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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/18/2011 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 18, 2011 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER PRAIRIE ROOMS A&B COMMISSION MEMBERS Ann Higgins, Chair; Ed Muehlberg, Vice Chair; Jeffrey Lawler, Mark McPherson, Kay Desmarais, Cindy Cofer Evert STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Ian English COMMISSION STAFF Scott Kipp, Staff Liaison John Gertz, Pathfinder CRM, LLC Lori Creamer, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Higgins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Introductions were made for the benefit of the new members. Steve Olson, a guest was also in attendance. II. SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS Kipp performed the oath of office swearing in of two new members; Kay Desmarais and Cindy Cofer Evert. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Kipp asked to add an item C under Reports of Commission and Staff to discuss light fixtures for the Cummins Grill House received by the Historical Society. Kipp stated Steve Schussler would be coming to the meeting at 7:30 and asked if the chair would deem it appropriate to move the discussion under New Business, Goodrich- Ramus Barn, up when he arrived. MOTION: Lawler moved, seconded by Muehlberg to approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried 6-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. COMMISSION MEETING HELD MARCH 21, 2011 MOTION: Muehlberg moved, seconded by McPherson to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on March 21, 2011. Motion carried 6-0. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 18, 2011 Page 2 V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. UPDATE FROM THE EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY There was no representative from the Historical Society to give an update. B. APRIL 19 CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - FYI Kipp stated Kathie Case and Jan Mosman from the Historical Society will be making a presentation at the April 19th City Council Workshop to inform the council on the progress which has been made over the past year to the museum and the Cummins House and to inform them of other upcoming events. C. LIGHT FIXTURES FOR CUMMINS GRILL HOUSE Jan Mosman of the Historical Society sent Kipp photos of light fixtures they wanted to have reviewed by the Commission for installation at the Cummins Grill House, including a proposed change of one fixture, submitted earlier, with another submitted tonight. Gertz talked about the background information of the Historical Society and how they are trying to put the appropriate lighting back into the house. The idea is to put the electric lights back into the home representing the 1930's when electricity was installed into the home. Gertz stated it would be appropriate to encourage them to use the original light fixtures whenever possible. The current cast iron fixture which is now in the basement was originally used in the kitchen. The Historical Society is proposing to use one of the new lights in the kitchen. The fixture is appropriate for the time period. The proposed change is from an original two bulb fixture from the Cummins house to a fixture from the Dorenkemper house matching the dining room and parlor light fixtures from that era. Lawler asked why not put the original fixtures from the house back where they were? Why were new lights purchased? English asked what the commission's role was tonight in this process. The planning department would issue a statement based on the comments from the Heritage Preservation Commission on the appropriateness of the proposed light fixtures. McPherson also asked why the original fixtures wouldn't be installed if they are available. English wondered who uses the house and what the purpose was for the lighting. The City of Eden Prairie owns the house and is leasing the property to the Historical Society. There are occasions when the house is open to the public for planned events. Lawler stated if it is known the fixtures are originals from that house in that era, it should be an obligation to use the original lighting and keep it as historically accurate as possible. If the standards are applied, it would make sense to use the original fixtures as they are historical. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 18, 2011 Page 3 Evert wondered if the commission may be missing something since either Mosman or Case were present at the meeting for clarification on this subject because both of them are dedicated to preserving the history of Eden Prairie. English suggested getting a statement from either of them as to why they want to change the original fixtures. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. STEVE SCHUSSLER- GOODRICH RAMUS BARN Steve Schussler, the new owner of the Goodrich-Ramus barn arrived at 7:30. He thanked the commission for inviting him to meet and talk about the barn. Schussler stated it is a unique structure and it should be kept. He has every intention of being a good steward of the property and is sensitive of the historic value of the property. Schussler has constructed a cover for the silo,replaced all the windows, and some necessary cleanup work. Additional plans for the property include the installation of a white fence around the property; add some flowers and trees; add other types of art to give the barn some life; repair or replace the roof and continue to clean up the place. Sometime in the future the plan is to install motion sensitive lights, which comply with MAC regulations, a security system, as well as spray some foam type insulation which would serve as a glue to help shore up the sway in the structure. He would keep the beautiful beans inside visible when doing this work. He would like to have a nice sign put up along Pioneer Trail to identify the property. The questions came up if the barn could be open to the public at some point, however, that would require a sprinkler system to be installed throughout the building which brings up another issue as water and sewer is not accessible to the barn as of now. At some point it would need to be extended when there are small groups of people working in the laboratory. Schussler stated he had no intentions at this time to have it open to the public. Schussler stated the original owners of the barn are flying in to meet with him and share pictures and history of the site. McPherson thanked Schussler for purchasing the barn and cleaning up the grounds so history can be preserved. Higgins remarked it is a unique situation and the city has been supportive. For now the interest is saving the barn, not having it at historical status. English commented it was a good idea to put up a sign and a fence. Higgins excused herself at 8:35pm. Muehlberg presided over the rest of the meeting. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 18, 2011 Page 4 VII. OLD BUSINESS A. HISTORIC PROPERTY CONDITION ASSESSMENT UPDATE Gertz discussed the updated inventory of the historical properties. He described the information contained in the document for the two new members, which includes a description of the properties, year build, best management practices (BMP's) which provides information on the best approach to hand any changes or alterations to historical properties. It is the "do's and don'ts" including technical information which the HPC reviews on a regular basis. Gertz suggested the best way to get familiar with the properties is to the visit them. Most are open to the public. Kipp added it may be a good idea to hold one or two commission meetings per year at one of the historical sites. McPherson pointed out which properties are on the national register. Gertz suggested adding Staring Lake Outdoor Center to the list and a BMP should be added for this property. All City owned, managed and maintained properties are on the list. McPherson suggested the commission take pictures of things that are being done to the historic properties so there is evidence of what is being done. We do not want to jeopardize the buildings that are on the National Registry. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: McPherson moved, seconded by Lawler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Muehlberg adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m