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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes July 12, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Paul Arnold, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, Jake Krause, Angela Allen, Jim Hoffman, Steven Wiley, Joe Ferlo, David Lange, Jon Urban, Bill Sturm EXCUSED: Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. Chair Brabender Mattox requested that each person in attendance introduce him or herself for the guests at the meeting. Mr. Wiley explained that two new items (Riverside Cemetery Chapel – Repairs and 1249 Merritt Avenue – Historic Carriage Style Garage – Discussion) were added to the agenda and that the 1249 Merritt Avenue item would be placed on the August agenda because the owner was planning to attend that meeting. 2. Approval of June 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes The commission discussed the June 14, 2017 meeting minutes. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that she had asked Mr. Wiley earlier to make an addition to the June 14th minutes. Ms. Brabender Mattox requested that at the end of Item 1 the minutes include that sh e presented new members of the Commission and the Staff Liaison with copies of The Field Guide to American Houses. It is her intention that every member have the necessary materials to serve on the Commission effectively. For Item 3 of the minutes. the minutes state that. “Ms, Brabender Mattox commented on where the minutes mentioned the architect employing corrugated metal in the design…” It was requested that the June 14 th minutes clarify and add the word Granary before the word architect. This way readers know what project is referenced. For Item 6, Mr. Arnold stated that where the minutes state. “Mr, Arnold explained that Joe Bauknecht contacted him regarding doing a log of Henry Auler…” he assumed that this meant doing a blog or web posting which is what he meant. Mr. Arnold also wanted the minutes to reflect that Mr. Bauknecht came to him and approached him about meeting. Mr. Arnold noted that he did not want to take credit from Mr. Bauknecht. After commissioners requested these changes, Mr. Arnold moved and Mr. Buchholz seconded a motion to approve the June 14th, 2017 Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion passed (6-0). 3. Grand Opera House Renovations - Discussion Mr. Ferlo, President and CEO of the Oshkosh Opera House Foundation, presented the proposal to alter the seating in the balcony area of the Grand Opera House. He stated that the issues driving the changes in the seating were that leg room was challenging and that it was uncomfortable for people to sit. The goal was to respond to these concerns. Although the number of seats would be fewer, higher priced seats would replace the current seats. Higher ticket prices would not become universal and users could still charge with discretion. Mr. Ferlo explained that with the new designs, double aisles would occur in front of half the rows of seats. The work proposed would be fully reversible and privately funded. The timeliness of the project was the reason for why it went to Council before going to the Landmarks Commission. Mr. Arnold stated that he was grateful to see the photos of the proposed work and seat comparisons in the Commissioners’ meeting packets, Mr, Arnold also supported the reversible nature. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that he was confused with the differing figures of 98 and 100 seats for total seat counts. He wanted to know how to account for the 26 other seats. Mr. Ferlo stated that the analysis did not account for handicap seats or view obstructed seats. He also stated that having more comfortable seats would ensure that those seats are filled more frequently. Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Ferlo if he was aware of the requirement that parties proposing modifications to municipal buildings that are on the State and National Registers contact the State Historic Preservation Office for review of the proposed work. Mr. Ferlo explained that he was aware of this and had been in contact with SHPO. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what would be done with the brass plates because she had bought a seat before at the Opera House years ago. Mr. Ferlo stated that he would honor the people that helped make the first renovation possible and that he would do this with a plaque. The question was asked as to whether row AA would be raised up and Mr. Ferlo stated that by code this was not permissible. The seats in the row would be 1,5” higher, Mr, Ferlo stated that his whole career was in historic theaters and that this was his fourth theater. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned acoustics as a strong point and Mr. Ferlo explained that an actor in the Phantom of the Opera fell in love with the hall and was convincing other performers to conduct performances there. 4. Riverside Cemetery Chapel - Repairs Mr. Sturm of the Forestry Department at the City spoke on the proposed repairs to the chapel. He provided background overview to contextualize the project and explained that in 2006 they replaced the flat roof and it was a contentious and expensive project. A subcommittee of Landmarks worked with an architect to do so. Currently decay of plaster and peeling paint in the chapel have manifested and due to this, repair work is necessary. Mr. Sturm mentioned that the previous flat roof repairs required were not visible and therefore did not affect the historic character of the building. Condensation inside the building led to the damages that currently exist. Mr. Sturm stated that the funding for this work was to occur through a donor and the Kuenzel Foundation. Approximately $31,000 was donated for the work. The donor wanted to move quickly and avoid the hurdles often the case in local government and so the process was streamlined by avoiding the bidding process. Mr. Sturm stated that he was seeking Landmarks approval to move forward. Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Sturm if he was aware that for a municipally owned building on the State or National Register he would have to go through the State Historic Preservation Office for review. Mr. Sturm was not aware of this previously. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that Mr. Sturm contact Mr. DeRose at SHPO. Mr. Cummings mentioned that he spoke with the donor at lunch regarding municipal buildings and the necessary protocol. Mr. Cummings wanted to know if the city had to go through the bid process since the work was over $25,000. Mr. Sturm stated that he had talked to purchasing regarding similar projects where they waived the bidding process. He mentioned that he was able to make a convincing argument about the chosen company (Laib) being the most qualified. Mr. Cummings stated that he would call the donor and intended to put the Riverside Cemetery Chapel on the July 27th Council agenda. Mr. Arnold wanted to know what the rationale or motives were behind the donor with this project. Mr. Sturm stated that he had the understanding that the motive was to make the chapel presentable. Commissioners requested that Mr. Wiley contact Mr. DeRose. Mr. Buchholz asked whether there were ADA issues with the renovations. Mr. Sturm stated that they had not dug into this and did not want structural modifications. Mr. Arnold asked about making a motion and Mr. Buchholz and Mr. Cummings stated that the Commission might as well do so. Mr. Cummings asked if for the city’s Gift Policy. paperwork had to be prepared and the Commission stated yes. Mr. Sturm mentioned that this was done. Mr. Cummings mentioned holding a special Council meeting to approve the funding and repairs. Mr. Cummings stated that he had spoken with City Manager Rohloff regarding getting proposed work and projects to Landmarks. Mr. Buchholz read the Resolution proposed for Council Approval and made a motion to approve the Resolution. Mr. Arnold seconded and the motion passed (7-0). 5. 1249 Merritt Avenue – Historic Carriage Style Garage – Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox shifted this item to the Commissioner Statements section. During Commissioner Statements, Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she was seeking answers for a few questions so that the Commission could come prepared for discussion in August. Questions were:  What are the owners thinking?  What use for the structure?  Are they seeking Landmarks input or Landmarks approval?  What zoning constraints exist for that area?  What other carriage style garages if any exist in the area? 6. Building Permit Review The Commission reviewed the historic building permits and Ms. Brabender Mattox asked regarding the proposed work at 515 Amherst Avenue if there were railings appropriate for certain time periods. Mr. Wiley stated that yes and that the book he had by the former Milwaukee Historic Preservation Officer included examples of these for different periods. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if in the future when people pull permits proposing railings if Planning and Zoning could recommend these. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about the work proposed for Read Elementary at 1120 Algoma Boulevard and if the work was visible from ground or street level. Mr. Buchholz stated that the school district must confer with SHPO and Mr. Wiley agreed to follow up on this item. Mr. Cummings asked if 608 Elmwood work which was listed as “repair handrail per notice” came from the rental inspections program and wanted to know if it was possible to track this. Mr. Wiley stated that Inspections did rental inspections and proactive inspections so this could have come from either. Mr. Wiley stated that he could follow up with Inspections and/or look in the system to see how the notice came up. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned the home at 1027 Washington Avenue and that the porch is no longer enclosed. She also mentioned 514 Union Avenue and that the addition to the structure was inappropriate. 7. Buckstaff Bricks – What to do with them – Continued Discussion Mr. Arnold explained that he had spoken to the owners of the Crescent Moon and they have sold Cream City brick. Mr. Arnold stated that he would need to know who to contact at the city for this. Ms. Brabender Mattox did research on potential buyers in Illinois and Milwaukee. She asked how the Commission had the opportunity to discuss this item and Mr. Wiley informed the Commission that Allen Davis, Community Development Department Director had requested that this item appear on the Landmarks agenda for discussion. Ms. Brabender Mattox applauded Mr. Davis as someone who listened in issues of preservation. Mr. Arnold stated that the city owns the buildings on South Main near the Miles Kimball property. Mr. Cummings asked if there was a rough count of the bricks and what the conditions were of them. Mr. Wiley stated that he had images of the bricks and intended to present them to the Commissioners. Mr. Wiley was not sure of the approximate number but was aware of the fact that many of the bricks were not in the best possible condition. Some of the bricks were still together with mortar. Mr. Wiley stated that the majority of the bricks were not Cream City bricks but were salmon colored bricks. Mr. Arnold stated that it would be interesting to know where in the plant the bricks came from because when he visited the plant, he did not see many. Mr. Buchholz stated that maybe the final suggestion for the bricks was that they serve as replacement bricks for existing buildings. 8. Certificate of Consistency – Review and Discussion Mr. Buchholz explained that he and Mr. Wiley had collaborated on a draft of the Certificate of Consistency. Commissioners asked about the word choice of Certificate of Consistency instead of Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Buchholz explained that this resulted from the wording in the current Historic Preservation Ordinance. The wording of the application form and certificate was intended to match the wording of the ordinance. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if other communities use the word Consistency and Ms. Allen mentioned that most all of the ones she saw used the word Appropriateness. Mr. Arnold suggested that on the Information page for the Certificate, all the bullets be placed on the same page so that the property owners who read the information can immediately see them. Ms. Allen also asked if every project that owners propose for locally landmarked properties has to go to the Commission for review or only when the Secretary of the Commission decides. Mr. Wiley stated that the Secretary uses discretion under the current ordinance when referring items to the Commission. Ms. Allen suggested that the Commission define when work automatically goes to the Commission and also that Mr. Wiley clarify the language on the Information sheet to explain when full Commission reviews are necessary, Ms, Brabender Mattox stated that the word “supplement” on the Application Form should change to “supplemental,” She asked if for number 4 (Attachments) on the form if the Commission required submission of all of the listed attachments. Mr. Arnold stated that the form had to be able to accommodate different projects and that each project is unique. Mr. Buchholz stated that the back of the Application Form will include more lines for the “Description of Proposed Work,” He mentioned that he intended to use all of the space on the second page of the form, Mr, Cummings offered to bring the paperwork from the State that he filled out when working on his home which was much simpler. Mr. Buchholz stated that the form and the flow chart of the approval process for modifications will require work and that these items were drafts. He mentioned that the form needed a revision number. 9. WWI Commemorative Plaque Project - Discussion Mr. Cummings and Mr. Frederick were working on this project and Mr. Frederick received an estimate of $10,000 from one monument place. He had not heard how they would intend to take the plaques off of the Courthouse. There were 4 plaques total and Mr. Arnold mentioned that he had driven by and saw that one of the banks originally donated the plaques. The county was mentioned as the owner of the plaques. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if there was an intended location for the plaques. Mr. Frederick stated that the plaques would be relocated on the County property where the Courthouse is located. Mr. Cummings stated that the Landmarks Commission should partner with Neenah and Menasha to put pressure on the County Board to pursue the project. 10. 2017 – 2018 Goals / Priorities - Discussion Mr. Buchholz explained that he had worked with Mr. Wiley to propose a set of goals and objectives for the Commission. He went down the list of goals that was included in Commissioners’ packets and added some. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked how the Landmarks Facebook page was currently maintained. Mr. Wiley stated that he did the postings weekly. Commissioners stated that the page should include national material regarding preservation. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she might pass the Historic signage for the Morgan House and North Main off to someone else due to the large scale of the project. She was not sure how to tell the story in 300 words and Mr. Buchholz posed the question to the Commission as to how they prioritize it. Mr. Cummings suggested for the write up that the Commission treats North Main as the resiliency of the people who settled the City. This would entail focusing on the people, not the bricks and mortar. He also suggested involving the schools. Ms. Allen requested that the Goals / Priorities include an outline for formal education and outreach efforts. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that one of the ways Mr. DeRose suggested to educate was to hold a workshop. 11. 2016-2017 Annual Report – Discussion Discussion was brief due to time constraints. Mr. Buchholz mentioned the possibility of having a workshop with Council and presenting the Annual Report to Council. 12. Commissioner Statements a. Longfellow School Lintel – Harold Buchholz / Steven Wiley This item was not discussed due to time constraints. b. Historic Fish District – Steve Cummings / Austin Frederick Mr. Cummings stated that he had nothing new to report on with the Fish District. Mr. Frederick stated that he found a map that listed the Fish District. Mr. Cummings thanked Mr. Frederick for his efforts. 13. Agenda Items for next meeting/statements Mr. Wiley intended to include the Annual Report, William Waters Plaza renovations, 1249 Merritt Historic Carriage Style Garage, 2017 – 2018 Goals / Priorities, and the Historic Markers for the Morgan House and North Main. 12. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Mr. Frederick. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner