Summary

Historic Preservation Commission — January 12, 2026 meeting minutes: local designation approved and multiple Certificates of Appropriateness adopted

MilwaukeeJan 12, 20264 min read

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Meeting convened Jan. 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM in City Hall Room 301‑B. Chair: Jordan Morales. Present: Pieper Eisenbrown, Jarosz, Bauman, Peltz, Robinson, Morales (Keating Kahn excused). Major items: approval of storefront replacement at 235 S. 2nd St.; permanent local historic designation granted for the Second German Methodist Episcopal Church (140 W. Garfield Ave.); several COAs for residential and commercial properties approved; combined chimney removal and third‑floor balcony request at 2015 N. Lake Drive denied/placed on file; rear addition at 2546 N. Summit Ave. approved with conditions. Minutes from Dec. 8 and Dec. 16 approved. University Club item held at applicant’s request. Meeting adjourned 5:27 PM.

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for storefront replacement at 235 S. 2nd Street (Borger Building, LLC) — revised design unanimously approved.
Adopted substitute resolution granting permanent local historic designation to the Second German Methodist Episcopal Church (140 W. Garfield Avenue) under staff‑identified criteria (F1, F5, F6, F9).
Held in committee: COA for entrance canopy and other alterations at University Club, 924 E. Wells Street (request by applicant).
Approved COA for alterations related to apartment conversion at 1135 W. Historic Mitchell Street (Amit Ray) pending further window product detailing consistent with historic appearance.
Denied/placed on file the combined request for chimney removal and adding a third‑floor balcony at 2015 N. Lake Drive (John and Sarah Hambrook); applicant advised to revise design and submit chimney and balcony as separate proposals.
Approved COA for a two‑story rear addition at 2546 N. Summit Avenue (David and Karen Hecht) with staff conditions (matching materials, natural or acetylated wood trim, etc.).
Adopted multiple staff‑approved COAs for routine work (examples include roof replacement at 4370 N. 25th St.; chimney rebuilding at 2107 E. Kenilworth Pl.; new wood fences; HVAC equipment installations; lead‑paint abatement; door and retaining wall work).
Adopted Certified Local Government reviews for National Register nominations including St. Benedict the Moor Roman Catholic Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and the updated Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company nomination.
Approved minutes from Dec. 8 and Dec. 16; election of a Vice‑Chair was held in committee to allow the nominee (Patricia Keating Kahn) to be present.

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