HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-16 HPC Minutes
MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
April 16, 2009 -7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Lu Aurelius, Pete Boulay. AI
Galbraith, Liaison Dave Fisher, Recorder Lois Behm. Caleb Anderson arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Absent: Commissioner Robert Creager
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Richard Currie requested addition of:
6. c. Comprehensive Plan
d. E-Mail
e. Minnesota Historical Site
7. b. Project Review - 70 E. County Road B
c. Project Review - 1961 County Road C
d. Letter to Planning (In support of CUP for Historical Society/Bruentrup Heritage Farm)
Dave Fisher announced that they have recently had some training and he has been told that additions to
the Agenda should be limited to items that do not need to be voted on, as things which do need a vote
should have a 72 hour notice so people who have an interest can attend and address the Commission.
Ron Cockriel responded that he agrees that's how it should be done except when items comes up, such
as the Project Reviews or the CUP, which need a response before the next HPC meeting.
Dave agreed that should be acceptable.
AI Galbraith moved approval of the amended Aaenda. Richard seconded. Aves - all.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
a. March 19, 2009
Richard noted that item 6.b., (2nd speaker line) should be: "Richard said he doesn't believe the
Commission needs to change Ordinance e4e 845 . . . . . " , and when he spoke the next time it should be:
"Richard said he has compared Ordinance e4e 845 . . . . ."
Richard moved approval of the minutes as corrected. Caleb seconded. Aves - all.
5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS
None
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discussion About Survey / Mapping of Historical Sites
Dave asked if everyone has a copy of Peter's list of historic sites.
Peter said this list was prepared during the initial attempts for CLG status, and at this point some of them
should probably be removed and some others added, but is a good starting place. This list is patterned
after the one Ramsey County did, probably for their CLG status application. The only site in Maplewood
ever proposed to be on the National Register is the Ramsey County Poor Farm, but items 1 through 6
meet the requirements.
Ron said it seems there are two tracks, one to collect possible sites to be included, a business, archeo-
logical site or architectural gem; the other side staff would look at this to have input if it is something that
needs to be acted on immediately or we may lose it.
Dave said that the manual says a special meeting can be set up if needed, and this will go to the City
Council also as part of the ordinance being proposed.
Ron said the Commission could identify sites believed to be worthy of recognition and place them on the
map, then hopefully there could be a way to flag them so staff would know to notify the Commission if a
permit request came in for something that would impact the site.
Dave responded he believes that could be done in their software if sites are identified by their address.
He also asked for information about the status of the Bruentrup Farm since it had been moved and could
not be on the National Register, and asked what it had been designated in order to qualify for obtaining
the grant. Discussion followed and Dave will find the document with that information.
b. 2008 Annual Report
Dave reported that Shann Finwall had prepared the report, and added that Lois had said it had, in fact,
been once or twice before. He asked for comments on the content and received suggestions that the
statement would be that the Commission had organized and/or had assisted the Historical Society in
presenting the events listed in the report; and that the report actually covers 2007 and 2008.
Lu moved to approve the Annual Report as modified and present it to the Citv Council. Pete
seconded the motion. the vote was Aves - all.
c. Comprehensive Plan
Richard commented we should get a copy of the revised version of the H PC portion of the Compre-
hensive Plan, to ensure that the needed changes have been made. Dave will talk to Shann.
d. E-Mail
Richard asked if there has been any word with regard to City e-mail addresses for members of the
Commission.
Ron responded that his understanding was that IT thought it was a good idea and was looking into having
it for all the commissions.
Richard said that was reported at a previous meeting and he would like an update.
Dave will look into it.
e. Minnesota Historical Site
Richard stated he had gone to the Minnesota Historical Society web site in January and found that the
contact person for MHPC is listed as Bruce Anderson, who is no longer an employee.
Dave will contact them to make the correction.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance Amendment
Lu asked if the Commission could get copies of all the ordinances pertaining to the Historical Commission
which had been passed so they could all be reviewed to make sure the new ordinance will cover
everything it should. Discussion followed about when they were passed, and Dave said he will talk to the
City Clerk and try to find them all.
Ron brought up the issue of whether the ordinance will include the fact this Commission believes it should
have the opportunity to interview Commission applicants and make recommendations to the Council
before appointments are made to ensure appointees have a "demonstrated interest" in history.
Discussion followed about reasons for and against that.
Richard asked that the ordinance include a statement about the Commission being informed about permit
requests, especially for demolitions. There was further discussion about the ordinance examples from
other cities and what was liked and disliked about those.
Ron suggested further review of the Maplewood ordinance(s) along with the examples from the other
cities and that Dave send out any additional information he finds. The Cottage Grove ordinance seemed
to be very close to what is needed, except for some concerns about the "advisory committee"
qualifications. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
b. Project Review - 70 E. County Road B (Waldorf School)
Dave reported the school currently uses 'trailers' for kindergarten which are dilapidated and they want to
provide new space. It does not appear anything they plan to do will cause any historical concerns.
AI moved acceptance of the Proiect at 70 E. Countv Road B. Seconded. Aves - All.
c. Project Review -1961 County Road C (FMHC for T-Mobile)
This request is for a cell phone tower by Harmony School. There is already one tower there, but not as
tall.
Pete asked if there is anything that requires that the towers to be removed if they are no longer in use.
Apparently not, but Dave said he thought that would be up to the owner of the property.
Acceptance was moved. seconded. Aves - All.
d. Letter to Planning - Support of CUP for Historical Society/Bruentrup Heritage Farm
Richard suggested that since the Commission is to work closely with the Society, is there a reason the
Commission cannot write a letter to the Planning Commission supporting the Historical Society's request
for the new Conditional Use Permit allowing the Society to hold additional activities.
Lu suggested it should be sufficient for a member of the Commission to attend the Planning Commis-sion
meeting.
Ron said the Commission should wait until a copy of the CUP is sent to the HPC for review.
8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. Maplewood Historical Society Update
Richard displayed the information about the Cemetery Tour which will be held on June 13th. Tickets are
$6.00 in advance, $8.00 the day of the tour. Checks for tickets are to be payable to the Maplewood Area
Historical Society and mailed to Forest Lawn Cemetery. He also displayed the information about the May
9th Tea at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm, seatings at 11 :30 & 2:30; tickets $25.00.
Ron announced that Saturday, April 18 is clean-up day at the Farm. Lunch will be provided to the workers.
10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Richard announced that a long-time employee of the City who works with this Commission, Lois Behm, is
celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary.
Richard also announced that DVD of the 40th year anniversary, the 50th anniversary and 51 5t anniversary
are now available from the Cable Company.
Ron asked about getting on the Council Agenda for the last meeting in May to finish up the Time Capsule
work. Dave will see what can be done.
Lu moved that Ron draft a proclamation and write a letter to the Citv Manaaer reauestina the
Commission be placed on the Council Aaenda for the last meetina in Mav to turn the old and new
Time Capsules over to the Council. The motion was seconded. the vote Aves - All
Richard asked if we should have a list of all Commissioners, Council, and Staff to be placed in the
capsule. Ron responded he believes there has been enough time for anyone who wants something in the
capsule to turn it in.
11. ADJOURNMENT - 8:45 p.m.