HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 05-05 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A
EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1981, AT 7:30 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. Approval of the Minutes: March 24, 1981
II. The History and Architecture of Edina, Minnesota
111. Wooddale School Report
IV. Old St. Patricks Church, 7000 Cahill Road
V. Country Club District Mill Pond Cascade
VI. Other Business
VII. Announcements:
* Spring Conference for Heritage Preservation Commission, May 9, 1981,
Northfield, Minnesota.
* Annual Meeting of the Edina Historical Society, May 12, 1981.
* National Historic Preservation Week, May 10 - 16, 1981.
VI 11. Next Regular Meeting Date: May 26, 1981, at 7:30 p.m.
IX. Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
HELD TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1981, AT 7:30 P.M.
' AT THE EDINA CITY HALL COUNC?L CHAMBERS.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Foster Dunwiddie, Tom Martinson, Gordon
Stuart, Lois Wilder, Betty Paugh.
STAFF PRESENT: Harold Sand
I. Approval of the Minutes
Gordon Stuart moved that the March 24, 1981, minutes be approved as
submitted. Tom Martinson seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion
carried.
11. The History and Architecture of Edina, Minnesota
Foster Dunwiddie reported that the final copies of the book were delivered
from the printer on Friday, May 1, and that copies were distributed to the
Board with the materials for this meeting. Mr. Dunwiddie said that he presented
copies of the book at the City Council meeting on May 4. The annual meeting
of the Edina Historical Society will be held May 12, in the City Council Chambers.
The books will be available for sale at this meeting and following that date the
book will be offered to the public.
Mr. Dunwiddie said that an article will appear in the May 6, "Sun" news-
paper about the Historical Society Meeting and announcing the availability of
the book.
Mr. Sand said that he intended to offer the book at the City Hall and
at special events such as the Braemar Fest and 50th and France Art Fair
during the summer. This fall the book will be offered to retail stores for
distribution.
Mr. Dunwiddie said that the Board delayed establishing the price for the
book until a copy was in hand and could be properly evaluated. It is appro-
priate to determine the price at this time. He presented copies of a number
of comparable historic publications with current prices ranging from approx-
imately 7 to 12 dollars.
In response to a question, Mr. Sand said .that the book cost $8.00 per
copy to produce, including all of the editing and layout costs. The quotation
for the printing costs for a second edition ranges between $3.00 and $4.00
per copy depending on the time and quantity.
Mr. Martinson said that one of the principal objectives of publishing the
book was to promote heritage preservation and create an educational tool.
Therefore, it is desirable to distribute the book as widely as possible. He
advocated pricing the book as low as possible, provided the income was sufficient
to pay for a second printing if the demand warrents. The price can be raised
in the future.
Mr. Sand said that the consensus of opinion from Setter, Leach and Lindstrom
as well as several members of the City Staff is that the price could be set at $9.95
Heritage Preservation Board
Special Meeting
May 5, 1981
Page 2
without any substantial sales resistance. The Board generally discussed
prices ranging from $4.95 to $9.95. Mr. Martinson moved the retail price
be set at $6.95 exclusive of tax, shipping and handeling charges. Betty
Paugh seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
111. Wooddale School Report - 4500 West 50th Street
Foster Dunwiddie said that the school district has advertised for bids
for the life safety improvements to Wooddale School. The school district has
also hired Doug Johnson as manager of both Edina East Upper Division and
Wooddale School. He begins work on May 16. The Edina Child Care Center
has agreed in principal to rent the ground floor of the building and they are
working on the lease.
IV. Old St. Patricks Church - 7000 Cahill Road
Foster Dunwiddie presented a letter from the Edina Historical Society
advocating the preservation of the old St. Patricks Church because it is the
last remaining element of the Cahill area which was one focus of early community
life in Edina.
Foster Dunwiddie reported that Mr. Everson, the owner of the old St.
Patricks Church has written a letter to Councilman Fred Richards requesting
that the City change the Heritage Preservation Ordinance to require the owner
consent of any rezoning. This request was considered by the Council on
April 20, 1981.
Mr. Dunwiddie said he was present at the Council meeting and reported
on the actions of the Board and the current status of the church site.
The matter was before the Board because of a request from members of the
church and the Edina Historical Society. The site was also included in the
Historic Building Survey and the History and Architecture of Edina, Minnesota.
Mr. Dunwiddie told the Council that there presently is, no zoning restriction
on the site.
Harold Sand reported that the research has not provided a great deal of
additional information, however, it is expected that the church records will be,
very useful. He has studied the potential use of the site according to the
Southwest Edina Plan. The site is suitable for a multiple family residence of
townhomes or apartments. According to the density adjustment formula con-
tained in the Southwest Edina Plan, the two acre site would be permitted 15 or
16 dwelling units. Mr. Sand presented two rough site plans that illustrated
potential townhouse developments similar to the Findell-Clark project immediately
south of the church site. The plans illustrated 16 and 18 dwelling units with
the church building preserved. Mr. Sand said the site plans are not intended
to be design recommendations, but do illustrate the possibility of preserving
the old church building in conjunction with development of the site at the anti-
cipated density. There are many other possibilities to preserve development
potential, including density transfer to other property in the vicinity.
Heritage Preservation Board
Special Meeting
May 5, 1981
Page 3
Other preservation possibilities include adaptive re -use, land use variances
or public acquisition. These various alternatives may be pursued when the
owner determines it is appropriate to develop the the property.
Mr. Dunwiddie said that adequate documentation of this case is necessary.
This can be pursued with a meeting with Father Mahon, Donna Skagerberg,
President of the Edina Historical Society, Harold Sand and himself. No further
action taken.
V. Country Club District Mill Pond Cascade
Harold Sand explained that the City Council requested a recommendation from
the Heritage Preservation Board concerning the disposition of the Cascade Well.
The matter was recently brought to his attention by Fran Hoffman, City Engineer.
The Minnesota Health Department considers the well a hazard to ground water
quality and requests that the City cap the well to solve the problem.
Mr. Sand described the location and construction of the cascade and pre-
sented copies of accounts of the project contained in the Country club District
"Crier". The project was largely organized and supervised by Village Recorder
Ben B. Moore. Detailed accounts of the project are contained in Village Council
Minutes during 1933 and 1934.
The project was funded by $3,000 for materials from neighborhood contri-
butions and $14,000 for labor from the Federal Civil Works Associaiton.
The Architect was Frederick Van Grossman and the Engineer was Albert Graber.
Harold Sand said that the City Staff does not believe the well can be reacti-
vated to supplement the water level in the Mill Pond and apparently the cascade
was not very successful in maintaining water levels. The existing well and pump
equipment is deteriorated and will require extensive repair or replacement before
it could be reactivated. There may be a desire to reactivate the cascade for
demonstration purposes, however, this could be accomplished with City water
temporarily piped from a hydrant or with water from the creek:
Mr. Sand said that the cascade represents an important and interesting element
in the development of the neighborhood and community. Therefore, the cascade
structure should be designated as a significant landmark that should be preserved.
However, the well and pump equipment is not a visible element, therefore, the
equipment can be removed and the well capped without damage to the historical
integrity of the cascade. The Staff recommends the Board approve the capping
of the well with the provision that the cascade structure is not damaged.
The Edina Historical Society should be offered the opportunity to retain any
equipment removed from the site. The Board should also request that the City
Council communicate the significance of the site and the City's desire to preserve
the cascade to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Tom Martinson said that the cascade was an important chapter in the history
of this area and should be preserved. A project that cost $17,000 in 1933 during
the depression was very significant. Mr. Martinson said that if the well work was
done, the contractor should submit plans for the work for approval by the Board.
Heritage Preservation Board
Special Meeting
May 5, 1981
Page 4
The measures taken to protect the cascade could be reviewed and monitored.
The Board generally discussed the significance of the cascade and the
measures necessary to protect the structure. Stephen Sinykin moved that
the Country Club District Mill Pond Cascade is considered a significant land-
mark that should be preserved. The well may be capped to prevent contam-
ination of ground water, however, the work should be accomplished in a
manner that does not damage the cascade. The contractor for the work
should submit plans for the protection of the cascade structure and site to
the Board for approval. Any equipment removed from the site should be
offered to the Edina Historical Society for preservation. Betty Paugh seconded
the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
Tom Martinson suggested that the Board consider rezoning the site to
Heritage Preservation District at the next Board meeting. He asked the Staff
to return with material for this recommendation. Mr. Dunwiddie requested the
Staff discuss any complications of rezoning a portion of the creek bed with
the City Attorney.
Mr. Martinson moved the Board request that the City Council communicate
with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District concerning the significance of
the Mill Pond Cascade and express the City's interest in preserving the structure.
Lois Wilder seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
VI. Other Business: None
VII. Announcements
A. Spring Conference for Heritage Preservation Commissions, May 9, 1981,
Northfield, MN. The members planning to attend agreed to meet at
City Hall at 8:15 a.m.
B. Annual Meeting of the Edina Historical Society, May 12, 1981.
Mr. Dunwiddie said that this year's meeting will focus on the early'
development of the Country Club neighborhood. There will be a slide
show and a panel discussion. The book History and Architecture of
Edina, Minnesota will be offered for sale to the public for the first
time at this meeting.
C. National Historic Preservation Week, May 10-16, 1981.
Mr. Dunwiddie said that this year's theme was "Keeping America's
Neighborhoods Together". The Edina Historical Society meeting was
coordinated with National Preservation Week.
Heritage Preservation Board
Special Meeting
May 5, 1981
Page 5
Vill. Next Regular Meeting
Stephen Sinykin moved that the regularly scheduled May 26, 1981,
meeting be cancelled due to the proximity to this special meeting. The next
regular meeting will be June 23, 1981. Tom Martinson seconded the motion.
All voted aye; the motion carried.
IX. Adjournment
Gordon Stuart moved the meeting be adjourned. Betty Paugh seconded
the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Harold Sand