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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 06-24 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A Edina Heritage Preservation Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 24, 1980, at 7:30 p.m. Edina City Hall Conference Room I, Publication of Historic Building Survey Bill Scott and Jeff Hess II. Country Club Research Lynn Spaeth III. Wooddale School Discussions IV. Discussion: Direction of Board V. Announcements: Millsite Dedication June 29, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. VI, Next Meeting Date: July 10, 1980 VII. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD HELD TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1980 AT 5:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM Members Present: Foster Dunwiddie, Chairman, Frank Thorpe, Gordon Stuart, Betty Paugh, MaryAnn Herman, Tom Martinson Staff Present: Harold Sand IPublication of Historic Building Survey. Mr. Dunwiddie advised the Board that Mr. Scott and Mr. Hess would not be attending the meeting because they had not made sufficient pro- gress on the book to make a presentation to the Board. The review will be reschuled to be held at the July meeting. II. Country Club Research. Lynn Spaeth with Heritage Preservation Associates Inc. was present. Mr. Sand distributed copies of the proposed contract for services for the Country Club research and nomination to the National Register of Historic places. The Board determined that Section Ila should be modified to change the word "assistance" to "cooperation". Section III should be modified to change the time framework from 24 weeks to 16 weeks. Mr. Sand said that they were discussing two alternatives for the photographic portion of the contract. The proposal by Ms. Spaeth includes a 35 m.m. black and white photograph of the frontal view of all structures in the district, additional photos of typical building styles, architectural details and typical street scapes. The city would receive commercially processed negatives and 3" x 5" prints of these photos. The National Register would receive approximately 40-50 prints (4" x 5" or 8" x 10") that exemplify the district. The State Review Board would be provided an equal number of 35 m.m. color slides for their review process. Mr. Sand said the second alternative would separate the photography under a second contract with a semi-professional photographer. The photographer would use a larger foremat camera with 214 square negatives and could be in black and white or color. This alternative would use professional quality film and processing. The larger negative will be better quality and produce better enlargements. Lynn Spaeth said that she was willing to conduct the survey either way. The Board discussed the alternatives and costs and concluded that black and white photography was desirable because it is required by the National Register and has better aging characteristics. The Board also con- cluded that more detailed photographic efforts could be made at a later date and that for coordination purposes it would be desirable to maintain the survey under the control of one person. Edina Heritage Preservation Board June 24, 1980 Page 2 Lynn Spaeth inquired about the public relations efforts that should be used'in conjunction with the survey. She recommended a press release to the Edina Sun and a mailing to all of the property owners in the district prior to the survey. The letter would contain information about the significance of the district and the ramifications of nomination to the National Register. After the survey was completed a neighborhood meeting would be appropriate to answer any questions. The Board generally felt that good public relations were an important aspect of the project and that complete information should be available to the residents. A prelim- inary meeting with neighborhood leaders was suggested to help explain the program before the neighborhood meeting. Lynn Spaeth agreed to submit draft copies of the proposed press release and letter. MaryAnn Herman moved to approve the contract as ammended. Betty Paugh seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried. III. Wooddale School Foster Dunwiddie reported that the Historical Society held a meeting with Dr. Liebur about the disposition of the Wooddale School building. The Historical Society has allocated $4000 to establish a museum in Wooddale School. Dr. Liebur indicated that discussions with other members of the community were leaning toward Edina East Upper Division as the Community Center. The Historical Society plans to submit a proposal for alternate uses of the building. Mr. Dunwiddie said that he has discussed the matter with Mayor Van Valkenburg and the Mayor indicated that the subject was an appro- priate avenue of investigation for the Heritage Preservation Board. Mr. Dunwiddie explained that Harold Sand and he had inspected the building on June 23, 1980 to locate any historic artifacts that may be available and to determine the integrity of the building. The inspection indicated that there were not many artifacts to preserve. The bronze building dedication plack at the front entrance and the two sidelights should be removed and stored while the building is vacant to prevent theft or vandalism. Should the building be torn down it would be desirable to retain the stone work around the entrance to the building and the limestone plaques that read "Edina School" and "1926" on the front facade. The auditorium balcony contains some origional seats with the letter E cast on the sides, a few of these seats should be retained if the balcony is altered. Mr. Dunwiddie discussed various recommended measures to prevent vandalism to the building now that it is unoccupied. Edina Heritage Preservation Board June 24, 1980 Page 3 The exterior lights and the interior nightlights should be left on. The basement windows should be boarded up to prevent entry and an intruder alarm should be installed if -the building is to remain vacant for a period of time. Mr. Dunwiddie explained that the building is in excellent structural condition with only minor problems such as tuckpointing of the brick between the 1926 and 1936 additions. The mechanical systems appeared to be updated and very well maintained. Mr. Dunwiddie presented plans of the building prepared by his architectural firm from the origional building plans. Mr. Dunwiddie discussed deficiencies from the current building code that were identified by Bob Bahneman, the Edina Building Inspector. The deficiencies appear to be feasible to correct without any major difficulties. Mr. Dunwiddie said that Ken Rosland, City Manager and George Hite, School Board Member have discussed setting up an ad hoc comm- ittee to study the situation, find a temporary use and possibly determine a permanent use. He indicated that residents in the neighborhood have con- tacted him concerning preservation of the building and rezoning the property to Heritage Preservation District. The Board reviewed the plans and discussed several alter- native uses that would be feasible including a community center, senior citizen apartments and a combination of the community center and senior citizen apartments. Mr. Martinson took copies of the floor plans and indicated that he would study alternate uses for the building. No further action taken. IV. Directions of the Board Mr. Dunwiddie explained the recommendations of the Historic Building Survey and said that the Board should discuss the approach that would be used to implement the recommendations. Mr. Dunwiddie said that the buildings recommended for local designation could be handled in two manners. The first method is regulatory using the zoning ordinance and designating properties Heritage Preservation District. The alternate method is advisory where the Board notifies owners of significant properties and informs them about the significant elements in the building and proper means of maintaining the building. This may be implemented through design guidelines contained in a book distributed to residents. Mr. Martinson mentioned a very well designed book prepared by the city of Oakland CA. That may be helpful. The Board dis- cussed the list of locally significant buildings and concluded that some of them are not suitable for zoning and the advisory method is useful in these cases. No further action taken. V. Announcements Mr. Dunwiddie said that the Mill site would be dedicated by the Historical Society Sunday, June 29, 1980. The Sousa Band would be Edina Heritage Preservation board June 24, 1980 Page 4 present and the dedication ceremonies would begin at 2:30 p.m. Mr. Sand indicated that a National Register staff member contacted him about certification of Edina's preservation ordinances. The certification will be processed in the near future. VI, Next Meeting Date: Mr. Sand advised that the next regularly scheduled meeting was July 10, 1980 however Mr. Scott requested that the meeting be scheduled during the week of July 21. Betty Paugh said that for the next year she has a conflict on the second Thursday of the month. The Board discussed the meet- ing dates and scheduling of the conference room. Mr. Martinson moved that the July meeting be rescheduled to Tuesday, July 22, 1980 and that the regular meeting date be changed to the 4th Thursday of each month. Mrs. Paugh seconded the motion. All voted Aye. Motion carried. VII, Adiournment Betty Paugh moved the meeting be adjourned. MaryAnn Herman seconded the motion. All voted Aye. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Harold Sand