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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION Minutes November 14,2018 PRESENT: Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Harold Buchholz, Paul Arnold, Nikki Stoll Olthoff EXCUSED: Jake Krause, Elizabeth Hintz,Jeremy Galica ABSENT: None STAFF AND OTHERS: Steven Wiley,Jim Hoffman (President of the Museum Board), Todd Hutchison (Wisconsin Redevelopment, LLC), Bruce Karnitz (Titan Properties) 1. Call to Order Chair Brabender Mattox called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. and a quorum was declared present. 2. Introduction: New Commissioner Nikki Stoll Olthoff The Commissioners all provided short introductions and Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Ms. Stoll Olthoff to introduce herself. Ms. Stoll Olthoff provided some information on her personal background and explained that she had a personal interest in history. She stated that she studied Environmental Studies with Sociology and Spanish at UW-Oshkosh. Ms. Brabender Mattox presented Ms. Stoll Olthoff with a copy of A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia&Lee McAlester as a reference for information on residential architectural styles. 3. Approval of October 101h,2018 Meeting Minutes The Commission discussed the October 101h meeting minutes. No Commissioners requested any changes so the Commission approved the minutes 5-0 as written (Buchholz/Arnold). 4. Building Permit Review The Commission chose to switch items 4 and 5 on the agenda out of respect for Mr. Hutchison's and Mr. Karnitz's time. Commissioners discussed the property at 1022 Washington Avenue. Mr. Buchholz explained that this property was an example of the use of substitute materials in place of the original. Ms. Stoll Olthoff asked if the building permit review in general took place after work on projects had already started. Mr. Wiley replied affirmatively. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the building permits allow the Commission an opportunity to keep track of work going on at historic properties. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if Mr. Wiley had sent Mr. Buechel's email regarding painting on historic masonry out to everyone. Mr. Wiley explained that he had not sent the email to Ms. Stoll Olthoff. Ms. Brabender Mattox then provided a brief background on painting of historic masonry. For 608 Jackson Street, Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the work might be eligible for tax credits. She explained that the property at 608 Jackson Street was a William Waters concrete block house. 5. 913 S. Main Street-Adaptive Reuse Project-Discussion The Commission switched this item with Item 4. Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Karnitz provided some background on the purchase of the property and collaboration between them on the project. Mr. Hutchison presented on the history of the building. He explained the multiple proposed funding sources for the project. He presented some slides showing examples of earlier historic properties where he worked on adaptive reuse projects. Mr. Hutchison then showed slides on 913 S Main and explained the existing conditions and proposed project. The project would consist of first floor townhomes and live-work units. He showed proposed plans of the building and unit layouts. He provided an overview of the history of the building and the industries previously housed in the building. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if Mr. Hutchison was writing a nomination for the National and State Registers for the property. Mr. Hutchison stated he had a nomination in progress and that he had worked with SHPO. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned the Waite Grass project and that Matt Wiedenhoeft had written and presented the nomination for the project. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what City staff was looking for. Mr. Wiley explained that staff was looking for Landmarks to make a recommendation and provide input that could be incorporated in staff's recommendation to Plan Commission. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Buchholz stated that they were supportive and believed that Mr. Hutchison understood historic preservation. Mr. Buchholz asked if any changes were proposed to the facades on the structure. Mr. Hutchison stated that they would likely restore the storefront and maybe add more windows on the south facade. Mr. Buchholz suggested that Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Karnitz look into the IRS tax credit for buildings constructed before 1931. Mr. Hutchison explained that he would talk to the National Parks when asked by the Commission what time period he had in mind for restoration of the building. Mr. Arnold asked if Mr. Hutchison would incorporate the building to the south into the restoration. Mr. Hutchison explained that he often likes to display historic photos of the property in the entryways. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that much conversation had occurred on social media regarding the property at 913/915 S Main Street. Mr. Cummings asked about the lack of windows in bedrooms in one of the plans. Mr. Hutchison stated that the International Building Code permits this but that the bedrooms will require mechanical ventilation. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked about the view to the west and Mr. Hutchison explained that the back siding on the building would come off. Mr. Cummings asked what percentage of the units would be low income. Mr. Hutchison explained that 85%would be affordable and 15%would be market rate. Mr. Buchholz asked if WHS has helped in the nomination and Mr. Hutchison explained that he had not approached them. He explained that having the local agency in support helped. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would have Mr. Wiley write a letter of support and she would help with the letter. She suggested that Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Karnitz contact Su van Houwelingen at the Housing Authority to discuss the Waite Grass project. 6. 434 Church Avenue-Exterior Rehab Work-Discussion Mr. Wiley explained the proposed work and that the owner and contractor were unable to attend the meeting. The contractor was looking to wrap dormers with aluminum siding to address peeling paint on the dormers. Mr. Buchholz asked if the Commission would like to lay the item over for a future meeting since no one was available to discuss the proposed work with the Commission. Mr. Arnold asked the Commission what they would say. Ms. Brabender Mattox emphasized the importance of preserving the remaining historical features on the property. Mr. Arnold stated that the Commission could provide a recommendation regarding the proposed work but that ultimately the work conducted is the owner's decision. Mr. Buchholz stated that he would like to see the contractor or owner come into the meeting to discuss with the Commission. Mr. Arnold stated that moisture problems commonly arise when vinyl or aluminum is incorrectly installed on a historic structure. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked Mr. Wiley about following up and Mr. Wiley said he would ask the contractor about meeting with the owner and Commission to discuss the project. 7. Historic Preservation Plan-Jeremy Galica and Steven Wiley-Update/Timeline/Process Mr. Wiley explained that he had worked on an outline for the historic preservation plan. Mr. Galica was unable to attend the meeting but had contributed some items to the outline. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained the process and significance of the plan to Ms. Stoll Olthoff. Mr. Buchholz suggested that the Commission take comparable plans from other communities and determine what items to include from these plans. He then suggested that the Commission break down the list of items and determine if they have information for each and if not,who would provide the information. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would contact the WHS and Mr. Cummings asked if Madison could help moderate a workshop as part of the planning process. Mr. Buchholz asked the Commission what level of plan (model plan, average or quick)the Commission wished to create. The Commission agreed that the plan should be done well and to a level that could serve as a model for Oshkosh and other communities. Mr. Cummings suggested emphasizing the financial aspect of preservation in the plan. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she would contact Ms. Hintz and see if she could assist in the planning process. The Commissioners asked Mr. Wiley to send Ms. Stoll Olthoff some plans and to find a model preservation plan for reference. Commissioners assigned the following items as follows: • Introduction-Nikki Stoll Olthoff • Historic Timeline-Nikki Stoll Olthoff • Architectural Styles-Paul Arnold • Downtown Commercial Structures-Shirley Brabender Mattox • Strategic Plan-Harold Buchholz • CMU and Traditional Neighborhood Overlay Districts-Steven Wiley • Community Collaboration and Engagement-Steve Cummings • Inventory/Map of Historic Districts/Properties-Steven Wiley 8. Oshkosh Mural Ordinance -Update Mr. Wiley provided an update on the mural ordinance. He explained that staff had created a new policy and that any mural proposed for a Landmark, contributing structure or structure eligible for listing on the State or National Register would require Landmarks review. The policy was included on the mural permit application. Ms. Brabender Mattox explained that during the ordinance approval process the committee did not have the old and new mural ordinances to compare side by side and did not have the ordinance draft to review before taking action. She asked if Public Arts would have a chance to review the new policy. Mr. Wiley suggested that Ms. Brabender Mattox raise the issue with Ms. Naudziunas and the Public Arts Committee. 9. Historic Preservation Ordinance Revisions (Recent Demolition and Other Issues),Permitting Process for Historic Properties -Update/Discussion/Action Mr. Wiley explained that he had worked on a list of potential project types that the Commission could review for properties in historic districts. Mr. Wiley explained that in contrast to the building permit review, this work would run through the Commission for review before the permit was issued. He explained that Mr. Davis still wanted to have some public input on the proposed ordinance changes and review processes before enacting any changes. Commissioners suggested that Mr. Wiley consider adding landscaping and historic trees to the list. The Commission asked Mr. Wiley to place this item on the December agenda. Mr. Cummings left at this point. 10. Mid Century Modern Presentation-Review- Steven Wiley The Commission discussed the November 10th, 2018 presentation hosted by the Millers Bay neighborhood. Architect and Professor Jim Shields, FAIA was the speaker and lectured on Mid Century Modern architecture. Mr. Cummings and Mr. Arnold were in attendance at the presentation. Mr. Arnold and Mr. Buchholz stated that the presentation was very informative. Ms. Stoll Olthoff said that she had watched the first part of the presentation. Mr. Wiley informed the Commissioners that he had shared the link to the presentation with all of the Commissioners. Mr. Arnold took some notes down from the presentation and shared these with Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Wiley. 11. Lakeshore Site-Update Mr. Wiley explained that this update was the latest from the UWM team on the Lakeshore Site and that he included for the Commissioners. He would continue to include the updates in the Commissioners' packets as they came up. 12. 2018 Annual Report-Discussion Mr. Wiley stated that he would be working on the Annual Report for 2018. The reporting period had changed to January through December. Mr. Wiley stated that he could work with a subcommittee of Commissioners on the report and have it ready to submit for January. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that Mr. Wiley take the minutes from the 2018 Landmarks meetings and refer to them to help compile the report. 13. 2019 WAHPC Conference-Update Ms. Brabender Mattox spoke on the 2019 WAHPC Conference and stated that she had recently started working on finding a facility large enough for the conference. She explained that from her conversations with Daina Penkiunas, Commissioners and staff indicated in the survey they completed that they needed additional education on various aspects relating to preservation. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that the CAMP was valuable and that the WHS might host another CAMP around the same time as the conference. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked what was in the survey sent out earlier in 2018. Mr. Wiley explained that the survey asked what properties communities had locally landmarked recently and whether staff/Commissions felt they had enough support from their local government in regards to preservation matters. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned the Best Western hotel as a potential buffet location and that WAHPC could potentially do their conference and a bus tour the day after the CAMP. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that Oshkosh show the newest historic districts. The date proposed for the CAMP was April 121h, 2019,with a potential conference date of April 131h 14. 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. 2018 WHS Conference-Shirley Brabender Mattox Ms. Brabender Mattox attended the conference and explained that she had attended the Brothertown Indian session. She said that 418 people attended the conference. c. Mark Buechel: Seminar on State Tax Credits-Steve Cummings Mr. Cummings had left but there was no update on this item. d. Feedback on Landmarks Website Stats-Harold Buchholz Mr. Buchholz explained that the website stats were down from the previous month. There were decreased hits (169 hits in October versus 198 hits the month before) and a decreased amount of time (14%less time) spent on average per hit. The historic tour information saw a drop from 28 visitors to 14. Mr. Buchholz reminded the Commission that he works with IT Manager Anthony Newman monthly to obtain this information. He stated that the drop in hits and time on the page often occurs with seasonal changes. e. Feedback on Landmarks Facebook Page-Steven Wiley Mr. Wiley stated that he had not had a chance to post recently but that he did talk to Ms. Stoll Olthoff on posting. Ms. Stoll Olthoff stated that she could help with posting and also with getting Landmarks out onto other social media platforms such as Instagram. She felt this would help the Commission connect more effectively with younger age groups. Commissioners remarked that links on the new City webpage were broken. Mr. Wiley stated that he could work on addressing the broken links. 15. Agenda Items for Next Meeting/Statements Ongoing items such as the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Plan, the website and Facebook stats and revised west wall Grand Opera House signage. Any ongoing items that might come up before the next meeting also would be included on the agenda. 12. Adjournment Ms. Brabender Mattox made a motion to adjourn and Ms. Stoll Olthoff seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:59 pm (4-0). Recorded by: Steven Wiley,Assistant Planner