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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 11-28 HPB Meeting Minutes Regular• A G E N D A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1989, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL RECEPTION CONFERENCE ROOM I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: September 26, 1989 II. OLD BUSINESS: A. Old St. Patrick's Church - 7000 Cahill Road B. Resolution of Appreciation - Patsy Johnson III. OTHER BUSINESS: IV. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING DATE: December 26, 1989 V. ADJOURNMENT: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1989, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL RECEPTION CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman, Gordon Stuart, David Gepner, Gary Nyberg, and Lois Wilder STAFF PRESENT: Joyce Repya I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Gary Nyberg moved for approval of the minutes from the September 26, 1989, meeting, Lois Wilder seconded the motion; all voted aye, motion carried. II. OLD BUSINESS: A. Old St. Patrick's Church - 7000 Cahill Road Joyce Repya explained that on Wednesday afternoon, November 22, 1989, the City Council met jointly with the Heritage Preservation Board, members of the Historical Society and Park Board to discuss the Old St. Patrick's Church in light of a possible redevelopment plan which would include the site. At that meeting, Foster Dunwiddie, former chairman of the Heritage Preservation Board and an authority on historic preservation, pointed out three possible options to deal with the historic site. The three options were: 1. An adaptive re -use of the building. 2. Move the building to Arneson Acres and designate the site with an historic marker and/or pocket park. 3.' Tear down the building and commemorate the site with an historic marker and/or pocket park. No action was taken at that meeting, however, Mayor Richards asked the Heritage Preservation Board to further discuss the options available for the Old St. Patrick's Church and come up with a prioritized list of the most desirable options. Lois Wilder explained that from an historians perspective, since the original 1884 building was destroyed and reconstructed on the old footings in 1924, she feels the significance lies in the site and not the structure. Mrs. Wilder added that she would favor the development of a pocket park commemorating the Cahill, Irish community on the site. Gary Nyberg agreed with Mrs. Wilder pointing out that he felt the reconstructed church was architecturally insignificant, and that he has always been bothered by the fact that the parish sold the building with no apparent feelings for it; then once they no longer owned it, they wanted it to be recognized for its historic significance. Mr. Nyberg then questioned why, if the parishioners felt the old church to be so historically significant, didn't they pursue commemoration when they were the owners? Addressing the issue of future uses for the building, Mr. Nyberg said that he had not seen a clear use proposed for the building, and for that reasons, would favor the construction of a pocket park. The park being similar to the Mill site on West 50th Street, commemorating the corner as representative of the Cahill district which included the church as well as a store and the old school house. Discussion ensued regarding the relationship of the church building to the significance of the Cahill Settlement. Board members agreed that the Old St. Patrick's Church, as it stands does not commemorate the historic Cahill Community. Passerbys ask themselves, "Why is that old building still there." Gary Nyberg asked how much land would be available for a pocket park. Ms. Repya explained that the amount of land would be dependent upon the design of the park. Gordon Stuart stated that he felt the developer has a responsibility to design a plan a development taking into consideration the existing conditions on a site, and not simply molding the site to meet his needs. Mr. Stuart added that he would favor an adaptive re -use of the building, if it could be done, pointing out that apparently, no re -use alternatives have been pursued which leaves him uncomfortable with the option of removing the structure. David Gepner said he was impressed with the fact that the Cahill Community grew around the 70th and Cahill corner, and that he agreed with the concept of commemorating the site with a pocket park, pointing out that if the building on the corner was so significant, why was the school building moved? The members raised the a question of how the development of a pocket park would be funded. Ms. Repya explained that when a subdivision is developed, a parkland dedication is required of the developer, either in the form of land or cash. The amount of land or money is dependent upon the number of lots established. If the cash contribution is chosen, the funds to into the Park Department's budget for City wide park maintenance/development. If the land contribution is chosen, a portion of the property equal in value to what the cash contribution would have been, is reserved for park development. Gary Nyberg asked if the parkland dedication had been determined for the proposed development. Mrs. Repya explained that it had not, but she would advise the Board once the Parkland dedication had been set. Gary Nyberg then stated that since the site, not the building was significant, he would make a motion that the building should be moved and a pocket park developed on the site to commemorate the Cahill district; or the City. Lois Wilder seconded the motion. Discussion ensued regarding all the options available. The Board decided that they needed to address the various options prior to addressing the motion on the floor. The vote was called. All voted nay; the motion was defeated.. The Board discussed the proposed options of adaptive reuse, moving the building and commemorating the site, or tearing down the building and commemorating the site. Gary Nyberg pointed out that since so many parties are becoming involved in this issue, namely the Park Board, Historical Society, and St. Patrick's Church, that, it is important for the Heritage Preservation Board to make a recommendation to the City Council. Lois Wilder agreed with Mr. Nyberg adding that since the corner of 70th and Cahill was the heart of the Irish Community that the site should definitely be commemorated. Gary Nyberg, addressing the option of adaptive re -use for the building explained that the Board can wish and hope that a re -use will drop out of the sky, but the fact of the matter is that unless the developer offers an alternative, re -use of the building is not an option. Mr. Nyberg continued to explain that the option of moving the building to Arneson Acres appears to be cost prohibitive when one considers the moving expenses on top of bringing the building up to code, and making the building handicapped accessible. Gordon Stuart stated that he had gotten the impression at the meeting with the City Council, that the issue of moving the building has been shot down with the costs ranging around $150,000.00. Lois Wilder added that she felt it was utter nonsense to consider spending $150,000,00 to move the building. Mr. Nyberg pointed out that he felt it simply didn't make sense to tear down a structure like Wooddale School yet save a little building like the St. Patrick's Church. Gordon Stuart asked what would happen to the Heritage Preservation Overlay zoning on the site if the building was moved. Board members agreed that the pocket park would retain the zoning. A brief discussion ensued relative to the options available and the task of prioritizing them. Gary Nyberg explained that to prioritize the options in his mind, would be a lost exercise, because the only viable option would be to move the building and develop a commemorative pocket park. Lois Wilder agreed with Mr. Nyberg, and further explained that since, as Foster Dunwiddie pointed out, the footings of the church are from the original 1884 structure possibly then could be incorporated in the development of a pocket site. Gary Nyberg then moved to recommend to the Council that the Church building be removed from the site and a pocket park commemorating the historic Cahill Settlement be developed. The park should incorporate the footings from the original 1884 church and be a part of the developer's parkland dedication. Lois Wilder seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried. Gordon Stuart added that while he was initially hesitant to recommend removal of the building, after the discussion which has taken place, the motion addressed by the Board appears to be the only viable option for the site. B. Resolution of Appreciation - Patsy Johnson Lois Wilder moved approval of the resolution commending Patsy Johnson for a job well done as the Planning Staff representative to the Heritage Preservation Board from May 1988 through November 1988. David Gepner seconded the motion. all voted aye; motion carried. III. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Bicentennial Plaques Lois Wilder asked staff to research the status of the Bicentennial Plaques, that were designed in 1976 to identify the historic properties in the City. No action was taken. B. Edina Walking/Driving Tours: Gary Nyberg asked about the present status of the walking and driving tour of Edina. Mrs. Repya explained that both tours are available at the Edina Public Library, and are well received by the public. No action taken. IV. NEXT MEETING DATE: The Board agreed that the December meeting should be cancelled due to its close proximity to Christmas. The next scheduled meeting will be January 23, 1990. V. ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 P.M. Joyce Repya