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Heritage Preservation - 09/21/1998HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 1 APPROVED MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Monday, September 21, 1998 7:00 p.m., City Center Prairie Room A/B 8080 Mitchell Road Commission Members: Deborah Barkley, Kathie Case, Timothy Colliton, Jan Mosman, Lori Peterson-Benike, and James Wilson Student Representatives: Jenny Freemyer Staff: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist, and Rebecca Belz, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair Colliton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Deborah Barkley was absent as well as Student Representative Jenny Freemyer. It was noted that Student Representative Kristin Kelly recently moved to New Jersey and would no longer serve on the Commission. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Jan Mosman moved, seconded by Kathie Case, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. III. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 17, 1998 MINUTES James Wilson moved, seconded by Lori Peterson-Benike, to approve the minutes of the August 17, 1998 meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission as presented. Motion carried unanimously. IV. REPORTS OF THE EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Commissioner Case reported that she and a friend had walked by the Requet house and saw that it had been broken into. She reported that she had immediately noticed broken windows and that the door was ajar. Commissioner Case suggested contacting the current owners of the property, Grace Church, to notify them of the unlawful entry and to discuss the possibilities of restoring it. She also suggested that if the church decides to tear it down, HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 2 which it has been rumored, the Commission should request that some artifacts be salvaged and donated to either the HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 3 Commission or to the Historical Society. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 4 This was further discussed by the Commission who then decided to contact the church to discuss the matter. Chair Colliton will initiate contact with them to set up an informal meeting. V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF Mr. Gertz reported of a letter received from State Archaeologist Mark Dudzik regarding his findings and comments on the Barney property. Mr. Dudzik’s comments noted that no conclusive or definitive evidence was found from either the supposed Euro girl’s burial or from the Native American burial mound thought to be on the property. Mr. Dudzik’s report went on to state that the sites could be monitored through controlled stripping during the regular development process. Mr. Gertz then confirmed that the house will be demolished at some point and that he will be notified and will have an opportunity to comment and request the stripping. Mr. Gertz then reported that he had received information from the National Parks Service regarding future regulatory questionnaires on CLG’s. Mr. Gertz said the purpose of the survey would be to track federal funds and aid in measuring the results of such funding. He explained that an annual report would have to be filed. A. Finding of Significance Statements: Mr. Gertz reported that on September 9, 1998, he had forwarded the appropriate notification to City Council that the properties submitted for designation meet City Code requirements for Heritage Site designation. Commissioner Case asked about the Marshall’s Produce Stand and the potential road plans as noted in Mr. Gertz’s memo to Council. Mr. Gertz responded that the first step in designating the property is finding out whether the Marshall’s would like to do it and what their plans are for the Stand since it may be affected by the road plans. The Marshall’s plans for the stand may destroy the historical significance of the stand. Commissioner Case also inquired about Eden Prairie News editor Mark Weber’s call to the City regarding the Consolidated School. Mr. Gertz responded that Mr. Weber was calling primarily to obtain information regarding the Finding of Significance and Designation Application process. From here, the Commission discussed at length interior and exterior designations, the criteria, apprehensions, and legal aspects associated with each. Discussion included that an interior designation for the gymnasium for the Consolidated School could potentially be difficult to obtain since this would mean that any alterations to the interior would have to be reviewed with the City. Mr. Gertz noted that he believed this designation could be a challenge and may affect the designation for the school itself since separate regulations would have to be adopted to designate the interior of part of the building. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 5 B. Update on Consolidated School Gymnasium: The Commission continued their discussion regarding the gymnasium, the designation, and the task force that is to be formed. It was also noted that Chair Colliton had sent a letter to Dr. Gaslin, School Superintendent, regarding the proposed task force and offered his assistance. With this in mind, the two volunteer task force members, Mosman and Peterson-Benike, reviewed their ideas with the Commission and confirmed the support and direction of the Commission for the gymnasium. Commissioner Mosman will contact Karen Norman, School Board Member, to discuss the letter and to see if the topic is slated for the School Board meeting September 22, 1998. If the letter and task force are to be discussed September 22, 1998, a member of the Commission will attend to participate. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Plan Review for Edenwood Camping and Retreat Center: Mr. Gertz reported that Friendship Ventures had submitted site plans and a Master Plan for the Camp. He also noted that additional information would be needed including a 5-year Capitol Improvement Plan, maintenance plans, and a better demarcation of the National Registry District. Mr. Gertz reviewed the plans with the Commission showing where the new buildings are targeted, where he thought the demarcation might fall, and how the new buildings will resemble the original structure, yet be differentiated slightly. In all, Mr. Gertz recommended the site plans and the Master be accepted by the Commission along with the recommendations and requests. Lori Peterson-Benike moved, seconded by James Wilson to approve the plans and Master Plan for Edenwood Camping and Retreat Center. B. Miller Spring: Mr. Gertz reported receiving new plans for the spring from Barr Engineering. He also noted that the City Engineering Department had some concerns regarding the design of the Spring trough which he relayed to the Commission. Mr. Gertz had been in contact with Barr Engineering who believed the concerns could be fixed through an alternate design. These changes however, will cause construction to begin early in 1999 rather than this fall. Mr. Gertz also reported that he had requested two quotes on Phase 1 archaeology work at the Spring. The quotes from the archaeologists were included in the packet. Mr. Gertz believed the work could be done by Christina Harrison from Archaeological Research Services who submitted a considerably lower bid. Mr. Gertz believed this work could be done this Fall. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 6 James Wilson moved, seconded by Jan Mosman to approve the proposal for Archaeological services for Miller Spring provided by Archaeological Research Services (ARS). C. CLG Grant – FY 1997: Mr. Gertz distributed a copy of the designation applications, which he had completed. He reported that he delivered them to the SHPO office September 15, 1998. The Commission again briefly discussed their general disappointment in the thoroughness of the job by Pat Nunnally and discussed future options and if there were any ways to rectify the current dissatisfaction. Mr. Gertz explained that because of the way the process works and the mandatory use of “qualified” people for the applications, there is nothing the Commission can do. Mr. Gertz also reported that he had contacted Rolf Anderson to complete the National Register application for the Edenwood Camp (Glen Lake Children’s Camp). D. Sunbonnet Day: The Commission discussed the events of the day and noted that there was much participation from both new attendees and repeat attendees. Staff noted that planning and preparation went well for the event, however thought it would be beneficial for the Commission to get involved in some of the planning for next year’s event. The Commission agreed and will form a subcommittee at next month’s meeting to begin planning in July or August of next year. Also during the discussion, several maintenance items were raised that were noticed during the event Sunday, September 20, 1998. These will be further discussed at the next meeting, which will again be held at the Cummins-Grill House. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CLG Grant – FY 1998: Mr. Gertz reminded the Commission of the previously chosen properties to consider for the 1998 CLG Grant. They included the Ohm House, Cornwell House, Higgins House on Franlo Road, Staring Lake Outdoor Center, the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, and Eden Prairie Cemetery, Kurtz Homestead and barn, and Birch Island Park. Additional properties were also discussed, however the Commission requested to think about the list until the next meeting to make a final decision. Mr. Gertz had also confirmed that the Staring Lake Outdoor Center, and both the cemeteries were submitted with the Fiscal Year 1997 applications. B. Historic Sites Committee: HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION September 21, 1998 Page 7 Mr. Gertz explained that a small committee is needed to assist with organizing and follow-up on improvements and small projects done at historic sites. Commissioners Peterson- Benike and Case volunteered to help and noted that people previously involved would likely help again. Mr. Gertz suggested keeping the volunteers to a minimum and tasks small and specific. They will likely begin with the Cummins-Grill House VIII. ADJOURNMENT Having no other business to come before the Commission, James Wilson moved, seconded by Kathie Case, to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.