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Plan Commission approves Hein Law and State Farm facade changes, takes no final action on Patty Shack storefront
Summary
Fort Atkinson’s Plan Commission approved two downtown façade design reviews (Hein Law Office and State Farm Insurance) and declined to take final action on a proposed Patty Shack storefront reconfiguration after commissioners and Historic Preservation Commission members raised concerns about materials, clarity of renderings and first‑floor window transparency.
At its June 23 meeting the Fort Atkinson Plan Commission reviewed three downtown special area design applications and took action on two.
Staff presented the Hein Law Office project (101 South Main), a design alteration to repaint exterior walls in two tan shades; the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviewed sample swatches and staff recommended approval. The commission voted to approve the Hein Law Office special area design review as presented.
The commission then reviewed a proposal for Patty Shack (201 South Main) to reconfigure a recessed storefront to a flush storefront to accommodate an interior golf simulator. Staff and HPC noted the proposed aluminum framing and the loss of the existing recessed entrance; HPC said the replacement storefront is preferable to permanently eliminating it but raised concerns about material and finish. The applicant indicated the simulator is not permanent and the storefront could be re‑configured again in the future. Commissioner Peggy moved to table the item to allow alternate designs to be considered, saying she had seen an alternate rendering that she felt was more attractive; that motion received no second and failed. Commissioners discussed requiring dark bronze or black framing to better match historic character and flagged ordinance requirements that first‑floor windows remain viewable to the street. Because there was no motion to approve and commissioners expressed differing preferences (approvals conditioned on color versus wanting to see alternate designs), the commission took no final action on Patty Shack and asked staff to continue discussions with the applicant.
For 103 South Main (State Farm Insurance), staff presented a design alteration that would reconfigure a vacant storefront and repaint the facade; HPC recommended adjustments to materials and paint swatches. Nate Young (Denton Construction), representing the applicant, said the applicant will submit updated renderings and confirmed a plan to wrap the storefront jambs in an aluminum system matching the new storefront. The commission approved the State Farm design review with a friendly amendment requiring the storefront jambs be wrapped in dark aluminum and requiring the applicant to provide period‑appropriate paint swatches for staff review.
Commissioners emphasized downtown character and pedestrian interest during debate: several commissioners said they want first‑floor windows to remain transparent and urged applicants to consider storefront interest when a separate door is consolidated. The Patty Shack item will return if the applicant submits revised designs; the approved Hein Law and State Farm projects may proceed per the conditions the commission set.
No vote tallies beyond voice vote affirmations were recorded in the meeting transcript.
