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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-18 HPC Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL June 18, 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 Caleb Anderson, Lu Aurelius, Bob Creager, AI Galbraith, Liaison Dave Fisher, Recorder Lois Behm,Absent: Commissioner Pete Boulay arrived at 7:05. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Richard asked to add the Common Bond Project Review Form. Dave said the application is not complete and a new Review Form will be sent later. AI requested adding 9b, Bruentrup Farm. Lu requested adding 9c, North St. Paul Post Office rededication. Approval of the amended aaenda was moved and seconded: aves all. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: a. Minutes of Mav 21 . 2009 Richard moved to approve the minutes as presented: AI seconded: Aves - all. 5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS Ron had no statements. Dave asked if everyone had responded to the City's request for phone, address and e-mail information and reminded everyone about signing up for the July 1 City tour. 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Proposed Historical Preservation Commission Survev List Ron displayed the City map on the overhead, showing sites color coded to indicate the type of structure and the associated addresses. He also noted there should be a 'key' to identify that the divisions in the address are categories of: Historic Businesses; Regionally Significant sites; sites Ramsey County previously designated as significant and the additional Poor Farm Buildings not on the National Register but probably should be; houses identified in the 1997 survey as being either 100 years old or architecturally significant; the structure already on the National Register (Ramsey County Poor Farm Barn); City government buildings past and present; and miscellaneous (non-house) locations significant in Maplewood. Discussion of the categories followed, along with the question of how to handle the identification/-designation of significant buildings which no longer exist or locations of important events and natural features of the area. There was further discussion about the addresses and designations of township and city buildings, and some corrections will be made to that portion of the list. Creation of a second map showing the location of significant structures which no longer exist was suggested and remains under consideration, but it was agreed that a map of existing sites has the highest priority. Dave questioned the reason for the houses, etc. being on the list and stressed that setting criteria for significance to identify what should be to included is critical to the way the ordinance is written and the value of the listings for future purposes. The ordinance will need to identify what the criteria are and the way they will be used in order for the ordinance to work properly in the future. Ron agreed with the importance of criteria and told about his conversation with the people who now own the Josie and Rex Shane house at 1800 English Street. They were told the structure in the back yard was the original Gladstone post office, which is not in good shape, and were concerned about what they can do with it. This led to a discussion of how to address the difference between 1 OO-year -old houses that have not been altered and those which have been changed so much they are no longer recognizable as being old. Another aspect is the question of its' historical significance and whether a structure which has not been changed but is not in good shape should be in a separate category of those which could/should be salvaged and/or updated, and how that list should be prioritized. Dave suggested that in addition to the age and amount of alteration there might be some history of a house which could be obtained from the owner to help determine its' status. Ron asked what the new list would look like - Ron added that the list should be divided among the Commissioners by area of the City and volunteered to take everything south of 94. Richard will take the Parkside area - Hy. 61. north to Co. Rd. C/Kohlman, west to Arcade and south to Larpenteur. Bob agreed to check houses south of Holloway and one just west of McKnight. Pete said he could take the Gladstone area, (south of HY36), and Caleb will take the area from Hy. 36 to the Mall. Ron also said that in all cases if, in the process, other sites are seen that may also be significant they should be noted for future reference and possible inclusion. Dave suggested setting some basic criteria of what to use for this survey so everyone is looking at them the same way. Ron stated that first of all, of course, is whether it is still standing, second is the condition. Pete displayed the form used during the 1997 survey and mentioned additional items which appeared on the Ramsey County form, such as 3 levels of condition, how much alteration - again, 3 levels of alteration, and if it is no longer recognizable as of historic age, that should be pointed out on the form. He also noted that Tax I.D. numbers can be misleading with regard to date built because, if a house was moved to a new location, the build date is shown as the date it was moved. Another thing to look for is architectural rarity - something that was once common but is now rare. Another thing to note is individual updates, such as sky lights, bay windows, room additions or foundations. Ron commented that determining the criteria will help to justify a good ordinance and thus far we have age, architectural significance, unaltered structure, family home of significant resident, significant site (such as Lakeside Park Development - now Lookout Park). Starting from this, shorter lists can be created, then further narrowed by establishing more criteria - Age, Architectural Significance, Condition, Alterations?, History, Event(s) - and further work will eventually lead to the final criteria for the ordinance. b. Proposed Historical Preservation Ordinance Amendment Ron recapped the discussion so far and stated the ultimate goal of the ordinance. Dave reported he is waiting for a call back from Michael Koop with some additional information, so he has nothing to add as far as the criteria is concerned. c. Time Capsule Ron said he wants a proclamation for presenting the Time Capsule to the Council and believes it should contain thoughts of the Commission as a whole, rather than just one member or staff. Caleb volunteered to get it started and asked for help from the rest of the group. Dave offered some suggestions to help get it started. 7. NEW BUSINESS - NONE 8. VISITOR PRESENTATION - NONE 9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Maplewood Area Historical Societv Update Lois gave a brief report on the recent Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour and the Ice Cream Social held at the Farm. Ron thanked Janice Quick for all her work, and the Society and Forest Lawn for making it possible. Ron also asked about the September barn dance and Lois reported it was questionable whether it would be held because of uncertainties related to the CUP and how the barn can be used. b. Gardenina - Communitv Gardens AI reported he had heard there might be some problem with farming or gardening at the Farm. Ron said there seemed to be a group interested in creating community gardens in Maplewood, and one of the sites mentioned is the Prairie Farm, which is actually the open space around the Bruentrup Farm site. Pete remarked that the MAHS has no jurisdiction over the open space, but there is definitely not any space available on the 2-1/2 acre farm site itself where that could happen. Richard added that his understanding is that the Bruentrup farm site takes up the maximum space that can be used on the open space property. c. North St. Paul Post Office Rededication June 22. 2009 Lu reported that Rep. Betty McCollum had a bill passed last June to rename the North St. Paul Post Office the "William Sandberg Post Office". The re-dedication will be Monday, June 22 at 10:30, at the Post Office. Discussion ensued regarding the "1850? Gladstone Post Office" in the back yard of the Josie & Rex Shane house. Pete reported that the Post Office was originally in the train depot then later inside the Faust grocery store on the north side of Frost Avenue which was replaced in the 1960's by the building which houses the Maplewood bakery and other businesses. The Fausts sorted the mail and put it in the boxes. Rex Shane owned and operated the 'mail wagon' to deliver mail over a large area - from Gladstone all the way to Rice Street. - which took all day. The building in the back yard of the Shane house is actually where the wagon was stored, and was also where Rex Shane gave haircuts. Ron will follow up with the owners of the property about the building and the mail equipment which is stored there. Ron said he believes the Commission should create a Resolution of Support for the 10th Anniversary of moving the Bruentrup Farm buildings, which might help the Society by recognizing all they have done, and might also help with getting the barn dance going. AI moved the Commission send a Resolution of Support for the Maplewood Area Historical Societv's efforts and their celebration events for the 10th Anniversarv of movina the buildinas to create the Bruentrup Heritaae Farm. Pete seconded the motion. Aves - All Ron also recognized the 52-year-old Maplewood Garden Club whose members have been working very hard to establish and maintain the heritage gardens at the Farm and reported they will be having a plant sale to get heirloom plants out to the community. The Friends of Maplewood Nature donated 2 heirloom apple trees which will be planted at the Farm during Johnny Appleseed Day. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Review 2009 Goals Dave said that being half-way through the year it would be good to quickly review the goals set for the year to check the progress. There are a lot of things going on, and they seem to be going well. Ron responded 1. a. Complete a historical site survey b. Preservation Ordinance Amendments to update for CLG eligibility c. Apply for Certified Local Government status Currently working on a. and b. which will lead to approval of c. Other goals which are important but less urgent than 1. 2. Education of history through events, time capsules, 3. Repair Gladstone informational sign - Completed by Pete Boulay 4. Identify and recognize historic families - site survey work will lead into this. 5. Identify and recognize the history of geographic features - lakes, streams, etc. 6. Create criteria for Heritage Award Ron thanked Shann Finwall and Dave for the work they have done with the Commission and guiding the progress toward their goals. 11. ADJOURNMENT - 9:05 p.m.