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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 10-12 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularAGENDA Edina Heritage Preservation Board Regular Meeting Thursday, October 12, 1978, at 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall Conference Room I. Approval of the Minutes: August 24, 1978 September 19, 1978 II. Historic Survey Progress Report from William Scott III. Other Business IV. Next Regular Meeting Date: November 9, 1978, at 7:30 p.m. V. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD HELD OCTOBER 12, 1978, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM Members Present: Vice Chairman Thomas Martinson, Gordon Stuart, Paul Mucke, Betty Paugh Staff Present: Harold Sand I. Approval of the Minutes . Mr. Sand said that the minutes were not available at this time. II. Historic Survey Progress Report: Mr. William Scott with Setter, Leach, and Lindstrom Architects and Mr. Jeffrey Hess, Historian were present to review their progress on the Edina Historic Survey. Mr. Scott indicated the previous progress report primarily concentrated on the pre -1917 structures. The current report will cover the areas they see as possible historic districts comprising several structures. The Country Club District is a prime candidate; the "West Minneapolis Heights" in the northwest corner of the city near Hopkins is promising, and a third possible area or district in Morningside which includes a nice collection of bungalows is on West 44th Street. Mr. Scott discussed the Country Club District and some of the parameters that may be considered to precisely define the boundaries of a possible historic district. He indicated it is important to define a cohesive and distinct district apart from other areas because there are homes in other sections of the city that are interesting and good architecturally. He thinks the Country Club District may be a development that is very unique, and it is one of the first quality residential developments in the country and certainly the first in the state using innovative subdivision design and regulation. Mr. Hess said that he believes the district boundaries can be clearly defined by the platting of the district called the Country Club. He has prepared a platting history of the city from about 1920 to 1936 to study this aspect. The two major sections of the Country Club are the Brown Section which was platted in •1922 and the Fairway Section which was platted in 1924. The 1920's air photo illustrates that the district is extremely self contained. He said that the Country Club District is historically unique in Minnesota and to a large extent in the United States. The only similar subdivisions that he has found reference to are Shaker Heights in Cleveland and the Country Club District in Kansas City. He said the whole platting follows the "streetcar suburb" which was served by the Minneapolis -Minnetonka streetcar line. Edina Heritage Preservation Board October 12, 1978 page 2 The people who moved into the Country Club considered themselves to be within a very self-contained community. He noted that there were articles in the Minneapolis Journal that compared the Edina Country Club development to the Kansas City Country Club, and people did go to review the Kansas City development. Mr. Scott indicated that the Country Club is significant from a sociological standpoint, a planning standpoint, and an architectural standpoint. He said that he believes that there is a good case for a National Register Nomination. He thought the boundaries should be limited to the original Brown and Fairway Section boundaries. Mr. Scott said that they have reviewed the houses and evaluated them architecturally, and they will discuss this with the State Historic Society. Mr. Scott said that there is an interesting collection, of dwellings in the northwest quadrant of the City, the West Minneapolis Heights plat on Madison Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. The homes include Minnesota Farm House Style and the Minnesota Variation of the New England Salt Box. The homes originally developed as an extension of the City of Hopkins and the Minneapolis Threshing Company plant, later named Minneapolis Moline. Mr. Scott also mentioned a nice collection of bungalow --style dwellings on West 44th Street near Eaton Avenue and Grimes Avenue in the old Morningside district. He went on to say that both the West Minneapolis Heights collection and the Morningside collection were not, however, contained within any district that could be defined as historic, and the individual buildings would not be significant except as part of the group. He suggested that the report could perhaps deal with these structures as a cluster within a neighbor- hood. Mr. Scott indicated that the,remainder of the city would be covered as individually significant structures andthatthe modern buildings would be addressed only to indicate the buildings that have been previously identified, such as with a Minnesota Society of Architects award or other designation. He said that the bulk of the work was done and there remained some interview work such as with Carl Hansen. The Board generally agreed that the work done thus far was excellent, and the basic outline discussed for the report was appropriate. They encouraged Mr. Scott and Mr. Hess to continue with the work. No further action was taken. III. Other Business: Mr. Martinson mentioned that a theatre in Illinois was granted a sign ordinance variance to permit the animation of the lights on the marquee Edina Heritage Preservation Board October 12, 1978 page 3 because the structure was designated a historic site by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. He suggested that some similar consideration could be given the Edina Theatre. IV. Next Meeting Date: November 9, 1978, at 7:30 p.m. V. Adjournment Mr. Mucke moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mrs. Paugh seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Harold Sand