Heritage Preservation Commission Meetings and Work Sessions

City of Excelsior Hennepin County, Minnesota Minutes Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 6:30 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair O’Hanlon called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Other Commissioners Present: Bolles, Mark, Gephart Commissioners Absent: Caron, Brattland, Dahlstrom Also Present: Julia Mullin, Community Development Director 2. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was modified to move item 5.c. to 5.a and adjust the remaining items accordingly. Gephart moved to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mark. Motion passed 4-0. 3. CONSENT AGENDA – There was nothing on the Consent Agenda. 4. CITIZEN REPORTS OR COMMENTS Diane Bolles provided comments regarding the upcoming preservation celebration and the need to publicize it and the LMCC. 5. NEW BUSINESS a) Review and Comment – Proposal for West Knoll Overlook and Seating Plan at The Commons Eric Snyder of Community for the Commons presented the proposed plan. After discussion among the commission members, Gephart moved to make the following recommendations to the city council: • The project as presented satisfies the five Guidelines for The Commons listed on page 54 of the Design Manual but that, if any changes or deviations from the proposed project occur (due to the stabilization project slated to occur nearby), the proposed project should return to the HPC for additional consideration; • That the city council should review the proposed project in the context of other work occurring in The Commons – particularly the nearby stabilization project; and • The city council should ensure that the proposed project is consistent with The Commons Master Plan. Bolles seconded, motion passed 4-0. b) Review and Comment – Proposal for Baseball Storage at The Commons Ballpark  Tim Amundsen, the city’s Public Works Superintendent, presented the proposed options for a temporary storage facility near the ballfield at The Commons. After discussion among the commission members, Gephart moved to make the following recommendations to the city council: • The commission supports the park and recreation commission’s recommendation for location #2; • The council should consider a more shed-like roof design like the current paddle board storage facility in The Commons; • The 3rd base and right field locations should not be pursued because they are inconsistent with Guideline C1 regarding uninterrupted scenic viewscapes; • Materials and location for the proposed permanent facility may be problematic due to the stair discussion that is underway (Guideline C5) and the potential impact on trees in the area (Guideline C2); and • Any permanent facility should have additional review. Mark seconded. Motion passed 4-0. c) Review and Comment – Proposal for Tree Preservation Fencing at The Commons Tim Amundsen, the city’s Public Works Superintendent, presented the proposed options for tree preservation fencing at the Commons. After discussion, Gephart moved to make the following recommendations to the city council: • The amount of fence being used should be minimized (keeping in mind that the park is heavily used); • Consider not fencing the whole area by fencing individual trees to the left of the path; • Consider fencing the portion on the right, northwest of the bathhouse pathway; • The split rail design is the best alternative. Bolles seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Site Alteration Permit Application – 345 Water Street (HPC No. 23-07) (Continued from the March Meeting) This matter was continued from the Commission’s March meeting. The Applicant seeks approval of a new façade as directed by the commission at its March meeting. In addition, the Applicant amended his request to seek permission to either remove the entire northwesterly wall (adjacent to the library driveway) or dig under it to install footings where they had discovered none existed. The Applicant also requested permission to square off the roof line as it went from front to back, eliminating the step- 2  down that currently exists. After discussion, it was moved by Gephart to either approve the façade as exhibited (see attached) or replace the black vertical structure to the left of the door with glass and convert the transom windows to three across the top of the doorway on the left side of the front façade. Seconded by Mark. Approved 3-1 with Bolles dissenting, saying that he did not believe the black structural element to the left of the door was appropriate. After further discussion, Gephart moved to approve the draft resolution with modifications to permit removal of the northwesterly wall (adjacent to the library driveway), and to permit the squaring off of the roof line from front to back (eliminating the step-down roof line configuration) with the understanding that any future mural on that wall would require a separate site alteration permit application. Mark seconded. The motion passed 3-0 (with Bolles abstaining because there was inadequate information regarding the details of the plans). 7. COMMUNICATIONS and REPORTS a) Next Regular City Council Meeting – May 1, 2023 b) Next HPC Meeting – Tuesday, May 23, 2023 c) Other Updates 1) Subcommittee Reports i) 173 Second Street – The subcommittee members reported on the statute of discussions with the homeowners. ii) Event Subcommittee O’Hanlon gave an update on the subcommittee. 2) Historic Steamboat Bell – there was a discussion regarding the potential for locating the Bell in the Port of Excelsior including the Park and Recreation Committee’s review of a study prepared by Bob Bolles of the matter and the need for the right location and need for security. 8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 9. ADJOURNMENT – Gephart moved adjournment. Mark seconded. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting was concluded at 10:00 p.m Respectfully submitted, Kevin Staunton City Attorney/Assistant City Manager 3