Posted: May 26, 2009

A proposal to raze or relocate a Brookfield farmhouse built in 1865 has sparked a discussion on historic preservation in the city.

A Mukwonago developer has announced plans for redevelopment at the Stonewood Village shopping center along Capitol Drive. Those plans call for the removal of a historic farmhouse that now sits on the property.

But members of the Elmbrook Historical Society said the building is an important part of the city's history that needs to be maintained.

Brookfield's Common Council discussed the issue at length last week before tabling action on the development plan until June 2 so the two sides can hold additional talks.

Developer offers $10,000

Developer 4 S of Mukwonago has proposed a multiple-phase plan to renovate the 8-acre shopping center on Capitol Drive east of Brookfield Road. The first phase would include the construction of a 4,800-square-foot specialty retail shop and connect parking lots on the west and east sides of the center with a central drive aisle.

The construction of that drive aisle would necessitate getting rid of the farmhouse, either by demolition or relocation.

Officials said they would pay $10,000 to help move the building to another site. Keeping the building at the current site is not an option, since it is not a desirable structure for retailers, said Josh Pudelko of Losik Engineering Design Group.

Plus, keeping the building, which is unused, on the site would limit the amount of developable space on the property, Pudelko said.

Farmhouse built in 1860s

The farmhouse, known as the Siepmann home, sits on land once owned by the family of Nathan Hatch, a Revolutionary War soldier buried in Oakhill Cemetery on Brookfield Road, said Marion Bruhn, curator with the Elmbrook Historical Society.

In a recent city inventory of historic sites, the farmhouse was designated "locally outstanding," meaning it is eligible to be on the National Register of Historic Places, Bruhn said.

The home is one of two remaining buildings in the city constructed in the Italianate style, a popular architectural style between 1830 and 1880, she said. The farmhouse was constructed with Cream City bricks, which were made in Milwaukee.

Bruhn said she wants to see the building retained because the city has lost 27 antique homes since 1998. "We certainly would like to see it remain standing," she said.

Cost could be obstacle

In a letter to the historical society earlier this month, Stonewood Village officials said they wanted a preliminary decision by June 19 on whether the society was interested in moving the building.

Christensen, the president of the Elmbrook Historical Society, said the historical society will meet this week to tour the farmhouse and discuss the proposal.

Bruhn, who was involved in moving the Dousman Stagecoach Inn to its current site on Pilgrim Parkway, said moving the Siepmann home would be difficult for a number of reasons, including the brick materials and the size of the building.

Brookfield Director of Administration Dean Marquardt said that moving the building could cost anywhere from $28,000 to $55,000, but expenses for site work at the new location could drive that up to $75,000 to $100,000.

Demolition of the building could cost anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000, Marquardt said.

City cannot prohibit razing

As it stands, the city has no legal authority to prevent the developer from razing the farmhouse, City Attorney Karen Flaherty said.

The city is working on language or a potential ordinance regarding historic preservation as part of the update to its 2035 comprehensive plan, but any potential ordinance likely wouldn't come forward until next year, said Dan Ertl, director of community development.

Plus, Ertl said he was unaware of any ordinances in surrounding communities that expressly require property owners to keep historic buildings intact on their land.

 

Alan Hamari can be reached at (262) 446-6601.

NEXT STEP

WHAT: Common Council discussion of Stonewood Village plans

WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 2

WHERE: City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Road

INFORMATION: Dan Ertl, director of community development, (262) 796-6695