HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-21 HPC Minutes
MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
May 21,2009 -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, Guests Bob Overby, President, and Carolyn
Peterson, Vice President, of the Maplewood Area Historical Society.
Commissioner Caleb Anderson arrived at 7:13 p.m.
Absent: Commissioner Robert Creager
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Pete requested that 6d - Gladstone Sign be added to Old Business
Richard suggested moving New Business 7a and 7b to precede Old Business for our guests.
Pete moved to approve the Aaenda as amended. AI seconded. Aves - all.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
a. Minutes of April 16, 2009
Richard moved to approve the minutes ofthe April 16. 2009 meetina as presented. Pete
seconded. Aves - all.
5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS
Ron announced he received a letter from the Senior Administrative Assistant, as presumably the rest
of the Commissioners also received, asking for e-mail and/or residential addresses as required by
state statute, and suggested that be taken care of as soon as possible.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Historical Desianation of the Bruentrup Farm
Dave Fisher reported he had researched the historical designation of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm
and found that the City Council approved the designation of the buildings and site as a "Significantly
Historical Site" on June 10, 2002, with instructions to transmit that information to the Minnesota
Historical Society for their concurrence and that the designation used as a basis for the interested
parties to "work with city and state officials to maintain the BHF in its authentic historical condition to
the extent possible, while also keeping it safe for use by the public." The Minnesota Historical
Society's concurrence with the designation was stated in their letter dated July 26, 2002.
Bob Overby introduced himself and recapped the process by which the designation was obtained and
answered questions about the future needs and uses for operating the farm. Dave added that during
the recent grant process the City had to commit to maintaining the Farm in operable condition for at
least 25 years, and obtain approval of the State Historical Architect for the upgrades to be done to the
barn.
b. Bruentrup Farm CUP
Dave explained the current need for revising the Conditional Use Permit for the farm, explaining how
the changes would allow the Historical Society to continue current and add new fund-raising efforts to
support any repairs and upkeep necessary to maintain the site.
Ron said that, in the interest of full disclosure, he wanted everyone to know that at least 4, if not 5, of
the Commissioners present are members of the Maplewood Area Historical Society, but tonight are
acting as members of the Historical Preservation Commission and are looking at this issue from that
position. He stressed that focus of the discussion and recommendations be solely related to the
matter of historic preservation of the Farm.
Discussion continued with many questions and suggestions from the Commissioners to Bob about
the hoped-for additional activities, insurance needs, event types and sizes as well as noise and time
considerations. Bob answered those questions with detailed explanations and referred to advice from
City Staff and the City Attorney to the Society, including the Society's ongoing efforts to obtain liability
insurance.
Lu moved the Commission recommend approval by the Plannina Commission of the
Conditional Use Permit as amended in the staff report. Pete seconded the motion. the vote
was:
Ayes (4) Caleb Anderson. Lu Aurelius. Pete Boulay. Ron Cock riel
Nays (2) Richard Currie. AI Galbraith
Motion Passed.
Richard moved to recommend to the Plannina Commission that the noise (music) deadline be
chanaed to 9:00 p.m. for special events outdoors at the Bruentrup Heritaae Farm. Ron
seconded the motion. the vote was:
Ayes: (4) Lu Aurelius. Ron Cockriel. Richard Currie. AI Galbraith
Nays: (1) Pete Boulay
Abstain: (1) Caleb Anderson
Motion Passed.
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Proposed Historical Preservation Commission Survey List
Dave presented the survey list of historical sites that he prepared from information supplied by Pete
Boulay and Bob Creager (based on the 1997 Century House project). This list is the starting point of
the project to identify historic sites in Maplewood in order to meet the criteria for obtaining Certified
Local Government (CLG) status. The Commissioners will review this list and identify addresses
where the structures no longer exist and provide suggested new additions - residences, busineses,
landmarks or sites of historic events - that should be added.
b. Proposed Historical Preservation Draft Ordinance Amendment
Dave presented a draft copy of the proposed amended Historical Preservation Commission
ordinance, as was requested in the previous Commission meeting. The proposed changes will help
ensure the effectiveness of the Commission's oversight of the City's historical sites. Following
discussion it was agreed that, instead of amending the current ordinance, it is preferred that an
entirely new ordinance be created to encompass responsibilities and activities required for CLG
status.
Richard stated he believes this Commission should retain the opportunity to interview candidates for
Commission appointments, as stated in the original ordinance, to ensure that applicants have the
appropriate qualifications and background, and then make recommendations to the City Council.
Lu moved to refer the draft ordinance back to Dave to review with Mike Koop at the Minnesota
Historical Society. includina the auestion of Commissioners interviewina applicants. and city
staff for their input. then brina back to the HPC at the next meetina. Caleb seconded the
motion. Ayes - all.
c. Time Capsule
Discussion of timing for appearance at City Council meeting to present the Time Capsule to the City.
Dave will check for the first available date to be on the Aaenda.
d. Gladstone Siqn
Pete reported the Gladstone Bulletin Board sign has been repaired. That repair was one of the
Commission's 2009 goals, and has been completed.
7. NEW BUSINESS PRECEDED OLD BUSINESS
a. Historical Designation of the Bruentrup Farm
b. Bruentrup Farm CUP
8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. Maplewood Area Historical Society Update
Richard announced that Marilyn and AI Galbraith will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary.
Lu announced she has received her first issue of the Ramsey County Historical Society Newsletter. It
is quite interesting, and included notice that the long-time head of the organization is retiring, but did
not say who will be appointed to replace him. It also had a list of the many upcoming events at the
Gibbs Farm.
Bob announced the annual Ice Cream Social will be held at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm on June 10
- root beer floats, sundaes, live music (non-amplified). It will also be the 1 O-year anniversary of the
Governor signing the bill granting the funds to move the buildings from their original site to the current
site. The Society has invited all the people who played a role in the effort to obtain the funds to join
the celebration. He also announced that 1 :00 on Saturday, June 13 is the 3rd guided walking tour of
Victorian headstones at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The theme is Cemetery Symbols and Superstitions.
10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. City of Maplewood contact at the Minnesota Historical Web Site
Dave reported he contacted Mike Koop at the Minnesota Historical Society about correcting the
contact information for Maplewood and was informed today it has been changed. The Maplewood
web page for the Commission has also been corrected
b. Commission Comprehensive Plan Review Update
Dave reported he has been informed that the requested corrections for the Comprehensive Plan have
been made.
c. E-mail Addresses (for Commissioners)
Dave said Shann and Michael Fowlds both think it is a good idea, but it hasn't reached the next level
yet. The request has to come from the department heads and the other commissioners need to be
on board as well, so it will be a while before any action is taken.
Dave also announced that the annual Summer Tour of the city to view development and
redevelopment projects, etc., will take place Wednesday, July 1, starting from City Hall at 5:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served midway, and the tour should be completed about 9:00 p.m.
11. ADJOURNMENT - 8:50 p.m.