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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/17/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 17, 2006 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Nina Mackay, Vice Chairperson; Richard Akerlund, Bob Amell,Ann Higgins, Ed Muehlberg, Jane Plaza STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Danny Dunleavy,Anna Hewitt, Jennifer Nicklay COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Chair Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All Commissioners were present. Student Representative Nicklay arrived at 7:25 p.m. Robert Vogel was also in attendance. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Akerlund moved, seconded by Amell, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 7-0. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —MARCH 20, 2006 MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Muehlberg, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting, held on March 20, 2006, as published. Motion carried 5-0. III. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Welcome new HPC Members The new members were welcomed to the Commission; both old and new members introduced themselves. B. Boards and Commissions Recosnition Banquet Members were reminded that the recognition banquet is on Wednesday, April 26. They will be receiving invitations. The HPC will be highlighted this year. Gertz is putting together a power-point presentation about when the HPC was formed, past projects, etc., and Adams will present it. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 17, 2006 Page 2 C. Minnesota House Bill HF 2846 According to the information sent by the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, HF 2846, the eminent domain reform bill, would define state and local historic preservation designation as a "taking" and require payment for damages resulting from the designation. The Senate version of the bill, which has passed, did not contain this language. Robert Vogel informed the Commission that this has just passed the House and is now in a conference committee. Gertz said he generally works with the property owners to seek their approval for preservation designation, and when that has not occurred, the City has tabled designation to a future time. D. 271h Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Information on the conference was included in the Commissioners' packets. It will be held this year on September 28 and 29 in Red Wing. Gertz asked members to let him know if they plan to attend. Adams encouraged members to go for one or both days, if possible. There are many opportunities to network and meet people at the state level. E. Riley-Jacques Barn Antique Sale/Fund-Raiser May 13, 2006 Gertz explained that an association of antique dealers came to the Historical Society and suggested holding a sale of antiques to raise funds. There are about 25 dealers that are interested in participating. The Historical Society is asking the HPC to co-sponsor the program, which will allow use of the barn at no cost as well as allow using the funds raised for renovation work on the Cummins house. Adams said a percentage of the sales would go toward renovation work. The Historical Society would appreciate having Commission members there that day to assist with the sale. MOTION: Plaza moved, seconded by Akerlund, that the HPC co-sponsor with the Eden Prairie Historical Society an antique sale/fund-raiser, on May 13, 2006. Akerlund asked how the sale would be publicized. Adams replied the Historical Society would use the City's Web site as well as systems the City has available for publicizing events. Plaza asked whom to call if they would like to work at the sale. Adams said to contact Kathie Case, President of the Historical Society. Higgins said she would like to help. Motion carried 7-0. IV. OLD BUSINESS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 17, 2006 Page 3 A. FY 2005 CLG Grant Update-Robert Vogel, Pathfinder CRM,LLC Robert Vogel explained how the grant is made available to Certified Local Governments from the federal government's Historic Preservation Fund, which in Minnesota is run through the Minnesota Historical Society's Grants Review Committee. Vogel was hired to write the applications that would designate three properties in Eden Prairie as historic sites. He said his first job is to describe the property being designated; second, to make the case why this property is significant and worth preserving; third, to write a plan of treatment for the future of the property and how it would be preserved. Vogel writes this in the form of a report because the designation as an historic site stays with the property for many years. The HPC decides what the expectation is for preserving the property. Vogel described the three properties. One is Glen Lake Children's Camp, which is already on the National Register. It was established in the 1920s for children with tuberculosis. Now it is used for children and adults with special needs. The City owns the property. A basic problem is that the buildings were not built to last a long time. Its use as a camp will probably continue for the foreseeable future. The HPC has met with the architect and representatives from Friendship Ventures regarding the windows, and that will be typical of the type of issues the HPC will see. What make the windows significant is the actual shape and form of them. The setting of the camp is very important. It was built to fit in with the nearby lake, but the lake level has dropped and that is a major problem. Vogel said if a decision is made regarding the lake level, the HPC would have a say in that. The second property is Staring Lake Outdoor Center, also owned by the City. It was constructed on the other side of the Minnesota River in the 1930s by people hired through the National Youth Administration, a federal agency to provide work for unemployed young people. Later it was purchased and relocated to the shore of Staring Lake. At one time the property was used as an experimental station to test Northrup-King seed, giving it historic importance. An outdoor center is a good use for the building. The logs should be preserved and protected from encroachment by outdoor storage, etc. The third property is the Consolidated School Building, owned by the School District. It was built in the 1920s, and is valuable because of its architectural style, associated with the beginnings of modern school architecture. The building is in excellent shape. It is a freestanding building that has a high level of historic integrity. Vogel said one issue in dealing with the School District for local designation is that the School District would likely want to change something about the building, and won't want to be subject to HPC review. Also this is one of relatively few projects where the interior is worth preserving. The gym has HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 17, 2006 Page 4 already been restored to the way it used to look. The rest of the interior space is not historic. On the exterior, the size of the windows should not be altered. The HPC should come up with a method for design review that doesn't put the HPC in conflict with the School District. For example, the HPC could reach agreement with them not to review small changes. Compatibility of use is important. It is an historic building because it is the only example of that particular kind of architecture. As a basic plan of treatment for all three sites, Vogel said repair, don't replace. However, for specific decisions the HPC will have to determine how they see these properties being used. Vogel encouraged the HPC to reach consensus on how to handle future design review, and not wait for a crisis situation to arise. Vogel said he would bring the treatment plan for the HPC to review at the June meeting. B. FY 2006 CLG Grant Update—J.R. Cummins Reuse Study Adams said the 2006 CLG grant of $6,000 has just been awarded to the City to pay for a reuse study for the J.R. Cummins House. Gertz said the team that will be assembled to do the study would go through the whole range of possible uses for the house and then develop a matrix to determine the best use. In addition to an architectural firm, City staff from various departments could be asked to serve on the team, such as engineers, building inspectors, etc. Gertz said the process would be started in the fall. C. Glen Lake Children's Camp Update (Eden Wood Center) Gertz said Ed Stracke from Friendship Ventures would be making a presentation on Eden Wood Center renovations to the City Council at its April 18 meeting. The plans are being reviewed by Building Inspections. Gertz has met at the camp with contractors and discussed with an architect the window reuse option. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Riley-Jacques Farm Program Planning—Richard Akerlund Akerlund said he has had a discussion with Gertz about whether the City wants to add more pieces of farm machinery at Riley-Jacques. He believes a master plan is needed. The farm has a corncrib that is in good shape and a binder that is not. An operating windmill could be set up if the well sites could be located. He asked if the City might want to use some farm machinery to enhance Sunbonnet Day. Akerlund told about the Scott-Carver Threshers, which is holding its annual Harvest Festival in Jordan from August 4-6. The organization is dedicated to preserving the state's agricultural history. It is holding an auction on the weekend of May 6. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 17, 2006 Page 5 Adams inquired if Akerlund hopes to encourage the City to enhance Riley- Jacques farm. Akerlund said the Threshers group would be willing to see if Prairie Lawn and Garden would be willing to contribute a windmill. Sever's Farm is willing to enhance the garden by planting several rows of soybeans. Other local farmers might be interested also. Higgins suggested asking Sever and other farmers if they want to participate Adams said the HPC generally does not get involved in this type of project. Akerlund said if the HPC indicated interest, he would bring his ideas to the Parks and Recreation Department. The Threshers group would be willing to put other pieces of antique machinery on the farm property. Adams replied that it is the Historical Society's mission to procure artifacts. Gertz said perhaps the Historical Society might be interested in sponsoring this; he could discuss it with them to see if they want to co-develop a plan and have it approved by the HPC if a site- alteration permit is needed. Akerlund said when he was on the Cummins House property, he noticed one of the outbuildings is falling down. Gertz said he is probably referring to the shed behind the house. It is being used to store firewood and will probably be demolished in a year or two. Higgins said she also noticed some activity at the back of the house. Gertz explained that the old icebox was demolished a month ago and new footings put in. During the week of May 8, students from Anoka Technical College will begin to restore the icebox. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Akerlund, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.