Summary

Historic Preservation Commission Approves Major Projects

MilwaukeeJul 6, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The commission unanimously approved demolition of the fire-damaged Lincoln Avenue School, citing extensive destruction and safety risks. It also approved multiple historic-district projects, including garages, porch work, repairs, and new construction.

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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Housing

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What this means

Lincoln Avenue School was approved for demolition after a fire caused the roof to collapse and severely damaged the interior. Milwaukee Public Schools said it would salvage architectural brick or stone if doing so is safe and allowed by contamination testing. The commission also amended its bylaws so it will not review rear-yard planting beds on mid-block lots when they cannot be seen from the public street.

Key decisions

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Approved demolition of the fire-damaged Lincoln Avenue School at 1817 W. Lincoln Avenue by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Approved demolition and construction of a three-car garage at 2848 N. Sherman Boulevard; the new garage must use smooth-finish siding, wood-like painted trim, and no vinyl windows.
Approved selective window replacement at 4377 N. 25th Street by a 6-1 vote.
Denied retroactive approval for eight vinyl windows at 2377 N. Sherman Boulevard and held the matter in committee pending an approved mothball application; a six-month mothball status was granted to pause enforcement fines.
Approved porch reconstruction, a 30-square-foot porch expansion, and landscaping improvements at 3067 N. Lake Drive.
Approved demolition of an existing garage and construction of a 14-foot-deep, two-car sunken garage with a grass green roof at 2386 N. Terrace Avenue, subject to final street-facing trim details.
Approved a 20-by-19-foot accessory building at 210 W. Brown Street for recreation use, with staff to approve final window and door materials.
Held a proposed door infill at 2665 N. Lake Drive in committee because the applicant was absent.
Approved multiple staff-reviewed certificates of appropriateness for roofs, porches, masonry, fences, windows, awnings, HVAC equipment, tree removal, and related repairs.
Amended the commission's bylaws to clarify that rear-yard planting beds on mid-block lots are outside commission review when not visible from the public right-of-way.

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