Heritage Preservation Commission on 2026-03-26 6:00 PM — La Crosse, WI
Date: 2026-03-26

City Hall
 City of La Crosse, Wisconsin 400 La Crosse Street
 La Crosse, WI 54601


 Meeting Minutes - Final

 Heritage Preservation Commission

Thursday, March 26, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers- City Hall 400 La Crosse St



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 Call to Order

 The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm.


 Roll Call

 Present: 7 - Laura Godden, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan, Eric Garland, Jim
 Gallagher, Ellie McLoone,John Reiman

 Approval of Minutes


1. Approval of the February 26, 2026 Meeting Minutes.

 Laura Godden moved to approve the minutes. Ellie McLoone seconded. The
 motion passed 7-0.

 Agenda Items:

2. 26-0222 Nomination of Emerson Elementary School (Hillview Orthopedic School),
 located at 2001 Campbell Rd, to be designated as a Local Historic

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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2026

 Landmark.
 Barbara Kooiman, representing the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse (PAL),
 stated that it was nominated as the first and only orthopedic school in La
 Crosse. It was also a part of the WPA/PWA New Deal initiative. Building may
 even meet the criteria to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
 Building is intact and the additions were done sympathetically. Mackenzie
 Mindel ask her to respond to the statement that the programs are not unique or
 first of its kind in La Crosse. Barbara stated that there were others but they
 lacked accessibility. Emerson was the first to be built that was 100% dedicated
 to children with disabilities. It showed progressive thinking of the School
 District at that time. Laura Godden asked if the "Baby Boom" aspects are still
 preserved in the building. Barbara stated that she thought they were and that
 the School District hired the same architects to design the 2nd floor, and while
 it does not have as many, still incorporated many of the New Deal era features.
 Laura Godden asked if she new if other schools in the State integrated both
 disabled and non-disabled kids. Barbara stated that she did not know.

 Dr. Aaron Engel, La Crosse School District Superintendent, stated that he was
 opposed to the designation of Emerson Elementary. He stated that he did not
 feel that the nomination of the building meets the goals of the HPC as it does
 not display its original character and quality since the there have been
 additions and alterations that have removed all the significant and functional
 features. He also stated that he has concerns with the process for designation
 as there is no transparency to the public on what properties are considered
 historic. He also stated that designation may divert funds from special needs
 students to upkeep the building. Jim Gallgher asked if there were plans for the
 building for disabled students. Dr, Engel stated that there were not specific
 plans for the building at this time. Jim Gallagher asked why it would hurt
 disabled students. Dr. Engel stated that requirements to maintain a historic
 building would divert funding for students elsewhere.

 John Reiman moved to accept the nomination as submitted. Jim Gallgher
 seconded.

 John Reiman stated that the history of the school is important to La Crosse,
 especially its associated with Polio. The treatment of the most vulnerable,
 children, for Polio is important. The fact that the School District of La Crosse
 was at the vanguard of this effort is something to celebrate. The building was
 also part of the New Deal, a national historic effort. Served as a school for
 several generations. The marketability of the building is not an HPC issue. That
 is something for the Common Council to determine. He stated that he is in
 support of this nomination.

 Ellie McLoone stated that there were only about 3 of 11 schools left like this.
 One is in La Crosse. She stated that she is worried that UWL will purchase it
 and make it a parking lot.

 Natalie Heneghan stated that she did not feel that the nomination provided
 enough material to meet the criteria as the connections to the New Deal do not
 make it significant enough.

 Laura Godden stated that WPA projects have changed the landscape of cities.
 Maybe that is not enough but the Polio treatment history does bring a lot of
 significance to La Crosse.


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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2026


 Eric Garland thanked PAL and thought the nomination was well written. He
 stated that he lives in the neighborhood and they held their
 Grandview-Emerson Neighborhood Association meetings in the library. He
 stated that they tour of the building reinforced his perspective on the quality of
 the building. He also stated that their would be ample time to work with
 developers if there is a need to convert the building to a new use.

 Mackenzie Mindel stated that she struggled with this building. Its history with
 Polio is important to La Crosse's history, but it is hard to evaluate buildings
 associated with events or people as it is hard to interpret. She does not feel
 that it rises up to the ranks of designation. Will be voting no at this time.

 Laura Godden stated that she interpreted that nominations making the case for
 association with events are important because it makes them look into its
 history more.

 John Reiman stated that a building only needs to meet one of the criteria.

 The motion passed 5-2. (Heneghan & Mindel voting no)

3. 25-1378 Review and Discussion on Chapter 115 Heritage Preservation
 Commission related ordinances.
 Staff stated that they would like to take final action on any potential
 amendments to the ordinances in Chapter 115 that relate to the Commission's
 responsibilities. This is related to the update of this chapter and any approved
 amendments would be incorporates into the rewrite. Staff provided
 recommendations for each section.

 Height Exception for Accessory Structures (Carriage Houses)- 115-390(1)(d)(2)
 John Reiman moved to remove 115-390(1)(d)(2)(iii)(F) regarding value and
 amend the language in 115-390(1)(d)(2)(ii) to not require both a preliminary and
 final review of plans by the Commission. Jim Gallgher seconded. The motion
 passed 7-0.

 Rescue Platforms- 115-390(1)(e)(2)(e)(3)
 Ellie McLoone moved to remove the Heritage Preservation Commission as the
 body that reviews applications for these. Eric Garland seconded. The motion
 passed 7-0.

 Second Garage-115-390(1)(e)(2)(g)
 Ellie McLoone moved to amend 115-390(1)(e)(2)(g)(2) to not require both a
 preliminary and final review of plans by the Commission and to remove the
 language in 115-390(1)(e)(2)(g)(3)(i) regarding value. Eric Garland seconded.
 The motion passed 7-0.

 Front Yard Additional parking- 115-395(b)
 Ellie McLoone moved to remove the Heritage Preservation Commission as the
 body that reviews plans for these. John Reiman seconded. The motion passed
 7-0.

 Awnings over public sidewalks- 115-402
 Eric Garland moved to amend the section to only require awnings on historic
 structures to be reviewed by the Heritage Preservation Commission. John

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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2026

 Reiman seconded. The motion passed 7-0.

 Private garages in C3-Community Business District- 115-409
 Jim Gallagher moved to remove 115-409(e) as plans would be reveiwed by the
 Heritage Preservation Commission anyway. Ellie McCloone seconded. The
 motion passed 7-0.

 Adjournment

 The meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm.


 Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the
 above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have
 decision-making responsibility.

 NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY
 Requests from persons with a disability who need assistance to participate in this meeting
 should call the City Clerk's office at (608) 789-7510 or send an email to
 ADAcityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org, with as much advance notice as possible.

 Heritage Preservation Commission Members
 CM Mackenzie Mindel, Laura Godden, Natalie Heneghan, Jim Gallagher, Ellie McLoone, John
 Reiman, Eric Garland




City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 4