HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 03/15/2010 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010 7:00 P.M.
Heritage Room
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; Sandy
Eastling, Recorder
I. ROLL CALL
Higgins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Student Representative Alexis Smith
absent, Commission Members Richard Akerlund and Ed Muehlberg excused.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: McKay moved, seconded by Verurink to approve agenda. Motion Carried
5-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010
Corrections: Page 2, Item IV D., second paragraph—replace "area" with the word
"site"; Page 3, Item V. A. first paragraph—replace "illustration panels of the
design layout" with "proposed landscape plan". Page 3, Item V. B,replace
"County" with "Council".
MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Mckay to approve the minutes of the
Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on February 22, 2010 as
corrected and published. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
A. MINNESOTA RIVER EROSION
Gertz reported Senior Planner Kipp has spoken with Public Works Director Gene
Dietz that a Bluff Mitigation Plan would be a Section 106 process as was done at
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 15, 2010
Page 2
the Cummins-Grill site. The Watershed District would pay for evaluation at the
beginning for archaeological site and locating areas of significant impact.
However, evaluation couldn't be done until the water level goes down.
Part of the Hennepin town site area is in a low lying area and could be under
water. There are other potentially-impacted sites as well.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. CUMMINS GRILL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN -
DRAFT
Gertz submitted pictures of fencing ideas for around the Cummins Grill area;
George Watson of Brauer& Associates gave favorable feedback. There is
fencing at the site which can be utilized.
Site Plantings: the Parks & Recreation Department plants flowers in the front of
the home annually. The flowers are not in keeping with the historic atmosphere
of the location. Gertz suggested now —when the landscape plan is being
developed—would be a good time to address the situation and incorporate proper
plantings into the plan. Gertz offered to relay a request to the Park & Recreation
Department.
MOTION: Mckay moved, seconded by Adams to have the recently established
annual beds located in the South (front) and East sides of the Cummins Grill
House removed and restored to lawn. Motion carried 5-0.
Gertz stated Brauer and Associates will present at the April HPC Meeting. He
said the Parks & Recreation Department would like to get the site alteration
permit in April,but it isn't possible because the permit request has to go to both
the HPC and City Council.
B. PRESERVATION CODE REVIEW
The Code is scheduled to be presented to the City Council March 23, 2010.
C. LEGACY GRANTS
D. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS APPLICATION PACKET
E. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES MANUALS UPDATE
F. MARCH 9TH HPC PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL
Higgins reported the presentation went well; she also had the opportunity to
promote the newly-reprinted History of Eden Prairie book.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 15, 2010
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G. ANNUAL CLG REPORTING
Gertz referred to the submitted report, stating it is generated to comply with
Federal law.
McPherson asked about prioritizing the list for designating properties as Heritage
Preservation sites. Gertz responded priority should be on the Dorenkepmer
House. It is a rescued historic property that would not have survived had it not
been moved and restored at the Riley-Jacques farmstead. Higgins asked if the
designation is dependent on City Council approval. The HPC makes a
recommendation to the City Council for designation.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. HISTORIC BUILDING EXISTING CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT
SUMMARY FOR J. R. CUMMINGS HOUSE AND SMITH-DOUGLAS-
MORE HOUSE OUTBUILDINGS
Gertz presented the preliminary Conditions Assessment Summary. He met with
Kevin Schmieg and Paul Sticha on February 23, 2010. They inspected the
outbuildings at the J. R. Cummins House and Smith-Douglas-More House.
Smith-Douglas-More House—the shed could be moved,but it would be
expensive. The cost to move, the amount of restoration required and the ultimate
end use of the shed need to be considered.
Unless these are addressed, there isn't a good reason to move the shed. The
building is in poor condition itself. The slab foundation is in poor condition.
There is a need for additional parking at this site. However, additional parking
would require funding.
The summary will also include photos of the structures, a site map plus field
drawings already on file with the City.
J. R. Cumminizs House—the shed may have been moved onsite, but Gertz is
unsure. If the building stays and a use is determined, the building would need a
new foundation and siding. Gertz recommended saving the building, as it may be
the only building from the Phillips-Grill period.
The block building (well) is probably from the Grill-era. All these buildings
represent different periods of time from the various residents.
Future Steps:
1. Make the recommendation to save the buildings
2. Go to the Parks & Recreation Department for further action
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 15, 2010
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Temporary stabilization measures need to be taken. The buildings are definitely
worth saving. The entire privy building needs to be tarped. It is currently wired
together for stabilization. The privy area would also be an archaeological site.
The assessment is the beginning of the planning process. The HPC can then
develop an action plan for rehabilitation and restoration. This would be an outline
of how the HPC wants restoration handled.
Gertz said the summary should be finished by May. Then, the HPC will need to
approve the assessment.
Gertz reported one building, The Peony Shed, is in such poor condition now that,
by the time it's restored, it would lose its historic significance. There wouldn't be
much of the original structure left. He recommends the building be adequately
documented, for reconstruction of the building in the future.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Mckay, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 5-0. Higgins adjourned the meeting at 8:40p.m.