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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 10/19/2020APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 7:00 P.M. (Virtual Meeting 8080 MITCHELL RD HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson-Chair; Tara Kalar-Vice Chair; Pamela Spera; Valerie Ross; Paul Thorp; Rod Fisher COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Devyn Stanton, Aarav Subbaiah, Anna Patten, Finn Bloch, Maia Chevez, Sarthak Agrawal I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Absent was student representative Stanton. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Fisher moved, seconded by Ross to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Thorp moved, seconded by Fisher to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2020 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. [Kalar arrived at 7:07 p.m.] IV. NEW BUSINESS A. CITY-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES MAINTENANCE INVENTORY (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs displayed the Eden Prairie historic sites inventory which went back to 2010. She explained that every year staff discussed each of the properties on the inventory, what was accomplished and what next steps were needed. In September, Novak-Krebs had met with Matt Bourne, Rick Clark, and Jay Lotthammer to discuss the inventory. She went through the statuses of the Riley House, Jacques Barn, the Riley Garage, the Smith Douglas Moore House, the EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 19, 2020 Page 2 Cummings House, Camp Edenwood and Staring Lake Outdoor Center. Novak- Krebs offered to email the inventory to the commission members. B. BUNN PROPERTY – 9850 EDEN PRAIRIE ROAD (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs stated a developer was interested in this property. The home dated back to the 1860s. Although the property was not on the National Register or designated by the City as a Heritage Preservation Site, Novak-Krebs stated that it does have some historical significance. Staff was wondering if there should be some photodocumentation of this property. The developer was only in the planning stage at this point. The developer’s idea was to divide the lot into three lots. Thorp stated the original house was intact, built in 1860, and is one of two left in Eden Prairie. He wished to see a way to save the house. From a financial standpoint the developer could get two small lots on Beverly Drive and make a lot around the house. The house is on the HPC inventory. Thorp stated he had never been inside but had many exterior photographs. It was a log structure with fur lap siding. Ross asked if more could be done and Novak-Krebs stated it isn’t protected by being designated. Fisher asked if the house played a significant role in the history of Eden Prairie, perhaps as more than a private residence, and Thorp replied it had always been a private house. However, its significance to Eden Prairie was a long history. He urged persuading the developer to save the house and offered to do so. Novak-Krebs replied there was a possibility the developer could decide not to move forward. Thorp noted that if the most he could get out of the property was three lots at 115,000 apiece, it made sense to create three lots without demolishing the house. Discussion followed on the loss of log cabins in Eden Prairie. The Dorenkemper House was also originally a log structure. Thorp clarified this property was never designated and there have been alterations to the home. Olson asked for and received confirmation it would be appropriate for an HPC commission member to participate in the conversations with the developer. Novak-Krebs stated the developer was aware there was an HPC in Eden Prairie. She offered to pass this idea along to City Planner Julie Klima and keep the lines of communication with Thorp and the commission members. V. OLD BUSINESS A. STUDENT ASSIGNMENT (STEVE) Olson went through the roster and had each student representative announce what National Register of Historic Places registration each chose to summarize to the EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 19, 2020 Page 3 Commission. He also shared information regarding attending one of the upcoming state review board meetings. B. STATE VISUAL RESOURCES DATABASE (STEVE) Olson stated he had no new information on this. REVIEW PHOTOS FOR DISPLAY AT FAT PANTS (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs stated she did pull together some photographs and would contact Kathie Case. Fisher offered to share his aerial photographs which he had shared with the staff at Fat Pants. Ross offered to continued looking for photographs. Discussion followed on next steps. D. YORKVILLE TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLAN (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs stated John Gertz did a walk-through of the property with Thorp and Fisher, and the next step was to clearly identify the trail preservation boundary. Once he had that, Novak-Krebs would notify the commission. Thorp added what Gertz decided was appropriate was a 30-foot coverage over the trail. Gertz had also suggested expanding the scope beyond the various historical spots along the river and creating one study and one report/long-term plan on the history of the river before 1880. Novak-Krebs offered to contact Gertz before next month. Fisher urged the commission members to think of this as an opportunity to include the importance of the river in order to highlight indigenous history. Thorp agreed and added there was a lot of documented information prior to the 1870s at SHPO but it was not public. Olson also agreed and added other commission members shared this goal of telling the larger story of Eden Prairie. Ross suggested reaching out again to Leonard Wabasha of the Shakopee Midewakanton Sioux community. Olson offered to reach out to David Mather at SHPO and have him attend an upcoming HPC meeting and Thorp suggested having John Gertz give an estimate. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF VII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Ross reported the Historical Society had competed the photo display and text for the Feldman kiosk. It had been delivered to the City, not yet installed to her knowledge. Also completed was Phase I of the cataloging of 871 artifacts and photographs. Their descriptions had been uploaded. Phase II would add more detail. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 19, 2020 Page 4 All upstairs work was completed at the Cummins House, including painting and floor cleaning. There were two areas the Society hoped to plant butternut trees but a canker disease hit the species. Shagbark hickory was being considered instead in one area, with healthy butternut trees planned near the road. Olson suggested this project be coordinated with the landscaping plan. Ross stated the Society held its perennial exchange in early September, despite inclement weather. The City was checking to see if the Cummins Phipps Grill House roof sustain hail damage recently. Santa was not going to happen in person at the Cummins House this year, although the Optimists would be there and selling treats, and there would be a Sharing Tree lighting, but without a ceremony. The Society would still encourage non-profits and families to hang ornaments. A sign was hung at Riley Barn stated that area was provided to Eden Prairie Historical Society to display its artifacts. Thorp added the city park on Mitchell Road south of City Hall had a well and the Public Works Department was looking for guidance from the commission to erect a historic-looking structure over it. VIII. FYI ITEMS Agrawal gave his report on the National Register of Historic Places Registration for Mesaba Park. IX NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. online. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kalar moved, seconded by Fisher to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.