Waukesha Landmarks Commission approves multiple COAs, awards paint-and-repair grants and grants preliminary emergency repairs

The City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission on June 4, 2025 approved several certificates of appropriateness and awarded multiple paint-and-repair grants, while also granting preliminary emergency authorization for water-related repairs at a recently purchased house pending a fuller submission from the owner’s contractor.

The commission confirmed that $25,000 remains available in the Landmarks Commission paint-and-repair fund for the year and noted that grant approvals must now be made conditional on Waukesha County and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) compliance checks before funds are disbursed.

Votes at a glance

- 301 Windsor Drive (Certificate of Appropriateness, COA). Outcome: Approved. Motion (as recorded): approve COA using the proposed “brown wood” (brownwood/duration) shingles, white vinyl basement windows (mostly below grade and hidden), and matching tuckpointing mortar in color and hardness to existing. Owner Rudy Oceda appeared and answered questions on roof color and window choices. Condition/notes: Commissioners discussed preferring a shingle color and approved white vinyl for limited-visibility basement windows; matching mortar required. (Motion moved/seconded on the record; voice vote: ayes recorded.)

- Paint-and-repair grants (program recap). Outcome: Commission reiterated funds of $25,000 are available and that grant approvals must be conditional on Waukesha County and SHPO review. Staff said the county and SHPO want the packet sent before grants are distributed; commissioners noted this increases staff workload this season.

- 517 Madison Street (Consultation to repaint). Outcome: Consultation was continued without a grant payment because the homeowner was not present. Commissioners indicated they would approve the paint work but prefer the owner be present when grant funds are distributed.

- 311 McCall Street (Paint-and-repair grant for previously approved roof replacement). Outcome: Approved; the record shows the commission approved a paint-and-repair award for the project. (Motion recorded and voice vote affirmative.)

- 242 North Hartwell Avenue (Paint-and-repair grant for gutter replacement). Outcome: Approved. Commissioners approved a grant at the program maximum for this season (recorded as $3,000 in the meeting discussion) because the project estimate exceeded the usual maximum; motion seconded and approved by voice vote.

- 305 McCall Street (COA for roof leak repairs and roof treatment). Outcome: COA and roof treatment (flashing plus a roof-protection application described by the applicant as a “roof treatment/nano-chemical”) were approved; commissioners discussed that chimney flashing and other repairs may be needed beyond the submitted treatment. The commission deferred the paint-and-repair grant decision to allow the homeowner to attend a future meeting; commissioners bench-marked the grant for reconsideration.

- 134 West Laflin Avenue (COA for front and rear porch replacement and paint-and-repair grant). Outcome: COA for front and rear porches approved with the condition that new railings duplicate the approved rear railing as closely as possible; paint-and-repair grant approved at the typical 15% level of the project estimate (the commission recorded a grant of $19.71 in the minutes). Owner Julie Stockinger and contractor Will Nurse were present to explain foundation, decking and flashing details; commissioners recommended a thermal break over underlying concrete and discussed composite decking for the rear porch.

- Related paint-and-repair grant for 134 West Laflin Avenue. Outcome: Approved (amount recorded in the meeting: $19.71 based on 15% of an estimated $13,137 project cost; staff to verify final amounts and condition on county/SHPO approvals).

- 202 West College Avenue (Landmark submission; proposed full siding replacement). Outcome: The commission granted preliminary approval for emergency water-repair work (authorizing immediate steps to stop water intrusion) conditioned on the owner providing a contractor’s detail package for full Certificate of Appropriateness review next month. Owners Nick and Emma Vasek described active rot around windows, a hole in the sunroom soffit and water entering the house; commissioners said a contractor’s drawings and material callouts are required before final approval of full siding replacement using LP SmartSide or comparable materials.

- 201 West Laflin Avenue (COA to replace storm windows and repair sills; plus paint-and-repair grant). Outcome: COA for wood-frame storm windows approved; paint-and-repair grant approved at a 15% rate (recorded grant amount: $2,150 in the meeting record). Applicant Michelle Panton attended and confirmed Marvin combo storm/screens were proposed in many locations.

- 507 North Grand Avenue (COA to replace third-story windows). Outcome: COA approved. Owner Karen Grama attended and the commission approved composite Renewal by Andersen Acclaim double-hung windows for the third floor; commissioners noted the Italianate style’s third-floor windows are meant to be less prominent and directed color selection to coordinate with existing trim.

What commissioners emphasized

Commissioners repeatedly asked that grant approvals be conditional on Waukesha County and SHPO sign-offs. They expressed preference, where possible, for materials and colors that match or recapture original appearance but showed flexibility for limited-visibility, below-grade basement windows (where white vinyl windows were approved at 301 Windsor). Several applications were approved with the explicit requirement that tuckpointing mortar match existing in color and hardness or that contractor drawings and material callouts be provided for complex siding work.

Next steps

Staff will compile and forward required paperwork to Waukesha County and SHPO as needed before grant disbursement. Several applicants were asked to return with contractor drawings or to be present for final grant distribution. The commission scheduled a next regular meeting on July 2, 2025 but asked members to confirm availability to ensure a quorum.