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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes February 14,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Harold Buchholz, Paul Arnold, Steve Cummings,Jake Krause,Jeremy Galica EXCUSED: Austin Frederick, Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None STAFF/OTHERS: Steven Wiley,Jim Hoffman, Darryn Burich 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of November 8,2017 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the January 10th, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. Buchholz stated that for item 3 the minutes state that, "Ms. Hintz asked if the owner just came in and pulled a permit and Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that yes,..." Mr. Buchholz stated to add "of 1106 Washington" after "owner." He wanted to make clear that the owner of 1106 Washington Avenue pulled a demolition permit. On item 7, the minutes state that, "Mr. Buchholz stated that he was and that the input would help him going forward." Mr. Buchholz stated that he wanted to replace the word "he" with"the Commission." The minutes were approved as amended 6-0 (Arnold/Cummings). 3. Building Permit Review Ms. Brabender Mattox provided an overview of the home at 1527 N Main Street and the owner. She explained that this was another potential candidate for historic tax credits but that the Commission got there too late. She proposed the idea of putting something in the mail or water bills to educate residents on tax credits. Mr. Buchholz mentioned the possibility of doing a mailing for North Main Street. Mr. Cummings stated that it was important to educate realtors on tax credits. Commissioners mentioned education as a remaining Commissions goals in 2018. Mr. Buchholz explained the benefit of doing brochures or a mailing for property owners in new historic districts. 4. Darryn Burich-Historic Preservation Plan-Discussion Mr. Burich began discussion by mentioning Senate Bill 800 and some of the impacts the bill would have on landmarking of properties. He explained the importance of a formal historic preservation plan that is recognized by Council and a plan the Commission and City can implement. Mr. Burich mentioned he would have Mr. Wiley send out the information regarding the proposed Senate bill to the Commissioners. Mr. Wiley explained that he had sent the Commission the Cedar Rapids plan as an example. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if the Commission could use the Cedar Rapids plan as a model and Mr. Burich said yes. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about first steps and Mr. Burich stated that Mr. Wiley would lay out the plan, what it would look like, and that there was the potential for setting up a steering committee. Mr. Cummings mentioned the possibility of using Council time to get the word out on historic preservation programs. Mr. Burich mentioned the Plan Commission item that Mr. Wiley worked on for a home on West Bent and stated that it was an example of finding a solution that would allow for the homeowner to remodel her home but minimize the negative impact to the home's architectural integrity. Mr. Burich mentioned that Mr. Wiley would do research and that his goal would be to adopt the plan within a year. Mr. Galica proposed the possibility of doing this historic preservation plan as his graduate project and that he would like to look into this. Mr. Burich stated that this would be a possibility and that Mr. Wiley could follow up with Mr. Galica 5. Mike Lyster-Home Landmarking-Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Lyster was unable to attend the meeting but that he had spoken with Mr. Lyster and Mr.Lyster wanted to conduct more research on the history of the property. Mr.Lyster wanted lists of dates, the names of the owners, and exactness. Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Lyster was considering hiring someone to help with research. Mr.Buchholz explained that he wanted to know from Mr. Lyster to what extent the home was still intact. Mr. Arnold explained that Mr. Lyster had changed the windows but that the home looked intact to his eye. Mr. Arnold stated that the Commission was not as concerned with the interior of the home. Mr.Arnold asked if Mr. Frederick had found out an architect for the home. Mr. Arnold stated that most homes even from the era of Mr. Lyster's home were not designed by architects. Mr. Cummings explained that the Wisconsin Historical Society had wanted interior photos for his house from the ground floor. Commissioners asked how homes that have evolved would be treated. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that additions do not necessarily subtract from a home. Mr. Buchholz explained how the state treats homes that have evolved. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Cummings about the possibility of landmarking his home. She then explained that she agreed with Mr. Lyster and Mr. Buchholz that more research for Mr. Lyster's home had to occur. She suggested connecting architect Matt Wiedenhoeft with Mr. Lyster. 6. Historic Preservation Ordinance-Recent Demolition Issues -Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Davis had another commitment so was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Brabender Mattox handed out information to the Commissioners on Madison's Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Cummings asked the Commissioners what their rationale would have been for preventing demolition at 1106 Washington Avenue. Mr. Arnold presumed the owner of 1106 Washington bought the home with the intent of tearing it down. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that there should be a plaque on the site and that ideally materials from the demolished home would have been repurposed. Mr. Buchholz discussed the next steps which were to talk to Mr. Davis and take this to Council. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the Commission needed Mr. Davis on board. Mr. Arnold asked Mr. Krause if he had seen any indignation with other property owners along Washington Avenue. Mr. Krause stated that the indignation had come and gone. Mr. Galica asked for clarification on whether the City has a demolition policy. Commissioners stated that no and Mr. Galica mentioned the importance of having a plan. Mr. Krause asked about having an ordinance that would require a 30 day waiting period for the demolition of any home built before a certain time period. Mr. Arnold stated that a public hearing would give neighbors and others time to get their points across. Ms. Brabender Mattox proposed presenting to Mr. Davis some options for moving forward. Mr. Galica and Mr. Krause mentioned that a delay could let people have time to document and take items out of the property before demolition. 7. Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course-Further Discussion/Potential Reuse or Commemorative Use of Donated Trees on Future Oshkosh Corporation Land-Discussion/Action Mr. Cummings explained that he wanted this item to remain on the agenda because people from Milwaukee were examining the site to the tune of $183,000 and that anything found would go to the museum. Mr.Cummings mentioned an historical marker for the site and said that in the agreement with Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh Corporation would try to move donated trees. Mr. Cummings asked if there was any paperwork documenting donations. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about involving Bill Sturm in the discussions and Mr. Cummings agreed that this should occur. Ms.Brabender Mattox asked about maintaining the plaque to Hank Dettlaff. Mr. Cummings stated that this was an Oshkosh Corporation decision. Mr. Galica asked about the possibility of moving the rock/Hank Dettlaff plaque. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about the possibility of saving the oaks/hickories. Mr. Buchholz asked if there was any development on what would happen with Rainbow Park. Commissioners asked Mr. Cummings and Mr. Krause to keep tabs on the developments over in the Lakeshore Golf Course area. 8. 2018 Acanthus Awards -Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox asked the Commission if they had any suggestions for Acanthus Awards. Mr. Buchholz asked about the Osbourne House at 1304 Algoma and Ms. Brabender Mattox explained the background of the home. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested the Washington (Fraternal Reserve) building for the category of Preservation/Adaptive Reuse. Mr. Cummings suggested the Oshkosh West Veterans Wall of Honor. Mr. Krause mentioned the Wisconsin Historical Society website needing to update homeowners for some properties in town. Ms. Brabender Mattox said that it was necessary to contact the State in order to update the website. Mr. Arnold mentioned Ardy and Ed's as a potential Special Achievement category and stated he would base this on the longevity of the business and that it was an integral part of Oshkosh's culture. Mr. Arnold stated that someone needed to contact each potential nominee. He stated that he would contact Ardy and Ed's. Mr. Galica volunteered for West High, Mr. Buchholz for 1304 Algoma, and Ms. Brabender Mattox volunteered for the Fraternal Reserve. 9. 2017-2018 Goals/Priorities -Discussion Mr. Buchholz explained the process he used to help the Commission prioritize goals and objectives and he explained that he tallied up the Commissioners' sheets and they listed as the first priority Ongoing Projects, the second was the Historic Preservation Plan, and the third was landmarking of properties. 10. Historic Oshkosh Website -Action Mr. Buchholz explained that he was still working with Mr. Neumann in IT on updates on number of views of the Landmarks webpage. Mr. Galica asked about putting the Acanthus nomination form on the website and making it more accessible. He also asked about converting the form to a fillable pdf and allowing people to fill it out and submit electronically. Mr. Wiley stated that he could follow up on this with IT. Commissioners also asked about posting the nomination form on the Facebook page. Mr. Krause left at this point and Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to remove 429 Algoma from the state and local webpages due to the property's demolition. Mr. Buchholz asked to see the Landmarks membership page and stated that commissioners should inform Mr. Wiley of how they wanted their information displayed. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she wanted her full name and contact information as Chair. Mr. Cummings stated that Mr. Wiley could update the word (council) to Mayor after his name. Mr. Cummings also stated that for addresses the word "Street" or "Avenue' etc. should be added to the address. Mr. Galica stated that in any event,uniformity should exist for this page. Chair Brabender Mattox could be listed at the top with her contact information while the other Commissioners could be listed beneath without theirs. Mr. Wiley stated he would follow up on this. 11.Jim Hoffman Millers Bay Research-Discussion Mr. Hoffman presented some of his research and had inventoried the types of architecture reflected in the different houses. He explained that E Cook School was built in 1954, and a whole mass of houses including Doemel Street came in after. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what the next step was and Mr. Hoffman stated that it would be to get a large map he could take to the Millers Bay board with home types and locations. Mr. Hoffman asked Mr. Wiley to get him a large map with house numbers. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked to keep this on the agenda. Mr. Hoffman left at the end of this item. 12. Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions-2018 Historic Preservation Excellence Awards-Action Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if anyone had any nominations. Mr. Buchholz stated that he was not going to nominate anything after his experience last year. The due date of March 1St was mentioned and Mr. Galica asked if the work has to be complete at the property before nominating. Ms. Brabender Mattox said yes work was required to be completed first. Commissioner Statements a. 404 West New York Avenue-Local Landmarking-Shirley Brabender Mattox-Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she wanted to landmark the home and she gave commissioners information on the house and stated that everything was still there even with its 1902 construction date. b. Mark Buechel: Seminar on State Tax Credits-Steve Cummings No updates occurred on this item. Mr. Cummings stated that the Commission needed to pick a time to have Mr. Buechel come up. c. 20th Century Club Feb. 101h,2018 Presentation: Neo-Classical Historic District-Steven Wiley-Mr. Wiley provided an update and an overview of the presentation for the Commission and explained the goal of doing more outreach such as this type of presentation. d. 1703 Michigan Street Historic Plaque-Steven Wiley-Mr. Wiley explained that this presentation was postponed after talking to the owner and learning that she wanted some friends and family to be present for the presentation. Mr. Wiley explained that they were thinking of doing the presentation in spring. e. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats -Harold Buchholz-Mr., Buchholz explained that he had already addressed this item. f.January 26th Historic Tax Credit Workshop-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Davis, Mr. Burich,Ms. Nieforth, and he had traveled to Madison and attended the tax credit workshop. He explained that the workshop was beneficial and covered many relevant topics. Mr. Wiley explained the members of the State Historical Society that were present. g. Landmarks/Grand Opera House Combination-Steven Wiley-Mr. Wiley explained that he was directed to include this on the agenda but that he had not received any direction on how to proceed. Mr. Cummings provided an update and explained the difficulty in getting members for boards and commissions. Mr. Buchholz raised the issue of logistics. Mr. Arnold mentioned the changes in workload that he saw happening. Mr. Cummings explained that perhaps after combining the two boards, Landmarks could mandate a new sign for the Grand Opera House. 13. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Ongoing items such as the Demolition ordinance discussion with Mr. Davis, Millers Bay research that Mr. Hoffman had worked on, Lakeshore discussions, Acanthus discussions, and Historic Preservation plan. 14. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm (Cummings/Galica) Respectively submitted, Steven Wiley Assistant Planner