City Hall

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

Meeting Minutes - Final

Heritage Preservation Commission

Thursday, April 23, 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 6:02pm.

Roll Call

7 - Laura Godden, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan, Eric Garland, Jim

Gallagher, Ellie McLoone,John Reiman

Present:

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the March 26, 2026 Meeting Minutes.

Eric Garland moved to approve the minutes with correction. Jim Gallagher

seconded. The motion passed 7-0 by voice vote.

Agenda Items:

Nomination of Emerson Elementary School (Hillview Orthopedic School),

located at 2001 Campbell Rd, to be designated as a Local Historic

26-0222

Landmark.

A public hearing was opened by unanimous consent.

Dr. Aaron Engel, Superintendent of the La Crosse School District, stated that

he was against the designation as he does not feel it meets the criteria stated

in the code.

Samuel Lidner spoke in favor of the nomination.

Marcus Zettler spoke in favor of the nomination.

Barbara Kooiman spoke in favor of the nomination.

The public hearing was close by unanimous consent.

Laura Godden to approve the nomination as submitted. John Reiman

seconded.

Ellie McLoone stated that she was in support of this nomination as it was one

of only few schools remaining. She also expressed concerned that UWL may

be interested in acquiring and demolishing it.

John Reiman stated that he was in support of this nomination and expressed

his desire to work together with the School District in the future in historic

preservation.

Laura Godden stated that she was in support of this nomination because of its

social history which is usually hard to research and is usually lost in these

nominations.

Mackenzie Mindel stated that she was no in favor of this nomination as she felt

the nomination was not strong enough to meet the criteria.

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

Nomination of the Goddard Hotel (Fred Antonneau Apartments), located

at 1639 Prospect St, to be designated as a Local Historic Landmark.

26-0435

Commissioner Ellie McLoone left the meeting.

Marcus Zettler provided an overview of the nomination and brief history of the

property.

John Reiman asked why some of the windows were different today. Marcus

stated that he felt some internal reconfiguration of the rooms and creation of

bathrooms had filled in windows and created some new openings.

Mackenzie Mindel asked if the original door opening as altered. Marcus stated

that it was.

John Reiman asked if he knew how many other buildings on the north side

were designated. Marcus stated that he was not sure.

Mackenzie Mindel asked for Marcus to clarify why it should be nominated

under its architecture even though it has been altered. Marcus stated that even

though some prominent features have been removed it was not a significant

amount compared to what is still remaining. She then asked what level of effort

it would take to restore it. Marcus stated that it would involve some masonry

work and that the porch and cupola could be easily replicated. Costly yes,

difficult, no.

Mackenzie Mindel asked if there was any contact with the property owner. Staff

stated they had a conversation with him about the process and what

designation meant. The property owner had stated that he was opposed to the

designation but that he probably would not fight it.

Eric Garland moved to accept the nomination and hold a public hearing. Jim

Gallagher seconded. The motion passed 6-0 by voice vote.

Request from Environmental Assessment Specialists, Inc to review plans

26-0395

for wireless communication facilities, located at 1707 Main Street, and

provide comment as part of the Section 106 process.

Staff provided an overview of what a Section 106 Review is, an overview of the

proposed project, and their recommendation.

Jim Gallagher moved to provide comment per staff's recommendation. Laura

Godden seconded. The motion passed 6-0 by voice vote.

Historic Certificate Initiative Program

26-0458

John Reiman provided a review of the program with the revisions suggested at

a previous meeting. The next steps were to decide on what to provide

recipients, such as a certificate or sign, a design for them, and find funding. He

also added that he thought a yard sign would have the most impact. Jim and

Laura supported providing a yard sign.

Eric Garland moved to approve with the proposed revisions to the program

document. Laura Godden seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

Discussion and possible action on new day and time of the Heritage Preservation

Commission's monthly meeting.

Staff provide an option for the Commission to consider. There was a conflict

with this option with some commissioner availability.

Mackenzie Mindel stated that she would assist with evaluating availability and

bring this back to the next meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:33pm.

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.