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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 10/19/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Ann Higgins, Chairperson; Kathy Veurink, Vice Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Richard Akerlund, Nina Mackay, Mark McPherson, Ed Muehlberg STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Alexis Smith COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Pathfinder CRM, LLC; Scott Kipp, Senior Planner; Sandy Eastling, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Higgins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Akerlund to approve agenda. Motion Carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 MOTION: McPherson moved, seconded by Mackay to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission held on September 21, 2009 as published with the following correction: delete the word "location" on Page 2, Number 5, paragraph 4, second sentence. Motion carried 6-0,Adams abstaining. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. GERTZ—PRESERVATION ACTIVITY SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER— OCTOBER 2009 1. Cummins House - Gertz made a field visit to the Cummins House. The Park entrance has been moved to the East. The area looks good,but trees have been planted at the far North construction area that shouldn't have been without prior HPC approval. The Parks Department needs to be notified that the trees shouldn't have been planted. The hickory trees still look healthy. Higgins asked about the tree damaged by the plane crash. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 19, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Kipp responded the City doesn't have a budget to remove the tree at this time; the tree appears to be stable. 2. Gertz inspected a house at 7311 Hames Way due to issuance of a demolition permit. When Gertz inspected, the building was already about 25% demolished. The house will be torn down very soon. All windows and doors were already removed. The house did not meet the required integrity criteria. Adams reported the death of Helen Anderson, author of Eden Prairie-The First 100 Years. Anderson was also the first president of the Eden Prairie Historical Society. V. OLD BUSINESS A. PRESERVATION CODE REVIEW AND COMMENTS Kipp distributed draft copies of the Preservation Code as reviewed by the City Attorney. Kipp stated changes were made to place emphasis on City Code language while referencing Federal regulations rather than integrating them. Some definitions were removed. Gertz stated the changes were not significant. The HPC decided to table review of the Preservation Code until the November meeting to allow for review of the revised, draft code. Kipp will provide the originally reviewed code for comparison with the revised Preservation Code. B. BEST MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL COMMENTS Gertz reported that the grant aspect of the Best Management Plan is concluded. Final minor changes to the Best Management Plan are needed for City use. Gertz welcomes feedback from the HPC and end-users of the plans. The Best Management Plans are meant to be working documents, not static reports. Gertz recommended continuing to develop Best Management Plans for the balance of Eden Prairie's historic sites. Using the Smith Douglas More House Best Management Plan as an example, Adams asked about Interior Work. Gertz responded this plan is a guideline, the City can't designate building interiors. If there is a character-defining change planned in a building, it is possible the HPC would need to be involved in decision-making. With the Smith Douglas More House, there is an element of control because the City owns the building. Also, there are ways to keep the Secretary of Interior standards in mind and practice. The Facilities Department is responsible for routine assessment of the Smith Douglas More House, and the Best Management Plan will help City employees apply best practices to historical properties. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 19, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Discussion continued regarding what an archaeological site study is and when it would be used. C. EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORY BOOK UPDATE The HPC members looked at several book samples from printers regarding cover paper weight, as well as printing prices. The Commission decided to get more specifics on the type of printing, exactly what the specified cover would be. Also decided to get more information on hard covers, with the possibility of printing some hard cover and majority soft cover. Adams volunteered to research further for hard cover and high quality soft cover, going to Bethany Press first and the other printers (Anchor, Glen Prairie) as needed. The goal is to produce a high-quality book reprint, make the book readily available and sell at a profit. Smith noted that schools use the Eden Prairie history book, and a durable cover would be an asset for heavy use. Adams agreed to write a forward to the reprint edition of the Eden Prairie history book. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. SMITH DOUGLAS MORE HOUSE—DUNN BROTHERS Kipp reported Dunn Brothers owner Ann Shuster met with City representatives to discuss her ideas for bringing more people to the Dunn Brothers site. Some ideas would possibly require lease revisions and/or an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for the property. Ideas include: Treasure Hunt Antique Fair Girl Scout Cookie Sales Farmers Market Wrist Band Sales Art Gallery/Sales Photographer/Photograph Sales Wedding Receptions Antique Sales T-Shirt Sales Signs The HPC didn't have any objections to these uses, as they could be considered incidental to retail use. However, concern was voiced regarding availability of parking for some activities. Kipp stated the purpose of the meeting was to inform the HPC regarding potential activity on the premises. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 19, 2009 Page 4 of 4 VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mckay moved, seconded by Veurink, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Higgins adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.