HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-19 HPC Minutes
MAPLEWOOD HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
November 19, 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, Robert
Creager, AI Glabraith, Liaison Dave Fisher, Recorder Lois Behm
Absent: Commissioners Caleb Anderson, Pete Boulay
Ron announced that he received a call from Caleb Anderson stating that his new job requires him to
work nights and, unless he is able to work out a substitution or rotation, he may have to resign his
place on the Commission.
3. Approval of Aaenda:
Richard moved to approve the Aaenda as presented. AI seconded. Aves - all.
4. Approval of Minutes:
a. October 15. 2009 HPC Minutes
Richard moved approval of the minutes as presented. Bob seconded the motion.
Aves: Ron. Richard. AI. Bob: Navs: none: Abstention - Lu.
5. Chair Openina Statements/Presentations - None
6. Old Business
a. Historical Preservation Commission Survev Results
Dave reported there was very little response to the survey letters, which is common in such cases.
With regard to the question about the bridges on Frost Avenue, he checked with City Engineer,
Michael Thompson, and found that, having been passed back and forth a few times, they are now
under City jurisdiction now. He also found that the possibility of changes to them is closer than he
thought, but not necessarily imminent. He was told that typically, when there is a question about
saving something like that because of historical significance, they try to keep some part of it,
perhaps some bricks mortar, while widening obsolete structures like these. As for the other bridges,
he had great difficulty reaching anyone for information.
Ron said that in some cases a portion of the structure or site might be used for another purpose,
such as a wayside rest, a park or walking path, etc.
Dave suggested Ron talk to Michael Thompson so the idea would be planted and possibly be used
when the time comes for the changes. Getting back to the survey, Dave said copies of the responses
were in the packet, but because of resident's requests, (they asked to be identified by PID number rather
than name or address) he removed the names and addresses. He said the interesting one is from
Ramsey County Parks in which they indicated the Keller Golf Course building no longer meets their
needs and are planning some changes. but did not indicate if it was to be an addition, remodeling or
complete replacement.
Richard commented that perhaps the residents are concerned they might be too restricted in what
they can do with their property, and we don't want to prevent them from updating their property for
code or energy efficiency purposes. Discussion followed about the possibility of amending the proposed
ordinance to make it less restrictive, more 'friendly' in nature, and how that could be accomplished.
Dave said his only experience was with the Bruentrup Heritage Farm where the Minnesota Historical
Society wanted a historical architect involved to guide the repair/remodeling operation in order to
maintain the historic appearance of the barn through the light fixtures, authentic paint, hiding the
sprinkler system, etc.
Dave added that the most interesting response was from Ramsey County Parks, stating they are
planning some changes to Keller Golf Course and Club House, but did not state whether it would be
removal and replacement of the club house or an addition. Some discussion followed about the history
of Keller Golf Club House, with various comments about how Commissioners felt about the value of
saving, versus replacing, the club house, and whether they should.
Ron commented on the possibility of recording/photographing historical sites and the rights of owners to
control what happens with their property.
Lu referred back to previous discussions of goals wherein, in some cases, it would be photographed and
some recording efforts would be made.
AI and Ron replied that, since the owners are required to have permits before a demolition, it would
provide an opportunity to approach the owner to get permission for preserving the information. The
problem would arise in the cases where demolition permit is not obtained.
Ron again mentioned making the ordinance less restrictive in order to gain more resident support.
Dave pointed out that presently, since the ordinance has not been approved by Council, there is no
requirement that the Commission must be notified before a permit is issued by the city's Planning
Department. Discussion led to a consensus that a 'check list' of the information the Commission wants
to receive should be developed at a future meeting. Dave believes it will be necessary to discuss any
proposed changes with Michael Koop to determine if the ordinance can be made less restrictive and still
meet the requirements for obtaining CLG status.
Discussion followed about the portion of the ordinance regarding initiation of the historic designation
process, and the fact that the balance of the ordinance does not take effect until the property is
designated as historical. Ron suggested the request to Council should come jointly from the
Commission and the property owner, making it simpler to enforce the balance of the ordinance if any
changes are requested. Dave responded that the ordinance still needs to require notification to the
Commission of demolition permit requests for any structure that is unique or 50 years old or older. Lu
commented that this should also include neighborhoods, such as when the entire residential
neighborhood south and east of 11th Avenue and White Bear Avenue was removed to develop the
Cub/Home Depot/etc. development several years ago. Dave will work on the change(s) discussed, and
bring it back to the next meeting.
b. Grants - Discussion onlv
Ron reported he and Dave had discussed this and Dave talked to Historical Society President, Bob
Overby about the funding available as grants due to the new Minnesota Legacy Grants, and what types
of projects are eligible.
Dave said the Historical Society already has a couple of requests in process, but is willing to collaborate
with the Commission on future applications/projects. The money is out there, but what the Commission
will need to do is come up with ideas for projects that will meet the criteria for funding. There are $1 ,000
grants that are given out on a monthly basis, and perhaps some possibilities would be signage, recording
information, historical information set up on the city web site or at the library, etc. He suggested each
commissioner go to the MN Historical web site and see what kinds of projects have been accepted or get
ideas for others.
Ron suggested this could be part of the next meeting's discussion and goal setting.
Dave displayed a page of guidelines for MNHS guidelines and suggested those who are also members of
the Maplewood Historical Society could look into what they are doing, and get some ideas from that.
Ron said the goal-planning at the next meeting could also produce some ideas from any of the goals that
were not met during 2009.
Bob said the Poor Farm Cemetery is in need of some clean-up and repair and perhaps that could be a
project.
7. New Business - None
8. Visitor Presentations
Lisa Lester, a new Maplewood resident and student at Century College, introduced herself and said she
is taking a class about state and Local law - getting involved in the community, going to meetings, etc.,
and enjoyed hearing what the Commission is doing.
9. Commission Presentations
Lu said she hasn't been getting any material from the Ramsey County Historical Society so she called
and was told they have been mailing it to City Hall. She has now started receiving it and finds they have
a lot of meeting with speakers coming in.
Richard mentioned a request had been received for information on Applewood and Gladstone. Pete
replied with an e-mail offering the Gladstone book; Dave mentioned he has an electronic copy of the and
gave Pete a copy.
a. Maplewood Historical Societv Update
The Historical Society had a quilting bee last weekend; the Holiday Open House will be December 5th and
6th from 1 :00 until 4:00; the members potluck dinner will be December 9th, the Holiday Tea will be
January 16th, 11 :30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
10. Staff Presentation
Dave said he had nothing.
Ron suggested that, if there is nothing pressing to take care of in December, the December meeting
could be cancelled and the next one would be in January.
Lu moved to cancel the December meetina. Richard seconded. aves - all
11. Adjournment - 8:30