HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 06-08 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularAGENDA
Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 1978, at 7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall Conference Room
I. Approval of the Minutes: May 11, 1978.
II. Baird House. 4400 West 50th Street.
Report on Historic Significance.
III. Plan Review.
A. Minnehaha Grange Hall.
B. Old Cahill School.
IV. Next Regular Meeting Date: July 13, 1978, at 7:30 p.m.
V. Adj ournment.
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
HELD JUNE 8, 1978, AT 7:30 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
I. Members Present: Foster Dunwiddie, Chairman, Paul Mucke, Tom Martin-
son, Maryanne Herman, Betty Paugh, Frank Thorpe.
Staff Present: Harold Sand, Assistant Planner.
II. Approval of the Minutes: May 11, 1978.
Mr. Mucke moved the minutes be approved as submitted. Mr. Martinson
seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
III. Baird House: 4400 West 50th Street - Report on Historic Significance.
Mr. Dunwiddie said the Board last considered this item on November 10,
1977, and at that time the consideration of the Heritage Preservation zoning
was tabled in response to the owner's request.
Mr. Sand presented the reports to the Board indicating the property
was significant because it was an interesting example of Queen Anne architec-
ture designed by Charles S. Sedgewick and perhaps the only example of this
style in Edina. The original owner of the house, George W. Bird, gained
prominence in the community for innovations in agriculture, leadership in
the Grange and as one of the founders of Edina as a separate municipality.
The house has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
Mr. Sand presented photgraphs of the dwelling and referred to the physical
description of the property in the reports.
Mr. Sand indicated that in the event the Board wished to proceed with
a recommendation for designation of the dwelling to Heritage Preservation
District. The Board should review the criteria for evaluation of significance
in accordance with the established policy for zoning.
Mr. Dunwiddie reviewed the criteria for evaluation of significance
and the statement of significance as recommended by the staff. He further
explained the zoning process and action necessary by the Heritage Preservation
Board.
Mrs. Paugh asked what was the status of the nomination of the site to
the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Dunwiddie replied that the
State Review Board had received a copy of the nomination; however, they have not
met to consider the nomination.
Mr. Dick Wiltz, 4400 West 50th Street, owner of the subject property,
was present and received copies of the materials considered by the Board.
Mr. Wiltz indicated they were receptive to the nomination to the National
Register and the identification of the site with a Bicentennial Marker.
Minutes of the 6-8-78 Heritage Preservation Board Meeting
Page 2
He expressed the concern that the zoning process may in some way affect the
pending sale of the property. He said they may not sell the property and
they have discouraged a number of potential purchasers because of the modi-
fications to the structure they desired.
Mr. Wiltz asked what may be required if the property were zoned and
a new owner wished to construct a swimming pool in the rear yard. Mr.
Sand replied that a building permit is required and a plan review by the
Heritage Preservation Board would be necessary. Approval by the Heritage
Preservation Board.is all that is necessary to satisfy the plan review.
Decisions by the Heritage Preservation Board can be appealed to the City
Council.
Mr. Dunwiddie added that in the case of a swimming pool the location
would be one concern. A location that would not interfere with any historic
elements such as the windmill would be desirable. In response to Mr. Wiltz,
Mr. Dunwiddie outlined the sources of Federal and State funding available to
historic buildings.
Mr. Martinson indicated he had problems with designating the Baird
House a heritage preservation district. He said the house has a unique-
ness that does not exist anywhere else in Edina. However, the building is
far more important historically than visually. The house is one of
Sedgewick's poorer designs. He said he felt that unless a building is very
special, it should not be designated HPD. Mr. Martinson moved that the
Baird House not be designated HPD.
Mr. Frank Thorpe asked Mr. Wiltz what his objections are to the
historic designation of the property. Mr. Wiltz discussed the modification
they have made to the house and explained that he was concerned that they
may be deprived of their flexibility to modify the house through a citizen
based bureaucracy even though the Board -is composed of very conscientious
citizens. .
Mr. Dunwiddie explained that there have been numerous examples of im-
portant historic structures being demolished or damaged by inappropriate addi-
tions and materials being used. He said that the Board must weigh the private
inconvenience against the public loss by inappropriate modifications or_.
demolition. He can recall examples where well-intentioned private owners
have not demonstrated the sympathy and regard that the structure deserves.
Mrs. Paugh seconded Mr. Martinson's motion to allow the motion on
the floor for discussion purposes. Mrs. Paugh explained that the Board
was concerned about modifications that may occur 10, 20, or 30 years from now.
Mr. Martinson clarified that he thought there are better examples of
Queen Anne architecture in the metropolitan area. tie said that the structure is
unique to Edina, but it is far more important historically than architecturally.
Mr. Mucke said that the HPD restrictions are not an undue restr.icti.on,
only slightly more complicated than a building permit and the Board may well
7 it.
Minutes of the 6-8-78 Heritage Preservation Board Meeting
Page 3
approve the plans with no difficulty. He pointed out that there is an
appeal procedure to the City Council if the oirner feels the Heritage
Preservation Board is not reasonable. The HPD designation is appropriate
even though there is no immediate threat to the property; a problem can
develop at any time without time for the Board to act.
Mr. Thorpe said that the Baird House was much more significant to
him than the Grimes House.
Mr. Dunwiddie called for a vote on tha motion. Mr. Martinson voted
aye; Mrs. Paugh, Mrs. Herman, Mr. Thorpe, and Mr. Mucke vo'�ed nay. Motion
failed.
Mr. Mucke moved that the Board make the finding that the Bird
House is consistent with the Edina Criteria for Evaluation of Historic
Significance and the Board adopt the Statement of Significance as recommended
by staff for case No. Z-78-8 and the Board recommend approval of the zoning
to the Planning Commission and City Council. Mrs. Paugh seconded the motion.
Mr. Thorpe commented that the zoning process being conducted con-
currently with the pending sale of the property tends to complicate things.
Mr. Wiltz commented that his basic concern was that, if they sold the
house, the new owner should be involved; if they do not sell the house, then
he should be involved. He said they would not sell the house to a new owner
who will tear it down.. They will be making a decision to stay in the communi-
ty or go within the next 60 to 90 days. His personal preference is that the
Board table the matter until this decision is made. If he is still involved
in the property he will be glad to probably change his mind and cooperate
with the Board after that period of time. He said it was an inappropriate
time right now to consider the rezoning.
Mr. Thorpe said that he does not want to do anything that will harm
Mr. Wiltz in the pending sale of the property, and that Mr. Wiltz is willing
to cooperate after that 60 tom�o° �90 ay time period. LL ll_
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Mr. Dunwi,'die sa hat this item was continued Dsince last November
and inquired about th time framework. Mr. Sand and Mr. Erickson discussed
the potential hearin dates before the Planning Commission and City Council.
After further discus ion, Mr. Thorpe moved that the item be tabled until
September 14, 1978. Mr. Thorpe, Mrs. Paugh, Mrs. Herman, and Mr. Martinson
voted aye. Mr. Mucke voted nay. Motion carried.
Mr. Wiltz thanked the Board and invited the members to tour his office
in the Pillsbury House in Minneapolis. Mr. Dunwiddie asked for permission
to photograph the Baird House and copy the historic photos and drawings.
Mr. Wiltz indicated he would cooperate fully.
III. Plan Review:
A. Minnehaha Grange Hall.
B. Old Cahill School.
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Minutes of the 6-8-78 Heritage Preservation Board
Page 4
Mr. Dunwiddie presented the plans he had prepared for the restoration
and improvements in the Edina Historical Park. He explained that the altera-
tions were partially funded from a Federal matching grant for the restora-
tion of the Grange Hall and a State matching grant for the restoration of
the school.
Mr. Dunwiddie indicated that the property is zoned HPD and therefore
the plans to modify the structure must be reviewed by the Board. He explained
the modifications including the restoration of the Grange Hall windows,
the front door, the flag pole, opening the balcony and removing the chimney
that was added in the 1930's. Mr. Dunwiddie explained that the entire struc-
ture would be painted, the color to be determined from paint samples
taken from the building.
With regard to Cahill School, they were planning to place storm
windows and screens that are authentic reproductions, the entry and class-
room floors will be sanded, the rear stairway would be finished and painted,
the exterior would be painted and the cellar door waterproofed. The base-
ment will be finished with City funds, using modern building materials be-
cause the basement is not original in the structure. He added that the
construction bids will be received after the Federal government approves
the plans.
Mr. Martinson moved approval of the plans as presented. Mr. Mucke
seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
IV. Next Meeting Date: July 13, 1978, at 7:30 p.m.
V. Adjournment.
Mr. Mucke moved the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Thorpe seconded. All
voted aye. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Harold Sand, Assistant Planner