HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-09 HPC Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
HERITAGE PRESERVATIONCOMMISSION
7:00 P.M Thursday, November 9, 2017
City Hall, Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 12, 2017
NEW BUSINESS
Heritage Award
Review2017 Goals
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Interpretive Sign for Conifer Ridge
Training
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Maplewood Area Historical
Society
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
STAFF PRESENTATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
RULES OF CIVILITY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY
Following are rules of civility the City of Maplewood expects of everyone appearing at Commission Meetings - elected
officials, staff and citizens. It is hoped that by following these simple rules, everyone’s opinions can be heard and
understood in a reasonable manner. We appreciate the fact that when appearing at Commission meetings, it is
understood that everyone will follow these principles:
Speak only for yourself, not for other Commissionmembers or citizens - unless specifically tasked by your
colleagues to speak for the group or for citizens in the form of a petition.
Show respect during comments and/or discussions, listen actively and do not interrupt or talk amongst each other.
Be respectful of the process, keeping order and decorum. Do not be critical of Commissionmembers, staff or
others in public.
Be respectful of each other’s timekeeping remarks brief, to the point and non-repetitive.
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MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
7:00p.m., Thursday, October 12, 2017
Council Chambers, City Hall
A.CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was held in the City Hall Council
Chambers and called to order by Vice ChairCurrieat 7:01 p.m.
B.ROLL CALL
Commissioners
Commissioner LeonAxtmanPresent
ChairPeter BoulayPresent
Commissioner Bob CardinalPresent
Vice ChairRichard Currie Present
Commissioner John GasparPresent
Commissioner Frank GilbertsonAbsent
Staff
Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny GaynorPresent
C.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Commissioner Gasparmade a motion to approve the agendawith two additionsto
CommissionPresentations and two additions to Staff Presentations.
Seconded by Commissioner Cardinal Ayes – All
The motion passed.
D.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.August 10, 2017HPC Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Cardinalmade a motionto approve the minutes from the August 10,
2017HPC Meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner GasparAyes – All
The motion passed.
E.NEW BUSINESS
1.Oath of Office for Leon Axtman
2.Heritage Preservation Ordinance
3.Review List of Historic Sites
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
7:00p.m., Thursday, October 12, 2017
Council Chambers, City Hall
F.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1.2040 Comprehensive Plan
Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, reviewed the draft of the 2040
Comprehensive Plan and asked forinput from the Commissioners.
2.Designation of Historic Sites
Commissioner Cardinal made a motionto have staff, with approval of the City
Council, send a letter to the four named properties to see if they would like to be
included in the workup for Historical Preservation Designation.
Seconded by Vice ChairCurrie Ayes – All
The motion passed.
G.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
1.Maplewood Area Historical Society(MAHS)
In the absence of Bob Jensen, Commissioner Cardinal gave an update.
H.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
1.Preserve MN Conference
Commissioner Cardinalupdated the commission on his presence at the
Preserve MN Conference.
2.Passing of John Schmelz
Commissioner Cardinal wanted to inform the public of the passing of John
Schmelz, longtime owner of Schmelz Countryside Volkswagonin Maplewood.A
moment of silence was observed.
3.Maplewood Room-City Bus Tour
Vice ChairCurrie updated the commission on the City Bus Tour that took place
in September, and asked for clarification on the reason why the Wallof Mayors
is no longer located in the Maplewood Room atCity Hall.Staff will look into this.
I.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
1.Preserve MN Conference
Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor,updated the commission on her
presence at the Preserve MN Conference.
2.Conifer Ridge Sign
Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor,updated the commission on the
text for the signat Conifer Ridge.
3.Gladstone Savanna Update
Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor,updated the commission on the
landscape improvements at Gladstone Savanna.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
7:00p.m., Thursday, October 12, 2017
Council Chambers, City Hall
J.ADJOURNMENT
Vice ChairCurriemade a motionto adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner AxtmanAyes – All
The motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17PM.
Next meeting isNovember 9, 2017.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Heritage Preservation Commission
FROM:Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator/HPC Liaison
DATE:November 9, 2017
SUBJECT:Maplewood Heritage Award
Introduction
The Maplewood Heritage Award is an annual award recognizing anindividual who has
strengthened the preservation of Maplewood history. At the May 2017Heritage Preservation
Commission(HPC) meeting, commissioners approved revisions to the program.
Commissioners will discuss award procedures and schedule.
Background
The Maplewood Heritage Award was initiated in 2010.Since then, awards have been given
annually each year. At the May 2017HPC meeting, commissioners reviewed the Heritage
Award program and made the following decisions:
1.Open up nominations to the general public.
2.Make the following not eligible for the award: elected city officials, current HPC
members, current City staff members.
3.Change the schedule to:nominations due in January, HPC votes in February,
presentation by council in late February or March
4.Commissioners did not want to restrict how many people receive the award. They felt
there will occasionally be special circumstances.
Discussion
Staffhas prepared a draft document summarizing theaward program (Attachment 1). A few
changes are suggested and are reflected in the draft document.
Purpose.The existing award reads: “The Maplewood Heritage Award is an annual award
recognizing an individual who has positively influenced our City’s past orstrengthened the
preservation of Maplewood history.” Staff recommends changingthis to read: “The Maplewood
Heritage Award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed tothepreservationof
Maplewood history or historic sites through research, preservation, or education and outreach.”
Number of Awards.The document includes some guidelines on when more than one award
might be appropriate.
Nominations.Staff suggests that the HPCsubmit at least one nominationin case no
nominationsare received from the public. If the scheduleapproved by the HPC is followed, it’s
suggested that at the December HPC meeting, commissioners discuss potential nominees and
assign someone to completethe Nomination Form(s).The form(s)would be due in late January
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along with submissions from the publicand voted on at the February HPC meeting.
Attached is a draft Nomination Form for Commissioners to review (Attachment 2).
Commissioners shall consider:
1.Do you have any changes to the draft Heritage Award Summary?
2.Do you have any changes to the draft Nomination Form?
3.Shall the HPC always submit at least one Nomination Form?
Recommendation
The HPC will review and discuss the Heritage Awards program.
Attachments
1.Maplewood Heritage Award Summary
2.Maplewood Heritage Award – Nomination Form
E1, Attachment 1
Maplewood Heritage Award
PurposeThe Maplewood Heritage Award recognizes an individual who has
significantly contributed to the preservation of Maplewood history or
historic sites through research, preservation, or education and outreach.
EligibilityAny person or group that has contributed significantly to the preservation
of Maplewood historyor historic sites,whether theyare a Maplewood
resident or not.Not eligible are: elected City officials, current HPC
members, current City staff members.
PlaqueThe recipient shall receive an engraved plaque. If an organization or a
group receives the award, one plaque will be awarded, but each key
member of the team will receive a resolution.
ResolutionA resolution shall be prepared acknowledgingthe contributions of the
recipient. This is printed on quality paper, signed by the Mayor, and bears
the City’s seal.
Number of AwardsThis award istypically givento just one person or one entity each year.
There should be goodjustificationfor giving more than one award, such as
two people making significant contributions todifferent projects in the
award year. If two or more people work together on a project and are
being awarded for the project, it would be considered a group project – just
one plaque would be awardedand resolutions for each person would be
prepared.
Process
1.December HPC meeting – HPC assigns member(s) to prepare at least one nomination.
2.December and January – seek nominations from thepublic. Staff posts a call for
nominations in City newsletter, on City website, and sendsto Maplewood Area Historical
Society.
3.January 30 –nominations dueto City staff
4.February HPC meeting – HPC makes recommendation
5.March City Council meeting –Presentation of Award
E1, Attachment 2
Maplewood Heritage Award –Nomination Form
The Maplewood Heritage Award recognizes an individual who has
significantly contributed to the preservation of Maplewood history or historic
sites through research, preservation, or education and outreach.
Nomination Forms Due: January 30, 2018
Submit to: Ginny Gaynor, Virginia.gaynor@maplewoodmn.gov, Maplewood Parks and
Recreation, 1902 Country Road B East, Maplewood, MN 55109.Electronic submissions
preferred.
Eligibility:Any person or group that has contributed significantly to the preservation of
Maplewood history or historic sites, whether theyare a Maplewood resident or not. Not eligible
are: elected City officials, current HPC members, current City staff members.
Nominee’s Name: _____________________________________________
Nominee’s Address: ___________________________________________
Nominee’s Phone: _________________________
Nominee’s email: __________________________
Narrative: Please describe the nominee’s contributions to preserving Maplewood history or
Maplewood historic sites. If appropriate, indicate other contributions to the City (such as service
on a commission). Use extra spaceas needed.
Submitted by: _____________________________ Phone or email: ______________________
Yes! You can nominate yourself.
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Heritage Preservation Commission
FROM:VirginiaGaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator/HPC Liaison
DATE:November 9, 2017
SUBJECT:2017 Goals
Introduction
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)approved 2017 goals at its January 2017
meeting. The Commission will discuss the status ofthose goals.
Discussion
Below is a summary of the status of the 2017 Heritage PreservationCommissionGoals.
th
1.Plan and present 60Anniversary Celebration.Completed.
2.Complete 60 Stories project.Completed.
3.Designate Gladstone Savanna as a local historic site.Completed.
4.Designate one additional historic site.The HPC selected four sites to pursue. Staff is
contacting owners of the four sites to see if they are interestedin designating their site. This
goal shouldbe carried into2018.
5.Submit grant to continue preservation planning.This goalhas not been done and
should becarried into2018. At the Preserve Minnesota Conference, staff attended a
presentation on inventory and survey that reaffirmed the importance of having this work
done.
6.Prepare and/or review interpretive signage:
a.Review and install signfor Lookout Park.Text and photos for this sign were
pulled together in 2016 (Attachment 1). The text is about 200 words. Itwas decided
we should add tothe text a little bit of neighborhood history. Staff asked for a
commissioner to volunteerto pull together this additional information and no one was
interestedat that time. There is good information available onthe neighborhood in
the videotaped lecture by Char Wasiluk on the Maplewood Area Historical Society
website and it might be possible to interview Ms. Wasiluk.If no commissioners are
interested in preparing the final piece of text, staff can do that thiswinter.
b.Work with consultanton text for Gladstone Savanna interpretive signs.
Completed. We are in the process of hiring a designer to prepare the signs.
c.Review interpretive sign for Conifer Ridge.On track. The HPC reviewed a first
draft. The finaldesign will be reviewed in November or December.
7.Begin work on Comprehensive Plan, History Chapter.On track. HPC reviewed the first
draft. Final reviews will be done in 2018.
8.Make recommendation for 2017 Maplewood Heritage Award.On track. HPC approved
opening up nominations to the public and taking nominations inJanuary.
9.Educate HPC on Department of Interior guidelines.The HPC has beengoing through
the Minnesota Heritage Commission Statewide Training Manual slides and has
completed fiveof the nine chapters. This training program provides a solid foundation for
E2E2
understanding the work of the commission and how to approach preservation. The training
touches on the Department of Interior guidelines but does not delve deeply into them. The
2017 Department of Interior Guidelinesis a detailed 256-page document, available on-line.
Staff recommends completing the Statewide Training slides so everyone has a broad
understanding of preservation before the Commission dives into the detailed Department of
Interior guidelines.
10.Present stories of Maplewood history during HPC meetings using material from 60
Stories project.Chair Boulay presented the story of the Poor Farm Cemetery at the
October meeting. Staff suggests that HPC commissioners discuss who is willing to present
stories atwhich upcoming month.
Recommendation
Discuss status of goals.
Attachments
1.Sign text for Lookout Park
E2, Attachment 1
Text for Lookout Park Sign
This tiny triangular park was platted in 1884 by Emmanuel Good and his business partner, John
Schurmeier, in the middle of a 23-acre housing development named Lakeside Park Addition.
The two were partners in a woolens business and Schurmeier also owned a wagon
manufacturing firm near downtown St Paul. In 1897, Schurmeier was a director of Second
National Bank and described as one of the biggest taxpayers in St Paul.
An 1888 advertisement describes how the park received its name: “A fine observatory, 55 feet
high, is also built in Lookout Park in this Addition, the highest story of which is 275 feet higher
than \[the Merchants Hotel at Third and Jackson Streets in St Paul\]. From this observatory, the
city \[St Paul\], North St Paul, New Canada \[township\], State fairgrounds, Minneapolis and the
whole surrounding country can be splendidly viewed.” This wooden tower probably was
dismantled about 1908.
Time and the growth of trees and homes have limited the vista this park once had. One can
envision the wooden lookout tower and the view of the surroundingfarms. This small park
remains as a remnant of the enthusiasm boosters had for the Gladstone area and is
Maplewood's oldest park.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Heritage Preservation Commission
FROM:Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator/HPC Liaison
DATE: November 9, 2017
SUBJECT: Interpretive Sign for Conifer Ridge
Introduction
In 2015, Maplewood City Council approved the Conifer Ridge Development. One of the
requirements was that the developer install a historic interpretive sign near the trail. The
Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) will review the draft sign.
Discussion
The Conifer Ridge Development is on the former Hajicek site, one of the last farms in
Maplewood.When Council approved the development on October 12, 2015, they stipulated:
“The applicant shall submit plans for an interpretive sign to be reviewed and
approved of by the Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commission. The plans
shall include detailed information on the history of the Hajicek property, proposed
text and graphics, and suggested placement of the sign along the Lake Links
trail. Once the plans are approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission, the
applicantshall construct the sign and install the sign in the approved location.”
At the October 12, 2017HPC meeting, commissioners reviewed the draft text for the sign.The
former owner requested that the sign not focus on the history of their family or farm. Staff
directed the developer’s historian to broaden the content to Maplewood farm history. In
reviewingthe draft text, the HPC made two suggestions. One of the HPC’s suggestions was to
correct the referenceto this as the last farm in Maplewood. That correction has been made.
The second suggestion from HPC was to add additional information. No new information was
added in the second draft. The historian preparing the text has indicated the sign has 236
words, which is a good lengthfor a sign.She would not want to exceed 300 words. In
reviewing the text you will see it educates people about the site, about truck farming in
Maplewood, and aboutthetransitionaway from farming. If the HPC would like additional
information added to the sign, please provide detailed information on what should be added.
The photos, captions, and graphic layout for the sign werenot yet completed when this
memorandumwas prepared. The contracted historianhopes to have that available at the
November HPC meeting. If the graphic layout is available for review at the November HPC
meeting, staff recommends commissioners review, provide input on the design, and make a
recommendation. The developer would like to install the sign this year. To do so they would
need HPC approval at the November meeting.
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Recommendation
The HPC will review the interpretive sign for the Conifer Ridge Development.
Attachments
1.Text for Sign
F1, Attachment 1
Conifer Ridge Development
Word count: 237
\[Title\] Maplewood’s Farming Story
\[Text for sign\]
Conifer Ridge marks the final chapter of agriculture in Maplewood. For nearly 150 years, this
land – like most of Maplewood – was used as farmland. Today, the property blends into the surrounding
urban development, but for decades this land was one of the last remaining active farms in the area.
Like most of Maplewood, this land was first farmed in the 1850s. Initially, early farmers raised
subsistence crops, but soon switched to market farming. Market farming, also known as truck farming,
meant raising produce, fruits, and milk for the cities. Urban fringe farms like this one were close enough
to transfer fragile produce and milk to St. Paul without spoiling.
By the 1920s, this land was part of a 120-acre dairy farm, and different families owned and
worked the land over the years. By the 1960s, farming in Maplewood had once again changed –
refrigeration and freeways eliminated the advantage these farmers once had. In the 1960s, the farm
family added a novelty crop: Christmas trees – $3 for a large tree, $2 for a small one. The pine trees that
remain on the property are remnants of this tree farm.
Over the decades, pieces of the farm were sold off. In the 1970s, Interstate 694 cut through the
farm, reducing its size by a third. The remaining 81-acre parcel was sold in 2000 and re-zoned for mixed-
use development. Conifer Ridge sits on the last twelve-acre parcel to be developed.
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Heritage Preservation Commission
FROM:VirginiaGaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator/HPC Liaison
DATE:November 9, 2017
SUBJECT:HPC Training
Introduction
The Minnesota Heritage Commission Statewide Training Manual is available for use by Heritage
Preservation Commissions (HPC). The HPC will continuethis training at the November
meeting.
Discussion
HPC’s throughout the state are encouraged to use the Minnesota Heritage Commission
Statewide Training Manualand accompanying training materialsto increase their understanding
of the HPC’s role and ofpreservation laws and processes.The training is provided in a set of
PowerPoint slidesand a 160-page manualfor HPCs to review.
The HPC has completed the following:
Chapter 1: Why Are We Here? (October 2016)
Chapter 2: Legal Foundations (May 2017)
Chapter 3: Designating Properties(November 2016)
Chapter 4: Treatment of Historic Properties. (July 2017)
Chapter 5: Nuts and Bolts for Commissions(August 2017)
At the November2017 meeting, the HPC will review Chapter 6: Project Review.
Slides for Chapter 6are available at www.ci.stillwater.mn.us
(Search: HPCTraining Program).
If you would like a hard copy of the slides, or of the training manual, please let staff know and
they can provide that for you.
Recommendation
No action required.