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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/21/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025 7:00 P.M. Meeting Heritage Rooms, City Hall HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-Chair); Rod Fisher; George Maxwell; Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Catherine Lau, Prima Sisinni, Lisa Rude COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Nico Allen, Kadie Crider, Jacob Holje, Hardhik Kommalapati, Amuktha Pothamsetti, Annika Rice I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:00. Absent was commissioner Bowes, as were student representatives Pothamsetti, Rice and Kommalapati. II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Fisher read the land acknowledgement statement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Lau moved, seconded by Maxwell to approve the agenda. Motion carried 8- 0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Lau to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2025 meeting. Motion carried 8-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND INTRODUCTIONS Schumacher welcomed the new commission members and had each commission member introduce themselves in turn. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 21, 2025 Page 2 REVIEW NOMINATION FOR THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD AND SELECT WINNER Schumacher announced the nomination. Lau explained the video being produced by the student representatives. Discussion followed on the project. Novak-Krebs explained the nomination for Eden Prairie Schools. In 1924, the Consolidated School was constructed, and it included a state-of-the-art gymnasium. In 2024, Eden Prairie Schools celebrated 100-years of school history. The gym was an important historical landmark, and the Eden prairie Schools held events in the gym so residents could see it. Thorp explained the Historical Society meeting at the gym six years ago had been a success. He explained the refurbishing of the doors. He commended the school for its efforts for the celebration. Fisher emphasized the school was not obligated to protect the gym; school staff had chosen to do so. Thorp stated there was not a particular individual named; the school was the recipient of the award. Novak-Krebs stated she would contact event coordinator Molly Malone to see who would accept the award, presented May 6 at the City Council meeting. Discussion followed on the nomination. MOTION: Schumacher moved, seconded by Maxwell to approve the award for Eden Prairie Schools historic preservation nomination. Motion carried 8-0. Novak-Krebs offered to write up the presentation of the award. VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY OUTREACH B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS C. RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE DEVELOPMENT D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH VIII. REPORTS OF STUDENTS Crider, Holje and Allen introduced themselves. Allen announced the video would be available by the next meeting and able to be shown at the banquet on May 22. Holje explained the final interview and footage was ready. Schumacher invited the student representatives to the banquet. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 21, 2025 Page 3 IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF X. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Thorp stated the joint meeting was a success, with refreshments and tours. The Annual Meeting would be held May 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cummins Phipps Grill House, with guest speakers who were longtime farmers in Eden Prairie. Novak-Krebs stated that once the development project entitlements were completed for the Marshall Farm, the developer would notify her when commission members could visit the site to take photographs. The Vintage Sale would be held May 9 and 10. This included the Prop Shop Sale. There would be a picnic on June 4 at 3:30 p.m. with the City Council and City staff, serving hot dogs and beer. On July 16 there would be a City event at the Dorenkemper House. The Historical society would have a table at People fest on July 27. September 9 would be the 100th anniversary of Camp Edenwood, and the event would begin at 5:00 p.m. Lau stated she was a member of PEO, a woman’s organization, which was seeking a summer social activity that would also be educational and requested the Cummins House and suggested a tour. The event would be held Thursday, July 17 in the morning for 20 members. XI. FYI ITEMS Thorp urged another attempt at a national designation of the Smith Douglas More House, trying to tie this in with the Depot. (The people who ran the Depot lived in the Smith Douglas More House.) Schumacher requested an update on the Depot nomination. Novak-Krebs explained there had been a conversation with the Rail Authority, which opposed any use restrictions but not signs or the clearing of brush. Discussion followed on the definition of “use” that could be restricted. Schumacher explained the only restriction would be any digging, which was unlikely. Thorp stated the Rail Authority could not stop the nomination, which it would not do. Novak-Krebs stated it was important to maintain relationships between the City and other entities. Novak-Krebs suggested the Voluntary Heritage Site designation and plaque. Discussion followed on the possible consequences of an alternate, such as a voluntary or a restricted, designation. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION April 21, 2025 Page 4 Thorp clarified the designation would require the City of Eden Prairie to review all future uses. People’s memories were short; designation prevented damage done due to this. Fisher asked Novak-Krebs to explore with City staff a designation that would satisfy the Railroad Authority’s concerns. Novak-Krebs agreed, adding the City had put a lot of thought into the water reservoir and pump house site, and would not be likely to change the site detrimentally later. Lau emphasized the point was the recognition of the historical importance of the site. Rude stated the point was to have a process in place if a permit were to be pulled on the site. Thorp gave the example of the sidewalk that was almost placed across the site a few years ago. Sisinni suggested a two-step process, to get the designation completed, then working with the City to refine the language. Thorp reiterated that making the connection to the Depot might help the designation of the Smith Douglas More House, which SHPO did not consider historically significant at the time. The Depot could be added to the historic map of the site showing its importance. Schumacher requested this discussion be continued at the next meeting and for Novak-Krebs retrieve the write-up from years ago. Thorp stated the research that was tied to the Smith House. XII. NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Rooms, City Hall. XIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Fisher to adjourn. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.