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File #: 251617    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: In Council-Passage
File created: 1/20/2026 In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: An ordinance relating to the documentation of historic buildings before demolition.
Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN
Attachments: 1. Hearing Notice List
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
2/24/20261 ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE

Minutes note: Appearing: Tim Askin, HPC Matt Jarosz, UW-Milwaukee Architecture & Urban Planning This ordinance authorizes the Historic Preservation Commission to require historic building documentation (scanning) before demolition as a condition of approving a certificate of appropriateness for designated or registered historic buildings, structures, or site features. It defines “historic building documentation,” authorizes the commission to adopt documentation guidelines, and provides that no demolition permit may be issued until required documentation is submitted in compliance with adopted standards. The ordinance does not alter existing demolition procedures or timelines. There was discussion on the scanning technology and costs.
Pass5:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
2/23/20261 CITY CLERK DRAFT SUBMITTED   Action details Meeting details Not available
1/20/20260 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available
Number
251617
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
An ordinance relating to the documentation of historic buildings before demolition.
Section
320-21-3-i cr
320-21-5 am
320-21-11-c-3 cr
Analysis
This ordinance authorizes the Historic Preservation Commission to require historic building documentation before demolition as a condition of approving a certificate of appropriateness for designated or registered historic buildings, structures, or site features. It defines “historic building documentation,” authorizes the commission to adopt documentation guidelines, and provides that no demolition permit may be issued until required documentation is submitted in compliance with adopted standards. The ordinance does not alter existing demolition procedures or timelines.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 320-21-3-i of the code is created to read:

320-21. Historic Preservation Commission.

3. DEFINITIONS
i. “Historic building documentation” means comprehensive three-dimensional digital documentation of an existing building, structure, or site designated as historic, located within a designated historic district, or listed on or located within a district listed on the national register of historic places, using advanced spatial data capture methods capable of producing an accurate, measurable, and scalable digital model of the resource. The documentation shall capture exterior elevations, volumetric relationships, spatial geometry, and significant architectural features with sufficient precision to permit future measurement, modeling, digital reconstruction, research, and public educational use. The resulting documentation shall constitute a permanent digital twin or equivalent archival digital representation of the building, structure, or site. Documentation shall be completed using industry-accepted professional standards and equipment sufficient to ensure survey-level ac...

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