HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8 - 530 N Main City of Oshkosh
Dept.of Community Development
Planning Services Division
City 215 Church Ave., PO Box 1130
of Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130
Oshkosh (920)236-5059 (920)236-5053 FAX Darryn Burich,Director
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us Planning Services Division
April 3, 2019
Mr. Jake Reib
Edge Consulting Engineers, Inc.
624 Water Street
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
RE: U.S. CELLULAR/OSHKOSH DT (776305) Project# 21575
530 N Main, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Winnebago County, Oshkosh Quadrangle (USGS)
Dear Mr. Reib,
The Oshkosh Landmarks Commission is registering a statement regarding the placement of cell
phone towers and antennae near a historic district. Our mission is to safeguard the historic
integrity of the built structures and districts of Oshkosh and we respectfully submit our
explanation:
I. Completely object to installation of a cell phone antenna on historic structures that are
on the state and national historic register, eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or
contributing structures within a historic district;
2. Strongly discourage installation of antenna on historic structures that are on the register
or eligible for the register, locally landmarked, or contributing structures within a historic
district even if they are incorporated into the building's architecture as not to be visible
(because they pose a threat to the historic integrity of the building/structure);
3. Discourage installation on non-contributing structures within an historic district; but,
if sited on said structures, the installation should be incorporated into the architecture
and/or sited, and screened as not to be obvious or visible within the historic district;
4. Are concerned with an installation of a tower or antenna on non-contributing structures
outside a historic district if they have a visual impact on a historic district or other
structures of local historic significance.
Considering the circumstances, this installation of a structure on North Main Street, is outside a
historic district and would fit under#2, above. It is necessary to be vigilant and safeguard the
integrity of Oshkosh's architectural heritage. The Landmarks Commission determined that the
replacement antennae will be located on a contributing structure in the North Main Historic
District. Many contributing structures within the district are within sight of this property. Over
the years many telecommunications structures were installed on the building. The antennae are
replacing previous antennae and the Landmarks Commission does not anticipate any visual
impacts to the North Main Historic District. If the antennae are installed in the same locations as
the previous antennae,this will reduce their visual impact. Though the proposed work does not
appear to increase the visual impact, the Landmarks Commission is concerned with the large
number of already existing telecommunications elements on the building.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office 920.236.5062 if you have any questions or concerns
regarding this letter.
Respectfully,
Steven Wiley
Landmarks Commission
City of Oshkosh Staff Liaison