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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 05/19/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 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 6:59 p.m. Commission members Lau, Bowes, Ludowese, and Rude were absent. Student members absent were Holje, Kommalapati, and Pothamsetti. II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Allen read the land acknowledgement statement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Fisher moved, seconded by Maxwell to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Thorp to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2025 joint meeting with the EP Historical Society (amended to correct the spelling of Gordon Stodola’s name on page 3), and the minutes for the April 21, 2025, regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. REVIEW AND CONSIDER RECOMMENDING THE COUNCIL APPROVE A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO CONSTRUCT EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 19, 2025 Page 2 AN ADDITION ONTO THE DORENKEMPER HOUSE (SEE FINDINGS OF FACT). (MACDONALD AND MACK TO PRESENT PLANS) Novak-Krebs introduced Todd Grover of MacDonald and Mack, who displayed a PowerPoint and explained the addition. Novak-Krebs explained in the Ordinance there were certain criteria to be answered required for the Certificate of Appropriateness, which were answered by what was termed a Finding of Fact. Grover explained the Dorenkemper House was part of a larger historic site at Riley Lake Park, and a newer crawlspace was constructed beneath the house when it was move to this site in 2002. The City wished to explore the feasibility of adaptive reuse as a bookstore. MacDonald and Mack assessed the general condition, which was good, requiring only some maintenance. The T-shaped addition had a complicated roof. Grover explained the location of the proposed addition and displayed several views of the interior. The intention was to add an addition to the south side. Bookstore shelving, reading rooms, a checkout area, an ADA-compliant restroom, and mechanicals would be added, with the mechanicals in the crawlspace. The furniture would be removed, the addition added, and both floors utilized for the bookstore. Grove displayed the existing and future footprints and elevations. A deck might be added to the front yard and toward the lake. A structural engineer assessed the house for loading requirements and found the previous restoration had actually shored up the second floor, to a capacity of 80 pounds per square foot. However, the second floor would be limited to 15 people per City Code. The first floor required extra support to accommodate 100 pounds per square foot. These changes would be invisible. The water and sewer have been extended to the house. The existing heating was being assessed. If need be, it would be replaced. Packaged food might also be sold. The intention was to use a light touch to update the site for use and all siding and the (newer) stonework would be replicated. The roof did not need to be repaired (having been recently replaced) but the roof of the addition would have to be matched to the original wooden shingles. Thorp pointed out a section of the roof that needed to be repaired. Grover replied this had been a part of the discussion. Other addition configurations had been explored, and this was the most viable option. The chimney would remain, but the wood stove would probably be removed. Being there were certain Code requirements for the restroom, it would have a tile floor and surrounds (probably a subway tile), an ADA-compliant sink and toilet that would be appropriate, but not “look historic.” The stairs did not meet modern Code, and another handrail might need to be added. It could limit the use of the second floor. Parking would be shared with the EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 19, 2025 Page 3 neighboring barn, which other options being explored in the future. The hope was to attract residents walking around the lake. The bookstore would be open year- round, with the owner partnering with stargazing and other outdoor activities. The wall construction unfortunately would not be matched other than the footings. Contemporary wood framing would be used but could be closely matched. This was not an original part of the building. Fire suppression would not be necessary. Thorp emphasized the need for flexibility in case the bookstore was not successful. Grover replied this would be a low-impact use. The location of the restroom would contribute to the site’s adaptability. The timeline involved a summer groundbreaking. Rick Clark anticipated construction completed by fall. The bookstore operator would like to move into the house in January of 2026 and open that spring. MOTION: Schumacher moved, seconded by Maxwell to recommend to the City Council approval the COA and the addition to the Dorenkemper House as presented by MacDonald and Mack. Motion carried 5-0. Schumacher suggested the bookstore could debut the book being written for Eden Prairie history. B. STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR VIDEO OF THE SMITH, DOUGLAS, MORE HOUSE The student representatives presented the video, and the commission members thanked them for their exemplary efforts. Novak-Krebs announced this would be presented at the annual Commission Banquet on May 22, 2025 and linked on the HPC website as well as on social media. C. RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE FLYING RED HORSE Novak-Krebs announced the event would be held Tuesday, June 17 at 4:00 p.m. VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY OUTREACH Novak-Krebs announced the City was working on the professional services agreement, with Paul Maravelas and Zack Mohlis. Media insurance was required for phase two. The cost would be $17,300.00 . It is still the plan to apply for a Legacy Grant for preparing the manuscript. The preapplication was due in July, with the final application due in September. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION May 19, 2025 Page 4 B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS C. RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE DEVELOPMENT D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH IX. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF X. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Thorp announced Sisinni was both a new commission member and a new member of the Historical Society. $3,400 was raised at the Vintage Sale, and the Historical Society Annual Meeting was well attended. The video would be available online. Sisinni stated many of the attendees at the Vintage Sale were first-time visitors to the Cummins Phipps Grill House. The Historical Society Picnic would be held June 4 at the Cummins Phipps Grill House at 3:30 p.m. A Picnic on the Farm event would be held in front of the Dorenkemper House on July 16. On July 27 the Historical Society would have a table at PeopleFest. September 9 was the 100th anniversary of Camp Edenwood. An event is being planned at the camp. Thorp and Kathie Case met with the new Santa, who would begin in November. XI. FYI ITEMS Fisher reminded the commission members of a past suggestion of holding commission meetings at historic locations. IV. NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Rooms, City Hall. V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Fisher to adjourn. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.