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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-09 HPC Packet MAPLEWOOD HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS  CITY HALL July 9, 2015  7:00 PM 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Agenda 4.Approval of Minutes a.May 14, 2015 HPC Meeting 5.Visitor Presentations 6.New Business a.Capital Improvement Plan b.Annual Statewide Preservation Conference c.Gladstone Phase II Improvements d.Local Designation for Gladstone Savanna 7.Old Business a.Joy Park Update b.Historic Context Study  Chapter 6 (Commissioner Gilbertson) 8.Maplewood Area Historical Society Update 9.Commission Presentations a.Update on Research/Education Committee Meeting (Commissioner Gil b.Report on Historic Tax Credit Seminar (Commissioner Rudberg) 10.Staff Presentations a.August meeting or field trip b.Fish Creek Archeological Dig 11.Adjournment MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION 4a 7:00p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2015 Council Chambers, City Hall 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Heritage PreservationCommission was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and called to order byChair Boulayat7:00p.m. 2.ROLL CALL Commissioners Chairperson Peter Boulay Present Commissioner Robert Creager Present Commissioner Richard Currie Present Commissioner John Gaspar Present Commissioner Frank Gilbertson Present Commissioner Brenda Rudberg Absent Staff Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor Present 3.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Gilbertson requested that agenda item 7c be moved to the next Heritage Preservation Meeting. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, requested to add agenda item 10a. Highway 36 Sign Commissioner Gilbertsonmoved to approve the agendaas amended. Seconded by CommissionerCurrie Ayes – All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES a.April 9, 2015HPC MeetingMinutes CommissionerCurriemoved to approve the April 9, 2015 HPC Meeting Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Creager The motion passed. 5.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 6.NEW BUSINESS Thursday, May 14, 2015 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 4a a.Oath of Office for Peter Boulay Chair Boulay took the Oath of Office as he was reappointed to the Heritage Preservation Commissionby the City Council. b.Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioners Rudberg and Currie were nominated for the Vice Chair position. The commission voted Commissioner Currie to be the Vice Chair. The commission reappointed Chair Boulay as the Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission. c.Priorities from Historic Context Study The commission discussed the priorities of the Historic Context Study. d.List of Historic Sites and Structures Commissioner Gaspar created a list of historic sites and structures and discussed it with the commission. e.Heritage Preservation Ordinance Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, discussed the Heritage Preservation Ordinance with the commission. 7.OLD BUSINESS a.2015 Goals Status Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, reviewed the 2015 goals status with the commission. b.Historic Context Study – Chapter 5 (Chair Boulay) Chair Boulay presented highlights from Chapter 5 of the Historic Context Study. c.Historic Context Study – Chapter 6 (Commissioner Gilbertson) The discussion of Chapter 6 of the Historic Context Study was postponed until the next meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission. 8.MAPLEWOOD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY UPDATE Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor,presented upcoming events and MAHS news. 9.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 10.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Highway 36 Sign Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, informed the commission of the installation of the Highway 36 Sign. b.Summer HPC Meeting Dates Chair Boulay moved to cancel the June meeting and use meeting time to visit the Highway 36 Sign. Seconded by Commissioner Gaspar Ayes – All Thursday, May 14, 2015 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 4a The motion passed. c.Gladstone Update Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, gave an update on Gladstone. d.Arbor Day Celebration Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, informed the commission on the Arbor Day celebration. 11.ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Creagermovedto adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Gaspar Ayes – All The motion passed. The meeting was adjournedat 9:00PM. Next meeting isJuly 9, 2015. Thursday, May 14, 2015 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes 6a MEMORANDUM TO: Maplewood Commissions FROM: Gayle Bauman, Finance Director DATE: June 24, 2015 SUBJECT: 2016-2020CIP Plan Review - Commissions Introduction The Capital Improvement Plan is an annually prepared document that coordinates theplanning, financing and timing of major equipment purchases and construction projects. The 2016-2020 CIP document isbeingreleased for review by the various Commissions and a Public Hearing on th the CIP will be held at the Planning Commission meeting on July 7at 7:00 pm. As part of our paperless efforts, a copy of the CIP is available in electronic format on the City’s webpage. Following the receipt of recommendations from all the Commissions, the City Council will be th asked to adopt the CIP at the July 27City Council meeting. Adopting the CIP does not commit the council to the proposed projects, nor implement the assumptions made during the preparation; however, this is the basis for the 2016 Budget as we continue with its preparation. Each Commission shall review and comment on the impact of the assumptions and recommended projects within the Capital Improvement Plan. A recommendation of approval, approval with conditions, or denial should be made and forwarded to the City Council for their consideration. The Commission should appoint a member to attend the City Council meeting on th July 27, when final adoption of the CIP will be considered. Background A copy of the draft 2016-2020Capital Improvement Plan can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us. The Transmittal Letter highlights the major projects within the Plan for consideration. The document explains each of the proposed projects, as well as analyzes the impacts on the budgetfor the various funds, along with the tax impact necessary to implement these projects as proposed. The staff submits projects based upon goals set at the Council/Management Team retreats. The finance staff analyzes the funds available for capital projects along with the impacts of the staff proposals. A number of revisions are made in the project submittals based upon the analysis of finance, as well as management priorities to achieve the attached CIP plan. The attached table shows the changes that were made to the original requests based on the City’s financial means and meetings with the various department heads. There is a fairly significant decrease in the cost of projects included in the 2016-2020 CIP compared to previous years. The proposed 2016-2020 CIP contains $35.2 million in expenditures while the 2015-2019 CIP contained $48.2 million (a 27% decrease). The main reason for this decrease is that projects related to the Parks System Master Plan, the Asset Management Plan and the Gas Franchise Fee are not included in this document. The idea is that these types of projects will have little, if any, effect on other city fundsor the 2016 tax levy. The only impact should be to the tax levy in 2017 and beyond. Staff is exploring using 6a AbatementBonds to help fund projects in the Parks System Master Plan, using CIP Bonds to help fund projects in the Asset Management Plan and still working through the implementation of the Gas Franchise Fee. Information on these projects will be available later this year. The projects that could possibly have an effect on 2016 operations or tax levy are included in the 2016-2020 CIP document. CIP projects related to historic research, preservation or interpretation include Gladstone Savanna (Attachment 2), and Fish Creek (Attachment 3). Recommendation The Commission should review the proposed projects within the 2016-2020Capital Improvement Plan. A recommendation of approval, approval with conditions, or denial should be made and forwarded to the City Council for their consideration. The Commission should th appoint a member to attend the City Council meeting on July27, when final adoption of the CIP will be considered. Attachment 1: Changes to Original Requests Attachment 2: Gladstone Savanna CIP Request Attachment 3: Fish Creek CIP Request 6a, Attachment 2 CITY OF MAPLEWOOD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2016 - 2020 Gladstone Savanna Improvements$350,000 PROJECT TITLE:TOTAL COST: PROJECT NUMBER:PM08.050PROJECT CATEGORY:Parks DESCRIPTION:Restore Native Plant Communities and Install Trails and Interpretive Signage JUSTIFICATION: Gladstone Savanna is a 23-acre Neighborhood Preserve that formerly housed railroad maintenance facilities. Located in a neighborhood undergoing redevelopment, the improvements at the preserve will be a focal point of the neighborhood and will celebrate Maplewood’s cultural and natural heritage. Phase I improvements were completed in 2012 and Phase II will be completed in 2015. Improvements include soil remediation, brush removal, trails, storm basins, entry landscaping, corner gathering area, and site restoration with native prairie grasses. Future improvements include: play area, rail-to-trail feature, sitting area near well, additional tree planting and restoration, and interpretive features (historical and natural resources). PROJECT COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES BY YEARS: Funding SourcePrior Years20162017201820192020Funding Total Environmental Utility Fund0020,00000020,000 Park Development Fund0295,0000000295,000 Grants035,000000035,000 PROJECT COSTS July 2016Preliminaries:$0 PROJECT STARTING DATE: $0 Land Acquisition: PROJECT COMPLETION DATE:November 2017Construction:$350,000 $0 Equipment and Other: NEIGHBORHOOD:07 - GladstoneProject Costs:$350,000 6a, Attachment 3 CITY OF MAPLEWOOD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2016 - 2020 Fish Creek Open Space$610,000 PROJECT TITLE:TOTAL COST: PROJECT NUMBER:PM16.005PROJECT CATEGORY:Parks DESCRIPTION:Fish Creek Open Space JUSTIFICATION: Maplewood acquired the 70-acre Fish Creek site in 2013. A Master Plan for the site was approved in 2012 and partner Great River Greening (GRG) conducted woodland and prairie restoration at the site in 2012- 2015. Ramsey County owns the adjacent land and the City and County have begun working on a long-term vision for the city and county parcels. Phase I Improvements at the site are scheduled for 2017 and will include installation of parking lot, trailhead, kiosk, asphalt trail, overlook sitting areas, and signage. An archeological investigation is being conducted on the site in 2015. Depending on the outcome, archeological work would continue on the site in 2016. Interpretation of site history and natural resources is scheduled for 2018. Future phases will include the installation of rustic trails on the site, including the Fish Creek Greenway Hiking trail along the creek. In addition, the northern 8 acres of the site is not restricted to conservation uses and the City and County are exploring ideas for that area. PROJECT COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES BY YEARS: Funding SourcePrior Years20162017201820192020Funding Total Ramsey County00107,000000107,000 Grants015,000318,00010,00000343,000 Park Development Fund00150,00010,00000160,000 PROJECT COSTS June 2016Preliminaries:$0 PROJECT STARTING DATE: $0 Land Acquisition: PROJECT COMPLETION DATE:December 2018Construction:$610,000 $0 Equipment and Other: NEIGHBORHOOD:13 - Carver RidgeProject Costs:$610,000 6b MEMORANDUM TO: Heritage Preservation Commission FROM: Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator DATE: July 9, 2015 RE: Statewide Preservation Conference Introduction Certified Local Government Grants are available to cover costs for commissioners to attend Preserve Minnesota, the Statewide Historic Preservation Conference. The conference will be held September 17-18, 2015, in Little Falls, Minnesota. There is no limit this year on how many commissioners the city can send throughthe grant. The grant will cover mileage (for up to two vehicles per city), lodging, and registration fees. Breakfast, lunches, receptions, and tours on Thursday and Friday are included in the registration fees. Staff will prepare and submit the grant the week ofJuly 13. If you would like to attend the conference, please inform Ginny Gaynor by July 13, 2015. Attachments: 1.Conference Brochure 6b, Attachment 1 6b, Attachment 1 6c MEMORANDUM TO: Heritage Preservation Commission FROM: Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator DATE: July 9, 2015 SUBJECT: Gladstone Phase II Improvements Introduction Construction has begun on Gladstone Phase II Improvements. Staff will provide a project update at the July 9, 2015 Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting. Background On April 14, 2014 the HPC reviewed preliminary plans for Gladstone Phase II improvements. On May 14, 2015, staff updated the commission onthe project. Construction on the project began in late May. Foundations from the former roundhouse and railroad repair shops exist under the surface at the Gladstone Savanna site. These have been documented in Archaeo-Physics’ ground- penetrating radar study (http://www.archaeophysics.com/gladstone/index.html). In addition, any historic materials that were visible on the surface during Gladstone Phase I improvements were documented by an archeologist from Summit Envirosolutions. To ensure protection of the historic foundations on this site, the general contractor, subcontractors, and utilities were informed of the historic significance of the site and required to stop work if they ran into foundations or historic materials in the course of construction. During utility work, Xcel Energy did not follow this requirement. Below is a summary of this incident from the project engineer: “During the construction activities that have occurred to date on or near the Gladstone Savanna, potentially historic artifacts have been unearthed. I provide this email to summarize what has been seen, provide an explanation of how and where they were unearthed, and more importantly reiterate the engineering department’s commitment to the historic importance of this site. 1.During the tree plantings within the Savanna, the City’s contractor encountered some railroad spikes. The contractor was informed to not remove these spikes from the site and to stockpile any such items within the savanna. I believe there are some spikes near some of the newly planted trees. 2.During the burial of the overhead powerlines along Frost Avenue, Xcel Energy encountered a handful of brick fragments and some limestone type rocks. The bricks were mostly noted within their trench on the south side of Frost Avenue across from the 6c bowling alley and liquor store properties. These brick fragments were randomly scattered throughout the excavation and were not removed from the site. Some of the limestone rocks were stockpiled near the savanna entrance near Frost/English. In talking with the Xcel crews, it sounds as though all of the items encountered were randomly strewn throughout the excavation. In other words, no foundations were encountered or disturbed. Before they began their work, I walked the south side of Frost Avenue and assisted Xcel in flagging their proposed route. The original route included placing their lines very near the back of the curbing in the area right across from the liquor store/bowling alley. For some reason Xcel decided to change this route without discussion, moving back from the curb-line 8-10 feet in this area. Likewise, they changed their method of installation from directional boring to open cutting a 4-5 wide trench. Given their original proposal, we felt they would be as far away as possible from the historic roundhouse items (shown on the historicmaps) and their method would disturb very little. Unfortunately their plan changed without notice. All that being said, I want to assure you that we do not take the historic importance of this site lightly. It has been made well known to our contractors,including at the pre-construction meeting and during our weekly construction meetings. We will continue to stress this importance and work with the Parks Department on preserving the historical aspects of the Savanna as well as rebuilding a piece of Maplewood’s past.” Prior to construction, the city had arranged for Archeologist Alex Garcia-Putnam, from Summit Envirosolutions, to be on call in the evident historic foundations were encountered. City staff met Garcia-Putnam on site on June 24 to orient himto the site and he is currently documenting the historic material that was disturbed. This information will be presented to the HPC when it is available. To prevent destruction of foundations from happening when the sitting area is graded, the project engineer is required to notify the archeologist and staff member Gaynor so they can be on-site when that work begins. If foundations are encountered, work is to stop and the archeologist will work with staff and the state archeologist to determine the next step. Recommendation Staff will update the HPC on the project and answer questions. No action is required. Attachments None 6d MEMORANDUM TO: Heritage Preservation Commission FROM: Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator DATE: July 9, 2015 RE: Local Designation for Gladstone Savanna Introduction Chair Boulay requested that the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) discuss local designation for Gladstone Savanna. Background HPC seta 2015 goal of developing materials for a Local Designation program including brochure, application form, andprocedures. Staff hasplans to work on these this fall and present drafts to HPC in October.The designation process for a given site will need toinclude: 1) preparation of the application form, 2) review of the application and HPC approval, 3) schedule and publish notice of public hearing, 4) council holds public hearing,5) designationby city council, and 6) review by State Historic Preservation Office. Theapplicant willneed to provide a narrative documentingthe site’s historyand thehistoric significance of the site. The application willneed to explain how the site meetsthe eligibility criteria that theHPC adopted on November 13, 2014 (Attachment 1), aswell as the address the seven aspects of integrity used inthe National Register Evaluation(Attachment 2). (Not all seven aspects of integrity need to be metfor local designation.)Preparation of the application does not have to done by a professional historian, but the City is a Certified Local Government and the application must meet high standards. Staff recommends the commission proceeds as we have discussed in the past with developing materials for the local designation program in 2015 andafterthat is completed preparethe first nomination.Staff is committed to completing draft materials for the Local Designation Program this fall and would be able to prepare an application forthe Gladstone Savanna site in 2016. If the HPC is not satisfied with this schedule, a commissioner wouldneed to take on the task of preparing application materials. Recommendation Discuss local designation forthe Gladstone Savanna site. Attachments 1. Approved Eligibility Criteria 2.Aspects of Integrity Attachment 1 Local DesignationProgram Eligibility Criteria Approved by HPC 1.The property is associated with significant events or period that exemplifies broad patterns of cultural, political, economic or social history. 2.The property is associated with a person or group that has significantly contributed to the history, culture or development of the city, state, or nation. 3.The property’s character, interest or value is part of the history or cultural heritage of the city, state, or nation. 4.The property embodies distinctive characteristics of an architectural or engineering type or style, or elements of design, detail materials, method of construction, or craftsmanship. 5.The property exemplifies the work of master builders, engineers, designers, artists, craftsmen or architects. 6.The property has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. 7.The property’s unique location or physical characteristic represents an established or familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or community. 8.The property exemplifies a landscape design or development pattern distinguished by innovation, rarity, uniqueness or quality of design or detail. Attachment 2 Department of Interior’s Explanation of Integrity as relates to sites on the National Register (Text from www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15/nrb15_8.htm) is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where 1.Location the historic event occurred. The relationship between the property and its location is often important to understanding why the property was created or why something happened. The actual location of a historic property, complemented by its setting, is particularly important in recapturing the sense of historic events and persons. Except in rare cases, the relationship between a property and its historic associations is destroyed if the property is moved. (See Criteria Consideration B in Part VII:How to Apply the Criteria Considerations, for the conditions under which a moved property can be eligible.) is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, 2.Design and style of a property. It results from conscious decisions made during the original conception and planning of a property (or its significant alteration) and applies to activities as diverse as community planning, engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture. Design includes such elements as organization of space, proportion, scale, technology, ornamentation, and materials. A property's design reflects historic functions and technologies as well as aesthetics. It includes such considerations as the structural system; massing; arrangement of spaces; pattern of fenestration; textures and colors of surface materials; type, amount, and style of ornamental detailing; and arrangement and type of plantings in a designed landscape. Design can also apply to districts, whether they are important primarily for historic association, architectural value, information potential,or a combination thereof. For districts significant primarily for historic association or architectural value, design concerns more than just the individual buildings or structures located within the boundaries. It also applies to the way in which buildings, sites, or structures are related: for example, spatial relationships between major features; visual rhythms in a streetscape or landscape plantings; the layout and materials of walkways and roads; and the relationship of other features, such as statues, water fountains, and archeological sites. is the physical environment of a historic property. 3.SettingWhereas location refers to the specific place where a property was built or an event occurred, setting refers to the character of the place in which the property played its historical role. It involves how, not just where, the property is situated and its relationship to surrounding features and open space. Setting often reflects the basic physical conditions under which a property was built and the functions it was intended to serve. In addition, the way in which a property is positioned in its environment can reflect the designer's concept of nature and aesthetic preferences. The physical features that constitute the setting of a historic property can be either natural or manmade, including such elements as: Topographic features (a gorge or the crest of a hill); Vegetation; Simple manmade features (paths or fences); and Relationships between buildings and other features or open space. These features and their relationships should be examined not only within the exact boundaries of the property, but also between the property and its surroundings. This is particularly important for districts. are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a 4.Materials particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property. The choice and combination of materials reveal the preferences of those who created the property and indicate the availability of particular types of materials and technologies. Indigenous materials are often the focus of regional building traditions and thereby help define an area's sense of time and place. A property must retain the key exterior materials dating from the period of its historic significance. If the property has been rehabilitated, the historic materials and significant features must have been preserved. The property must also be an actual historic resource, not a recreation; a recent structure fabricated to look historic is not eligible. Likewise, a property whose historic features and materials have been lost and then reconstructed is usually not eligible. (See Criteria Consideration E in Part VII:How to Apply the Criteria Considerationsfor the conditions under which a reconstructed property can be eligible.) is the physical evidence of the crafts of aparticular culture or people 5.Workmanship during any given period in history or prehistory. It is the evidence of artisans' labor and skill in constructing or altering a building, structure, object, or site. Workmanship can apply to the property as a whole or to its individual components. It can be expressed in vernacular methods of construction and plain finishes or in highly sophisticated configurations and ornamental detailing. It can be based on common traditions or innovative period techniques. Workmanship is important because it can furnish evidence of the technology of a craft, illustrate the aesthetic principles of a historic or prehistoric period, and reveal individual, local, regional, or national applications of both technological practicesand aesthetic principles. Examples of workmanship in historic buildings include tooling, carving, painting, graining, turning, and joinery. Examples of workmanship in prehistoric contexts include Paleo-Indian clovis projectile points; Archaic period beveled adzes; Hopewellian birdstone pipes; copper earspools and worked bone pendants; and Iroquoian effigy pipes. is a property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular 6.Feeling period of time. It results from the presence of physical features that, taken together, convey the property's historic character. For example, a rural historic district retaining original design, materials, workmanship, and setting will relate the feeling of agricultural life in the 19th century. A grouping of prehistoric petroglyphs, unmarred by graffiti and intrusions and located on its original isolated bluff, can evoke a sense of tribal spiritual life. is the direct link between an important historic event or person and a 7.Association historic property. A property retains association if it is the place where the event or activity occurred and is sufficiently intact to convey that relationship to an observer. Like feeling, association requires the presence of physical features that convey a property's historic character. For example, a Revolutionary War battlefield whose natural and manmade elements have remained intact since the 18th century will retain its quality of association with the battle. Because feeling and association depend on individual perceptions, their retention aloneis never sufficient to support eligibility of a property for the National Register. 7a MEMORANDUM TO: Heritage Preservation Commission FROM : Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator DATE: July 9, 2015 RE: Joy Park Phase III Introduction Maplewood has begun design work for Joy Park improvements including a picnic shelter and play area. Staff will update the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) on this project at the July meeting. Background The Master Plan for Joy Park was approved in 2004. Phase I and Phase II park improvements were constructed in 2008 through 2012.On June 8, 2015, City Council approved funding for design and implementation ofthe next phase --apicnic shelter and play area. The city desired a public art component on this project and hired a design team to develop preliminary concepts. The designteam includes: Camille Calderara (www.firefliesplay.com), Bob Lunning (www.lunningwende.com), and Teresa Cox (www.teresacox.com). Parks and RecreationDepartment staff have been meeting with the design team. In addition, staff and artists held a community event at JoyPark on June 10, 2015to gather input from the public. Approximately 100 people attended and 45 surveys were received. This site has an interesting family history and Sam Joy and his brother Bill attended the community event and shared stories of growing up at this sitewith the design teamand others interested. Staff will present preliminary design concepts at the HPC meeting (these are not yet completed). We do not anticipate the picnic or play area will have historic themes. However, there will be opportunity to incorporatethe history of Joy Parkin a future phase that will include a kiosk and wayfinding on the site. Recommendation No action required. Attachments None