I haven’t had time to watch the plan commission yet, but I understand it was all full of wonderful comments from my dear alder . . . meanwhile, here’s a bit of info.
Press release regarding the Collins House:
Last night the City of Madison Plan Commission voted in favor of a plan to reopen the historic Collins house as a Bed and Breakfast. The plan, submitted by Bob Klebba and David Waugh, proposes to reopen the bed and breakfast, host community dinners and open the house to weddings and special events. The Klebba-Waugh plan advanced to the Plan Commission after being selected by a city surplus committee that chose their plan over other plans for a single-family residence and an apartment building.
In testimony before the committee, Klebba stressed the importance of the long-term financial benefits to the city that will include room tax revenue, employment and increased property tax revenue. Work to be scheduled this year includes historic preservation and renovation, including the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system.
The neighborhood in which the home is located has been very supportive of reopening the bed and breakfast. Numerous neighbors wrote support letters and testified in favor of the plan at committee meetings. Klebba and Waugh live in the neighborhood and have been active in neighborhood issues. Waugh is currently serving as the neighborhood liaison for the East Washington development projects. Klebba has been active in community gardening in Madison and currently operates Morningwood Farm, an ornamental plant nursery and organic vegetable farm near Mount Horeb.
The Bed and Breakfast will operate under zoning that allows for special uses in landmarked buildings.
Klebba and Waugh will live in the Collins House as a family, with their son who goes to East High. For more information, contact:
Bob Klebba
