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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-16 HPC Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Ron Cockriel. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice-Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Caleb Anderson, Lu Aurelius, Robert Creager and AI Galbraith; City Engineer Michael Thompson; Guests Jerry Pertsch of Kimelely-Horn & Associates, Inc. and Todd Halenan, Landscape Architect; Liaison David Fisher, Recorder Lois Behm. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ron asked to change: Item 7b, Heritage Award, to 7b -1 Purpose/Qualifiers; 2 Names; 3 What is it going to be? Item 9, Commission Presentations, Things going on at the Farm and The Minnesota Preservation Awards. Richard has a separate Historical Society item to speak about. Richard moved approval of the Aqenda as amended; Bob seconded - Aves - All. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Auqust 19. 2010 Richard pointed out that in Item 7. Old Business, Frost Avenue Bridge Design, he stated "I heard the issue has already gone to Council and they approved Concept #2. If so, I want it to go back to the Council for reconsideration. " Richard moved approval of the Minutes as corrected; AI seconded - Ayes - All. 5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS - None 6. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS - None 7. OLD BUSINESS a. Frost Avenue Bridqe Desiqn Michael Thompson stated the purpose of their presence is to bring back the design concepts to the MHPC for review, the CDRB at the end of the month, then back to the City Council, because they are working on the final design of the bridge and want to make sure they have input from the commissions. He recapped the process to date and the comments from the commissions of the 2 designs. It is a 1.7 -1.8 million dollar project with just under 1.4 million in State bridge bonding dollars coming from the state if the project moves forward with the replacement on their current timeline in the Spring. Roughly 300 - 400 thousand of that would be for esthetic improvements and some of the design costs. Michael then introduced Jerrv Pertsch who went over the differences in the two bridge designs, explaining that there will be two 12' lanes in opposite directions with a 6' shoulder on each side, plus a 12' multi-use trail on the south side. Because of the trail, the railing on the south side must be 54" high. On Concept 2 the concrete rail is 54" high, on Concept 1 the rail is 54" includinq the iron rail. On both concepts the north rail is the same as on the current bridge. The CDRB requested lights on the bridge, and they have been added at the four corners. Todd Halenan then displayed the use of form liners, which will give the appearance of actual stonework on the bridge. He said the best method is to go to the bridge and make impressions, but it was determined that because of the amount of deterioration the result would probably not be very much like it was when built. They then did measurements and checked them against already available forms, finding three that would likely come close to the original: Holman Field Ashlar, Shepherds Path and Reduced Relief Small Ashlar. He added that the company they are working with is a preferred contractor for the National Park Service, and they expect them to do an excellent job. Bob asked what material is used to make the form liner. Todd said it is concrete and explained how the design is incorporated into the concrete. Todd then talked about the rest stop, providing not only respite but also the opportunity to tell the history of the bridge. Choosing the best stones now on the bridge and having them set aside and protected in order to create either Concept A, an obelisk with a plaque which would allow people to touch the stones while learning how the bridge was built, or Concept B, replicating a portion of the arch with the informative plaque either on the arch or nearby with possibly a smaller arch portion on the other side of the trail, giving the sense of going through a gate to a special place. Both concepts would be enhanced by trees, shrubs and flowers. Commission discussion followed regarding a preference for removing the trail on the bridge, thereby eliminating the need for the higher rail, since there is a bridge for crossing the creek on the trail below the bridge; the location of the older marked sites - Washington Memorial Grove (AI indicated it is right next to the bridge on the west side of the creek) and the 45th parallel marker (AI said it used to be on the hill by Keller Golf Course. Ron asked whether the "bridge number plate" could be removed and retained, then placed on the obelisk. Michael was pretty sure it could be. Ron asked if Todd would meet with the Ramsey County people working on the other bridge project to see if they have form liners made from the stones on that bridge which could be shared to make the Frost Avenue bridge match theirs. Lu Aurelius moved approval of the following 3 recommendations: 1. Concept 2 bridge without the railing; 2. Duplicate the facade on the Ramsey County bridge. 3. Rest area Concept A. Seconded by AI Galbraith - Ayes - All. b. Heritaqe Award 1) Purpose/Qualifiers - After discussion, it was agreed the following statement developed by Caleb defines the purpose of the Maplewood Heritage Award: "The Heritage Award is an annual award recognizing an individual who has positively influenced our City's past or strengthened the preservation of Maplewood" 2) Names - At least ten days before the next meeting each Commissioner is to send a list of 3 nominees for the award. That information will be duplicated and sent to the Commissioners along with the next Agenda and paper ballot voting will take place at the meeting. 3) What is it going to be? - The award will be a plaque containing the purpose statement, the person's name and the year. c. Oath of Office Lu Aurelius repeated the Oath of Office. All Commissioners have now been sworn In. d. HPC BIO / Resume Info Requested Dave reminded the Commissioners that he needs their resumes, which he will send with the letter he is preparing to go with the Certified Local Government Application. Ron recapped for the Commissioners the reason the resumes are needed and what needs to be on them. 8. NEW BUSINESS - None 9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Preservation Activities in Maplewood Richard pointed out that one of the Commission's responsibilities is providing or performing functions/activities that promote preservation work in Maplewood and asked the Commissioners for suggestions of things to do to accomplish this. Lu responded that the Commission has no budget, and this is probably not a good time to ask the Council for money. Dave agreed, adding that all the City departments have been instructed to reduce their budgets; but suggested thought should be given to what could be done in the future and be ready with some ideas when funding becomes more available. He also suggested collaborating with the Maplewood Area Historical Society and see if it would be possible to put together some sort of joint preservation activity at the Farm. Ron commented on the Commission's successful work on the Frost Avenue Bridge Project and said he believes they were able to make a difference in how things will be done. He reminded everyone that the Commission initiated the 50th Anniversary events and the Taste of Maplewood, which is now being handled by the City. He said he believes the Commission should have representation at the next Taste of Maplewood event, with historical and preservation materials available. Ron also spoke about the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, which is having their annual awards meeting tonight: "Over the past 26 years over 300 projects across the State have received recognition from the Minnesota Preservation Awards Program in the categories of adaptive reuse, addition expansion, advocacy, archeology, career advancement, education interpretation, restoration, rehabilitation, stewardship, preservation planning and sustainable design." Ron believes the Frost Avenue Bridge project fits at least 2 or 3 of those categories and hopefully when the project is completed perhaps it could receive preservation recognition. Next month there will be a list of winners and why they won. Ron also mentioned that Friday, September 24, there will be a square dance at the Bruentrup Farm - 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Rich mentioned the Hoedown on October 22 at the Community Center. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Name Taqs & Meetinq Siqns Dave announced he has the new Heritage Preservation Commission name tags and has requested new signs for the meetings. The information is being updated on the web site as well. 11. ADJOURNMENT - 8:45 p.m.