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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes August 8,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Austin Frederick, Harold Buchholz EXCUSED: Paul Arnold,Jake Krause, Elizabeth Hintz,Jeremy Galica ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley,Jim Hoffman (Oshkosh Public Museum Board), Randy Domer (WCHAS),Jay Karner (Crescent Moon Antiques and Salvage) 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of July 111h,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the July 111h meeting minutes. For item 2 of the minutes, Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that Rich Green's name was spelled wrong. Mr. Greens name does not have an e at the end so Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to correct this in the minutes. For item 7, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to formally thank Mr. Frederick for his research for the plaque requested by the property owner of 415 Linde. Commissioners did not have any other comments and the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the minutes (Cummings/Frederick). 3. Building Permit Review The commission discussed the list of building permits. For 1263 Merritt Avenue, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley about the City's demolition procedures. Mr. Wiley provided an explanation of current procedures if someone applies for a demolition permit. Mr. Buchholz stated that the owner of the property was not aware of when the demolished garage was built. Mr. Buchholz asked if the Commission has purview over garages/structures not visible from the right-of-way. Mr. Wiley stated that he would look into this. For 1611 North Main, commissioners stated that the siding mentioned in the building permit was already installed on the house. No commissioners had any further comments and discussion then concluded on the historic permits. 4. Historic Sidewalks on Various Streets-Discussion/Action Mr. Domer explained that a number of historic sidewalks/vaults exist in the city, along Merritt Avenue, at the intersection of Market and Algoma, and High and Market. Mr. Domer stated that he had talked with Mr. Karner about ideas for preservation or restoration of the sidewalks. Mr. Karner provided an overview of his background and stated that there were a number of questions he addressed regarding the sidewalks. 1.) Is it possible to preserve the sidewalks in-situ? 2.) Is it possible to duplicate the prisms? 3.) If duplication of the prisms is impossible,how can the existing prisms be recovered? Mr. Karner explained how the prisms were made and stated that it is possible to duplicate them. He explained that many of the buildings where the sidewalks are located are privately owned. The private ownership would make public access to the subterranean viewing areas difficult. Mr. Domer asked the Landmarks Commission if the WCHAS could partner with Landmarks on the sidewalks. Mr. Karner explained that most of the ideas he had for preserving and relocating the sidewalks did not seem viable. Mr.Cummings asked if anyone had talked to the owners of the buildings where the sidewalks were located. Mr. Domer explained that this had not occurred. Mr. Karner explained that there were rooms under the glass panels. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to figure out who owns the spaces under the sidewalks. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Cummings to contact the building owners. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to see if the owner ever received a notice regarding sidewalk repairs. 5. Historic Preservation Ordinance Revisions (Recent Demolition Issues), Cost Analysis for Vinyl Siding, Cement Board and Original Material,and Potential Historic Rehab Program/Grant for Local Landmarks Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the Wisconsin Historical Society has 8 guidelines for vinyl siding. She explained Wisconsin Act 317 and Mr. Buchholz explained that Oshkosh allows vinyl siding. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the provision to allow use of similar materials when rehabbing historic properties came up multiple times during the process leading to the Act's passage. Mr. Cummings asked if the Commission had problems with the installation of vinyl on historic buildings or with the stripping of ornamentation on these buildings. He asked if the vinyl was installed but the ornamentation was maintained would that be less of an issue. Ms. Brabender Mattox replied affirmatively. Mr. Buchholz and Mr. Frederick asked how the Commission could narrow Item 4 down. Mr. Frederick stated that the Commission's main objective should be to keep historic buildings standing and educate property owners on preservation and material options. He suggested potentially inviting Terry Laib in with material options. The Commission then concluded discussion and suggested putting the potential grant option and materials cost analysis in the Historic Preservation plan as a goal. 6. Grand Opera House West Wall Signage Mr. Cummings explained that he had met previously with Joe Ferlo and that Mr. Ferlo was working with Miron Construction. Mr. Ferlo's next steps were to provide the Commission with historic photographs including dates and come back with sign proposals. Proposals would have to account for the City sign standards and Wisconsin Historical Society standards. Commissioners suggested that proposed signage use the period of 1880-1900 as a guide. The Commission stated that Mr. Ferlo should submit more information on proposed signage. Mr. Wiley explained that Mr. Ferlo had asked to shift from the August Landmarks agenda to the September agenda. 7. Lakeshore Site-Follow Up and Potential National Register Nomination Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to keep the Commission informed of UWM's progress regarding the Lakeshore site. Mr. Buchholz asked if Oshkosh Corporation's approval was required for moving a nomination forward. He asked if the state could mandate that the archeological site remain. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested contacting Chip Brown at the WHS and stated that the site could help bring in historic tourism to the area. 8. Historic Plaques -456 Mount Vernon Potential Landmarking/Plaques Mr. Wiley explained that Rebecca Brown, owner of 456 Mount Vernon,had spoken with him and Paul Arnold further on her recent visit to Oshkosh. She was interested in possibly doing two historic plaques. She had wanted to emphasize that William Waters designed the home at 456 Mount Vernon and had thought perhaps a plaque could say "Wm Waters 1S1 Design" and another plaque could say "William Doe House." Mr. Wiley relayed Mr. Arnold's input to the Commission. Mr. Arnold understood what Ms. Brown was trying to convey in her wording for the plaques but he hoped that the final wording of the plaques would improve. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested potentially doing a large plaque like the Buckstaff one on Washington Avenue. Mr. Cummings stated that the cost for a large plaque would likely come in around$500, similar to the cost of two regular plaques. 9. Millers Bay Research-Jim Hoffman-Discussion Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that Daina Penkiunas had visited Oshkosh and toured the Millers Bay neighborhood. Ms. Penkiunas had asked Ms. Brabender Mattox for photographs of the neighborhood. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that she would like to work with Mr. Buchholz or Mr. Arnold to photograph the homes in Millers Bay. Mr. Buchholz explained that he would need a list of properties to photograph. Mr. Frederick suggested that the Commission ask the neighborhood to get involved in the process. Mr. Frederick emphasized that he was not meaning to push work off but that he saw benefit in getting the neighborhood involved. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she did not yet want to involve the neighborhood. Mr. Buchholz stated that if the neighborhood had not approached the Commission regarding the potential historic district, the Commission would never have taken it on. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would contact Ms. Penkiunas and report to Ruth McGinley of the Millers Bay Neighborhood Association on progress. 10. City Hall Front Steps-Discussion-blueprints, estimate Mr. Cummings mentioned the City Hall space-needs study and that the City was working on with an architect and that he had talked to the architect regarding the steps. Mr. Hoffman stated that if the building is renovated,the steps could be added back on as part of the renovations. 11. WAHPC Conference-Discussion/Action Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that WAHPC had set a date for the Conference in Oshkosh and was planning to rent space at the Library. 12. Historic Preservation Plan-Jeremy Galica and Steven Wiley-Update/Timeline/Process Mr. Wiley explained that he and Mr. Galica had done research for the plan and found several case studies to look at. Mr. Wiley showed the Commission the updated timeline for the plan process. Commissioners expressed a desire to see the plan progress forward and asked for continued updates on the progress. Commissioner Statements a. 404 W. New York Avenue-Local Landmarking-Shirley Brabender Mattox b. Mark Buechel: Seminar on State Tax Credits-Steve Cummings c. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats-Harold Buchholz d. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page e. Irving-Church/Morgan House and North Main Signage-Steven Wiley f. 223 N. Main Update-Steven Wiley Commissioner statements were not discussed due to loss of quorum. 12. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements Ongoing items such as the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Plan, the website and Facebook stats,revised west wall Grand Opera House signage, and the City Hall steps. Updates on the Irving-Church and North Main Signage. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to include discussion of 223 N. Main and discussion regarding Oshkosh hosting the WAHPC conference. 13. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Buchholz seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm. Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner