Waukesha Landmarks Commission approves multiple COAs and grants; paint-and-repair fund remains $25,000

The Waukesha Landmarks Commission on June 4, 2025 approved multiple certificates of appropriateness and paint-and-repair grants for properties in the city's historic districts and reviewed a number of repair and replacement proposals. Commission staff told members the 2025 paint-and-repair fund balance is $25,000 with $350 remaining from an incomplete 2024 project.

Why this matters: the commission's approvals allow property owners to move forward with exterior repairs, roofing, window replacement and porch work in designated historic districts. Some grants and approvals are conditional on further review by Waukesha County and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Votes at a glance:

- 301 Windsor Drive (Cahill House, Capels Park Historic District). The commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for roof replacement, replacement of two basement windows (proposed Seaway Commander casement vinyl windows), and tuckpointing of masonry. The approval includes use of an Owens Corning Duration Designer "brown wood" shingle (applicant to confirm final shingle choice) and white vinyl windows for the below-grade openings; new mortar must match existing color and hardness. Motion text and outcome were recorded at the meeting; mover and second were not specified in the record. Outcome: approved.

- Paint-and-repair grants and fund status. Staff reported $25,000 available in the 2025 paint-and-repair fund and $350 carried over from an incomplete 2024 project. The commission adopted the practice (as noted by staff) of making paint-and-repair approvals conditional on Waukesha County and SHPO compliance review. Several individual grants were approved during the meeting (see items below). The commission discussed a general preference for awarding grants at the 15% level (per existing guidelines) to stretch the fund.

- 311 McCall Street (Charles H. Howard House, McCall Street Historic District). The commission approved a paint-and-repair grant for a previously approved roof replacement. The motion and vote were recorded at the meeting; the specific grant amount as read aloud in the record was unclear. Outcome: approved (grant amount not specified in meeting record).

- 242 North Hartwell Avenue (Michael and Jane McCoy House, McCall Street Historic District). The commission approved a paint-and-repair grant for gutter repair work. The commission capped the award at the established maximum and approved $3,000. Outcome: approved; approved grant amount: $3,000.

- 305 McCall Street (Margaret and George Vincent House, McCall Street Historic District). The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to repair leaks and apply a roof-protection treatment (company-described's "Cerricade" roof treatment) and approve flashing repairs; commissioners requested the applicant consider additional chimney tuckpointing and more complete repairs. The commission voted to bench the related paint-and-repair grant request until the homeowner could appear and provide further detail. Outcome: COA approved; paint-and-repair grant tabled to next meeting.

- 134 West Laflin Avenue (Frank and Julie Stockinger House, Laflin Avenue Historic District). The commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the front and rear porches; the approval requires railings to duplicate the rear railing as closely as practical and match on both sides of the house. The commission also approved a paint-and-repair grant for the project at the 15% guideline level (the meeting record reads an award amount that is unclear in transcript; see clarifying details). Outcome: COA approved; paint-and-repair grant approved (amount recorded in meeting transcript as unclear).

- 202 West College Avenue (College Avenue Historic District). Because of extensive documented rot and active water intrusion, the commission granted preliminary emergency approval to proceed with water-related emergency repairs (soffit/siding triage) contingent on submission of final material and detail drawings for full Certificate of Appropriateness review next month. Outcome: preliminary emergency repair approval granted; final COA required.

- 201 West Laflin Avenue (H.E. Osborne House, Laflin Avenue Historic District). The commission approved replacement of storm windows with wood-frame storms, repair of rotten sills, and a paint-and-repair grant. Outcome: COA approved; paint-and-repair grant approved (meeting record shows a grant motion for $2,150; the transcript phrasing contained numeric ambiguities; see clarifying details).

- 507 North Grand Avenue (Andrew Grama House, individually designated local landmark). The commission approved replacement of third-floor windows with Andersen A-Series (acclaim) double-hung composite windows, with the applicant to use a paint color sample presented at the meeting. Outcome: COA approved.

- 517 Madison Street (Captain Elihu Enos House, Madison Street Historic District). The item was on the agenda as a consultation for repainting; the homeowner was not present. Commissioners were willing to approve the paint work but declined to distribute grant funds until the homeowner appears to accept a paint-and-repair award. Outcome: consultation held; grant distribution deferred pending homeowner presence.

What the approvals mean in practice: most approvals allow owners to begin work but some awards and disbursements are conditional on county and SHPO compliance reviews or on the homeowner returning with additional details or being present for grant distribution. For properties with preliminary or emergency approvals, applicants must return with construction details and final materials before full certificates of appropriateness are finalized.

The commission meeting included multiple roll-call and voice votes; several motions were seconded and recorded as approved by voice vote. The meeting packet and staff remarks emphasized that grant awards follow existing paint-and-repair guidelines (typically a percentage of eligible project costs with a $3,000 guideline maximum and discretionary upward adjustments by the commission).