners of 446 Hazel Street had historic tax credit info. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to follow up on the signage for 566 North Main and determine the nature of the proposed signage. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to research the building south of the Varsity Club and confirm whether the owner received a permit for a sign there. Mr. Wiley stated that he could follow up with the Commission on the signage items. 5. Buckstaff Bricks – What to do with them – Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that the City had obtained 2 loads of cream city brick from the Buckstaff demolition and that the Director of Community Development was looking for ideas on what to do with them. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that Deconstruction in Madison was a potential candidate that would buy and reuse old bricks. The City of Milwaukee has also sought old bricks for use in the maintenance of historic buildings. A company in Illinois also sells used bricks and could be a potential candidate for the bricks. Commissioners mentioned using the bricks for foundations. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that it seemed a bit ironic that the City was approaching the Landmarks Commission whose purpose is preservation of buildings for ideas on the reuse of bricks from a demolished building. Mr. Krause proposed potentially selling these bricks for $2 each perhaps at the new Bucks Arena and donating the proceeds to charity. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Cummings proposed reusing the bricks in the redesign of William Waters Plaza. Mr. Frederick proposed the idea of using them in an historical marker by the new arena. The Longfellow Lintel site came up as another location where the Commission could see incorporating them. The Commission asked if the Buckstaff bricks could stay on the next agenda as an item for discussion. 6. Paul Arnold’s Review of Henry Auler in Oshkosh – Discussion Mr. Arnold explained that Joe Bauknecht contacted him regarding doing a blog or web posting of Henry Auler some time back. Mr. Arnold went to the Jesuit Retreat Center with Mr. Bauknecht outside of town and toured the site with him. Mr. Arnold explained the history of the site and referred to a satellite image to point out what was original. Mr. Arnold said that he believed the site has been a retreat center since 1961. Mr. Arnold gave the Commission information on Auler and his life also. 7. 537 North Main – Crescent Moon (Plan Commission Vote) - Discussion Mr. Cummings began the discussion of the 537 North Main item and said that the property owner did not understand the amount of time the Commission put into reviewing the proposal. Mr. Arnold stated that the Commission did not have enough review time leading up to the Landmarks review of the proposal. The item was put on the agenda at the last minute and the commissioners echoed Mr. Cummings’ request that property owners or petitioners who are seeking Landmarks reviews attend the meeting when the review is held. Mr. Cummings stated that if the owner or petitioner is not at the meeting the Commission will start laying over items and they will be off the agenda for the meeting. Mr. Buchholz continued off of Mr. Cummings’ comments stating that if items are proposed at the last minute, the Commission can send the Plan Commission a statement saying that they have not had enough time for review and that they recommend denial of the proposal pending review of the proposed modifications. 8. Historic Fish District - Discussion Mr. Cummings stated that he is continuing on the Fish District and that he would work on additional research. Discussion occurred on history of the district meaning more than simply the history of the houses there. 9. Eagles Club (405 Washington Ave) and potential Historic District – Carver Place, Railroad Depot – Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that Ben Ganther approached him regarding getting the Eagles Club Building registered on the State and National Registers. The Johnson family is interested in renovating the building and adaptively reusing it as a potential center for rehabilitation of people who struggle with addiction. Mr. Arnold mentioned that he did not think the state would allow a district in the area due to the poor condition of some of the buildings. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the owners of the Washington Building hired a firm in Chicago to write the nomination and they were able to complete the building nomination for the State and National Registers very quickly. Ms. Brabender Mattox wondered whether the Eagles Club might receive 20% state and 20% federal tax credits. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that the question should be posed to Joe DeRose asking if local landmarking helps when applying for state and federal tax credits. Mr. Buchholz suggested that Mr. Wiley follow up with Mr. Ganther to determine the Johnsons’ priorities and timeline and invite Mr. Ganther to the next Landmarks meeting to further discuss the Eagles Club. Mr. Wiley explained that he would reconnect with Mr. Ganther and determine priorities and refer Mr. Ganther to the firm that helped the owners of the Washington Building with their nomination. 10. Commissioner Statements a. Longfellow School Lintel – Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz decided to speak about some other items rather than the lintel. He mentioned that he and Mr. Wiley were working on developing a Certificate of Appropriateness and Application and looking at examples to use as precedents. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that he was looking at the building permit process and that coordination would have to take place between the Landmarks Commission and Inspections Department. The goal was to have the COA draft as an item for the next meeting. b. Mr. Buchholz also mentioned that the Commission should refocus and determine a list of five or so priorities and determine what can be secondary. He mentioned as priorities the annual report, Acanthus Awards, Historic Preservation Ordinance rewrite, and local landmarking. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that the Commission does a lot of work and has a lot of projects in the air but that it is important not to lose track of the projects the Commission takes on. c. Mr. Cummings and Mr. Frederick mentioned that they are working on the Commemorative Committee for WWI and a project to relocate 4 plaques currently at the County Courthouse. They are exploring options to move these plaques but maintain them on the Courthouse site. Mr. Cummings requested that this item stay on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. d. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that Mike Lyster would still like to have his home locally landmarked and that this is an item that should stay on the list of priorities. e. Mr. Wiley provided an update on the Lintel and stated that he had submitted an application for $2,000 of funding through the Great Neighborhoods program to restore and relocate the lintel. He explained that he was in contact with property owner Kurt Koeppler regarding the city taking ownership of the lintel and a potential easement on Mr. Koeppler’s property to place the restored lintel. Mr. Wiley stated that he had also been in contact with City Attorney Lynn Lorenson and that the transfer of ownership of the lintel to the city would be treated as a gift to the city. 11. Agenda Items for next meeting/statements Commissioners requested that the next meeting include the Buckstaff Bricks, Certificate of Appropriateness, Update on the June 28th Workshop with Joe DeRose, Fish District, and WWI commemorative plaque project. Mr. Wiley stated that he would also include the Annual Report, 2017- 2018 Goals, and Eagles Club as projects. 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 5:05 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner