HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-13 PACKET 07.A.
MINUTES
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
July 10, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Historic Preserva-
tion was duly held at the Langdon School Building, 8839 Iselton Avenue South, Cottage Grove,
Minnesota, on the 10th day of July 2018.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Herb Japs called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beverly Gross, Herb Japs, Jan Japs, Joseph Gall
Corinne Marz, Marie Sumstine
MEMBERS ABSENT: Verlyn Lindemann, Herb Reckinger,
OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Dave Thiede; John M. Burbank, Senior Planner; Max
Pattsner, City Planning Intern; Bud Gross, Citizen; Rodney Naseth,
Citizen and USW Union President; Wayne Butt, Citizen.
APROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Burbank requested rearranging the order of the Agenda to have the Langdon School building tour
first and then Agenda Items A, D, C and B.
Gall moved the agenda as amended. Marz seconded. The agenda was unanimously approved as
amended.
OPEN FORUM
No one spoke.
ACTION ITEMS
2040 Langdon School /USW Building tour
Naseth introduced himself and gave a brief history of the functions and operations that occur within
the building and provided some insight on who uses the building and how. Burbank thanked
Naseth for hosting the meeting at the site and indicated that the tour would begin. Chair Japs
noted that the ACHP would gather after the tour and finish the business items on the agenda. The
tour lasted from 7:10 to 7:45.
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 2 of 3
After the group reconvened, snacks and beverages were enjoyed and the ACHP held a general
discussion on what features interested them about the building and how to include the preservation
and adaptive reuse of the building into the re-development process of the Langdon Village. No
additional action was taken on this agenda item.
Section 4 Lake Renaming
Burbank identified that a petition had been filed with Washington County to rename the unnamed
Lake 82-83W in Section 4 as Robert Lake. The ACHP held a general discussion on the topic The
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (ACHP) reviewed historical records and common
knowledge about the lake, discussed the merits of the requested naming of the lake, and offered
name suggestions relative to the history of Cottage Grove. The resounding number of comments
that were received during the City’s review is that the lake should be named “Shepard Lake” based
on the commonly referenced name of the lake within the community. During the discussions about
the lake, one of the stated purposes behind the recommended name was that prior to the construc-
tion of Jamaica Avenue, access to the lake was through the Shepard’s Woods via a trail connect-
ing to Inwood Avenue/Sunnyhill Drive. No additional action was taken on this agenda item.
Street Renaming Project
Burbank shared the research work that was completed by Cottage Grove history enthusiast David
Duus on the street renaming process in Cottage grove that occurred in 1969. The ACHP held a
general discussion on the topic and the group requested that Mr. Duus be thanked for his efforts
and a job well done. No additional action was taken on this agenda item.
Forest Home HPCUP Request
Burbank reported that Wayne and Angi Butt have requested that the ACHP review and support
their 2018 request for a Historic Places Conditional Use permit (HPCUP) for the Dr. Arthur H. Steen
House (Forest Home) located at 7405 Lamar Avenue. The requested action would allow for the prop-
erty to be utilized as a wedding and event center that includes a ballroom addition, septic system up-
grade, and parking lot. The ACHP held a general discussion on the proposal and discussed that the
ballroom would be a new accessory building on the site and not an addition to the existing historic
home. Also discussed were tree loss, neighborhood impacts, and the ability to provide adequate park-
ing on the site to meet the needs of the proposed use. Wayne Butt addressed the ACHP and gave
additional information on the logistics of the plan. Based on the shared information, there was a con-
sensus of the ACHP that a certificate of appropriateness for the ballroom could be issued if it was not
in, connected to, or negatively detrimental to the existing historic structure. No further action was
taken.
PROJECT UPDATES
Military Road Interpretative Signage
Pattsner presented background information material that he had assembled for the Military Road
Interpretive Signage project. The ACHP held a general discussion on the topic. Burbank stated
that Pattsner would prepare a final version of the sign and have a proof prepared for production.
No further action was taken.
John P Furber Wedding and Event Center Update
Burbank gave an update to the ACHP on the HPCUP amendment for the site that was being pro-
cessed before the planning Commission and City Council. The ACHP held a general discussion on
the topic. No further action was taken.
Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 3 of 3
APROVAL OF MINUTES
Gall made a motion to approve the March 13, 2018, minutes as submitted. Sumstine seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
HISTORIC INQUIRIES, ARTICLES, AND RESEARCH INFORMATION
None
COUNCIL LIASON COMMENTS
Councilmember Thiede noted that he would like the ACHP to continue discussions and delibera-
tions on the creation of a new unique designated historic district in the Old Cottage Grove neigh-
borhood area.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Gall noted that 2018 is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Cottage Grove and that some form
of recognition and celebration should be put together. Burbank responded that he would share that
information with others on City staff.
STAFF COMMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Jan Japs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Gall seconded. The motion passed unanimously,
and the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.