Waukesha Landmarks Commission to send letter opposing proposed decrease to Blair House National Register boundary

The Waukesha Landmarks Commission voted Feb. 5 to send a draft response opposing a pending application to reduce the individually listed National Register boundary for the Senator William and Henrietta Blair House.

The commission’s draft letter, which commissioners reviewed and approved for signature, states the commission’s opinion that the proposed boundary reduction appears inconsistent with the property’s National Register nomination and the historic parcel documented in 1983. The chair agreed to sign and submit the commission’s letter to the state by the Feb. 21 comment date.

Two residents who identified themselves as owners or advocates for the Blair property addressed the commission during public comment. Lisa Selb, of Madison Street, argued that a mapping error in the 1990 Madison Street Historic District documentation created an “imaginary line” that makes the Blair parcel appear split and said city staff’s position—that only the upper half qualifies as historic—was incorrect. “When the Blair House was put on the National Register in 1983, already had the parking lot there... the national register didn't say that's not historic enough,” Selb said.

Karen Frame, a Waukesha resident who said she owns historic property in the city, told commissioners she supported Selb and expressed concern about repurposing donated land for uses that differ from donors’ intent, drawing a comparison to prior local controversies.

Commissioners discussed a letter they received from Brian Running (city staff) and clarified the limits of the commission’s jurisdiction: the commission may provide an opinion on whether a boundary decrease is appropriate for the National Register listing but does not control subsequent land use or zoning decisions if the boundary is altered. One commissioner said the commission’s role is to preserve historic footprints and to document opinion; the final decision rests with the state or other reviewing authority.

A motion to approve the draft response as written passed at the meeting; the chair will sign and staff will transmit the letter. The commission and local owners said they will also submit individual comments; the chair said the mayor also will submit a comment.

Commissioners asked staff to reformat the draft onto commission letterhead, remove internal notes, and send copies to commissioners prior to submission. The chair requested one printed copy for retention.

The commission’s packet included references to the 1983 National Register nomination and the later Madison Street historic mapping; commissioners noted that the nomination did not explicitly exclude the southern portion of the parcel and that the commission’s opinion will document that concern for the state review.