Council adopts ordinance requiring 3D scans of designated historic buildings before demolition

The Common Council approved a substitute ordinance on March 3 requiring three-dimensional (3D) scans for historically designated properties or properties in historic districts as a condition of a certificate of appropriateness for demolition.

Sponsor Alderman Bauman said the scans create a permanent record — citing the Notre Dame restoration as an example — and that the Historic Preservation Commission will maintain the records. The sponsor said the requirement would apply only to main buildings (not garages) and that costs would fall to the property owner; he and others noted the city issues relatively few demolition COAs where this would apply.

Several members raised concerns about cost, vendor capacity in Milwaukee, and whether the requirement imposes an undue burden. Bauman said university and local vendors (including the University of Wisconsin School of Architecture and Urban Planning) can perform scans and that the time needed is modest in many cases. A substitute amendment was accepted on the floor, and the council then adopted the file by roll call; the clerk recorded a mix of ayes, noes and abstentions on several votes on the amendment and on the file.

The ordinance requires owners seeking demolition certificates to provide a scan prepared to specifications promulgated by the Historic Preservation Commission; the scans are intended to preserve architectural detail for study and potential future use. The transcript reflects that the council did not specify a fixed dollar cost; sponsors said cost will vary by building size.