Plan Commission denies demolition permits for two Wingra Park houses after extensive public comment

The City of Madison Plan Commission on Jan. 13 unanimously denied demolition permits for two houses at 2021 Jefferson Street and 1007 Edgewood Avenue, concluding the standards in the city demolition‑permit ordinance were not met.

Planning staff reported receipt of an independent inspection report but noted staff had not conducted a physical inspection of the buildings. Chris (Planning Division staff) said staff believes the submitted reports “could support a finding” but emphasized the commission should carefully weigh historic‑preservation considerations.

The two properties lie inside the Wingra Park Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Applicant counsel argued the houses have been altered (vinyl siding and replacement windows) and are not identified in the district registration form as architecturally or historically significant. Attorney Chris Nelson said, “Not every old house is a historic house,” and argued the buildings are structurally deficient, not cost‑effective to preserve, and do not receive federal funding that would restrict demolition.

Opponents — including representatives of the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and multiple preservation professionals and neighbors — urged denial. Kurt Staege, co‑chair of the Madison Trust advocacy committee, said the applicants refused the Trust’s request for a walk‑through and questioned the inspection report’s conclusions about structural unsoundness. Rick Chandler, president of the Madison Trust, told commissioners the city preservation planner and the Landmarks Commission continue to find the houses contribute to the district and said, “The applicant says they should not be listed because they have vinyl siding and other minor changes. This is flatly wrong.”

Other community speakers with renovation experience said the inspection report listed deferred‑maintenance items commonly repaired in older houses. Contractor Sam Breidenbach described similar projects and said the defects in the report “are not scary or insurmountable conditions to a qualified contractor familiar with working on old houses.” Preservation planner Lynn Bjerkman summarized the National Register criteria and told the commission the houses retain enough design, setting and material to be contributing structures.

The commission heard comments about related issues: the City Landmarks Commission had recommended against demolition at an earlier review; some speakers raised concerns about known burial mounds on or adjacent to the parcels and reminded the commission of the requirement to consult the Wisconsin Historical Society for disturbances; and neighbors stressed the city’s adopted comprehensive plan encourages preserving and rehabilitating existing housing.

Commissioner Heck moved to find that the demolition standards were not met (specifically referencing standards 1, 4, 6 and the overall consistency requirement in standard 7); Commissioner Sanders seconded. The commission recorded the motion as passed unanimously.

The commission’s action preserves two contributing buildings in the Wingra Park National Historic District. Staff noted that if the property owner later seeks different approvals or submits additional evidence (for example, a structural evaluation by a licensed engineer demonstrating imminent hazard), the owner may reapply; any disturbance of known burial sites would require review and clearance by the Wisconsin Historical Society as part of permit compliance.

What’s next: the denial leaves the two houses intact and available for rehabilitation or continued occupancy; the commission’s decision defers to the Landmarks Commission’s findings on historic character and highlights the city’s demolition‑permit standards and comprehensive‑plan guidance.