HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/21/2003 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MONDAY,APRIL 21, 2003 6:30 p.m.
Riley-Jacques Farm
9100 Riley Lake Road
7:45 p.m.
Eden Prairie City Center
Prairie Rooms A & B
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy
Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown,
Molly Gilbertson, Elise Kist, Kati Simons
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: John Buteyn, Mackenzie Epping,
Ron Viland
COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation
Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder
I. ROLL CALL
Vice-Chairperson Adams called the meeting to order at the City Center at 8:00 p.m.
Chairperson Peterson-Benike was excused. Geraldine Beckmann, a member of the Eden
Prairie Historical Society, attended as a guest.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Simons moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the agenda as published.
Motion carried 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —MARCH 17, 2003
MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the minutes of the Heritage
Preservation Commission meeting held on March 17, 2003, as published. Motion
carried 6-0.
IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
A. Welcome New Commission Member Molly Gilbertson
Molly Gilbertson was welcomed as a new Commission member and introduced to
the other members. Commissioners Barkley and Peterson-Benike were
reappointed by the City Council in March.
B. Annual Meeting of the Historical Society
Adams said the annual meeting of the Historical Society will be held on June 14
at 10 a.m., at the Cummins-Grill House. On the same day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
the Parks and Recreation Department are planning to have an Arts and Antiques
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April 21, 2003
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Fair. Gertz said members should contact Tria Mann if they wish to volunteer for
this event.
C. State Grant for Cemetery Project
Gertz reported that the grant from the state for the cemetery project was received.
In the next few weeks a Request for Proposals will be sent out. After receiving
proposals, a consultant will be selected and hired. In addition to researching and
photographing cemetery records at Pleasant View and Eden Prairie cemeteries,
the consultant will prepare designations for historic preservation of the two sites.
V. TOUR OF THE RILEY-JACOUES FARM BARN AND DORENKEMPER
HOUSE
The Commissioners toured the site from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Fence Plan at Outdoor Seating at the Smith-Douglas-More House
Gertz said a fence is necessary around the outdoor seating area because Dunn
Bros. serves wine and beer. Commissioners reviewed the plan and accompanying
information supplied by Andrew Caddock, Landscape Architect with Close
Landscape Architecture. Gertz said he gave a copy to Jean Johnson, Zoning
Administrator for the City, and she approved of the plan.
City ordinance requires the fence to have a minimum height of 36 inches, and
gates must operate from both sides to provide emergency egress. The plan shows
a picket fence with two gates. It will have an opaque stain, complementing the
new wood arbor at the outdoor seating area.
The gates have to be ADA compliant off the ramped area. They should be four
feet wide. Gertz said he would talk to the architect about this and make sure the
gate is ADA compliant.
MOTION: Gilbertson moved, seconded by Kist, to approve the fence design as
submitted by Close Landscape Architecture on the plan dated 4-8-03, for the
Smith-Douglas-More House at the outdoor seating area, and to make it ADA
compliant. Motion carried 6-0.
Beckmann inquired if a fence will be installed to screen the neighbor on the north
side of the property. Gertz replied the neighbor had been told the City would
screen off that portion along the boundary between Dunn Bros. and his property if
lights in the parking area were a problem for him. The neighbor has made that
request, and Gertz plans to meet with him this week to discuss it.
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B. Review Color Samples for Shutters at the Smith-Douglas-More House
Gertz said he contacted MacDonald and Mack about determining the original
color of the shutters, most recently painted white. After scraping off the layers of
paint, they found that over the years the shutters had been painted three different
shades of green, but were originally a very dark green. Commission members
were shown the three different shades of green.
MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Simons, that the shutters on the Smith-
Douglas-More House be painted dark green, number 10GY24 from the Munsel
book. Motion carried 6-0.
Gertz said historic photos of the house show that the porch floors were a dark
color, either black or dark green. Commission members expressed a preference
for dark green and also wanted the risers to be green. Gertz requested that a
couple of Commissioners meet with him at the house to discuss this further.
Adams and Gilbertson agreed to meet with Gertz on Wednesday, April 23.
C. Site Planning for the Riley-Jacques Farm
Brauer Associates, working with Miller-Dunwiddie Architects, prepared the
concept plans for restoration and rehabilitation of the site,barn and houses.
City staff has asked for 100 parking stalls, with handicapped-accessible parking
near the barn. Miller-Dunwiddie sent comments and questions to discuss at a
meeting on April 25 at the Riley-Jacques Farm. One question asked whether
100+/- parking spaces is a realistic requirement or if the park was becoming a
parking area. Gertz said that amount of parking uses up all of the open space on
the site. Other places to put parking were suggested. It was pointed out that the
Riley Lake Park beach area could not be used for overflow parking in the summer
months because it is needed by those using the beach.
Gertz asked the Commissioners to review the comments and let him know if there
are questions they would like him to bring to the April 25 meeting on the project.
Adams believed it was important to be able to see the barn when driving into the
site from Riley Lake Road. She suggested having the majority of parking away
from the core area of the farmstead, closer to Lake Riley Road. Kist asked if it
would be possible to start with about 50 parking spaces and determine over time if
that is enough. The Commissioners preferred the shape of Plan No. 2, with some
modifications. The access ramp on Plan No. 1 was preferred. Gertz said he
would convey these opinions. No action was needed by the HPC at this time.
Gertz said the project would be going out to bid soon. The schedule shows an
August start date, with an end date in November. The HPC will be asked to
approve the whole plan and a Heritage Preservation Site alteration permit.
Beckmann said the Historical Society doesn't know if the Anderson School
House would be moved to the Riley-Jacques heritage park, but she wondered
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where there would be room for it. Gertz said it will be located on the site plan,
but would be moved there only if the School District doesn't find a place to locate
it on school property. It will be necessary to make certain there are designated
parking spaces for buses bringing school children to see the school. Gertz said he
might look at the Gibbs Farm to see how parking has been arranged there.
D. Site Planning for the Cummins-Grill House
Gertz asked to table this matter until the next meeting, as Miller-Dunwiddie is still
working on the site plans. At that meeting,reuse scenarios will also be examined.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Interior Planning for the Dorenkemper House
Gertz referenced a letter he sent to Marie Wittenberg, requesting the assistance of
the Historical Society in supplying interior furnishings for the house and how they
will be placed in the house. This would include refurbishing of original
Dorenkemper furniture pieces and possible reconditioning and use of the "Bucks"
wood stove currently located in the history museum.
Gertz attended the Historical Society's April 16 Board meeting when this was
discussed. The Historical Society has about eight pieces from the Dorenkemper
family, and these will be restored. Kathie Case received three bids for the work
and applied for an Eden Prairie Foundation grant to pay for it. She expects to
know by May if the Historical Society will receive the grant. A refinisher said it
would take six months to do the work. That will coincide with the end of the
structural work on the house. Dan Herbst has said the work on the house should
be done by late fall. The Historical Society is willing to do what it can to supply
basic pieces and add to them later. They will provide the "Bucks" wood stove.
Beckmann asked what era the house will reflect. Gertz said between 1880 and
1900,but it will depend on the furnishings acquired for the house. The date of the
wood stove is about 1900.
B. Improvements at the Glen Lake Children's Camp
Gertz said he would be meeting with the manager of Eden Wood and Miller-
Dunwiddie Architects at the Glen Lake Children's Camp on April 23, to discuss
plans they have to alter the dormitory building. He had been aware they wanted
to make modifications to the building, and after that meeting he would have more
information to give the HPC and the SHPO.
Commissioners expressed an interest is seeing the camp. Gertz said he will ask
the manager when it would be convenient.
C. Barn Preservation Workshop
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Adams said that the workshop would be held on Saturday, May 3, in rural Isanti
County. The City will reimburse commissioners who wish to attend. Peterson-
Benike, who attended last year,has indicated she will not be able to go.
D. Mpls.St. Paul Magazine Article
Gertz reported that Mpls.St. Paul magazine has asked to interview him for a
feature article about historic places in suburban cities, to be published in the June
or July issue.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Gilbertson moved, seconded by Barkley, to adjourn the meeting. Adams
adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.