Fort Atkinson Historic Preservation Commission

Mission:

Serve the community of Fort Atkinson by preserving the historic integrity of the city.

The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with the “protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements or sites of special character or special architectural, archaeological or historic interest or value.“

Meeting Times

The Historic Preservation Commission meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dwight Foster Library. **Until further notice due to Covid-19, meetings will be held via Zoom format, to participate in future zoom meetings, please email incej@uww.edu to request link with enough notice.**
The Fort Atkinson Preservation Commission is state-mandated commission, composed of five members appointed to five-year terms by the city manager with the City Council’s approval. The present commission’s authority is defined in Chapter 42, Fort Atkinson Municipal Ordinance Code:
Chapter 42 HISTORIC PRESERVATION*

Article I. In General
Sec. 42-1. Definitions.
Sec. 42-2. Penalties for violations of chapter.
Sec. 42-3. Historic structure, historic site and historic district designation criteria.
Secs. 42-4–42-35. Reserved.
Article II. Historic Preservation Commission
Sec. 42-36. Created; composition.
Sec. 42-37. Powers and duties.
Sec. 42-38. Procedures.
Sec. 42-39. Interim control.

PURPOSE AND INTENT
It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements of special character or special historical interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest of health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the people. The purpose of this section is to:

1. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of such improvements which represent or reflect elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, engineering and architectural history.
2. Safeguard the City’s historic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such historic structures, sites and objects.
3. Stabilize and improve property values.
4. Foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past.
5. Protect and enhance the City’s attractions to residents, tourists and visitors, and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry.
6. Strengthen the economy of the City.
7. Promote the use of historic structures, sites and objects for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the City.

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*Cross references: Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; environment, ch. 30; planning, ch. 66; shoreland-wetland zoning, ch. 78.
State law references: Historic preservation generally, Wis. Stats. § 44.30.