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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-17 HPC Packet MAPLEWOOD HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL September 17, 2009 -7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. August 20, 2009 HPC Minutes 5. Chair Opening Statements/Presentations 6. Old Business a. Proposed Historical Preservation Commission Survey List b. Discussion about Old Park and Recreation Equipment 7. New Business a. 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Commission Presentations a. Maplewood Historical Society Update 10. Staff Presentation 11. Adjournment NOTE: There may be a quorum of the Historical Preservation Commissioners in attendance at the Maplewood Historical Society Meeting on October 14,2009 at 7 p.rn. The Historical Society meetings are held at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm, 2170 County Road D, Maplewood. DRAFT MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL AUGUST 20, 2009 - 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Pete Boulay, Bob Creager, AI Galbraith, Liaison Dave Fisher and Recorder Lois Behm. Caleb Anderson arrived during 8.a. Absent: Lu Aurelius 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Richard moved to approve the Aaenda as presented. AI seconded. Aves - all. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Julv 16. 2009 HPC Minutes Richard noted that in 9. Commission Presentations, regarding parking at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm, he suggested a parking ramp, which would go JdQ, not to enlarge the parking lot's footprint, avoiding using any more of the open space. AI moved approval of the minutes as corrected. Pete seconded. Aves - all. 5. Chair Opening Statements/Presentations - NONE 6. OLD BUSINESS a. Proposed Historical Preservation Commission Survey List Ron stated he had visited the area assigned to him, the South Leg, and did not have a lot of luck, as not much is left there. The original John Ledo house at 1480 Sterling Street is gone, but part of the barn is still there - perhaps a wall of barn wood and some field stone. The Ledo house on Carver Avenue is still there and the barn is still standing. 2684 Highwood Ave., the old Carver Lake School house, is still there. He believes the school building is historically significant, but doesn't know if there is another school house of that era still standing. Pete responded that the 1- room Edgerton School building is still standing; it was moved and is now a house which he thinks has been heavily altered. Ron said that as nearly as he can tell, the Carver Lake building is pretty intact, with awnings being the only noticeable exterior change. Pete added that the Carver Lake school was on the original Ramsey County list. Ron added that there are two other sites in that area which should be on the list: 1) St. Paul Ski Club which, although it is in its 4th location, previously being at Battle Creek Park, Mounds Park and possibly Swede Hollow, it is the longest continuously running ski club in America - over 100 years; and 2) sites like the former Indian trails and landmark rocks like the red granite boulders at Fish Creek and north of Kohlman Lake. Another candidate is the Ramsey County Workhouse as well as the Jordan farm complex. Houses on the Survey List in the South Leg which are gone include 1480 Sterling St., 923 Century Ave. and 1501 Henry Lane. In Midvale there would be 3M and Knowlan's shopping center and Midvale sign, Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Beaver Lake School is probably the oldest operating school. Discussion followed as to whether the survey list, the criteria for the sites or what other information should be included in the revised ordinance. It was agreed that guidelines are needed to encourage preservation without being so restrictive as to cause people to refuse to follow the guidelines for registration as a historic building or site. Ron said he felt that, ideally, the ordinance and the list would be structured in such a way that it would be an advantage to be on the list rather than a detriment and possibly be able to obtain some assistance with their preservation. Pete restated that the two main guidelines for identifying properties are 50 years or older and architecturally significant. Dave commented that the owners of some of the houses on the current list may want their historic status maintained or to be upgraded to the higher portion of the list because it could increase the property value and/or help ensure preservation of the property or about it. Pete said the third big requirement is that the building is unaltered, so each Commissioner should check the sites in their area and verify which, if any meet the criteria of age and lack of alteration, and narrow the list as much as possible. Ron said owners of properties on the list of what we have now should be sent a letter explaining what the Commission is trying to do and ask if they are interested in being considered for historical status. Bob indicated that he would nominate 1099 Lakewood Drive, which he owns and is his homestead. It was built in 1912 and is unaltered. It was built by a local builder (Bartells) who built an identical house across the street and another at McKnight and Maryland as well as others. Ron asked everyone to work on their list during the coming month and bring the information to the next meeting. Dave asked that information about changes to the list be consolidated and given to him next month for preparation of a new map which will be distributed to the Commission when printed. Discussion followed about an ordinance proposed at the HRA meeting regarding possible demolition of vacant houses. At this point it has been tabled and it is not likely it will come up again any time soon. b. Proposed Historical Preservation Ordinance Amendment The request from Mike Koop at Minnesota Historical Society about changing the title of the Commission from Historical Preservation Commission to Heritaae Preservation Commission was discussed. Pete moved to request Council to chanqe the name of the Commission from Historical Preservation Commission to Heritaqe Preservation Commission. Caleb seconded the motion. aves - all. In the proposed ordinance amendment, presented and amended at the July meeting, a correction was needed to the last sentence of Section 2-90. Composition; Terms. (c) Caleb suggested: If available, GAe no member of the Commission mbl81 be is a designated representative of the Ramsey County Historical Society, Sf the City will pay for a membership for the Commission Chairperson or desianee. Dave will make sure the sentence is right and bring it back to the next meeting for approval. c. Time Capsule Dave said he asked for assistance with the staff report for this item, which had to be ready in time for the 8/24 Council Agenda and received information from Lois which he incorporated into the report to accompany the proclamation. It is on the Agenda for Monday and at least one Commissioner should be there. Ron displayed the previous and new time capsule and mentioned the items which were submitted by residents, organizations and the city to be sealed until 2057. Some of those items are DVDs of recent and current activities such as the 50th Anniversary celebrations, information about the Bruentrup Heritage Farm; written histories and letters from residents. The Capsules will be presented to the City Council on Monday. Dave asked if anyone knew that Maplewood was the first city in the State to have a woman as a building official. No one did. 7. NEW BUSINESS - None 8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS - None 9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS Pete said that one of his pet interests is what is under the ground, and related that because of the drought a septic tank on Dieter street had collapsed and caused him to wonder how many of those are around and have not been filled or wells sealed. He said it would be good for the City or this Commission to know where they are and if they have been taken care of. Richard reported the Council is working out how they want the Commissions to operate so that ifthere is someone they don't like they can be removed from the Commission. Ron said there is a park near his home that is going to be renovated and he is wondering about all the old, solid playground equipment that is going to be removed and is wondering ifthere is a place where those pieces can be used as a historical, nostalgic display or even to be used is a 'historical' park. He said it seems to him those are part of the things which connect us to the community - where we lived, went to school, worked, etc. and perhaps should be saved as a cultural asset and could be used somewhere else. Dave commented that much of the changes are required because of accessability issues, beyond that he doesn't know what the requirements are. Richard moved to ask the Parks Department for options to allow retainina the existina plavaround eauipment in parks scheduled for renovation. Dave requested the motion be tabled and he be allowed to check with the Parks Department and/or Commission about the options. a. Maplewood Historical Society Update Richard reported Johnny Appleseed was a great success, Lois had a crew cooking at the Welcome Center, Jelly Man Jones (Ron) was selling jelly, there were hayrides, games, the Friends of Maplewood Nature donated 2 apple trees that were planted during the afternoon, the City's Gem car was available for inspection and test rides. Lois reported the following activities coming up at the Farm: The City will present the free movie "Bolt" on Saturday, 8/22 at 7:00 p.m. The Society will sell popcorn, food and beverages. The Society will hold a live music Barn Dance on Saturday, 9/19 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., 5-12 $4, 13 and up $6. Dessert and beverages available. 10. STAFF PRESENTATION - NONE 11. ADJOURNMENT - 9:00 p.m.