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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes June 13,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Paul Arnold, Steve Cummings, Harold Buchholz, Austin Frederick, David Schultz, Marvin Mengeling EXCUSED: Jake Krause, Elizabeth Hintz,Jeremy Galica ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley,Jim Hoffman,John Sadler (Oshkosh Northwestern) Kris Wilz, Jason Van Matre, Dan Hansen 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Introductions: New Commission Members Marvin Mengeling and David Schultz Mr. Mengeling and Mr. Schultz introduced themselves and the other Commissioners and staff provided short introductions for the new Landmarks Commissioners coming from the Grand Opera House Advisory Board. 3. Approval of May 91h,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the May 91h meeting minutes. Mr.Buchholz stated that for Item 3,staff should change the sentence "Mr. Buchholz stated that if the work was interior work, it would likely not be eligible." Mr. Buchholz and Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the sentence should reflect that some interior work is eligible for historic tax credits. No other comments were made and the Commission approved the minutes 6-0 (Frederick/Arnold). 4. Building Permit Review The Commission discussed the list of historic permits. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she called the owner of 1446 W. New York Avenue regarding historic tax credits. Mr. Frederick mentioned 1004 Washington Avenue and Commissioners suggested connecting with the owner of the property to see if work had started. Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Wiley to obtain more information when including future permits for Commission review going forward. 5. 223 N. Main Street Proposed Facade Work-Kris Wilz and Jason Van Matre-Discussion Kris Wilz,Jason Van Matre, and Dan Hansen explained the work they intended to do for the street facade at 223 N. Main Street. Ms. Wilz asked for Commission input on their proposed work. She explained that currently the building has plastic sheeting over a portion of the ground floor facade. Before the 1920s this portion of the facade was storefront. Ms. Wilz wanted to eliminate the more recent plastic sheeting. She was aware that many people did not want to see the leaded glass and ceramic tile on her facade eliminated. Mr. Hansen explained that he and the owners were looking to replace the sheeting with new brick veneer. Ms. Wilz asked the Commission whether they would support eliminating or covering the leaded glass and tile on the facade. Commissioners stated that the leaded glass and tile were significant and contributed to the architectural integrity of the facade. Ms. Wilz expressed her support for a uniform design. Mr. Buchholz asked what was behind the grey panels. Ms. Wilz and Mr. Van Matre explained that insulation and wood were behind the panels. Ms. Wilz and Mr. Van Matre expressed that cost was a concern for them in undertaking the facade work. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Hansen what issues he saw with working on the facade of the building. Mr. Hansen stated that dimension issues and thinness of the existing facade were the main challenges. Ms. Wilz stated that rain and runoff were concerns. She stated that if she kept the tile and leaded glass, she would not be able to do red arches above the ground floor windows like she had proposed. Mr. Hansen explained that he could find ways to reuse the leaded glass and tile if he did not retain them. Mr. Arnold asked Ms. Wilz if she would look at creating images showing the facade with new brick veneer and the retention of the leaded glass and ceramic tile. Ms. Wilz stated that she would work with her designer to create some new images showing schemes as Mr. Arnold requested. Mr. Schultz asked the other commissioners if Ms. Wilz and Mr. Van Matre needed Landmarks approval for the proposed work. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Wiley stated that Landmarks was serving in an advisory role in this situation. Mr. Mengeling asked if the green ceramic tile discussed was original to the building. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Arnold stated that it was. Mr. Cummings stated that the Landmarks recommendation should go to the Plan Commission so the Plan Commission could be aware of it when deciding whether to approve the proposed work. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to forward the Landmarks recommendation that the owner save the ceramic tile, save the leaded glass windows, and put in replica period windows as part of the facade work. Mr. Cummings stated that a new state law allowed historic property owners to use materials like the originals for tax credits. 6. Historic Preservation Ordinance Revisions (Recent Demolition Issues) and Potential Historic Rehab Program-Update/Action Mr. Wiley explained that he would meet with Community Development Director Davis the following week to discuss the ordinance revisions. He reminded the Commission of the timeline and process he had proposed for the ordinance updates. Mr. Buchholz stated that the City needed to notify the State of pending demolitions in historic districts. During the 30 day waiting period, Landmarks could meet with the owner to see if the structure could be saved or any contents salvaged. Mr. Cummings mentioned the valuable woodwork in modest Oshkosh homes. Mr. Buchholz made a motion that the Commission direct Mr. Wiley to work with Zoning and Inspections staff on flagging landmarked and historic properties in the City's permitting system. Mr. Wiley would then notify the Commission and the State before the issuance of any demolition permits. Motion carried 6-0 (Buchholz/Cummings). 7. Potential Historic Plaque 415 Linde Street-Action The Commission discussed a recent plaque application for 415 Linde Street. Mr. Frederick and Mr. Arnold had both visited the property previously and were aware of a sketch in a City directory. Mr. Buchholz stated that the architect of the property was unknown, the style was Dutch Colonial Revival, and the year listed for construction was 1907. Mr. Schultz asked what the criteria is for the historic plaque program and Mr. Arnold clarified. Mr. Arnold suggested holding off on approving this plaque until the Commission could conduct some research on the property. Mr. Frederick,Ms. Brabender Mattox, and Mr. Arnold stated that they could help conduct research. The Commission voted 6-0 to lay over the item until some research occurred (Frederick/Cummings). Mr. Frederick and Mr. Wiley were asked to contact the owner to see if the owner had any information on the property. 8. Proposed Pole Structure-399 Osceola Street-Discussion/Action Mr. Wiley explained the pole structure proposed for 399 Osceola Street. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if the structure would be constructed on a building. She stated that placement of the pole towards the middle of a building would likely have the least visual impact on nearby historic districts. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to obtain more information on the proposed pole and to use the same letter the Commission used to submit comments for past pole/tower projects. The Commission voted 6-0 to instruct Mr. Wiley to obtain more information and write the letter with comments (Cummings/Arnold). 9. Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course Draft Archeological Society-Further Discussion Mr. Buchholz was interested in knowing more about the developments at the Lakeshore site and he explained that Landmarks had purview over archeological sites. Mr. Cummings explained that Oshkosh Corporation construction broke ground the previous Tuesday. Mr. Cummings explained that the area had evolved from an industrial area to a recreation area. Mr. Wiley stated that members of the UWM archeological team were slated to visit the Commission for the July Landmarks meeting to provide more information on archeological work done at Lakeshore. 10. 2018 Acanthus Awards-Update Mr. Buchholz provided an overview of the Acanthus Award presentation. Mr. Buchholz and Mr. Arnold suggested to the Commission that staff and Commissioners conduct a practice run of the presentation when working on the next year's awards. Mr. Arnold suggested that the Commission decide on a uniform document format for submitting write-ups and other files to Ms. Brabender Mattox for the next presentation. Mr. Buchholz also suggested that the Commission work with Oshkosh Media staff on the possibility of submitting a higher quality image format than pdfs. 11. 2017-2018 Goals/Priorities -Discussion Mr. Wiley explained that he had left the goals on the agenda to remind the Commission of established priorities. He explained that ideally the Commission would include all of the goals in the proposed Historic Preservation Plan and once the plan was done, the Commission could start accomplishing more of its goals. 12.Jim Hoffman Millers Bay Research and May 22nd Tour with Daina Penkiunas of WHS - Discussion Mr. Hoffman provided an update on the tour that occurred with Ms. Penkiunas. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that Ms. Penkiunas was seeking photographs of the Millers Bay neighborhood. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Arnold and Mr. Buchholz to assist her with taking photographs. 13. City Hall Front Steps-Discussion Mr. Cummings stated that he did not have any updates. He explained that an architect was looking at all City buildings currently. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Hoffman to check with the Museum on availability of blueprints. 14. Historic Preservation Plan-Jeremy Galica and Steven Wiley-Update Mr. Wiley explained that he and Mr. Galica had met within the past couple of weeks and that they would work on compiling research and case studies to hopefully have for the Commission by the end of summer. Mr. Wiley explained that he and Mr. Galica would plan on meeting regularly (every two weeks or every month) to continue progress on the plan. Commissioner Statements a. 404 W. New York Avenue-Local Landmarking-Shirley Brabender Mattox Ms. Brabender Mattox stated Rich Greene had contracted with the Anderson Brothers about foundation repairs. She stated that she had sent Mr. Greene the Landmarks agenda to keep him reminded of the landmarking discussion. 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 presentation of the plaque had occurred on Friday,June 8th and that five commissioners were present. He explained that the owners and neighbors present were appreciative and that the presentation went very well. Mr. Arnold agreed. d. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats-Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz stated that the Landmarks page had experienced a drop in hits from 282 hits down to 226 hits the previous month. e. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page Mr. Buchholz stated that he noticed reduced activity for the Landmarks' Facebook page. Mr. Wiley explained that he needed to schedule more time to post material. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would contact Ms. Hintz about posting on the Landmarks' Facebook page. f. Revised Landmarks Commission Duties-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley explained that with the combination of the Landmarks Commission and Grand Opera House Advisory Board the duties of the Landmarks Commission had changed in the Municipal Code. Mr. Buchholz explained that the biggest change was the addition of Grand Opera House related duties. Mr. Wiley stated that he would meet with Jon Urben in the coming week to discuss the Landmarks Commission's new duties pertaining to the Grand Opera House. 15. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements Ongoing items such as the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Plan, the website and Facebook stats,Mr. Hoffman's Millers Bay research,revised west wall Grand Opera House signage, and the City Hall steps. 16. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Arnold seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:02 pm. Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner