The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04/03/2000BOOK ,1. Call to Order MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, April 3, 2000, 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road B East Roll Call Approval of Minutes a. March 6, 2000 Approval of Agenda o New Business a. White Bear Avenue Corridor Study Review Draft of Land Use Issues Identify Remaining Land Use Issues Unfinished Business a. Historic Resources Management Plan o ° Visitor Presentations Commission Presentations a. March 13 Council Meeting: Ms. Fisher b. March 27 Council Meeting: Mr. Pearson c. April 10 Council Meeting: Mr. Frost d. April 24 Council Meeting: Mr. Seeber Staff Presentations 10. Adjournment WELCOME TO THIS MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION This outline has been prepared to help you understand the public meeting process. The review of an item usually takes the following form: The chairperson of the meeting will announce the item to be reviewed and ask for the staff report on the subject. Staff presents their report on the matter. The Commission will then ask City staff questions about the proposal. The chairperson will then ask the audience if there is anyone present who wishes to comment on the proposal. o This is the time for the public to make comments or ask questions about the 'proposal. Please step up to the podium, speak clearly, first giving your name and address and then your comments. After everyone in the audience wishing to speak has given his or her comments, the chairperson will close the public discussion portion of the meeting. The Commission will then discuss the proposal. No further public comments are allowed. 8. The Commission will then make its recommendation or decision. o All decisions by the Planning Commission are recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes the final decision. jw/pc~pcagd Revised: 01/95. MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2000 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Jack Frost Commissioner Matt Ledvina Commissioner Paul Mueller Commissioner Gary Pearson Comm~ssioner William Rossbach Commissioner Michael Seeber Commissioner Milo Thompson Commissioner Dale Trippler Present Present Present Present (arrived at 7:03 p.m.) Present Present Absent Present Present III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 23, 2000 Commissioner Frost moved approval of the minutes of February 23, 2000. Commissioner Pearson seconded. Ayes--Fischer, Frost, Ledvina, Mueller, Pearson, Rossbach, Trippler Abstain--Thompson The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Frost moved approval of the agenda as submitted. Commissioner Pearson seconded. Ayes--all The motion passed. NEW BUSINESS A. Wheeler Lumber Landscaping Material Center Conditional Use Permit (Corner of English Street and Gervais Avenue) Ken Roberts, associate planner, presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval of the CUP as it would be compatible with Truck Utilities across the street and should not be offensive to any future or existing neighbors if properly screened. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-06-00 -2- Ken Fields, the applicant, was present to answer the commissioners' questions. Commissioner Ledvina asked the applicant if there would be any retail activity on the site. Mr. Fields said they were strictly contractor wholesale. Mr. Fields said there would be three staff people, two people in the office and one person in the yard. Commissioner Trippler said there were only three parking slots designated and asked where anybody else that comes would park. Mr. Fields said that their clientele were mainly people in one-ton trucks that come into the yard, load, and leave. According to Mr. Fields, they would basically have the same amount of inventory that is at the current site on McKnight Road. He said most of the stock is delivered about two or three times per week on a semi-trailer and one or two times per month on a concrete block truck. Commissioner Thompson commented that the hours of operation at their present location were somewhat of a touchy issue and asked what the hours would be at this site. Mr. Fields said they normally are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday only. Supply trucks would come during these hours. Commissioner Frost moved the planning commission recommend the adoption of the resolution approving a conditional use permit for the outdoor storage of landscape materials on the property at the southwest corner of Gervais Avenue and English Street. The city bases approval on the findings required by the code and subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. 2. The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for one year. 3. The city council shall review this permit in one year. 4. The city council may require more parking spaces should the need arise. Commissioner Pearson seconded. Commissioner Rossbach commented that, even though they weren't going to be dealing with the landscape portion of the project, this would ultimately be a fine example of why the city should change the screening ordinance so that it will not allow just the use of a screen fence. Ayes--all The motion passed. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Historic Resources Management Plan Ken Roberts, associate planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Roberts revised the draft plan in order to put it in a format more consistent with the style and layout of the city's current comprehensive plan. He also added a couple of headings, including a purpose section and a section titled "Discussion, Challenges and Issues." Mr. Roberts said the next step was for the commission to decide which plan they liked better and if they have further changes. Mr. Robert Overby, a member of the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS), was present to answer the commissioners' questions. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-06-00 -3- Commissioner Trippler said that, under the Historic Preservation Goals on the staff's draft report, it sometimes says that Maplewood does something and sometimes it says the city does something. He wanted to know if it was staff's intent that wherever it says "Maplewood will..." or "Maplewood shall...", that they were referring to the council. Mr. Roberts said the word "Maplewood" did not necessarily refer only to the city council--it could mean anybody within the city. He said part of the reason for using the words interchangeably was to avoid redundancy. Chairperson Fischer interjected to say that one of the directions they had given to staff was to reformat this plan so that it was the same as the comprehensive plan. She felt that wherever the plan refers to the city, or Maplewood, etc., one word should be used for consistency throughout the plan. Commissioner Trippler said that it seemed to him there needs to be some consistency so that it's clear, not only to the reader but to the planning commission and to the council, what their responsibilities are and what is just a general statement about what people should, could or will do. Chairperson Fischer said that in other plans there was a chart implementation showing action, responsibility, timing, funding, and coordinate with. She said that in the land use part nowhere in the verbiage does it show the Planning Commission; in the housing part nowhere do you see the Housing Redevelopment Authority, etc. Commissioner Trippler said he liked the staff's rendition better than the draft plan because there were portions in the draft plan that were ambiguous. He said it seemed there were several areas that could potentially cause too long a delay from the time that someone comes in and requests an action and the time that the council gets it to conclude the action. Commissioner Thompson wanted to know what a property designated as a Maplewood Heritage Landmark would be zoned as. Staff said the intent was to have a place to visually reference this property, besides having the list which is in the report. Staff said when someone checked the zoning on the property they would see that the city has designated the property as a historical property, and then the question would be what does that mean and what can or can't we do. Staff said that this would be some of the policies and actions that the commission should look at. Commissioner Mueller said that as he read the report it sounded like the preservation commission was going to be able to dictate to the planning commission as well as to city council what they should, can or can't do with the items that are noted as heritage landmarks. Staff said their recollection was that in order to have a property designated as a Maplewood Heritage Landmark or on the National Register it would have to be approved by the city council. Mr. Overby had a couple of comments regarding the uncertainty about the Historical Advisory Commission. He said they didn't think to add Ordinance No. 755 that the city council had passed back in 1996. He read parts of two sections of the ordinance which he thought would help clarify the role of the commission and the questions about the authority of same, and who designates what, and how it affects property owners. Mr. Overby said that Char Wasiluk had a list of items that explain why the Historical Preservation Commission should be continued even though it is scheduled to sunset at the end of this year. Char Wasiluk, of 1740 Frank Street, said that as a historical commission they can apply to be a certified local government and then they can apply for federal grants but that this cannot be done without an official commission. The citizen advisory panel that is appointed by the council has major responsibilities for identifying, registering, protecting and enhancing the heritage resources in Maplewood and for establishing a broad planning direction for the city's preservation program. Planning Commission -4- Minutes of 03-06-00 Chairperson Fischer asked Ms. Wasiluk if this body would be generally operating within the guidelines of the ordinance that was just read or would there be additional powers or duties that might be involved. Ms. Wasiluk said she envisioned this being an advisory board. Mr. Overby said that if the city adopts the Historic Preservation Plan chapter then that could provide guidance to the ordinance that is on the books and then if the city council wants to amend the ordinance they could use the plan chapter to figure out how they might change it or add to it. Commissioner Mueller said he wished he could get rid of the current section on the policies and replace it with the information that the applicant had. Mr. Overby thought that city staff had done a good job in revising the draft plan. Mr. Overby said there were a few elements in the first draft that spoke to the role of the Historic Preservation Commission that were omitted in the current draft. He said that there was a lot more detail in the first draft than was probably needed but that there were some pieces he felt should be reinserted because they spoke to the planning process. Chairperson Fischer said that normally if a homeowner wanted to add a second story on to their home they would need a building permit only. She asked that if the house had some historic significance would the homeowner have additional hoops they had to jump through rather than just obtaining a building permit. Mr. Overby said it would be helpful to have some information sheets which would explain to homeowners which properties in the neighborhood are part of what gives it the historic character. He also said that, depending upon the type of architecture or design of the house, sometimes you can add additions that blend in with the rest of the design. Chairperson Fischer asked how historically accurate they can be if there have been changes in the structure over the years, the year it was built, the year it was changed and so on. Mr. Overby brought up the Bruentrup house and how there were new aluminum combination windows and yet a lot of the structure was similar to what it looked like in 1912 when it was built. He said the basement windows in the house were not saved and that Andersen Windows was able to design windows that would fit. Mr. Overby said that the Commission would provide homeowners w!~.h guidance and if someone didn't have the financial resources to do it the way they might like that loans or grants might become an option. Chairperson Fischer asked about Pete Boulay's statement from a previous meeting that the review process might just be the opportunity to get pictures because the property may be leveled or structurally altered because it was no longer suitable for today's owner's needs. Mr. Overby said that in most cases the city wouldn't step in and say you can't do anything and in those situations there are people at the State Historical. Society that can be called in and assess what the situation is. If the city is doing a project like a new bike or walking trail someplace and they knew it was going to go through an old part of town that might have some sensitive resources, typically a consultant would be called in to check out the areas that might have those resources to make sure that either they aren't there or if they are, they become inventoried and cataloged and maybe taken off the site before the project goes through. Commissioner Rossbach said that the current list they have is the Additional Sites of Major Significance. He wanted to know what did something have to do to get on that list. Mr. ©verby said Pete Boulay made up the list. He said that age was a factor and another factor was a house or business that displayed a certain architectural design or character. Commissioner Rossbach said he wasn't in favor of telling homeowners what they can and can't do to their house unless their house is extremely special. He also said he didn't want the city to set something up that would block the city from redeveloping or upgrading. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-06-00 -5- Chairperson Fischer asked if the list Commissioner Rossbach referred to is complete. Mr. Overby said they were not through doing the list or inventory yet. He said part of the inventory is to engage the citizens in the different neighborhoods and see what they remember and can educate us about. Ms. Wasiluk said she didn't think that the list means that they want every one of the things kept as they are. Ms. Wasiluk said it was Pete Boulay's list of sites of major significance and it doesn't say anything more than that. Ms. Wasiluk said that Carol Peterson and she interviewed the two women that were living at the Husnick Farm before it was torn down and that they gave them a lot of information and pictures of the old street car that went by their place. She felt that it wasn't necessary to keep every one of these things on the list if there was historical information on what was there. Mr. Overby said that when properties are put on the National Register of Historic Places it is with the intent that they substantially remain in the design and condition that they are in, such as, the Ramsey County Poor Farm Barn which would face the toughest controls on design or modification. If a property is not on that list they don't receive the same scrutiny and even if they are on the list it doesn't mean they are legally protected from being torn down. Commissioner Pearson asked what kind of funding they were typically expecting to get once this was all approved and in place. Mr. Overby said it was not just a question of financial resources but having the people power to work on it. He said it depends on how many volunteers in the city are willing to come forth and help them with the work. They have about 20 active members in their society and a number of them are fairly engaged in the farm preservation project but would welcome other volunteers to work on this. Commissioner Pearson said he had a concern that when they start talking about getting federal money that it always comes with federal controls. He has a concern that what starts out as a fine local planning agenda all of a sudden loses control and is not controlled by local people, local councils or local desires but by federal statutes. Mr. Overby said that these standards could be softened up until the design review board or other city group determined that it makes sense to follow the standards. Chairperson Fischer asked if once we had in place the designation of what properties are historically significant would they have to look at everything else that came through or would they only review what was pertinent to the site that was designated. Staff said that under Historic Preservation Policies in the staff report, Item 10, it says, "In cooperation with city staff and the Maplewood Planning Commission, the Heritage Preservation Commission may comment on all development proposals that would affect properties on the historic properties list." Mr. Overby said that would be fine as worded. Commissioner Mueller asked that if his house became designated, what's in it for him. Mr. Overby said his house could be put on a walking tour and someone might stop and take a picture of it. He said this was about "community identity and preserving a resource." Commissioner Mueller asked what would happen if he added a second story to his ranch home. Mr. Overby said that if you didn't want your property nominated for the National Register of Historic Places, it wouldn't have to be. Commissioner Mueller asked if criteria was drafted that could be used to identify historic sites. Mr. Overby said that those are things that go back to historic contexts and the landmark designation process and they don't have it. He said they could get that from the State Historical Society. Mr. Mueller thought it was necessary to establish standards for both the Register and for historic sites. Mr. Overby suggested starting with a basic inventory and educating the Planning Commission -6- Minutes of 03-06-00 residents by keeping the historic preservation commission and have the city staff work with the society and commission to do an inventory and establish criteria. He felt it was important to keep an explanation of historic context and what it means for Maplewood in the planning guidelines. Commissioner Rossbach agreed with Ms. Wasiluk that too much is probably "being read into this." He said it is a good thing for the city to have people that are interested and to have a history. Mr. Rossbach said the commission "should quit trying to be the historical society and figuring out how they should go about things" and just determine what the planning commission wants to do at this point. He thought the concept of what the historical commission wanted to do "was a good one" and ultimately it would work itself out. Mr. Roberts thought the commission should first decide if they feel a historic resources management plan should be in the comprehensive plan. If they think so, then how much and in what format. Commissioner Trippler questioned if the WPA dam on Keller Creek was the structure north of the Gateway Trail that controls the flow of water into Lake Phalen. He said it had been totally redone three or four years ago. Mr. Roberts took No. 4, under Historic Preservation Goals on page 15, to mean "putting together a comprehensive historic resources management plan to guide the decisions and actions of the city." He read it as a goal to do a whole plan. Mr. Overby thought it would be clearer to say that "Maplewood will use the historic preservation plan chapter as the framework for decisions and actions related to historic preservation." Commissioner Trippler said he was supportive of having a historical commission and "liked the things that staff put together on page 14 through page 18." He felt there should be some consistency in referencing what the city is going to do versus what the historical commission will do. Commissioner Thompson asked if there ,,as a vehicle to avoid surprises where someone owned a piece of property that could possibly have restrictions and they wouldn't know it. Mr. Overby suggested that something might be recorded with the property deed that was informative but not necessarily binding. He said you typically see this on a map of historic properties. Mr. Trippler mentioned a deed restriction which is an actual statement that is put on the property deed stating any restrictions to the property. He also said there are also deed notifications which go along with the deed but are not recorded on it. Chairperson Fischer questioned the listing for the 3M building on page 13. She felt that some of the wording now presented did not adequately reflect the thoughts from the last commission meeting. Other commissioners agreed with her. Commissioner Pearson said some of the terminology could be made more "benign and less dictatorial." Mr. Overby assured the commission that they were not talking about taking of any property. Commissioner Mueller suggested that a distinction be made between a policy and a procedure, particularly on page 16. Ms. Fischer thought it was a matter of rearranging the content into a format that followed the remainder of the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Frost felt that staff had enough direction, from the all the discussion that had been presented, to rewrite parts of the chapter and then submit it to the city council. Commissioner Rossbach wanted to see this item again before a recommendation was made to the council. He felt it was necessary to include the city's projected monetary cost. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-06-00 -7- Mr. Overby said the city gives the historic preservation commission, and indirectly the historical society, $2000 per year. Most of their time has been spent on the Bruentrup farm in the last year but they normally try to maintain a balance between getting histories of older residences and identifying resources. There was a consensus of the commission that this should be a part of the comprehensive plan. Mr. Overby pointed out that the city, under the Metro Land Planning Act, is required to say something about historical preservation in the plan. He also wanted the city council to see the draft plan before they made a decision on the continuation of the historical commission. Chairperson Fischer concurred with Mr. Rossbach in that she felt the planning commission should see the plan again. Mr. Roberts asked for a "condensed version of the direction." Ms. Fischer suggested that it should cover Mr. Mueller's concerns over what is a policy and what is a procedure. She also recommended looking at verbs more carefully so they would not convey a message that was not intended. Mr. Roberts thought it would be good to make a separate set of maps that would identify the historical properties by address. Commissioner Mueller felt a criteria to identify historic places was essential. He was of the opinion that it would be most beneficial to list a limited amount of procedural issues. Mr. Roberts said that if procedures were not adequately listed, the council would question it. Commissioner Pearson thought the council might like to see a copy of the standards and guidelines from the Secretary of the Interior. Commissioner Rossbach moved the Planning Commission return the Historic Resources Management Plan to staff to have it revised in accordance with some of the recommendations that were discussed by the Commission and Robert Overby. Staff should work with Mr. Overby to complete a final version which will then be presented to the city council after review by the planning commission. Commissioner Thompson seconded. The motion passed. Ayes--all Commissioner Thompson thanked Ms. Wasiluk and Mr. Overby. VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS There were no visitor presentations. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS February 28 Council Meeting: Mr. Rossbach reported on this meeting. March 13 Council Meeting: Ms. Fischer will report on this meeting. March 27 Council Meeting: Mr. Pearson will report on this meeting. There was a report on the White Bear Avenue Corridor meeting of February 24, 2000. IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Ken Roberts, associate planner, distributed some information from National Research for the commissioners. He also mentioned some workshops for planning commissioners put on by the Government Training Service. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. tree Table of Contents Introdudion Process and Approach Goals and Principles Defining the Charader Svucture of ~ Sereet Connections and Linkages Design Elements Twenty-five Year V'Lsion The Vision The Concept Gateways Inst'/m~na/Zones Commerc/a/Nodes H/stork: D/stricts Redevelopment Study Areas Sign Recommendations Architedural Recommendations and Facade Studies Corridor Plans white bear avenue study · 1 Introduction Process and Approach This conceptual planning process was funded through the White Bear Avenue Business Association (WBABA), with additional funds from the City of Maplewood. At the core of this process was a volunteer steering committee representing the business association, residents, the City of Maplewood planning staff, the city of St. Paul planning staff (representing the small area plan task force), with assistance from the Ramsey County traffic engineers. The committee joined with the consultant team in meetings and workshops to review and contribute to all phases of the work. To include the broader community into the process, two neighborhood open houses were held, one at the early stages of the process and one near the end. The first open house was held to gain an understanding of the biggest issues facing the people who live and work along the corridor, providing an opportunity for those people to shape the direction of the emerging project. The second open house presented more refined concepts and gave community members another chance to respond to design proposals. The consultant team then consolidated the ideas and feedback into a conceptual approach for the White Bear Avenue corridor. white bear avenue study Goals and Principles The White Bear Avenue Corridor Study seeks solutions that strengthen the businesses, institutions and residential neighborhoods of the corridor, improves the driving and walking experience along the avenue and enhances the physical appearance of the street. A number of goals were established at the outset of the design study: · Respond to the unique and variable qualities of the avenue ('~, walk through time...") · Make the street more pedestrian-friendly and "soften" the edges Farmhouse moving from its original location on white Beat Avenue in Maplewood. Vintage architectural style typical of much of White Bear Avenue's building. · Celebrate gateways and transitional spaces as "icons" on the avenue · Strengthen the functional and aesthetic character of the commercial areas and improve their relationships to residential areas and transit · Work with Ramsey County, Saint Paul and Maplewood to improve unsafe intersections · Provide prototypical facade studies to assist businesses with redevelopment ideas · Improve signage, especially at the Hillcrest area · Improve lighting and landscaping throughout the corridor · Develop urban design recommendations for the Hillcrest/Builder's Square area and for the 80 acre site west of Maplewood mall ' ~'t The Maplewood Community Center - new construction along the avenue. Much!i of the commercial development along the a~,enue is found in close proximity to residential areas. Commercial activity is a sign of a healthy street. Pedestrian comfort needs to be addressed. Most commercial aclivity abng the avenue focuses on the car and ignores the pedestrian realm. white bear avenue study The following guiding principles (adapted to this corridor) from the Saint Paul Framework Plan are appropriate to the study of White Bear Avenue in both Saint Paul and Maplewood: · Evoke a strong sense of neighborhood identity · Invest in the public realm to spur private investment · Improve connectivity between land uses and districts along the avenue · New or renovated buildings should contribute to the overall character of the street · Build on existing strengths · Preserve and enhance heritage resources · Improve transit and multi-modal options for movement · Create a safer street white bear avenue study Defining the Character Structure of the Street White Bear Avenue changes dramatically in character as one travels from Interstate 94 on the south to Interstate 694 on the north. In Saint Paul, the road reflects an earlier era, when traffic was lighter, lanes were narrower and the streetcar system was alive and well. The commercial nodes that are characteristic of this older section of White Bear Avenue generally grew up around the places where the streetcar lines intersected. The residential com- munity surrounded the commercial nodes, including between nodes along White Bear Avenue. There was a comfortable relationship between the two land uses, as each was depend- ent upon the other. Land uses mixed, also, as businesses and apartments typically occupied the second floor above the retail establishments at grade. The street itself handled far fewer vehicles each day, and speeds were typically slower. East 7th Street and White Bear Avenue in 1955. The dismantling of the streetcar system and the incremental increase in automobile traffic forever changed the once easy- going ambience of the older sections of White Bear Avenue. Traffic now moves quickly and purposefully along the corridor, connecting to freeways and major east-west routes. White Bear Avenue is a major north-south arterial road, yet it still has narrow lanes and residences lining it in Saint Paul. It is a classic example of how increased mobility - not with mass transit but the use of the automobile - combined with demographic and land use changes, can forever change the nature of a street. White Bear Avenue thrqugh St. Paul has a largely residential and enclosed quality to~ it. As one proceeds north, the character of the avenue begins to respond to the impact of the automobile. The Hillcrest development, state-of-the-art in the late 1950's, faces onto wider lanes and establishes a more suburban physical model, with parking lots now set in front of commercial strip centers. There is more room for left turn lanes and land uses move further back to accommodate the increased impact of traffic. The sidewalk lies between the street and the parking lot, often ~'~ - without and landscaped buffer, creating an abysmal pedestrian experience along thestreet. The message of this environment is clear: this is a place f°r cars, n°t ~(~ ' / people on foot. White Bear Avenue near Ct¥ Rd C. white ~ear avenue study e 5 The character of White Bear Avenue fi'ansforms into a wider, more suburban model as it moves into Ma~lewood. Farmhouse moving from its original ld~cation on White Bear Avenue in Maplewood. Moving further north, into suburban Maplewood, the character of the street changes yet again, and again it is in response to the impact of the car. Lanes get still wider, turn lanes are now commonplace, sidewalks come and go, and accommodations for landscaped edges appear, in an effort to at least partially ameliorate the effects of high traffic volumes and greater speeds on the street. Most of the buildings in this section of the avenue were constructed after 1980, and the sure signs of an automobile-dominated environment are apparent: parking lots are in front, lighting is auto-oriented, buildings are set farther back from the road and have larger signs to be seen from a greater distance, the number and quality of transit stops is limited, and travelling from one commercial establishment to another almost necessitates having a car. The characteristics and issues at the two ends of White Bear Avenue are, in some respects, as different as night and day. One is a modern suburb, with a thriving commercial district. The other is an older model, struggling to remain competitive in a mobile society. In between, at the line between the cities, lies the hybrid environment, also struggling to compete, but also needing, perhaps, to 're-invent' itself and discover an new identity that will work for locals and visitors alike. Without a doubt, businesses and residents along the avenue share one thing in common: an automobile-dominated environment and the wide variety of issues that comes with it. Maplewood Mall before. white bear avenue study · Mogren's comer, White Bear Avenue and C~/Rd C. Connections and Linkages White Bear Avenue is a primary north-south arterial through the east side of Saint Paul and Maplewood, linking Battle Creek Park at the south end to the City of White Bear Lake at the north. The section studied in this planning effort runs from 1-94 on the south to 1-694 on the north. The avenue accommodates truck traffic, buses, and high volumes of automobile traffic. In Saint Paul, the street's role as a unifying element - a "Main Street" for adjacent and nearby neighborhoods - has evolved over time into a barrier that divides rather than unites the bordering communities. In Maplewood, the road is designed for high traffic volumes, and pedestrian use is minimal. The intersections with east-west thoroughfares are extremely important components of the avenue. The interstate crossings and Highway 36 are grade-separated, and hostile pedestrian environments. They provide, however, opportunities to create "gateway icons," which can inform people about the presence of the avenue and introduce them to the character of the road and neighborhoods. The at-grade intersections in the corridor vary in scale and type, but Ramsey County and the St. Paul Small Area Plan is intent on improving the safety of the major crossings in Saint Paul, such as Minnehaha and White Bear Avenue, by adding turn lanes and improving traffic control. The addition of turn lanes at these intersections will assist traffic flow, but because of the narrow rights-of-way the widening will require improvements on the sidewalks and at building facades, and possible demolition of some structures. There are other important crossings as well, such as the "Gateway Trail"" and the bridge over the rail lines just south of Hazel Park Junior High School. These bridges are dramatic punctuations along the avenue, and have tremendous potential as "places of orientation." Railroad bridge near Hazelwood Junior High, ca. 1928 white bear avenue study ign Elements White Bear Avenue was traditionally an important "Main Street" for several east side Saint Paul communities. It served a number of roles successfully, accommodating a mix of land uses, and modes of transportation. The street was an active place for pedestrians as well. Today, those who live and work in the Saint Paul portion of the corridor are interested in calming traffic and creating a more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment. There is a desire to restore some of the positive qualities that characterized the street decades ago, a desire to create a "place" rather than a thoroughfare. In Maplewood, White Bear Avenue has never had the qualities of a traditional main street. Rather, it has always been as much about movement as it has been about creating a "place." Land uses are more consolidated and the fabric of the road is more disconnected. The scale and design of the roadway requires a different design response, much more about the landscape and much less about the more traditional "urban" streetscape elements, such as fencing, historic lighting, and, walls and so forth. The "place" in Maplewood is linear, more about movement and the automobile experience. Many elements must work together to make the street safer, more comfortable and inviting. The following elements and guidelines for their use are recommended for White Bear Avenue: Lighting is one of the most important components in a successful roadway corridor.. Lights provide safety and security and help define the character of the street. They are especially important during the winter months. In the "urban" section (Saint Paul) the light fixtures should: · Reflect the urban, more historic character of the neighborhood (recommended fixture is the "Saint Paul Lantern" fixture) · Relate to human scale (lower and more numerous fixtures) · Help animate the street (visually interesting poles and optional multiple vs. single fixtures on each pole.) The standard St. Paul light fixture - multiple fixtures. white bear avenue study Z Fences are common elements along the road. Fencing helps define an area and controls movement. It can effectively separate public from semi-public or private space. The quality of fences has a significant impact on the character of the road: chain link is functional and affordable but too often unattractive; ornamental iron is more expensive but more timeless and visually pleasing. Fencing on White Bear Avenue should: · Reflect the character of the neighborhood it is passing through (urban vs. suburban) · Act as a unifying element on the street (commercial and residential designs should relate but not be identical) · Be adaptable: fencing might sit on a wall or be free-standing A durable, high quality parking lot screen. An example of high quality fencing appropriate for institutional areas. Fencibg appropriate for residential applications. · Be constructed of high-quality and Iow maintenance materials Bridges and bridge railings have tremendous potential as icons along the corridor. Typically very utilitarian, the treatment of bridge facades and railings provides an opportunity to create "gateways" into the community and "accents" along the roadway. Bridges and railings offer the chance to involve artists in the project, and use the elements to help identify the road and the neighborhoods along it. Bridges and railing improvements should: · Be well designed and constructed of durable, quality materials · Involve local artists where feasible · Include the interstate and Highway 36 bridges as well as the Gateway Trail bridge and the bridge over the railroad tracks in Hazel Park white bear avenue study Specially paved crosswalks increased safety at intersedions. Pedestrian realm paving odds charader to the street. paving patterns Paving makes the corridor safer and can add texture and character to the street. It can help define areas for movement and resting, identify street crossings, and can clarify public versus private space. While paving design can definitely improve the physical environment, it is noteworthy that many great streets have no special at all. Paving design should: First and foremost, enhance safety, such as at crosswalks and behind the curb of the street (in the boulevard) Help define different spaces along the road, such as transit stops Be simple and easy to maintain (snow removal, etc.) Be constructed of "genuine" materials (brick pavers or specially scored concrete as opposed to faux stamped concrete in a brick pattern) Walls are often required where changes in grade occur and there is no room for creating a sloped transition between levels. There are many lypes of walls available, from pre-cast concrete systems to natural stone. Walls are very visible in the environment; they should be: · Constructed of high quality, Iow maintenance materials. Longevity is important. · Compatible with the surrounding context · Adaptable to a range of conditions on the street · Capable of being integrated with fencing and landscape materials Boulevard planting can be more successful than bluegrass. 10 ~'~,Li~'~ white bear avenue study Street trees and landscaping help soften the urban environment and bring co/or, texture and seasonal interest to the street. It is critical to design with the long- term health of plants in mind; the corridor environment is harsh and the goal is to have plants thrive, not just survive. Street trees will be the primary element added to the corridor. Trees and landscaping should: · Be hardy, primarily native · Bring continuity, color and variety to the street · Be more "urban" in the Saint Paul portion of the road: hardy boulevard plantings behind the curb, trees used in a more traditional boulevard pattern · Be more aggressively applied in the "suburban" areas: twin rows of trees where space allows, masses of shrubs and perennials, "framed" views of natural openings, ponds, and so brth · Be planted in generous planting beds rather than isolated in tree grates Transit stops are active public spaces. Significant bus use along White Bear Avenue suggests that careful attention should be paid to public transportation systems and the character, comfort and safety of transit stops. Transit stops should be: · Well lighted and furnished with benches, trash receptacles, etc. · Protected from inclement weather · Integrated with the surrounding landscape and streetscape · Durable, well-designed and well-maintained · Clearly identified, providing neighborhood identification (signage) and transit schedules Signage is an important consideration for White Bear Avenue, especially in commercial areas. A good sign system will contribute to the friendliness and legibility of the community. Such a system should: · Provide a unified framework for the sign systems of the various commercial districts (e.g. Minnehaha and White Bear, Hillcrest District, etc.) · Standardize and codifi/important features of the district systems, such as size, setback, orientation and location of signs · Be appropriate to the district (signs on the older buildings in Saint Paul should relate to pedestrians as well as passing motorists) · Be well d~.~igned (understated): the sign system has the potential to add character and identification to the various districts · Phase out old signage with new property owners and developments. · Business owners requesting public funding for improvements will be required to comply with signage design guidelines Custbm bus shelter design. Custbm bus shelter design. ExarOples of signage integrated into the architecture of the structure.. white ~ear avenue study e 11 Site furnishings and visual amenities beautify the corridor and provide the added comfort that makes a place inviting and livable. Places to sit, park the bike, toss a wrapper and buy a paper should be integrated into the design. Colorful elements such as banners can help identify the neighborhood or commercial area. Furnishings should: · Be durable and well designed · Unify and add character to the street · Be well located to provide real benefit for those using the area Banners add color and texture to streets. Attention to street amenities and bicycle use will improve the experience of travelling on White Bear Avenue. Bicycle connections are important for neighborhood access to White Bear Avenue. Bicycles are a serious mode of transportation for most children and teenagers. Bicycle movement and parking should be considered and integrated into the over- all streetscape design. Design for bicycles should include: · Development of bicycle parking areas · Widened sidewalks to accommodate safe bicycle movement wherever possible Maintenance, while not a design element, is perhaps the single most important component in creating a successful public environment. A well-maintained area is subject to far less vandalism and degradation than an area with poor maintenance. A coordinated maintenance effort should be a high priority for the entire corridor. Options for maintenance could include: · Development of a Special Service District · Funding through WBABA revenues · Adopt-a-Block strategies with concerned neighborhood groups white bear avenue study 12 The 25 Year Vi ion Background White Bear Avenue is a complex street, passing through a diverse mix of neighborhoods and land uses as it moves from 1-94 north to 1-694. The common thread on the avenue is traffic - and lots of it. Although many comment on the negative impact of traffic, people who live and work in the neighborhoods along the corridor have come to rely on the road as the prime north-south route that links them to the major crossroads. As well, traffic is an important asset to merchants along the avenue. The avenue is used heavily by both truck traffic and transit and the livability of the street has been slowly eroded over several decades. In M. aplewood, in contrast, the avenue successfully fulfills its role as a major arterial route through the city serving primarily commercial uses along its edges. The Vision The story of White Bear Avenue is one of diversity and change. It will continue to evolve in the future, but focused and directed change can restore and revitalize those elements that historically made the avenue a welcoming place for those who live and work nearby. The vision for White Bear Avenue describes an active, thriving street. Traffic will continue to move through the corridor, but the design treatment of the edges of the road in the Saint 'Paul section will focus on calming the traffic and creating a much safer and more inviting pedestrian realm. Sidewalks will be wider, where possible, and boulevard strips (between the sidewalk and curb) will contain well-tended landscaping (or decorative paving in commercial areas), new trees, as well as historic lighting, improved signage and comfortable transit stops. Street crossings at the major intersections are designed to make the intersection safer and more attractive. white bear avenue study In Maplewood, the avenue will become much more parkway-like, less defined by the parking lots and mix of land uses (strip malls to "big-box" retail to residential) at its edge and more defined by the landscape elements and lighting that reinforce the linearity of the street itself. Boulevard trees (in double rows where space allows), new lighting, large masses of shrubs and perennials at key intersections, combined with framed views into the "natural" pockets along the road will create a much more beautiful driving experience. Well designed transit stops and an improved "hub" at Maplewood Mall will encourage use of the bus. The sidewalks will be continuous along the avenue and well-connected back into the adjacent neighborhoods and commercial districts. Public and private re-investment in the corridor will bring new life to the older commercial nodes in Saint Paul, through such approaches as facade improve- ments, coordinated, well designed sign systems, lighting, paving, and shared parking strategies. In the residential areas, the use of terraced walls, well- detailed fences, new lighting, planted boulevards and improved landscaping will bring a softer, more residential quality to the street. In the transitional commercial areas, such as Hillcrest, land use changes will combine with new signage strategies, lighting and landscaping to create a much more intimate - and less auto-dominated - physical environment. The car will be accommo- dated, but new commercial buildings will be built closer to the street, with parking and other land uses, such as offices, occupying the space behind. Re-establishing an inviting and safe pedestrian realm, which is absent from Hillcrest today, will transform this site into a more distinctive shopping district. white bear avenue study 14 The concept for White Bear Avenue responds to the range of personalities of the roadway. There following elements comprise the concept plan: Gateways This study has identified several gateways, located at the south end of the study area (at Interstate 94), the intersection with Minnesota State Highway 36, the north end (at Interstate 1-694) and the bridge over the train tracks at Ames Street. All gateways occur at bridges or viaducts. The include bridges, and which have very utilitarian designs and are lacking unique identities. All sites have significant area available for landscape improvements. The concept calls for re-developing the gateway bridges as major features in the corridor. Redesigned fascias, railings and lighting can combine to create more meaningful, elegant and engaging pieces of public infrastructure. In downtown Saint Paul, bridges over 1-94 were re-designed with much more attention to detailing, giving them a more refined appearance and a "sense of place" in the Capitol district. In Minneapolis, older freeway bridge railings are being replaced with new railings that reflect the historic "wave" railings found in the city. The re-design of the "gateway" bridges should recall the his- tory of White Bear Avenue and the neighborhoods that exist along it. They are an excellent opportunity for the involvement of public artists from the area, who can contribute meaningful ideas and designs to these important public infrastructure elements. One bf ridor. three highway bridges along the car- Existir~g bridges are strictly utilitarian, lacking in character. City Df Minneapolis' new standard bridge railing. white bear avenue study e Institutional Zones Two districts in the corridor have been identified as Institutional Zones. The first, located at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and 3rd Street, is actually a mix of institutional and commercial uses framing the intersection. A large open lot with a high fence serves as a recreational area. The intersection lacks cohesiveness and a sense of place. The plan calls for strengthening the presence and visual attractiveness of this node using double headed pedestrian scale light fixtures (the Saint Paul Lantern) a block north and south of the intersection, as well as east and west for block on 3rd Street. Additional streetscape elements, including segments of fencing and landscaping to soften the parking lots at the commercial buildings. Modifications to the high fence are also recommended. Public artists should be engaged to participate in the design development. The second institutional zone is located in the Hazel Park neighborhood, including Ames School to the south and Hazel Park Junior High to the north. The railroad bridge climbs in elevation, visually and physically separating the two areas. 16 The plan suggests that the entire zone should be unified, using a variety of approaches. First and foremost, it calls for the use of the double fixture pedestrian-scale light fixture from Ames on the south to Maryland on the north. The bridge itself should be perceived as an important icon on the road, a point of transition and a unifier rather than a dividing element. The accent light;.,g should cross the bridge, highlighting its form and celebrating its structure. New railings and side walls could add still another level of detail and interest to the bridge. The two schools have available land for improved landscaping and an integrated "artsign,' which would identify the institutions in a very unique and engaging way. The landscape/sign combination could involve public artists and students from the schools. white bear avenue study Commercial Nodes In many respects, the commercial nodes are the most important visual and struc- tural components of White Bear Avenue. As noted earlier (see "Structure of the Street"), the character of the commercial nodes changes as one moves along the avenue. The small, "streetcar" districts in Saint Paul have all suffered from varying degrees of disinvestment as larger strip malls and shopping areas have been developed. The larger shopping center in the Saint Paul area, at Hillcrest, has become dated and less able to compete as some of the important tenants have moved on and as the newer, state-of-the-art suburban retail areas have come online. The Maplewood segment of White Bear Avenue is heavily dominated by commercial uses and, with the exception of some of the more dated strip malls, is a reasonably successful single-use district. The plan addresses several commercial districts. The first, at Minnehoha Avenue and White Bear Avenue, is slated for widening to include left turn lanes on White Bear. The plan responds to the heavy traffic at the intersection as well, suggesting the double fixture Saint Paul Lantern, well designed crosswalks, interchangeable fabric banners that provide neighborhood identification as well as color and movement, iron fencing, for added pedestrian safe~/ and use in conjunction with plantings to screen parking, and brick paving in the boulevard areas where there is not enough width for tree planting. Adding street trees where gaps exist is also recommended. Intersedion of White Bear Avenue add Minnehaha with redeveloped florist on northeast comer. At Seventh Street, a similar palette of materials should be used. In addition, a parking strategy should be developed that encourages shared parking for all businesses in the area, to consolidate and beautifi/the node, make it easier to park and shop at the stores, and to reduce the visual impact of surface parking on the area. The Hillcrest commercial district is on auto-oriented shopping center, and a much larger node, stretching from Sherwood Avenue at the south to Larpenteur Avenue at the north. The district is a hybrid, with some stores fronting directly onto the side- walk, while others are set back, creating a potentially pedestrian-friendly "front yard" space that accommodates landscaping, seating areas, and so forth. white bear avenue study Hillcrest Shopping Center, ca. 19.58 · 17 Hillcrest Center before improvements. Hillcrest Center after improvements. ~ Across Hillcrest Center after improvements. Across Hillcrest Center before improvements. The Hillcrest Center evolved as a series of separate buildings joined in a mall- like setting, but with separate entries and identities. Parking is located between the mall and the street, typical of similar commercial developments built in the late 1950's and 1960's. The west side of White Bear Avenue contains a variety of commercial uses, including a former restaurant, but the combination of varying setbacks form the street, interspersed surface parking lots and competing signage result in a poor street edge and a visually chaotic environment. The plan recommends the use of double fixture lighting, improved landscaping, colorful banners identifying the shopping district, added street trees and well-developed pedestrian crosswalks. Screening of parking, and separating parking from the side- walk as much as is feasible, is also recommended to create a more comfortable pedestrian zone. "Natural window' south of Gateway Trail ~Natural window' north of Gateway Trail Natural Windows There are a number of sites in Maplewood that provide the unique opportunity to observe wildlife, wetlands, natural vegetation and so forth. The plan suggests that these areas are important facets of the avenue, and should be celebrated and accented. Where the opportunities occur, landscape strategies should "frame" key views and augment the existing landscape with additional plantings. Such sites occur just north the Gateway Trail Bridge, on both sides of the road, and north of County Road C, on the east side of White Bear. white bear avenue study 18 Suburban Edges The physical, cultural and visual character of White Bear Avenue changes as one move north into Maplewood. The road itself was designed to handle much greater volumes of traffic, and does so very successfully. The experience is a linear one, most often experienced by the driver heading to a store, theater, restaurant, etc. The views are of buildings (or the mall) set back form the road, with parking in the foreground. In some cases, a berm has been developed to soften the transition between the road and the commercial districts. The plan recognizes the innate quality of suburban White Bear Avenue, and suggests a soft, yet strong design response that is essentially dependent upon light and landscape. New light fixtures, with a more contemporary character than those used south of Larpenteur, should create a unique character and "mood" along the avenue. Aggressive landscaping, including boulevard trees (hardy maples) - in double rows where space allows - and a variety of shrub masses to screen parking areas, will enhance the linearity of the driving experience. Where feasible, median plantings should be introduced. Raised planters with prairie grasses and wildflowers are suggested due to their durability and beauty. Other elements could augment the landscape foundation for the street, including Iow stone walls. .[cons In addition to the bridges that have been identified as important oppor- tunities for re-design, there are other icons that should be identified and celebrated along White Bear Avenue. Two, in particular, provide major focal points. The Ramsey County Farmstead is an historic complex that has long been an important landmark on the avenue. It speaks to the history of the road, but also of the entire area. The farmstead must be protected and celebrated, and remain accessible, both visually and physically, from the avenue. white bear avenue study The second important feature, located iust north of the farmstead, is the Gateway Trail, also known as the Willard Munger Trail after the Minnesota legislator who saw the potential for converting this abandoned rail corridor into a regional recreational trail. Munger worked tirelessly for its development. The trail, which will eventually connect Saint Paul to Duluth, symbolizes the interconnectedness of communities across the state and the ingenuity of adapting one system of movement to another ("rails to trails"). The crossing point of the trail could be better identified and celebrated. Historic Districts White Bear Avenue connects many neighborhoods as it moves through Maplewood and St. Paul. As mentioned earlier, travelling north from 194 is an experience of moving through time. There are many jewels along the Avenue that should be preserved and highlighted. Among these jewels is the Hazel Park Neighborhood. The Hazel Park Neighborhood was an original commuter rail suburb, named for the wild hazel bush's that grew in the area. The district is home to buildings such as the Ames School, the Camel Club, and many traditional turn of the century homes. As part of the White Bear Avenue improvements, this district could be identified in a special way. Banners could be used to identify the area. Small hanging signs could designed to attach to the street signs in the area, identifying it as a district. Also, as open lots occur along the Avenue, they could be planted into gardens, and the hazel bush could be highlighted and used as a district-wide landscaping theme. There have been historical accounts about the once-suburb turned city over the years. Celebrating this history will add to the overall enrichment and experience of the Avenue. white bear avenue study 2O I [ 1 - 'i Redevelopment Study Areas Two large sites were studied in greater detail as pad of this project. Both are located in Maplewood, but one, the BuildeCs Square site, is located on the border with Saint Paul, and is arguably a part of the Hillcrest commercial node. The site once housed a BuildeCs Square store in a very large building with an equally large parking lot. The building appears completely incompatible with the adjacent community just to the east especially because the service side of the building faced the neighborhood. Ironically, residents actually appreciate how the structure reduced the impact of White Bear Avenue and its commercial establishments on their neighborhood. The long range recommendation for the site suggests that North Saint Paul Road would be diverted along Ripley, eliminating the angled intersection with White Bear Avenue and creating more developable blocks north of Larpenteur. Gary Place would extend further to the north, intersecting with Ripley. The east-west streets would be extended west to Gary Place, but not to White Bear Avenue. The Builders Square site proper would eventually convert to housing, with increasing densities closer to White Bear Avenue (townhouses, and perhaps additional senior housing). The buffering of the neighborhood would remain, because the larger buildings nearer White Bear would have the same effect as the BuildeCs Square building, but the land uses, scale of buildings and land- scaping would be much more compatible with the neighborhood to the east. Over time, the commercial areas currently existing along White Bear Avenue and North St. Paul Road are redeveloped to focus on the avenue. This creates a contiguous corridor of commercial use that works together from the Hillcrest Shopping Center, to the newly developed commercial north of Larpenteur. The commercial and residential uses along Larpenteur Avenue, east at White Bear Avenue mirror each other block by block. This knits these two districts together, creating a more understandable neighborhood that supports community living. white bear avenue study · 21 The second site is located immediately northwest of Maplewood Mall. An 80 acre parcel, this study area is currently occupied by an old homestead, with two ponds and extensive stands of evergreens and deciduous trees. The site is lovely, and valuable because it is zoned for commercial use and because of its proximity to the mall. The recommendation suggests that the site is a pivotal piece of property in the community. There have been commercial failures in the area, and the site actually presents a unique opportunity to develop a mixed-use district, with housing, office use and commercial development. A concurrent market study corroborates the high potential of the site for a blend of uses. This study recommends the development of housing (varying types, for varying incomes and populations) on the western and northern portions of the site, extending west into the adjacent 80-acre parcel. Commercial and office uses would be developed to the south and east, relating to existing land uses. The large pond would be retained as an amenity for the office workers. New streets would link the mall to Hazelwood Avenue on the west, providing a new network of roads to access and depart the mall. A new north south street, already visible between the hospital/clinic site and the commercial strip mall just to the east, would connect north to County Road D. The system of streets would provide reasonable access throughout the new district. The location of an expanded new park and facility on the southwest corner of Maplewood Mall will further connections to the broader community. A high power line crosses the site, and standard procedure suggests that the area should not be developed. The opportunity exists, however, to develop a marvelous open space corridor that would have a trailhead close to the mall and extend west to the trail that will eventually link to White Bear Lake, Hugo and points north with the Gateway Trail to the south. This immediate access to a regional trail system is becoming an important selling point for new housing, whether for seniors, young, entry level home buyers, or renters. The site clearly presents a wonderful opportunity for the development of an integrated, mixed-use community. This redevelopment will impact the existing traffic congestion at White Bear Avenue and Interstate 194. Further study needs to be done on possible linkages to highway 61. This connection to Highway 61 is imperative to the success of any further development on this site. white bear avenue study 22 gn mmendations Visitors to White Bear Avenue are bombarded by a cacphony of signs. With their dissonant colors, shapes, heights, and lettering, the avenue's signs loose their readability and function. Business owners and residential neighbors alike have concluded sign guidelines are necessary to improve the avenue's character and the unique spatial and architectural conditions of its commercial districts. A good sign system will contribute to the friendliness and legibility of the community. Such a system should: · Provide a unified framework for sign systems ot the various commercial districts (e.g. Minnehaha and White Bear, Hillcrest District, etc.); · Standardize and codifi/important features of the district systems, such as size, setback, orientation and location of signs; · Be appropriate to the district (signs on the older buildings in Saint Paul should relate to pedestrians as well as passing motorists); · Be well designed (understated): the sign system has the potential to add to the character and identification of the various districts; and · Provide clf.,~r identification of the avenue's businesses. The White Bear Avenue Signage Guidelines have been developed to support these objectives: Corridor Wide Guideline .... · Design banners with a common shape along the corridor, patterns could be reflective of neighborhood designation · Use Business signs to inform customers of the types and locations of businesses, not to advertise products. Sign Placement Guidelines... · Design new buildings so that signage is integral or has a specific place on the building · Never cover windows or architecturally significant details with signage · Orient only one sign per business to the street Kroger Foods, sign incorporated into building MidAmerica Bank - reuse of sign Hillcrest State Bank, integrated into building white bear avenue study Sign Guidelines by Type .... Roof Signs · Use roof signs only to match rooflines and unify signbands on adjacent buildings. Roof signs should not be used for advertising Grouped Signs · Use grouped signs to identify business that have no direct access from the side walk. Place signs within a common framework. Painted Signs · Painted permanent window signs should occupy no more than 10 percent of the window area. · Signs painted directly on buildings are prohibited. Temporary Signs · Do not use temporary or trailer signs. Pole Signs · Use pole signs only with buildings that are occupied by a single business and that have a setback from the street right-of-way greater than 35 feet. Pole signs should use as little structure as possible. Structural elements of the sign should be painted black and should not exceed -#fx#f. Ground Signs · Use ground signs only when a building is set back from the street right-of-way more than 35 feet. Place ground signs parallel to the street. · Ground signs should only be used for institutional, professional and industrial buildings. · Bench signs are prohibited. While these guidelines may form the basis for revisions to the sign ordinance for White Bear Avenue, community organizations can apply them now in decisions regarding funding for facade improvements and businesses can incorporate them in the design of new and replacement signs. As old signs are phased-out during a business normal cycle and replaced with more fitting signs, White Bear Avenue's image will become more orderly and gracious. white bear avenue study 24 i ! I White Bear Avenue ade Studi The architectural evolution of White Bear Avenue has closely followed the changes in commercial activity and transportation during the twentieth century. White Bear Avenue showcases everyday examples of the building forms and styles indicative of this evolution, and offers a linear tour of this evolution in popular culture. The five facade studies focus on existing buildings representative of these changes and are examples of recommendations developed for the renovation of existing buildings on White Bear Avenue. At the turn of the century, commercial establishments served the immediate residential neighborhood and clustered around street intersections convenient to streetcar stops and other generators of neighborhood activity, such as churches and schools. These commercial intersections were focal points of daily life for their neighborhoods. Sonny Heck's store at the corner of Case Avenue was a commonplace building constructed in the early twentieth century as a dry goods store with an upstairs meeting room, where - for a period of time - church services were held. The original facade has been greatly altered and one story wing was added along the White Bear Avenue front in the 1950's. The building is currently used as an automotive supply shop with apartments on the second floor; its original features are obscured by signs and b,, alterations. The proposed renovation returns building and its addition to their original characters. Inspired by an early photograph of the building, the turn-of-the-century building would have new windows and storefront designs and would be re-sided with clapboard siding and trimboards in keeping with its original character. The 1950's addition is shown with clerestory windows to flood the interior with natural light and a new, more welcoming entry. While the two buidings have little in common, they can comfortably co-exist, if the renovation sets up a sensitive relationship between their proportions, lines, materials, and colors. By the middle of the century, the automobile had become "king of the road" and White Bear Avenue responded with auto-oriented businesses. Possibly the most memorable of these is Jerry's Drive-In, which has operated south of Larpenter Avenue since the late 1940's. Originally constructed of stone and glass with a simple, streamlined canopy, Jerry's was a destination for the neighborhood and a place to Sonny Hecks at the turn of the century Sonny Hecks currently. ~chite~s pro~s~ facade renovation Jerry's Drive-in co, 1950's Jerry's Drive-in with proposed improvements white bear avenue study Jern/'s images Minnehaha Tavern as it currently exists Proposed improvements to Minnehal~ Tavern i Hillcrest Shopping Center, ca. 1950's white bear avenue study 26 see and be seen. Over the years, as the interest in drive-ins waned, the front canopied parking area was filled-in to accom- modate restaurant seating. The concrete block facade of this in- fill presents a rather forbidding face to the avenue. With current nostalgia for the Fifties, now is the time for a return to the open appearance of the canopy. The illustration shows a restoration of the open canopy for car service with a smaller walk-up dining/take-out area. Another option would be to enclose the canopied area in glass curtainwalls or glazed garage doors so that year-round use of the space is possible. The remodeling of Jerry's should recognize the Fifties kitsch element in form, detail, lighting, and color. During the 1970's, as Jerry's enclosed its drive-in area and as our love affair with the automobile fell victim to a general malaise about raising energy costs and conspicuous consumption, Minnehaha Tavern was constructed at the intersection of White Bear and Minnehaha. Its windowless concrete masonry facade was a response to the era, but offers little to the street or to the patrons sitting inside. Concurrent with this study, the city and county are considering proposals to widen White Bear Avenue at this intersection to create safer traffic conditions. This roadway widening will necessitate the redesign of the tavern's front facade. This redesign presents an opportunity to reorient the building entrance off of White Bear Avenue, to blend the building with its landscape, and to introduce windows into the dining area. This would enhance the dining experience while creating a more open relationship to the street and improving on the image of the building without obscuring its original character. Hillcrest Shopping Center spans several decades in its construc- tion and commerce. Starting at the far-reaches of the growing suburbs in the 1950's and built one storefront at a time, Hillcrest became the retail magnet on White Bear Avenue. As times and the development passed it by, Hillcrest has proved the adage, "Left alone, the Mall dies." With increasing commercial development further north in Maplewood and especially with the success of Maplewood Mall, Hillcrest could no longer compete for major retailers. Although, in recent years, it has undergone a cosmetic I 1 I facelift to re-position it in the retail market, Hillcrest can not be suc- cessful without major surgery: Hillcrest is composed of large, deep leaseholds, which are neither expansive enough for contemporan/ "big box" national retailers nor small enough for intimate, locally- owned shops. The study looks at short and long term redevelopment options for Hillcrest. The short-term redesign of Hillcrest proposes selectively demolishing portions of the shopping center to create retail courtyards surrounded by shallow leasehold spaces with greater exterior surface for display and visibility. This short-term approach would also allow for the re-use of the east side of the shopping center buildings for additional retail space or for office uses. Three retail courtyards are proposed with signs at White Bear Avenue identifying the shops surrounding each courtyard and pedes- trian ways leading from the avenue through the parking lots and courtyards to a greenway connecting into the neighborhoods along Gary Place. The character of the redesigned shopping center would be intimate and carefully landscaped to enhance the shopper's expe- rience as they move from the parking areas through the varied shop- ping courts. The storefronts around the courtyard should be highly articulated and create an environment that draws shoppers to explore. The long-term proposal calls for the demolition of Hillcrest in its entirety and the redevelopment of its site for a mix of uses. Free-standing retail structures are proposed along White Bear Avenue. Viewing from the avenue between these smaller buildings, passersby would see a open plaza extending the length of the new development. Fronting the east side of the plaza, three larger buildings are proposed, which include a mix of retail, office, and residential space. These buildings would be three stories in height and would wrap around parking structures serving the redevelopment area. The feasibility of this aggressive redevelopment of the Hillcrest site is dependent on increased residential and commercial development on adjacent sites. Hillcrest sedion i Hillcrest plan - Ior~g term improvements View of back o[ hillcrest - Gaw's Place - as it cur- rently exists Proposed improgements to Gar~'s Place and Hillcrest. white bear avenue study · 27 Maplewood strip mall at Beam and White Bear Avenue Proposed changes to mall facade No~ithstanding the ebbing of Hillcrest and other similar shopping malls, strip malls have continued to be constructed north on White Bear Avenue into Maplewood. These retail facilities thrive on being the newest places in the best location. Therefore, the competition to keep pace with changing trends is intense and the need to be "new and improved" is foremost in maintaining the competitive edge of an existing strip mall. The study looks at the existing strip mall at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Beam Avenue. The proposed alterations reorganize the signs on the building's storefronts by supporting them off a horizontal roof element over the sidewalk. The roof gives a feeling of enclosure to shoppers as they walk along the storefronts and visually adds depth to the building facade. Landscaping would be integrated into the facade treatment and into the parking lots to soften the appearance and make the shopping center more inviting. Vertical elements making entry points, such as a clock tower and ornamental trees, act as counterpoints to strong horizontal orientation of the building form. Lighting of the facade and parking lots would add to the pedestrian scale and to a more unique image. Because shopping streets such as White Bear Avenue continually evolve in response to market trends and simply to remain fresh in shoppers' minds, the buildings on the avenue will necessarily change their image over time. As this occurs, these remodelings and new buildings need to respect the avenue's rich architectural character while incorporating the best of contemporary retail design to create a festive, connected shopping experience that adds to the sense of community evident in the neighborhoods it serves. white bear avenue study 28 rridor Plans white ear avenue study WHITE BEAR AVENUE CORRIDOR 1-94 TO S77~LW~4TER AVENUE white bear avenue study 3O ..al iil~ TRAJN TRACKS ~RtDG9 I YOCMwliry For t~ inh'MCr~t~t of the b~ge U~t cl~britm It ii i &'~)ct3Jre. New I~tln9, ra~ingi, and wl]ll co~Jd b~ &(Mid to thl exlet~ Ix~e, ~le ~ die fl~m ~n ground mounted signage ~ of quality mwtm~,ll~,, WHFFE BEAR AVENUE CORRIDOR SNL~WAT~ AVE, TO SHERWOOD AVE. white bear avenue study VVI-IR~ BEAR AVENUE CORRIDOR HYACINTH AVE. TO ALDRICH ARENA white bear avenue study 32 white ~ .................. IAfHITE BEAR AVENUE CORRIDOR ~ HWY.. 36 TO BE4MAVE. white bear avenue study 34 [ 1 r -' I WHITE BEAR AVENUE CORRIDOR BEAM AVE. '/'O /'/WY. 694 white bear avenue study · 35 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: 'DATE: MEMORANDUM City Manager Ken Roberts, Associate Planner Comprehensive Plan Update - Historic Resources Management Plan March 28, 2000 INTRODUCTION Mr. Robert Overby, a member of the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS), has asked the city to consider adding a Historic Resources Management Plan to the Comprehensive Plan. He has submitted a draft plan for the city's review and consideration. (See the draft plan starting on page 3.) BACKGROUND Minnesota State law required all cities in the metro area to update their comprehensive plans by the end of 1999. City staff has completed a draft update of the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan as the law required. We have submitted the draft plan to the Metropolitan Council and surrounding cities for their review and comment. DISCUSSION The draft of the proposed Historic Resources Management Plan that the Maplewood Area Historical Society prepared has several parts. These include planning guidelines, standards and guidelines for preservation planning, an outline for a program in Maplewood, preservation planning goals, preservation planning policies and an implementation and action plan. It appears that this plan would put much more emphasis on historic preservation and on historic planning in Maplewood than has occurred in the past. This would include forming a Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commission and having them review development, building and demolition applications for their possible impact on historic resources. The Maplewood Area Historical Society has prepared a list of properties that they believe are historically significant in the city. (See the list starting on page 11 .) They want to use this list as a starting point for the inventory of properties that would be affected by the historic preservation policies that the city might adopt. It might be helpful for city staff to review and give comments to the historical society about the properties on this list. I also have included on page 14 a copy of City Ordinance No. 755 that the city council adopted in 1996. This ordinance created Maplewood Historical Commission as an advisory board to the city council. This ordinance is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2000. Staff has several concerns about the proposed Historic Resources Management Plan and its impact on city policies and practices. The city must proceed carefully to ensure that whatever the council adopts or approves is really in the best interest of the entire city. City staff revised the draft of the historic resources management plan to better fit the style and format of the rest of the comprehensive plan. Our version of this plan starts on page 17. Much of the content of staff's plan is the same as the draft plan from the Historical Society. However, I added a purpose section and a section titled "Discussion, Challenges and Issues" that the planning commission and city council should pay careful attention to. COMMISSION ACTION On February 7, 2000, the planning commission reviewed the draft of the Historic Resources Management Plan. The commission had several concerns and questions about the proposed plan. They recommend that the city council review the status of the Historic Preservation Commission and also review and consider the proposed Historic Resources Management Plan. On March 6, 2000, the planning commission reviewed a revised Historic Resources Management Plan as drafted by city staff. The commission had several questions and concerns about the proposed plan. They asked city staff to work with Robert Overby when making changes to the plan and to bring the plan back to the Planning Commission for further review. RECOMMENDATIONS A. Direct city staff to give comments or feedback about the historic properties on the attached list dated 2-18-00. B. Review, discuss and take action on the proposed Historic Resources Management Plan dated 3-24-00. p:compplan\preserv2.mem Attachments: 1. January 2000 draft Historic Resources Management Plan 2. List of Maplewood Historic Properties dated 2-18-00 3. Maplewood Ordinance #755 dated 5-13-96 4. Historic Resources Management Plan dated 3-24-00 (city staff proposal) Attachment 1 MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN January2000 VISION "We live not alone in the present, but also in the past and future. The radius that circumscribes our lives must necessarily extend back indefinitely and forward infinitely. We can never look out thoughtfully at our immediate surroundings but a course of reasoning will start up, leading us to inquire the causes that produced the development around us, and at the same time we are led to conjecture the results to follow causes now in operation. We are thus linked indissolubly with the past and the future." (1) A more modern description of why history is important to people and communities is found in the following quote from a recently published book: "Nostalgia is forever preserved by tradition, by the sense of being part of something that has endured over time". (2) Introduction At the time this comprehensive plan was being updated, Maplewood had grown through 43 years since its incorporation in 1957. Before that, the Township of New Canada had endured for 99 years since its founding in 1858. The Maplewood Comprehensive Plan will, among other things: - guide future growth and development in an orderly manner; - define the proper functional relationships between different types of land uses; - help to coordinate public and private sector decisions; - establish a framework to guide and involve citizen participation in City government; and - provide for a sense of community and neighborhood identity. All of the above-listed purposes of the City comprehensive plan can be informed by and supported by an effective historic resources plan, and by citizens and decision-makers who use the guidance of this plan chapter to preserve historic, cultural, and archeological resources In Maplewood The Historic Resources Plan is also connected to many of the goals of the City of Maplewood, as described elsewhere in this comprehensive plan (pages 7,8): + Human Rights Goal + Citizen Involvement Goal + Communication Goal + City Implementation Goal + Cultural/Leisure Activity Goal + Economic/Tourism Goal + Significant Natural Features Goal + Urban Design Goal In its efforts to preserve and protect historic resources in Maplewood, the City will refer to the above goals and related policies, and make decisions to plan and implement programs consistent with those goals and policies, and with the goals and policies in this plan chapter for historic resources. (1) From "History of Dakota County", by Reverend Edward D. Neill (1880). (2) From "In a Time of Fallen Heroes, by William Betcher and William Pollack (19 _). Statutory. Requirements The Metropolitan Land Planning Act (Minn. Statutes, Section 473.859, subdivision 2) specifies the required and optional elements of comprehensive plans for cities in the 7-county metropolitan area. In regard to historic preservation, the statute states that: "... A land use plan shall contain a protection element, as appropriate, for historic sites..." The Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint (the Council's regional policy plan) promotes the use of historic preservation as a tool to develop or enhance a community's identity. In 1997, the Council developed a "Local Planning Handbook" to assist metropolitan communities in updating their comprehensive plans. For the subject of historic preservation, the handbook states: "Because the Council does not have specific regional standards or policies with regard to a historic preservation element of a comprehensive plan, each community is free to interpret this requirement in its own way". Planning Guidelines However, the Council's handbook does contain the following suggested guidelines for a historic preservation plan element: Under state enabling legislation, a community may establish a Heritage Preservation Commission. Its purposes and powers are "to promote the use and conservation of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens" (Minn. Statutes, section 471.193). Maplewood established a Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) in 19 , and the City Council appointed members with two-year terms. The HPC has responsibilities fo'7 identifying, registering, protecting, and enhancing heritage resources in Maplewood, and for establishing a broad planning direction for the proposed historic preservation program. The HPC also played a critical role in creating this plan chapter and working with City staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council to review and adopt it as part of the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan. Members of the HPC also serve on the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS), which was first established in 19 _, was temporarily inactive, and then was revived in 19 _. In addition to working on this comprehensive ,.;an chapter, the MAHS also: The ordinance that establishes a Heritage Preservation Commission includes a system to inventory and evaluate historical resources in Maplewood, and to establish measures to protect those resources (for example, local controls and building permit review). The Maplewood City Council, the HPC, and the MAHS need to discuss and form a plan of how an inventory and evaluation of historic resources should be conducted, using this plan chapter as a guide. Once this inventory has been done, then the City Council should select the measures for protecting identified historic resources. The inventory and protection measures form the basis for decisions about what properties in Mapiewood are historically or culturally significant, and therefore worthy of preservation. Once a community has established a Heritage Preservation Commission ordinance, it becomes eligible to apply to the State Historical Preservation Office (part of the Minnesota Historical Society) to become a "Certified Local Government" (CLG). This certification makes the community eligible to apply for federal funds to plan for historic preservation projects. The City of Maplewood will work with the HPC and the MAHS in applying for CLG status for Maplewood. 4. Inventories of historic properties and planning work should be done to conform with standards and guidelines of the Secretary of Interior for historic preservation projects. It is very. important that the City of Maplewood, the HPC, and the MAHS follow the Secretary of Interior's Standards when planning and implementing this chapter of the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, a portion of those standards haVe been included below. Secreta~ of Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeolo~a.v and Historic Preservation - Summary Outline A. Standards for Preservation Planning 1. Preservation Planning Establishes Historic Contexts. a. "Decisions about.., historic properties are most reliably made when the relationship of individual properties to other similar properties is understood." Information about historic properties which represent aspects of history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture must be collected and organized to define these relationships. This organizational framework is called a historic context. The historic context organizes information based on a cultural theme and its geographical and chronological limits. Contexts describe the significant broad patterns of development in an area that may be represented by historic properties. The development of historic contexts is the foundation for decisions about identification, evaluation, rea_istration~ and treatment of historic properties. b. "Develop goals, policies and priorities for the identification, registration, and treatment of historic properties." This task should be pursued by the City of Maplewood, the HPC, and the MAHS, after this plan chapter is adopted by the City Council. 2. Integrate the results of preservation planning into broader planning. The City of Maplewood should use this plan chapter and the Secretary's standards and guidelines where historic and cultural preservation impacts other planning goals, policies, and programs in Maplewood. Guidelines for Preservation Planning 1.Link the standards with more specific guidance and technical information. This task needs to be pursued after this plan chapter is adopted. 2. Management of the planning process (these are "must" elements). a. Develop an explicit approach to plan implementation. b. Provide for ongoing and periodic review and revision of the plan. c. Provide a mechanism for resolving conflicts within the overall set of preservation goals, and conflicts between this set of goals and other goals in the Maplewood Comprehensive Plan. 3. Development of Historic Contexts. (The cornerstone of the planning process for historic preservation.) A comprehensive summary of the history of Maplewood can be created by developing a set of historic contexts that will include all significant historic and cultural properties (and sites) in the City. The State Historic Preservation Office generally possesses the most complete information.., and in the best position to coordinate the use and development of historic contexts. Developing Goals for a Historic Context. a. A goal for this purpose is a statement of preferred preservation activities, generally stated in terms of property types. b. The purpose of having goals for historic contexts is to set forth the 'best case' version of how properties should be identified, evaluated, registered, and treated. c. Develop goal statements for each historic context in Maplewood. d. Set priorities for the goals. 5. Integrate the Individual Historic Contexts. Reconcile competing goals and priorities in overlapping geographic areas. One approach that Maplewood could use for this task is to identify which historic contexts affect each of the City's thirteen neighborhood planning areas (see the Land Use Plan chapter for maps). Neighborhood maps of significant historic properties and related historic contexts should be prepared, and then integrated by their goals and priorities. b. Reconcile the ranking of goals. c. Establish an overall set of priorities for several historic contexts. d. List the activities which must be done to achieve the ranked goals. NOTE:...,When tasks 5 (c) and (d) ar. applied to a specific geographic area, this becomes the preservation plan for that area. 6. Integrate with Planning and Management Frameworks. Adapt preservation goals and priorities to land units, by integrating them with other planning concerns. This involves resolving conflicts that arise when competing resources occupy the same land use base. The remaining sections of the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines include the following: C. Standards for Identification D. Standards for Evaluation E. Standards for Registration F. Standards for Historical Documentation G. Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation 6 Standards for Archeological Documentation Standards for Historic Preservation Projects 1. General Standards 2. Specific Standards a. acquisition b. protection c. stabilization d. preservation e. rehabilitation f. restoration g. reconstruction OUTLINE OF A HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM FOR MAPLEWOOD 1. The Historic Resources Management Plan and an ordinance for historic preservation. The preservation plan provides the policy and legal framework for decisions on the preservation, protection, and use of heritage resources. The preservation ordinance provides the legal basis for implementing the program. 2. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). The citizen advisory panel appointed by the City Council, which has major responsibilities for identifying, registering, protecting, and enhancing the heritage resources in Maplewood and four establishing a broad planning direction for the City's preservation program. 3. The Inventory of Heritage Resources. Heritage resources can include historically or culturally important objects, structures, buildings, sites, or districts. The heritage resources inventory forms the basis for decisions about what properties in Maplewood are historically or culturally significant, and therefore worthy of preservation. 4. Local Historic Contexts for Heritage Resources. Information about heritage resources is organized into historic contexts, based on a cultural theme, geography, and chronology (time period). 5. Designation of Maplewood Heritage Landmarks. Designation of historically or culturally significant objects, structures, buildings, sites, and districts. To be designated a heritage landmark, a property must meet specific criteria for determining historical significance. Besides local registration, certain properties may qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Properties listed on the National Register are recognized for their historical significance, and any alteration or demolition may be prohibited or strictly regulated. Creating a register of significant historical properties is a critical planning tool for historic preservation. 6. Review and Compliance. The Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commission will review plans for new construction, moving buildings, and building demolition in relation to designated historic landmarks. Plans and projects which meet established standards for preservation will be granted a Certificate of Appropriateness. 7. Certification as a Certified Local Government. Maplewood has a Heritage Preservation Commission, so the City is eligible to apply for this certification. Once certification is received, Maplewood may participate in the CLG preservation partnership that was established by the National Historic Preservation Act. Through a grants-in-aid program, federal funding is available to finance activities such as the local inventory of historic resources, historic preservation planning, and education. 8. Encourage Public Participation and Education. The Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commission and the Maplewood Area Historical Society will work with the City of Maplewood to promote historic preservation in Maplewood through preservation plans, educational programs, and publication of technical and informational materials. 9. Adoption of the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines. These are the basic standards and guidelines for historic preservation, and they should be the accepted reference in the City of Maplewood. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING GOALS Maplewood will use this Historic Resources Management Plan to support the preservation, protection, conservation, and wise use of the significant historical, cultural, architectural, or archeological objects, structures, buildings, sites, and districts in the City. Maplewood will develop the historic preservation program proposed in this plan, and will integrate the program with other planning programs in the City. Maplewood will use this plan to establish a comprehensive framework for all decisions and actions related to historic preservation. Maplewood will follow the Secretary of Interior's standards and guidelines for archeology and historic preservation. Maplewood will work with the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Maplewood Area Historical Society to identify, document, and evaluate the historical significance of objects, structures, buildings, sites, and districts in the City, and consider their preservation potential. 8 Maplewood will protect, preserve, and enhance the significant heritage resources in Maplewood by designating them as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks, and where appropriate, by nominating them to the National Register of Historic Places. Maplewood will work with property owners to preserve the heritage resource value and historical integrity of significant historical or cultural resources affected by projects that are permitted, assisted, or funded by the City. Maplewood will support research and public education on the preservation, protection, and use of heritage resources in the City. o Maplewood will encourage broad citizen participation in historic preservation activities, in order to obtain the knowledge, insights, and support of City residents. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING POLICIES The Heritage Preservation Commission will advise and assist the Maplewood City Council and City staff about historic preservation matters. ° Historic preservation goals and policies will be implemented by linking them with other City programs and activities, including but not limited to zoning, code enforcement, housing, economic development, and public works. Maplewood will work with the State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society in implementing this preservation plan. The Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commission will issue a finding of significance for individual objects, structures, buildings, sites, and districts to determine whether they are eligible for designation as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks. o The Maplewood Heritage Resources Inventory will be maintained by the Heritage Preservation Commission, with assistance from City staff. o Before the City Council designates a property as a Maplewood Heritage Landmark, there will be a preservation planning report completed. ° Properties designated as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks will be placed on the official zoning map of Maplewood. The Heritage Preservation Commission will review all applications or permits for demolition, moving a building, and new construction to determine their impacts on significant heritage resources. ° In cooperation with City staff and the Maplewood Planning Commission, the Heritage Preservation Commission will review all plats, rezonings, conditional use permits, and site plans to determine their impacts on significant heritage resources. 10. Maplewood will encourage voluntary compliance with historic preservation standards and guidelines by property owners proposing work on historic properties carried out under City building permits. 11. Maplewood will use the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines as the required basis for design review decision. 9 12. Maplewood may issue permits or approve development plans that include conditions for historic preservation, based upon the recommendations of the Heritage Preservation Commission. 13. Maplewood will provide information about historic preservation to property owners and to the general public. 14. The Heritage Preservation Commission and/or the Maplewood Area Historical Society will advise schools and teachers in the development of curricula about history and historic preservation in Maplewood. IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION PLAN 1. Adopt and implement the historic resources management plan. 2. Review the Maplewood ordinances and amend as needed to reflect the goals and policies for historic preservation. 3. Undertake a comprehensive survey of all objects, structures, buildings, sites, and districts that are over 50 years old in Maplewood. 4. Provide City officials and the public with information on properties that are historically or culturally significant. 5. Designate significant historic or cultural properties as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks, and nominate appropriate properties for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 6. Use the Secretary of Interior's standards and guidelines to advise owners of historic properties on maintenance and restoration work. 7. Provide public information and education about historic preservation. 8. Establish a program of local historical markers and plaques. 9. Provide staff support to the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Maplewood Area Historical Society. 10. Work with the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Maplewood Area Historical Society to develop teaching aids about Maplewood history and historic preservation. pf:c:\wpwin\office\frm\comphis. 1 l0 Attachment 2 City of Maplewood Historic Properties This is a partial list of historic properties in Maplewood. This list was comprised considering the age, significance, and function of the building and/or property. Sites Already Designated on the National Register of Historic Places 1. 2020 N White Bear Avenue, Ramsey County Poor Farm Barn Sites Eligible for Distinction on the National Register of Historic Places 1. 741 E Co Rd B, House 2. 1800 N Edgerton Street, Forest Cemetery Mausoleum 3. 1800 E. Shore Drive. Seaholm P. Gottfried House 4. 2166 Maplewood Drive, Keller Golf Clubhouse 5. 2792 N. Highway 61, KSTP Transmitter 6. 2020 N White Bear Avenue Ramsey County Poor Farm Milkhouse, Garage, Smokestack Additional Sites of Major Significance 1. 1900 Clarence Street "First Maplewood Village Hall/Gladstone Fire Station" 2. 1249 Frost Avenue "Second Maplewood Village/City Hall" 3. 1350 Frost Avenue Mikes L.P Gas (Former Keller Grocery Store) 4. 1741 N Arcade Street, St. Paul Tourist Cabins sign (Missing 1998) 5. 940 Frost Avenue "Original St. Paul Tourist Cabins." 6. 1865 Clarence Street, House "Sundgaard House" 7. 1780 Clarence Street, House 8. 1825 N. Desoto Street 9. 1915 N Desoto Street House 10. 1745 N Edgerton Street, House 11. 2684 W. Highwood Avenue, "Carver Lake School" 12.1900 N. Rice Street, "St. Paul Water Works" 13.2150 Rice Street, "House" 14. 380 E Roselawn Avenue, "Church of St. Jerome" 15. 1559 County Road C, "House" 16. 900 Kohlman Lane, "House" 17. 2200 English Street,* "House" 18. 1467 County Road B, "House" 19.2155 Prosperity Road, "House" 20. 1503 Frost Avenue,* "Holmberg House" 21. 1826 Birmingham Street* "House" 22. 1821 Manton Street* "House" 23. 1280 Frisbie Ave * "House" 24.1254 Frisbie Ave* "House" 25. 1933 Arcade "House" 26. 1700 Bradley Street "House" 27. 1685 Edgerton Street "House" 11 28.1730 29.1741 30.2670 31.1480 Sylvan St. "House" McMenemy St. "House" Minnehaha Ave. "House" Sterling "John Ledo House" 32. 1889 Clarence "Frost, Schroer, Recktenwald House" 33.970 County Road C "House" 34.2170 Day Road "House" 35. 923 Century Ave S. "House" 36. 2492 Highwood Ave. "House" 37. 1904 Manton Street* "House" 38. 1894 Birmingham Street 39. 1851 Clarence Street "House" 40. 1780 English Street* "House" 41. 1279 Ripley Street "House" 42. 1285 Ripley Avenue* "House" 43.1765 McMenemy "St. Paul Hmong Alliance Church' 44.1745 Edgerton St. "House" 45.601 Kingston Ave. "House" 46.2410 Carver Ave. "House" 47. 1640 Myrtle Ave. "House" 48. 2483 Maplewood Drive "Zuercher House" 49. County Road C& Hazelwood "Kohler House" 50. 1890 Birmingham Street* "House" 51. 1895 Manton Street "House" 52. 1450 Ripley Avenue "House" 53.2071 English Street "House" 54. 1685 English Street* "House" 55. 1930 Edgerton Street "House" 56. 1750 McMenemy Street "House" 57. 1777 Edgerton Street "House" 58. 1203 Parkway Drive "House" 59. 1741 Arcade Street "House" 60. 2710 Maryland Avenue "House" 61. 2591 Stillwater Road "House" 62.2510 Carver Avenue "Ledo House" 63. 1501 Henry Lane "Schlomka House" 64. 1915 Desoto Street "House" 65.1865 Clarence Street "House" 66. New Location of Bruentrup Farm Other properties/businesses 1. Gladstone Shops Ruins 2. Ramsey County Cemetery 3. Poor Farm Cow Tunnel at Wakefield 4. Tourist Cabins Sign 5. Plaza Theatre (oldest theatre in Maplewood) 6. Northernaire Motel (oldest motel in Maplewood) 7. First Maplewood Library building 8. WPA dam on Keller Creek 9. Building #1(3M namingl01?) at 3M, mid 1950's * These are likely the working class homes built in the late 1880's to1890's for Gladstone Workers. About 50 wood frame and terra cotta houses were built during this time for workers of the Gladstone Shops and the St. Paul Plow Works 13 the east side of Hiqhway 61, south of~O~unty Road D. Community Development may approve,mChor chanqes. Seconded by Councilmember Kop~perF~ AYes... all AWARD OF BIDS ~.~ .... Attachment 3 Councilmember Rossbach moved to approve the site~ date-stamped March 19, 1996 for a used car sales lot and bac)c~al~d shed sales business on The Director of NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Historical Advisory Con~ission/Historical Society Ordinance - Second Reading a. Manager McGuire presented the staff report. b. City Attorney Kelly presented the history and details of the proposed Ordinance creating the History Commission. c. Councilmember Carlson introduced the followinq Ordinance for second readinq and moved its adoption: ORDINANCE NO. 755 ORDINANCE FOR MAPLEWOOD HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMHISSION THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD DOES HEREIN ORDAIN: Article IV, Secs. 2-87 to 2-99 is hereby added to read as follows: DIVISION 4. HISTORICAL COMMISSION Sec. 2-87 Established There is hereby established for the City a Historical Commission as an advisory board to the City Council, as provided in M~nnesota Statutes Annotated Sections 471.93 and 138.51. Sec. 2-88. Statement of public policy and purpose. It is hereby declared by the City Council that it is the public policy of the City to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation and to promote the use and conservation of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens of the Maplewood area. Sec. 2-89. Advisory body: All 'actions of the Histocical C~mmission shall be in the nature of recommendations to the City Council, and said Commission shall have no final authority with reference to any matters, except as the Council may lawfully delegate authority to it. 5-13-96 14 Sec. 2-90. Composition; Appointment; Qualifications; Terms (a) The Historical Commission shall be composed of 7 members appointed by the City Council. who shall be residents of the City. and shall be selected to assure that the Commission is representative of the various areas of the City and responsive to the needs of the City. The unexpired portion of the year in which the appointments are made shall be considered as one year. All terms shall expire on December 31 of the year in which the appointment terminates. As the terms expire, all appointments thereafter shall be for a term of 3 years, and a member may only be reappointed for one additional term. The first board appointed by the Council shall serve as follows: three members for three years and four members for two-year terms. After the two-year terms expire, all appointments shall be three-year appointments. Sec. 2-91. Officers Generally. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Historical Commission shall be elected by the Historical Commission at the first meeting in January of each year from among the members of the Historical Commission. The chairperson shall be responsible for calling and presiding over all meetings and shall be entitled to an equal vote with other members of the Commission. Sec. 2-92. Vacancies. (a) Any of the following may cause the office of a Historical Commissioner to become vacated: (1) Death or removal from the City: (2) Disability or failure to serve, as shown by failure to attend four (4) meetings in any year, may be cause for removal by the Council majority, unless good cause can be shown to the Council. (3) Resignation in writing. (4) Taking of public office in the City. Sec. 2-93. Officers, Meetings, Rules of Procedure; Public Attendance; etc. (a) The Historical Commission shall establish meeting times and adopt its own Rules of Procedure to be reviewed and approved by the City Council. (b) All meetings of this Commission shall .be open to the public and shall be housed in such manner as to permit public attendance. Sec. 2.94. Powers. The powers of the Historical Commission shall be as follows: (1) Recommend districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are of historical, archeological, engineering or cultural significance. (2) Accept donations, funds and property on behalf of the City. (3) Assist in the establishment of a non-profit Maplewood Area Historical Society. No power shall be exercised by the Commission which is contrary to a State law or denied by the City by its charter or law. The powers of the Commission shall be exercised only in a manner prescribed by ordinance and no action of a Commission shall contravene any provision of the City's zoning or planning ordinance unless expressly authorized by an ordinance. 5-13-96 15 Sec. 2-95. Duties and Responsibilities. The duties of the Historical Commission shall be as follows: (1) To discover and collect any and all material which may establish or illustrate the history of the City. (2) The Commission may publish any and all materials which may bear upon this history. (3) To provide for the guidelines for any and all material necessary to fulfill its purpose. Sec. 2-96. Compensation. expenses. All members of the Historical Commission shall serve without compensation. Sec. 2-97. Staff - Director of Co~nission responsible for correspondence, docket, minutes, records, files, etc. Subject to the direction of the Historical Commission and its chairperson, the City Manager's designated person shall conduct all correspondence of the Commission, send out all notices required, attend all meetings and hearings of the Commission. keep the docket and minutes of the Commission's proceedings, compile all required records, and maintain the necessary files and indexes of the Commission. Sec. 2-98. City Attorney and Other City Employees. (a) The services of the City Attorney shall be available to the Historical Commission. Sec. 2-99. Sunset (a) The Historical Commission shall sunset on December 31. ~ Seconded by Councilmember Koppen Ayes - all J. NEW BUSINESS Stop Sign Requests a. b. C. Court, x/x/ Seconded by Mayor~BFasti an Manager McGuire presented the staff report. // Director of Public Works Haider presented the ~ecifics of the report. Mayor Bastian asked if anyone wished to/speak before the Council regarding this matter. The following wex~e heard: Bill Daley, 907 Lakewood Court -,,~ favor of stop signs Read letter from Diane & Ricl('Sherwood. 885 Schaller Drive - In favor Scott Samuelson, 2420 HillwoocK,Drive - In favor, also suggested "Curve" and // or "Children at Play" signs. Brian Fitzgerald, 870 Lakewood D~ive In favor Debbie Daley, 907 Lak~wdod Court :'In favor ' Councilmember. Rossbachim~oved to approve the requests for stop siqns at Hillwood Drive and~arnie Street and at-~challer Drive and Lakewood ._ Ayes -,~all 5-13-96 16 Attachment 4 HISTORIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN (CITY STAFFS PROPOSAL - MARCH 24, 2000) INTRODUCTION At the time of this comprehensive plan update, Maplewood had grown through 43 years since its incorporation in 1957. Before that, the Township of New Canada had endured for 99 years since its founding in 1858. Historic properties and structures contribute to our city by providing information about our past. They provide evidence of the way Maplewood was settled and the people's contributions made to our society. They also are a reflection of the values that formed this city. Preserving historic sites and resources benefits the city, both economically and socially. Historic preservation goes beyond the primary concern of understanding the significance of historic and cultural resources. It also focuses on integrating historic preservation into the broader planning and decision-making arena, so it can be relevant to social and economic concerns. The Maplewood Comprehensive Plan will, among other things: - guide future growth and development in an orderly manner; - define the proper functional relationships between different types of land uses; - help to coordinate public and private sector decisions; - establish a framework to guide and involve citizen participation in City government; and - provide for a sense of community and neighborhood identity. All of the above-listed purposes of the City comprehensive plan can be informed by and supported by an effective historic resources plan, and by citizens and decision-makers who use the guidance of this plan chapter to preserve historic, cultural, and archeological resources In Maplewood. The Historic Resources Management Plan also is connected to many of the goals of the City of Maplewood, as described elsewhere in this comprehensive plan (pages 7,8). In its efforts to preserve and protect historic resources in Maplewood, the City will make decisions to plan and implement programs consistent with those goals and policies, and with the goals and policies in this plan chapter for historic resources. PURPOSE The Historic Resources Management Plan is to support and interrelate with all elements, goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the Historic Resources Management Plan is to: Guide the city in a comprehensive program of historic preservation and historic resource management. 2. Describe the existing historic resources and historic preservation activities in Maplewood. Evaluate the historic preservation and historic resource needs of Maplewood's residents and to set standards for measuring the meeting of those needs. 17 Promote the use and conservation of historic properties in Maplewood for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of area citizens. 5. Plan for adequate support and understanding of the historic resources in Maplewood. o Designate the goals, policies and actions that Maplewood will use to help preserve the historic resources in the city. DISCUSSION, CHALLENGES AND ISSUES Although the area known as Maplewood has had European settlement for more than 100 years, little has been done at the city level about the historic resources in the city. The development of a historic preservation program will be challenging for a variety of reasons. These include: The aging of our citizens who have knowledge of historic places. The limits in public funding support for historic preservation programs. The development or redevelopment of sites that might have historic resources. Private ownership of properties that have historic resources. However, there are opportunities available. Maplewood could build on these opportunities to develop a program to help preserve the city's heritage. These opportunities include: ' · Having completed a preliminary inventory of historic properties in Maplewood. The existence of preservation-oriented organizations with members that have historical knowledge or preservation expertise. The existence of county, state and federal agencies that have knowledge of historic resources and programs. The Metropolitan Council's "Local Planning Handbook" has several suggested guidelines for a historic preservation plan element. They include standards about the establishment of Heritage Preservation Commissions and the practic(=s to follow when doing work on historic properties. Specifically, the Local Planning Handbook says persons should follow the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. These include the following: · Standards for Preservation Planning 1. Preservation Planning Establishes Historic Contexts Ao Decisions about historic properties are most reliably made when the relationship of individual properties to other similar properties is understood. Information about historic properties which represent aspects of history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture must be collected and organized to define these relationships. This organizational framework is called a historic context. The historic context organizes information based on a cultural theme and its geographical and chronological limits. Contexts describe the significant broad patterns of development in an area that may 18 be represented by historic properties. The development of historic contexts is the foundation for decisions about identification, evaluation, re,qistration, and treatment of historic properties. "Develop goals, policies and priorities for the identification, registration, and treatment of historic properties." This task should be pursued by the City, the HPC, and the MAHS, after the City Council adopts this plan. Guidelines and Activities for a Preservation Planning Program These guidelines are to include a development of Historic Contexts. That is, a comprehensive summary of Maplewood's history can be created by developing a set of historic contexts that will include all significant historic and cultural properties (and sites) in the city. Maplewood should coordinate any efforts about this through the State Historic Preservation Office since it generally has the most complete information and is usually in the best position to coordinate the use and development of historic contexts. Once the city and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) or the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS) have finished the inventory of Heritage Resources, they should be organized into historic contexts. This organization should be based on a cultural theme, geography and chronology. The designation of Maplewood Heritage Landmarks should be given those historically or culturally significant objects, structures, buildings, sites and districts in the city. To be designated a heritage landmark, a property must meet specific criteria for determining historical significance. Besides local registration, certain properties may qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Properties on the National Register are recognized for their historical significance. As such, any change or demolition of a property on the National Register may be prohibited or strictly regulated. The creation of a register of significant historical properties is a critical step irm planning historic preservation. ~ Maplewood is eligible to apply to the State Historical Preservation Office to be a Certified Local Government (CLG) if the city has a Heritage Preservation Commission. If the city does become a certified local government, then Maplewood may participate in the CLG preservation partnership that the National Historic Preservation Act established. Federal funding is available through a grants-in-aid-program to finance activities such as the local inventory of historic resources, historic preservation planning and education. HISTORIC PRESERVATION GOALS The following are the city's overall historic preservation goals: 1. Maplewood supports the protection of the city's heritage by preserving, protecting, conserving, and wisely using the significant historical, cultural, architectural, or archeological objects, structures, buildings, sites, resources and districts in the City. 19 i The city encourages community identity and civic pride by preserving and protecting historic properties, structures, sites and resources in Maplewood. Maplewood will develop a historic preservation program and will integrate the program with other planning programs in the City. Maplewood will establish a comprehensive framework for all decisions and actions related to historic preservation. Maplewood will encourage broad citizen participation in historic preservation activities, in order to obtain the knowledge, insights, and support of City residents. HISTORIC PRESERVATION POLICIES The following are the city's historic preservation policies: The Maplewood Area Historical Society will advise, assist and make recommendations to the City Council and City staff about historic preservation and resource matters. Maplewood will implement the historic preservation goals and policies by linking and integrating them with other City programs and activities, including but not limited to planning, zoning, code enforcement, housing, economic development, and public works. The city will work with county, state and federal agencies and other organizations, including the State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society, when implementing this plan. The city will work with the Maplewood Area Historical Society to identify, document, and evaluate the historical significance of objects, structures, buildings, sites, resources and districts in Maplewood, and consider their preservation potential. Maplewood will protect, preserve, and enhance the significant heritage resources in the city by designating them as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks, and where appropriate, by nominating them to the National Register of Historic Places. The city will have the Maplewood Area Historical Society, with assistance from City staff, prepare and maintain the Maplewood Heritage Resources Inventory. In cooperation with City staff and the Maplewood Planning Commission, the Maplewood Area Historical Society may comment on all development proposals that would affect properties on the historic properties list. o The city may issue permits or approve development plans that include conditions for historic preservation, based upon the recommendations of the Maplewood Historical Commission. o Maplewood supports research, community awareness and public education on the value and importance of preservation, protection, and the use of heritage resources in the City. 2O 10. 11. 12. The city encourages the establishment of an accessible location where historic documents and artifacts can be stored and protected. Maplewood supports those who seek outside funding to support further historic preservation efforts. The city should make an effort to incorporate local history into present development by using historic names for streets, parks and geographical features. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTION PLAN The following is a list of activities that the city should follow in the coming years to carry-out the goals and policies of the historic resources management plan. The city will periodically review and update this list. 1. Adopt and implement a historic resources management plan. (To be done by the city). Advise, assist and make recommendations about historic preservation and resource matters. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Identify, document, evaluate and maintain an inventory of historically significant objects, structures, buildings, sites, resources and districts in Maplewood. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Complete a preservation planning report before the City Council designates a property as a Maplewood Heritage Landmark. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Issue a finding of significance for individual objects, structures, buildings, sites, resources and districts to determine whether they are eligible for designation as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Designate significant historic or cultural properties or resources as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks, and nominate appropriate properties or resources for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Place properties designated as Maplewood Heritage Landmarks on the official Maplewood Zoning Map (to be done by city staff). 8. Use and follow the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines: When advising the owners of historic properties about maintenance and restoration work. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society). For design review decisions about Heritage Landmarks and Historically Significant Structures and for archeology and historic preservation. (To be done by the city.) Review city ordinances and amend them as may be needed to reflect the goals and policies for historic preservation. (To be done by the city). 10. .11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. ,20. 21. Establish a program of local historical markers and plaques that identifies and informs the public about historic sites. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Provide information and education about historic preservation and about properties, sites or resources that are historically or culturally significant to property owners and to the general public. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Participate in education and communication programs to increase the visibility and understanding of the city's historic resources. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Advise schools and teachers in the development of curricula and teaching aids about history and historic preservation in Maplewood. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society.) Incorporate local history into present development by using historic names for streets, parks and geographical features. (To be done by the city.) Comment on all development proposals that would affect properties on the historic properties list. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society in cooperation with City staff and the Maplewood Planning Commission). Review all applications or permits for the demolition, moving, or remodeling of Heritage Landmarks or Historically Significant Structures in Maplewood to determine the possible impacts on significant heritage resources. (To be done by the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Work with and encourage property owners to help preserve the heritage resource value and historical integrity of significant historical or cultural resources. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Encourage property owners to meet historic preservation standards and guidelines when working on historic properties (To be done by the city). Work with the Maplewood Area Historical Society to apply to the State Historical Preservation Office for certification as Certified Local Government (CLG). (To be done by the city.) Seek outside funding sources and participate where feasible on historic preservation projects. (To be done by the city and the Maplewood Area Historical Society). Work with county, state and federal agencies and other organizations when implementing this plan (including the State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society). (To be done by the city). P:\compplan\preser-2.o0 22