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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes September 12,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Austin Frederick, Harold Buchholz, Paul Arnold,Jeremy Galica EXCUSED: Jake Krause, Elizabeth Hintz ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of August 81h,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the August 81h meeting minutes. For item 10, Mr. Arnold asked if the "City Hall space needs study" was written properly in the minutes. Mr. Wiley explained that it was. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked for "space needs" to be hyphenated in the minutes. Commissioners did not have any other comments and the Commission voted 6-0 to approve the minutes (Arnold/Galica). 3. Building Permit Review The commission discussed the list of building permits. For the Firehouse at 17 West 6th Avenue, Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the state was aware of the building's historical significance. Mr. Buchholz asked why the building was not on the previous month's building permit review. Mr. Wiley explained that the building was listed on the State and National Registers but not in an historic district so it did not show up in the list of historic permits. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if 534 Jackson Street was eligible for tax credits and explained that staff and the Commission should encourage rentals to apply for tax credits. For 302 Church Avenue, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if there were standards in the Historic Preservation ordinance on signage. Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Wiley to determine whether signage standards existed in the preservation ordinance. For 831 Washington, the commission discussed the permit to replace 42 windows and stated that work such as window replacements occurring in historic districts should be flagged and brought before the Landmarks Commission. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if fascia work at 514 Union Avenue involved installing new fascia over the existing or if it involved ripping off the existing. Mr. Cummings stated that the existing fascia was ripped off as part of the work. 4. Historic Sidewalks on Various Streets-Discussion/Action Mr.Wiley provided an update on the historic sidewalks in various locations. He explained that he spoke with Justin Gierach in Public Works and Mr. Gierach provided information on the sidewalks and spaces underneath. Mr. Wiley stated that the property owner is required to abandon the space underneath and the City has taken on the cost of abandoning the vault. Mr. Buchholz asked when the city comes in and requires abandonment. Mr. Arnold stated that the City had already abandoned some spaces. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if any documentation of the spaces existed. Mr. Arnold explained that Julie Johnsons book might have something on the spaces. Mr. Wiley explained that he would follow up with the Commission with more information from Public Works. 5. Historic Preservation Plan-Jeremy Galica and Steven Wiley-Update/Timeline/Process Mr. Galica provided an update on the status of the research for the plan. Mr. Buchholz stated that the Commission wished to see continued progress on the plan. Mr. Cummings asked if there was anything in other WI plans regarding trees. Mr. Galica and Mr. Wiley explained that they had not yet looked at WI plans other than Milwaukee. Mr. Buchholz suggested the La Crosse plan as a potential case study due to comparable size. Mr. Cummings emphasized that Oshkosh's plan should address tourism and the economy of the City and serve as an economic and financial tool that highlights Oshkosh landmarks. Mr. Arnold suggested looking at De Pere or Cedarburg. Mr. Cummings mentioned that revitalization and preservation were two big elements of the plan. He proposed having separate meetings for the development of the plan and obtaining material from the State for the plans introduction on the value of historic tourism. He explained that he would reach out to Stephanie Klett in Madison and Amy Albright at the Oshkosh area Convention and Visitor's Bureau. 6. 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 -Update Ms. Brabender Mattox explained the grant proposal for rehab work on landmarked properties. She explained also that she went to Knoffke and asked about the cost analysis. She explained that Scott Sitter did a blog with information on cement board. She reached out to fiber cement manufacturer James Hardie and stated that the color was guaranteed for 15 years. The Hardie products cost approximately twice what vinyl products did and Ms. Brabender Mattox asked whether tax credits might exist for Hardie products. Commissioners stated that tax credits could apply for materials similar in appearance to the original materials. 7. Lakeshore Site -Update Mr. Wiley explained that he included information on the archeological work at the Lakeshore site for August. He explained that the UWM team continued conduct lab work. Mr. Buchholz asked if the Oshkosh Public Museum was involved and Mr. Cummings explained that artifacts go to the museum. Mr. Cummings mentioned that the Oshkosh Corporation Headquarters was going up. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to continue updating the Commission on the Lakeshore work going forward. Mr. Buchholz was interested in knowing whether the state can mandate the site as archeological and whether Oshkosh Corporation would support the nomination. 8. 2019 WAHPC Conference and 2018 WHS Conference-Discussion/Action Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the 2019 WAHPC Conference was scheduled for April 121h, 2019 at the Oshkosh Public Library. She asked Mr. Cummings to give an introduction and history at the beginning of the conference. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the Howard and Masonic Lodge were potential meeting places for awards at the WAHPC conference. Mr. Buchholz stated that the conference was an opportunity to get tourism people involved. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that the 2018 WHS Conference was scheduled for October 26-27 in Elkhart Lake at the Osthoff Resort. 9. City Hall Front Steps and Potential Polco Survey-Discussion Mr. Cummings explained that he had met with the architects working on the City Hall space study and discussed the steps. He mentioned that everyone he has talked to was in favor of reconstructing the steps. The Commission discussed the potential Polco questions regarding the steps and asked for Mr. Wiley to provide more context stating that the steps were located on the South facade of the building facing Algoma and showing before and after images. 10. Commissioner Statements a. 404 W. New York Avenue: Local Landmarking-Shirley Brabender Mattox/Rich Green Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that Mr. Green would do research for the local landmarking process. b. Mark Buechel: Seminar on State Tax Credits-Steve Cummings Mr. Cummings stated that nothing yet had come up for the potential seminar. c. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats-Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz explained that the website stats were the same as the previous month. There were 216 or 226 hits and about 45 seconds per hit. d. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page-Steven Wiley/Austin Frederick Mr. Frederick stated that he had scheduled several posts but noticed that no comments were generated. He stated that the William Waters posts generated much interest. e. Irving-Church/Morgan House and North Main Signage-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley provided an update and stated that the Sign Division had checked the utilities at the two sites and that they were hoping to install the signs within the next week or so. Mr. Buchholz asked if there would be a potential ceremony for the sign installation. Mr. Wiley replied that the WCHAS was hoping to have a celebration for the installation of their sign. f. 223 N. Main Update-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley explained that he had provided the materials on the 223 N. Main design standards variance to the Commission in their packets and that the owners had not yet come back to staff with materials or revised plans for approval. g. Grand Opera House West Wall Signage-Update Mr. Wiley explained that he had asked Mr. Ferlo to come to Landmarks with signage renderings or other images showing the signs. Mr. Ferlo had asked to have the signage discussion bumped back to the October meeting. 11. 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 send out the draft for sign proposed for the Chief Oshkosh Monument and include the draft on the next agenda. Mr. Frederick explained that the September Landmarks meeting would be his last meeting and that he would be stepping down. He explained that the education component was critical to the Commission's goals and that it was important to educate the public on the importance of preservation. Mr. Frederick stated that he enjoyed his time on the Commission and that he would be willing to help with research or providing assistance on projects the Commission was working on. Commissioners thanked Mr. Frederick for his service on the Commission. 12. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Arnold seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm. Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner