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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/21/2008 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 21, 2008 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, Kathy Veurink STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Claire Lukens, Mark Muston,Alexandra Shea COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Planner II Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Mackay was excused. Student representatives Muston and Lukens were excused. Parks and Recreation Department Director Jay Lotthammer was present. Chuck Liddy, an architect with Miller-Dunwiddie, George Watson, a landscape architect with Brauer and Associates, and Georgina Rumsey from Friendship Ventures, were also present. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Adams moved Item A. under Old Business, the review of the Eden Wood Center Master Plan, to the top of the agenda. MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by McPherson, to approve the agenda as revised. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —MARCH 17, 2008 Adams corrected the name of Shuldhiess on the bottom of page 2, under V., Item A. MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Muehlberg, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on March 17, 2008, as published and corrected. Motion carried 7-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER—KATHY VEURINK Commissioner Veurink was introduced. She has lived in Eden Prairie since 2002 and is employed by Grace Church. The other Commissioners introduced themselves. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 2 B. F. Y. 2008 CLG GRANT Gertz reported that the Minnesota Historical Society sent him confirmation that the City did get the F. Y. 2008 CLG grant for $8,000. As soon as the City and MHS complete the grant agreement, Gertz said he will prepare and mail out the RFP's to consulting firms. He expects the grant project to begin in June or July. Adams explained that the grant is to develop Preservation Management Plans for Staring Lake Outdoor Center, Camp Eden Wood, the Smith-Douglas-More House and Riley-Jacques Homestead. Gertz said he wants the Preservation Management Plan to be referenced under the review section of each of these sites, which can be used as a tool in preservation management. The documents will model the Management Plan that was done for the Cummins property. The HPC and City will work with Friendship Ventures as the Preservation Management Plan is prepared for Camp Eden Wood. He will ask them to be involved to ensure Best Management Practices for the National Register district. C. 31ST ANNUAL BOARD AND COMMISSION BANQUET Gertz reminded the Commissioners and student representatives that the banquet is on Monday, April 28. He encouraged everyone to attend. V. OLD BUSINESS A. EDEN WOOD CENTER MASTER PLAN REVIEW Lotthammer introduced himself, along with George Watson from Brauer & Associates, Chuck Liddy from Miller-Dunwiddie, and Georgina Rumsey with Friendship Ventures. Watson and Liddy were there to present an overview of the process, to request input from the HPC, and outline future steps to be taken. Lotthammer said the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission and the staff and board members of Friendship Ventures have reviewed and commented on the Master Plan. Any suggestions from the HPC will be incorporated before it is presented to the City Council on May 6, 2008 for adoption. Lotthammer said the bonding bill proposal for funding for Camp Eden Wood was submitted to the State Legislature for inclusion in the 2008 State Bonding Bill,but it appears that it will not be funded in 2008. Funding does not often get approved the first time, and there is another chance in two years. However, the plan can still move forward in a phased approach with other funds. The City is going through Amy Klobuchar to obtain federal funds to add to any other funds received. Lotthammer pointed out that this is one of the most challenging sites the Parks and Recreation Department has seen because of its historic nature. In addition, quite a few dollars have been granted over the years that put restrictions on what HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 3 can be done on the site. Lotthammer said staff will be certain to follow the right regulations when discussing the plan with the Planning Commission, the Watershed District, etc. The program needs of Friendship Ventures has helped to drive the Master Plan. Watson said he and Liddy worked with Rumsey and her staff and have come up with this plan. The primary goal is to provide housing for 100 campers and staff. That was one of the key things in terms of future use of the site. Another was to maximize flexibility. If they do not obtain State money or other funds the plan will be developed a little at a time, and potential staging of construction is one of the things to consider. Because Friendship Ventures office is located in the dining hall building, which at times interferes with other activities, finding an accessible space outside that area is desirable. A new space for the health center is also needed. They want to maintain and restore the dining hall's historic content. Remodeling of the old dining hall for use in all four seasons would be desirable. Friendship Ventures can potentially rent out the camp to groups in the off season. Watson explained that another part of the plan is to move the intersection with Indian Chief Road as far as possible from the railroad bridge. Also, more thought needs to be given to camp trails and other trails, in order to avoid non-campers just randomly walking through the camp. In order to provide trail access to people from the camp, Watson suggested access be administratively controlled by a gate. He said that would help eliminate a lot of the activity that is currently happening on the railroad right of way. He recommended a paved asphalt path from the entrance up to the area used for parking, which would also be paved with asphalt. Watson explained they would build three smaller buildings. One will have two wings used by both staff and campers. He would suggest eliminating two small structures, and building the replacements in a style that is complementary to the other structures. They would also recommend removing one of the buildings that is located off the historic site. A smaller residence is being suggested with a space for the health center. The water in Birch Island Lake will be rising and will also raise the water in the wetland. What is left for another building is within about 50 feet of the setback in an area that is now a gravel parking lot. Liddy said the reason they arrived at three different buildings was the notion of being able to make this affordable for Friendship Ventures. They knew they needed 66 beds. He and Watson met with Mark Buechel from the SHPO and walked around the site. They also met at the SHPO with Susan Roth and talked about the idea of two or three buildings. She said having a smaller building outside the historic district is best. It will have the same hip roof and similar siding, overhang, etc., as the buildings in the historic district. Regarding Birch Hall, they wanted to provide some of the space needed for the health clinic and office space. They decided it is easier and less expensive to put basements under one of the new buildings rather than the existing building. The intent is to maintain the open interior of the facility as it looked originally. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 4 Obtaining a grant to restore the roof and another for rehabilitation of the dining hall would require review by the SHPO to ensure that the integrity of the historic site is being maintained. Federal funds, if obtained, would be under Section 106. Buechel and Roth have been very supportive so far. Higgins asked Rumsey what Friendship Ventures top priority would be if they obtain some funding. Rumsey replied she anticipated they would consider constructing the 26-bed cabin, look at designing a two-level building and incorporating the health center in the design. Gertz asked if a basement would be obvious, and would it have exterior access. Watson replied the cabins are on slopes, and the intent would be to have walkout basements, but the clientele would be able to access the basement at the lower level. Gertz asked if the cabin that is outside the historic district would have access from a basement. Watson replied there is some slope in that direction but he was not certain it would have basement space. It may not need a two-level structure. Gertz said he was thinking of the outside appearance. Liddy said they would look at using something similar to an original foundation wall covered with stone that has a rustic appearance. Gertz inquired how would they differentiate the new cabins from the historic ones. Liddy replied a person with a reasonable understanding of historic preservation would be able to tell the difference, but it will be subtle. The siding would be vinyl or painted metal as opposed to the original. When you get up close, you should be able to pick up some subtle differences. Colors could also differentiate them. Regarding trails, Gertz asked what materials would be used within the historic part of the camp. Watson replied they need to be accessible so they would have to be paved. Asphalt would work well. The main issue is the scale of the walk. They have to be reasonable as far as maintenance. If they can put the walk where it exists today, it will be there. They look at how the site is being used and the need for the trails to be navigable, and base the design on that. Lotthammer said those types of details on the Master Plan are outside the scope of what we know now. Trade-offs will need to be made. At the time of development, it will depend on what materials are available. Those discussions have been held,but will be decided at a later time. Muehlberg noted the 26-bed cabin shows a partial upper level and wondered if there might be a height issue. Liddy replied the partial upper floor shown on the plan indicates that particular section of the plan replaces what would be the main portion of the floor. Scale-wise, it would be appropriate. Gertz said the overall plan is great and is good for everyone who uses the camp. The buildings are well located and he hopes this plan is carried out. Muehlberg noted the document is easy to read and very well done. McPherson added that it is well thought out. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 5 Rumsey said camp begins June 15. She will make sure those Commissioners who wish to have a tour can get one when the camp is in operation. Adams thanked everyone for coming. B. SESQUICENTENNIAL PLANNING UPDATE Gertz said the only problem he has seen is with the Web site. It is difficult to access information about the sesquicentennial and it is necessary to click on Heritage Preservation Commission first. City staff has promised to make the site easier to get to. The banners are close to being finished. They are being donated by Northern Lights Display Company, and will be put up at both Purgatory Creek and Round Lake parks, and possibly at Staring Lake Park and the Community Center. Gertz and Adams are working on a letter to be mailed out to businesses, the school district office, etc. They would be free to use the logo if they choose to. The school district will distribute the letter to the schools. All churches and non- profits will receive the letter. An edited version will be printed in the newspaper this week. It will include a schedule of events. Those receiving the letter will be invited to let the City communications department know what they are doing so it can be added to the Web site. The goal is make people aware of the sesquicentennial. Higgins promised to provide Gertz with a name and address for the local Girl Scouts and Akerlund said he would provide a name and address for the Boy Scouts so letters can be sent to them. With regard to the proclamation, Gertz said he wants this written so the Council can read it at a May meeting. He hopes to plant a Sesquicentennial Tree near the barn at the Riley-Jacques Farmstead. Gertz is working with Sandy Werts on using the sesquicentennial theme in events planned for the year. Adams said there will be a brochure on the Web site that can be downloaded, and a hard copy will also be available. Businesses will be asked if they want to have the brochure available in their facility. There will also be a map for the Historical Society's self-guided tour on May 3. Gertz said the logo could be printed on coffee mugs and sold at City events this year. Veurink suggested that a bottled drink could be served in the mug. McPherson suggested putting the Minnesota stamp, that has a picture of the river at Winona, on envelopes and having the post office date-stamp them, which could then be sold as a souvenir. Higgins said a good option to that would be to have the first date of issue with the Minnesota stamp on it. They would be of interest to children and stamp-collectors. Gertz said he would bring these ideas to the next meeting of the sesquicentennial group later in the week. Some people are working on a producing a crossword HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 6 puzzle and they are also thinking of doing an essay contest. That information should be put on the City's Home Page. C. HPC/CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP Gertz reported that the April 15 workshop was canceled and has been rescheduled for May 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. He will send out information to the Commissioners prior to that date. Robert Vogel is able to attend. Also, Scott Neal suggested combining the scheduled update of the City Council with the workshop meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. SJOSTRAND BARN Gertz reported that he was at a meeting on April 4 at the Minnesota Historical Society regarding the Sjostrand barn and the Cummins property. The meeting was attended by representatives from SHPO, the City, MnDOT and the County. Hennepin County now owns the property where the barn is located. The City and the HPC may be asked by MnDOT to look into evaluating potential reuse of the property. If MnDOT were to do that, it would take up to three months to go through the process. The evaluation would include doing a survey of the property and coming up with reuse options. If the City does the work, a report would be prepared this summer for submission to MnDOT and the MHS. There was also a discussion about options to keep the barn on the site. Hennepin County is coming up with a plan to keep the barn in place but would have no viable use for it. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) doesn't like having any buildings in the Runway Protection Zone and their responses to inquiries have been unsatisfactory. Gertz said the best scenario is to complete the study on using the barn in different ways and different places. The worst case scenario would be to demolish the barn, after taking photographs to document it. The SHPO staff requested further consideration of the options available before entering into mitigation discussions. The MHS wants the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to take a look at matters related to the opinions of MAC and the FAA, which would mean sending all the pertinent information to Washington, D. C. for the FAA to examine. Regarding the Cummins property, Gertz said the Parks department has a new plan for parking, which reduces the parking lot by about five feet and does not extend west to the ball fields. They will look at screening the lot also. Since there is so much impact on the north of the property and so much loss from the front of it, one of the suggestions was to use the Section 106 process to request that mitigation include extending utilities to the house. That would make the property much more attractive in terms of being used. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 21, 2008 Page 7 The landscape study will be starting soon and should be done by the end of July. They will try to coordinate that with the landscape plan. Gertz reported that "Arts and Antiques in the Garden" is going to be held at the Cummins property on June 7. Higgins inquired if prints of a painting of the Cummins house were still available and if there might be an interest in trying to sell them. Gertz said the City has always sold them for $100, and they could try selling them at that event. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Muehlberg moved, seconded by Higgins, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.