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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-12 PACKET 07.A. MINUTES CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION November 10, 2015 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation was duly held at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on the 10th day of November, 2015. Chair Herb Japs called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll Call : MEMBERS PRESENTHerb Japs, Jan Japs, Beverly Gross, Verlyn Lindemann, Herb Reckinger, Corinne Marz, Jon Raverty : MEMBERS ABSENT Melinda Miller, Judy Spooner OTHERS PRESENT:Councilmember Dave Thiede; John M. Burbank, Senior Planner APROVAL OF THE AGENDA Lindemann made a motion to approve the agenda as distributed. Reckinger seconded. The agenda was unanimously approved. OPEN FORUM No one spoke. ACTION ITEMS Ordinance Text Amendment Burbank notified the ACHP that he has had several requests about the process to have a prop- erty that is on the City’s Local Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks (RHSL) removed from the listing. Burbank noted further that the current ordinance is clear about registration, but not removal. In the attempt to create a transparent process in which a property owner could have a means in which to bring their request before the ACHP, the City Council, and the general public, a draft ordinance amendment was presented to the ACHP. The ACHP discussed the draft ordi- nance, noting that removing properties from the RHSL seems counterintuitive to the Historic Preservation program and its intentions, but the Committee also discussed due process and verifi- cation of the criteria and findings that were utilized to register specific properties. It was recognized Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Minutes November 10, 2015 Page 2 of 4 that times and conditions change and the management of a historic property is ultimately and fi- nancially the responsibility of individual private property owners. The ACHP unanimously passed a motion for the City Council to discuss the potential of an ordinance amendment establishing language for the process to remove a site from the City’s Register of Historic Sites and Landmarks. The ACHP recognized that if the ordinance were amended, the act of removing a site would still be required to be reviewed by the ACHP and City Council. The ACHP also recommended that if a property were to be delisted for purposes of non- historic treatment or potential demolition, the City should recommend that a property owner take the following steps:  Don’t significantly change the historic features of the structure.  Explore options to do an adaptive reuse of the structure.  Work with the City to document the significant historic features of the structure for the City’s historic record archives.  Distribute the historic information of the structure and property in an educational manner to the general public.  Utilize demolition as a last resort. Burbank reported that the recommendation would be presented to the City Council at their regu- lar meeting on December 16. No additional action was taken by the ACHP. Island Park Naming Discussion – Part III Burbank covered the previous discussions that were held by the ACHP in relation to a tax- forfeited parcel of land (island) located in the Grey Cloud Slough that the City recently acquired from the State. He requested that the ACHP have additional discussions on potential names that could be passed onto the Parks Commission and City Council. The ACHP held a lengthy discussion on the topic and covered some of the suggestions from the previous meeting. By consensus, the ACHP identified that the name they would suggest is Joseph LeBathe’s Settlers Island, and that the park information sign panel could have information points on several of the early inhabitants that lived on or near Grey Cloud Island. Lindemann made a motion to recommend to the Parks Commission and City Council that the newly acquired island be named Joseph LeBathe’s Settlers Island. Gross seconded the motion. Burbank stated that he would place this topic on the next agenda of the Parks Commission for review. No additional action was taken by the ACHP. Nessel School Burbank noted that at the last ACHP meeting, the group expressed interest in doing additional research on the Nessel School, which is located off of Kimbro Avenue north of Highway 61. He presented information that was on file with the Washington County Historical Society. The Committee held a general discussion about the school and indicated that they would like to con- tinue the project and complete additional research. Burbank responded that he would place the item on the next regular agenda of the ACHP. No additional action was taken by the ACHP. Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Minutes November 10, 2015 Page 3 of 4 City Hall Historic Display Case – Barns of Cottage Grove Burbank reported that since the ACHP suggested documenting the restoration of Hope Glen Farm and the John P. Furber Historic Farm that he has been in contact with the owners of those properties and they were collecting appropriate photos and a narrative on their restorations. No additional action was taken. Burbank noted that he would place this topic on the next agenda. State Historic Preservation Conference 2016 Burbank provided information on the State Historic Preservation Conference 2016, which was held in Hastings on September 8-9. Burbank noted that he was working with the State Historic Preservation office to host a bus tour to several major historic sites within Cottage Grove. No additional action was taken by the ACHP. Historic Preservationist of the Year 2016 Burbank requested that the ACHP begin discussing nominations for the Historic Preservationist of the Year for 2016. The ACHP held a general discussion and identified several candidates. Burbank responded that he would place this topic on the next agenda of the Committee for review. No additional action was taken by the ACHP. PROJECT UPDATES Committee Awareness Program Burbank shared that the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission (SWCTC) was interested in completing a historic video on Aggregate Industries as previously suggested by the ACHP. He also noted that SWCTC is seeking additional suggestions for future segments. The ACHP discussed potential topics and by consensus suggested the River Oaks Scenic Overlook and 3M. Burbank responded that he would pass on the suggestion. No additional action was taken. John P. Furber Wedding and Event Center, 7310 Lamar – Renovation Update Burbank gave an update on the construction progress at 7310 Lamar Avenue and noted that the grand opening was successful and well attended. The ACHP held a short general discussion on the topic. No additional action was taken. APROVAL OF MINUTES Gross made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 8, 2015, meeting with dis- cussed corrections. Reckinger seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved. COMMITTEE COMMENTS/ITEMS OF INTEREST The ACHP discussed the articles from the Historical Whisperings – October 2015 edition that . was submitted with the packet. No action was taken HISTORIC INQUIRIES AND RESEARCH INFORMATION None Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Minutes November 10, 2015 Page 4 of 4 COUNCIL LIASON COMMENTS None COMMITTEE COMMENTS Reckinger told the ACHP that the portable Vietnam War Memorial Wall was coming to the Twin Cities and there would be a name reading. Two of the memorialized solders were from Cottage Grove and seven additional soldiers remembered were from Washington County. Gross read a historical newspaper clipping on the “Rolling Bulls.” STAFF COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT Reckinger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Marz seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.