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Heritage Preservation - 05/19/2003 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY MAY 19, 2003 Eden Prairie City Center Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Molly Gilbertson, Elise Kist, Kati Simons STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: John Buteyn, Mackenzie Epping, Ron Viland COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Chairperson Peterson-Benike called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Commissioner Kist and Commissioner Simons were excused. Dione DeMartelaere, an architect with Miller- Dunwiddie Architects, was in attendance. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. (Review of the rehabilitation plan for the Riley-Jacques barn and site was moved to the top of the agenda, after approval of the minutes.) III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES APRIL 21, 2003 MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission held on April 21, 2003, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VI NEW BUSINESS A. Site-Alteration Permit Review—2003-02-0004, Riley-Jacques Farm Ms. DeMartelaere presented the site plan for the farm and rehabilitation plan options for the barn. The only entrance to the site will be off Riley Lake Road, which is the historic approach to the farm. There will be parking for 43 cars on a paved surface and a one-way drive that would permit buses to come in and drop off school children. Handicapped parking would be placed near the barn and there is additional parking for eight cars on an aggregate surface in another location. There would be a pedestrian trail to Riley Lake Park, and a historic trail would be developed to the Dorenkemper House. For large events, overflow parking would be available through a set of gates leading to a level turf area. Gertz said that for Sunbonnet Days, the parking area near the beach should be available,because the beach closes the first weekend in September. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 19, 2003 Page 2 Both levels of the barn have accessible entrances, and there are restrooms on both levels. A split-rail fence could be built as a visual barrier to separate events that might be occurring at the same time, and it also would reflect the historic era of the farm. There will be a plaza outside the barn that could be used for a gathering space. The roof of the barn will be replaced, and the board and batten around the exterior will be repaired. DeMartelaere explained two options for the upper level of the barn, which would be a multi-purpose space. The floor slopes naturally toward the area where a stage will be built. A uni-sex restroom would be added and an interior stairway. Oak flooring salvaged from the center bay is to be used for constructing the stage, rail and partitions. There will be seating for 134 in Option 1, and for 132 in Option 2, with a storage area taking the place of two seats. The multi-purpose space would also be used for the City's summer day camp for children. Option 1 would retain the barn door, and a new door would be created next to it with panic hardware, as required by the fire code. Option 2 does not have the extra door, but the barn door would be replaced with glass doors and panic bars. The plan for the lower level of the barn indicates two exits, one of which would have panic hardware. There are separate men's and women's bathrooms. The lower level provides a storage area, where the theater's props and sets would be stored. That space can also be used for arts and crafts. One area on the lower level will be saved for storing historic material from the barn. Gertz said he would like to see original material saved or find a creative reuse for it. For example, he would like to see the stanchions saved. It hasn't been decided if there will be an ice-skating rink at this location, but if there is and part of the barn is used as a warming house, Gertz thought it might be feasible to provide seating between the stanchions. Peterson-Benike agreed that anything that can be saved would be valuable for historic reasons. DeMartelaere said the architects would work toward that. The bathrooms would have to meet health codes. Concrete block would be an appropriate material for the walls, covered with drywall. Adams inquired if a board-and-batten structure could be used for the walls. DeMartelaere believed that could be done. Board-and-batten structure would be used for the exterior of the bathrooms also. There was considerable discussion about the main entry on the upper level. Option 2 has glass doors and sliding screens that could be used when needed. It would not have the existing barn doors, so people would not have the experience of entering a barn. Option 1 would have the barn doors but also could have screens installed. However, the doors could not open fully because of the required new exit door. New double-hung windows will add more light on the east, west, and south sides of the upper level. The existing windows may not be functional, and ventilators might be added to help increase ventilation. The board and batten structure will be added to the existing door on the west side. DeMartelaere said it might have HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 19, 2003 Page 3 been that way originally, and she inquired if photos are available. Gertz said he would ask Elaine Jacques if she has any photos of the barn. DeMartelaere said she would prepare more elevations for the commissioners to look at. MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Barkley, that the Heritage Preservation Commission approve the site plan for the Riley-Jacques farm, prepared by Brauer & Associates, dated May 8, 2003. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Gilbertson moved, seconded by Adams, to approve the rehabilitation plan for the Riley-Jacques barn, Option 1, prepared by Miller Dunwiddie Architects, dated May 12, 2003, with the following condition: that the architects continue to investigate barn door openings on the north side of the building. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Barkley moved, seconded by Adams, to recommend that the City Council approve Heritage Preservation Site Alteration Permit No. 2003-01-0004, for renovation of the Riley-Jacques barn and site. Motion carried 5-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference Gertz reported that the state conference will be held in New Ulm on September 18 and 19. The emphasis will be historic preservation in hard times. B. Refurbishing Dorenkemper House Furniture. The Historical Society applied for a grant from the Eden Prairie Foundation for refurbishing the Dorenkemper House furniture. The Historical Society was turned down because it received a Foundation grant in 2002. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Dorenkemper House Gertz reported that good progress has been made on restoring the house. Roofing is scheduled to take place next week. The crown moldings and soffit repair are almost finished. Windows and doors are ready to deliver. Reproduction hardware will be ordered. The masonry is done, although the wrong size of brick was used. The front porch is complete with the exception of finish trim. They will hydro-seed a native mix of grass seeds on the site. Gertz and Molly Gilbertson met with Kathie Case. Wainscoting from the Anderson Schoolhouse was salvaged by Kathie Case and can be used at the Dorenkemper House. They looked at colors for the house, and selected blue for the kitchen and green elsewhere. The exterior of the house will be painted white. B. Smith-Douglas-More House HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 19, 2003 Page 4 The porches have been painted white; however, the green shutter color has not come yet. Gertz met with the neighbor about screening his house from lights in the parking lot. Dunn Bros. agreed to hire a person to put in a picket fence along the lot line so it will provide screening and will look similar to the other picket fence on the property. The area east of the main parking lot should not be a problem for the neighbor. Two light fixtures stolen from the house have been returned to the City. The creator of Department 56 houses purchased the two fixtures at a garage sale in Eden Prairie, where he was told they came from an estate sale held at the Smith House. Kathie Case informed him they were stolen from the house, and he gave them to her. The City will reimburse him the $150 he paid for them. It hasn't been decided if or where they will be used in the house, as they weren't included in the plans. C. Eagle Scout Projects Gertz reported that McLeod Brennaman's landscape renovation project at the Cummins-Grill House has been completed. The pavers were placed to form a path from the parking lot to the interpretive panels. The antique thresher was moved, and plants placed around it and the interpretive panels. Gertz talked to the Park Department about moving some of the peonies, and they recommended waiting until fall. McLeod will look at the plants when they bloom in June and identify them by color and variety to decide which type to select for moving. Graham Kist's project to build a split-rail fence at the Dorenkemper House will begin in June. When the projects are done, the City will send letters of appreciation and submit an item to the newspapers. D. CLG Grant The City received a CLG grant for the cemetery work. Gertz said once contracts from the SHPO are signed by City staff, an RFP will be put together. After proposals are received and reviewed by Gertz, a consultant would be hired. The City has until July 2004 to complete the project. VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Gilbertson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Peterson-Benike adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.