City Council - 05/20/2008 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP
& OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen,
Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Assistant to the
City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
City Attorney Ric Rosow
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION: Betsy Adams, Chair; Ann Higgins, Vice Chair;
Nina Mackay, Mark McPherson, Ed Meuhlberg, Kathy Veurink Richard Akerlund; John Gertz, Staff
Liaison
Heritage Room H
I. JOHN R. CUMMINS HOUSE REUSE STUDY
John Gertz,planner, and Robert Vogel, consultant, gave an overview of the Adaptive
Reuse Study of the John R. Cummins House. Gertz reviewed National Register of
Historic Places, Local Heritage Preservation Site, and LAWCON boundaries for the site.
Gertz said that in 2007 the City was able to complete a LAWCON conversion that
resulted in freeing up the site for more reuse options. Two upcoming changes will affect
the property —the widening of CSAH 1 and the resulting relocation of ball field parking.
Vogel said the reuse study was unusual in that it was carried out largely by City staff in
conjunction with the consultant. He said the Heritage Preservation Commission acted as
a public forum for input on the study. He said approximately 150 ideas were submitted
as possible uses for the site.
Vogel said the reuse study was guided by two main principles; first, the historic integrity
of the site and building must be maintained and, second, the reuse must economically
feasible. Vogel said the study found that the site is an excellent candidate for reuse. He
said from a preservation standpoint, the preferred option is residential,but that a
combination of two or more uses is possible. Good options include use of the site as as
residence or as a community space, use as a horticultural facility, or conversion to a
residential-scale hospice. Vogel said residential-scale hospices are more common in
Europe,but there is a growing need for this type of facility in the United States. Use as a
hospice would require an addition to the building,but Vogel said people he spoke to in
the industry believe it would be feasible. Vogel said he recommends that the City
proceed to market the top scenarios and choose whichever proposal suits the City best.
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 20, 2008
Page 2
Council Member Nelson asked if the City has considered using the building as a tourist
location with a horticultural focus or as a museum. Gertz said use of the building as a
museum had been considered in the past,but that the reuse study evaluated other
alternatives. He said the grounds could be used as a horticultural operation in addition to
using the house for another purpose.
Council Member Aho asked if Vogel knows of examples of similar hospices that have
proven viable. Vogel said there are a half-dozen residential hospices in Minnesota.
Council Member Butcher asked if historic preservation funds would still be available if
the building is converted to a hospice. Vogel said such a use should not result in a
change in local or national designations as a historic site.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. STEVE WAGNER—NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES (CONSTRUCTION
DEBRIS, NOISE, ETC.)
Mr. Wagner said he has brought this issue to Council before,but that problems
related to construction of a home on the lot next to his home continue. He said
construction takes place during prohibited hours, there is trash on the site, and
there are noise violations. He asked Council to commit to addressing the issues.
III. ADJOURNMENT