HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 07-24 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularA G E N D A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL MANAGERS CONFERENCE ROOM
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
June 26, 1990
II. NEW BUSINESS:
- Country Club District Design Review Policies
III. OTHER BUSINESS:
IV. NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING:
August 28, 1990
V. ADJOURNMENT
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
EDINA HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990, AT 7:30 P.M.
EDINA CITY HALL MANAGERIS CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gary Nyberg, Lois Wilder, Donald
Wray, Marilyn Curtis, David Gepner, and
Walter Sandison
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cy Stuppy
STAFF PRESENT: Joyce Repya
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Walter Sandison moved for approval of the minutes from the June 26,
1990, meeting. Marilyn Curtis seconded the motion. All voted aye;
the motion carried.
II. NEW BUSINESS:
Country Club District Design Review Policy
Ms. Repya advised the Board that the City Council had recently
heard a request from a property owner in the Country Club District
to override and administrative decision whereby staff had denied
the homeowner's request to add a second curb cut to their property
to accommodate a circular driveway.
At that meeting, Council upheld staff's decision, but at the same
time, sensed a lack of structure in place to back up a design
review decision such as this. As a result, Council has asked that
the Heritage Preservation Board review the policies in place,
establish practices for design review (i.e. front and sides of
structures, exterior materials, sidewalks and driveways, etc.) and
recommend a process by which the design review can be implemented.
Currently, design review is implemented as a condition for variance
approval. The problem lies in the fact that if a variance is not
required, the Board lacks authority to impose design review.
As the Ordinance now stands, in order to impose the design review
requirement the property must be zoned HPD, Heritage Preservation
District.
There are now five structures zoned HPD in the City of Edina. If
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the HPD overlay zone were to be added to the Country Club, the
Board's responsibilities would increase from 5 to 555 structures.
In 1980, when the National Registedr designation of the district
was intiated, all homeowners received a letter which promised that
the designation would in no way interfere with ones individual
property rights. Also, minutes from the May 1979 Heritage
Preservation Board meeting include a discussion where Foster
Dunwiddie voiced his concern of the practicability of administering
a district the size of the Country Club if it were to be rezoned to
Heritage Preservation District.
Marilyn Curtis pointed out that when Mr. Thorpe initially developed
the Country Club District, deed restrictions clearly spelled out
the intentions of the developer. The promotional literature for
the district boasted that "you will be protected from having a
monstrosity or an "eyesore" erected next door". There was a home
builders committee whose responsibilities were to review proposed
plans to ensure they met the established criteria.
Ms. Curtis added that the deed restrictions apparently ran with the
property for a period of 40 years, after which time, they expired.
Ironically, it wasn't until the late sixties or early seventies
that intrusive changes appeared in the district.
Chairman Nyberg pointed out there are new communities around the
country which have been developed and sold with many more
restrictions than exist in the Country Club District. However, the
difference lies in the fact that in those communities home buyers
knew right up front what they would and would not be able to do
with their homes. In contrast, the Country Club District has 550
homeowners who have been able to renovate and maintain their homes
relatively unrestricted. If the City were to come along and all of
a sudden impose design review requirements for all exterior changes
made to homes in the district for the sake of heritage
preservation, he ventured to say that 90% of the homeowners would
feel their property rights had been violated.
Chairman Nyberg also observed that now a majority of the homes in
the district are from 50 to 60 years old and it is to be expected
that they are requiring considerable maintenance.
The changed family lifestyles since the 1920's and 1930's is
another important factor entering into play with the construction
taking place in the district. Fifty years ago family rooms,
multiple bathrooms, and two car garages were the exception -now they.
are expected.
Discussion ensued among Board members relative to the large
turnover of homeowners in the Country Club since the early 1980's
when the history and significance of the district was last
presented. The board agreed that maintaining the integrity of the
Country Club District is definitely a priority. However, in lieu
of the rezoning to Heritage Preservation District, the Board's
energies might best be spent educating the residences about the
significance of the Country Club District and the National Register
Designation; and then going one step further, to make the Heritage
Preservation Board an accessible resource to the homeowners as an
advisory body.
Chairman Nyberg suggested that the Board might design an
informational brochure that could be hand delivered to all Country
Club residents.
Discussion ensued relative to the content of the proposed brochure.
Members agreed a brief history along with suggested design
guidelines and an invitation to contact the Heritage Preservation
Board for assistance and/or advise would be most beneficial.
The format for the brochure was discussed as was the content. The
Board agreed that some important design guidelines to highlight
include:
- Building materials and details
- Windows
- Overall design and scale
In addition to the proposed brochure, board members agreed that it
would be helpful to have an information sheet available to Country
Club residents, architects, contractors and realtors. The purpose
of the sheet would be to get the word out to the people who can
make a difference that the reason the Edina Country Club has been
such a desirable place to live is because people have been
sensitive to the districts charm and character since its inception.
Board members decided that the brochure and information sheet would
be their fall project. Chairman Nyberg offered to do the keylining
and artwork and Lois Wilder offered to work on the text. Due to
the tour of the Country Club scheduled for the September meeting,
the Board agreed to come back in October with project ideas.
IV. NEXT MEETING DATE:
Tuesday, September 18, 1990, 6:30 p.m.
V. ADJOURNMENT•
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Joyce Repya, Associate Planner