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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 05-22 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: April 24, 1990 II. OLD BUSINESS: Historic Markers - Country Club District III. NEW BUSINESS: A. Plan Review: Proposed Dwelling 4209 Country Club Road (B-90-11) B. Correspondence from "Preservation Alliance" President, Rolf Anderson IV. OTHER BUSINESS: V. NEXT MEETING DATE: June 26, 1990 VI> ADJOURNMENT 0 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL MANGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gary Nyberg, Marilyn Curtis, David Gepner, Walter Sandison, Donald Wray MEMBERS ABSENT: Cy Stuppy, Lois Wilder STAFF PRESENT: Joyce Repya I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: David Gepner moved for approval of the minutes from April 24, 1990. Walter Sandison seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. II. OLD BUSINESS: -Historic Markers - Country Club District Ms. Repya explained to the Board that the Park Department has been discussing the possible erection of a monument sign in Wooddale Park to commemorate the Old Wooddale School. The proposed monument would incorporate preserved bricks from the original school as well as the precast columns and "Wooddale School" nameplate which were located in the front of the old building. The proposed location for the monument is on the same spot where the front steps of the school once stood. Mr. Bob Kojetin, Director of Parks and Recreation was advised of the Heritage Preservation Board's desire to erect a sign commemorating the Country Club's history and National Register of Historic Places designation. Mr. Kojetin and Ms. Repya agreed that the inclusion of the Country Club District story with the Wooddale School monument would be very compatible. Ms. Repya concluded by pointing out that Mr. Kojetin had been approached by the Morningside Rotary, expressing a desire to work with the City on a project. He had indicated that the Wooddale School monument might be something they would like to support. A brief discussion followed in which the Board agreed that a combined Wooddale School/Country Club District monument would be a wonderful idea. Ms. Repya assured the Board that she would keep them advised of the monument's progress. No action was taken. III. NEW BUSINESS: A. Plan Review - Proposed dwelling (B-90-11) 4209 Country Club Road 1 Ms. Repya advised the Board that the proposed parcel originally consisted of three 50 foot lots (Lots 11, 12, and 13, Block, Country Club District, Fairway Section). A tennis court has stood on Lot 11, while a house constructed in 1937 with an attached tuck under garage has occupied lot 13 and part of lot 12. The City Council granted a lot division in which two lots measuring 80 feet and 70 feet were created. The 80 foot lot includes the existing dwelling. On May 17, 1990, the Board of Appeals and Adjustments approved a five foot lot width variance to allow the construction of a new dwelling on the lot measuring 70 feet. The variance was subject to several conditions, including design review of the proposal by the Heritage Preservation Board due to the National Register status of the Country Club District. Ms. Repya pointed out that the Board of Appeals requested that the Heritage Preservation Board review not only the proposed dwelling with detached garage, but also the new detached garage to be constructed for the existing house on the original parcel to ensure that the style and materials match the house. (This new garage was necessitated by the lot division). Throughout the lot division and variance process, the proposed dwelling was illustrated as brick American colonial with double hung windows, wood shake roof, and a detached garage. Ms. Repya concluded by stating that final plans for the proposed dwelling had not been drafted, however, Mr. Art Bartels, architect for the proponent requested this meeting with the Board to gain direction for development of the plans. Mr. Bartels addressed the Board explaining that the proposed dwelling will be a typically symmetrical, brick American colonial, hosting a central doorway, with a palladian window above the door. Mr. Nyberg asked if the brick facade was proposed only for the front of the dwelling or if it would be used throughout. Mr. Bartels said that those plans have not been finalized, at which point, Mr. Nyberg stated that he felt it would be important to utilize brick on the entire structure rather than incorporating siding on the sides or rear. Marilyn Curtis, whose property abuts the rear lot line of the proposed house stated that she, and fellow neighbors are agreeable to development of the property, however, they are concerned that the new dwelling blend in well with the surrounding homes. Mrs. Curtis then asked Mr. Bartels why the driveway is shown on the east side of the lot instead of on the west side where it could be shared with the subject house in the lot division. Mr. Bartels explained that the driveway was considered for the west side of the property, however, it was felt that the setback provided by the easterly driveway would afford the easterly neighbor greater privacy than the minimum five foot sideyard setback. Additionally, Mr. Bartels pointed out that the easterly driveway contributes to the streetscape by balancing the structure between the two existing dwellings. 2 Question was raised as to the proposed detached garage. Mrs. Curtis pointed out that most of the surrounding homes have attached garages. Mr. Bartels explained that because a two stall garage is required by ordinance, an attached garage would have setback problems and cause the home to have a greater impact on the easterly neighbor from a massing standpoint. Mr. Nyberg stated that in light of the fact that most of the dwellings have attached garage, perhaps Mr. Bartels could look at the possibility of positioning an attached garage in such a way that it would not provide a setback or massing problem. In closing, Mr. Nyberg thanked Mr. Bartels for coming before the Board and further stated that he felt an American Colonial would fit in well with the existing streetscape. In light of the fact that this particular lot happens to be one of the last buildable lots in the Country Club, the Board would like to see the plans be as true to the American Colonial prototype as possible. Random discussion among Board members ensued. No action was taken. B. Correspondence from "Preservation Alliance" President, Rolf Anderson Ms. Repya advised the Board that Mr. Rolf Anderson, President of the "Preservation Alliance" had written a letter to the Heritage Preservation Board, dated April 21, 1990, in which he expressed his concern over renovations made to a house in the Country club District as well as the possible demolition of St. Patrick's Church. The subject dwelling, located at 4621 Wooddale Avenue was featured in the Shelter section of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune on March 24, 1990. In his letter, Mr. Anderson questioned how the Wooddale dwelling, which had been the only Pueblo design in the Country Club could be so totally changed without going through a design review by the Heritage Preservation Board. Relative to the possible demolition of St. Patrick's Church, Mr. Anderson wanted to know what steps the Board was taking to save the church. Addressing the Country Club issue, to refresh the Boards memory, and to update new members, Ms. Repya explained that the Country Club District is unique in that it is the only area in the state which has received "District" designation for the planning and development which took place back in the 1920's. In 1980, when the application for National Register designation was being completed, the Country Club homeowners were assured that the designation would not restrict the private property owner in any way. Ms. Repya pointed out that such as assurance would preclude the area from receiving the Heritage Preservation District overlay zoning; and without the HPD zoning, the Heritage Preservation Board has no authority to act in a design review capacity. Presently, the only way the Heritage Preservation Board is able to review plans in the Country Club is when a variance is required. It is then, that the Board of Appeals adds the HPB design review as a condition of variance approval. Ms. Repya added that in the case of the Wooddale house, since a variance was not required, there were no means by which the City could demand design review. The Board discussed the number of additions made to homes in the Country Club. Ms. Repya pointed out the from 1985-1988 an average of 29 building permits were 3 issued each year. Gary Nyberg stated that the 1990's will be an era of additions rather than new construction. Taking that trend into consideration, the City can expect many more alterations to Country Club homes. Marilyn Curtis said that she felt the changes made to homes in the past, as well as future changes can't help but affect the character of the Country Club neighborhood. Mr. Nyberg pointed out that the trend in all housing across the country is to have less lot, and larger homes. Ms. Repya added that this very issue of massing is something that the Planning Department is currently researching, because it has been identified as an issue for concern in the Country Club District. Discussion ensued relative to the authority and responsibilities of the Board toward the Country Club District. All Board members agreed that as the system presently exists, the Board actions have been appropriate. to add criteria for a system of design review of all Country Club additions/changes would require a process of public meetings and the drafting of an enabling ordinance. Board members agreed that the best response to Mr. Anderson's letter would be for Ms. Repya, representing the Board, to send a letter explaining the status of the Country Club District and requesting any suggestions he might have for a design review process given the lack of HPD zoning. Relative to Mr. Anderson's concerns over St. Patrick's church, the Board agreed Ms. Repya should explain the processes of the HPB, Planning Commission and City Council, the reasonsing behind the removal of the church, and the plans for the Cahill interpretive center. No action was taken. IV. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Wray moved for adjournment at 9:05 p.m. Walter Sandison seconded the motion. All voted aye; the motion carried. Joyce 7a J` 4