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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes August 9, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, Jim Hoffman, Steven Wiley, Chet Wesenberg EXCUSED: Elizabeth Hintz, Angela Allen, Jake Krause, Paul Arnold ABSENT: None 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Wiley explained that Lorrie Heinemann (Item 3 on the agenda) would not be present at the meeting and that it was up to the Commission whether to table the item until the next meeting or engage in preliminary discussion on the item. 2. Approval of July 12, 2017 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the July 12, 2017 minutes and Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Arnold commended Mr. Wiley on the minutes after reviewing them. Mr. Buchholz stated that Mr. Wiley could shorten the minutes out of respect for his time. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that Mr. Arnold wanted to inform everyone that for Item 9 (WWI Commemorative Plaque Project – Discussion) where the minutes state that. “Mr, Arnold mentioned that he had driven by and saw that one of the banks originally donated the plaques.” Mr, Arnold thought that another Commissioner mentioned this point, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if anyone had any further comments on the minutes. Upon receiving none, a motion was made by Mr. Frederick and seconded by Mr. Buchholz to approve the minutes. The motion passed 4-0. 4. Chet Wesenberg – Granary Update and Discussion Mr. Wesenberg pulled up a series of slides on his latest design iteration for the Granary project at 50 W 6th Avenue. The slides included a 3D Sketchup model and Mr. Wesenberg mentioned that he was almost done designing. He updated the Commission on the status of the wall, the ramp, and the solar panels. He explained that the design would include terra cotta metal siding with signage attached. The renovated building would have a restaurant with 30 beers on tap and pride itself on being local. A new canopy would be installed on the building and this would match the historic canopy. Mr. Wesenberg explained that the building has a black stripe which will be repainted black. White Granary lettering would complement the black stripe. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wesenberg why he was putting “Granary” up on the façade, Mr, Wesenberg replied that everyone assoc iated the building as a granary. Ms. Brabender Mattox remembered it being the Schmidt Milling Company. Mr. Wesenberg stated that he would come back to the Commission to propose final signage. He mentioned that the restaurant would be known as the Granary Brew Pub. An HP Milling sign would be located inside the building. Mr. Wesenberg explained that outside the building, the new retaining wall was modified and was half way under construction. He transitioned then to the west elevation and explained that he and Mr. Buchholz had met about refurbishing the wall paintings that had faded over time on this wall. Mr. Wesenberg mentioned that a local artist was happy to refurbish these. Mr. Wesenberg mentioned that he was initially hesitant to restore the weathered paintings and had wondered about simply maintaining the weathered look. He then had realized that if he did not restore and bring back the paintings, they would be lost. Mr. Wesenberg explained that the building has two pieces of art / murals / paintings. The first was the Honey Dew and the second he was not sure of and sought assistance from the Commission. Mr. Wesenberg transitioned to the solar and explained that he had decided against solar on the top roof. Blue Door Consulting was to become the tenant on the first and second floors of the building and had wanted to install solar on the building but on the lower awning where they would have their offices. Mr. Wesenberg mentioned possibly waiting for Tesla panels before doing this. He stated that he ran calculations for solar and found it to not be a good investment. The top roof would be dark grey asphalt shingles and not the rolled asphalt that was originally proposed. Blue Door Consulting has a Letter of Intent to eventually expand beyond floors 1 and 2 to floor 3. Mr. Buchholz asked about the hanging sign on the scheme. Mr. Wesenberg explained that the sign was for Blue Door and that he would come back to the Commission on this. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about the seating and tables behind the new ramp to the building. Mr. Wesenberg explained that his scheme included an 8’ wide sidewalk. 7’ patio. a ramp. and the private raised seating area for Blue Door which was not open to the public. He explained that a gate would prevent conflict between Brew Pub patrons and Blue Door employees when Mr. Buchholz asked about the potential for conflict. Mr. Wesenberg explained the LED table lights and then mentioned that he would like the Commission to visit the site. Reclaimed variable width plank was to be used for most of the floors and the old elm shop floor was refinished as part of the renovation. Additional planters were proposed in the revised scheme and Mr. Wesenberg explained that the windows he was using were great when asked by Ms. Brabender Mattox. He informed the Commission that a worker found oats in the building and that they were now planted and growing in the worker’s yard, Mr, Buchholz showed additional pictures and Mr, Frederick took down Mr, Wesenberg’s information so that he could check with the Winnebago County Historical Society on the artwork. Ms. Brabender Mattox gave Mr. Wesenberg the Honey Dew bag and Mr. Wesenberg explained before he left that Drexel Building Supply had a contractor’s breakfast scheduled for Friday, August 18th, at 9 am to which the Commission was invited. 3. 1249 Merritt Avenue – Historic Carriage Style Garage - Discussion This item was shifted to later in the agenda out of respect for Mr, Wesenberg’s time, Upon conclusion of the Granary discussion, Mr. Buchholz began discussion of this item. He explained upon looking at the Google Earth view that the site was very unassuming. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she had driven by the site and seen 14 other garages. She commended Ms. Heinemann for trying to be sensitive to the historical character of the property and neighborhood with this project. Mr. Cummings asked if this project would go through the Plan Commission. Mr. Wiley explained that in the past when rare cases like this one came up they would go through Landmarks to obtain input and support before ultimately going to Board of Appeals for the review of a variance request. Ms. Brabender Mattox showed several books with 1920s examples of garages similar to what might be appropriate for the property, Commissioners stated that they would like to know more of the property owner’s vision before reviewing at the next meeting. Mr. Buchholz explained that he wanted to know what the owner’s motivation for wanting to pursue this project and how old the existing garage that would be razed is. He said he would have no opposition. Both Mr. Buchholz and Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the view of the garage would be slight. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if the property owner had talked to the neighbor from the west. Mr. Cummings and Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that the lots are very deep in that location. 5. Building Permit Review The Commission reviewed the historic building permits. Mr. Wiley explained the sign that would be installed at 215 Market Street and remembered approving the sign. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about 1506 N. Main Street and whether the new detached garage might be eligible for Historic Tax Credits. Mr. Buchholz and Mr. Frederick said that they did not believe the work would be eligible. Ms. Brabender Mattox also asked about 612 Jackson Street and what type of siding was on the home and what restrictions applied to siding. Mr. Wiley explained that under the current ordinance any siding repairs must match or be substantially similar to the existing siding. Patchwork repairs are not permitted. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked the Commission how many people felt the building permit review was helpful. Mr. Buchholz stated that it was their job. Mr. Cummings stated that the Commission has to reach the contractors especially about tax credits. He asked if it would be a possibility to invite the director of the Winnebago Homebuilders’ Association to a Landmarks meeting, Mr. Buchholz stated that the Commission has to repeat the message multiple ways and through multiple modes of communication. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the amount of tax credits he received on his house was well worth it. 6. Certificate of Consistency / Appropriateness – Review and Discussion and 7. Landmarking Form The Commission discussed the draft of the Certificate of Consistency / Appropriateness and Mr. Buchholz explained that he, Ms. Brabender Mattox, and Mr. Wiley collaborated on it. Mr. Hoffman explained that he liked the Question format of the Information page. Mr. Buchholz stated that he felt the next step was to use the form on an example. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned Mike Lyster who had approached the Commission a couple of months previously about landmarking his home. She also mentioned Mr, Buchholz landmarking his home with 2017 being the home’s 100th anniversary. Mr. Buchholz stated that the Commission could approach Mr. Lyster but that Mr. Lyster would have to help with doing the research as the property owner. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the Commission could point the property owner in the direction of how to do research. Mr. Cummings agreed that the Commission should contact Mr. Lyster and bring him in for the upcoming meeting. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the research required significant time. The Commissioners agreed on bringing Mr. Lyster in. Mr. Cummings provided Mr. Wiley with contact information and Mr. Wiley agreed to contact Mr. Lyster. Mr. Buchholz noted that under the historic preservation ordinance, no mention of local landmarking was made and that he wanted to point this out. Ms. Brabender Mattox noticed a couple of locations on the form where she requested changes. 8. Education / Outreach Program – Angela Allen - Discussion This item was laid over until the following month’s meeting, 9. WWI Commemorative Plaque Project - Discussion Mr. Frederick and Mr. Cummings stated that they did not have any major updates. Mr. Frederick obtained a quote last time and Mr. Cummings had spoken with Mark Harris. Funding was an issue and Mr. Cummings mentioned seeking involvement from Jane Lang at the Neenah Historical Society. Mr. Cummings also mentioned seeking involvement from Reinke. 10. 2017 – 2018 Goals / Priorities - Discussion Discussion continued on the 2017-2018 Goals / Objectives for the Commission. Mr. Wiley explained that the Historic Signage toppers and Historic Markers were high priorities. He also suggested that the Commission decide which goals were needs and which ones were wants. Mr. Buchholz stated that for each goal, three areas should be examined. Length of time, who does the required work, and the amount of work were the areas he mentioned. Mr. Cummings proposed working with the school district and / or university, Commissioners explained that on the goals sheet. “Establishing Historic District Nominations” should have “Individual Buildings (Survey)” added to the name of the goal, Mr, Cummings asked if the Commission could focus on buildings owned by the city. Mr. Buchholz asked about the University district and Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that in the district there were three buildings. Mr. Frederick asked about focusing on the South Side and Mr. Cummings mentioned looking into churches. Due to another commitment, Mr. Frederick left at the end of this item. 11. 2016-2017 Annual Report – Discussion Discussion did not occur due to loss of quorum. 12. North Main Historic Marker This item was discussed before the meeting ended as part of Item 10 – Goals / Objectives. Mr. Wiley had explained that the historic markers were high priorities. He explained that the money was budgeted and had to be spent this year. Commissioners asked what the deadline was and where the money was coming from. It was also asked whether the North Main Historic Marker could become two sided and located in Opera House Square. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained the difficulty she encountered while researching and writing the draft for the marker. Mr. Wiley explained that he was under pressure to finish the markers. 13. Riverside Cemetery Chapel – Discussion This item was not discussed due to time constraints. 14. June 28th Workshop with Joe DeRose - Discussion This item was not discussed due to time constraints. 15. 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 This item was not discussed due to time constraints. c. William Waters Plaza – Steven Wiley This item was not discussed due to time constraints. 16. Agenda Items for next meeting/statements Mr. Wiley intended to include Mike Lyster’s home landmarking. Joshua Ranger from UWO. 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. 17. Adjournment Mr. Frederick made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Mr. Buchholz. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner