By Kim McDarison
The Fort Atkinson City Council Tuesday approved a first reading of an amendment to city code changing requirements for members of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
The proposed amendment also changes the process through which some property owners within the city’s Downtown Historic Mixed Use Zoning District can apply for approval to make exterior changes to their properties.
Within a memo to council, City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire noted that while the amendment did not include a fee schedule for property owners submitting special area designs for review within the city’s Downtown Historic Mixed Use Zoning District, staff did intend to review the requirement in 2022 and recommend that the city council adopt a fee in 2023.
Information shared with the council on Tuesday indicated that the city’s Historic Preservation Commission had been working with city staff to clarify its role and responsibilities regarding review of projects and granting approvals for Certificates of Appropriateness as they related to the city’s designated Downtown Historic Mixed Use District.
According to LeMire, the city must have a Historic Preservation Commission or similar body because the city has locally designated historic landmarks.
Additionally, LeMire noted in her memo, the commission has advised city staff that it is having difficulty recruiting members to serve on the five-member body. Three of the body’s five positions are filled. Members serve at large.
Proposed changes affecting the preservation commission
As stipulated by city code, those who serve on the commission are appointed by the council president. Members are further required to live in the city of Fort Atkinson, and two must also be members of the city’s historical society. Language within city code notes that members “shall have, to the highest extend practicable, a known interest in historic preservation.”
New language passing a first reading Tuesday stipulates that, of the five at-large members, at least two “shall be associated with the historical society.”
Also changed is language stating that the members of the preservation commission would hold hearings, review requests and make recommendations to the city council. New language indicates that the commission will perform those duties and make its recommendation to the city’s Plan Commission. The amendment next stipulates that the Plan Commission, and not the city council, shall make final determinations per the city’s zoning ordinance.
Looking at the overall composition of the preservation commission, new language allows that at least three members of the body reside in the city of Fort Atkinson. Two other members may reside up to 20 miles outside of the city, provided that they work within the city limits, own property within the city’s historic district or own property that has been designated as a local landmark.
Traditionally, members of the preservation commission serve five-year terms. New language proposes that members shall serve three-year terms. Members can be reappointed up to two additional terms, which is an increase over existing language which allows reappointment by one additional term.
Proposed changes affecting the process for design approval
Changes proposed to city code further stipulate that any owner of a property or structure within the city’s Downtown Historic Mixed Use Zoning District looking to make changes to the exterior of the structure, including replacing materials or paint colors, must submit an application to the Plan Commission for a Special Area Design Review.
The applications and any supplemental materials will be forwarded to the preservation commission for review and a recommendation from that body will be returned to the Plan Commission for final approval.
Structures built after 1925 are exempted from the special area design review process, but remain subject to all applicable regulations within the city’s zoning ordinance, new language stipulates.
A first reading of the new language was unanimously approved Tuesday and the proposed amendment is anticipated to appear for a second reading on the city council’s next meeting agenda scheduled for Feb. 1.
Ordinances and amendments that change them made within the city of Fort Atkinson are subject to three readings unless council opts to waive future readings.
Two graphics above: At top, a map shows the city of Fort Atkinson’s various zoning districts. The Downtown Historic Mixed Use Zoning District is indicated in brown. Above, a closer view of the downtown area focuses on the city’s Downtown Historic Mixed Use Zoning District, indicated in brown.
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