CANCELLED - Landmarks Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet

Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda, September 17, 20026 - 6:00 PM New Berlin City Hall Conference Room A/B Published: 9.15.2026 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) ROLL CALL; DECLARATION OF QUORUM; PUBLIC NOTICE 3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thursday, July 16, 2026 4) TREASURER’S REPORT 5) COMMUNICATIONS A. Report from the Chair B. Common Council Update C. Historical Society Update 6) UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Documentation of Landmark Properties B. Proposed Telecommunications Projects – Ridge Road & 14901 W. Cleveland Ave. C. GPR Proposal D. Update on City Website Revisions E. QR Code Replacement from the Koeppen Home 7) NEW BUSINESS A. Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory 8) SET MEETING DATE 9) ANNOUNCEMENTS 10) ADJOURNMENT MINUTES OF THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION MEETING JULY 16, 2026 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM A/B I. Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Orzel at 6:04 PM. Present: Chairperson Orzel, Alderperson Gardner, Commissioners Erdmann, Tyskiewicz and Warczak. Excused: Vice-Chairperson Ament and Commissioner Marquardt. II. Declaration of Quorum; Public Notice. III. Approval of Minutes. Landmarks Commission Minutes from June 18, 2026. MOTION: Motion to Approve. VOTE: Motion by Commissioner Warczak. Second by Alderperson Gardner. Motion passed unanimously. IV. Treasurer’s Report – Commissioner Warczak. A. Commissioner Warczak submitted the Landmarks Commission’s request for a budget of $2,000 for 2027 to the City Treasurer. B. Our current balance is $1,686.73 following the reimbursements of $152.39 for funeral flower arrangement (Former Landmark’s Chairperson Hermann), and $82.66 for Red/White & Scoops Ice Cream Social supplies. Commissioner Warczak requested two additional reimbursements: Chairperson Orzel for postage of $6.08 for mailing of information concerning the proposed Telecommunications Project, and $44.48 for Commissioner Warczak to purchase a new binder and additional dividers. MOTION: Motion to Approve Reimbursements to Chairperson Orzel and Commissioner Warczak as described in IV. C. above. VOTE: Motion by Commissioner Tyskiewicz. Second by Alderperson Gardner. Motion passed unanimously. V. Communications – Report from Chairperson Orzel. A. Update regarding documentation of Landmark Properties – efforts are ongoing. There are inconsistencies between the paper copies of tax records (contain “Landmark” designations), and the online copies (“Landmark” designations not recorded). B. Proposed Telecommunication Projects – status is ongoing. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS. A. Update on City Website Revisions – efforts to correct inconsistencies are ongoing, with Chairperson Orzel and various Commissioners making suggestions for additions and deletions. B. QR Code Replacement at the Koeppen Home – status pending return of Commissioner Marquardt. VII. NEW BUSINESS. A. Ground-Penetrating Radar Proposal – Commissioner Erdmann- has authored a proposed ordinance to send to the Common Council regarding the need for Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys to be performed on undeveloped land in the City of New Berlin if the land or adjacent areas are known or suspected to contain Native American artifacts or possible burial grounds. MOTION: To Approve the Above-Referenced Proposed Ordinance for Presentation to the City of New Berlin Common Council. VOTE: Motion by Commissioner Warczak. Second by Commissioner Tyskiewicz. Motion Passed Unanimously. VIII. Set Meeting Date: August 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM, CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM A/B. IX. Adjournment at 7:15 PM. MOTION: Motion to Adjourn. VOTE: Motion by Commissioner Erdmann. Second by Commissioner Warczak. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Tyskiewicz Landmarks Commission Secretary Landmarks Commission Overview The mission of the New Berlin Landmarks Commission is to serve the people of the city as stewards of improvements and districts and to develop historical, cultural, social, political, and economic interest in our community. Continuation of our heritage for current and future generations is accomplished through the perpetuation and use of such improvements and districts and by educating the citizenry and fostering in them a deep sense of civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past and present. View more information on Landmarks and the Landmarks Commission. By-Laws (PDF) Meetings o 6:00 pm on the third Thursday of each month o City Hall/Conference Room AB, 3805 S Casper Drive, New Berlin, WI 53151 Agendas & Minutes View Minutes prior to March 1, 2011 To contact the Landmarks Commission Chair, please Email This links to Laurie DeMoss’s email. Recently several emails were sent directly to Laurie regarding the construction of three cellphone towers in the City which required a timely response. Given that Laurie retired from the Commission several years ago, we are fortunate that she was able/willing to forward the emails to the current chair. Is there some way in which the Landmark’s Commission could have an email account that does not need to be changed each time there is a new chairperson? In addition, should a designated email address be used by commissioners in the event of a FOILA request? Members Member Position Term Expiration Date Peggy Ament Vice-Chair, Citizen Member October 1, 2028 John Erdmann Citizen Member October 1, 2027 Vacant Citizen Member October 1, 2025 Vacant Citizen Member October 1, 2026 Patti Orzel Chairperson, Citizen Member October 1, 2026 Jennifer Tyskiewicz Secretary, Citizen Member October 1, 2026 Anne Marquardt Citizen Member October 1, 2028 Meg Gardner Council Representative April 2027 Cheryl Warczak Treasurer, Citizen Member October 1, 2027 History & Landmarks The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. Early Settlement and Growth. Although the City of New Berlin was incorporated in 1959, settlers had established homes in the area more than a century earlier. The first settlers—Sidney Evans, P.G. Harrington, and Harrington’s wife—arrived in 1836. The township was originally known as Mentor, but the inhabitants petitioned to rename it New Berlin in honor of their hometown in New York State. Their request was granted in 1840. The community grew steadily, increasing from 1,293 residents in 1850 to 5,334 in 1950. By 1960, the population had nearly tripled to 15,788. Early Commerce and Community Centers. New Berlin was primarily an agricultural community, with early commerce centered in several key areas: Prospect Hill; the area near Racine Avenue and National Avenue; New Berlin Center, near National Avenue and Calhoun Road; and the Hamlet of Calhoun, near Calhoun Road and the Chicago and North Western Railway tracks. Today. New Berlin is a mid-sized Milwaukee suburb with more than 36,000 residents, yet it continues to preserve much of its rural character. The city’s east side includes higher-density neighborhoods, commercial corridors along National Avenue, Moorland Road, and Greenfield Avenue, and a strong industrial base. The west side retains a more rural feel, with large-lot single-family homes and agricultural uses. (Excerpt from the City's 2020 Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4: Cultural & Historic Resources) This link does not work. Please remove it. Historic Society – The correct name is the New Berlin Historical Society. Landmarks Commission New Berlin Landmarks and Historic Sites Newspaper Articles – These articles are about history, not preservation. Please delete them. 1989 German Fest Honored City New Berlin's 30th Anniversary (Community Newspapers Inc, June 29, 1989) St. Paul's 125th Anniversary (Pace, March 11, 1982) Landmarks Commission Landmarks Commission The Landmarks Commission was created by Common Council Ordinance No. 897 on May 23, 1989. (Subsequent Ordinances 960, 1085, 2037) The Commission is made up of 9 members (8 are appointed by the Mayor, and 1 is appointed by the Common Council President.) Members serve 3- Year terms. Common Council member shall serve 1-Year Term. The mission of the New Berlin Landmarks Commission is to serve the people of the City as stewards of historic districts, and to develop historical, cultural, social, political, and economic interest in our community. Continuation of our heritage for current and future generations is accomplished through the perpetuation and use of historic districts, and by educating the citizenry and fostering in them a deep sense of civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past and present. Click the links to the left for more information about New Berlin Historic Landmarks. Please remember, with the exception of the Prospect Hill Historical Park, historical properties are private property and should only be viewed from the public corridor. Please respect the privacy of the owners. Remove the photo or include the year in which the photo was taken. Helpful Links Interested in Landmark Status? If you own a historically significant home, farm, building, site, or property in New Berlin, it may be eligible for designation as a landmark through the New Berlin Landmarks Commission. Designating your historically significant property helps to preserve and honor New Berlin’s heritage. For more information property owners are encouraged to contact the Landmarks Commission at (email link) or attend one of the commission’s regularly scheduled meetings. Historical Landmarks & Sites Click the links to the left for more information about New Berlin Landmarks and Historic Sites. Please remember, with the exception of the Prospect Hill Historical Park, historical properties are private property and should only be viewed from the public corridor. Please respect the privacy of the owners. Historic Districts Click the links to the left to view more information about the City's Historic Districts. Arcadian Hills Residential Historic District The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. Location: Elm Grove Road, Prospect Drive and Prospect Place Informational Designation: 2021 Arcadian Hills was recorded in September 1934 by Herman and Anna Marks as New Berlin’s seventh plated subdivision. Herman Marks, born in New Berlin in 1884, worked as a carpenter, farmer, and cable layer before developing land in the area. By 1941, additional land had been added to the original plat, expanding Arcadian Hills to 51 acres and 44 lots of approximately one acre each. The district includes 16 single-family homes built between 1937 and 1953. The homes reflect a variety of mid-century styles, including Ranch, Cape Cod, and Minimal Traditional designs. Their stone, brick, clapboard, and stucco exteriors retain a strong degree of historical integrity, and many homes feature attached garages with breezeways. Deed restrictions adopted in 1936 governed matters such as minimum home costs, permitted animals, and the number of homes allowed per lot; these restrictions remained in place until 1957. Arcadian Hills is notable for its one-acre lots, which were significantly larger than those in earlier New Berlin subdivisions, and for its planned curvilinear roadways rather than a standard street grid. It is recognized as New Berlin’s first planned curvilinear subdivision. Hamlet of Calhoun (Remove from Landmarks List; transfer to Historic Districts.) The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy from Comprehensive Plan 2025 Location: Calhoun Road & Chicago & North Western Railway Tracks Informational Designation: 2003 Thomas and Mary Calhoun arrived from Ireland in 1872 and purchased land in the area that would soon bear their name. In 1881, the Chicago and North Western Railway established a stop at Calhoun, helping the hamlet become a local commercial hub. The rail connection allowed area farmers to ship products to Milwaukee and Chicago and helped supply goods for businesses such as Elger’s Market. A post office was also added at Calhoun Depot. In 1898, the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, known as TMER&L, expanded service to Calhoun, offering residents fast and affordable commuter transportation. Many Calhoun residents found work at Allis-Chalmers, a major manufacturer of agricultural and heavy equipment in nearby West Allis. To serve workers and their families, Calhoun Homesteads—now known as Calhoun Farms— was built in the 1940s just north of the railroad tracks. The subdivision featured affordable cottage-style homes, and a public elementary school was located nearby. TMER&L ended service in 1951, reshaping Calhoun and the surrounding area. Today, a bike trail follows the former electric railway route. The Union Pacific Railroad purchased the Chicago and North Western Railway in 1995. The rail line through New Berlin remains in use. Historic Coffee Street Location: Coffee Road & National Avenue west to Racine Avenue Informational Designation: 2000 Coffee Road was known as Coffee Street before New Berlin became a city. The road connected Racine Avenue with Mukwonago Road, now National Avenue, and served as a one-track gravel route through a German neighborhood and the Little Grove School District. According to local tradition, travelers along Coffee Street would stop to share coffee brewed on the large black stoves found in neighborhood homes. To honor the historic and cultural heritage of Coffee Street, decorative signs were installed below the existing Coffee Road street signs. New Berlin Historical Park Designated: 1970, Open to the Public in 1977 Location: 19765 W National Avenue The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. The area near National Avenue and Racine Avenue was the center of the old Yankee Settlement named Prospect Hill by Yankee Dr. John Ingersoll. Prospect Hill was a close-knit hamlet at the turn of the 19th century. Its 200 residents patronized or operated their mills, blacksmith and cooper shops, tree nursery and greenhouse. Included among them were a doctor, minister, surveyor, carpenter, well-digger, dressmaker, mason and teacher. Progress spelled D-O-O-M for this country’s hamlets. After WWI, the Model T took folks away from home. Rural free delivery closed local post offices and the little stores died. But let us not forget their stories. Prospect Hill was designated a local Historic District on November 19, 1991 by the New Berlin Landmarks Commission. The Town of New Berlin was founded on January 13, 1846, and officially incorporated as a city in 1959. Soon afterward, the New Berlin Historical Society was established in 1964 and incorporated in 1965. As New Berlin developed rapidly, the City sought to preserve important parts of its heritage. In 1970, it acquired the Winton-Sprengel property in Prospect Hill, one of the area’s earliest settlements. The site opened to the public as New Berlin Historical Park in 1977 under the management of the New Berlin Historical Society. Over time, several historic buildings were moved to the park from their original locations to protect them from demolition. Although these buildings remain historically significant, they may not be officially designated as Historic Landmarks until 50 years after their relocation, as provided by statute. (Link to the New Berlin Historical Society’s page.) Prospect Hill Settlement Historic District Designation: November 28, 1991 Location: National & Racine Avenues to Barton Road The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. The area near National Avenue and Racine Avenue was once the center of the old Yankee settlement named Prospect Hill by Dr. John Ingersoll. By the turn of the 19th century, Prospect Hill had become a close-knit hamlet of about 200 residents. Residents supported and operated local mills, blacksmith and cooper shops, a tree nursery, and a greenhouse. The community also included a doctor, minister, surveyor, carpenter, well-digger, dressmaker, mason, and teacher. Like many rural hamlets, Prospect Hill changed as transportation and delivery services expanded. After World War I, the Model T made travel beyond the hamlet easier. Rural free delivery reduced the need for local post offices, and small stores gradually disappeared. Even so, Prospect Hill’s story remains an important part of New Berlin’s history. In November 1991, the Landmarks Commission declared Prospect Hill Settlement as the City’s first officially designated Historic District. The Prospect Hill Settlement District includes some properties within New Berlin Historical Park as well as neighboring sites. (Please use the Historic Districts & Landmarks Comprehensive Inventory to correctly identify the properties located in the Historical Park and those in the Prospect Hill Historic District.) Prospect Hill School #3 is a part of the Prospect Hill Historic Settlement. It is adjacent to the Historical Park, but not in the park. The photo on the City’s website is not Prospect Hill School #3. It is Prospect Hill School #2 which is a part of the Historical Park. The photo below, taken by Commissioner Cheryl Warczak, is Prospect Hill School #3. It is a private home and inaccessible to the public. . Cheese Factory/Uncle Jimmy’s Bar & Grill Site #18 Designated December 18, 2014 Location: 18540 W National Avenue In 1836, W. A. Cone filed for a land grant covering one quarter of Section 28. He later sold the property to Angelus Verbrick. In February 1891, Verbrick leased a small portion of the property to M. A. Sickles and F. E. Allen for a 25-year term. The lease required Sickles, Allen, or their heirs to build a cheese factory and open it for business within one year. According to documents filed with the Waukesha County Register of Deeds, they also agreed to pay Verbrick one dollar each year on February 28 for the duration of the contract. Verbrick further agreed that, upon full payment of $100, he would provide a full deed for the property with one important condition: the premises were never to be used for the sale of malt, ardent spirits, or other intoxicating beverages. If the agreement was violated, ownership of the property would return to Verbrick. Sickles and Allen met the lease requirements, and in 1892 the property was sold to C. B. McCanna, owner of C. B. McCanna Cheese and Butter Manufacturing. Many years later, the former cheese factory took on new uses. By the 1960s, it had become The Night Owl, an establishment serving alcoholic beverages to patrons of legal age. Several other taverns and pubs followed. In 1994, the building was purchased and renamed Mustang Shelly’s Roadhouse. The building was sold again in 2025 and renamed Uncle Jimmy’s Pub and Grill. The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. Hamlet of Calhoun Move to Historic Districts. See rewritten version. Calhoun Road & Old C & N.W. RR This site is a reminder of the early commerce in this hamlet. The railroad, business people, grocers, farmers and other community members came here to do business. Designated a Waukesha County Landmark in 2004. Elger's Red Bell Market/Chappell Sports Site #14 Designated June 9, 2009 Location: 18600 W National Avenue The passage below was edited for clarity and accuracy. Elger’s Red Bell Market has changed little since Burt and John Ingersoll, sons of Dr. John Ingersoll, built the wood-frame building in 1888. Although it is unclear for whom the Ingersolls constructed the building, recently discovered records show that George Vyvyan, the son of a Cornish immigrant, owned it from 1902 to 1909. The classic country store served the Prospect Hill area by selling cloth, dry goods, farm tools, meats, and other necessities. In 1909, Joe Elger Jr. and his wife, Lillian Boehmer Elger, purchased the store and continued its traditional country-store operation. The Elger family emigrated to New Berlin in the 1850s from what is now the Czech Republic. Franz Elger purchased a farm on Calhoun Road in 1852, and several of his descendants later owned and operated markets in the area, including this one on National Avenue. Joe’s son, Glenn, and Glenn’s wife, June, were the last members of the Elger family to manage the store. On October 1, 1977, Glenn and his brother, Don, turned over the keys to Jack and Jean Wachholz, who operated a True Value Hardware in the building. Their purchase ended 90 years of operation as a country store. In 1984, Lennie Chappell, a former NBA player with the Milwaukee Bucks, bought the building for his sporting goods store, which specializes in customized athletic apparel. Many items from the original country store are now displayed at the New Berlin Historical Park, where a replica of the store is set up in the carriage barn. Holy Apostles Cemetery Site # 17 Designated: April 8, 2014 Location: 16000 W. National Avenue Omitted from Landmarks List. Needs to be added. In 1855, Bernard Casper, a farmer, cooper and proprietor of the Casper Inn, presented the Catholics of the community with a three-acre parcel of land to be used for a church and cemetery. More land was added over the course of the next century to accommodate the needs of the growing Catholic congregation. In 1889, the parish, with the permission and blessing of the archbishop, changed its name from St. Valerius to Holy Apostles. The first burial in the cemetery was Mary Elizabeth Johann on September 26th, 1885. The members of many early pioneer families lie at rest in this cemetery: the Jungens, Kaus, Kohlers, Biwers, Beres, Jungbluths, Snyders, Stephens and Stiglers. The veterans of several wars are also buried here, including Mathias Stephens, who fought in the Civil War.