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Heritage Preservation - 12/17/2001 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A&B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Kati Simons,Art Weeks, Mike Wroblewski COMMISSION STAFF: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jane Field, Timothy Roth, Ross Viland I. ROLL CALL Peterson-Benike called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. John Gertz was absent due to illness. Commissioner Simons had an excused absence. Student Representative Field was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Weeks moved, seconded by Wroblewski, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —NOVEMBER 19, 2001 Adams made a correction on page 2, the third paragraph under V. A. The Student Representative's name is Jane Field. MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Wroblewski, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting of November 19, 2001, as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0-1, with Weeks abstaining due to his absence. IV. REPORTS AND REQUESTS Peterson-Benike reported that the next meeting of the Eden Prairie Historical Society is on Wednesday, January 14, at 12:15 p.m., in the museum. Peterson-Benike said the Historical Society needs permanent storage space for its archives. There is not enough room in the museum at the City Center. They have the use of the Cedar Ridge Golf Course building until next spring. The barn on the Riley- Jacques farm is already being used to store some large items. It was suggested that another building on the property could possibly be used when it is not being used by the tenant who lives in the house. The Historical Society will need physical assistance in moving the Anderson School. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 17, 2001 Page 2 V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Update on Lookout Park Wayside There was nothing new to report. B. Staring Lake Outdoor Center Interpretive Panel Wroblewski reported for John Gertz that in January the Staring Lake Outdoor Center panel will be completed, and Gertz will bring it to the January meeting. Adams said she would like to have a copy of the text on all the panels. Wroblewski said that in the future he would like the HPC to have a chance to determine what goes on the panels. Weeks explained that the panels were funded through a grant, which had certain stipulations that had to be met. Peterson-Benike said she would ask to include this for discussion at the next meeting. C. Web Site for Heritage Preservation Commission The Eden Prairie Web site for HPC was discussed. It lists times of the HPC meetings, and there is information about Lookout Park and the Smith House on the History and Heritage page. There are very few visual links, but a lot of text. A new Eden Prairie Web site is being designed and is expected to be in place by the end of March. The Web site is a good vehicle for the historic sites to get more exposure to the public. Peterson-Benike said she would ask for a discussion about the Web site at the next meeting. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Smith Douslas More House Wroblewski reported for Gertz that a meeting with Chris Eilers, president of the local branch of Dunn Bros. Coffee, was canceled because of the death of Mayor Harris and was rescheduled for Thursday, December 19. The initial contract with Dunn Bros. Coffee is being negotiated. On December 20, the City Council is expected to approve the architectural services agreement with MacDonald and Mack Architects for the exterior restoration and kitchen addition to the house. The City would be responsible for making the necessary structural, building code, and accessibility improvements to make the property fully compliant for commercial use by Dunn Bros. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 17, 2001 Page 3 Weeks said he believed that before the architects are hired, an agreement has to be in place establishing how Dunn Bros. and the City would work together. Peterson-Benike said the attachment to the item on the Council's Consent Calendar from Chris Eilers indicated a budget estimate was sent to the City in August. The house has to be fully up to code before Dunn Bros. continues with the project. Peterson-Benike said all the plans have to be reviewed by the HPC. Weeks said the HPC should have input regarding the design, and should get continual feedback as it is updated and changed. Brown asked what role the Historical Society would have. Peterson-Benike said they would not be involved in the process of the restoration, but communication between the Historical Society and the HPC is important. They would be more involved after the restoration is done; for example, to display artifacts from the house they were able to obtain. Brown said she had met a lady recently, who is a friend of the granddaughter of the previous owners of the house. Her name is Lynn Shea, and she is very much interested in helping as a volunteer to raise money or whatever the HPC asks her to do. She may have pictures of the family. B. Dornkemper House This house is a log cabin located at Settler's Ridge off Pioneer Trail. The plans are to move it next year to the Hennepin Village development, south of the Grace Church site, and north of Highway 212. Dan Herbst, the developer of the property, hasn't been able to buy the land back in order to leave it where it is. He is very committed to saving the house. Dan Herbst wants ideas for adaptive re- use of the house, and John Gertz wanted to know if anyone on the HPC is willing to work on ideas. Commissioner Adams said she would be happy to help. C. Local Desisnation Sites Wroblewski said he was impressed with the number of buildings at Murphy's Landing. With other designation sites slated for selection, he wondered about Eden Prairie having a historical area. For example, the Picha farm. The Friends of Birch Island Woods want to have this historic farm be a part of visitors' experience in the woods. Perhaps Jeff Strate could be asked to discuss this with the HPC. That Picha farm was not on the designation list because it is not in danger of falling into disrepair. Peterson-Benike said to keep in mind there are updates to the site-nomination forms that the commissioners don't have. Exploring the possibility of having a historic district is a different and more comprehensive undertaking. Weeks said that could not be done unless the buildings were originally there; they can't be moved in. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 17, 2001 Page 4 D. Eden Prairie Murals Regarding the murals, Weeks asked if they would be transported around for a period of time and then permanently installed at Eden Prairie High School. Peterson-Benike said that is correct. This will be the third project in the metro area that the Fresco Community Outreach program has done. They did some murals for St. Louis Park High School. Weeks said that Pueblo, Colorado has done a lot of murals and would be a good source of information on making them. Peterson-Benike gave Heather Olson's phone number to Weeks so he could let her know whom to contact. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Eden Prairie History Month Brown asked if Eden Prairie has a month, or other time period, designated, when the history of Eden Prairie would be recognized with displays, etc. Peterson- Benike responded the City does not have anything like that. It has tied into some things like Sun Bonnet Day, Eden Prairie Loves Its Kids, etc. Weeks said National Preservation Week in May would be a good time to celebrate the City's heritage. Wroblewski said another time for celebration would be the signing of the contract with Dunn Bros. Weeks said he has been to a number of groundbreaking ceremonies. They tend to be happy occasions, but there is a lot of time between that and completion of the project. He wouldn't want to spend much time planning something that may fall through. Completion of the project would be a better time. Peterson-Benike said if there is some sort of local festival, the commissioners have to keep in mind that HPC would be partnering with City staff, the School District, and the Historical Society. It would not be acting alone. Peterson- Benike said there is no reason for the City not to have some activities connected with National Preservation Week. The HPC is invited to have a presence at some of those activities, where information can be shared. The City received two awards this year for preserving the City's history. Weeks said the City Council could take an aggressive stand and issue a proclamation on Historic Preservation Week. That is the kind of support the HPC needs. In terms of how it is presented, whether on the City's Web site or through a publication, would be up to the HPC. Brown said that would help the community focus on the City's historic properties. Weeks said the Preservation Alliance has its own week in May that coincides with the National Trust's National Preservation Week. Usually someone from the National Trust is invited to speak. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 17, 2001 Page 5 Adams said part of the HPC's goal should be to interest more people in what it does and the heritage of the community. There are opportunities to spread the word by keeping in touch with the newspapers and television stations. If that is done, the next time a community survey is filled out more people may indicate their interest in heritage preservation. Education is part of the HPC's job. Peterson-Benike said there are plenty of opportunities and the HPC should capitalize on them. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Brown, to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Peterson-Benike adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.