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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/19/2010 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 19, 2010 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ann Higgins (Chair), Kathy Veurink(Vice Chair), Matthew Fyten, Jeffrey Lawler, Nina Mackay, Mark McPherson, Ed Muehlberg STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Alexis Smith STAFF: John Gertz, Pathfinder CRM, LLC Heidi Wojahn, Substitute Recorder GUEST: Jay Lotthammer, Director of Parks and Recreation I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Higgins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Kathy Veurink and Ed Muehlberg were excused from this evening's meeting. Student Representative Alexis Smith was absent. II. WELCOME TO NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS Higgins asked everyone to introduce themselves and briefly explain what brought them to the commission. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by McPherson, to approve the agenda. Motion carried by informal consent. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Higgins proposed the following changes to the March 15, 2010 minutes: p.1, last paragraph, second line—add "that" after "Dietz" and p.2, second paragraph, first sentence—add "town site" after"Hennepin". McPherson stated "Muehlberg" should read "McPherson" on p.3, second paragraph, first word. MOTION: McPherson moved, seconded by Mackay, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried by informal consent. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 19, 2010 Page 2 V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE ALTERATION PERMIT FOR RILEY-JACOUES FARMHOUSE PARKING AND DRIVEWAY PLAN Upon request from Senior Planner Scott Kipp, Gertz provided his recommendations for the proposed alterations to the Riley-Jacques Farmhouse site which are to approve the plans as submitted by the Parks Department. The materials are appropriate, the grading changes fit with the historic landscape form, and the work meets preservation standards and is reversible. Lotthammer explained the plans call for the installation of a three-car gravel parking area on the southeast side of the current driveway which loops around the house and connects with the bike trail on the lake side of the house. Adding the proposed overflow parking would eliminate vehicle traffic on the bike trail. There is currently not sufficient space for parking a vehicle adjacent to the house without blocking the driveway and this has also proved problematic for winter snow removal. The work which would be done by city park maintenance workers involves minor grading, bringing in clean fill, and blocking off driveway connections to the bike path with a split-rail fence or plantings. Ultimately this will keep the site in better condition and deter trail users from wandering off the path onto the site. McPherson suggested restoring a portion of the gravel driveway to sod as an alternative to the suggested fencing. Gertz stressed the importance of preserving the original driveway so it is at least visible in some form—he prefers it not be installed with a berm, but rather restored with seed and allowed to fill in with grass. MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Fyten, to approve the plans submitted by the Parks Department with the change from fencing to sod (for areas marked #3 on the parking plan) for a Heritage Preservation Site Alteration Permit for work to be completed at the Riley-Jacques Farmstead. Motion carried 5-0. There will need to be a public hearing,but Lotthammer expects the plan to go to Council for approval in early June. The farmhouse is currently unoccupied. This has allowed the City an opportunity to pull out the outdated shag carpeting and make electrical and furnace upgrades to get it in rental-ready condition. Gertz said the attic needs insulation, too. Rental is for the house only (garage and grounds not included) and was advertised in the paper. There were no bites, possibly because of the high utilities expense and the fact pets are not allowed. Rental is currently set at$800/month and will be advertised on Craigslist next. The need to install signage indicating the house is a private residence was discussed. This was not an issue for the former renter according to Lotthammer. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 19, 2010 Page 3 VII. OLD BUSINESS - Gertz A. CUMMINS-GRILL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN— DRAFT The plan has been sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has already provided feedback. Lotthammer added because of the impact to the site by the road construction project, the County got involved. They were primarily interested in preserving sight lines and are ok with the plan. Members of the Eden Prairie Historical Society (EPHS) were also consulted because they will be using and programming the house. The point of the plan is to restore the landscape back to that of an old farmstead and improve some of the interpretive aspects (signage). The changes, such as bringing the demo prairie garden back down closer to grade, are minor but they triggered SHPO and Mn/DOT's cultural resources. Mn/DOT had some changes to the plan which were implemented. SHPO has had a change in staff, so the City's contact at Mn/DOT is getting SHPO up to speed. The City expects to hear back soon. Necessary modifications will be made, and it is anticipated a final plan will be ready for HPC approval in May. Many of the outbuildings are also in need of attention. Lotthammer met with Gertz, Kipp, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Stu Fox, and Facilities Manager Paul Sticha to discuss what needs to be done,how to fit it into their work plans, and funding. Feedback will be solicited upon completion of a grid which prioritizes projects with Gertz's expertise. Although considered separate, some of the building work will occur at the same time as the landscaping. B. LEGACY GRANTS New funds at the state level are available as a result of the additional sales tax. The next cycle to apply is May and there are three levels of funding. The lower level, granted every couple of weeks throughout the year, is $4,000 or$5,000 with no cash match requirement. Higher-level, brick-and-mortar type grants also do not require cash matches,but they are helpful for purposes of competition. Only national register-listed properties are eligible, so the Cummins-Grill House and the Glen Lake Children's Camp both qualify. There are even grants with an educational component available. Council approval is needed to pursue grant funds and would require a project need and timeline. EPHS is interested in learning more and will meet with Gertz tomorrow. HPC would need to review any proposed projects EPHS brings forth. Higgins suggested more discussion on this topic at next month's HPC meeting. C. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS APPLICATION PACKET Council meets tomorrow night for the second reading of the heritage preservation ordinance. Once approved, "Site Alteration" will be referred to as "Certificate of Appropriateness" which is a more universal term. Examples of what constitutes HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 19, 2010 Page 4 "minor work" versus "major work" will be provided, as well, since those have been redefined. Applications are available in the Planning Department. Gertz will get copies of the revised ordinance to the new commissioners. D. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES MANUALS UPDATE These manuals, which have been prepared and completed on a number of local historic preservation sites, will be updated to include "Certificate of Appropriateness" application forms. Gertz will make sure copies are given to the new commissioners. E. PRESERVATION MONTH POSTER Robert Vogel is planning to put together an educational poster for preservation month. The year's theme is "Going Green". One idea is to highlight before and after pictures of some of the City's reuse projects. Posters will be displayed in a few prominent locations such as the library. Gertz will check if Kipp has a copy of the proclamation from previous years to put on the Council's agenda. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is tentatively scheduled at the Riley-Jacques farmhouse on May 17th Gertz will notify Kipp so the change in meeting location can be posted in advance. Lotthammer will work with Sticha to make sure the facility is unlocked and ready for the meeting with tables and chairs. MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by McPherson, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Higgins adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.