Delafield approves contingent lease for Tall Pines Conservancy office space at visitor center

The Delafield Common Council on May 19 granted contingent approval of a draft lease between the city and Tall Pines Conservancy for office space at 421 Main Street (the City’s visitor center). The approval is subject to incorporation of staff and city-attorney comments and final review. Council approval also conditions any occasional use of the fish hatchery building on Park and Rec Commission approval.

Under the draft lease terms discussed at the meeting, Tall Pines would pay a base rent of $850 per month plus half the building’s utility costs. Tall Pines also requested occasional use of the fish hatchery meeting room for up to three events per month on Monday through Thursday, provided the city’s recreation schedule allows and Park and Rec grants approval. Tom (staff) noted those uses must be coordinated with existing rental schedules and are subject to Park and Rec authorization.

Becky Fedak, executive director of Tall Pines Conservancy, spoke to the council and said the organization recently acquired storage space elsewhere and now seeks a downtown office presence to maintain connections in Lake Country. Tall Pines is a 501(c)(3) land trust focused on preserving farmland in southeast Wisconsin; the board and staff told the council they want a local presence while storing event supplies and materials at donated farm property outside Delafield.

Councilmember motioned and seconded the contingent approval; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff will incorporate attorney redline changes, finalize the lease, and coordinate Park and Rec review of the fish-hatchery access request.

Why it matters: The lease creates a downtown presence for a regional land-trust organization and uses available office space in the visitor center following the chamber’s departure. The arrangement is contingent on standard staff and attorney review and does not change use of the visitor center’s primary tenant space.