Commission holds decision on Lafayette Place door replacement pending original drawings

The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 6 voted to hold action for one month on an application to replace French doors and paired transom windows at 2105 East Lafayette Place in the Northpointe South Historic District.

Staff recommended denial of an aluminum-clad replacement (an aluminum-clad Marvin product) and advised the commission that the district guidelines favor retaining original configurations and materials. Staff noted the French doors are deteriorated and likely repair may not be feasible for the doors, but there was no evidence the transom windows were beyond repair; the staff recommendation favored installing a wood French door that matches the existing configuration and preserving the transom, or adding a storm door to protect original work.

The applicants, Ackley and Michael Adam, represented in the hearing by Ashley Adam, said contractors had advised the existing French doors were unlikely to be original and that repeated water infiltration had contributed to advanced rot. Ashley Adam told the commission the replacement was sought partly for durability and family health reasons, noting the room will be used as a nursery: "...we're requesting partly, for those reasons. This will be the nursery of our child in spring. So this would be something that we can't have the risk of mold, wood rot, etcetera coming into the home." She also said the door is located on an elevation that is not visible from the street.

Commissioners said locating original drawings at the Wisconsin Architectural Archives (Milwaukee Public Library) could clarify the historic configuration and provide a basis for an educated decision. One commissioner moved to hold the item for one month so applicants could search for original drawings and consult with staff; the motion carried.

The action is a continuance only; no final decision was recorded. Staff will assist the applicants in locating original drawings and the commission will revisit the matter at its next regular meeting.

Clarifying details
- Property: Andrew Hathaway House (Grand Queen Anne), built 1887; architect named in staff report as Howland Russell (staff research).
- Proposed work: remove paired French doors and paired casement transom windows on an upper porch; applicants proposed replacing with a single-light door and single-light transom (aluminum-clad) but staff recommended a wood French door and retention of transoms where feasible.
- Next step: Item held for one month for applicants to provide original drawings and additional documentation.

The commission did not make a final determination on materials or configuration while staff and the applicants pursue the archive search.