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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 01/14/2002 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2002 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A&B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Kati Simons,Art Weeks, Mike Wroblewski COMMISSION STAFF: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jane Field, Timothy Roth, Ross Viland I. ROLL CALL Peterson-Benike called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commissioner Simons had an excused absence. Commissioner Wroblewski arrived at 7:25 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —DECEMBER 17, 2001 Weeks noted, on page 1, under Approval of Minutes, that he would have abstained from approving the November minutes due to his absence from that meeting. MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the minutes of the Heritage and Preservation Commission meeting held on December 17, 2001, as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. New City Web Site Gertz said staff met several times to discuss the new Web site and what it should contain. He recommended that the word "heritage" be removed from"history and heritage", and that the section dealing with historic preservation be placed under Community Development. The process of designating historic sites would be outlined, and each site would include a photo tour. The members of the HPC will be listed, possibly with photographs. "Links" would include the Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Gertz said the City would be hiring a consultant to design the Web site. Peterson-Benike said the "Contacts" are important if people want to get more involved and get in touch with the HPC or the Historical Society. Adams HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2002 Page 2 recommended including the location of the museum in the City Center and the hours it is open. Gertz said information about the museum would be included. Gertz said if anyone has suggestions about the Web site let him know and he will make certain they get to the committee working on it. B. Dornkemper House Gertz said the question of where the Dornkemper house will be moved has not been resolved because there hasn't' been a good evaluation of the condition of the logs. While the siding was being removed, Gertz discovered a number of rotted logs. However, they are just on the south side of the building. He has been trying to contact Peter Edmond, a restorer of log homes, to ask him to look at the logs and determine how many need to be replaced. The logs are chinked with mud and straw. Gertz is hoping there will be enough integrity in the logs to be worth moving the house to a new location. The adjacent buildings were demolished; however, a staff member took photographs of the entire homestead prior to that. He also managed to remove a unique lightning rod, which has been put in the Historical Society's museum until Dan Herbst wants it. Gertz will bring photographs to the next HPC meeting. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Historic Site Interpretive Panels Gertz said he was hoping to show the commission a draft of the panel, but it was not yet available. He did obtain more information about the history of Staring Lake. The Northrup-King research center was begun there in 1922 and continued to function there until well into the 1980s. The outdoor center was previously the headquarters building for a state camp. Clarence Busch, a Northrup-King employee, bought two of the buildings and had them moved to Eden Prairie. He made two separate buildings out of the bigger building and used the log house for his residence in the winter. At the December HPC meeting, several commissioners had asked for copies of the text on the various interpretive panels to give them background information. Gertz said he could probably obtain it for them. Gertz showed a brochure from Cottage Grove that described the various historic sites in the city. It was agreed this would be a good thing for Eden Prairie to have,relating it to the interpretive panels. Wroblewski wondered if Northrup-King had developed any special type of corn or other agricultural product. It was thought the University of Minnesota would have that information. Northrup-King did grain seed research. Mr. Busch started the hybridization program and established a research farm, and the U. of M. probably supported this work. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2002 Page 3 B. Local Desisnations The commissioners reviewed the material they had previously received on 12 sites that should be prioritized for local designation as Heritage Preservation Sites. Some are in more imminent danger than others are. Gertz recommended beginning with the Staring Lake Outdoor Center, the Consolidated School and the Harry Picha farm. Gertz reviewed the process for designation, which takes from two to three months. He would first prepare a Statement of Significance for each one. Those would be sent to the City Council, recommending them for designation. Information on the sites would be forwarded to the Planning Board. The Board's role is to look at each site and determine if giving it local designation will impact any development in the vicinity of the site. The HPC would schedule and conduct public hearings on the sites. The Council would then be asked to designate each site, which would be done by City Ordinance. The HPC would review the site permits and the City Council would be asked to approve the permits. The HPC can proceed whether or not the property owner wants the property designated. Gertz said it is important to designate the Harry Picha farm now, because Mr. Picha is talking about making it a living history farm, and it is not known how that will affect the farmstead's historical integrity. The farm should be designated to make sure it is developed appropriately. Peterson-Benike added that the farm is very important because of its proximity to Birth Island Woods and the Glen Lake Children's Camp. Gertz said a lot of work is needed on the Staring Lake Outdoor Center to preserve it, which includes restoring the logs. It is very important historically and is the last City-owned property not designated. Designating the site would ensure that work is done the way the HPC wants it done. Gertz said the Consolidated School is one of the most historically significant buildings in Eden Prairie. It is a good example of a rural consolidated school. However, the school district may not want the City to designate it. After working with the school district on restoration of the gym, it is hoped they will be more receptive to the idea. Local designation would preserve the exterior of the building from modifications that would affect its heritage. From the standpoint of being endangered, Gertz said there is always a chance that the school district would alter the building in some way. The school should be evaluated for the National Register also. He would ask SHPO to do an evaluation and issue a finding as to whether it is eligible or not. The commissioners reached consensus to take four sites at one time through the process. Wroblewski suggested the River Narrows as the fourth site. This is the site of the last battle between two American-Indian tribes, the Ojibway and Mdewakanton. The roadway that runs through the site would not be part of the designation. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2002 Page 4 Adams asked to have more time to review the twelve sites and look over the criteria for designation. The commissioners decided to wait until next month's meeting to vote on selections. C. Smith House Gertz reported that the City Council approved the architectural service agreement with MacDonald and Mack for the exterior restoration of the house and a kitchen addition. Gertz met with David Lindahl, Chris Eilers, Bob Mack and the project architect on January 11. The architect brought a set of preliminary drawings, which shows the new build-out addition of about 750 square feet for food preparation and two handicap-accessible bathrooms. There will be a new entrance that would also be accessible. The upstairs is shown as office space and storage area. The City is required to bring the house up to a level to allow Dunn Bros. to finish it for commercial use. The City's budget is $500,000. Gertz said Bob Mack has asked to come to the next HPC meeting for a philosophical discussion on the plans for the build-out and what would be allowable. He will ask about treatment approaches and talk about rehabilitation of the house. Gertz distributed information and guidelines on historic preservation. There are now four treatments for the preservation process. He asked the commissioners to read through the information so they will know what can and cannot be done to the house. The commissioners will be evaluating the site in terms of historic significance and choose the appropriate treatment. D. Lookout Park Gertz said the City would not be meeting with the Metropolitan Airports Commission about Lookout Park until after they have resolved issues regarding Flying Cloud Airport. Perhaps by spring they will be able to talk to the American Indian group interested in the site. Peterson-Benike said Lookout Park can be seen from the road since the site was cleaned up. It is also easier for the police to monitor. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2002 Heritage Site Improvement Plan The Historical Properties portion of the City's 2002-2007 Capital Improvement Program was distributed for review, totaling $1,561,895. Gertz said it was approved by the City Council in December. Although the CIP is reevaluated every year,he doesn't expect anything to be deleted from this segment. In 2002, the Smith House will be rehabilitated, as described earlier, and the Cummins-Grill House will have exterior and interior modifications. The work list HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2002 Page 5 was previously distributed to the commissioners. In 2003, air conditioning will be added to the house. Also in 2003, the barn on the Riley Jacques Farm will be renovated and lavatories added. Gertz said the HPC should be thinking about how the barn could be used. Wroblewski asked if the $500,000 for the Smith House was realistic. Gertz believes it is quite close, based on the fact the figures were reviewed by both Miller Dunwiddie and MacDonald Mack. A lot of money will be spent on sewer and water connections, and building a parking lot and driveway, in addition to structural upgrades and repairs. The City will be preparing a landscaping plan for Dunn Bros. The City is putting together a long-term lease agreement with the company. B. Historic Preservation Week May 12-18, 2002 The National Trust of Historic Preservation is sponsoring Historic Preservation Week in May. Gertz suggested the HPC have a booth where information on Lookout Park could be featured. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota named Lookout Park as one of the ten most endangered sites in Minnesota. The Glen Lake Children's Camp should also be promoted because the City received a 2001 Preservation Honor Award plaque for its restoration. Gertz recommended having an exhibit on the process for rehabilitation. A committee was formed to work on Preservation Week, including Commissioners Adams, Peterson-Benike and Wroblewski. One recommendation was that all the interpretive panels be displayed at the booth before they are put in place around the City. C. Architecture Minnesota Magazine Peterson-Benike reported that Robert Roscoe, contributing writer for Architecture Minnesota magazine, interviewed her about historic sites in Eden Prairie. They discussed Birch Island Park and the Harry Picha Farm. D. Interior Desisn Students Gertz reported that he was contacted by a student of interior design at the University of Minnesota, who is graduating this spring. She is looking for a thesis project for her degree, and would like to develop the interior design for the Dunn Bros. Coffee shop at no cost. The City is sponsoring the project. She will work with Bob Mack and Chris Eilers. Bob will oversee the project. Gertz has talked to her about the preservation process. Another student, Jamie Smith, wants to do essentially the same thing at the Cummins-Grill House. It would be a good opportunity for the City to have her work out a plan for the rooms. With the funding available in the CIP, perhaps the plan, or portions of it, could be implemented, if the HPC approves it. Jamie HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2002 Page 6 would be working closely with the City and the HPC. Her area of interest is historic design. E. Expiration of Commissioners' Terms on the HPC Peterson-Benike reminded commissioners whose terms expire in March to reapply if they are interested in continuing on the HPC. The open house for Boards and Commissions is Tuesday, January 15. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Wroblewski, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Peterson-Benike adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.