HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 04-27 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A
EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982, AT 8:00 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL MANAGERS CONFERENCE ROOM
1. Approval of the Minutes: February 23, 1982
II. Old St. Patricks Church, 7000 Cahill Road
Public Hearing
111. Self Guided Tour of Edina
IV. Other Business
V. Announcements
*Spring Conference for Heritage Preservation Commissions
Pipestone, Minnesota, May 15, 1982
*National Historic Preservation Week, May 9-15, 1982
*Country Club District House Tour, May 6, 1982, Young Life
V1. Next Regular Meeting Date: May 25, 1982, at 8:00 P.M.
VI 1. Adjournment
I A
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982, AT 8:00 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Foster Dunwiddie, Gordon Stuart, Tom
is Martinson, Stephen Sinykin, Frank Thorpe and Gary
Nyberg
STAFF PRESENT: Harold Sand
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: February 23, 1982
Tom Martinson said that he may have incorrectly identified the years
Edina won the State Hockey Tournament listed on Page 3. The information
should be verified with the school district. No further amendments to the
minutes stated; Gary Nyberg moved the minutes be approved as amended.
Gordon Stuart seconded the motion. All voted.aye; the motion carried.
11. OLD ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH -7000 Cahill Road
Harold Sand recalled that Father Mahon of St. Patrick's Church of Edina
and several Edina residents and members of the church requested Heritage
Preservation District zoning of the Old St. Patrick's Church on February 16,
1981. The Edina Historical Society has supported this request to zone and
preserve the old church building as the last surviving element of the Cahill
Community. The church celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the congregation
on March 14, 1982. A number of eariy photographs and artifacts were displayed
at the celebration.
Harold Sand presented slides and the staff report about the history and
significance of the former church. As early as 1854, during Minnesota territorial
times, the Irish settlers were given mass by Father Fayolle in the homes of
John Duggan and John Burke. The congregation was formed in 1857 when
a log chapel was built near the intersection of West 70th Street and Wooddale
Avenue. The congregation was moved in 1864 to the old Cahill School at the
southeast corner of West 70th Street and Cahill Road. A wood frame church
was built in 1884 at the southwest corner of West 70th Street and Cahill Road.
In 1906, the tall steeple was removed and replaced with a short steeple for
structural reasons. The church was struck by lightning in 1924 and destroyed
by tire. The congregation constructed a new church on the same site. The
192.4 church remains to this date.
The congregation was served as a mission of St. Anthony of Padua, the Church
of the Immaculate Conception (now St. Mary's Bascilica), St. Mary's (nous St.
Joseph's) of Hopkins and St. Stephen's in Minneapolis. In 1933, the congrega-
tion was established as a parish with a full time pastor. The congregation
movedin 1961 to a new location at Valley View Road and Gleason Road. In 1968,
the former church was sold to a private party.
The exterior of the Old St. Patrick's Church remains in a substantially
unaltered condition, however, the interior has been modified for use as a
Montessori School. The condition of the building is fair; the shingle roof
needs replacement and there is evidence of dry rot around the window sills.
Edina Heritage Prevervation Board
April 27, 1982
Page 2
Mr. Sand concluded that the history of the Cahill Community and the
St. Patrick's Church are closely bound together. The old church building
is located at the focal point of the Cahill. Community and is the last remaining
evidence of the nucleus of the community. The structure is an important
visual landmark and an appropriate structure to commemorate the Cahill
Community. The structure is located at a major street intersection and sited
in a dignified manner appropriate for a landmark. The 1924 church is a
significant structure in its own right as the earliest remaining unaltered
church in Edina. However, the site is equally important because it is the
location of the 1884 church and the focal point of thr Cahill Community.
Harold Sand recommended that the Board review the Old St. Patrick's
Church property in terms of the established criteria for evaluation of heritage
significance. The property qualifies because,The quality of significance
in American history and culture is present in the site and building that pos-
sess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling,
association and are associated with events that have made a significant contri-
bution to the broad patterns of our historyl, In addition, the building is a
religious property that derives the primary significance from historical impor-
tance. If the Board wishes to recommend zoning the property to Heritage
Preservation District, the Board should review the policy statement and adopt
the following findings: 1) yes, 2) yes, 3) c, -4) a, 5)b.
Harold Sand noted that the site is zoned R-1 and has a potential for
multiple family dwellings, however the Board doesn't have a specific develop-
ment proposal at this time. This may be an appropriate time to discuss gen-
eral development alternatives, but it is not possible to review hypothetical
proposals or to make committments for future Boards.
Foster Dunwiddie explained that the 1976 criteria for evaluation of
heritage significance and the policy statement set forth the criteria and provide
a basis for decisionsthat come before the Board.
Donna Skagerberg said that she wears two hats in this matter.
As a member of the St. Patrick's Church, she feels it is important to pre-
serve the memory of the early settlers and church founders. As President
of the Edina Historical Society, she recognizes that the building is histor-
ically significant in the development of the community. The City developed
with two main focal points, the Edina Mills and Cahill Settlement. The City
has lost the Edina Mills and the site can only be identified with a kiosk and
the foundation outlined. The Old Cahill School was moved from its site and
preserved in the historical park. The Cahill store was torn down. Therefore,
the. St. Patrick's Church is the last significant element of the Cahill Settlement
and it would be a significant loss to the City if the old church could not be
preserved.
Mr. John McCauley said that his grandfather came to Cahill in 1854 and
was one of the founders of the church. All of the Irish settlers have a very
sentimental attachment to the church and it is almost a way of life with them.
He said it is the last standing structure in Cahill. It would be wonderful if
we could save part of our history; once the building is gone it can never be
replaced.
Heritage Preservation Board
April 27, 1982
Page 3
Mr. Marsh Everson said he is the owner of the property. His wife and
he have a great love for the building and wish to preserve it. He said that
something must be done that is economically viable. One possibility is an
antique shop and tea room. Mr. Everson introduced Michael Rivard, a plan-
ning consultant that he has hired to assist him with the project and to explore
potential uses for the property. Mr. Rivard said that it is necessary to find
economically acceptable alternate uses for the obsolete historic structure.
He said that there is no question about the historic significance of the building.
The church building is located with a wonderfully commanding view and that
a development of the site, done properly would still feature the old church
itself. He estimated the building could be divided into 6 dwelling units and
requested an endorsement by the Board for both housing and for a commercial
use because they were not certain which concept they would pursue.
Foster Dunwiddie said that the matter before the Board was to evaluate
the significance according to established criteria. However, the Board has
historically attempted to assist the owner in any way possiblt to reach the
goal of preserving the physical heritage of the City. He said that the inter-
ior of the structure is really not a significant feature. However, the integrity
of the exterior and the location on the site are important.
Tom Martinson said that the old St. Patrick's Church is the most his-
torically significant building in Edina. He added that a developer should be
permitted development incentives for preserving significant buildings and the
incentivies should be tiered to provide more incentives for a more compatible
project.
Donna Skagerberg asked about land use variances. Harold Sand said
that the Minnesota Heritage Preservation Commission enabling legislation permitted
use variances for historical properties, however, Edina ordinances have not
permitted them. There are other preservation incentives such as transfer of
development rights.
Stephen Sinykin inquired about the negative impact HPD zoning has on
the property. Harold Sand explained that there are provisions requiring
proper maintenance of the property and permits from the Board for modifications,
so there is a potential delay. However, in the case of a rezoning proposal,
the Heritage Preservation Board can consider the project concurrently with the
Community Development and Planning Commission.
Frank Thorpe inquired if the proposal included both parcels of property.
Foster Dunwiddie clarified that both parcels were included to make a compatible
development package. Harold Sand added that the boundaries of the district
can be modified at a later date after the property is developed.
Michael Rivard indicated that they were in agreement with the proposal
to include both parcels of property.
Tom Martinson said that he is persuaded by the arguments presented by
the members of the church, the Edina Historical Society and City Staff and the
owner, that the old St. Patrick's Church property should be zoned (HPD)
Heritage Preservation District. He therefore moved that the Board recommend
to the City Council that the property is zoned (HPD) with the findings and for
the reasons stated in the staff report. Gordon Stuart seconded the motion.
All voted aye; the motion carried.
Heritage Preservation Board
April 27, 1982
Page 4
Tom Martinson said that zoning incentives can be a useful tool for
preserving historic buildings and encouraging compatible land use and dev-
elopment. In addition, zoning incentives tend to mitigate the added regula-
tions the HPD zoning imposes. He therefore moved that the Board recommend
a two tier system of zoning incentives for preservation of significant historic
and architectural buildings and sites. A reasonable incentive should be pro-
vided for the preservation of the buildings; an additional incentive should be
provided for a development plan that is architecturally compatible with the
historic building. The incentive formula and criteria to be developed by Staff.
Gordon Stuart seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
Tom Martinson moved that among the reasons for the recommendation on
the church was the able support and advice from the members of the Edina
Historical Society and St. Patrick's Church. We thank them for their support
and cautioned them that this was not the end of the process. All parties
involved have a moral obligation to work with and support the developer and
owner of the property until the project is completed to everyone's satisfaction.
Gordon Stuart seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
Tom Martinson said that he was extremely impressed with the Staff work
in this project. He moved that the Board commend Haroid Sand for the superb
job on the report. Stephen Sinykin seconded the motion. All voted aye; the
motion carried.
Ili. SELF GUIDED TOUR OF EDINA:
Stephen Sinykin said that Dave Moore has agreed to record the self
guided tour and suggested that work does not have to be done in a profes-
sional recording studio.
Stephen Sinykin said that he needs assistance writing and• editing the
script and he can coordinage administration, production and distribution of
the project.
Donna Skagerberg suggested that a script could be developed from the
tours that have been g ven by Dudley Parsons, Foster Dunwiddie and herself.
IV. OTHER BUSINESS:
Foster Dunwiddie informed the Board that the Edina Historical Society was
dedicating the new museum in the Wooddale School on Sunday, June 6, 1982,
between 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Spring Conference for Heritage Preservation Commissions
Pipestone, Minnesota - May 15, 1982
Heritage Preservation Board
April 27, 1982
Page 5
National Historic Preservation Week, May 9 - 15, 1982
Country Club District House Tour,* May 6, 1982, Young Life
VI. NEXT REGULAR MEETING DATE: May 25, 1982, at 8:00 p.m.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
Tom Martinson moved the meeting be adjourned. Gordon Stuart seconded
the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Harold Sand