Aldermen Continue Debate Over Proposed Landmarks Ordinance Changes

It has been more than a year since Alderman Duane Paulson asked that the Ordinance and License Committee enact an ordinance .

And it still could be weeks before the committee makes a recommendation to the Common Council about that proposal.

The committee heard Monday night reasons from an ad-hoc committee why the city’s ordinance should remain the same. However, Paulson was not present at the meeting to speak, which nearly caused Alderman Roger Patton to walk out so that the committee would no longer have a quorum to discuss the issue.

Instead of walking out, though, Patton agreed to listen to the ad-hoc committee’s presentation, which presented concerns about property owners losing tax credits already given to them if the city’s ordinance would change.

Because the Landmarks Commission is a certified local government, it has certain powers that could be affected if an ordinance would require a property owners’ consent to become a landmark, according to Landmarks Commissioner Reginald Sprecher, who chaired the ad-hoc committee.

The city’s current laws allow the Landmarks Commission to give leniency in certain aspects of building codes for commercial buildings. It also allows for the creation of historic districts where buildings collectively can be receive a historical designation and receive historic tax credits.

Commercial properties to date have obtained about $8 million in the historic tax credits and individual properties have received $1.5 million, Sprecher said. Those property owners could be jeopardized if the ordinance is changed.

“We are talking about $10 million that has directly benefited historic property owners within the community and in the City of Waukesha,” he said. “That is a potential risk factor that we could lose if we were to create this opt-out clause within our ordinance. “

Patton told Patch after the meeting that Paulson’s request was about properties that are not yet landmarks, which is why he felt the alderman should have been present to share his reasons.

The controversy surrounding the landmarks designation that was given to a Tudor-style former gas station owned by . The property was designated a landmark months after the YMCA purchased the property, which would require the YMCA to maintain the building as a landmark.

The YMCA had purchased with building with the intent to raze it as part of its future development plans. While it lost its initial appeal to have the landmarks designation repealed, it won a second appeal when it demonstrated it was unable to sell the building because of its landmarks status.

Paulson first brought the issue in a letter to the editor in January 2011. Paulson again argued his points before the Ordinance and License Committee in March 2011.

“This goes to a fairness issue,” . “This goes to property owner rights.”

Future of Landmarks Commission Questioned

Meanwhile, Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima is asking the Common Council to provide them with their views about the future of the Landmarks Commission, citing concerns and commission resignations.

Here is the email:

I am writing to seek your counsel on the future of the Landmarks Commission.

While this commission can provide a valuable service to our community, as many of you are aware we have received a number of complaints regarding the Commission during this last year. Specifically we had the prior architect and chairman resign, and have received comments of concern from commission members, citizens, as well as aldermen.

In order to navigate the complexities and opposing emotions involved with this issue, please let me know before next week if you feel we should, as a governing body, re-evaluate the mission, purpose and size of the Landmarks Commission (i.e. the Landmarks Ordinance) or if you have recommendations as to new citizen or aldermanic appointees.

Thank you for your collaboration in creating a better outcome!