HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 06/20/2022APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2022 7:00 P.M.
8080 MITCHELL RD
HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Rod Fisher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-
Chair); George Maxwell; Steve
Schumacher; Robert Bowes; Andrew
Scipioni; Andy Ludowese
COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER/INTRODUCTIONS
Vice Chair Thorp called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Absent were commission
members Fisher and Scipioni.
II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
Schumacher read the land acknowledgement statement.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Bowes to approve the agenda. Motion carried
5-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Bowes to approve the minutes of the May 16,
2022 minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
V. DORENKEMPER MARKET STUDY (NOVAK-KREBS)
Novak-Krebs announced the City, as a result of the 2022 Work Plan, had retained a
consultant to study the possible commercial uses of the Dorenkemper House. The Mayor
was supportive of the long-term use of the site. Presently the scope of the study was
being defined.
VI. REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWS RELATED TO
DEVELOPMENT AND THE 1968 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. DISCUSS
DETAILS SUCH AS OUTREACH, TIMING, PARTICIPATION ETC. (NOVAK-
KREBS)
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Novak-Krebs shared some potential questions for interviewing people regarding
development in the community after the adoption of the 1968 Comprehensive Plan.
Maxwell asked what landmarks were missing or had disappeared. Thorp stated the
commission needed to compare the Comprehensive Plan with what did get built. The
Plan was not specific, but it did cite schools, libraries, and other landmarks. Novak-Krebs
added the Plan called for a mix of uses at certain intersections, but this was not entirely
fulfilled. She asked the commission to brainstorm goals for these interviews, whether or
not to ask interviewees for anecdotes or information.
Bowes asked if there were parts of the Plan that were not executed, as writing up a
history would necessitate showing outcomes. Thorp stated the changes in Eden Prairie
were driven by supply and demand. Novak-Krebs stated the provision of municipal water
also drove development. Bowes suggested asking how the Plan to bring sewer and water
to Eden Prairie impacted development. He also suggested asking where the town center
was in 1968. Thorp stated there was an effort to create a town center in the 1980s; earlier
it was near where the Flying Red Horse had been located. Novak-Krebs added the
construction of the Mall in 1976 probably impacted development. Discussion followed
Novak-Krebs recommended asking interviewees their age in 1968, as this could have
bearing on the memories and answers given.
Bowes asked if there were many multifamily housing units in 1968. Thorp stated there
had not been the utilities to support them then. Bowes asked when the last farm was
closed, and Thorp replied there were still farms in Eden Prairie. Discussion followed on
the size of these farms. Bowes stated he defined a traditional farm as 40 acres, and Thorp
stated none of the existing farms were that size; they were mostly vegetable farms.
Novak-Krebs stated the next step was to provide interviewees with a copy of the Plan
before their interviews. Bowes asked if there had been changes to the Plan, and Novak-
Krebs replied she would find out when those changes occurred. Thorp suggested Siever
Peterson as a resource. Novak-Krebs agreed, and added David Lindahl, Dean Edstrom,
Rod Anderson, Bob Lambert, and Roy Terwilliger. Bowes suggested new church
construction in the past could yield more interviewees. Thorp suggested Ginny
Dorenkemper, and Ludowese suggested his neighbor, the Jaques family.
Novak-Krebs offered to contact these names and see if they wished to participate, with
the goal of doing interviews in August and/or September. Bowes urged these interviews
be videotaped instead of simply audiotaped. Maxwell suggested that Tom Achartz, of the
Historical Society and Eden Prairie Remembers on Facebook, could videotape the
interviews.
Novak-Krebs suggested conducting the interviews in August or September.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
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June 20, 2022
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VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
Thorp stated Brett and Tracy Hope, former owners of Cedar Hills Golf Course, donated
photographs to the Historical Society and showed him old foundations across Spring
Road from the Miller Spring. Thorp suggested the commission research the ownership of
these areas. Novak-Krebs displayed the former golf course site via the Eden Prairie
DataLink site. Discussion followed on the site, which also hosted skiing.
IX. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Thorp stated the Society applied for a grant to restore the “green wall” upstairs in the
Cummins Phipps Grill House.
X. FYI ITEMS
Maxwell stated the eight-minute short film shot at the Cummins Phipps Grill House,
“The Doll,” would be shown on July 25 at 4:00 pm.
Maxwell stated Lookout Point would not be open to the public due to the lack of parking.
A new site is open to the public instead.
XI. NEXT MEETING
The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the City
Center.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Schumacher moved, seconded by Bowes to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.