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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes November 8, 2017 PRESENT: Steve Cummings, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Jake Krause EXCUSED: Elizabeth Hintz, Austin Frederick, Paul Arnold ABSENT: None STAFF/ OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Rich Norenberg, Billy Dettlaff (called in), Dan Carpenter, Jim Hoffman 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:27 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of October 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the October 11, 2017 minutes. The minutes were approved as presented. (Cummings/Buchholz) 3. Building Permit Review This item was moved to after Item 4. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned 638 Elmwood Avenue and that she had discussed with Mr. Wiley. Mr. Krause asked if the parking area being paved there was currently gravel. Mr. Wiley replied no and that it was being repaved and nonconforming. The owner was able to maintain the footprint of the parking lot but not expand it. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned 537 North Main and the closing of the windows as an item that had previously gone before Landmarks. She also asked about 1533 North Main and wondered whether the owner could obtain tax credits for the work there. She said that she might reach out to the State and to the owner. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Wiley to check on the Louis Schriber House and see what work was being done and why the Commission had not seen any permits for the house. 4. Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course (Rich Norenberg and Billy Dettlaff): Potential Landmarking – Discussion / Action Mr. Norenberg introduced himself and explained why he was attending the Landmarks meeting. He stated that Hank Dettlaff built the front 9 holes of the golf course and his desire to see the historical significance of the course recognized. Mr. Buchholz asked in what manner the recognition would occur. Mr. Norenberg stated that he imagined pursuing the State Historical Society or Landmarks recognition. Mr. Norenberg explained that he had spoken with Joe DeRose and he recommended contacting the Landmarks Commission. People at the golf course had referred Mr. Norenberg to Billy Dettlaff. Mr. Norenberg stated that if the deal for selling the golf course did not go forward he would like to move forward with landmarking the course in some manner. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned two types of landmarking and she explained the criteria for landmark recognition. She explained that one criterion was if a property had significant builders or architects associated with it, this could qualify it as having historical significance. She then explained that local landmarking has criteria and that the Commission required the history of the course and the club house. She wanted to know what of historical significance was left. Mr. Buchholz further explained the criteria under the Historic Preservation Ordinance for who could nominate properties for landmarking and that the Commission would go to the Parks Board as part of the process. Mr. Norenberg then introduced Billy Dettlaff. Mr. Buchholz then continued explaining that applicants wishing to landmark properties had to go through paperwork, fill out the landmarking form, and that the process could take up to 60 days for Landmarks, 30 for Plan Commission, and require approval by the Common Council. Research was an important part of the process. Mr. Dettlaff then spoke regarding his background growing up on the course, his UWO education, and his eventual 22 year until 2008 as a PGA professional. He detailed his father’s work as a caddy and the resurrection of the golf course from the former Algoma Country Club after WWI. His discussion then continued into how in 1935 with WPA funding, 9 holes became 18. He stated that the course was the only one to host the WI PGA Championship (1937). Mr. Dettlaff had played the course frequently in the 1970s and 80s after leaving Oshkosh at 22 years old and then returning. The course’s history dated back to 1899 and his father (after caddying from 1907 on) was responsible for the early operations of the course. Mr. Buchholz asked if there was any significance to the designer or how the course was laid out. Mr. Dettlaff stated that he was not yet able to find an original designer but explained the original hole sequence and the changes made in the WPA era. He stated that as far as he knew, his father was the architect of record for the expansion. The course was divided into north and south sections and the caddy program lasted until 1964 or 1965. The canal system was unique to Lakeshore. Mr. Dettlaff explained his work on maintenance crews from 1966-69. Ms. Brabender Mattox thanked Mr. Dettlaff and he explained that he has written three books and was working on a fourth. Mr. Norenberg explained that he would remain in touch with Mr. Dettlaff. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to send Mr. Norenberg the landmarking form and Historic Preservation Ordinance. Ms. Brabender Mattox showed Mr. Norenberg an example of a State / National Register nomination. Mr. Norenberg then thanked the Commission. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Krause stated that perhaps a marker could go up at the first hole of the course. 5. Millers Bay Neighborhood: George Washington Triangle Signage and Potential Historic District - Discussion Mr. Wiley discussed this item and explained that Ruth McGinley of the Millers Bay Neighborhood Association had approached him with the neighborhood’s desire to see a historic marker for the George Washington Triangle and a potential historic district for the neighborhood. Ms. McGinley had intended to attend the meeting but could not due to a scheduling conflict. Mr. Wiley stated that the neighborhood association had an extensive history of the statue and triangle on their website. Mr. Hoffman stated that he was a resident in the neighborhood and that though he was not active in the association, his wife was. Mr. Wiley stated that he would reach out to Ms. McGinley and ask her about having her attend the December Landmarks meeting. 6. Commission Membership – Discussion / Potential Action Mr. Buchholz stated that he would take the membership item and that the Commission had some interested candidates for potentially serving. Then emphasized that the commission required people who were able to commit to attending the meetings. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Buchholz about moving him up from an alternate to a full member. Mr. Buchholz asked if the commission should contact the two candidates and inform them of the role and what was involved before selection. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to forward the applications to Diane Moran in the City Manager’s office so he could review them further. He explained that he would look at the applicants and confer with Mr. Wiley, Ms. Brabender Mattox, and Mr. Burich of Planning Services. 7. Wisconsin Historical Society: National Register Nomination (Eagles Club and Waite Grass Carpet Co.) Discussion / Action Ms. Brabender Mattox had talked to Peggy Veregin at the State Historical Society and asked what she wanted from the Commission for the two nominees. She explained that there was a December 1 meeting in which the properties were up for consideration to be listed on the State and National Registers. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if any of the Commissioners and Mr. Wiley could go. She agreed to write a letter for both nominations and asked if anyone had any comments to include in the letter. Commissioners had no additional comments so she agreed to write the letter and send to Mr. Wiley who would put it on City letterhead and send to the State. 8. 2017 – 2018 Goals / Priorities - Discussion The Commission tabled this item until the next meeting. No discussion occurred on the item. 9. 2016 – 2017 Annual Report - Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that he had not revised the Annual Report much since the last meeting and that he was looking to obtain help from a small subcommittee of commissioners to work on the Annual Report. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that Mr. Wiley could add the tour of the Waite Grass Carpet Company to the report since the tour was set to occur the next day. Mr. Wiley stated that he would work with a subcommittee and once the report was submitted, the Commission would be on a normal timeline from January until December for annual reporting. 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 think about when next year they would like to host the seminar and that he would like to see realtors and builders invited. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned the caps recently placed on tax credits, creating a list of people to invite, and then asked about adding information on tax credits in residents’ water bills. Mr. Cummings responded that would be difficult. 13. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Ongoing items such as the Annual Report, Goals and Objectives, the Millers Bay Neighborhood discussions, the building permit review. 14. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:01 pm. (Cummings/Krause) Respectively submitted, Steven Wiley Assistant Planner