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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 04-28 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1987, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM I. Approval of the Minutes: March 24, 1987 II. Permit for Site Modification: G¢erjx Al, 6 -;*W Ka000 4400 Retaining wall, entrance columns, sidewalk, boulevard trees III. Edina Theatre, 3911 West 50th Street: Proposed Reconstruction IV. Minnesota Historical Society: Conference for Historic Preservation Commissions April 3, 1987. V. Resolution of Appreciation for Thomas Martinson VI. Other Business: VII. Next Meeting Date: May 26, 1987 VIII. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, April 28, 1987 at 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gordon Stuart, Cy Stuppy, David Gepner, Gary Nyberg and John Metil STAFF PRESENT: Harold Sand OTHERS PRESENT: Liaison with the Edina Historical Society Marilyn Curtis and Jack Curtis I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Nyberg moved approval of the March 24, 1987 minutes. Mr. Stuppy seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. II. PERMIT FOR SITE MODIFICATION: George W. Baird House, 4400 West 50th Street Mr. Sand said that this item was considered at the March 24, 1987 meeting and the Board requested that the Edina Engineering Department return with plans and specifications for modifications to the retaining wall and entrance monuments located within the West 50th Street right-of-way. The George W. Baird House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is zoned Heritage Preservation District, therefore, site modifications require approval of the Heritage Preservation Board. The Engineering Department submitted a plan that is acceptable to the property owner Jack and Marilyn Curtis. The plan illustrates removal of the brick entrance monuments and salvage the brick, removal of the limestone and fieldstone retaining wall and and salvage the fieldstone, construct a new lannon stone retaining wall approximately 2 feet north of the existing location, remove existing elms, plant 3 Hackberry 6 inches caliper and construct a new sidewalk 2 feet north of the existing location, Mr. Sand said the boulevard trees on the north side must be removed because the City Council determined one way traffic through the area must be preserved to benefit the merchants at 50th and France and because the storm sewer must be replaced due to inadequate capacity in the pipe. The new storm sewer will be constructed with minimum depth catch basins and 0.8 percent slope yet it requires a 17 foot deep hole for the manhole in front of the Baird House. the constraint on the right-of-way means the trees cannot be preserved due to extensive cutting of roots on both sides of the tree. Mr. Sand said he met with Mr. and Mrs. Curtis concerning the proposed changes and they provided new information including historic photos and notes from an interview with James Vera and Lois Darr during their visit in 1984. The notes indicate the retaining wall was constructed from limestone salvaged from the foundation of the sheep barn. The wall and brick entrance markers were constructed in 1929 by their father H. W. Darr shortly after they moved to the property. There is no reference to the origin of the fieldstone placed in the wall. The brick entrance markers and brick walk to the house were constructed of a red St. Louis brick salvaged from the Thomas Lowry Mansion. The entrance monuments are not part of the original house construction because the house has thin "Buttered" mortar of white lime and the monuments have standard beaded mortar joints of cement. The brick is not an exact match with the house. The limestone is likely salvaged from the foundation of the old barn because the barn was demolished previously and its is logical they would use convenient materials. The foundation for the house and the windmill are also constructed of a similar material. The retaining wall was constructed shortly after a cut made for the reconstruction of West 50th Street by Hennepin County in 1926 so the date of construction also seems accurate. Mr. Sand said that Mr. and Mrs. Curtis provided historic photos of the house that provide new insights to the property. The photos illustrate the original front porch with intricate spindle decoration and combing on the roof. A small dormer window was also originally centrally located on the front elevation. There are references that the tower roof was colored slate however, a close examination of the photos indicates it was wood shingles to match the house and they were painted to look like slate, a popular roofing material of the period. The photos also document a fire in the tower around 1930 which was started by sparks from one of the chimneys. Another photograph illustrates the new front porch, constructed during the 19301s. Mr. Curtis explained that the retaining wall is deteriorating and needs to be repaired, the limestone is flaking apart and cannot be reused. Therefore they would like to have a new lannon stone wall which will be more durable and maintain a uniform appearance with other walls in the City. The fieldstone will be retained for reuse on other parts of the property. Mr. Metil asked if the fieldstone could be incorporated in the new wall to match the existing wall. Mr. Curtis thought that would create structural problems however he will be willing to contact some stone construction companies to check the feasibility. Mr. Nyberg suggested constructing a new wall of fieldstone. Mr. Sand explained that the board should determine if the wall was original or if added later, has the wall gained any historic or architectural significance in its own right., There are a number of alternatives ranging from preservation and restoration of the existing wall to replacement with a lannon stone wall. The monuments can be retained and restored or removed. Mr. Stuppy moved that the Board issue a permit to remove the existing wall and construct a new lannon stone wall in the proposed location and that the fieldstone should be incorporated in the wall if possible after consulting with a qualified person. Mr. Metil seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried. The Board discussed the disposition of the brick entrance monuments and sidewalk. Mr. Curtis indicated that his preference is to retain the sidewalk, remove the entrance monuments and salvage the brick for later use. To his knowledge the brick does not have any historic association with the property before 1929. Mr. Nyberg inquired if there was an iron fence between the marchers. Mr. Sand replied there is no mark on the pillar from anything attached except a small plaque on the front of the east marker. After further discussion Mr. Nyberg moved approval of a permit to remove the brick entrance monuments and to salvage the brick. Mr. Metil seconded the motion. All voted aye, Motion carried. III. EDINA THEATRE, 3911 WEST 50th STREET -1934 Mr. Sand explained that the Edina Theatre is owned by Plitt Theatres and they were recently acquired by a Canadian entertainment company Cineplex Odeon Corporation. They proposed to remove the existing auditoriums which face south and construct 3 new auditoriums facing west. The existing seating capacity of 876 will be increased to 1400 seats. The new auditoriums will provide better proportions and larger screens for better seating. The overall height of the building will be approximately the same, however it will have a flat roof instead of the existing bowstring arch roof. The auditoriums will be attached to a substantially remodeled and refurbished facade, tower, canopy and marquee. The small shops that flank the theatre lobby will be removed to expand the lobby refreshment, restroom and office space for the theatre. The brick facade will be preserved however, the recessed entrances for the shops will be eliminated in favor of extended flush windows with brick infill below. the plans also illustrate new doors, glazing and a projecting ticket booth to replace the modern aluminum entry. The brick is proposed to be painted to give the facade a uniform appearance. Mr. Sand said the Board has gone on record in the past that the auditorium portion of the building is not significant. However, the north elevation, the tower, ziggurat, marquee and sign were identified as architecturally significant because it is the last building of art deco design in the City and a community landmark. The Board generally discussed the negative impact caused by the loss of shops facing West 50th Street and the exterior materials of the new auditoriums. Mr. Metil inquired if the decorative concrete block would be visible from the street. Mr. Nyberg stated it would certainly be visible from across the street and in the rear from Arby's and the parking ramp. Mr. Sand expressed a concern about proposed painting of the brick because of the permanent damage that results. Mr. Nyberg moved to request that the architect look at retaining the shops on West 50th Street while returning to the original architecture of the shop fronts and conforming to the 1150th and France Design Framework". Mr. Stuppy seconded the motion. All voted aye. Mr. Sand inquired if this was intended to require cleaning the brick of paint and Mr. Nyberg agreed. After discussion of the exterior materials on the addition, Mr. Nyberg moved that the exterior materials on the addition are brick to match the brick on the north elevation. Mr. Metil seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Metil expressed concern that the letter from Kofman Engineering Company implied that several meetings were held with the Heritage Preservation Board when in fact no meetings have taken place and the project has not been presented to the Board. Mr. Sand said that this may be a misunderstanding between the local architect, Paul Pink Associates and the Canadian partner. Mr. Sand said he has had two telephone conversations concerning preliminary concepts however, there was no formal submission or discussion of the schematic plans. Mr. Sand indicated he would clarify this point before the Community development and Planning Commission meeting tomorrow night. The Board discussed a need to review the plans before issuance of a building permit. Mr. Nyberg said it would be important to review the schematic design or design development plans rather than the construction documents when it may be too late to implement changes in materials etc. Mr. Metil moved that the Board request a presentation of the plans by the architect prior to issuance of a building permit. Mr., Nyberg seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried. IV. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONFERENCE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS. Mr. Stuart said that the conference was held April 3, 1987 at the Fort Snelling Visitors Center and he and Mr. Sand attended the meeting. The meeting included a slide show of new listings in Minnesota on the National Register of Historic Places, a presentation about facade easements, a report on the historic window conference held in Boston and a video tape about the certified local Governments program. V. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR THOMAS MARTINSON Mr. Stuart expressed his regrets that Mr. Martinson submitted his resignation after many years of service on the Board and presented a resolution of appreciation. Mr. Stuppy moved the adoption of the resolution. Mr. Gepner seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. VI. NEXT MEETING DATE: May 26, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. VII. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Nyberg moved adjournment at 10 p.m. Mr. Metil seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Harold Sand s