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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes October 11, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, Jake Krause, Elizabeth Hintz, Paul Arnold EXCUSED: None ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Darryn Burich, Beatrix Hintz, Heidi Strand 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of July 12, 2017 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the September 13, 2017 minutes. Chair Brabender Mattox commended Mr. Wiley on the minutes. Discussion ensued on shortening the minutes. Mr. Burich and Mr. Buchholz stated that the minutes could and should shorten in consideration of staff time. Commissioners debated the benefits of more detailed minutes versus the constraints of staff time. For Item 4, Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Wiley to add that the garage project will commence in 2018. Mr. Buchholz stated that Mr. Wiley should keep commissioners informed on the status of ongoing projects even if they are not on the agenda. On Item 6. where it says. “he noticed 3 Empire style homes…” Mr, Arnold asked Mr, Wiley to add the word “Second” before “Empire,” On Item 7. Mr, Buchholz commended the detail but stated that Mr. Wiley left out Mr, Ranger’s contact number, Mr, Arnold then moved to approve the minutes with additions, and Mr. Cummings seconded. Motion carried 6-0. 3. Goals / Objectives – Steven Wiley / Darryn Burich Mr. Burich (Director of Planning Services) explained that lately he and Mr. Wiley had talked about Mr. Wiley’s assigned workload and that the Commission should prioritize specific tasks to work on, He stated that Mr. Wiley had a finite amount of time that he could devote to Landmarks related work and that other boards such as Sustainability have work plans established that they focus on. He stated that this will allow the Commission to finish work tasks and take on new work over time. Mr. Burich mentioned that Landmarks meetings could address fewer items but that additional tasks could appear in the list of Goals and Objectives that the Commission has created. He also expressed the desire to see an Historic Preservation plan in place in the near future. Mr. Burich explained the Imagine Oshkosh Plan and asked Landmarks to take a look at the Historic Preservation section and comment on the plan. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned her appreciation for the work that staff did for the Commission. Mr. Wiley stated that ongoing tasks are addressed between meetings even if they are not on the agenda. He mentioned that he would include items on the agenda as needed and update Commissioners between meetings through phone and email. Mr. Burich left after this item. Ms. Hintz arrived at 3:26 pm during this item. 4. Heidi Strand – Blue Door Consulting – Granary Signage Discussion / Potential Action Ms. Strand introduced herself and Commissioners introduced themselves. The 4 part Blue Door signage was discussed and Ms. Strand explained the story of Blue Door Consulting and the amount of investment she was making in the HP Schmidt Milling (Granary) building. She mentioned the growth of her business in its 15 years and her personal connection as a salad girl working at the Granary previously. She explained the rationale for the doors used to create signage on the west elevation. She told Commissioners how the “welcome what’s next” sign came to fruition due to the difficulty of using the existing black stripe for new signage. Ms. Strand detailed her understanding of the past discussions between Mr. Wesenberg and the Commission and explained that she understood that the Commission was fine with some of her signage and had concerns with others. Mr. Arnold stated that Ms. Strand cleared up many of his concerns but that he was not sure how the “welcome what’s next” sign would connect to the building and he did not understand the sign’s meaning, Ms, Strand agreed with the validity of Mr, Arnold’s concerns and stated that indoors, they were being thoughtful and not drilling holes. Mr. Buchholz and Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that for them, they were concerned about the exterior aesthetics and that the “welcome what’s next” sign was a problem for them, Mr, Buchholz asked Ms. Strand for a compromise (maybe a removable fixture) and Ms. Strand was open to this. Ms. Hintz stated that the font size and materials would be important. She asked for actual mockups. Ms. Strand agreed to bring more concepts to the Commission and was not sure of a timeframe. Ms. Brabender Mattox. Mr, Arnold. and Mr, Krause discussed alternatives for placement of the “welcome what’s next” sign. Ms. Strand thanked the Commission and left after this item. 5. North Main Historic District, Irving – Church, and Morgan House Markers - Action The Commission reviewed the work Mr. Frederick had done on the three write-ups for the historic markers proposed for North Main, Irving – Church, and the Morgan House. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the Irving – Church and Morgan House write-ups had already received approval from Randy Domer at the Winnebago County Historical and Archeological Society. Mr. Frederick mentioned his edits to the signs and other Commissioners had minor edits to the three drafts. Mr. Wiley also explained that Mr. Burich would like to see a color sign in addition to the proposed bronze sign for North Main within the year. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to let him know who was responsible for installation of the signage when he found out. Mr. Arnold asked about the Commission voting on the signs and Mr. Cummings moved on all three sign drafts. Ms. Hintz seconded and the Commission approved the drafts with edits 6-0. 6. Longfellow School Marker – Update, Discussion, Potential Action Mr. Wiley explained that staff had been working on the implementation of the Longellow Lintel project. He stated that despite the support from property owner Kurt Koeppler and Longfellow Place Condominium Association President Dave Elbing (on whose property an easement for the restored lintel would be located) the City Attorneys had liability concerns for placing the lintel on a slab at ground level. Mr. Wiley explained the tripping concerns the attorneys had despite the intention of locating the lintel 5 or 6 feet off of the sidewalk. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Buchholz suggested pulling the lintel up, restoring, and asking if there is available storage at the city for the lintel. Ms. Hintz suggested the possibility of making the lintel a bench. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley about the potential of Mr. Cummings and Mr. Wiley meeting and discussing the lintel with the City Attorney. After discussion, Mr. Buchholz moved to take the lintel off the agenda going forward. Mr. Arnold seconded and the motion passed 6-0. 7. Wisconsin Historical Society – National Register Nomination (Eagles Club and Waite Grass Carpet Co.) Discussion / Action Mr. Cummings began discussion and asked about the Waite Grass Carpet Company and the criteria under which it was nominated. Mr. Buchholz stated that Landmarks could comment on the nominations to the State Historical Society. Commissioners proposed that Ms. Brabender Mattox write a letter with the Commission’s comments. Mr, Wiley to put this letter on stationary. and Mr, Cummings to sign it. Mr. Buchholz objected to the Waite nomination stating that the Commission should be given the criteria under which it was nominated. Mr. Arnold stated that one of the Waite buildings was architecturally designed and Mr. Buchholz stated that he would contact Peggy Veregin at the State Historical Society. Mr. Arnold moved to approve the Eagles Club and Waite Carpet Company nominations subject to the condition of receiving the criteria. Mr. Buchholz seconded and the motion carried 6-0. 8. Building Permit Review The Commission reviewed the list of building permits in historic districts. Mr. Buchholz asked if UW- Oshkosh had its own historic district and Mr. Frederick and Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that yes, the district exists and consists of three buildings. Mr. Arnold stated that if the front porch of 1533 North Main Street was demolished and replaced with a new porch, the property might become non- contributing. Ms. Hintz asked about rooming houses and what the criteria were for rooming house designation. Mr. Wiley stated that he could follow up on this question. 9. WWI Commemorative Plaque Project - Discussion Mr. Frederick did not have any update on this item and moved to remove it from the agenda. Mr. Buchholz seconded and the motion carried 6-0. 10. 2017-2018 Goals / Priorities - Discussion Additional discussion did not occur because the Commission felt that this item was discussed adequately when Mr. Burich was present earlier in the meeting (Item 3). 11. 2016-2017 Annual Report – Discussion Commissioners discussed the revised draft of the 2016-2017 Annual Report. Mr. Arnold stated that he liked the cover image very much. Mr. Buchholz mentioned that he had talked with Mr. DeRose at the State Historical Society and that the Commission could change the reporting period to January through December as opposed to the current July through June reporting period. Mr. Wiley stated that if possible, it would make sense for this annual report to run from July 2016 – December 2017 and start the new reporting period in January of 2018, Ms, Brabender Mattox mentioned the “Other Agency Coordination & Assistance” page, She stated that the North Main Bungalow District and the state DOT was a model of how the city should approach restoration / construction projects. Mr. Buchholz asked if a subcommittee should meet with Mr. Wiley to review the annual report. Mr. Arnold stated that he was fine with this idea. 12. Commissioner Statements a. Historic Fish District – Steve Cummings / Austin Frederick No updates occurred on this item. b. Mark Buechel – Seminar on State Tax Credits – Steve Cummings Mr. Cummings asked the Commission to give some thought to when next year they would like to host the seminar. 13. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Mr. Buchholz stated that he would like to see discussion on Commission membership included on the agenda for the next meeting. He stated that the Commission would have to look at whether the Municipal Code section would have to be revised to accommodate having two Council members on the Commission. Mr. Wiley stated that Ms. Allen had resigned due to moving out of the city and that a vacancy existed. Mr. Wiley stated that he would include membership on the upcoming agenda. 14. Adjournment Mr. Frederick made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Mr. Arnold. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley, Assistant Planner