Waukesha Landmarks Commission elects chair, approves several roof, window and solar projects and awards repair grants

The Waukesha City Landmarks Commission elected Carmen Dela Paz chair and approved a series of certificates of appropriateness and paint-and-repair grants for properties in the McCall Street, Capels Park and Laughlin Avenue historic districts at its Aug. 6 meeting.

The commission nominated and confirmed Dela Paz during the meeting. "I am here to serve a city that I love," Dela Paz said after accepting the role. The commission also approved its minutes from the July 9 meeting.

The commission reviewed its 2025 paint-and-repair grant program and budget. Charlie, city staff presenting the item, stated that "the paint and repair grant funds for 2025 ... is $25,000," and said the city had not yet received final federal contracts required from Waukesha County; the county was still awaiting updated contract language from the federal government. Charlie said the city can allocate grants but cannot disburse funds until the contracts are finalized and required State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) compliance is complete. He also said $350 remained from one 2024 project, $12,641 has already been approved, leaving $12,359 available to allocate at the time of the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- 305 McCall Street (McCall Street Historic District): The commission approved a paint-and-repair grant of $1,200 to help cover a roof flashing repair and roof treatment at the Margaret Breeze Vincent and George Vincent House, estimated project cost $11,919. Homeowner Carolyn Coates said the repair stopped active leaks. The motion passed.

- 325 East Newhall Avenue (Capels Park Historic District): The commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to repair damaged soffit and replace a damaged storm window on the Lloyd Bauer House. Applicants said water intrusion had been fixed and that repairs would be limited to damaged areas; the contractor will use an engineered wood product for the replacement storm window frame. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the Wisconsin Historical Society because shingles previously approved for the house did not receive that agency's approval. Motion passed.

- 211 West Laughlin Avenue (Laughlin Avenue Historic District): The commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the main roof and to add solar panels to a rear, second-story roof slope on the William Lunkle House. The applicant selected a pewter-colored Atlas Pinnacle Impact shingle; staff noted the solar panels would be installed on a rear-facing slope to minimize street visibility. The commission separately approved a paint-and-repair grant for the property for $1,477 (15% of the $9,850 roof estimate) with the typical condition that disbursement is subject to county/federal contract and SHPO compliance. Owner Michael Carpenter said the project has an estimated payback period of about 14 years and that the pewter shingle color was selected.

- 215 West Laughlin Avenue (adjacent property): The commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the garage roof and to install solar panels on the garage roof (garage roof estimate $4,200). Commissioners discussed whether accessory structures that are noncontributing should receive the same grant percentage as primary residences; the commission approved a paint-and-repair grant at 10% ($420) for the garage roof. The applicant intends the garage panels to serve the house and an electric car charger in the garage; presenters said the system will be wired without visible aerial lines.

Several approvals included procedural reminders: staff advised applicants seeking historic-preservation tax credits to apply to the Wisconsin Historical Society before making final material decisions on primary-house roofs, because tax-credit requirements can be stricter than local commission standards.

Why it matters

The commission’s actions will allow several homeowners in Waukesha’s historic districts to proceed with roof, window and solar installations and to receive modest matching grants intended to encourage preservation-sensitive repairs. The approvals also reflect the commission’s balancing of historic-preservation standards, visibility of solar equipment, and practical maintenance needs for older houses.

What’s next

Most grants and any disbursements are contingent on final county-level federal contract documents and SHPO compliance review; staff told the commission they would follow up with the Wisconsin Historical Society in one case where prior shingles had been rejected. The commission did not set new policy on chair or vice-chair terms; staff noted the city ordinance does not specify chair or vice-chair selection procedures.

Meeting context

Commissioners spent roughly 45–50 minutes on the agenda items covered, with homeowners present for property-specific approvals. Staff provided cost estimates, reviewed prior approvals, and flagged external requirements (county contracts, SHPO).