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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 08/17/2015 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,AUGUST 17, 2015 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson (Chair), Ed Muehlberg (Vice Chair), Cindy Cofer Evert, Pamela Spera, Mark Freiberg, Tara Kalar, Paul Thorp STAFF: Robert Vogel, Pathfinder CRM, LLC Lori Creamer, Staff Liaison Heidi Wojahn, Recording Secretary L CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Vogel was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Creamer added items VILE CLG Grant Update and VIL E Kiosk Update. MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Cofer Evert, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Freiberg and Cofer Evert pointed out multiple incorrect spellings of names. Cofer Evert highlighted several other minor grammatical errors in need of correction, as well. She requested `city hall' be changed to `City Center', the second and third paragraphs under Item V.C. be combined, and the wording of the first sentence of the second paragraph under Item VLA. be changed to reflect the City's budget rather than the historical society's budget. Thorp said it was Olson, not he, who would be visiting SHPO in the last paragraph of Item IV.C. MOTION: Muehlberg moved, seconded by Thorp, to approve the July 20, 2015 minutes as amended. Motion carried 6-0-1 with Kalar abstaining. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF V. OLD BUSINESS A. GLEN LAKE CHILDREN'S CAMP COA REVIEW —Randy Boser/True Friends HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 2 Boser reviewed the plan for the proposed playground at Glen Lake Children's Camp (GLCC). Safety zones show how much clear area is required around each piece of equipment. The single pole system slated to replace the current swing set offers more flexibility as it is lower and takes up less room. The plan includes sit-on spinners and a rocking/sliding apparatus with ramps to accommodate wheelchairs. The main play system also accommodates people with disabilities via ramps, and it has slides and interactive sensory wall features. The size of the new playground exceeds that of the existing play area but is smaller than what was originally proposed. Kalar asked if there would be a change to the existing path. Boser explained the route of the asphalt path and access to the play area. Cofer Evert asked if the historic roadway would be impacted in any way. Boser replied it would not. True Friends wants to stay as far away from it as possible because of its historic value and because the area between the playground and the road is the only remaining green space on the property available for other activities. Muehlberg clarified the overall size of the proposed play area is no bigger than 90 by 80 feet. Cofer Evert asked if there was another phase to the plan impacting the tearing down of a garage. Boser said no buildings, trees, or utilities would be impacted by this project. Cofer Evert inquired about the size of the retaining walls. Boser explained the current proposed height varies from less than one foot to a little over three feet. Because of the grade, they are necessary, but True Friends does not want them to get to the height of requiring a railing. They are working with the engineer on a suitable solution to lower the wall at its highest point by about a foot. They are trying to keep the walls as small as possible while working their way down the slope within the tolerances of the equipment. Cofer Evert asked what the ground cover would consist of. Boser said wood chips. Kalar asked about the color scheme of the equipment noting the bright colors in the brochure Boser showed the UPC. Boser said a natural color scheme of tans and greens would be used. The profile will be kept low with no umbrellas or other items to add elevation. Creamer asked about the color of the retaining walls. Boser said they will probably select straight-faced blocks of one color to work well with the wood fiber. His goal for height is nothing over 30 inches. Olson asked if the purpose for the walls is to act as curbs or define the play area. Boser explained they are mostly to get the surface flat enough so the equipment works. Olson asked if the wood chips will be flush with the top of the walls. Boser said they will run anywhere from flush to one foot below depending on the wall. Cofer Ever said she envisioned the walls also serving as seating surfaces near the basketball court. Freiberg inquired about the construction timeframe. Boser said they cannot start until after the camp season but they are hoping for completion this fall by late September or early October. C. H. Robinson, a corporate donor, wants to use this as a community-build opportunity. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 3 Kalar asked if any other concerns had been brought forth. Boser said no. Creamer added the City planners have no concerns about setbacks. Because more than fifty cubic yards of dirt will be moved, though, this has triggered a review by the Watershed District. Boser said they have an application in to the Watershed and will likely need to expand an existing rain garden. Muehlberg asked if the impervious surface would generate more run-off. Boser said there will be some impervious surfaces such as the slides and parts necessary to anchor the equipment. Olson asked if the stone monument would be impacted. Boser said it would not. Creamer asked about the Americans with Disabilities Act access. Boser described the access near the asphalt path. Cofer commented on the nice variety of equipment. Boser said it was not just wheelchair-friendly but also conducive for those with limited mobility. Creamer reported the Certificate Appropriateness (COA)was completed and read the project description. Olson requested the updated sketch get attached to the COA. He sees the playground as historically appropriate since camp photos from the 1930s and 1940s show kids on slides. Creamer said once the walls are reduced, the final height should be reflected on the plan as well. Muehlberg said he agreed the wall height should be kept down so as not to alter the visual landscape. MOTION: Muehlberg moved, seconded by Kalar, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with modifications to the plans stamp dated August 17, 2015 subject to include lowering of the retaining wall and staying true to a natural color palette. Motion carried 7-0. B. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MONTH AWARD —Creamer Creamer showed HPC members the plaque she will present at tomorrow's Council meeting. The plaque is being posthumously awarded to Marie Wittenberg whose daughter will accept on her behalf. Commissioners able to attend should arrive by 7 p.m. Spera and Freiberg indicated they would be there. Creamer said the Eden Prairie Historical Society (EPHS)will also have representation. A reception will follow. C. INVENTORY LIST STATUS UPDATE — Commission 1. Visit to the SHPO Records by Olson/Thorp/Spera August 11 Olson stated he, Thorp and Spera went to the State Historic Preservation Office to look at records for the inventory. They harvested a few records that may be of interest to the Commission and made copies for the other UPC members. He will have a roster of what was collected and a good list ready for next month's meeting. What stood out to him was evidence of almost all the hangars at Flying Cloud Airport being contributing properties in a proposed historic district. A consulting firm was commissioned to do an inventory ten years ago and the HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 4 hangars were identified in the firm's report. The UPC should get a copy of the report from the Planning or Airport Commissions to review as a starting point. Thorp said he found the Red River Trail, an 1820s-1870s oxcart route running from St. Paul to Belle Plaine through Eden Prairie, to be of interest and thinks he has located a portion of it. He discovered a historic gazebo he was in search of no longer exists. Creamer stated the project office conducts 106 review meeting periodically and staff are notified of those meetings. She proceeded to explain where the proposed stations are in Eden Prairie. Spera said there was more information in the records than what the UPC realized regarding the wording on the monument at GLCC as well as additional information on the Consolidated School. The additional discovery provides an even more compelling reason to apply for a grant to help restore the stone. She suggested when the final property list is prioritized and narrowed down, the Commission should take a bus tour of the sites. The items striking her as most historically significant were two cemeteries and more Native American burial grounds. She found the process very enlightening and interesting and was surprised some of these properties haven't already been designated. 2. Street Photos of Inventory Properties Creamer stated she took photos of the inventory properties she was assigned. Some were online aerial photos and she will look into getting additional views. A member of the Kirtland family allowed her to get some inside shots of the historic family cabin on Riley Lake. The family plans to build a new structure on the site. Commissioners have until the September meeting to finish taking photos of the other inventory properties. 3. The Overlook Site Update -Kalar Kalar said through her work she occasionally has reason to communicate with attorneys for the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) and the Flying Cloud Airport manager. She has spoken to the manager about what a shame it is the Overlook Site isn't getting used because it is an extremely beautiful picnic spot. He explained people cannot congregate there because it is located in the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ), but one option is to move it to another location for reconstruction and they would help facilitate that process. Kalar explained most of it falls within the RPZ and it cannot be relocated lower because of the angles of the different zones. One feasible option is to transfer it to the other side of the road and down a bit to Richard T. Anderson Park. Cofer Evert asked if it could remain on the same side of the road to maintain the views. Kalar said she didn't think that would work because it would have to be so far down the road, it would be flush with the river and would no longer be an HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 5 overlook. Too far the other direction is the dump. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)participates in land acquisition grants which could potentially allow them to assist the City with moving it. They must pay the Bureau of Land Management to facilitate upkeep of it so they would likely be prone to the idea, whereas a change in the RPZ would result in lost funding. Discussion ensued about future bridgework and road construction. Kalar said an increased flow of road traffic is projected. Olson noted there will be a bike trail on the north side of the road. The Commission should keep the idea brewing. Kalar suggested inviting the airport manager to a future meeting to discuss the matter further. Creamer recommended the October UPC meeting and putting it on the Commission's 2016 work plan. Additional discussion followed about other buildings and athletic fields within the RPZ. Kalar explained there are two designated RPZs: the Federation Aviation Administration's, and MnDOT's which extends further. The Overlook falls within both zones. D. DORENKEMPER(DK) SITE NOMINATION PROGRESS - Creamer Creamer reported she and Vogel recently took photos of the DK site. Vogel maintains the biggest hurdle in seeking nomination is the lack of a separate site boundary from the Riley Jacques Farmstead (RJ). DK should have its own legal description. Creamer will check with SHPO to see if having one will result in a stronger application or if it is required since the property is already part of another larger historic site. If separated, it is possible specifics would be need to be conveyed as to what areas could be used during future property rentals. Olson recommended checking the legal description in the RJ nomination to see what it says. It should be locatable there or in the Best Management Practices document. Cofer Evert said a question the HPC needs answered is whether RJ information needs amending if DK is separated out. Creamer stated Vogel provided her with a couple additional pieces of information. The plan remains to move forward with the nomination this calendar year. VI. NEW BUSINESS VIL FYI ITEMS - Creamer A. RILEY RENTAL HOUSE Paul Sticha's weekly report for the period of August 3-7 indicated Minnesota Valley Electric was working on some issues between the house and the electrical pole following storm damage which affected mechanical fasteners, wires, and transformers. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 6 B. DORENKEMPER HOUSE SHADES The EPHS has expressed concern about the effects of light and heat from the sun on artifacts in the house. Paul Sticha has been informed they would like shades added to prevent fading. He will work with Kathie Case on a budget. If window coverings cannot be installed yet this year, they will be next year. C. SMITH DOUGLAS MORE HOUSE (SDM) Ann Schuster of Dunn Brothers met with City staff to talk about the Hosta Society (HS)proposal. Hostas have been planted at the expense of the HS for a future convention. Schuster and staff discussed maintenance, irrigation, limits on number, and location. The desire is for more natural, lower-irrigation plantings and Schuster feels the amount of hostas currently there is sufficient. The City will be putting together a document for the HS about future maintenance should they decide down the road to no longer use SDM as a showcase grounds. The HS planted the hostas and currently waters and cares for them. Olson asked if there is a landscape plan for SDM Creamer said there was not but plants from around the shed were preserved and used in the rain garden. There is some remediation work going on in the attic. Roof replacement is scheduled for next year. D. OLD CITY STREET SIGNS—FUNDRAISER Creamer checked with Public Works on street sign replacement and learned the city's street signs are replaced one section at a time. She needs to find out if we can do something similar to what St. Louis Park(SLP) did when their signs were replaced with reflective signs. The old signs were auctioned off as a fundraiser for their local historical society. Creamer will discuss this with the city manager and report back. CITY CENTER HISTORIC PHOTO UPDATE Cofer Evert reported most of the pictures scanned for EPHS were low resolution and not suitable for enlargement. Case is in the process of tracking down original photos and meeting with families to obtain additional pictures for the City Center Historical Photo Display project. The plan is to have Case narrow the selection of photos down to her favorite 40 and then she and Creamer will meet with her to discuss themes. Creamer said she is working on a grant for the flip board panels. E. CLG GRANT UPDATE Creamer reported the scholarship grant she wrote for her, Freiberg, and Kalar to attend the annual state preservation conference was awarded. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2015 Page 7 F. KIOSK UPDATE The footings have been poured for the kiosk at Riley Jacques Farmstead, and the concrete slab will be done this week. Creamer showed photos of the progress. The metal framework has been ordered. Final design coordination for the signs has been completed, and the signs are in the process of being printed with delivery expected by September 4. Kiosk materials will arrive on site this week with construction scheduled to begin next week. VIIL FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next UPC meeting will be Monday, September 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m. at Riley Lake Park Pavilion. Cofer Evert suggested inviting Karla Wennerstrom from Eden Prairie News to attend. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Cofer Evert moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Olson adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m.