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Home My WebLink About05/19/2009 AGENDA MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. May 5, 2009 5. Public Hearings a. 7:00 pm: Conditional Use Perm it- T-Mobile Cell Phone Tower, 1961 County Rd C b. 7: 15 pm: Conditional Use Permit Amendment-Bruentrup Heritage Farm, 2170 County Rd D 6. New Business 7. Unfinished Business 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Commission Presentations a. Commissioner Report on the May 11, 2009 City Council Meeting: Commissioner Yarwood attended for the presentation of the Xcel Energy CUP for the expansion of the Tanner's Lake Substation at 3M Center, the discussion on the comprehensive plan update status and the White Bear Avenue Improvements proposed by the city and county. b. Upcoming City Council Meeting of May 28, 2009 (rescheduled from May 25, Memorial Day): At this time, the potential items of review will be the continued discussion about the comprehensive plan update and the Waldorf School conditional use permit for their proposed building expansion. Commissioner Fischer is scheduled to attend. 10. Staff Presentations a. 2009 Summer Planning Commission Tour Date Suggestions: June 29 (fifth Monday in June), June 30 (fifth Tuesday of June); July 1 (first Wednesday in July) or July 22 (fourth Wednesday in July) 11. Adjournment DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, MAY 5,2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Joseph Boeser Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood Absent Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present City Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand, City Planner Michael Thompson. City Enqineer III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Desai seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 21, 2009 Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the amended minutes of April 21, 2009, revising the second sentence on page four to read "the commission could recommend approval." Commissioner Pearson seconded Ayes - Boeser, Desai, Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Yarwood Abstention - Walton The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING None VI. NEW BUSINESS None Planning Commission Minutes of 05-05-09 -2- VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. White Bear Avenue Improvements, City Project 08-13 City engineer Michael Thompson presented the staff report for the second consideration by the commission of the final plans and specifications for the White Bear Avenue improvements that were authorized by the city council last December. Engineer Thompson said there are 31 properties that will be impacted with permanent easements by the reconstruction improvements. Engineer Thompson said Maplewood property owners involved in the construction want assurances that they will not be negatively affected by the road widening. Mr. Thompson said the city attorney reviewed the question of holding a public hearing and he recommended that a public hearing would not be required, since this is an action of a governmental agency, and no decision would be made. Engineer Thompson explained city code maintains that property owners have the same rights after the improvements as they do now. Commissioner Hess suggested that all of the properties listed on the report attachment have the business names included on it and also asked what type of retaining walls would be constructed. Engineer Thompson responded retaining wall details are in the process of being decided, but the walls will be either wet cast or cast in place. Commissioner Desai mentioned that Arby's and Caribou Coffee appear to be losing a few parking spaces and those businesses appear to need more parking. Mr. Desai asked if a study has been done on those locations to see if they will still have sufficient parking after the construction. Commissioner Desai also asked if mature trees removed with the construction would be replaced as is usually required by the city. Engineer Thompson responded that there has been extensive coordination with the property owners and lessees of Arby's and Caribou and new parking configurations are being considered for these sites. If a property owner claims their business can no longer survive due to the taking of parking, this would be considered with the appraisal and acquisition process. Mr. Thompson said a designer is working with these businesses to show them how these sites could function with losing a few parking spots. Engineer Thompson said since this is a public improvement project, trees are not required to be replaced and that many business owners have concerns with trees interfering with their visibility. Mr. Thompson said landscaping and enhancements will be considered. Planner Ekstrand explained that in road-widening situations, city staff works with the property owners and county to get the trees and landscaping back to as close as it was previously. Mr. Ekstrand said it is not always possible to get the landscaping to exactly where it was since land has been removed, but it is staff's goal to get it to a reasonable condition. Commissioner Trippler asked if sidewalks that need to be removed would be replaced. Engineer Thompson responded that the plan is to replace all of the sidewalks in the corridor. Mr. Thompson said it is planned to have sidewalks on both sides of White Bear Avenue and on County Road D. Commissioner Walton asked if the bike lane on the south side of County Road D would remain. Engineer Thompson said the intention is to have off-street pedestrian ways built on the south side of County Road D and on White Bear Avenue on the easement acquisitions. Commissioner Pearson asked if the variance would be transferred with the property if a property is sold and the use changes. Engineer Thompson responded that it would transfer with the property and that the intention of memorializing the right-of-way plan is to show the before and after. Mr. Thompson said a copy of the Right-of-Way Plan will be kept with each property. Planning Commission Minutes of 05-05-09 -3- Commissioner Pearson moved the planning commission has reviewed the Right-of-Way Plan and recommends to the city council approval of the Right-of-Way Plan. Commissioner Hess seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. April 27, 2009 City Council Meeting: Commissioner Martin reported on this meeting. b. Upcoming City Council Meeting of May 11, 2009: Commissioner Yarwood will attend. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. In-Service Training Planner Ekstrand explained that the planning and development of in-service training and informational topics for the commission is moving forward and staff will be presenting items at upcoming meetings. Commissioners made suggestions for training topics. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: James Antonen, City Manager Michael Martin, AICP, Planner T -Mobile Monopole - Conditional Use Permit and Design Review Request FMHC Corporation, as agent for T-Mobile Central LLC 1961 County Road C East May 7, 2009 APPLICANT: LOCATION: DATE: INTRODUCTION Project Description Kelly Swenseth, of FMHC Corporation and representing T-Mobile, is proposing to erect a 75-foot- tall wireless telecommunications tower for cellular telephone operations on land leased from Independent School District No. 622 at the Harmony Learning Center located at 1961 County Road C East. The pole would be located where a 3D-foot light pole currently exists within the school's parking lot. This tower would have the availability for collocation in the future. T-Mobile would lease a 15- by 25-foot site from Independent School District No. 622. The applicant would place ground equipment inside an 8-foot-tall fence. The fence would also include a 12-foot-wide gate for access. The tower would be placed on the grassy area within the parking lot at Harmony Learning Center. The applicant has not proposed any additional landscaping for screening purposes. City code would require the applicant to screen the ground equipment. Requests In order to proceed with the project the applicant is requesting the following city approvals: 1. A conditional use permit (CUP) for a tower and related equipment at a school. Section 44- 1321 (b)(2)b of the city code requires a conditional use permit for communication towers located at a school. Refer to the applicant's letter of request. 2. The tower design and site plans. BACKGROUND September 14, 1987: The city council approved a land use plan change and a conditional use permit to use the facility for non-profit, education-related and child-care uses. The land use change was from RM (residential medium density) and RH (residential high density) to S (school). 1992: Independent School District No. 622 demolished part of the old school, made structural additions and expanded the parking lot. DISCUSSION Conditional Use Permit The abutting neighbor has expressed concerns about the location of the proposed tower at the Harmony Learning Center. Staff considered those concerns and evaluated them with the ordinance requirements. Sec. 44-1321 lists preferences for selecting sites to build a telecommunications tower. Sec. 44-1321 (b)(1)g states that "parking lots may be used to locate towers where the structure replicates, incorporates or substantially blends with the overall lighting standards and fixtures of the parking lot." Sec. 44-1321 (b )(2)b states that schools are one of the primary land use areas for towers requiring a conditional use permit. The applicant stated that the proposed location for the tower within the Harmony Learning Center parking lot was chosen because of its proximity to the parking lot in order to service the tower and because it will be located where a light pole currently exists. Staff had encouraged the applicant to consider collocating on the water tower located on Cope Avenue, south of Highway 36. The Saint Paul Water Authority, who owns and operates the water tower, said the highest available position available to mount additional telecommunications equipment is at 90.1 feet. The applicant stated that it is always T-Mobile's first option to collocate because of the efficiencies achieved. However, the applicant feels the coverage achieved at the height available at the water tower is not sufficient and needs to locate at Harmony Learning Center. Coverage maps and a letter from the applicant's engineer have been attached to this report and detail the coverage achieved at both the water tower and Harmony Learning Center locations. Sec. 44-1331(a) requires that new telecommunications equipment be collocated on existing structures unless it can be documented to the satisfaction of the city council that the equipment planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing or approved tower or commercial building within one-half mile radius. The water tower on Cope Avenue is approximately three-quarters of a mile away from the Harmony Leaning Center site, thus the city cannot require the applicant to collocate on the water tower. Sec 44-1328(3)1 states that towers should not be located between a principle structure and a public street. The proposed tower's location within the parking lot, with access from County Road C East, would satisfy this requirement. City code requires that a new tower be set back from the nearest residential lot line by a distance of at least the height of the proposed tower plus 25 feet. So for this application the proposed tower would need to be at least 100 feet set back from the nearest residential lot line. The proposed tower is at least 170 feet away from the nearest residential lot line satisfying this requirernent. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses all telecommunications systems. This licensing requires that the proposed or new telecommunications equipment not interfere with existing communications or electronics equipment. If there is interference, then the FCC requires the telecornmunications company to adjust or shut down the new equipment to correct the situation. Maplewood must be careful to not limit or prohibit a proposed tower because of electronic interference. That is up to the FCC to monitor and regulate. The city may only base their decision on land use and on health, safety and welfare concerns. 2 Design and Site Issues The tower meets the setback requirements specified in the code. The applicant intends to replace a 30 foot light pole with a 75 foot wireless telecommunications tower. Lights servicing the parking lot will also be included on the tower at the 28 foot level. Staff would recommend requiring that the new lights not illuminate the parking lot any more than the current light pole does. A chain link fence does exist between the Harmony Learning Center site and the residential home to the east. An existing tree is located directly to the east of the proposed tower and would not be impacted by this proposal. The applicant is proposing an 8-foot tall chain link fence with three strands of barbwire on top. However, the existing conditions and proposed fencing do not amount to sufficient screening. Sec. 44-1328(3)f requires the applicant to landscape the base of the tower and any accessory structures. Staff is recommending that the applicant be required to submit a landscape plan for staff approval that details the use of arborvitae plantings and fencing that would sufficiently screen the ground equipment and tower base from the surrounding land uses. Sec. 44-1328(3)g requires that towers be a light blue or gray or other color shown to reduce visibility. This proposed tower would be required to meet this requirement. Other Comments Buildinq Official . Ifthere is a prefabricated building it is required to be IBC listed. The information provided by the applicant does not include the IBC listing. This is a Minnesota State Building Code requirement and the city will not issue a building permit for the new structure without the IBC listing. . The city requires a building permit for the installation of the telecommunication monopole tower. . The 75' telecornmunications tower must comply with all the requirements of the 2006 International Building Code. . A Minnesota registered structural engineer is required to review and sign off on the plans submitted. . Special inspection is required for concrete, rebar, bolting and welding. Enqineerinq Department No comrnents. Fire Marshall No comments. 3 Police Department Lieutenant Michael Shortreed of the Maplewood Police Department stated "After reviewing the proposal for the request to replace a parking lot pole at Harmony Elementary with a telecommunications tower for use as an antenna facility, I have no comments or suggestions regarding this project." SUMMARY Staff favored the option of recommending that the applicant collocate their antenna on the water tower south of Highway 36. Their coverage map, in fact, shows that they would still have reasonably good coverage in that location, although not as good as their preferred proposed location at Harmony Learning Center. The problem staff has is that this water tower location is more than one half mile from the proposed location. The guidelines in the ordinance requires that new telecommunications equipment be collocated on existing structures unless it can be documented by the applicant to the satisfaction of the city council that the telecommunications equipment planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing or approved tower or commercial building within a one-half mile radius. The key here is that there is that the water tower is more than one half mile of the proposed site. Staff, therefore, cannot apply that ordinance provision to require collocation on the water tower. Staffs feeling then is that we must do all we can to soften the view of the tower by screening and buffering. This would certainly include screening around the base of the proposed tower site as well as perhaps screening along the east side of the school properly to help soften the view for the abutting neighbor. Ideas may be trees or shrubs planted near the school's east lot line. RECOMMENDATIONS A. Adopt the resolution approving a conditional use permit for the proposed 75-foot-tall wireless telecommunications tower and ground equipment. Approval is based on the findings required by ordinance and subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. Community Development staff may approve minor changes. 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. This conditional use permit is conditioned upon T-Mobile allowing the collocation of other provider's telecommunications equipment on the proposed tower with reasonable lease conditions. 5. Applicant shall provide a landscape plan detailing sufficient screening on all sides of the telecommunications tower and ground equipment subject to staff approval. 4 B. Approval of the site and design plans stamped April 23, 2009, for a 75-foot-tall telecommunications tower and ground equipment within the parking lot of Harmony Learning Center at 1961 County Road C East. Recommendation is based on the findings required by code and subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. Applicant shall provide a landscape plan detailing sufficient screening on all sides of the telecommunications tower and ground equipment subject to staff approval. 2. The. new lights shall be shielded or directed so not to cause any glare on to neighboring properties. 3. Repeating the review in two years if the city has not issued permits for this project. 4. All work shall follow the approved plans. Community Development staff may approve minor changes. 5 CITIZEN COMMENTS Staff surveyed the 32 property owners within 500 feet of Harmony Learning Center for their opinions about this proposal. Of the eight replies, one had no cornments, four were in favor and three objected. In Favor 1. As a T-Mobile customer, we look forward to better coverage in our home. (Flor,203217'h Avenue East) 2. I am all for this. As a T-Mobile customer it would improve signal in my area which is not weak. (Grieman, 2621 Ariel Street North) 3. No problem with me. (Trepanier, 439 Birchwood Courts) 4. Since the family has T-Mobile phone service and since we have been experiencing very poor service from our home, we support the installation 100%. (AI-Ghalith, 1895 County Raod C East) Opposed 1. Two email's attached to this report. (Olson, 2005 County Road C East) 2. Email attached to this report. (Olson, 2045 17'h Avenue East) 3. Email attached to this report. (Olson, 2027 17'h Avenue East) No Comment 1. No comment. (Vaughn, 2725 White Bear Avenue North) 6 REFERENCE INFORMATION Site Description Existing Use: School Surrounding Land Uses North: East: South: West: Kohlman Creek County Open Space Single Family Home Single Family Homes, vacant lots and comrnercial buildings White Bear Avenue, commercial buildings and a church PLANNING Land Use: Zoning: School (S) Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance Requirements Section 44-1321 (b)(2) requires a CUP for a communications tower at a school. Section 44-1327(13) requires the community design review board (CDRB) to make recommendations on the plans for towers, utility, equipment or accessory buildings, site plans and proposed screening and landscaping. 7 Findings for CUP approval Section 44-1097(a) states that the city council must base approval of a CUP on nine standards for approval. Refer to the findings in the attached resolution. Section 44-1326(a) states that the city council shall consider the following when reviewing a CUP for a monopole: 1. The standards in the city code. 2. The recommendations of the planning commission and community design and review board. 3. Effect of the proposed use upon the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of residents of the surrounding areas. 4. The effect on property values. 5. The effect on the proposed use in the comprehensive plan. Application Date The city received the complete application for a wireless telecommunications tower on April 23, 2009. The initial 60-day review deadline is June 22, 2009. As stated in Minnesota State Statute 15.99, the city is allowed to take an additional 60 days if necessary to complete the review of the application. PI SEC2S11961 Co Rd CIMonopole CUPIPC_051909IT-MobileCUP ]C_051209.doc Attachments: 1. Location Map 2. Zoning Map 3. Land Use Map 4. Applicant's letter of request 5. Applicant's Engineer's letter 6. Proposed Coverage Maps 7. Site Plan, dated April 23, 2009 8. Email from Linda Olson, dated May 4, 2009 9. Email from Linda Olson, dated May 5, 2009 10. Email from Glen Olson, dated May 4, 2009 11. Email from Dale Olson, dated May 4, 2009 12. CUP Resolution 13. Site and Design Plans, dated April 23, 2009 (separate attachment) 8 Attachment 1 T-Mobile - Request for Conditional Use Permit and CDRB Review t Figure One - Location Map City of Maplewood April 8, 2009 NORTH Attachment 2 T-Mobile - Request for Conditional Use Permit and CDRB Review 2121 t Figure Two - Zoning Map City of Maplewood April 8, 2009 NORTH Attachment 3 T-Mobile - Request for Conditional Use Permit and CDRB Review t Figure Three - Land Use Map City of Maplewood April 8, 2009 NORTH Attachment 4 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION STATEMENT OF PROPOSED USE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION NEED FOR INCREASED COVERAGE IN MAPLEWOOD T-Mobile USA is the United States operating entity ofT-Mobile International AG, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT). Deutsche Telekom is one ofthe largest telecommunications companies in the world, with nearly 120 million customers worldwide. T-Mobile USA's headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington with a Minnesota office located at 8000 W 78th St in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2006, the usage of cell phones met and then exceeded landline phone usage and is now the primary way Americans communicate by phone. One out of every eight American homes (13.6%) had only wireless telephones during the first half of2007; that number jumped to nearly one out of every six (15.8) during the second half of2007. To keep pace with the dramatic increase in consumer demand on wireless networks in more residential areas, T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile") is making a committed effort to remedy and fill in areas experiencing spotty coverage, poor call clarity and dropped calls. The expanding wireless infrastructure is vital in providing quick assistance when emergency situations arise. T-Mobile typically handles more than 60,000 emergency 911 calls everyday across the country and the caller location system called Enhanced 911 ("E911") is providing better connection between the emergency responders and distressed wiretess callers. E911 ensures that each emergency wireless call is routed to the most appropriate dispatch call center while also providing a call-back number to the dispatcher as well as information about the approximate location of the distressed caller. To fully support the E911 system capabilities and to enhance public safety in the residential neighborhoods and shopping area surrounding Harmony Learning Center, T-Mobile's engineers have selected Harmony Learning Center as the best location option within T-Mobile's desired coverage radius. T-Mobile and its affiliates have acquired licenses from the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") to provide personal wireless service throughout the United States. These licenses include the City of Maple wood and the remainder of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, as part of an integrated nationwide network of coverage. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY The subject property of the Conditional Use Permit application is the location of the Harmony Learning Center parking lot, the address ofthe site is 1961 County Road C, Maplewood, Minnesota 55109. The legal description of the subject parcel is included with this application as Exhibit C: Harmony Learning Center Legal Description. The Harmony Learning Center property is used as an adult education center and is designated as an institutional/school use in the Land Use map. The property is owned by Independent School District No. 622 and is located at the intersection of County Road C and White Bear Avenue. Harmony Learning Center 1961 County Road C Maplewood, MN 55109 1 Attachment 4 PROPOSED TOWER T-Mobile Central LLC is proposing to erect a seventy-five (7S) foot wireless communications tower to enhance T-Mobile's digital network within the nearby residential neighborhoods and also better in-car coverage along White Bear Avenue and County Road C. The proposed tower will replace the existing light pole in the parking lot of Harmony Learning Center. T-Mobile's antennas are to be mounted above the light fixture with a centerline of seventy two feet and six inches (72' - 6"). The monopole is designed to structurally support the collocation of an additional carrier's antennas, and also support the mounting of parking lot light fixtures to illuminate the parking lot. Additionally, a four (4) foot tall lightning rod will be attached at the top of the monopole. The monopole will be designed in accordance with the Electronic Industries Association Standard EIA-222-F, "Structural Standard for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures." This standard is modeled after the ANSI AS8.1 standard, which is now known as ASCE-7. A monopole is theoretically designed to collapse upon itself in the event of an unlikely tower failure. T -MOBILE'S ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT T-Mobile's accessory equipment will be located at the base ofthe monopole on the grass berm. T -Mobile is proposing, for security reasons, to enclose the accessory grotmd equipment within an eight foot (8') tall chain link fence and to line three strands of barbed wire along the top of the fence. Since there is no existing vegetation on the land berm where the equipment will be located, T-Mobile is not proposing to add landscaping to the site. TYPICAL PROCESS FOR SITE LOCATION When T-Mobile becomes aware ofa need to increase coverage in a specific area, Radio Frequency (RF) engineers generate propagation studies to determine the location needs specific to the area such as the required height and desired latitude and longitude. In determining site requirements, T-Mobile's RF engineers consider the area topography, the location of existing antenna towers, surrounding obstructions and coverage and capacity needs. RF engineers then identify a Search Ring which is a geographic area which potential sites may be located to effectuate the maximum amount of coverage to the desired area. Once the Search Ring is identified, T-Mobile employs a site acquisition specialist to locate the possible sites within the Search Ring. The site acquisition specialist first looks for existing towers within the search ring where T-Mobile can collocate its antennas. Collocation on an existing tower is preferred because it cuts the cost of new construction and minimizes the number of towers in a local zoning jurisdiction. Ifno existing towers are available for collocation within the Search Ring, the site acquisition specialist then looks for the best option for locating a new tower that will satisfy the local zoning requirements and that can be easily camouflaged in the surrounding area. In planning for the construction of the new tower, T-Mobile's construction architects and engineers, have designed a tower that will allow for future collocation of an additional wireless carrier's antennas. Hannony Learning Center 1961 County Road C Maplewood, MN 55109 2 Attachment 4 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR HARMONY LEARNING CENTER SITE After generating a propagation study, T-Mobile's RF engineers identified the need for in- building coverage to the neighboring residential and commercial areas and also better in-car coverage along County Road C and White Bear Avenue. A map of the desired coverage area for this Maplewood Site can be viewed at Exhibit E: Letter from T-Mobile's RF Engineer. There are not any existing towers available for collocation within one-half mile of the Hannony Learning Center. Hannony Learning Center was selected for its location near the center of the issued desired coverage area and also to meet the zoning regulations of the City of Maplewood. T -Mobile and the site acquisition specialist met with representatives from the School District to come up with a tower designed to meet the zoning requirements and T-Mobile's needs, but also a structure that would minimally impact the use of Harmony Learning Center. The proposed monopole and ground equipment have been designed to blend in with the parking lot light fixtures. The Hannony Learning Center location is a good site for the future collocation of an additional carrier, thereby reducing the need for a tower in the future while also meeting T- Mobile's needs to provide better service to residents and visitors to the community. TYPICAL ACTIVITY AT A T-MOBILE SITE LOCATION The proposed antenna and equipment will not be staffed on a daily basis. Upon completion of construction, the site will require only infrequent site visits (approximately one to four times a month). Access to the property from County Road will be over the existing parking lot via a fifteen (15) foot wide access easement. The site and operations will be self-monitored by the network operations center with a remote connection that will alert personnel to equipment malfunction or a breach of security. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS The proposed facilities will be designed and constructed to meet applicable governmental and industry safety standards. Specifically, T-Mobile will comply with all FCC and FAA rules regarding construction requirements, technical standards, interference protection, power and height limitations, and radio frequency standards. Any and all RF emissions are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the FCC which sets and enforces very conservative, science-based RF emission guidelines to protect public health. T -Mobile operates all its wireless facilities well below FCC requirements. CONCLUSION T-Mobile looks forward to working with the City of Maplewood to bring the benefits of seamless wireless coverage and enhanced E9ll capabilities to its residential neighborhoods. The addition of this site will ensure uninterrupted superior wireless service to the residential neighborhoods around Hannony Learning Center and therefore provide greater competition in the marketplace. Harmony Learning Center 1961 County Road C Maplewood, MN 55109 3 Attachment 5 Memomndum To: Kelly Swenseth Real Estate and Zoning From: Thierry Colson, Senior RF Engineer, T-Mobile USA Date: 3/18/2009 Re: Harmony Learning Center, Maplewood, MN (AIN0609C) I am the Senior Engineer responsible for the design and location of this proposed site. I have been doing wireless network design for 13 years, and have planned and built hundreds of sites. It is my intention to describe the goals and objectives of this particular location and to examine the other possible locations we've considered in this area. I have attached a map ofT-Mobile's current site locations in the Maplewood and surrounding area. Also indicated on this map is the proposed site at the Hannony Learning Center (AIN0609C). Our primary objective with this site is to provide new in-building and in-car coverage in the City of Maplewood. It's important that this new coverage will link and complement the existing coverage. It's also important that we minimize the potential overlap in areas where the existing coverage is already an acceptable quality. Our target area is roughly bounded by Hazelwood Street on the West, Beam Avenue on the North, McKnight road on the East, and Hwy 36 on the South. Currently in this area there is very poor, or none in-building coverage. I have attached a map that is a computer generated depiction of our current coverage in our target area. The color scheme represents the general strength of the signals generated by our network. The green areas are the strongest, and represent a signal strong enough to penetrate most residential buildings. The yellow is typically strong enough to provide in-car service. The last signal level displayed is the grey, and indicates areas where the signal is strong enough for outdoor coverage. I have also attached a map using the same color scheme that depicts the coverage of our proposed site on the Harmony Learning Center Property. Comparing these two maps and the improvement in both the amount of our coverage and the strength of that coverage is very apparent. For reference, I've also attached a map depicting the coverage as it would be if we were to abandon the Harmony Learning Center Property site, and collocate on the proposed Water Tower, located south ofHwy 36 on Cope Avenue E. This plan to locate on the Water Tower has two drawbacks. First, this location is overlapping the existing coverage from our existing sites to the east (AINOllO and A1N0057). Secondly, it does not provide as much new coverage in the Northeastern portion of our target area as our proposed site does. The frequencies used by our equipment will be restricted to the bands as follows: Transmit: PCS B block (1950 to 1964), PCS C4 Block (1980 to 1985), AWS R3-E (2140 to 2t45) Receive: PCS B block (1870 to 1885), PCS C4 Block (1900 to 1905), AWS R3-E (1740 to 1745) May 13, 2009 These bands apportioned to T-Mobile by the FCC are well isolated from other bands used by public safety communication systems. There have been no incidences of interference with public safety systems on our existing sites, or any interference with consumer radio, television, or similar services. The license from the FCC states that T-Mobile cannot transmit outside ofthe above noted assigned frequency blocks. One of the penalties listed is loss of our license. 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I II I i I I .~ Page 1 of3 Attachment 8 Martin Sent: To: Cc: LINDA OLSON [lindamae5185@msn.com] Monday, May 04, 2009 3:32 PM Michael Martin Cherryl Kurkoski; Ann Flor; Ananth Shankar; Dale Trippler; Diana Longrle; Matthew Ledvina; Matt Wise; Tom Ekstrand; Will Rossbach; mlapitz@hotmail.com; mepretzel@hotmail.com; trlapitz@gmail.com; ruth.kranick@lacek.com; ekstedtfamily@hotmail.com; stevekranick@msn.com; littlelady@pressenter.com; dale.olson@thomson.com; ekstedt@minnehahaacademy.net; glen02g@hotmail.com Subject: FW: T-Mobile Tower at Harmony Learning Center Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed From: Monday, May 4th, 2009 Michael Martin Planner City of Maplewood This Is in response to your request for feedback on the proposed 75 foot T~mobile tower to be located in the middle of the Harmony Learning Center Parking lot - and about 75 feet away from my home. As owner of all of the property located Immediately adjacent and to the east of this site, T-Mobile has chosen the most obnoxiously possible placement on the entire Harrnony site for this tower. The only location that could more negatively impact my property, land and home would to be to locate this tower further east on this parking island, or further northeast between the corner of the Parking Lot and 1st base in the Baseball field. Then this toWer would be in full view of the biggest window In my kitchen. As a homeowner, I cannot strongly enough object to this placement of this tower, The proposed 75 foot tall tower will be visible frorn every window in my house on the north and west sides, and It will clearly overstory any vegetation growing along the fence between my yard and the Harmony school parking lot. That tower will dominate every corner of my entire back yard. It will also overstory and dominate all of the trees and other residential lots to the east and south of this site. As a resident, I am not at all comfortable with placing this tall utility smack in the middle of such a large open space. Putting this cell-phone tower in the middle of a large parking lot located between two wetland areas does not seem to be very practical. With the large Ramsey County Wetland to the north, the Casey Lake storm drainage area and Casey Lake Park (the largest park In the City of North St, Paul) to the east, and the Wetlands behind Bachmans to the south, this makes very little sense, This Is a wildlife corridor to deer and other creatures that pass between the wetlands and cross County Road C - mostly through my front yard. In addition, this parking lot is located virtually at the bottom of a natural depression created between Bittersweet on the west and McKnight on the east. This placement makes little sense when the immediately surrounding areas are considered, As a taxpayer to ISD 622, I can understand why a lease with T-Mobile would be financially agreeable to the School District, especially if T-Mobile is also going to pay for all of the electricity and maintenance to the new parking lot lights, In addition to what I hope is a generous Lease 5/12/2009 Page 2 0[3 amount. However, I wonder if the School Board has given any other considerations to the ramifications of this placement on this site. As a parent, I cannot think of a placement more obnoxious and obvious to all of the ALe students and others who use this facility, including the T-ball, softball and basebali piayers from the North St. Paul Athietic League who use the ballfield, Open exposure of this tower base is also NOT advisable to all of the surrounding residents and their children who use this parking lot and the adjoining recreational space. I am a T-mobile customer. I have NEVER had drop-out problems with my cell phone from anywhere in my house or my yard. Cell phone coverage from both the nearby North St. Paul Water tower and the tower by the Sheet metal Workers union seems to be more than adequate for this site. From the maps supplied in rny mailing, It seems to me that this tower Is NOT going to completeiy cover all of the areas which are projected to need better service. One better and iess obtrusive location Is behind Les's Superette, near the dumpsters and in the Maplewood Covenant Church Parking lot, Other iocations to fill the pro ported customer residential needs means perhaps this tower should be located further north on White Bear Avenue - perhaps behind the Premier bank. Another area to site this tower that might better serve the neighborhoods in need might be on one of the higher elevations on the north side of Casey Lake - perhaps even In Casey Lake Park. Have options on the West side of White BearAvenue, at the top of the hill near the soccer fieids been Investigated? Regardless, it appears to me that other towers are going to have to be Installed within a quarter- mile radius from this tower within both North St. Paul and Maplewood to meet the proported needs of the T-Mobile resident customers who will not be able to benefit from this tower. Other cell phone towers located in the City of Maplewood have been placed in corner areas, not smack in the open center of large residential, SChool and wildlife areas. They have also been surrounded with various objects and designed to be unobtrUsiVe wherever possible. The T -Mobile Tower located behind the Steelworkers Union bUilding, less than a mile away, is placed very close to the building and next to the Dumpsters. The argument that better cell phone coverage is needed for car service In this area is going to fall upon my deaf ears" especially since cell phone usage whlie driving in the car Is such a problem issue. Reference all Drivers using the cell phone on County Road C and White Bear Avenue while driving now. Is the goal of T-Moblle to eventually install cell phone towers every half-mile within this city area to provide full and unlimited coverage to every geographical depression in the city? How many more towers are being discussed for future installation in the City of Maplewood? What is being planned for the adjoining City of North St. Paul? This may be the best place for a new tower from T"Mobiles corporate viewpoint simply because this site is so open and easily accessible. Placing this tower on grade in a flat, open space and next to curb and gutter must seem ideal. But placing this IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PARKING LOTis the most obnoxious and intrusive location possible to both residents and users of this facility. This design may be best fOr T-Mobile because it offers the cheapest possible construction costs. Surrounding this tower with an 8 foot high chain link fence, topped with 3 strands of barbed wire, and NO Landscaping - simply because "none exists", is the cheapest possible and most obnoxious at grade design possible. And the ONLY community enhancement or 'improvement' to the site being proposed is to add parking lot lights, which easily can be obnoxious all by themselves. Finally, if this tower MUST be placed on the Harmony Learning Center site, for what I must assume are financial considerations to the school district, then there are other locations on the property 5/12/2009 Page 3 of3 that rnust be considered. First, it must be placed MUCH CLOSER to the building. Smack in the center of such a large, exposed open space in a residential area is simply not acceptable. Other areas on the Harrnony School site that should have been considered are near the north side of the building. Any location on the north side of the building could be more easily tied Into the exsisting site and be landscaped to create a much less obtrusive structure. Another option is the hill immediately next to the intersection on the north-east corner of White Bear Avenue and County Road C, where the old Maplewood School was originally located, would provide a natural elevation that wouid not only .raise the base of the tower and increase the range of the signals, but be much easier to landscape and conceal the base and infrastructure. This location would still be aCcessible to utility vehicles from the existing utility parking area located on the south side of the building. As outgoing Chairperson of the Community Design Review Board, my first reaction to this letter from the City was that this had to be some kind of a sick joke. Is piacing this monstrosity next to rny home is rny repayment for choosing to take a break from nine years of continuous, dedicated and unpaid volunteer in service to the City of Maplewood? Staff has clearly not taken any overall residentiai Community Impact Into consideration by promoting the placement of this tower. Do all of the lessons learned over the last decade about cell phone tower placement within the City of Maplewood have to be revisited? And fair warning - the "experienced' T-Mobile engineer who submitted this proposal is going to have a serious uphill fight with rne to justify both the proposed placement and design of this tower. I VOTE NO!!!! Li nda Olson Active Volunteer and Current Chair Cornmunlty Design Review Board Citry of Maplewood Mrs. Linda Mae Olson Mr, Larry Gold Property Owners a nd Residents 2005 East County Road C Maplewood, Minnesota lindamae5185(Cilrnsn.com Linda M. Olson Engineering Aide II Dept of Pubiic Works, Bridge Division City of St, Paul 651-266-6185 Ilnda ,0Ison(Cilci .stpaul. m n. us 5/12/2009 Page 1 0[2 Attachment 9 Michael Martin From: Linda Olson [lindamae5185@msn.com] Tuesday, May 05, 2009 11 :41 PM Tom Ekstrand Michael Martin; DuWayne Konewko; Ananth Shankar; Matt Ledvina; Matt Wise; Rossbach; Diana Longrie Subject: Re: T-Mobile Tower at Harmony Learning Center Sent: To: Cc: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Please run all of my comments, sarcastic, critical and otherwise. My initial e-mail covered everything I could think of in the few days I had between receiving the mailing from the city and meeting your deadline for resident submissions. I would rather have all of my observations out there now so others can consider my comments and ponder the issues this proposed cell-phone tower raises before the matter becomes a single yes or no issue. I knew the timing on this proposal would be close as to whether I would be reviewing this as the sitting Chair of the CDRB or not. That is one reason I threw so many of my arguments into that e-mail. I am not opposed to T-Mobiles attempts to improve their cell phone coverage, nor am I opposed to cell phone towers as a general rule. I am, in fact a T-Mobile user. However I am very unhappy with thecareless placement and design of this particular tower, and I can assure you that even if I was not an impacted resident, I would not approve of placing this tower in this place on this site with this current design. PreSiding as Chair of the CDRB over this issue does present a clear conflict of interest. I am grateful that I will be able to present my viewpoints from the audience, and not have to worry about running the meeting and managing the gavel, motions, audience and camera at the same time. During a simple drive-around Our city after Work tonight, I easily located the following cell phone towers or antenna clusters: 1. The Sheet Metal workers Union site. just south of Hwy 36 a very large tower located about 15 feet from a building, next to a fence and the dumpsters on the back corner of a parking lot, just south of Hwy 36. 2, a cluster of Antenna on top of the Tallest North St. Paul Water Tower located directly south near Ariel Stree and south of HWy 36. 3. a cell phone tower just south of Hwy 36 between the frontage road and the Gateway Trail, across the street from the North St.Paul Public Works storage site, 4. a cluster of antenna located on top of the older North St. Paul Water Tower on 14th Avenue near Richardson School. 5. cell phone towers and antenna located on top of the Emerald Inn by 694, east of White Bear Avenue. 6. another cell phone tower located just north of County Road D behind the Midas Muffler Shop (next to the Old Best Buy) and south of 694. 7. I have not yet visited the T-Mobile toWer called A1N0050A located north of Hwy 36 and south of Gervais, and west of Clarence, According to the submitted, that tower appears to be about 1.5 miles from my home, If T-Mobile has a One-mile radius of coverage from all of these existing tower locations, then my home is currently overlapped with coverage from three of these existing structures. If T -Mobile requires a half-mile 5/12/2009 Page 2 of2 radius for cell phone coverage, then this city is in for a wave of neW cell phone tower construction. I'm still having trouble with the comment that... "we had no prior meeting with T-Mobile on this site selection before they presented their application for the tower. We will have to review it like any application we receive and weigh the pros and COns of this proposal." It seems to me that city staff should at least speak with an applicant prior to spending taxpayer time and money reproducing, mailing and distributing proposal letters, plans and maps for review and resident feedback. The number of people who have told me they either received or have seen this mailing is increasing daily, and I wonder if it this is standard procedure - to take what an applicant submits and just put it out there in the community, before having any kind of internal discussion - or even a phone call with the applicant first. Placing the burden of review first upon the community seems to have the potential for creating unnecessary confusion and conflict. Finally, just for the heck of it, I drove through most of the southern part of White Bear Lake adjoining our city toni(lht, and I was unable to locate a single cell phone tower visible from my car windows. They have hidden their cell phone towers very well. Linda Olson Resident 2005 East County Road C Maplewood 5/12/2009 Page 1 of 1 Attachment 10 Michael Martin From: Glen Olson [glen029@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 10:09 PM To: Michael Martin Subject: T-Mobile cell tower at Harmony Mr. Martin, As a T-Mobile customer with poor service in my house, I would be pleased to have better service. But as a nearby landowner to the proposed site, I have some serious questions and concerns. The letter enclosed In the notice mentions that other companies could potentially rent space on the new tower from T-Mobile. What I don't see is much information or consideration about T-Mobile using other eXisting structures. The Maplewood water tower at Hwy 36 is just .7 mile from Harmony. It is practically visible from my yard and at a higher elevation. Unfortunately the B&W map copies were insufficient to actually compare the two options. The huge light poles at Maplewood Mall are not mentioned. Were they considered? The choice of placing It directly In the middle of the parking lot, with a barbed wire-topped enclosure around the base, seems at the least insensitive to aesthetics, and potentially dangerous to the many youth who stili frequent the site. If there is no danger of damage due to a collapse, why not put it right next to the building? (If there Is, it doesn't belong anywhere, of course.) White Bear Avenue is zoned commercial, the land to the east and north Is not. If this area is the only and best choice, it should at ieast be closer to the west side of the site, not within spitting distance of residences. The negative Impact on adjacent residential land values from this proposal would be significant, and I am opposed to it. The cell reception I have is acceptable as is after all, all things considered. Glen Olson 2045 17th Ave E 5/12/2009 Page 1 of 1 Attachment 11 Michael From: dale.olson@thomsonreuters.com Sent: Monday, May 04, 20093:59 PM To: Michael Martin Subject: RE: T-Mobile Tower at Harmony Learning Center Monday, May 4th, 2009 Michael Marlin Planner City of Maple wood This is in response to your request for feedback on the proposed 75 foot T-mobile tower to be located in the middle of the Hannony Learning Center Parking lot. Unfortunately I do not collect the mait on a daily basis So was unaware of this issue until yesterday and hope this e-mail will provide an adequate response. I have to object to the proposal as initially provided in the mailing. Based on other sites, the location is not ideal, and the lack of any landscaping for a 6 foot fence with a three-strand barbed wire is absotutely not acceptable. I can understand that a lease with T-Mobile would benefit the School District and they would be in favor of it. But I don't think the School Board is considering all ofthe impacts that tblsplacement on this site would have. There are certainly more unobtrusive locations on that patcel of property, and while the district would not get a "free" light pole out of the deal, it would not be the eyesore that is proposed. This does not appear to be a very well thought-out proposal. It seems that any factor otherthan how easy it would be for T- Mobile to build and maintain was not even considered. I and the other participants in the Trust are not agreeable to this proposal. Dale Olson Trustee, Priscilla L. Olson Trust Owrter ofpa.rcel east bfHannouy Learning Center 2027 E. l7'h Ane. North st. Paul, MN 55t09 5/12/2009 Attachment 12 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Kelly Swenseth, of FMHC Corporation and representing T-Mobile, applied for a conditional use permit to install a 75-foot-tall telecommunications tower and related equipment. WHEREAS, this permit applies to 1961 County Road C East. The legal description is: That part ofthe Southwest Y. of Section 2, Township 29, Range 22, Ramsey County. More particularly described as: Beginning at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and the South link of Said Southwest 1/4; thence northerly on said center line 420.55 feet; thence east parallel with said South line 311 feet; thence northerly parallel with said center line 140 feet; thence north 107.07 feet, thence east 391.55 feet to a point 658.95 feet north of said South line; thence to said South line at a point 200 feet west of said Y. corner; then West to the point of beginning. WHEREAS, the history of this conditional use permit is as follows: 1. On May 19, 2009, the planning commission held a public hearing. The city staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The planning commission gave persons at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The commission also considered reports and recommendations of the city staff. The planning comrnission recommended that the city council the conditional use permit. 2. On , 2009, the city council discussed the proposed conditional use permit. They considered reports and recommendations from the planning commission and city staff. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council conditional use permit revision, because: the above-described 1. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated to be in conformity with the city's comprehensive plan and code of ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate properly values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or properly, because of excessive noise, glare, srnoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water run-off, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The use would maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the development design. 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. Approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. Community Development staff may approve minor changes. 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. This conditional use permit is conditioned upon T-Mobile allowing the collocation of other provider's telecommunications equipment on the proposed tower with reasonable lease conditions. 5. Applicant shall provide a landscape plan detailing sufficient screening on all sides of the telecommunications tower and ground equipment subject to staff approval. The Maplewood City Council this resolution on ,2009. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: LOCATION: DATE: James Antonen, City Manager Shann Finwall, AICP, Environrnental Planner Bruentrup Heritage Farm Conditional Use Permit Amendment 2170 County Road D May 13, 2009 for the May 19 Planning Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION The Bruentrup farm buildings were relocated from White Bear Avenue to a 2.36 acre site within the Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve in 1999. Prior to relocation of the buildings, the city council issued a conditional use permit (CUP) to the Maplewood Area Historical Society (MAHS) to operate the farm on the new site as an educational and interpretive center. City code allows "public facilities" in any zoning district with a CUP. Since the relocation, Bruentrup Heritage Farm (BHF) has been the home of the MAHS where they host monthly society meetings and year-round educational, interpretive, and fund-raising events. In 2006, the city received a $100,000 local preservation grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to complete the restoration of the barn. The restoration improvernents, which include a fire sprinkler and alarm system, were needed before the barn could be used for public functions. The MAHS would like to create a sustainable cash flow to ensure that the farm expenses and other society projects are covered through their fund-raising activities, and not dependent on city funding. The barn restorations are now complete and the society would like to rent out the facility for large events (such as weddings) in addition to hosting their own small and large events (such as Johnny Appleseed Days). Refer to the MAHS/BHF CUP Amendrnent Request and maps attached (Attachrnents 1 through 6). BACKGROUND February 8, 1999, the city council approved the relocation of the Bruentrup farm buildings to the Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve. June 14, 1999, the city council approved a CUP for a "public facility" to be located within the Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve and a parking waiver for the reduction in the required number of parking spaces for such a use. December 13, 1999, the city council approved a 99-year lease agreement which allows the MAHS to lease the land and buildings for interpretive, educational, and fund-raising purposes. However, it was determined in 2008 that the lease was never officially signed by both parties and as such the MAHS had been using the site without a formal lease since 1999. July 8, 2002, the city council approved a CUP revision to allow the construction of a parking lot on the west side of the site. December 1, 2008, the city council held a workshop to review the MAHS proposal for the sublease of the farm for large outside events. The city council expressed support for the proposal as long as parking and other possible nuisance issues are addressed in the CUP amendment. April 13, 2009, the city council approved an updated version of the 99-year lease agreement which allows MAHS to lease the land and buildings for interpretive, educational, and fund-raising purposes. The city and the MAHS both agree to the terms of the lease and have both officially signed the lease. DISCUSSION The society would like to create a revenue flow by renting out the barn for weddings and other large events. With the appropriate rental agreements and insurance the society feels that they could feasibly rent out the barn for six large events, in addition to using the farm house and barn for other society events throughout the year. The rental of the barn and site for outside large events was not discussed during the city council's original approval of the BHF CUP (Attachrnent 7). As such, prior to the society subleasing the site for such events, the city rnust approve an arnendment to the CUP. Following are issues the city should review prior to approval of such an amendment: Building Capacity Dave Fisher, Building Official, submitted a review memorandurn regarding the society's proposed large events (Attachrnent 8). Mr. Fisher conducted a building code analysis on the maximum occupant load of the newly renovated barn and recommends that the occupancy for the building be limited to 290 people (165 people on the upper level and 125 people on the lower level). For this reason, the CUP should lirnit the maximum number of people permitted for outside events to 290 people, dependent on parking arrangements. Parking The parking lot to the west of the site was approved as an amendment to the BHF CUP and includes 21 parking spaces (Attachment 9). The parking lot was funded and constructed by the city for the society's use and is also intended for use by visitors of the city's Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve. The city's parking code does not specifically address parking requirernents for a "public facility" or for a facility that is rented for events. As such, the city should use the maximum occupancy of the barn as an indicator of the amount of parking needed for the proposed outside large events. The city used a similar calculation to determine the Myth's parking needs, which is a nightclub and rental facility. The calculation is based on an estimate of four people arriving in one vehicle for the large event, times the maximum occupancy of the barn. With this calculation, the rental of the barn at its maximum capacity would require 73 parking spaces (maximum occupancy [290] divided by the nurnber of people in a car [4] = nurnber of parking spaces required [73]). In addition to the 21 parking spaces in the parking lot to the west of the farm, the society states that they could accommodate up to 10 additional vehicles in the driveway around the barn. To accommodate the remaining 42 parking spaces needed in the above-mentioned calculation, the 2 MAHS is arranging for the lease of off-site parking frorn nearby business properties for large events. People would be shuttled to and from the off-site parking lots. Currently the society has a tentative agreement with the Salvation Army to use their parking lot (78 parking spaces). Salvation Army is located to the north of the site on Woodlynn Avenue. The society proposes transporting people to and from the site on a wagon pulled by their farm tractor. The tractor would travel on a rnowed trail through the open space site. The city currently allows the society to transport guests in this manner for the society's Johnny Appleseed Days. However, due to the liability issues associated with transporting people in this manner on city property for outside events (evening hours, liquor), staff recommends that this type of transport only be allowed during the society's large events. Since the Salvation Army is located quite a distance from the farm site, a shuttle system should be arranged by the society for parking in this location for the large outside events. Another concern with parking in this location is its proxirnity to residential property to the west and north. Large event attendees leaving the site later at night with slamrning doors and other noise generators could pose a nuisance to the surrounding residential properties. In addition to the Salvation Army parking, the society is also in negotiations with Harbor Pointe to use their parking lot (250 parking spaces). Harbor Pointe is located to the east of the site on County Road D. Harbor Pointe is located within walking distance of the farm site. To ensure safe pedestrian crossing, the city should ensure that appropriate temporary signs or crossing guards are present during the large events to direct people to the appropriate crossing intersections. If the society successfully obtains parking leases for the above-mentioned parking lots, they would have adequate parking to meet the city's parking code requirernents. Liquor License The MAHS currently does not serve alcohol at their events. However, if they rent the site for weddings or other outside events, the MAHS would like to .allow the renter to serve liquor with the appropriate license. Karen Guilfoile, city clerk, states that the city could issue ternporary liquor licenses to the renters in order to serve beer and wine on the site. This license would require that the renter of the site hire an off-duty police officer when the beer and wine is served. If hard liquor or more than six temporary events with liquor are proposed, Ms. Guilfoile recommends that the city council consider an annual license that would cover all events at a pre- determined fee. Currently MAHS has an annual food establishment license that the city does not charge them for, which could be incorporated in the consideration. Noise A rnajor concern of large events at the farm is the generation of noise. Any large scale music for outside events (such as DJs and bands) should be limited to inside the barn. Any event on the site must also comply with the city's noise ordinance which requires that no disturbing noises be generated after 7 p.m. 3 Rental Agreement Subleasing of the site by the society for outside events should be covered by a rental agreement which should dictate hours of use, maximum number of people, location of parking, etc. The city should approve the rental agreement language. Master Plan The lease allows the MAHS to use and maintain the property for 99 years unless terminated sooner. The purpose of the use is designated in the BHF rnaster plan (Attachment 10) and the approved CUP. The BHF master plan was last updated by the MAHS in January 2008 and describes the purpose of the BHF as an interpretive center for the history of agriculture in New Canada-Maplewood. The goals of the master plan include education and interpretation, learning by participation, historical authenticity, attraction of people, organizations, and community support, and home to the MAHS. Staff has found that the master plan contains some outdated material including the size of the site, conditions at BHF, and parking reference. In addition to updating this information, the MAHS should also modify the master plan to include the intent and purpose of the fund raising events. For this reason, staff recommends that the rnaster plan be amended by the MAHS as part of the CUP amendment. Since the master plan is an attachment to the lease, those amendrnents must be approved by the city council. Insurance The structures and general liability are covered under the city's umbrella insurance policy. The city should require that the society or the renters obtain additional liability coverage for the subleasing of the site for outside events. Off-Site Sign The society is interested in working with the city and the county on posting a directional sign for the farm site on White Bear Avenue and County Road D, as well as on McKnight Road and County Road D. The city's sign code would allow such a sign in the right-of-way with approval from the city council. Currently the city has a similar type of directional sign for the Maplewood Nature Center along Century Avenue. Sign designs and details should be submitted by the society for approval by the city council. City Use of Bruentrup Heritage Farm The BHF is a great asset to the city and serves an important historical social function to our community. The city has also benefited frorn the use of the farrn for other non-historical events such as movie nights put on by the recreation department and fund raising events put on by the Friends of Maplewood Nature and supported by nature center staff. The city should continue to work with the society to find other ways that the site could be used for city functions. In exchange, the society requests the use of the Maplewood Community Center for their annual fund raising Halloween Hoe Down. Each year the society has used the city's facilities at no charge, and they want to ensure this is memorialized in the CUP conditions. Staff is supportive of this request. 4 Open Space Issues The city has been re-establishing native plants on the Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve over the last few years. In addition to the preserve, there is a small oak savanna located immediately west of the BHF entry drive that the city has been maintaining as oak savanna. The CUP should ensure that this area located within the BHF site continues to be managed by the city as oak savanna. In addition, city staff encourages the society to submit their yearly event schedule to the Natural Resource Coordinator to ensure management of the preserve (such as herbicide treatments or controlled burns) doe not disrupt their events. RECOMMENDATIONS Approve the arnendment to the Maplewood Area Historical Society's Conditional Use Permit for the use of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm site (2170 County Road D) with the following conditions (changes to original conditions are underlined if added and stricken if deleted). 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 2. Before the city issues a building permit, the city engineer shall complete the necessary grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans. 3. The applicant or contractor shall complete the following before occupying the buildings: a. Replace property irons that are removed because of this construction. b. Install reflectorized stop signs at all exits, a handicap-parking sign for each handicap-parking space and an address on the building. c. Construct a trash dumpster enclosure for any outside trash containers. The enclosures rnust be 100 percent opaque, match the color of the buildings and have a closeable gate that extends to the ground. If the trash container is not visible to the public it does not have to be screened. d. Install site-security lighting as required by the code. The light source, including the lens covering the bulb, shall be concealed so the light source in not visible and so it does not cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if the city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 6. Update the Januarv 2008 Bruentrup Heritaqe Farm Master Plan to include correct site size. site conditions, parkinq references, and purpose and intent of outside fundraisinq events. 7. Transportation of quests in a waqon pulled bva tractor to and from the Salvation Armv parkinq lot (Woodlvn Avenue) to the farm on a trail throuqh the Prairie Farm Neiqhborhood Preserve is on Iv allowed for society held events. 5 8. Any lame scale music proposed for events (such as DJs and bands) should be limited to inside the barn. 9. Use of the farm must cornplv with the city's noise ordinance which requires that no disturbinQ noises be qenerated before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. 10. In exchanqe for occasional use of the Bruentrup Heritaqe Farm site by the city, the city will allow the society the use of the Communitv Center at no charqe for their annual fundraisinq Halloween Hoe Down. 11. The oak savanna located west of the entrv drive within the Bruentrup Heritaqe Farm site rnust continue to be manaqed by the citv as oak savanna. 12. The barn must be posted with a maximum occupancy of 290 people. 13. Subleasinq of the site by the society to outside larqe events must complv with the followinq conditions: a. In addition to the 21 parkinq spaces in the parkinq lot to the west of the farm and the 10 additional parkinq spaces in the drivewav around the barn, the society must lease 42 off-site parkinq spaces for the sublease of the site for larqe events with a maximum occupancv of 290 people. The citv must approve the location and lease of the parkinq aqreernents. b. The society must obtain the appropriate liquor license prior to servinq alcohol on the site. c. Rental aqreernent which dictates hours of use, maxirnum number of people. location of parkinq, etc. e. Additional liability coveraqe. P:\sec2N\Bruentrup\5-19-09 PC Report Attachments: 1. Maplewood Area Historical Society/Bruentrup Heritage Farm Conditional Use Amendment Request 2. Location Map 3. Site Plan 4. Land Use 5. Zoning Map 6. Proposed Parking Map 7. Conditional Use Permit for a Public Facility (June 19, 1999 City Council Minutes) 8. Dave Fisher, Building Official, Review Memorandum 9. Conditional Use Permit for Parking Lot Expansion (July 28, 2002) 10. January 2008 Bruentrup Heritage Farm Master Plan 6 Afl ~.cJ\Y"e" t \ Maplewood Area Historical Society - CUP Application, April, 2009 Supplementary Information I. Criteria for MAHSIBHF CUP Amendment Request 1. Conformity of uses with City comprehensive plan and code of ordinances: a. The operation of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm (BHF) and events organized or allowed by sub-lease by the Society have been allowed uses since the City Council approved our CUP on 6-14-1999, under CUP Resolution 99-06-046. It is our understanding that the historical farm is allowed as a "Special Use Park", as part of the City's Open Space District. b. The Society proposes to continue its currently allowed historical uses at the BHF. Such uses will be consistent with the Master Plan for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm - which includes the following goals: (I) Education and Interpretation; (2) Learning by Participation; (3) Historical Authenticity; (4) Attract the Interest and Support of People and Groups (this goal includes fund-raising activities); (5) Serve as a Home for the Maplewood Area Historical Society. c. The Society requests that the Planning Commission and City Council approve an amendment to our CUP that would allow a limited number of large, non-historical fund-raising events (see page XX for details). These large events (historical or non-historical) would be managed by the Society, in a manner that is consistent with our lease with the City. The Society will contract with outside groups to provide their own event insurance, liquor license and police if needed, and other special needs. 2. The Society's historical events and proposed non-historical group rentals would not change the existing or planned character of the site, the structures, or the surrounding area. 3. The Society would manage and control its events and group rentals in a way that would not depreciate property values in the area. 4. Consistent with its lease with the City, the Society would operate its historical uses and manage the non-historical group rentals to avoid/prevent dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing, or nuisance-causing activities on the site. 5. Vehicular Traffic Generation, Parking & Transport Arrangements: The Society uses 21 parking spaces at the City-owned lot adjacent to the farm. The Society allows limited parking for handicapped visitors at the farmyard. The Society allows for parking of several vendors and/or demonstrators inside the farmyard either behind the barn or at other designated locations. The Society has made arrangements with two commercial properties located about one block west of the farm on Co. Road D for _ off-site spaces. The Society will provide shuttle transport for Society events; groups that rent the barn will be required to provide shuttle service for their events. Attendance for all events will be limited to the available parking capacity. 6. The BHF is adequately served by public water and sewer, streets, police and fire protection, and appropriate drainage control. 7. The Society has operated the BHF for almost 10 years at the present site - without creating any excessive added costs for public facilities and services. 8. Preservation and incorporation of the site's natural and scenic features: The Society has worked with the City since 1999 to preserve mature oak trees on the site, plant small trees and bushes on the site, and generally cooperate with the City's management of the adjacent open space area. 9. The current and proposed uses at the farm would cause minimal or no adverse environmental effects. 10. Note: The Society has transferred ownership of the buildings on the site to the City. The lease agreement between the Society and the City states that the buildings on the farm are "public buildings" (Section 21 of the lease) II. Number, Type, Size and Attendance at Events - Yearly A. Outside Large Events ("Large" = 100+ people, May -October)* Large Historical Events l. lee Cream Social (approx. 100, over a 2.5 hour period) 2. Johnny Appleseed (250-300, over a 4 hour period) 3. Barn Dance (Barn capacity 200, plus some people outside onsite) 4. "public program" (100 - ISO?) 5. "public program" (100 - ISO?) 6. "public program" (100 - ISO?) Large. Non-Historical Events l. Weddings (100 to 400? afternoon - evening ?) 2. School picnics (100 to 200? morning or afternoon) 3. City's movie night (100 to 200? Could also be inside.) 4. "group rental" (100 to 200?) 5. "group rental" (100 to 200?) 6. "group rental" (100 to 200?) * Attendance will be limited, based on barn capacity and parking capacity. The Society holds most of its outside programs in May to October. All Society events will be covered by its liability insurance. All "group rentals" will be required to purchase special insurance coverage, etc. Society will require police/security, liquor permit, & enforce noise limits. B. "Medium" Historical Society Events (inside or outside, 50 to 100 people) l. Holiday Tea (10 am to 4 pm, up to 60 people in total) 2. Spring Tea (lOam to 4 pm, up to 60 people in total) 3. 4. 5. 6. C. "Small" Historical Society Events (inside or outside, under 50 people) l. Monthly Society meetings (evenings, average 20 to 30 people) 2. Christmas Open House (Saturday, Sunday, average 30 people each day) 3. Holiday Pot Luck Supper (Evening, members only, about 30 people) 4. Projects and Activities (3 to 30, inside or outside, throughout the year) Committee meetings, planning and building exhibits or displays, general maintenance/repairs/cleanup/grass cutting/leaf raking, gardening, painting) 5. Tractor/Hay wagon rides - maybe 2 or 3 times/year, at the large events. (Note: Advance permission to cross the open space is required from City.) 6. Intermittent, limited tours of the farm (usually less than 20 people/tour) 7. Meetings with members of other historical societies and groups. 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I , / 4 " i i [" jo Ie !I ~7 V:~ ~ " ou () J> () 10 I , , I I ' I ' I, I ii ' I' , I , .II I' ~ I' ,I :,1 .1:-:l !ili] ~II AtllXd\ mlt'\t 3 ~-e-- o BRUENTRUP FARM )~," ',' l" '""""" ttm1F'i 111'.1 """WI~" CityofMapIewood ""=..:t'",,,,,,",,,,~~ uw<;'o """"'~""-....""" 0 ",DEPARTMENTOF PUBLIC WORKS ...!<O_.,"".,",,,"","" ':ll ENGINEERING DIVISION ~~''''P.t..~. 1902 EootCo",,1yRood B IIop!Qood,Ml""""l<> 55109 ..." ""'''''<OlO-..iLllII (651):H9-2400 FAX (651) 249_24Ol1 i I 'I II II ~~ I 33.!.o il l I "'YI '\ij eITUWNOUSPARKING I' . " ,,' I I ' :::,::: j 'u~L~LJ i-II ii" i I' ~;II:!1 ,I 'W.':' Il~1 ' ~ -+ ~ :, t) J' v--I LEASE BOUNDARY ')') ',,- l\\~ ~ik f'qn ~t~ ll\€r1t ~ ~l< ." \ ~ ~ ~ "" "" " . . , . ~ . ~ c ! .2170 os ~ !b[ .... :r: Cl Z >< u :; . WOOD LYNN AVE o " ,Q 8 lA1\~ U~ A~<--h Me t'\t ? <fJf ." \l~...D .f. ~ ~ [L ~ .~ S,21 t~ 21ro f ti:J[ o . WOODLYNN AVE o , Zona t\~ At\Qd1 'M{ 1\T It' .~\.~ ~\ . ~" ~ ." ~ 0; ,(J .",<:\ 'Ii!; 'i<:\ l:;l:; "" "" o Dc:::'] c ! . '" '" n " ~8rlbou Cotl'ee D , , M malllla'$ ,~. ! ~ i , Go . DOll Q aaker'!l ~a.e ollhChlna ~est8ur8nl I 'Fel0V\ l1'utrvt O[ ;, .... <J) ~ W '" -< . r1'~ 1tl~ o , 2@] & ,\;} I'J 'ff'()~5tUl ~"'f\\~ Mayor Rossbach convened the meeting for a public hearing. Manager McGuire introduced the staff report. Director of Community Development Coleman presented the specifics of the report and answered questions posed by the Council. Commissioner Lorraine Fischer presented the Planning Commission report. Boardmember Ananth Shankar presented the Community Design Review Board report. Mayor Rossbach opened the public hearing, calling for proponents or opponents. The following persons were heard: Carolyn Peterson, 1999 Jackson, representing Friends of Bruentrup Farm Peter Boulay, E. Cnty Rd. C, Maplewood Area Historical Society Bill Bruentrup, 2380 White Bear Avenue g. Mayor Rossbach closed the public hearing. Councilmember Carlson moved/introduced the following Resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the relocation of the Bruentrup Farm to the city property at 2170 County Raod D and moved to approve the following resolution waiving the code requirements for parking lot paving, parking lot striping, parking lot curbing and an in-ground irrigation system for the relocated Bruentrup farm at 2170 County Road D and moved to approve the plans (dated 6-2-99) for the proposed relocation of the Bruentrup farm to the city property at 2170 County Road D. The city bases this approval on the findings required by the code. The property owner (the city) and the Maplewood Historical Society shall do the following: 1. Repeat this review in two years if the city has not issued a building permit for this project. 3. 7:53 P.M. a. b. c. d. e. f. Attachment 7 Maplewood City Council Meeting June 14, 1999 (Partial Minutes Regarding Bruentrup CUP) Bruentrup Farm Relocation (2170 County Road D) - Conditional Use Permit - Waiver of City Code Requirements - Plan Approval 2. Before the city issues a building permit, the city engineer shall complete the necessary grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans. 3. The applicant or contractor shall complete the following before occupying the buildings: a. Replace property irons that are removed because of this construction. b. Install reflectorized stop signs at all exits, a handicap-parking sign for each handicap-parking space and an address on the building. c. Construct a trash dumpster enclosure for any outside trash containers. The enclosures must be 100 percent opaque, match the color of the buildings and have a closeable gate that extends to the ground. If the trash container is not visible to the public it does not have to be screened. 6-14-99 1 d. Install site-security lighting as required by the code. The light source, including the lens covering the bulo, shall be concealed so the light source in not visible and so it does not cause any nuisance to drivers or neighbors. 4. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if the city determines that the work is not essential to the public health, safety or welfare. 5. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 99-06-046 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Maplewood Historical Society applied for a conditional use permit for the relocation of the Bruentrup farm to city open space property. WHEREAS, this permit applies to the property on the south side of County Road 0 between McKnight Road and Ariel Street. The legal description is: Except the East 633 feet of the North 183 feet and except the South 150 feet of the North 333 feet of the East 213 feet and except the South 905 feet, the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 (subject to roads and easements), in Section 2, Township 29, Range 22. (PIN 02-29-22-11-0009) WHEREAS, the history of this conditional use permit is as follows: 1. On June 7,1999, the planning commission recommended that the city council approve this permit. 2. On June 14, 1999, the city council held a public hearing. City staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to the surrounding property owners. The council gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The council also considered reports and recommendations from the city staff and planning commission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council approve the above-described conditional use permit, because: 1. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated to be in conformity with the city's comprehensive plan and code of ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate property values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoke, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water runoff, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 6-14-99 2 8. The use would maximize the freservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the developmen design. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. 9. 10. The city council has determined that waiving Requirement One from above for this public use would balance the public interest between governmental units by allowing for the relocation and preservation of the farm buildings on a city-owned open space property. Approval is subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction and building locations shall follow the site plan approved by the city. Additional buildings from the Bruentrup site may be allowed if funding permits. The director of community development may approve minor changes. 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 shall add more parking to the site if they deem it necessary. 5. Any new lights shall be installed to meet the city code. This requires that they be screened or aimed so they do not cause any light-glare problems on streets or residential properties. 6. If necessary, the city shall get a permit from the watershed district for the grading and site disturbance. 6-14-99 3 To: From: Subject: Date: A-\iQ(.,h M( ~t <6 MEMO Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner David Fisher, Building Official Bruentrup Heritage Farm at 2170 Co Rd D E - Conditional Use Permit Amendment May 7,2009 The building code analysis provide by John Gaspar, NAI Architects, Inc. had a maximum occupant load on the upper level of 165 occupants and a maximum occupant load of 125 on the lower level when the plans were submitted for construction. The building code requires the maximum occupant load to be posted in the building. o Post the upper level with a maximum occupant load of 165 occupants. o Post the lower level with a maximum occupant load of 125 occupants. Notify the Minnesota Historical Society per the 20 year agreement with the city. Provide accessible parking. Attachment 9 MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:08 P.M., Monday, July 08, 2002 Council Chambers, Municipal Building Meeting No. 02-14 (pARTIAL MINUTES-PERTAINING TO BRUENTRUP FARM CUP) 1. 7:15 p.m. Bruentrup Farm (2170 County Road D) A. Conditional Use Permit Revision B. Design Approval C. Consider Funding Options D. Change Order Authorizing Construction a. City Manager Fursman presented the staff report. b. City Engineer Ah1 presented specifics from the report. c. Jackie Monahan-Junek presented the Planning Commission Report. Mayor Cardinal opened the public hearing, calling for proponents or opponents. The following persons were heard: Conditional Use Permit Revision: George Rossbach, 1406 East County Road C, Maplewood Carolyn Peterson, 1801 Gervais Avenue, Maplewood Charlotte Wasiluk, 1740 Frauk Street, Maplewood Deb Charpentier, 2212 County Road D East, Maplewood Kevin Berglund, 1929 Kingston, Maplewood Councilmember Collins moved to table this item until after item H3. Seconded by Mayor Cardinal Ayes-Mayor Cardinal, Councilmember Collins Nays-Councilmembers Juenemann, Koppen and Wasiluk Motion failed. Councilmember Koppen moved to adopt the resolution approving a revised conditional use permit (CUP) for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm at 2170 County Road D: RESOLUTION 02-07-126 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION WHEREAS, the Maplewood Historical Society was granted a Conditional Use Permit on June 14,1999, for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm at 2170 County Road D, further described as: Except the East 633 feet of the North 183 feet and except the South 150 feet of the North 333 feet of the East 213 feet and except the South 905 feet, the NE y" (subject to roads and 1 easements), in Section 2, Township 29, Range 22. (PIN 02-29-22-11-0009) WHEREAS, the Maplewood Historical Society has submitted a site plan proposing a parking lot on the eastern side of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm site. WHEREAS, on July I, 2002, the planning commission reviewed the site plan revisions and recommended that the City Council approve this permit revision. WHEREAS, on July 8, 2002, the City Council conducted a public hearing on said site plan and Conclitional Use Permit (CUP) Revision, after due published notice in the legal newspaper and notice of said hearing was mailed to surrounding property owners, and after considering all testimony from every person or persons wishing to speak or those who wished to submit written statements, and after considering reports and recommendations from city staff and the planning commISSIOn. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL approve the above- described conditional use permit, because: I. The use would be located, designed, maintained, constructed and operated to be in conformity with the City's comprehensive plan and code of ordinances. 2. The use would not change the existing or planned character of the surrounding area. 3. The use would not depreciate area property values. 4. The use would not involve any activity, process, materials, equipment or methods of operation that would be dangerous, hazardous, detrimental, disturbing or cause a nuisance to any person or property, because of excessive noise, glare, smoking, dust, odor, fumes, water or air pollution, drainage, water runoff, vibration, general unsightliness, electrical interference or other nuisances. 5. The use would generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets. 6. The use would be served by adequate public facilities and services, including streets, police and ftre protection, drainage structures, water and sewer systems, schools and parks. 7. The use would not create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. 8. The use would maximize the preservation of and incorporate the site's natural and scenic features into the development and design. 9. The use would cause minimal adverse environmental effects. Approval is subject to the following conditions (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): 1. All construction shall follow the approved site plan dated Mav 17. 2002, for the proposed 21-car parking lot for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm to be located on the eastern side ofthe farm house building, which shall include a bus turnaround, subiect to the adclition of extensive landscape features which shall be designed bv a registered landscape architect to screen from view the 2 properties to the east and northeast ofthe parking lot. Approval is granted siting the fact that the parking lot is located and designed to minimize the impact to the City owned and maintained open space. and that the parking lot would not change and is consistent with the operation of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm as a public facilitv. 2. All construction shall follow the site plan approved bv the City. The City Engineer mav approve minor changes to the site plan. 3. The City Council shall review this permit in one year. 4. Any parking lot lights shall be installed per City code. subiect to the approval of the City Engineer. 5. The site plan dated May 1999 shall be deemed the approved site plan for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm site. except the addition of the 21-car parking lot on the eastern side ofthe site. I. .\11 eonstruetion shall follow the site plan approved by the city. The direetor of commlffiity dC'lelopment may appro'/e minor changes. 2. The proposed eonstruction muGt be substantially started 'mthiR one year of eOlffieil aflpr07al EJr the permit shall beeome llli!1 and void. The eouneil may extend this deadline for one year. 3. The city council shall revie'N this permit in one year. 1. The city shall add more parking to the site if the city council deems it necessary. 5. f .IlY new lig.fits shall be installed to meet the city code. This requires that they be screened or aimed so they do Rot eause any light glare problems OR streets or residential properties. 6. If necessary, the eity shall get a permit from the watershed distriet for the grading and site distHrbanee. Seconded by Councilmember Wasiluk Ayes-Councilmembers Collins, Koppen, Juenemann and Wasiluk Nays-Mayor Cardinal Design Approval: Deb Charpentier, 2212 County Road D East, Maplewood Dave Huebl, 2191 County Road D East, Maplewood Kevin Berglund, 1929 Kingston Avenue, Maplewood George Rossbach, 1406 East County Road C, Maplewood Councilmember Koppen moved to approve the design plans for the Bruenturo Heritage Farm Parking Lot at 2170 County Road D. Councilmember Wasiluk offered a friendly proposal to work with the neighbors on the agreeable screenmg. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes-Councilmember Collins, Koppen, Wasiluk and Juenemann 3 MASTER PLAN FOR THE BRUENTRUP HERITAGE FARM 2170 COUNTY ROAD D MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA DECEMBER, 1999 UPDATED DECEMBER, 2001 UPDATED JANUARY 2008 MAPLEWOOD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2 IINTRODUCTIONI "YOUR PAST REMAINS BOUND UP IN YOU; IT LIVES IN THE PRESENT, AND IT WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE FUTURE. "- STEINER The purpose of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm is to preserve and tell the story of farming and farm life in the township of New Canada, and later in the City of Maple wood. The Bruentrup Heritage Farm is located at 2170 County Road 0, between White Bear Avenue and McKnight Road. The farm occupies about 3.5 acres of a 32-acre open space site that is owned by the City of Maplewood. The Parks chapter of the updated City of Maplewood Comprehensive Plan indicates that the farm and open space site are a "Special Use Park". The city plans to select a name for the open space site, and restore the cultivated fields to original prairie grasses and flowers. The Bruentrup Heritage Farm consists of the farmhouse (original part 1890's, new part 1912), barn (1905), granary, metal shed/blacksmith repair shop, machine shed, and the bricks and front door from a smokehouse (will be rebuilt). Two other buildings from the original farmstead were not saved: machine shed and a chicken house/garage. In 2006-2007, a replica of the original chicken house/garage was built by Society members and is located directly east of the farmhouse. This building will serve as a welcome center for visitors, and has accessible restrooms. The saved buildings were moved from the original Bruentrup Farmstead that was located at the southeast corner of White Bear Avenue and Lydia Avenue. The site where the buildings now sit is part of the Conklin - Howlett Farmstead, which had dairy cows, boarded horses, and was active until the 1970's. In May of 1999, the Maplewood Area Historical Society and the City of Maplewood succeeded in obtaining a $100,000 special grant from the Minnesota Legislature, to help in the relocation of the farmhouse and farm buildings. This money was matched by a donation of $100,000 (later increased to $150,000) by William and Raydelle Bruentrup to the Historical Society as the local matching funds for the relocation project. The Bruentrups also donated the house and farm buildings to the Historical Society. After the buildings were moved to the present site, the Historical Society donated the buildings to the City of Maplewood. The city now 3 owns the buildings and they are covered under the city's insurance. In May of 1999, the city granted a conditional use permit for the Heritage Farm. In December of 2000, the city and the Historical Society entered into a 99-year lease, under which the Historical Society will operate and maintain the Heritage Farm. !PURPOSE OF THE BRUENTRUP HERITAGE FARMI As noted above, the Bruentrup Heritage Farm will interpret the history of agriculture in New Canada-Maplewood. Information may also be presented about trends and changes in agriculture in Minnesota and the rest of the United States. The Heritage Farm will use exhibits, demonstrations, and involvement of visitors in typical farming activities during the period from 1891 (the year William A. Bruentrup started the farm) to 1999, when the farmland was sold for commercial development. A majority of people living in Maplewood and in Minnesota have no personal connection to farming or to the land resource. A primary emphasis of the Heritage Farm is (a) to help people who are not farmers to understand the challenges offarming during the twentieth century, and (b) to re-connect non-farm people to the source of their food: farms and mrmern. . The farmhouse will be the center for the Maplewood Area Historical Society's office and activities and will provide a place for the Society's monthly meetings and special events. A second emphasis of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm will be to preserve and interpret the non-farm history of Maplewood and its townships prior to the incorporation as a city in 1957. The Historical Society will create exhibits and demonstrations about general Maplewood history, and will interpret this information to the public at the Heritage Farm. IpURPOSE OF THE MASTER PLANI The master plan for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm provides a written and graphic explanation of how the historical interpretive facility should be . operated. The master plan includes goals and objectives, a site analysis, economic feasibility, and a concept plan for historical interpretation and education that will guide the development of exhibits, activities, and programs. 4 [GOALS AND OBJECTIVESl Goal 1 - EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION The Heritage Farm will tell the story of agriculture in Minnesota as it happened in a once-rural community (New Canada Township) on the edge of Saint Paul that has now become a fully-developed suburb (City of Maplewood). Exhibits, demonstrations, and visitor participation in typical farming activities will connect people to the various aspects of agriculture between 1891 and 1999; farmers, farm families, and farming; and historical events that affected farming. Goal 2 - LEARNING BY PARTICIPATION The Heritage Farm will emphasize exhibits, displays, and activities that involve people through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and imagination. For example, visitors will see and learn about authentic old farm machinery. Visitors will see (and to the extent possible participate in) the process of cultivating the soil, preparing it for planting, planting the crop, coming back to see how the crops are growing, and helping with the harvest of the crops. Goal 3 - HISTORICAL AUTHENTICITY The Heritage Farm will accurately and objectively portray the stages and changes of farming in Maplewood and in Minnesota. In cases where information, artifacts, or exhibits either did not come from the Bruentrup Farm or were not used there, members of the Historical Society and their volunteers will provide that explanation to visitors. Goal 4 - ATTRACT PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT The Heritage Farm will offer year-round activities of interest to individuals, families, schools, and civic or cultural groups. For these activities to happen, the Heritage Farm will need the continuing support of the Maplewood Area Historical Society, the City of Maplewood, and donations and grants from public and private organizations, as well as the time, 5 talents, and energy of volunteers interested in their community's history. The fact that the Historical Society has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as a "501 (c) (3)" non-profit organization may encourage donations of money, materials and services, since such donations may be tax-deductible. Goal 5 - HOME FOR THE MAPlEWOOD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Since December of 2000, the Historical Society has been holding its monthly meetings at the farmhouse. A portion of the farmhouse basement has been converted to serve as an office for the Historical Society. Historical artifacts, files, and information about Maplewood will be stored there. ISITE ANAL YSISI The purpose of this section is to establish baseline data that can be used to guide initial recommendations for development and future opportunities for the Bruentrup Heritage Farm. 1. lOCATION - ACCESS The Heritage Farm is located on the northern edge of the city of Maplewood, on County Road D, between White Bear Avenue and McKnight Road. (See area location map.) Approximate distances to other cities from the Heritage Farm: A. White Bear lake = directly across 1-694 to the north B. Oakdale = 2.5 miles east, via 1-694 or local roads, C. North St. Paul = 1.0 mile southeast, via local streets D. Roseville = 6 to 7 miles west, via 1-694 and Hwy. 36 E. Saint Paul = 3 miles to city limits by bus or car, 5 or 6 miles to downtown F. Stillwater G. Woodbury H. Minneapolis = 10 miles east, via 1694 and Hwy. 36 = 10 to 11 miles southeast, via 1-694 = 15 miles to downtown, via 1-694 and Hwy. 36 6 Visitors to the Farm by automobile can access the site from the freeway interchange at 1-694 and White Bear Avenue, or take local roads to County Road D. A parking lot for the Heritage Farm and the open space area is being planned by the city. Handicapped parking access will be provided at designated spaces. Visitors who travel by bus to the Farm can access the site by taking the route 69 bus that runs from downtown Saint Paul east on Seventh Street and Minnehaha Avenue, then north on White Bear Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue, then east/north to North St. Paul, then west/north to Woodlyn Avenue. Signs on Woodlyn Avenue will direct visitors to take a walking path north through the open space area to the Farm site. The main driveway to the Farm will be used by visitors until the parking facilities are installed. After that time, only the farm caretaker and their visitors, handicapped visitors, and special event vehicles that need access to the house or barn will be allowed to use the main driveway. 2. CONDITIONS AT THE HERITAGE FARMSITE -1999 AND LATER In 1999, the land was vacant and unused. All of the original farm buildings were gone. Parts of the concrete floor in the barn were still visible, the foundation wall of a garage was still in place, part of the front sidewalk to the house was still in place, and the foundation for the wellhouse remained, The trees and bushes were overgrown and in need of trimming. Several trees that were dead or growing at dangerous angles were removed. Trees were also removed to make room for the septic system mound located east of the house. None of the large oak trees on the site were disturbed. Some of the original barbed-wire fencing remained along the west edge of the trees. This was removed in 2001, when crews removed. buckthorn. As part of the site preparation for moving in the house, a basement was excavated at the site of the original house. Work crews discovered that remnants of the burned-down house had been dumped in the old basement and buried. This material was removed, and an old well was properly abandoned and sealed. 7 After the house was moved in, concrete block foundation walls were built, and the house was lowered onto the walls. The walls will be covered with fieldstone to look like the original walls under the house. A basement was excavated for the barn, a foundation wall was built, and the barn was lowered onto the walls. Extra bracing was added on the outside of the walls, after it was discovered that the foundation walls were not built wide enough to give adequate support for the weight of the barn. The walls will be covered with fieldstone to look like the original walls. 3. TOPOGRAPHY AND SIGHT LINES The immediate area where the farmhouse is located is level, and is framed by trees to the east and west. Some trees remain to the north along the edge of the property. The house is visible from County Road D, immediately in front of the site. At the location where the barn was installed, the terrain starts to slope downward in a southerly direction. This is all right, since the barn is designed to sit in the side of a hill, and the terrain will allow for construction of ramps to three sides of the upper level of the barn, and construction of doors to provide access to the basement of the barn at the south end of the building. Parts of the farmsite are visible from the south along Woodlyn Avenue. However, this will mainly be the upper parts of the taller buildings, since Woodlyn is at a lower elevation, and the ridge on which the powerline is located acts as a visual barrier. At certain times of the year, the upper part of the barn may be visible from 1-694, when leaves on trees do not block the view. 8 ~ ~ (lj lil1 ~ ~ ,f>>.,. 'i'\) ;,,,, ,~ ~ ,y t.:::~' ~ ~ "', ~,J' ",- ~.. '!;:j('i;~<: ::,.." ""- ?Ii. -" .:IS.'" .. 'ii" VII :;;:: ~ ~ ~,l ~U\:1"l"'^ .~,~~ ""- ~~f'a;j FWl ~ ~ If! ~ t ~ '10 ~!Iii; ,,;,: ~ r;;. 1'1 T ~{I\V" ':::f ~~""f ~ itj ift , It\I'~-\ \ ) ( ~ ' '.. .... l ) '; '-'~_. , (>) (':" ("',,/ ~'.,. I \. ) ( i" \ "'-"'~' ,,.' \ ) t " 1 'i i;' "-\r'<" f l ~ ~ ~-i\'/ , -7 ~ /'t'7 ~ "y". ~~- ,',...I--f"'i"-'O(""(:--'" ,"" ~"'- "'1" 'j"'-'-r -, I r ; ~~ I ~1 "\J!t:t I "I I J ....(''-C ., ',~'l'--',-. _";'- L \ I' .... ), . i~)"\~ ."'~ )., '__.<, ('t,. .1--- ~f' <?' t- \ <1"-'.\1 '_. '1;-. ....J'.., \_._..t,.-,..~'~f h,! '-'~',-__)-"I " , " \ ~( ;- ..('~<.(-Y X) ~" ,.-n~_.-/' ,', ""1' I': ,,~.' ~"l';{--'~,):Jrl ~~Y'" ~t;: F ~: r. r (- ",' (' I~ )-..,.~ 3)- ~ 1.-. -~fi ,r;~ ::j'-, " , C " 'i,~ . 'tl~ ';,,":1 ,'" ,,"'..; ~ ~ ~ (" ,. ),)...)~).-l, ~ , 1-_} ~" -- '--"- .---~:_>} - ~~:~~ I ~!-~- " .-.-...,/~-- ,,~ -'I' ( t t "r \ C',) I t. , ! . 11 '..__.t. Iy II ' I ( " ( I, ~ll tl \. il i.11 (" V'"~, - II \j.,\ \,-''-'' ...-. '..,. ", ~ b ""'. .;::; I" ~ ~!\~ ~ "I f~ -~ ,~ ~ '" n '''; ~) \- J ~T ) -1' -\ '( .t .>' , \ )" (- .4'>- 2'. II 7< oJ. ~~:~._J j , ' l' ~...-- \.-_. I 'l 1<:: ) --1 "F \.. -,' ;, 'b II re m E , ,) \ ''f': ,', :+ ~;' ! < )10 II :$ ), ~, \:,tc ~) 1 ;- :) i ) , )1 ~;' ! " ., I ) , i~ -' ! Some of the townhouses on the north side of Woodlyn Avenue can be seen from the Farmsite. To block the view, evergreens or thick-growing bushes could be planted along the edge of the powerline right-of-way. This vegetation could also screen the farmsite from a future walking/biking trail that may be constructed along the powerline right-of-way. These and other planting ideas for the farmsite will need to be coordinated with the city's open space coordinator. One or two of the existing houses on the north side of County Road D may be visible from parts of the farmsite. However, this should not be a problem, since the Heritage Farm is not planned to be a "living history farm" and so modern-day aspects of farm life and adjacent land uses can . be compatible in the historical interpretation of the site. The same comments apply to the sound of traffic on 1-694, which is about one-half block to the north. 4. UTILITIES As of September, 1999 there was no electricity, natural gas, water or sewer service at the farm site. The old well was drilled to a shallow depth, was determined by the city to be not usable, and was sealed. After the buildings were moved to the site in November of 1999, telephone, water, gas, and electric utilities were provided to the house. Sewage treatment for the house Was provided by an on-site septic system. The tank and an above-grade mound system were installed east of the house. When County Road D was rebuilt, sanitary sewer service was provided to the Farm, and the septic system was removed. Portable toilets will be rented and used for activities that draw large crowds. Electricity was also provided to the barn. I ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY 1. THE MARKET AND VISITORS Marketing of the Heritage Farm will depend on the time required to properly develop and set up displays and demonstrations, and upon the availability of volunteers to help operate the facility. During the first year, 10 operation of the Farm will begin with visitor hours mainly on the weekends from approximately Memorial Day to Thanksgiving or Christmas. Visitors to the Farm will come from the following sectors: + Families from the "east metro" area of the twin cities; + Students from area schools on Saturdays, or on a weekday by appointment - if volunteer interpreters are available; + People living within a 25 - to - 50 mile radius of Maplewood; + Tourists passing through the area on the freeways. (The Historical Society needs to work with the city, Ramsey County, and MNDOT to get informational signs placed at major roadway intersections. Information also needs to be placed in major newspapers, chambers of commerce, area hotels and restaurants, MN Dept. of Tourism information centers, and elsewhere.) Annual estimates of visitors from these market sectors during the first year of operation may range from to . Special events held at the Farm could add more people. For example, in September of 2001, the Historical Society held an open house/dedication of the Farm (from 10 AM to 3 PM). Even though it was cold and rainy all day, at least 150 people came. A second example of potential attendance is the Christmas Open House held in December of 2001 (from 1 :00 to 5:00 PM), where people came to see the decorations in the house and also walk through the barn. Again, at least 150 people attended. 2. OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, COSTS AND REVENUES Historical Society members will continue to work to secure additional funding to support the operation of the Farm. A five year plan and budget of program needs, costs, and revenue will be prepared to guide ongoing operations. The Historical Society will select a caretaker to live on the premises, in order to provide general oversight of the property and watch for would-be vandals and thieves. The caretaker will sign a lease with the Historical Society that will allow the caretaker and family to live in the upper floor of 11 the house and use the laundry area in the basement as needed. Caretaking duties such as grass cutting and snow plowing will also be specified in the lease agreement. The Historical Society wiIlCgro_yi.de':expenses and fees for people or groups that want to bring in special exhibits or conduct demonstrations. Special fund-raising events may be held as needed to bring in extra revenue. These events may be held at the Farm or off-site, depending on the type of event. The Historical Society needs to budget for operational costs and set visitor fees, before the Farm is opened to the public. Funds raised from visitor fees and donations will be used for program operations. The economic viability of the Farm will depend upon the sustained efforts of the Historical Society to secure annual and multi-year funding. Effective marketing and advertising can help to develop the expected visitor levels, which in turn will demonstrate the value of the facility and its programs to potential visitors. Word-of-mouth support in the community and regular notices in "Maplewood In Motion" will also help. In regard to programs, the Heritage Farm will occupy a unique niche in the historical sites of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, because the Farm will cover all aspects of farming and farm-family life from 1891 to 1999. Unlike other historical sites, the programs will not be confined to any single time period. The goal of this interpretive site is to show how farming and the Maplewood area has changed over the last 108 years, during the transition from rural township to developed suburb. This comprehensive, multi- faceted approach to programs should help to engage the interest of a wider audience of visitors. ICONCEPT PLANI As noted at the beginning, the Bruentrup Heritaqe Farm will emphasize chanqes in aqriculture in Maplewood and in Minnesota from 1891 throuqh' 1999. A primary emphasis of the Farm is to help non-farming visitors develop a better understanding of the challenges of family farms. A second primary emphasis is to re-connect people to the source of their food - the soil, the farm, and the farmer. A third emphasis is to preserve the non-farm historical aspects of Maplewood and provide exhibits that will interpret that history. 12 The orientation of the house and buildings at the original site of the Bruentrup Farm will be re-created at the County Road 0 site. Farm buildings that could not be relocated will eventually be rebuilt, or historically comparable buildings may be acquired and moved onto the site. The restored farm will be the setting for exhibits of the Bruentrup and Howlett/Conklin farm families, as well as "hands-on" demonstrations of historical farming practices which will allow supervised participation by visitors. Some of the demonstrations will be related to activities in the house, and others will concern activities related to the farming operation. The Farm will also include exhibits and activities related to the non-farm history of the Maplewood area. The first floor of the farmhouse will be used for public tours and for Historical Society meetings. The basement will be used for an office, storage, and for laundry needs of the caretaker. The caretaker will use the second floor, and other areas, as specified in the lease. The Historical Society will develop a policy to guide the rental use of the first floor by civic groups. The barn and other farm buildinqs (existing and yet-to-be rebuilt or replaced) will be used to store and display farm machinery and exhibits of historical farming artifacts. The farm buildings will also be included in an interpretive program which will explain why farmers needed to have certain kinds of buildings, implements, tools, animals, machinery, and other resources to successfully operate a farm. The barn may also be used for special programs and events, such as arts and crafts exhibits, parties, etc, The basement of the barn will be used for displays or exhibits about the horses and dairy cows which occupied that area. The Historical Society will also consider requests by the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Department or the Maplewood Nature Center to use this area at specified times. Parts of the open space on the farm site may be used for demonstrations that use farm animals or farm machinery for planting and harvesting of certain crops using historical methods and implements, and for other activities which require outside space. 13 FOURTH OF JULY RESERVED By special arrangement with Bill and Raydelle Bruentrup, the Farm will be closed to the public on the 4th of July each year, so that the Bruentrup family may celebrate their annual family get-together. The Bruentrup family may also use the kitchen in the farmhouse and the yard outside on that day. TIME PERIODS FOR RESEARCH AND INTERPRETATION This concept plan recommends that four general time periods be researched and interpreted at the Heritage Farm: 1. Horse and steam-powered farming (1870 -1920) 2. Early mechanized farming (1920 - 1945) 3. Farming after World War II (1945 - 1975) 4. Farming of today (1975 - 2000) Note: Farming before 1870 (the Pioneer Farming era) preceded the time period of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm. There are other historical farms in the Twin Cities area which portray the pioneer farm era, such as the Oliver Kelley Farm near Elk River, and the Gibbs Farm at Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues near the University of Minnesota's Saiht Paul "farm campus". The Heritage Farm will also research and interpret historical information and artifacts based on the historical contexts and themes that have been created by the City of Maplewood's Historical Preservation Commission. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TIME PERIODS A: FARMING HISTORY 1. Horse and Steam-Powered Farminq (1870 - 1920) This was a period of changes in general on the farm. The steam-powered machinery of the 1870's was still used in the 1890's. However, the conversion from hand-powered and horse- powered labor to mechanized labor began during this time period. 14 The political and social changes of this time were evident by the impact of the Grange (started by Oliver Kelley), the anti-monopoly party, and major farm protest movements. During this period, the influence of people on agriculture reached a particular level of importance. Typical activities of this era would be best represented by interpretive programs, and secondly, by farm festivals (barn-raisings, group harvests, quilting & husking bees, etc). 2. Earlv Mechanized Farminq (1920 -1945) The 1920's were the end of a "golden age of agriculture and the onset of one of the country's most troubled times" (the Depression of the 1930's). Technological advances, such as gasoline - powered farm machinery and electricity (which dramatically changed farm life), were gradually made available to farms during this time period. The "dust bowl" soil erosion problem of the 1930's began to be addressed by the federal government through new methods of cultivation that conserved the topsoil by preventing erosion by wind or water. 3. Farminq After World War II (1945 - 1975) During this time, larger machinery and powerful chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides were introduced. Research and development of hybrid seeds (which produced larger yields) also started during this time. The size of a typical farm increased, and farms became less diversified as farmers concentrated on growing one or two "cash crops" (wheat, corn or soybeans in Minnesota) or raising livestock excl usively. 15 4. Farminq ofTodav (1975 - 2000) In the mid-late 1970's, farmers were encouraged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to plant crops "fencerow to fencerow", in order to take advantage of the high prices for grain and other farm products at that time. Farmers responded by producing more, buying more land, bigger tractors, and other farm machinery. The high prices soon returned to lower levels. However, the loan payments that farmers had to make on their land and machinery purchases did not decrease. In addition, the lower prices for farm products translated into a lower value of the farm land compared to the high debt level. The lower equity in the farm made it harder for many farmers to get affordable financing to operate their farms, or to have the cash flow to make regular payments on their loans. As a result, many farmers were forced to auction off their farms or give them back to the lenders, in order to settle their debts. In the 1990's, increased competition from corporate farms and "soft" foreign markets combined to place even more pressure on today's family farmers. Some farmers have turned to specialty crops and organic farming methods to gain a better return on their investment. In this time period, most family farms relied upon income from one or more jobs held outside the farm in order to "make ends meet". Some of the topics to be covered for each time period are: 1. Family farms and farming families 2. Farms on the edge of urban areas 3. Farm machinery and tools 4. Seeds and crops 5. Livestock and feedlots 6. Farm service businesses 7. Farm economy, prices, and farm management 8. Education, skills, and experiences to be a farmer 9. Role of farm research and extension services 10. Pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals 11. Organic farming and other specialty crops 16 12. Changes in farm implement technology 13. Changes in soil cultivation and conservation 14. Environmental impacts/benefits from farming 15. Transfer of farms to new generations, new farmers 16. Urban development pressures and farm preservation 17. The farm community and social life B. NON-FARM HISTORY 17 ~ -\, ~wlitf~ ~ !h .(\) ?i:l' .... ~ ,- ,- r- m Ii'> ~()~". .~ f'\ :'! ~ ~rt~l:> V\, ~, t" ~ w' :i:t \.-'\ ~ ';JI< ~ i:Il,.),; "- ~~(t.~ ~ ~ ~ H! ~t~~ ~ ~,~ ~ ~~u. :i ~ ,,"i ~ / it .ll f\ '. ,'/ \ I 'I ~-"~.......~ I , J'^" t. f.... I r ' I C: ':_~) I .( ,'.1 t '\ i "A,., II '\, ~ r I( t'l~ -~'-...+~~ { .. \ I" ..... ,-'. n < + ) ( t l,' \ f l,~,_. '" ,,) ';, , /1 ' 'j , 1\ '"'It " ,-~.-j i 4 -~ , -it- <::.. l;;) iV7 -; J:. {-' ~ ..... 'f ~-,_. --~---- , r , ' '" I L ~~ I ',->I I' J <t , L_.~ ;..~'-, 'Y--'\r~' ('-\ '~~..)" \ 11" 1. .. 1--.' ' _(~~",. :L\" " .'[ "".F' ~ ~;..;V~ "-'~'-'"':<:~:_.,:J { \. '"~ ,- \, I.},.:.r'......, , ,d<;\-;;~.:/(. G::12A::;\"" "I ~. 0"/ ~5 ,,~J>' ,( J. '. (, i, :r , . ,'" " l } ,~)~_l_l ~ ,..f)') - -,,," .." r , ( ""'-';_:'"-"'''''':'~~'' :,_(~_'1",--_{""'i.:. "-~.. -'f" -. C ~.( I.v,~i ~~ ~, o " " ;-; .' " l' , ) ", ->" .} I Cl:O ; Ie' -<. J . -'I )\ ) ! x: ..J,I <', ) {} J :s ~',,: .... kOi -: ft' , ;:> !\~l .- 7l' j~ )( _.) i .' i 'M,_, I ~~; I (\ -< i () :; I >= ) I G ) ! -I .)! ~ )1 " i! Yo ~\ ' "';'\ il/-..(l, ':- )~J. ) : b' , ' .. I ~~ -' I -....1 /4. ;:::.:.; c""- ~,.~~) Z~'..". ;;2 ,,~. .' ':- <<; ;.r.; ..1""'1 ('-_'.2'..9 \: I'" (~) , r tlJ, Insert - A DESCRIPTION OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION'S HISTORICAL VISITOR ACCESS When this plan was prepared in 1999, the temporary plan for visitor access was to have parking on Woodlyn Avenue, and then walk or ride a hay wagon up to the farm site. The permanent solution to visitor access was a proposal to have an off- street parking area, with a trail leading to the farmstead. Initially, a parking area site was proposed west of the oak trees located across the driveway from the farmhouse (see site plan). Recent discussions (late 2001) between the Historical Society and the City of Maplewood now favor a parking area located east of the trees that are east of the farmhouse. This parking area is to be financed and built by the City of Maplewood, and will serve both visitors to the farmsite and people using the recreational trail that is planned to pass by the northern edge of the Heritage Farm. A small building or structure should be located on the edge of the parking area, to serve as the initial contact point for visitors to the Heritage Farm. Admission fees and general information about the Farm would be handled at this building. After visitors pass through this building, they would follow a trail leading to the farmhouse, where they would be greeted by volunteer interpreters and/or Historical Society members. The trail to the farmsite would be accessible to visitors whose physical movements are limited by disabilities. POTENTIAL HERITAGE FARM PROGRAMS A: FARMING HISTORY ACTIVITIES Examples of seasonal programs include: 1. Spring - Planting things by hand or machine - Easter or Earth Day activities - May Day or Arbor Day activities - Memorial Day/weekend activities - Livestock shearing (Visiting animals) 20 2. Summer - "Barn-raising" for repair & construction projects - Outdoor games from different time periods - Plays, concerts, ice cream socials, arts and crafts - Harvesting and baling of hay - Fence building - Fruit harvest 3. Autumn -Harvesting and canning of produce -Making apple butter ,apple cider -Corn husking and roasting -Butter churning -Barn dances -Arts and crafts, plays, concerts -Livestock butchering (if allowed by the city) -Thanksgiving events 4. Winter -Quilting bees -Christmas, New Year, Groundhog Day -Winter games or sports -Candle making -Repair of tools and other farm equipment B: NON-FARM HISTORY ACTIVITIES 21 COORDINATION OF PROGRAMS WITH GROUPS Development and design of interpretive programs and special events at the Heritage Farm should reach out to the general public, and also to the special interest groups that are involved with agriculture in Minnesota. Examples include: - agribusiness - farm organizations (farm bureau, farmers union, etc.) - youth groups (4-H, Future Farmers of America, scouting) - area farmers, students from foreign countries - government sponsored events - educational groups (schools, U of M extension, the new urban agricultural high school in Little Canada) - area and state historical societies - research & preservation groups (Preservation Alliance of MN) - arts and theater groups - service organizations - religious organizations - musical groups - professional and technical organizations - foundations and other financial support groups 22 CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Primary Author: Robert Overby, Maplewood Area Historical Society Contributors: Bill and Raydelle Bruentrup, Carolyn and Glenn Peterson, Char Wasil uk, AI Galbraith Reference: "A Master Plan For The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center", RCM, Mankato, MN (1980) 23