HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-11 PACKET 05.A.
TO: Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation
FROM: John M. Burbank, Senior Planner
DATE: September 6, 2018
RE: Old Cottage Grove Historic District
Introduction
As a follow up to recent conversations that the ACHP has been having earlier this year, Council-
member Thiede requested that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan amendment include language
related the creation of a unique historic district within the Old Cottage Grove neighborhood.
Background
At the August 1, 2018, City Council Meeting, staff was directed to provide an update on the
establishment of an Old Cottage Grove historic preservation/neighborhood conservation district
(“DISTRICT”). The attached memorandum dated August 6 and supporting documents is the
response to this Council request.
Discussion – Establishing a District in Cottage Grove
Given the Council direction to explore the district concept, the ACHP should review the August 6
documents and discuss.
The first question that should be addressed is if the ACHP is interested in establishing a DISTRICT,
and if so, following questions, which are also found in the Council memo, should be addressed:
1. What is the purpose and expectation of the DISTRICT?
2. What does the DISTRICT look and feel like?
3. What is the vision statement for the DISTRICT?
4. What are the goals for the DISTRICT?
5. What are the boundaries/extent of the DISTRICT?
6. What are the expected benefits of the DISTRICT?
7. What are the pros and cons of establishing a DISTRICT?
8. What do DISTRICT property owners think, want, and expect?
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation
Section 4 Lake Renaming
July 10, 2018
Page 2 of 2
9. What is used to evaluate success of the DISTRICT?
a. Property value increase
b. Property sales/desirability
c. Building permits
d. Construction value
e. Planning applications
f. New businesses
10. What are the standards for the DISTRICT?
11. How is the DISTRICT administered/enforced?
Recommendation
That the ACHP review the information and provide feedback and comments to staff.
Attachments
August 6 Council Memorandum and supporting documents
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Charlene Stevens, City Administrator
FROM: John M Burbank, Senior Planner
DATE: August 6, 2018
RE: Old Cottage Grove Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Conservation District
Introduction
At the August 1, 2018 City Council Meeting, staff was directed to provide an update on the estab-
lishment of an Old Cottage Grove historic preservation/neighborhood conservation district
DIS The graphic below is an orthophoto of the Old Cottage Grove area.
Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Charlene Stevens
Old Cottage Grove Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Conservation District
August 6, 2018
Page 2 of 5
The map below identifies the construction years of the houses within the Old Cottage Grove area.
Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Charlene Stevens
Old Cottage Grove Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Conservation District
August 6, 2018
Page 3 of 5
Background
Research on the topic provided a variety of sources of additional information on neighborhood
management and how it is addressed regionally and across the nation. The take away from the
review identified that there are historic preservation districts, neighborhood conservation districts,
and a blend of those as routes to preservation. One highly informative document that was found
is titled Alternative Forms of Historic Designation: A Study of Neighborhood Conservation Districts
in the United States By: Jessie McClurg, Assoc. AIA CURA Research Assistant, University of
Minnesota, February 2011, and can be accessed at http://www.cottagegrovemn.gov/docs/alt-
forms-hist-designation.pdf.
Ordinance Requirements
The City Code addresses the designation of historic districts in Title 9-9-4, which is included
below, but is silent on the performance standards of what can and cannot occur in established
districts.
9-9-4: DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC SITES AND LANDMARKS:
A. Procedures: The city council, upon the request of the advisory committee on historic preservation,
may by resolution designate a historic site, landmark, or historic district. Prior to such designation,
the city council shall hold a public hearing, notice of which shall have been published in a newspaper
of general circulation at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing; notice of the hearing
shall also be mailed to all owners of property which is proposed to be designated as a historic site,
landmark or historic district and to all property owners within one hundred meters (100 m) of the
boundary of the area to be designated. Every nomination shall be forwarded to the Minnesota
Historical Society for review and comment within sixty (60) days of the advisory committee on
historic preservation's request.
B. Eligibility Criteria: In considering the designation of any area, site, place, district, building or structure
in the city as a historic site or landmark, the advisory committee on historic preservation shall
consider the following factors with respect to eligibility:
1. Its character, interest, or value as part of the history or cultural heritage of the city, the state or the
United States;
2. Its association with persons or events that have made a significant contribution to the cultural
heritage of the city;
3. Its potential to yield information important in history or prehistory;
4. Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of architectural type or style, or elements of design,
detail materials or craftsmanship; and
5. Its unique location or singular physical appearance representing an established or familiar visual
feature of a neighborhood or community of the City. (1971 Code § 13A-4)
It is anticipated that given Council direction to address this topic further, an ordinance amendment
addressing new performance standards for established districts would be created.
Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Charlene Stevens
Old Cottage Grove Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Conservation District
August 6, 2018
Page 4 of 5
Discussion
Other local communities, listed below, that have established DISTRICTS were reviewed.
Minneapolis Excelsior
St. Paul Northfield
Stillwater Lake City
Red Wing Hastings
Each identified city has criteria unique to their community, and most lean heavily towards the
historic preservation component and rely on standards modeled on the Secretary of Interiors
Standards on Historic Treatment Guidelines, which can be accessed through the following link:
http://www.cottagegrovemn.gov/docs/sec-int-historic-props-standards.pdf.
Neighborhood conservation districts guidelines are generally less restrictive than the federal treat-
ment standards; are typically influenced at the local level; and are created and enforced by city
staff and neighborhood activists/representatives.
Establishing a District in Cottage Grove
Before an endeavor to create an Old Cottage Grove historic preservation/neighborhood conser-
vation district specifically for Cottage Grove, a variety of questions need to be addressed.
1. What is the purpose and expectation of the DISTRICT?
2. What does the DISTRICT look and feel like?
3. What is the vision statement for the DISTRICT?
4. What are the goals for the DISTRICT?
5. What are the boundaries/extent of the DISTRICT?
6. What are the expected benefits of the DISTRICT?
7. What are the pros and cons of establishing a DISTRICT?
8. What do DISTRICT property owners think, want, and expect?
9. What is used to evaluate success of the DISTRICT?
a. Property value increase
b. Property sales/desirability
c. Building permits
d. Construction value
e. Planning applications
f. New businesses
10. What are the standards for the DISTRICT?
11. How is the DISTRICT administered/enforced?
Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Charlene Stevens
Old Cottage Grove Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Conservation District
August 6, 2018
Page 5 of 5
District Establishment Procedures
Given the Councils interest in the concept of a historic/neighborhood preservation district, the
following schedule would advance action on the item:
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation September 11, 2018
Planning Commission Workshop October 22, 2018
Neighborhood Meeting November 27, 2018
City Council Workshop December 5, 2018
Planning Commission Public Hearing January 28, 2019
City Council Final adoption February 20, 2018