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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 04-24 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: November 28, 1989 II. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: - Mrs. Marilyn Curtis - Mr. Walter Sandison III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: IV. CAHILL SETTLEMENT COMMEMORATION: V. HISTORIC MARKERS: VI. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION : Gordon Stuart VII. OTHER BUSINESS: VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE: May 22, 1990 • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD —.-TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M. MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM, EDINA CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Nyberg, Marilyn Curtis, David Gepner, Walter Sandison, Cy Stuppy, and Lois Wilder MEMBERS ABSENT: Donald Wray STAFF PRESENT: Joyce Repya I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Gary Nyberg moved for approval of the minutes from November 20, 1989, Lois Wilder seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. II. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: Joyce Repya introduced Mrs. Marilyn Curtis, 4400 West 50th Street and Mrs. Walter Sandison, 4612 West 58th Street as the newest members of the Heritage Preservation Board, having replaced Mr. Gordon Stuart and Mr. John Metil. III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Ms. Repya opened the floor to nominations for Chairman. Lois Wilder nominated Gary Nyberg. David Gepner seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. Gary Nyberg nominated Lois Wilder for Vice Chairman. Ms. Wilder respectfqlly declined the nomination due to commitment conflicts. Cy Stuppy then nominated David Gepner for Vice Chairman. Gary Nyberg seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. IV. CAHILL SETTLEMENT COMMEMORATION: Ms. Repya advised the Board that Ron Clark, Inc. the developer of the old St. Patrick's/Wooddale Montessori site has presented to the City Council, three ideas for an interpretive center highlighting the historic Cahill Settlement. They also proposed three possible location for the center. The City Council has asked the Heritage Preservation Board to review the proposed sites and design plans, and to make recommendations as to the most desirable. Reviewing the proposed site locations, Ms. Repya explained that three sites have been identified as possible locations for the proposed interpretive center. The first site is situated on the southeast corner of Cahill Road and West 70th Street. The site is zoned commercial and houses the old Kings Court Building which is currently being refurbished. A parking lot serves the commercial uses on the site, however, sidewalks do not serve the site at this time. 1 The second site is located on the southwest corner of Cahill Road and West 70th Street, which is the northeast corner of the townhouse development. Sidewalks serve both West 70th Street and Cahill Road, however, no on -street parking is allowed. The third site, Ms. Repya pointed out, is located on the southeast corner of the townhouse development, at the northwest corner of Village Drive and Cahill Road. Sidewalks serve only Cahill Road, and on -street parking is allowed on the north side of Village Drive. Mr. Nyberg opened the Board's discussion by expressing his opinion that the second site, on the southwest corner of Cahill and West 70th Street was best suited to house the interpretive center from a visibility standpoint, and because of its relationship to the original St. Patrick's church site. Mr. Nyberg pointed out that he felt the Kings Court site lacked adequate visibility from West 70th Street and Cahill Road, and possessed a downward sloping grade from the road that would not be compatible with any of the proposals. Addressing the third possible location on Cahill Road at Village Drive, Mr. Nyberg explained that he felt this site would not provide adequate visibility adding that an interpretive center would be lost on this site. General discussion ensued relative to all the proposed locations. Mr. Stuppy stated that he agreed with Mr. Nyberg's analysis of the sites and moved to recommend the second site on the southwest corner of Cahill and West 70th as the most desirable location to house an interpretive center. Lois Wilder seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. Addressing the proposals for the interpretive centers, Ms. Repya explained that Plan "A" proposed a crescent shaped retaining wall built into the berm. A hedge would outline the center on top of the berm, followed by a boulder retaining wall, an elevated planter, and finally, a wall consisting of the concrete block from the St. Patrick's foundation on which five bas relief plaques, highlighting the Cahill settlement would be displayed. Additionally, a bench also constructed of the church foundation blocks is proposed to face the plaques, affording visitors a place to rest and reflect. Plan "B", Ms. Repya stated is also proposed to be built into the berm. A hedge row would accent the upper level followed on down with a boulder wall, and a two foot planting bed atop a low wall with a ledge for seating. The highlight of this scheme is an obelisk shaped structure, constructed of the foundation blocks from the church. Each side of the structure would include a plaque explaining the history of the Cahill School, store, St. Patrick's Church and the Irish community. The roof would be constructed of pre -cast concrete, fashioned to resemble the steeple of the original church. The third proposal, Plan "C", Ms. Repya explained like the other two, would be built into the berm. The crescent shaped design would be outlined by a hedgerow along the top and sides followed by a retaining wall, incorporating the concrete block from the church foundation. The same bas relief plaques proposed in the other plans would be attached to the wall. At the base of the display wall, a planter is proposed behind a final low wall which would also provide seating. OA Chairman Nyberg explained to the Board that while no formal action would be taken as to the most desirable design plan, the Board's comments and preferences would be relayed to the Planning Commission and City Council. Mr. Nyberg then proceeded to state that he was pleased that the developer has taken the responsibility to propose the designs for the interpretive center, and to see the incorporation of the foundation blocks from St. Patrick's church in all the plans. Mrs. Wilder agreed with Mr.Nyberg, however, expressed concern that perhaps the intent of the Board was misunderstood in the developer's proposals to include the "concrete" foundation blocks from the church. Mrs. Wilder went on to explain that the historically significant foundation is that from the original 1888 church. At present, the material is unknown; it could be limestone slabs, or field stone, but until the foundation is excavated, it is an unknown entity. Mr. Nyberg also pointed out that until the original foundation is discovered, and its condition determined, it would be difficult to dictate how and where it could best be incorporated into the design of the cegter. Board members agreed with Mr. Nyberg, pointing out that the concrete foundation blocks are most likely part of the 1924 reconstruction of the church. Expressing their preferences for the three proposed design plans, five of the six members present (Chairman Nyberg, Mrs. Curtis, Mr. Gepner, Mr. Sandison and Mr. Stuppy) favored Plan "B" with the obelisk structure as the central focal point. Design Plan "C" was their second choice with the plaques displayed on a retaining wall visible from the sidewalk or street. The sixth member of the Board, Mrs. Wilder explained that she favored Plan "C" as the most visible and historically fitting of the proposals, with plan "B" as her second choice.. All the Board members agreed that Plan "A" lacked the visibility and impact they would like to convey with an interpretive center. David Gepner asked who would be responsible for the maintenance of the interpretive center. The Board agreed that the City's Park Department would be responsible for maintenance as they are at the mill site and the Tupa Historical Park. Following a brief discussion regarding the plans, Chairman Nyberg stressed that while the Board has expressed their preferences for the proposals presented, the Board agrees that the best design for the center is dependent upon the discovery of the original 1988 foundation materials. The Board members added that the developer should be commended for the thoughtfullness, creativity and originality that went into the proposals. V. HISTORIC MARKERS: Ms. Repya advised the Board that the Historical Marker Program was begun in 1976 as a part of the U.S. Bicentennial. At that time, a subcommittee of the Historical Society designated the following locations as worthy of identification: 3 1. Cahill Community 5. Country Club District 2. Grimes House 6. Old Cahill School 3. Edina Mill Site 7. Minnehaha Grange Hall 4. Morningside Community 8. Edina Mills Community Through the work of the Bicentennial Commission, the City was awarded a $3,000 matching grant from the Minnesota Americas Revolution Commission for the fabrication and installation of the historic markers which were to include the City logo, Bicentennial symbol, and a short description of each site. After the Bicentennial year, the Commission was disbanded, and the responsibilities for the historical marker program was passed down to the Heritage Preservation Board. Ms. Repya explained that she has reviewed the minutes from the Heritage Preservation Board which show that discussions relative to the historic markers took place in 1977, 1984, and then annually until 1987. During those ten years, easements were granted to allow for placement of the signs on historic private property, however, the actual fabrication and installation of the signs never took place. Responding to a question relative to the status of the Bicentennial Grant Funds, Ms. Repya stated that those funds, as well as monies collected from the sale of the book History and Architecture of Edina. Minnesota total approximately $1,000.00 and are kept in the City's general fund. At this time, Ms. Repya explained, the Park Department has commissioned the fabrication and installation of two signs; one for the Grange Hall and one for the Old Cahill School. The signs are 3'6" X 3'6" double faced sandwich panel of 1/4" Lexan over a 5/8" plastic plywood core. The signs will include text pictures and will stand 6 feet high, supported by anodized aluminum posts. The bid for these signs was awarded to Nordquist Sign Company for the cost of $2,350.00 per sign, or $4,700.00 total. Discussion ensued relating to the cost of the signs and the construction materials. Members agreed that the signs were warranted, but wondered if one sign wouldn't service both the Grange Hall and Cahill School. (one building per sign face), thus freeing up the second sign for the Country Club District. Ms. Repya explained that the Purchase Order had already been completed for the signs, so the likelihood for changes was slim. However, she indicated that she would check with Bob Kojetin, the Park Director to see if they had any plans for identifying the Country Club District in Wooddale Park, Mrs. Lois Wilder advised the Board that she was a member of the original Bicentennial Historic Marker Committee and felt is was a shame, after all the work and research that went into the program, that the Bicentennial signs never became a reality. She went on to point out that for a property to be historically identified, either by National Register designation or Historic Overlay Rezoning is not enough without clearly identifying those properties to the public by the means of a sign or marker of some kind. is 4 Mrs. Curtis agreed with Mrs. Wilder, pointing out that many of the Edina residents are unaware of the rich history in our community. Ms. Curtis also advised the Board that her home, the Baird House, received a small yard sign in 1986 for the home's 100th anniversary. The sign has since deteriorated to the point that it has been removed. Discussion ensued relative to the historic properties that are presently clearly identified. The Board agreed that the Mill Pond, Cahill Community, Grange Hall and Cahill School have all been, or are in the process of being well marked. Conversly, the Country Club District, and the Grimes, Baird and Peterson houses are not identified as historically significant to the general public. The Board agreed to continue the pursuit of clearly labeling the historic properties in the City. Ms. Repya agreed to investigate future plans the Park Department might have for identifying historic sites. No formal action was taken. VI. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION: Ms. Repya read the resolution prepared to commend Mr.; Gordon Stuart for his thirteen years of service to the Heritage Preservation Board. David Gepner, moved approval of the resolution. Walter Sandison seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. VII. OTHER BUSINESS: A. David Gepner advised the Board that May 15, 1990, is ride your bike to work day. He added that bicyclists would like to be identified as part of the transportation system. Bicycles don't pollute, the need for parking spaces would be reduced, and people would be healthier. No action taken. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: Lois Wilder moved for adjournment. Cy Stuppy seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Joy R ya 5