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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 06/20/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2005 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Molly Gilbertson, Vice Chairperson; Bob Amell, Deborah Barkley, Nina Mackay, Ed Muehlberg,Jane Plaza COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All Commissioners were present. Georgann Rumsey and Greg Johnson, representing Friendship Ventures, and Stuart Bailey, an architect with Miller Architects and Builders, Inc., were present for the discussion on the Glen Lake Children's Camp dining hall and dormitory rehabilitation plan. Eden Prairie resident Jeff Strate was also present for this portion of the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Adams moved the item under New Business to the first item on the agenda. MOTION: Gilbertson moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the agenda as modified. Motion carried 7-1. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —APRIL 25, 2005 MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Gilbertson, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission held on April 25, 2005, as published. Motion carried 7-0. VI NEW BUSINESS A. Glen Lake Children's Camp Dining Hall and Dormitory Rehabilitation Plan Review Rumsey said Friendship Ventures wants to make these buildings into usable space for children with disabilities, which includes children from Eden Prairie and the surrounding area. They were built when accessibility was not such a pressing issue. With the updates being proposed, they are trying to make the buildings usable well into the future. Bailey referenced three drawings of the dormitory and dining buildings for the Commissioners to review. The first one showed the buildings as originally built and the second as they are now, with changes that have been made over time. The HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 2 third drawing showed the proposed changes. Bailey said the plan is to restore the outside of the buildings as much as possible and make the inside usable for programming, so the buildings can be used as a camp far into the 21s' century. The goal is to bring them back to what they need to be, both from a historic standpoint and from the users' standpoint. On the exterior of the building the existing fagade would be restored up to and including steps with railings, trim and siding that would replicate what has been there. Work is needed on the fascia. New out-swinging exterior doors with panic hardware would replace existing doors. The bathrooms would be updated to meet accessibility codes. Rigid insulation will be added between studs in the walls. Bailey noted two key items: flooring and windows. He has discussed with City staff the desire to maintain the existing windows. However, that may not be practical from the standpoint of Friendship Ventures. He had a suggestion for an alternative that will be safer and would still maintain the exterior appearance. Flooring is important because of the programmatic nature of the building. Spills that occur on the floors are a problem, requiring the use of a material that is easy to keep clean. A change from the 2003 plans is the desire to carry bunkroom walls to the roof deck above, for safety,privacy and sound control. Adams noted it would be important to the Heritage Preservation Commission not to make those changes irreversible. Issues that they needed to discuss were the windows, the height of the bunkroom walls, and trying to reuse as many doors as possible. The Commission understood safety was an issue with the windows, in terms of them swinging in. She asked if there was any way the original windows could be used and re-hung so they swing out instead of in and have the storm and screen units custom made. Bailey replied that they had looked at ways to save the original windows. One concern from a historical standpoint is the interior. He wondered how to preserve the rope and cleat system because that is part of the original character of the windows. Adams said if the ropes are a hazard they should come down; but if the cleats could be left, even though they would not have a function, the original material would be preserved and they would tell a story about the history of the building. Rumsey said if one window was allowed to swing in, it could show what the original window looked like. Adams replied that keeping an example of an original window is one possibility, or to go with all the windows swinging out and using parts of the old window to show how they used to look. Adams asked if the architect could revisit using the original windows. Bailey replied that to revisit using the original windows he would need to be in contact with some window manufacturers to find out if the storm units could be effectively retrofitted to the original windows. He said he would investigate. Amell asked if this additional cost would impact the amount of capital Friendship Ventures would need for this project. Rumsey said it would. Amell asked how many resident camps of this kind Friendship Ventures operates. Rumsey replied HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 3 this is the only existing camp that serves people with disabilities. Friendship Ventures operates three camps. Amell wondered if a delay would affect the camp program this summer. Rumsey replied they anticipate that the work would be done during the winter months. Gertz said the usual assumption is that it would be more costly to restore old windows than to put in new ones, but retrofitting windows is sometimes cheaper. Bailey said he would look into reusing the existing windows, re-glazing, weather- stripping, and putting them back in place with the right hardware. Bailey said he would have to inventory them and see what shape they are in. He agreed that putting in new windows does have a cost to it. Milling new windows to fit the old openings would be expensive. However, he didn't know which would be more costly. Taking down each window and examining it to see if it can be used again would be time-consuming. Gertz said these windows are important because they are so character defining to the buildings and there are so many of them. He asked if Bailey had found a window that would fit the openings from an existing manufacturer. Bailey replied he had not. The architects are not going to make the window openings a different size, but they plan to put in some windows where there are none now and not use some of the existing windows. With regard to the structure of the floors, Bailey said that right now the floors are very uneven. They will jack up the building where necessary to level the floors. The original floor was solid wood, but in time some of the flooring has been removed and replaced. The intention is to bring that back to its original look with wood boards. Where the original boards exist they would like to leave it and maintain it, but there are some issues to consider. A wood floor would work in the dormitory sections, but in other areas the camp wants something impervious to spills and stains so it can be kept clean. He asked for suggestions as to what to use in place of wood in those areas. Gertz said painted floors can be kept clean; painting the wood floors would not be an issue for him. Rumsey said they have found that vinyl or wood is easier to keep clean than carpet. However, the common area and great room would be carpeted for the comfort of campers. Bailey pointed out they are required to maintain impervious surfaces on the floors and walls in the bathrooms. Vinyl is currently on the floor in the bathroom areas. They have not recommended tile because the grout would probably crack over time. He said that a vinyl floor would give them the best impervious surface. Muehlberg asked if the walls in the bathrooms would be painted. Gertz said he believed Fiberglas reinforced panels would make the best impervious wall surface. The bathrooms do not have to look historic. The most important thing from a historic standpoint is to be able to restore the changes to the exterior and interior in the future. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 4 Adams asked how many of the existing interior doors could be reused. Bailey replied they would reuse the existing panel doors on the two closets in the great room. There are four other interior doors between the great room and staff bunk rooms that are not currently in the openings. They would propose putting those doors back in place, with their original knobs, etc., and make them part of the existing walls. He believed some of these doors are a light cream color, which might be the original color, and he would be meeting with Gertz to review that plan. With respect to new doors that are not presently there in the staff bunk area, he asked if it would be the Commission's desire to replicate doors that are there now. Adams replied the HPC would want to replicate them, while bringing them up to code. Regarding the walls between the bunkrooms, Rumsey said they are proposing walls all the way to the ceiling because of privacy and safety issues. Gertz said right now the dormitory building is an open structure, and the rustic appearance of the building would be compromised with walls that go all the way to the rafters. The walls would obliterate the open structure of the ceiling. Rumsey explained that it is necessary, however, because of the possibility of campers in the upper bunks climbing over the top of the wall if it is only 7 feet high. Bailey said it is about 15 feet to the ridge of the ceiling. Gertz noted that type of open ceiling structure could still be seen in the dining building. He asked if there are materials other than solid wood that could be used for the walls between bunk rooms, and if they could be built in a way so that historic materials would not be removed if the walls come down in the future. Bailey replied they are proposing horizontal wood walls with trim on the edge and then trim up at the ceiling so the cut upper ends would have a finished look. Bailey said there is another wall-related issue, which is installing 2-inch rigid insulation between each stud, covering the insulation with wood boards, and leaving a portion exposed to retain the appearance of the historic building. With the additional insulation, Friendship Ventures would be able to use the camp for more than one season of the year. Regarding lighting, Bailey said he would like to see photographs of the type of fixtures used originally if Gertz has them. However, they need to provide lighting in the bunk rooms that would be both sensible and useful. Gertz said he would show him the photos, but didn't expect the fixtures to be replicated. Bailey said trying to replicate any lighting would be difficult in that building. Bailey said one wing of the dormitory has weathered wood on the interior, and in the other wing there has been an attempt to paint or whitewash it. With regard to how to handle weathered wood and new raw wood, he asked Gertz if they should paint the weathered wood. Gertz replied his thinking is to just let the weathered wood stay the way it is. There is no reason to paint out the section that someone attempted to paint in the girls' wing. When the partition walls are set up that will disappear to some extent. It is not a historic issue. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 5 Regarding exterior doors on the dining building, Gertz noted that one or two doors were changed to insulated doors. He asked if there is a plan to change the other doors to insulated doors or use the doors that are there. If they have to be replaced, his preference would be solid-core wood doors. Gertz asked what the plan is for the dormitory. Bailey said he has called for some doors to be replaced, and will add some panic hardware to them. He has not identified whether they would be solid, insulated, panel-type doors. He can do some research and find out what is available. Gertz said that is an important consideration because it changes the character of the original. Rumsey said they have added windows to doors so people can see if someone is on the other side. They will try to find some type of door that has windows and also to keep the character of the original. Gertz said they could reach a compromise. He wants consistency rather than having different styles. Bailey said fascia on the dormitory would be replaced with fascia wide enough to cover the roof ends. He asked if the HPC has given any thought to using anything other than painted wood to replace prefinished metal-wrapped fascia. Gertz replied the HPC had not discussed that before. Bailey said they could do wood fascia and finish it off. That is only seen in historic preservation work. Adams suggested the HPC discuss this and get back to him with a response. Bailey agreed. Gertz asked if Bailey could provide more information on whether or not the windows could be retrofitted. He has looked into that a little regarding what window manufacturers can do, and knows they are limited with respect to retrofitting. Bailey said he would research it and let Gertz know the results. Gertz said the plans would have to be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office for comments. Bailey said he would send them. Johnson said Gertz had just made him aware of some state funding that Friendship Ventures could apply for that would help pay for the project. They would appreciate support with writing the grant application. Rumsey, Johnson, Bailey and Strate left the meeting at this point. Adams summarized the review by saying the HPC has basically given Friendship Ventures approval to go ahead with their project. Everyone agrees the windows are unsafe swinging inward. Gertz said he believed it is worth looking at using the existing windows because that could be less expensive than purchasing new ones. They can be made thermally efficient with re-glazing and weather- stripping. Gertz said it is better to have SHPO look at this when the plans are approaching finalization. SHPO would also want to know the HPC has already looked at it. Friendship Ventures has said they don't intend to do any work on the project until late September, and they are still in the process of raising funds. Everything they have proposed is a great improvement to the buildings. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 6 IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Application for a State Capital Projects Grant for Glen Lake Children's Camp Rehabilitation Project Gertz reported he received a flyer in the mail from SHPO that refers to the availability of State Capital Projects Grant-in-Aid grants, with a maximum grant of $150,000 and a minimum of $10,000. He told the representatives from Friendship Ventures about this prior to the meeting that night, and they are enthusiastic about applying for a grant for their project. It has to be used on a building that is on the National Register. Friendship Ventures could apply for a grant to pay for all the window work on the building. They will need an exact cost before applying. The deadline for pre-applications is July 29; the review of final grant applications is October 6. Friendship Ventures would like the City's support in procuring the grant. That could be done by the City applying for it, as the property owner, or Friendship Ventures can apply for it with the City's authorization, which Gertz said would be preferable. MOTION: Amell moved, seconded by Mackay, that the Heritage Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council approve an application for a State Capital Projects Grant-in-Aid Grant to be used for rehabilitation of the Glen Lake Children's Camp. Motion carried 7-0. B. Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructin! Historic Buildings Gertz asked if the Commissioners had had time to read through the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines, and how those would apply to the Commission's review of plans for rehabilitation of the Glen Lake Children's Camp. He said that when the plans are being reviewed, and they talk about changing the windows, etc., it is good to ask about materials. That is just as important as design or style. For example, vinyl would not be a good choice of material. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Pioneer Trail (CSAH 1) Gertz reported that Hennepin County completed the tree inventory on the J.R. Cummins property. The City Forester said a meandering trail across the front of the property would negatively impact the shagbark hickory trees, and it was removed from the plan. It was replaced with a straight trail, which will have less impact on the property. The Parks department is losing their ball fields with the widening of the road, so they have to reconfigure that area into a new athletic field. What they are going to propose is to relocate parking on the north edge of the Cummins property. They want the entrance to Staring Lake Park to be east of the house, following the drive that is there for the adjacent business. The drive HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 7 will then turn west along the tree line and incorporate the parking area that serves the archery range, and it will then lead into Staring Lake Park. When Pioneer Trail is widened and the utilities are done, City sewer and water would be available for the house. The City is proposing to wait until then before going ahead to lease the property. That will be at least a couple of years from now. The proposal will also be reviewed by SHPO. B. CLG Grant Update Gertz reported that all the CLG Grant agreements were signed by the mayor and City manager and sent to SHPO for signing. When they come back, the City will put out a Request for Proposals for a consultant to come in and start working on the project. That could happen by the end of July. Gertz said he would put together a schedule for sending out the RFP, and then the HPC looking at the proposals and making a decision on a consultant. C. Dorenkemper House Gertz said he met with Dan Herbst and Bruce Bren, who will begin work on the house with the intention of finishing it by Sunbonnet Day. Gertz doesn't know if Bren is volunteering his time or is being paid by Herbst. Bren had good ideas about how to get the work done. Gertz also reported that the house was vandalized. Two or three windows were broken, including one of the historic panes of glass. Two pieces of siding were hit and cracked. Gertz said the siding could be replaced. There was some minor damage to a door. He reported the damage to the Parks department and they will send someone out to cover the windows. There is no exterior lighting now to help prevent vandalism, which there should be. Signs might also help. Gertz asked for suggestions on an entrance sign to the Riley-Jacques Farm similar to the Dunn Bros. sign at the Smith-Douglas-More House. It was agreed the sign should show the historic character of the property by using architectural details taken from the farm buildings. MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Amell, to recommend to the City Council that monument entrance signage for the Riley-Jacques Farmstead be provided, in keeping with other historic properties in Eden Prairie. Motion carried 7-0. D. Cummins House and Riley House Repairs Gertz said the contractor is about to start work. At the June 21 City Council meeting, the Council will be asked to consider complete replacement of the wood shingle roof on the Cummins house, because it is in worse condition than first contemplated. The cost would be $17,000, less deductions the City will be getting. If it is not approved, the roof will be repaired as shown on the original HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 Page 8 plan. The contractor expects to complete work on both houses by September 1. That would be in time to prepare for Sunbonnet Day at the Riley farmstead. E. Glen Lake Children's Camp Dining Hall Deck & Ramp Project Gertz reported that the Eagle Scout project is moving ahead. The City's park manager, Stu Fox, had a concern about the relocation of the fire ring and its proximity to the trees. He proposed staying with the original location. However, the argument that the camp people had was that it would be too difficult for campers with severe needs to get to the fire ring where it is located now. So the fire ring will be moved closer to the deck, but a minimum amount of asphalt will be laid down leading to it. Gertz said the HPC does not have to do anything now about that project. Adams pointed out that Stuart Bailey, the architect for the other project, did not know much about the Scout project. She wondered how the architect would deal with the windows swinging out over the deck. Gilbertson said they could swing out just 4 inches, and that would meet ADA requirements. F. Upcoming Conferences The National Trust Annual Conference will be in Portland November 22-27. The State Preservation Conference will be held on September 15 and 16 in Duluth. Gertz asked the Commissioners to let him know if they are interested. The City will pay the expenses of anyone who wants to attend. Gertz said he believed Eden Prairie would be getting an award at the State Preservation Conference for the Riley-Jacques barn project, if the City applies for it. It is presented through the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. Or it may be presented to Miller-Dunwiddie, with Eden Prairie mentioned as the owner and sponsor of the project. G. Cemetery Task Force Amell reported the task force has been formed and there will be a meeting either that week or the next. He will represent the HPC on the task force. VII ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Amell, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.