Kenosha preservation commission denies certificate for Uptown library roof work

The Kenosha Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 30 denied a certificate of appropriateness for exterior alterations at the Uptown (West Branch) Library at 241960 Third Street, saying the materials proposed did not comply with Section 15.1(e) of the City of Kenosha zoning ordinance and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Chair called the meeting to order and, after staff presentation and public comment, the commission moved and voted by voice to deny the certificate. The action followed a staff recommendation to seek bids for imitation slate that more closely resembles authentic slate and to preserve copper gutters and flashing if salvable.

"Shortly after [the current roof] was installed, the shingles started curling up," Mike Mackey of the Department of City Development said, describing the condition that prompted the replacement. Mackey told the commission that the building originally had slate roofing and that, because of timing and prior recertification, the current roof did not come before the commission when it was installed. He said staff would have recommended retaining slate if it had been salvageable and within budget.

Library assistant director Christy Helmkamp said the library is new to the project team and that director Sarah Thompson was at a conference. Helmkamp asked the commission to consider aluminum downspouts that "mimic copper" because of repeated theft of copper fixtures, while preserving original copper gutters if possible.

Dan Davis, maintenance superintendent for the libraries, said he solicited bids and "did get 2 slate bids," but many roofers declined to bid on the project. He said one manufacturer representative had recommended asphalt and that imitation slate and real slate prices were similar in the estimates he obtained.

Staff told commissioners that the project had been entered in the city's capital improvement plan (CIP) with a figure described in discussion as under $75,000 for a slate replacement; the staff packet included a lower contract amount listed as approximately $71,200. Preservation staff recommended issuing a bid set requesting imitation slate so the library and city could compare informed estimates.

Commissioners questioned the urgency of immediate replacement and whether waiting to obtain additional bids would reduce the risk of losing historic character. Library staff said leaks had been observed on the building's southeast side and that further delay could lead to more water damage.

After discussion the commission moved and seconded to deny the certificate of appropriateness; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The minutes of the commission's Aug. 28 meeting were also approved earlier in the session by voice vote.

The commission left open the possibility of working with library staff to issue a bid set that specified imitation slate and to consider patinaed aluminum downspouts where theft is a concern. No further binding direction or additional deadlines were specified at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the Aug. 28 minutes by voice vote. On the Uptown Library certificate of appropriateness (Item 1), the commission voted to deny the certificate by voice vote; the denial implements the staff recommendation that the current proposal not be approved because it does not meet Section 15.1(e) of the City of Kenosha zoning ordinance and does not comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.