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Landmarks Commission delays decision on 301 Windsor Drive roof, basement windows and tuckpointing
Summary
The commission voted to postpone action until June on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a Capels Park Historic District house seeking roof replacement, two basement window replacements and masonry tuckpointing; staff and commissioners requested samples and tax-credit guidance.
The City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission voted to postpone until its June meeting a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for work at 301 Windsor Drive in the Capels Park Historic District, after commissioners asked staff to obtain more detailed samples and confirm tax-credit requirements.
The application covers replacement of two basement windows with vinyl casement units, replacement of the roof and tuckpointing of masonry. Charlie, the commission staff presenter, said the proposed roof product is an Owens Corning Duration Designer shingle, and the windows are Seaway Commander series vinyl casements. The applicant also indicated plans to apply for historic-preservation tax credits.
Commissioners raised three main concerns: (1) visibility and style of the basement windows and whether to require simulated divided lights, (2) exact color and shadow-line of the proposed designer shingles to ensure they align with historic cedar-shake character, and (3) mortar match for tuckpointing. One commissioner suggested that, because the basement windows are in window wells and are minimally visible from the sidewalk, high-quality vinyl could be acceptable. Another commissioner recommended staff obtain physical samples so the commission could confirm the color and shadow line of the shingles and the mortar match before final administrative approval.
Charlie told the commission he would check whether historic-preservation tax-credit rules would require different materials — for example, whether the tax-credit program requires three-tab shingles or would permit the designer shingles proposed. A commissioner noted additional financial assistance options may exist through RDA-administered leftover ARPA funds and the city’s affordable housing rehab loan program for eligible properties.
The commission made a motion to hold the COA until June to allow staff to pull prior 2023 approval materials, secure samples (roof shingle and tuckpoint mortar), confirm tax-credit requirements, and ask the homeowner to attend the next meeting. The motion to postpone passed; commissioners indicated support for a conditioned or expedited administrative approval once staff and the applicant supplied the requested samples and clarifications.
No permit work was authorized at the May meeting; staff will follow up with the applicant on material samples and tax-credit guidance ahead of the June agenda.
