To the Honorable Members of the Zoning, Neighborhoods and
Development Committee,
The mission of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc
(MPA) is to promote the cultural and economic value of Milwaukee's historic
built heritage.
For that reason we are writing to you in regards to File
Nos. 100290 and 100291 relating to a change in zoning from Two-Family
Residential to a General Planned Development (GPD) known as the Concordia Trust
Property, and the change in zoning from GPD to a Detailed Planned Development
(DPD) known as the Concordia Trust Property, Phase 1, on land located on the
East Side of North 33rd Street and South of West State Street, to allow for the
redevelopment of the former Concordia College Campus, in the 4th Aldermanic
District.
Whereas the Concordia Trust GPD and DPD resolutions
propose new construction in the locally protected Concordia Historic District,
and
Whereas city code (320-21-11) states that No owner,
renter, occupant or person in charge of a historic site, historic structure or
an improvement within a historic district shall reconstruct or alter all or any
part of the exterior of such property or construct any improvement upon such a
property or properties or permit any such work to be performed upon such
property or demolish such property unless a certificate of appropriateness has
been granted by the (historic preservation) commission. Unless such certificate
has been granted by the (historic preservation) commission, the commissioner of
city development shall not issue a permit for any such work
Therefore MPA respectfully requests that your committee
postpone hearing File Nos 100290 and 100291 until the Historic Preservation
Commission has had an opportunity to review the plans.
To our knowledge it is unprecedented to have your
committee take a decision regarding rezoning in an historic district prior to
the consideration of the Historic Preservation Commission.
It is to the advantage of all involved, including the
developer, for the process to follow the established procedure and go
before the HPC for review. Your committee should then
consider the recommendation of the HPC before approving the proposed rezoning.
The community, the neighborhood, and the City will all be better served if the
proper procedure is followed.
We commend Forest County Potawatomi Community and Irgens
Development Partners for their commitment to the historic neighborhood and look
forward to seeing the successful revitalization of this historic resource within
our city.
Sincerely,
Dawn McCarthy
President,
Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc.