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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 10/15/2007 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2007 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Ann Higgins, Vice Chairperson; Richard Akerlund, Nina Mackay, Mark McPherson,Ed Muehlberg, Jane Plaza STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Megan Clark,Alexandra Shea COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Muehlberg, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Plaza, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on September 17, 2007, as published. Motion carried 7-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Student Representatives Megan Clark and Alexandra (Lexie) Shea were introduced. Lexie was a Student Representative on the HPC last fall and was welcomed back. B. NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE Adams and Gertz were the two attendees from the HPC at the Conference. Gertz said the most important session for him dealt with historic preservation ordinances. Gertz found out Eden Prairie's HPC is on the right track in terms of updating the City's ordinance. The speakers emphasized that it is important to have good definitions. Gertz went to a session on sustainable building and how that links up with historic preservation. He also attended a session on the environmental movement and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2007 Page 2 how important it would be for that movement to link up with historic preservation. They emphasized linking up with an environmental cause whenever possible. Gertz said there was a long discussion by a group from Boston that is putting an effort into preserving old wood windows. There was also a person from England who is involved in a long study about historic windows. The Commissioners looked over the information Gertz picked up at the conference. He offered to make copies of anything they were interested in. Adams said she went to a session on ultimate preservation. The speaker said they want to engender a sense of pride in our heritage. Different people value their city's history differently. The speaker pointed out that, as preservationists and advocates, it is our job to address these different angles to account for the way other people think about preservation. Seek to educate citizens through enhanced education and seek to engage youth in preservation. Adams also went to a session called "Valuing Heritage." They emphasized building partnerships in your community. The best way to engage audiences is to tell stories about the people who are living there. We need to transcend politics in marketing what we believe is important about our heritage. "Marketing is the process by which you come to understand the relationship between your product and your customer." Find out how our audience values historic preservation. This is done through marketing, education, and building long-term partnerships with agencies in our community. Adams went on an archaeology field trip by canoe to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. She also took a day-long bus tour called "Farmsteads on the Fringe" which showed urban growth and farming alternatives. Adams purchased a plat map of Eden Prairie made in 1898. C. JOINT MEETING WITH EDINA HPB IN DECEMBER The joint meeting with the Edina Heritage Preservation Board will be on December 17, which is the regularly scheduled meeting date for Eden Prairie's HPC. It will be held at the Staring Lake Outdoor Center. Gertz and Vogel said they would arrange to have snacks and beverages. Gertz said he would be putting together a PowerPoint presentation on some of Eden Prairie's historic sites and projects the HPC has worked on. Adams explained this meeting would be a way of learning more about what each group is doing and provide an opportunity for networking and partnering with another agency. The HPC could have a short business meeting at 7 p.m., followed by a joint meeting with Edina's HPB where they could tell our group what they are working on. Vogel said they want to talk about how to map out twenty years of preservation and develop a comprehensive plan. Gertz will bring the HPC's portion of the City`s comprehensive plan. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2007 Page 3 V. OLD BUSINESS A. CUMMINS HOUSE REUSE STUDY FINAL REPORT REVIEW Vogel pointed out this is the first chance the Commission has had to see the final report. It will be the City Manager's decision when to give it to the City Council. Gertz said he likes the idea of using the Council's Workshop format to present the report. The Council authorized the reuse study in 2006. Vogel said the study shows it is hard to do as a CLG grant because the time frame is such that it has to be finished at this time. Adams had a question on page 1 of the report, under "Purpose of the Reuse Study." She said the first sentence sounds as if all hope of public use for the house has been given up. Vogel replied that the Council's policy statement asked for private-sector investment. Higgins said the City would continue to have a role in some of the options for reuse that allow the public to have access. Adams said that is not hinted at in the first sentence. Vogel replied that determining the "highest and best use" was difficult because of economic reality. There was no input from anyone that would allow him to document keeping the house as it is. Gertz said the HPC talked about the possibility of the Eden Prairie Historical Society using the house. That opportunity still exists. The Historical Society would have been the logical organization to take this on as a museum, but that is not in the realm of possibility. Even if the house were given to them, it would cost $8,000 to maintain it. Vogel stated if the City gives the house to them and funds the maintenance to a certain extent, that might be the best use of the building. Adams said the Council might bring that up. Vogel said there are two studies of house museums. Most of them don't pay for themselves because they are so expensive to maintain. Higgins had a question on page 28 of the report, under "Design Issues." In the first sentence it appears the word "from" should have been "form." On page 5, the third sentence in the last paragraph begins "Nearly all of the suggested reuse options meet the basic criteria for feasibility . . ." Higgins said she had hoped to see a list of which options are not feasible. Vogel replied he wanted to limit the number of pages explaining the various options, so the Council will be able to act on the ones that are feasible. He and others went through a long process deciding which are feasible. The parking space available near the house limited the uses. Adams pointed out that someone on the Council might ask about other ideas that were not listed; however, they don't need to be included in this report. Vogel explained that one of the complications of determining reuse of the property is that all the registration documents refer to it as being a preservation site. When properties are designated in the future, Vogel said the HPC should remember to include a list of what really needs to be preserved, and what the HPC is mandated to protect. If the upstairs of the house could be reconfigured, it HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2007 Page 4 would be more marketable. Interiors are extremely difficult too preserve. Gertz added that the City's code is specific to the exterior, not the interior. Gertz said the Commissioners should talk about the Management Plan, which is appended to the report. Vogel said it is presented as a draft until it is decided what the reuse of the property will be. Conditional use permits would be needed when dealing with structural changes and additions. There would be a copy of the Management Plan for the person using the property and one for the party regulating it. This Management Plan is a starting point for the future. Gertz said the HPC would be asked to approve the report at the next meeting and make any changes to it. After approval, it would be sent to the Council. Vogel said probably nothing will actually be undertaken by a developer for some time. Gertz pointed out that Dave Lindahl would be the staff person who will eventually take this and move it forward once the Council makes a decision. Vogel stated that this study demonstrates a reuse study can be done in-house. The City staff has been involved in the study, and that is a good way to do it. High- value kinds of studies can be done without farming them out or having outsiders serve on a reuse study committee. Adams thanked Vogel for his work. B. GLEN LAKE CHILDREN'S CAMP SITE TRAILS DISCUSSION Gertz said he had been talking about the trails with Chuck Liddy and George Watson, who are working on the Eden Wood Center Master Plan, as well as Georgann Rumsey of Friendship Ventures. Friendship Ventures is holding to a trail width of six feet. Mark Buechel from the SHPO is holding to a four-foot width. Liddy and Watson are probably holding to a five-foot width, the minimum ADA requirement for passing on accessible trails. Gertz referred to the last meeting, when there was discussion about having a trail that really provides safe accessibility. Gertz said he believed the trail should be as wide as necessary so the campers are able to get to the storm center quickly. The trails should not have to be that wide throughout the historic district. However, it is not known yet where they will be needed. Gertz said he is also recommending the SHPO approve use of the trail on the west side of the dormitory, if it is redesigned to meet preservation standards. Adams asked if any of the trails are reversible. Gertz replied that they are. Friendship Ventures wants to remove some trails and make other trails that are closer to the building six feet wide. Buechel is saying there is already an impact on the site where a trail is taken out, and they should be doing more to upgrade that trail. Friendship Ventures believe it is a matter of safety. Adams said she believes Rumsey's points in her letter are very valid. The trail has to be accessible and usable. McPherson said the Commissioners have educated themselves now on how people would actually use the trails. He asked what good is a four-foot trail if only one wheelchair can be on it at a time. Gertz replied they need an attendant for each wheelchair, and all of their clients need HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2007 Page 5 wheelchairs. As a result, Gertz said he believes there is a rationale for the six-foot width that should be conveyed to the SHPO. Adams asked if it is up Buechel to decide what the width should be. Gertz said it is City property but he wants to present this case in a realistic manner. He is going to put together a response from the City that supports Friendship Ventures request, but he is only going to ask for a six-foot trail in proximity to the dormitory. Gertz said that would give Friendship Ventures a safe trail. However, the camp could lose National Register status because of the negative impact on the property. Vogel recommended getting a risk assessment on the trail width. Gertz said he talked to a staff person about building codes and is having the fire marshal go out to the camp to evaluate if this is a safe route in case of emergency. Vogel said the preservation standard is "a safe temporary use." MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Mackay, that the Heritage Preservation Commission supports Friendship Ventures request for construction of a six-foot wide trail around the dormitory providing access to the storm shelter. Motion carried 7-0. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. FY 2008 CLG GRANT PROJECT DISCUSSION Gertz had suggested possible grant projects in his memo to the Commissioners. One was an archaeological survey of selected areas of the Minnesota River Valley, designations, drawing up preservation plans for previously designated properties and an educational project. Adams said the HPC needs to come up with some forward-thinking ideas. If public education is important, that may be an area that should be developed as a grant. Vogel offered the information that the state has priorities for how they are going to give out their grants, and educational grants are not high on that list. Adams said the whole idea of educating the public should be higher. Vogel said the National Trust gives grants also, and they have a small program for education. Gertz suggested doing some educational things ourselves, perhaps using the City's Web site. Also, the kiosk is still being developed, as well as outdoor panels for the historic sites, and the updating of the book, "Eden Prairie: the First Hundred Years." The CLG grant could be used for developing the planning projects that were started this year, such as updating designation plans and a preservation plan for Glen Lake Children's Camp. He pointed out that survey work in the Minnesota River Valley is important. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bought up the Eden Prairie side of the Murphy's Landing site. A nomination has been prepared for that area, but the grant could pay for an archaeological investigation there. Next year we could consider doing a barn survey. Adams said she has a survey form that could be used. Akerlund said he knows of a couple of barns that should HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 15, 2007 Page 6 be surveyed before they are torn down. Adams said it is time to finish and wrap up some of the other things the HPC has been working on. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Akerlund, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.