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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