Full Agenda Packet
HISTORIC COMMISSION AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009
ROOM 416
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
18 NORTH JACKSON STREET
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
5:15 p.m.
1.Call to Order.
2.Comments from the Public.
3.Minutes of the March 23, 2009 regular meeting “C”
4.Downtown Mural Project.
5. Discussion of May 2009 Preservation Month Expo and other events.
6. Discussion of Downtown Design Guidelines.
7. Preview of Downtown Projects.
8. Matters Not on the Agenda.
Monday, April 20, 2009.
9. Next Meeting –
10. Adjournment.
** “C” Indicates an item that the Historic Commission will take up under
Consent Agenda.
Please call Tera Barnett (755-3085, Barnettt@ci.janesville.wi.us) if you are unable to
attend the meeting.
City of Janesville Historic Commission Minutes
March 23, 2009
rd
Community Development Conference Room 3 Floor
18 N. Jackson St., Janesville, WI
Members Present:
Dan Atwood, Michael Bolster, Bruce Dennis, Rich Fletcher, Tim Maas, Janine Peterson,
Susan Thompson, and Staff: Brad Cantrell
Others Present:
Gayle Price, Christine Moore, Jackie Wood
1) Call to Order:
Rich Fletcher, commission chair, called the meeting to order at 5:17 p.m.
2) Comments from Public:
None.
3) Minutes of the February 9, 2009 regular meeting. “C”:
A motion was made by Dan Atwood, seconded by
Susan Thompson to approve the consent agenda meeting minutes. There was a question regarding the follow-up
protocol for the commission. Rich Fletcher noted there had been discussion; however no formal follow-up protocol
or procedure had been adopted. The motion carried.
4) Review of proposal and possible other options for installation of stealth telecommunications equipment at
Nativity of Mary Parish School (St. Mary’s) located at 307 East Wall Street.
Gayle Price, city of Janesville,
provided background to the Anglican Church belfry project that was a very successful way to have
telecommunications equipment utilized. He reported to the Commission the request from Cricket to place the
equipment on the roof of St. Mary’s school. Cricket has met with the city of Janesville to discuss the proposals to
come up with an alternative approach to the first proposal which was to apply the equipment to the 3 corners of the
building. The second proposal presented would replace the existing 2 finials with a like finial only taller than the
original. Gayle informed the Commission that Cricket needed approval from the State Historic Preservation
organization because the location is in an established Historic District. Gayle stated the state has denied the second
proposal stating removing a piece of the building would be inconsistent with the objectives and detrimental to the
historic preservation of the school and would rather see the equipment attached to the building above the cornice
and painted to match the color of the existing building. The city is looking to the Historic Commission to help
identify alternative options. Ideas included: placing in the center of the square tower; locating the equipment in the
AT&T building; utilizing the steeple or place on the three corner points of the building. The last idea seemed to
have the most favorable response from the Commission. A motion was made by Bruce Dennis and seconded by
Susan Thompson to encourage Cricket to not pursue the finial plan but an alternative that is more appropriate to the
building which would not remove the current features but place the equipment at the corners of the building.
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5) Discussion of May 2009 Preservation Month Expo and other events:
The Expo will be held on May 16 at the
Old Town Mall from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Trent Margriff has agreed to speak representing the national trust. He
would be scheduled to speak later in the day. Brad Cantrell agreed to contact Jim Sewell to speak about tax credits
through the state. Jackie Wood suggested adding a section on green sustainability and historic preservation. She
shared three ideas for speakers. Other speakers include Al Beyers heating and Ron Sutterlin. The commission
discussed partnering a local example/person with the speakers – for example, as Jim Sewell is discussing tax credits
we would have a local individual discuss their project and how they utilized the credits. If Fred Harmon gave a
hands-on demonstration and discussion about repairing windows, Ron Sutterlin might discuss window replacement.
Jackie Wood and Christine Moore stated they would have a booth with information about the DDA and Design
Committee. Members discussed what kind of media activities need to be done to promote the event. Activities
include: posters, press releases, on-line mailing, as well as a way to notify individuals living in historic districts.
6) Discussion Downtown Design Guidelines:
The Commission continued to review the Downtown Guidelines and
consider the suggestion from the DDA Design Committee to delete the statement that reads: “Awnings that are
barrel vaulted or otherwise rounded are not appropriate unless they can be historically documented.” The
commission debated the pros and cons to the request. It was suggested to table the discussion until the next
meeting so the Secretary of the Interior standards could be checked and photos of current awnings could be
distributed to the commission. Dan Atwood had two additional statements under “Signage,” on pages 26 and 27
and “Awnings,” on page 29. The commission agreed to add the statements. Members also agreed to delete the
second bullet under Sign Placement on page 26 which read: “signs should never appear on any portion of the
building’s upper stories. Other discussion points include: adding photos of the sign types; including dates for each
architectural style photo; change page one to reflect the new changes to the procedure to appoint commission
members; delete the guideline “Letters on awning signs should not exceed 10 inches in height” on page 29. Dan
Atwood and Christine Moore will work with Tera at the City on further editing.
7) Preview of Downtown Projects:
No projects at this time.
8) Matters Not on the Agenda:
a.
Rich Fletcher highlighted the Wisconsin Historical society newsletter Columns handout.
b.
The Wisconsin Historical Society article about a free Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program
workshop on May 29-30 at Monona Terrace Convention Center. Commission members interested in
attending can register by May 15, 2009.
c.
The 2009 Local History and Historic Preservation Conference are scheduled for October 9-10 in Wausau
Wisconsin at the Plaza Hotel & Suites Conference Center.
d.
The WAHPC conference is scheduled in Fond du Lac on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Early-bird registration
is now available through March 31.
e.
Handout on sample guidelines for fences and walls.
f.
Christine Moore will update the commission at the next meeting on the activities of the Historic Gas
Station group and meetings with the city manager.
g.
Christine Moore requested to be added to the agenda for the next Historic Commission meeting to discuss
the downtown mural project.
9) Next Meeting – March 9, 2009
Adjournment:
10) A motion was made by Bruce Dennis and seconded by Susan Thompson to adjourn the meeting at
7:07 p.m. The motion was carried.