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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes April 11,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Paul Arnold, Steve Cummings, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick EXCUSED: Jake Krause,Jeremy Galica, Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Bill Sturm,Anne Schaefer, Donna Brotske,Jim Hoffman, Tom Ekvall 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of March 14,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the March 14th, 2018 meeting minutes. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if any commissioners had comments on the minutes. No commissioners had any and the Commission approved the minutes as written(Arnold/Cummings). 3. Tour of Riverside Chapel The Commission started the meeting with a tour of the Riverside Chapel. Mr. Sturm gave an overview of the recent work performed on the chapel. Some previous work included roof work, copper fascia, gutters, and tuck-pointing of masonry. The most recent rehab work occurred inside the chapel space and involved painting and plaster work performed by Laib Restoration. Mr. Buchholz asked if the chapel was open for public use. Mr. Sturm and Ms. Schaefer explained that it was. Historic tours occur there regularly and the public can rent the space for events. Ms. Brotske then gave a tour of the chapel, its history, significant features, and took those in attendance outside to show them significant sites in the cemetery. She explained some of the stories behind the sarcophagi and Commissioners engaged in discussion and asked questions. After the tour of the chapel and cemetery concluded, commissioners returned to the chapel for the rest of the Landmarks meeting. 4. Building Permit Review The Commission reviewed the list of historic permits. Mr. Buchholz mentioned the church at 1174 Algoma Boulevard and that he had talked to Mark Buechel of the State Historical Society. Mr. Buchholz explained that from his conversation, the owner might be eligible for tax credits if the owner expanded the scope of the project to$50,000 of work. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked whether the church was a tax-exempt entity and would be eligible for tax credits. Mr. Buchholz stated that he would follow up and check. 5. Louis Schriber House-Tentative Discussion Mr. Wiley and Mr. Buchholz explained that the owners of the house had visited the Planning and Inspections divisions to obtain permits. Mr. Cummings explained that there was still ongoing legal action between the owners and the city. Mr. Wiley stated that the owners sought input on what material to use for the construction of the steps. The owners had proposed brick and Mr. Wiley and Mr. Buchholz mentioned that William Waters had specified cut stone for the steps in the original plans. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Arnold suggested there might be salvaged cut stone available for the steps just as there was salvaged brick. The owners did not attend the Landmarks meeting, so the Commission concluded after brief discussion. 6. New York Avenue Property (306 W. New York Avenue) -Potential Landmarking-Action if Necessary Mr. Wiley explained that he had emailed the person from New Jersey interested in landmarking the property as a follow up to the March Landmarks meeting and received no reply. Mr. Arnold stated that if the interested person was not in contact and there was no contact with the property owner to obtain support, the landmarking could not move forward under the historic preservation ordinance. 7. Historic Preservation Ordinance-Recent Demolition Issues-Update/Action Mr. Wiley explained the timeline he had assembled for Landmarks on revising the historic preservation ordinance. He had spoken with Mr. Davis and Mr. Burich before the meeting regarding the process and public input that would become a key component in the process. Commissioners reviewed the timeline and their main concerns involved the proposed May public meetings. Mr. Buchholz stated that the Commission would be working for most of May on the Acanthus Awards. The Commission asked Mr. Buchholz about approaching his historic district (Algoma Boulevard) for the first public meeting to gauge their level of support. Mr. Buchholz explained that he could start with his neighborhood but would probably proceed slowly. He mentioned the April 261h Lumber River neighborhood meeting as a potential opportunity to mention ordinance revisions. The Commission agreed that they could start the public input with the Algoma Historic District. 8. Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course-Further Discussion/Potential Reuse or Commemorative Use of Donated Trees on Future Oshkosh Corporation Land -Discussion Mr. Sturm provided a brief update on Lakeshore. He stated that attempts were underway to determine where new roads would go and that his staff would work on moving the donated trees as the weather improves. Mr. Cummings explained that the Council voted on the golf course and it would become a park. Mr. Sturm stated that the clubhouse had been taken down. 9. 2018 Acanthus Awards -Discussion/Action Mr. Cummings and Mr. Arnold both mentioned the tour that the Landmarks Commission had of 1304 Algoma and that their appreciation of owner Bonnie Marousek opening the home up for the tour. Mr. Arnold mentioned the rotary light switch he observed at the home. Mr. Buchholz asked about the Veterans Wall and what category Mr. Galica was submitting the nomination under. Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Galica submitted under the "Special Achievement" category. Mr. Wiley showed the Commission the letter and nomination Mr. Galica had sent him for the Commission to review. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the wall was growing daily. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned the Washington building and that she had left a voicemail with the owners. She stated that she would follow up. Mr. Arnold explained that he was working on Ardy and Ed's and that he had conducted library research and was following up there. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Cummings if he could do a proclamation at the first Council meeting in May, with the award ceremony occurring at the second council meeting that month. 10. 2017-2018 Goals/Priorities -Discussion Mr. Buchholz reminded the Commission that the top three goals the Commission had decided on were the ongoing tasks, the historic preservation ordinance revisions, and local landmarking. 11.Jim Hoffman Millers Bay Research-Discussion Mr. Hoffman explained that he would meet with Ruth McGinley of the Millers Bay neighborhood and that neighbors had questions about historic districts and what they could do with their properties. Mr. Hoffman asked if for instance, an owner could add onto the back of a house that was on the register. Mr. Frederick stated that an owner could add on,but that the owner could not receive tax credits. Mr. Hoffman asked if the Millers Bay neighborhood put the historic district discussion on the agenda, could someone from Landmarks be there to talk about it. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Frederick stated that the Commission would need to contact the state to see if they would consider the Millers Bay area for a historic district. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to send Mr. Hoffman's map to Madison for consideration. 12. City Hall Front Steps-Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley if he had contacted the library regarding this item. Mr. Wiley had not. She stated that she had and that the library said the State Historical Society in Madison might have plans. She mentioned the possibility of going to CR Meyer and trying to obtain an estimate. Mr. Frederick mentioned the potential liability issue with steps and Mr. Cummings stated that a chain could potentially address this. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked where the Commission should go with this item. Mr. Cummings stated that the Commission needs public awareness and to see how the public reacts. Mr. Buchholz raised the question of whether CR Meyer might consider donating. 13. Farmers Market-Potential Booth During Summer Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that 5 booths were available for use by the city. Mr. Cummings stated that a group every Saturday could use the booths. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if anyone was interested in volunteering. No Commissioners volunteered at that point so she stated that the Commission would revisit this discussion. 14. Historic Preservation Plan-Update Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what the Commission's role was. She stated that the plan was the Commission's project and Mr. Buchholz explained that Mr. Galica could meet with Mr. Wiley and do preliminary work on the plan. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that Mr. Galica and Mr. Wiley should meet and that the Commission should discuss the plan progress monthly. 15. Commissioner Statements a. 404 W. New York Avenue-Local Landmarking-Shirley Brabender Mattox Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to keep this item on the agenda. b. Mark Buechel: Seminar on State Tax Credits-Steve Cummings Mr. Cummings stated that the Commission needed to agree on a date for the seminar and that other than that,he did not have any updates on this item. c. 1703 Michigan Street Historic Plaque-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley explained that the owner was hoping to schedule the plaque presentation during a time of warmer weather and so that her family and friends could attend. Mr. Wiley stated that this was in progress. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that June might be a better month than May due to the Acanthus preparations. d. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats-Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz stated that he was continuing to work with Mr. Neumann in IT and that there was an increase in hits on the page. He stated that the historic district maps,history of Oshkosh, and styles of architecture all garnered visits and interest. e. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page Mr. Wiley explained that he had started weekly postings again on significant architectural works for Wednesdays. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to continue working with Ms. Hintz on the Facebook page. Mr. Wiley stated that he would work with Ms. Hintz and find a time to discuss with her. Mr. Frederick suggested that Mr. Wiley look at Wood Window Makeover and the Craftsman blog. 16. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements Ongoing items such as Acanthus Awards, the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Plan, the website and Facebook stats, Mr. Hoffman s Millers Bay research, and the City Hall steps. 17. Adjournment The Commission expressed their appreciation for Mr. Sturm's work with the Riverside Chapel and for his,Ms. Schaefer's, and Ms. Brotske's work in conducting the tour and allowing the Commission to hold the April meeting there. Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Mr. Arnold. Motion approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:18 p.m. Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner