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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 01/11/2016 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,JANUARY 11, 2016 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 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Zeinab Hussen, Alexander Modeas, Natalie Higgins I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Vogel, Muehlberg, and Student Representatives Hussen, Modeas, Higgins were absent. Spera arrived at 7:10 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Cofer Evert moved, seconded by Kalar, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Thorp, to approve the December 21, 2015 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. IV. PUBLIC HEARING A. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS (COA) RESPITE CENTER AT GLEN LAKE CHILDREN'S CAMP(GLCC) Randy Boser of True Friends representing Camp Edenwood presented a proposal for a new building to be constructed where the current Boulay building sits. Boser explained the GLCC historically served as a camp for people with disabilities, and Hennepin County mandates it continue to be used that way. It is the desire of True Friends to meet the needs of the changing disabled community while honoring the historical significance of the camp. The master plan from 2008 indicated this project be executed as funds became available, however expected state funding fell through. A donor has made it possible to move forward at this time. After HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 11, 2016 Page 2 reviewing the 2008 master plan, it made more sense to construct this new building closer to the current buildings for ease of access for the residents it will serve. Spera arrived at 7:10 p.m. Services at Camp Edenwood were previously offered seasonally in the form of summer camps. There has been a shift to year-round demands, especially in the area of respite care. The request before the commission tonight is to construct a new facility in the location of the current non-contributing Boulay building to include a kitchen to meet the needs of the respite program, housing for campers and staff, space for programming, and a health center. This facility would be designed to serve as a respite center on weekends year-round. True Friends is working with the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) on the request for a Phase One Archaeological Study. Creamer noted she has not received any further updates from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at this time. Boser stated ideally True Friends would get approval in time to begin construction in September with completion expected by spring of 2017. Creamer mentioned the HPC had requested the building be moved at least 6 feet from the current historic structures. Boser explained that moving the building would impact nearby trees and vegetation. He agreed to investigate those changes/impacts. Kalar asked why the Phase One study was requested. Boser explained given the proximity to the railroad and the existing building, the property has previously been disturbed; but there are sites around the area leading the MHS to want to do due diligence to make sure there are no burial mounds on site. Creamer thanked Boser for working with the MHS on satisfactorily addressing their comments. Olson noted the 2008 master plan was the HPC's only indication of the programming needs and asked Boser to provide the HPC with a list of projects anticipated in the future. Boser responded they don't expect to add a new cabin where indicated in the 2008 plan, rather they may use that area for additional parking. Other future projects may include remodeling or replacing the two non- contributing buildings currently there and constructing a 15-foot addition to the administration building for office space. True Friends is working with C.H. Robinson on future remodeling building projects. Olson stated it is important for True Friends to keep in mind the details spelled out in the 2008 Master Plan, the local and National Site Nominations and the Best Management Practices booklet (BMP) when considering short and long-term projects. Discussion ensued on construction practices to minimize the impact to the historic garage. Boser stated True Friends and their contractors will use the same care as they did when they remodeled the dormitory. Olson was concerned with how deep they need to dig for construction and the proximity to the property line and historic building and the types of soils in the area. He was also concerned with the building being 40 percent bigger than HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 11, 2016 Page 3 originally proposed in the 2008 master plan. Boser stated it may be feasible to move the building to the right so there would be 25 feet between the new construction and the garage. Olson commented it makes sense for a health center, which can also serve as a storm shelter, to be located in the center of the camp from a logistics perspective. Boser replied campers are primarily in the dorm when on-site and evacuation is easier on level ground, thus the location of the proposed health center is actually more practical for meeting their needs. Olson asked about the additional vehicle traffic on the service road. Boser confirmed the gravel service road would not be used for large vehicles. Main deliveries occur at the administration building and anything being delivered to the new proposed building would be done by van, pickup or car. Olson asked how the proposed addition to the administration building would impact parking. Boser stated it would not be significantly affected. Creamer confirmed the paths that are currently gravel will remain gravel. Boser stated they will remain as is. Boser stated in the land development application, True Friends is asking for a variance from city code on exterior materials. The City requires 70 percent brick and glass while this project would use wood siding to match other buildings on site. Thorp referenced a retaining wall in the rendering and suggested moving it to parallel the railroad thereby eliminating the steep slopes to the east and allowing the building to be moved ten feet east and giving True Friends more space with windows at the lower level and more workable construction space in general. Dropping the elevation ten feet and installing a poured concrete retaining wall would eliminate grading problems. Olson additionally noted the location of said wall would not be visually invasive although it would make excavation a bit more challenging. Boser said it would add to the expense but he could look into it further. Creamer confirmed all camper check-ins are done at the Welcome Center. Cofer Evert said she appreciates the need for the building however is concerned with the proximity to the garage. Boser stated True Friends is trying to find the right balance between meeting the needs of the community and maintaining historical integrity of the site. Freiberg commented if the end result looks like the rendering, it will fit in well. Boser stated they had explored tearing down the non-contributing building and moving the historic garage closer to the historic dining hall. They would be willing to explore that option further if desired. Kalar stated the new building looks significantly different than the current Boulay building. Kalar asked what the added value of this project is for True Friends. Boser responded the impact is increased quality of programming, not an economic benefit. Olson stated in conclusion the master plan is dated and out-of-sync with current needs. The HPC would like to receive an updated version to integrate with the 2013 documents. Olson asked if the old dining hall was slated for any rehabilitation projects in the next 5 years. Boser stated that would be a significant HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 11, 2016 Page 4 undertaking. It would be costly to upgrade as needed to be consistent with historic standards. Boser said the camp still uses and maintains it but no significant upgrades are planned for the historic building. Olson encouraged flexibility in terms of options for the historical building. Boser stated they would love for it to be more functional but not used as a kitchen. The building needs insulation to be functional year-round. Cofer Evert expressed concerns about the deterioration of the building. Boser confirmed that was a fair concern and discussion of future functionality definitely warrants discussion. Boser stated True Friends and their consultants would take whatever steps were necessary so the construction process would not impact the historic garage. Creamer reminded Boser there would be additional permits required from the City for demolition of the Boulay building. Olson said he prefers the historic garage not be moved. Other Commissioners agreed. Boser will take comments/suggestions back to the consultants and provide an updated plan with the proposed building moved as directed by the Commission. MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Thorp to approve the removal of the non-historic Boulay building and the construction of a respite cabin including kitchen facilities and health services, with the condition True Friends work with the State Historic Preservation Office to address the comments outlined in the letter dated December 21, 2015, subject to the condition that the new building be no closer than 25 feet from the historic garage, and the final revised plans and updated narrative be submitted to the City prior to the recommendation for approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness application COA 2016-01-009 by the City Council. Motion carried 6-0. V. REPORTS OF STUDENTS B. OLD CITY STREET SIGNS —FUNDRAISER IDEAS Cofer Evert reported she has found a template that will work well for administering the program of retired city street sign sales and she has touched base with the Eden Prairie Historical Society (EPHS) regarding the possibility of a portion of the proceeds benefiting their organization. Logistics and options for how to divide the funds were discussed. Kalar expressed concern the student representatives were not present to provide an update. She and Thorp were in favor of the HPC sharing the proceeds with EPHS if they are willing to administer the program after the HPC develops it. Thorp and Kalar volunteered to head up the project. Olson recommended holding off on determining the percentage until the program progresses further and the logistics can be worked out. Creamer stated she will work with Communications to publish the information on the City's website when ready to launch. Cofer Evert said the project is too big for HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES January 11, 2016 Page 5 the students to take on at this stage. They can help market the program via social media after it's developed. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. COUNCIL WORKSHOP—JANUARY 19, 2016 Creamer stated she is working with Olson on preparing the presentation for the upcoming Council workshop on January 19. She requested RSVPs from Commissioners for dinner. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. 2016 WORK PLAN Cofer Evert and Olson suggested a couple minor edits to the 2016 work plan. Creamer confirmed she will make the revisions prior to the Council Workshop. B. BLUESTEM/COMMITTEE UPDATE ON INTERPRETIVE SIGN Cofer Evert stated she met with Kathie Case to look for additional photos for the Riley Lake tourism interpretive sign. Final edits to the text are in process. Cofer Evert reported the City Center historical photo display project is in process. Selection of photos from the Eden Prairie Historical Society Museum is underway. The designated display space has room to accommodate approximately 16 photos. VIII. NEW BUSINESS IX. FYI ITEMS X. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HPC meeting will be Monday, February 22, 2016, 7 p.m. at City Center, Prairie Rooms A & B. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Thorp moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Olson adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.