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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 01-22 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985, AT 8:00 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM I. Approval of the minutes: November 27, 1,984 It. Wooddale School: BRW Report III. Membership IV, Next Meeting Date: February 26, 1,985 V. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985 AT 8:00 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL RECEPTION CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Foster Dunwiddie, Tom Martinson, Gary Nyberg, John Childs, Gordon Stuart and Lois Wilder. STAFF PRESENT: Harold Sand I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Mr. Nyberg moved approval of the November 27, 1984 minutes as submitted. Mr. Childs seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. II. WOODDALE SCHOOL. Mr. Dunwiddie noted that the Board received copies of the consultant's report prepared by BRW, Inc. and presented at public meetings held January 8 and 15 at Wooddale School. The consultant has prepared five alternatives for reconstruction of West 50th Street from T.H. 100 to Wooddale Ave. and five alternatives for reconstruction of West 50th Street from Wooddale Ave. to Halifax Ave. In addition, the consultant has prepared five alternatives for the preservation or demolition of • Wooddale School and five alternatives for development of the Wooddale School site for park use in connection with Utley Park. The consultant was not charged with preparing a market study or investigating various alternate uses for the vacant school building. The report addresses the construction and maintenance expenses for plans that retain various percentages of the building. The report does not contain a specific recommendation from the consultant; it is not known if there will be a specific recommendation presented at the February 4, 1985 City Council hearing on the issue. The consultant's report does not state the conditions of transfer of the property to the City from the School District. Those conditions included the agreement that the property must be retained for public purposes. The School District has the option to reclaim title to the property with not less than 3 months and not more than 12 months notice to the City. The School District provided $25,000.00 to the City to study the use of the property and will pay an additional $100,000.00 to the City on July 1, 1985, the use of which is not stipulated. It is acknowledged that the site is not large enough to meet the current State standards for a new school and the School District does not have any intentions of reoccupying the existing building as a school. Mr. Dunwiddie presented recent calculations with the floor area and the net rentable area of the building based on the alternatives in the consultant's report. The net rentable area includes the auditorium, balcony and basement of the building. The gross floor area of the existing building is 68,067 sq.ft. and the net rentable area is 37,686 sq.ft. Alternate B preserves the 1926 portion of the building and has a gross area of 43,625 sq.ft. and a net rentable area is 25,579 sq.ft. Alternate C preserves the front portion of the building and has a gross area of 20,700 sq.ft. and a net rentable area of 10,112 sq.ft. Mr. Martinson said that he analyzed the value of the structure without considering the historic implications of the building. On the basis of minimal IRS depreciation values of $20 per square foot the building has an intrinsic value of between $800,000 and $1,400,000 that is an asset to the community. Mr. Martinson also prepared an analysis of the building assuming a restoration for a private use on a short term basis. The report is based oo conservative figures and the building shows a profit in 5 years of operation. The Board discussed potential public uses for the building and suggestions included the performing arts program, the Sousa Band, an additional senior citizen center, the Edina Historical Society, community education and day care facilities. There may be private uses in addition to these public uses. The metropolitan area is growing at a rate of 3.5 to 4 percent per year indicating a continual need for new floor area. The Board discussed the alternatives for reconstructing West 50th Street and concluded that the various alignments, road widths and traffic patterns were not within the purview of the Board. However the boulevard trees that border West 50th Street between Wooddale Ave. and Halifax Ave. are an intergal part of the Country Club District because they were planted with the original development. The canopy of trees should be preserved to maintain the character of the neighborhood and the National Register District. Mr. Martinson moved to reaffirm the Board's previous position that the trees east of Wooddale Ave. should be preserved and and that the street should not be widened. Underground utilities would be desirable in any"street project. Lois Wilder seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Sand reported that the Edina Park Board held a special meeting today at 6:30 p.m. to consider the BRW Inc. report. The Park Department staff said they have plenty of uses for Wooddale School if the City should decide to retain the building. However all of the existing programs can be accommodated within existing facilities except the gymnastics program. The Park Board voted 7 to 2 in favor of alternative E, to demolish the building as the first choice on the property. The Board discussed parking requirements for the area and noted that most of the on -street parking would be removed with the various roadway options. The parking at Wooddale School could possibly be reduced depending on the use of the building. Mr. Martinson moved that the Board recommend acceptance of alternate A, preservation of the entire School because of its historic and architectural significance and because it is an asset to the Community. However, if the City Council concludes that more park space is necessary, the Board would be able to support alternative B, preservation of the 1926 portion of the building, according to the consultant's report. Gary Nyberg seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Martinson agreed to prepare a report and present it to the City Council on February 4, 1985. III. Membership, Mr. Dunwiddie said that Mrs. Mary Nelson would not be continuing to serve on the board. He requested suggestions for a replacement. IV. NEXT MEETING. February 4, at 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting. February 26, at 8:00 p.m. regular Board meeting. V. ADJOURNMENT. 9:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Harold Sand