Madison's Landmarks Commission discussed both demolitions and restorations of several historic properties in the campus area Monday.
The committee discussed the proposed eight-story apartment building that would replace existing buildings at 617-619 Mendota Court. The most recent design of the new structures, brought before the commission by Gary Brink and Josh Wilcox of Patrick Properties, was well received by the committee.
The new plans include 33 rental units and 103 bedrooms with a mix of 13 four-bedroom units, 11 three-bedroom units and nine two-bedroom units.
""We are trying to complement the neighboring structures,"" Brink said. ""The building has clean lines with hints of more traditional style.""
However, longtime Madison resident Lydelle Zeller said she had concerns about the new project, drawing attention to the building at 619 Mendota Court's status as a historic part of the neighborhood.
""I recommend that contributing buildings not be demolished,"" Zeller said. ""I want to express my disappointment in losing this historic district bit by bit.""
Chair Dan Stephens said while the commission generally opposes the demolition of buildings in historic districts, ""the former preservation planner did not oppose its demolition, and the building has significantly deteriorated.""
Stephens moved that the commission not oppose the demolition.
Additionally, a proposed side-yard garage addition to the historic Sellery House was brought before the Landmarks Commission for the fourth time.
In an attempt to comply with a neighborhood ordinance requiring that additions not detract from the original front façade, the commission members, architect Colin Godding and several neighbors debated for several hours in an attempt to determine an appropriate solution.
""The question is how we should define the parameters of a side-yard addition that we would find acceptable,"" Stephens said.
Commission members invited the homeowner and architect to redevelop and scale down the design, but did not say if a new design would be approved.
