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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes October 10,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Harold Buchholz, Paul Arnold,Jeremy Galica, Elizabeth Hintz EXCUSED: Jake Krause, Nikki Stoll ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley, Darryn Burich(Director of Planning Services),Jim Hoffman (President of the Museum Board),Joe Ferlo (Grand Opera House Foundation), Rob Chartier (Chairman, Grand Opera House Board) 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Approval of September 121h,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the September 121h meeting minutes. For item 3,Ms.Brabender Mattox asked that 17 West 6th Avenue be identified in the minutes as the Firehouse at 17 West 6th Avenue. Commissioners did not have any other comments and the Commission voted 6-0 to approve the minutes (Buchholz/Arnold). 3. Building Permit Review The Commission chose to switch items 3 and 4 on the Agenda out of respect for Mr. Ferlo's and Mr. Chartier's time. Ms.Brabender Mattox inquired regarding the 7 window replacements at 579 North Main Street. Mr.Wiley showed the Commission the permit in the City permitting software and explained that the window replacements were replacement windows in existing openings. Mr. Wiley stated that unfortunately there was no further information in the permitting software regarding the work. Ms. Brabender Mattox expressed her concern that the replacement windows would not look like old windows as people drive by. Mr. Arnold, Mr. Buchholz and Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley to reflect this concern in the minutes. Mr. Wiley explained to the Commission and showed the members that all properties in historic districts were flagged in the permitting system. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that Landmarks was concerned with the public realm and that for her,the building permit review was about determining whether owners were eligible for historic tax credits and determining whether to ask property owners to discuss proposed work with Landmarks before starting the work. Mr. Buchholz asked Mr. Hoffman about the garage demolished at 1331 Algoma Boulevard. Mr. Hoffman stated that the garage was fake, not historic and that the demolition opened up the area so people approaching can see the Oshkosh Public Museum. 4. Grand Opera House Signage-Joe Ferlo and Rob Chartier-Update/Discussion Mr. Ferlo and Mr. Chartier introduced themselves and gave a Powerpoint presentation on potential signage at the Grand Opera House. They talked about upgrading the signage at the Grand and had met previously with Mr. Cummings to discuss this. They explained that they had found photographs from the 1910-1920 era and there was evidence of electrified signage on the building from this time period. Mr. Ferlo went to two sign companies to come up with designs. He intended to do a message center that highlighted and complemented the architecture of the building. He expressed interest in doing a vertical blade sign and then spent time showing the Commission examples of other historic theaters and recent sign work completed. Mr. Ferlo stated that he would like to do a message center on each side of the building and a blade sign on the Grand. He presented sign proposals by Appleton Sign and Jones. The intention of the proposals was to architecturally complement the sign box with the front of the building. The examples showed muted colors. Mr. Ferlo asked what the zoning allowed for electronic message center. Mr. Burich stated that the code allowed for one EMC per property. Mr. Ferlo stated that he estimated the cost of the signage as proposed at around $80,000-$100,000. Ms. Hintz and Beatrix Hintz arrived at this point. The Commission supported using modern sign technology in a historic setting when asked by Mr. Cummings. Commissioners preferred more austere design themes over Art Deco colors and designs. Mr. Arnold asked about the State approving a potential sign project. Mr. Ferlo explained that for past projects, the state was involved and their primary focus was on materials. Mr. Buchholz emphasized the importance that the proposed work is reversible. Mr. Ferlo wanted to have a proposal finalized within 60 days. He asked about potential variances. Mr. Burich said this might be an option. Mr. Ferlo emphasized High Avenue as his first priority with signage. Mr. Cummings stated that he would continue working with Mr. Ferlo and Mr. Chartier. The Commission thanked both guests and they left afterwards. 5. Historic Sidewalks on Various Streets-Discussion/Action Mr. Cummings stated that this item was on hold for the time being. No further discussion occurred. 6. Historic Preservation Plan-Jeremy Galica and Steven Wiley-Update/Timeline/Process This item was discussed after item 7. Mr. Galica contacted La Crosse and looked at their preservation plan. He explained that goals help outline the plan and that he would like to have a meeting with Mr. Wiley and Mr. Burich. Mr. Buchholz suggested looking through the table of contents of a few plans and creating an outline for Oshkosh from those. Mr. Cummings explained that the Strategic, Comp. Plans, and quality of life goals were also important to draw from. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Galica and Mr. Wiley to bring a plan outline to the next meeting. Mr. Cummings asked to keep the plan at an 81h grade level so that it is readable and understandable. Mr. Wiley explained that he had found some example Wisconsin plans from places such as River Falls, Wausau, etc. and intended to share with the Commission. He stated that a public input component would have to occur as part of the plan process and that he was planning to meet with Mr. Davis,Mr. Burich and hopefully Mr. Galica to further discuss the plan development. 7. Oshkosh Mural Ordinance -Discussion This item was discussed after item 4 and Mr. Burich explained the recent approval of the ordinance and that staff may have overstreamlined the ordinance from before. Ms. Hintz asked when the new ordinance took effect. Mr. Burich stated a couple weeks prior to this meeting. He explained that years back the Plan Commission had concerns allowing murals in the City. Staff recodified the ordinance and streamlined the application process. Mr. Burich mentioned that if a mural was proposed for a historic building going forward, Landmarks would review. Mr. Burich explained that many buildings had been painted already. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that usually when a board or commission reviewed a new ordinance,the members looked at the old and new ordinances side by side. Ms. Hintz stated that a cardinal rule of preservation is that property owners do not paint historic brick. She said that the focus was not public art and murals but educating the public on best practices. Ms. Brabender Mattox said that Green Bay allowed the use of wood panels or parachute panels to paint on. She mentioned that much of Oshkosh's downtown was Cream City brick. Ms. Hintz stated that Landmarks wanted to have a voice in discussions. Mr. Burich agreed and would support efforts to update the preservation ordinance. Mr. Cummings stated that there was a greater understanding of preservation now than in the past. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the recent mural did not go through the Public Arts committee. She stated that it should have gone through the Public Arts committee and Landmarks Commission for review. Mr. Arnold stated that people could see the first mural under the new ordinance as precedent. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that Green Bay had buildings marked appropriate for murals. Mr. Buchholz asked if the Commission would be satisfied if the murals were mounted on boards rather than painted on brick. Ms. Brabender Mattox responded affirmatively. Ms. Hintz left at this point. Mr. Burich explained that if the City and Commission could come up with funding for murals this could afford them greater say in the process of approving the murals. Mr. Burich left at this point. 8. Historic Preservation Ordinance Revisions (Recent Demolition and other Issues),Permitting Process for Historic Properties -Update/Discussion/Action This item was not discussed. 9. Lakeshore Site -Update The Commission noted that Mr. Wiley had kept these updates on the agenda but did not engage in discussion on the item. 10. Chief Oshkosh Draft-Discussion/Action Mr. Cummings explained that the draft was being rewritten. He wanted to trim down some of the text that focused on treaties. He explained that Ms. Naudziunas was working with professors from UW- Oshkosh on edits. Mr. Buchholz suggested checking the wording in the draft. In the second paragraph where the draft mentions "Bear Clan",he stated it should read as "Great Bear Clan." 11. 2019 WAHPC Conference and 2018 WHS Conference-Discussion/Action Ms. Brabender Mattox spoke on the WAHPC Conference and stated that the goal for the conference was to use enthusiasm of the community to restore, preserve, and reuse historic assets. 11. 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. The Commission discussed the potential Polco questions regarding the steps and Mr. Wiley stated that he could add before and after images of the steps to the survey. He asked Ms. Brabender Mattox about approaching CR Meyer for potential cost estimates. The Commission discussed this and decided to wait. Mr. Arnold stated that it would make sense to restore the sidewalk to the steps and maybe the entry door and keep the door locked but have it for visual impact. Mr. Buchholz asked if restoring the steps might make the building eligible for listing on the National and State Registers. Mr. Arnold replied that the windows are smaller than the original so this could be an issue. 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 up from the previous month. There were increased hits and an increased amount of time spent on average per hit. d. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley stated that he would work on posting for the Landmarks page. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would follow up with Ms. Hintz on the Facebook page about posting. e. Irving-Church/Morgan House and North Main Signage-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley provided an update and stated that the Sign Division had installed the North Main and Morgan House signs recently. Mr. Cummings explained that he had met one of the sign installers and the installers had installed the signs with extra anti-theft screws to make the sign faces more resistant to theft. 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. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned including any items that would come up concerning preservation before the next meeting. Mr. Cummings asked Mr. Wiley to mention the Commission's appreciation for the efforts Mr. Ferlo and Mr. Chartier put into the potential signage proposals for the Grand Opera House. He stated that they listened to the Commission. Mr. Arnold agreed that they had made a good faith effort in the development of their sign proposals. Mr. Wiley explained that a new Commissioner would be starting in Mr. Frederick's place at the November meeting and that he would be meeting with her prior to the meeting. 12. Adjournment Mr. Cummings made a motion to adjourn and Mr. Buchholz seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:04 pm. Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner