HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 12-11 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularAGENDA
CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA
HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
EDINA CITY HALL — COMMUNITY ROOM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012,7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: November 14, 2012
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
During "Community Comment" the Heritage Preservation Board will invite residents to share new issues or concerns that
haven't been considered in the past 30 days by the Board or which aren't slated for future consideration. Individuals must
limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of
time and topic. Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community
Comment. Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board to respond to their comments. Instead, the Board might refer
the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Guest — David Mather, National Register Archaeologist, MN Historic Preservation Office
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The Role of Archaeology in Edina's Heritage Preservation Program
B. Edina History Presentation — As Taught in the Schools
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Country Club District —COA Process Evaluation
B. Properties Determined Eligible for Heritage Landmark Designation
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Preservation Consultant's 2013 Work Plan
IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
X. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
XI. STAFF COMMENTS
XII. NEXT MEETING DATE: January 8, 2013
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in
the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large -print documents or something else, please call 952-927-
8861, 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
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MINUTES
Meeting of the
Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Edina City Hall - Community Room
Tuesday, December 1 I, 2012
7:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER 7:05 P.M.
I1. ROLL CALL
Answering roll call was Chair Carr, and Members, Davis, Moore, Mellom, Christiaansen, Stegner, Anger,
Johnson and Good. Absent were Members Curran and Sussman. Staff present was Planner Joyce Repya.
Preservation Consultant Robert Vogel was also in attendance.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Member Davis moved to approve the meeting agenda. Member Mellom seconded the motion. All
voted aye. The motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES November 14, 2012
Member Mellom moved approval of the minutes from the November 14, 2012 meeting. Member
Moore seconded the motion. All voted aye. The motion carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT - None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Guest — David Mather, National Register Archaeologist, MN Historic Preservation
Office "the Role of Archaeology in Edina's Heritage Preservation Program
Chair Carr introduced David Mather who was invited to the meeting to discuss the role archaeology
can play in Edina's heritage preservation program.
Mr. Mather thanked the HPB for the opportunity to discuss archaeology in Edina — pointing out that he
enjoyed reading Edina's Historic Context Study and Heritage Preservation chapter of the Comp Plan in
preparation for his visit.
Board members asked Mr. Mather what time period he would consider historic from an archaeological
standpoint. Mr. Mather explained that much like antiques, 50 years is the short term age to be
considered historic from the archaeological standpoint. However, prehistorically the contexts can date
from 10,000 B.C. Mr. Mather added that much of the archaeological work done in Minnesota dates
from the Dakota cultural traditions of 1650 A.D. — 1851.
Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Minutes
December 11, 2012
Consultant Vogel commented that there is very little archaeological information that has been
discovered about Edina, with the exception of a small dig which took place at the Edina Mill in the late
1970's. The purpose of that dig was to uncover the foundation of the old Edina Mill which had been
torn down in 1932. In addition to finding the original footings for the Mill, a few old bottles were
unearthed, but not a whole lot more. Mr. Vogel added that because Edina has virtually no vacant land,
the areas that have the greatest potential for archaeology would be in the City parks which have for the
most part not been disrupted.
Mr. Vogel pointed out that the City of Eden Prairie has identified over 300 archaeological sites, and it
stands to reason that the archaeology of Edina would be similar to Eden Prairie since the Native
Americans settled near the same types of water bodies that flow through both communities. However,
the reason Eden Prairie has so many sites is due to the fact that the community was developed much
later than Edina and environmental impact studies were required for new roadways and construction in
that community; whereas, during Edina's growth periods, archaeological awareness was not a
consideration.
Chair Carr observed that the new Three Rivers bike path has been approved to follow Nine Mile Creek
through Edina, and she wondered if there has been any consideration to evaluate the archaeology of the
area as part of that project. Planner Repya explained that she was unsure what considerations have
been made to the archaeology of the area planned for the bike trail; however she would check into that
with the City's Park Department and report back to the Board.
Member Davis asked Mr. Mather what archaeological periods the HPB would find most interesting in
Edina. Mr. Mather explained that there are two main branches: I st is the prehistoric period, however
those sites are very fragile and typically only found where there is undeveloped land to pursue research
for that era. Thus the 2nd and most pertinent to Edina would be the historic archaeology dating from the
1850's to the 1950's — artifacts found during this period can give clues to daily life in the community, and
provide a connection and an involvement to the past. Mr. Mather added that there are very successful
public archaeological programs which give the residents of a community an opportunity to get involved
with discovering clues as to how previous residents in a community lived.
Mr. Mather pointed out that Minnesota is fortunate to have funding opportunities available for
archaeology projects through the Certified Local Government (CLG) program as well as the Legacy
funds. He added that a first step would entail surveying the city to determine what areas would be most
likely to provide archaeological significance; then an archaeologist would organize a dig — and if the
public is involved, the archaeologist would serve as a coach to train community members interested in
the project.
Mr. Mather recalled that the City of Elk River did some important archaeological surveys in the late
1990's, and he encouraged the HPB to check out that work as a good example.
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Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Minutes
December 11, 2012
A brief discussion ensued among the Board regarding potential areas of archaeological interest in Edina -
those included the original cite of the Grange Hall on the southeast corner of W. 50th Street and
Wooddale Avenue; and the areas storied as potential Indian Mounds on the south side of W. 70th Street
near Cornelia School, and the northwest area of Hwy 62 and Gleason Road.
Planner Repya asked Mr. Mather what projects have been keeping him busy as of late. He responded
that a project at Indian Mounds Park in St. Paul has been very interesting. They have found that using
radar rather than digging up sensitive earth has provided very good results.
The Board thanked Mr. Mather for attending their meeting and sharing how they can consider the
archaeology of the community's past as part of their preservation planning.
B. Edina History Presentation — As Taught in the Schools
Planner Repya explained that when discussing the mission of educating the public about the City's
history, the Board has wondered how involved the schools have been in portraying Edina's past.
To demonstrate that the schools are doing a fine job of telling Edina's story, Ms. Repya shared a
Power Point presentation created by teachers from Highlands Elementary School which did a
very good job of teaching Edina's history in a very visual way.
Ms. Repya also provided the Board with a copy of the most recent City map which now
includes a listing of Edina's historic properties with a description of each on the back side.
The Board expressed their delight in viewing the Edina History presentation, asking for a copy
to share with others. The new City map was also well received.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Country Club District — COA Process Evaluation
Board members reviewed the COA Evaluation form that Member Curran had perfected since the last
meeting. All agreed that even though the form was a full page rather than a half page, the information
included was important, and the form will be an excellent tool to use when evaluating COA applications.
Planner Repya agreed to provide the Board with laminated copies of the form which they can keep for
reference in their meeting packet envelopes.
B. Properties Determined Eligible for Heritage Landmark Designation
Planner Repya provided the Board with a packet of information that included a listing of the fifteen
properties determined eligible for Heritage Landmark designation which included a property description,
photograph and location map for each site. Also included was an explanation of the designation process.
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Edina Heritage -Preservation Board
Minutes
December 11, 2012
Of the fifteen properties on the list there are seven private homes, the Morningside bungalows, two
churches, four commercial properties, and one bridge (owned by the City). Ms. Repya pointed out that
some of the property owners have been approached in the past regarding a potential heritage landmark
designation, however they either did not respond or declined.
Chair Carr commented that she found the information provided to be very helpful, adding that the HPB
has identified in the 2013 Work Plan that at least two properties will be designated Heritage Landmark
properties, and this baseline information is very important.
Consultant Vogel pointed out that he would not recommend designating the churches individually,
pointing out that a plan to study all of the churches in Edina has been identified for the future.
Member Stegner suggested that an invitation to consider heritage landmark designation be sent to each
of the property owners identified (with the exception of the churches). If a property owner declines, a
new invitation could be sent when the property changes ownership.
Member Moore pointed out that since 2013 is Edina's Quasquicentennial (125th Anniversary), the
invitations for landmark designations could be an excellent marketing tool and a way to participate in the
year-long celebration.
Board Members agreed that tying the invitation into the anniversary celebration was an excellent idea.
Member Moore offered to work with Planner Repya to produce an invitation package to send to the
properties on the determined eligible list. The Board agreed that sending out the letters after the first
of the year would be a great idea, and they looked forward to receiving a project update at the January
2013 meeting. No formal action was taken.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Preservation Consultant's 2013 work Plan
Consultant Vogel explained that his 2013 Work Plan includes the following activities:
1) Advise city officials on all matters relating to heritage preservation, including the identification,
evaluation, registration, and treatment of heritage resources.
2) Attend four (4) regular meetings of the Heritage Preservation Board at the direction of the City
Planner. I have also agreed to be available for presentations to the Edina Planning Commission
and the City Council as needed.
3) Review and comment on all Certificate of Appropriateness applications and work with city staff
to ensure that heritage resources are considered in city planning for community development
and public works.
4) Revise and update the city's heritage preservation resources inventory.
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Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Minutes
December 11, 2012
5) Complete the reconnaissance -level survey of heritage resources in the West Minneapolis
Heights/Mendelssohn neighborhood.
6) Initiate a reconnaissance -level survey of heritage resources in the White Oaks neighborhood.
7) Prepare Edina Heritage Landmark nomination studies for a minimum of two (2) properties
previously determined eligible for local designation.
8) Provide the HPB and other city officials with information, education, and training in heritage
preservation.
Mr. Vogel pointed out that there are an additional eighteen projects of interest the HPB has identified
over the past few years, however there has not been the time and/or funds available to accomplish
them.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the Work Plan and additional projects. Board members agreed that
they liked the Work Plan provided, however wanted more information on the eighteen additional
projects listed. Member Davis suggested Vogel provide an explanation of each of the eighteen additional
items, to include the list prioritized from most to least important. It was agreed that this information
would be helpful. Mr. Vogel stated that he would provide the requested information for the Board. No
formal action was taken.
IX. CORRESPONDENCE & PETITIONS None
X. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Mellom commented that she was concerned about a house on Arden Avenue that
replaced the siding with stone which she feels detracts from the homes historic integrity. Planner Repya
responded that the Country Club District's plan of treatment does not require a Certificate of
Appropriateness (COA) to replace the siding, roofing, trim, fascia, soffit, eave moldings, windows or
doors. A COA is required for new structures (homes and detached garages) and additions to the home
on a street facing fagade. Ms. Mellom pointed out that in her opinion, even though a COA may not have
been required, changing the siding of the home to stone was wrong.
Member Stegner commented that several weeks ago he shared an article with the HPB about
the Jewish cemeteries in the Metro area. One of the cemeteries is located in Edina, north of Minnehaha
Creek and east of France Avenue. The Board members agreed that the article was very interesting and
expressed an interest in finding out more about the cemetery. Planner Repya agreed to find out what
she could about the cemetery and include this item on the January 2013 HPB meeting agenda.
Chair Carr advised the Board that televising the next HPB meeting on January 8, 2013 has
been canceled because the City Council needs to use the Council Chambers for a special meeting.
That being the case, the January 8th meeting will take place in the Community Room as usual. A date for
televising a 2013 meeting will be coordinated with the Communications Department, and once
scheduled, that date will be shared with the HPB.
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Edina Heritage Preservation Board
Minutes
December 11, 2012
XI. STAFF COMMENTS None
XII. NEXT MEETING DATE January 8, 2013
XIII. ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m.
Member Davis moved for adjournment at 9:00 p.m. Member Moore seconded the motion. All voted aye.
The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
,Joyce Repya
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