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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-02 City of Farmington 325 Oak Street Farmington, MN 55024 A Proud Past - A Promising Future Committed to Providing High Quality, Timely and Responsive Service to All Of Our Customers AGENDA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING September 26, 2002 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Call to Order 2, Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes of July 18 and July 30,2002, Meeting 4. Public Hearings - none 5. Reports a. Comments from Seminar 6. Project Update - none 7. Unfinished Business a. Plan for Middle Creek Estates Historic Cemetery 8. New Business a, Reporting Responsibility - City Council, Planning Commission b. HPC's Role in Development Process 9. Miscellaneous 10. Adjourn MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION July 18,2002 1. CALL TO ORDER - Vice Chairperson Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m, Present: George Flynn, Jackie Dooley, Beverly Preece, Tim Rice, Earl Teporten, Harbee Tharaldson, Susan Strachan Absent: None Also Present: Bob Vogel, Consultant; Mike Schultz, Associate Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. APPROVE AGENDA - as presented, 3. APPROVE MINUTES - Motion by Preece, second by Flynn to approve the minutes of May 16, 2002 as presented. APIF, motion carried, Chairperson Strachan arrived at 7:10 p,m, 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None 5. REPORTS - None 6. PROJECT UPDATES - None 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Heritage Landmark Designations - Before year-end, Mr, Vogel would like to line up the 3 properties currently on the National Register of Historic Places to designate locally, Regarding the Akin house, he would like an opinion from the state if local designation would remove the property from the National list. He will start with the Church of the Advent in the fall/winter, He is gathering information on the first St. Michael's Church - 104 Elm Street location. Mr, Vogel needs to sort out what is original fabric on the building and what is missing. Member Rice volunteered to assist with the process, Member Teporten asked if there was any benefit the city can provide to the owner to designate property as a landmark. Mr, Vogel stated the designation legally protects properties from demolition, moving, and additions, The designation has to be a partnership, He suggested designating properties one at a time, Mr. Vogel suggested to designate the Middle Creek Estates Historic Cemetery first. b. Middle Creek Estates Historic Cemetery - Mr, Vogel is writing a national designation for this site. The Historical Society is tracking the names of those buried in the cemetery. Mr. Vogel did an aerial photo analysis and found no trace of other cemeteries in the area. He is checking the courthouse records for how the parcel came to be, Mr, Vogel suggested a public meeting for using the area as a park. Member Dooley is willing to come up with plantings for the boundary ofthe cemetery, Member Tharaldson suggested posts made of block or granite for marking the boundary, c. St. Michael's Place Plat - The commission agreed they need to evaluate the current plan and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission. During the review of the plan, the commission discussed the removal of boulevard trees and replanting them outside of the easement. Replanting trees in the back of the townhomes is contingent on whether or not the rear parking stalls will be approved, The commission agreed to send a recommendation to the Planning Commission that no variances be granted and that the plan does not meet the criteria, The statement should give supporting evidence by referring to ordinances and the comprehensive plan, MOTION by Dooley, second by Preece for Mr, Vogel to write the HPC's position statement and for Chairperson Strachan to present the statement at the July 23,2002 Planning Commission meeting. APIF, motion carried, The commission then discussed the demolition and burning of the convent. It was supposed to have been burned in a training exercise, but due to wind conditions it was demolished and the pile of rubble burned, Members felt that a policy should be adopted to not bum down historic sites, Commission members asked about the appeal process, The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation on the Conditional Use Permit, two variances, and the preliminary and final plat. The Comprehensive Plan amendment will be discussed at the July 30,2002 Planning Commission meeting. Any aggrieved party may appeal. 8. NEW BUSINESS - None 9. MISCELLANEOUS - Members would like to have a joint meeting with the Council and Planning Commission, It was suggested this be held in November or December. 10. ADJOURN - MOTION by Preece, second by Dooley to adjourn at 9:07 p.m, APIF, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, 7~~ /77~~/ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant oJ, ,< .. MINUTES HERIT AGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION PLANNING COMMISSION July 30, 2002 1. Call to Order - HPC Chairperson Strachan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission - Present: Dirk Rotty, Todd Larson, Chaz Johnson - Absent: Ben Barker, Bob Heman Heritage Preservation Commission - Present: Susan Strachan, Tim Rice, George Flynn, Earl Teporten, Beverly Preece, Jackie Dooley - Absent: Harbee Tharaldson Also Present: Colin Garvey, Pete Elvestad, Developers; Mayor Ristow; Councilmember Soderberg; Andrea Poehler, City Attorney; Kevin Carroll, Community Development Director; Karen Finstuen, Administrative Services Manager; Lee Smick, Planning Coordinator; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant 2. St. Michael's Place Townhome Project The Historic Preservation Commission portion of the city code was distributed, along with the Historic Preservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, The city code outlines the design review process for the HPC, The comprehensive plan states every effort should be made to protect a property even if it is not designated as a heritage landmark. The HPC also performed a study ofthe Oak Street area in 1998. The Planning Commission asked the HPC for two things: For the HPC to educate the Planning Commission on the historical significance of the area; and to justify to the Planning Commission this is an area that is historically significant. The HPC stated number 3 on the conditional use permit states the development must produce a harmonious relationship with the surrounding buildings, The area has a variation of properties. The proposed townhomes are all designed the same. The concern with the development is not the townhomes or the people who will live there, It is the architectural style of surrounding homes, the fayade and beauty of the structures, and their uniqueness. Members noted the Oak Street Study includes every house from 2nd to 8th Streets and Walnut to Elm Streets. When the HPC was formed, the city was divided into 18 districts. A study was performed on the downtown area first, and the Oak Street area was second, This area was found to have the largest quantity of historic structures. Members found different items of significance in each structure. Recently, the Park Place development was designed to mirror the downtown area, The HPC was presented with the design for the St. Michael's Place townhomes on July 18, 2002. They presented their comments to the Planning Commission regarding the conditional use permit and requested variances at the July 23 meeting, stating the design did not meet the criteria listed in the conditional use permit. Usually structures over 50 years old are considered historically significant. Farmington has a historical area and it .. needs to be maintained, The purpose of the HPC is to make recommendations on the design of structures that affect a historic area, The HPC was asked to explain the significance of heritage landmarks, As stated in the comprehensive plan, if a property is designated as a heritage landmark, anything can be done to it as long as the work is not significant. The designation protects the property from demolition, moving, and the addition of significant structures. The Oak Street survey established the neighborhood as a historic district, meaning the area has significant historic value. Residents in attendance also voiced their concerns regarding the design of the townhomes. Many felt single-level was fine, but they should be constructed with older and varied designs and rear-facing garages, Legal counsel stated there are different criteria that need to be met for different applications, The HPC has recognized historic preservation goals, The HPC requests the Planning Commission take into account the HPC's concerns as they relate to the conditional use permit. 3. HPC Conference The HPC then discussed an upcoming HPC Conference to be held in Owatonna, September 12 and 13,2002, In order to continue to be a Certified Local Government, and to receive grants, members need to attend the HPC Conference, Member Dooley was interested in attending and Member Rice would be able to attend for one day. Members should contact Administrative Services Manager Finstuen if they would like to attend, 4. Adjourn MOTION by Dooley, second by Preece to adjourn at 9:04 p,m, APIF, Motion carried, Respectfully submitted, ~~?r?~ Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant