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Commission begins multi‑month review of Chapter 115 ordinances, flags design standards and solar guidance
Summary
The Heritage Preservation Commission launched a review of Chapter 115 ordinances, discussed removing minor permit reviews from commission purview, restoring window/siding permits on Jan. 1, and flagged carriage‑house/ADU design and solar‑panel guidance for consultant work in January.
The La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission also began a broader review of ordinances that fall under Chapter 115, asking staff to identify low‑priority items that could be handled administratively and higher‑priority design standards that may need consultant work.
Staff asked the commission to consider whether obscure items—such as front‑yard parking waivers, small accessory structures, and awnings—could be shifted to administrative review where clear standards exist. The staff member said some items are “low hanging fruit” that could be removed from commission review to reduce workload and focus commission time on larger policy matters.
On specific programmatic items, Chief Reinhardt said the city council approved a fee to restore permits for window, siding and door replacements and that “those permits will start again January 1,” a change staff said will make it easier to catch inappropriate alterations in historic districts. Staff also flagged a longer conversation about carriage houses and accessory dwelling units—height limits and design elements may require consultant analysis to reconcile historic‑district rules with new ADU policy.
Commissioners discussed whether the commission should continue to review rescue‑platform aesthetics and second‑garage allowances and whether some standards are now obsolete because prior inspection programs resolved many noncompliant rental conversions. Staff recommended preserving local district processes but updating design standards that are 10–15 years old, particularly downtown.
Solar panels drew early attention as an item to include in updated design standards. The staff member suggested following Secretary of the Interior standards as a baseline and adding local guidance so property owners and installers understand acceptable approaches for historic properties.
Staff asked commissioners to submit ideas and to expect ongoing discussion over the next few months, with the goal of final recommendations to feed consultants in February and further commission work in January.
