November Minutes

Summit Avenue

Residential Preservation

Association

Minutes from 17 November, 2014

Call to order at 7:05pm. Present: Gladhill, Will, Natz, Lentz, Darling, Luikart, Junge, Walsh, Westermeyer.

Treasurer report - $approximately $13,000 in the bank before the $1,800 attorney fee for the 344 Summit CUP. Several memberships in the PO box.

344 Summit goes before the HPC on Thursday. Work is widening the sidewalk for the CUP parking, as well as adding an accessibility ramp which requires blocking a basement window, cutting through existing stonework, and installing the ramp. Staff (Amy Spong) is recommending layover to give time for the developer to engage a preservation architect and come up with new solutions. There may be new interior plans as well, which might reduce the residential space.

The following resolution was proposed by Gladhill, seconded by Junge, and unanimously approved:

One of the reasons that SARPA opposed — and still stands against — commercial development on Summit was that such use would necessarily cause alterations to the homes involved. As such, SARPA opposes the proposed exterior changes to 344 Summit.

We would also like to point out that the property’s Conditional Use Permit application — as submitted to and relied upon by the City Council and Planning Commission — states on page 2 that “No exterior modifications are planned.” While front sidewalk widening might be seen as a later change required by the CUP conditions, the developer would certainly have known about the proposed accessibility modifications at the time of submission. This further calls into question the validity of the CUP.

Bethany will also send to the full council, questioning if these changes merit a reconsideration of the CUP.

Other business:

People were pleased with the newsletter, though Carolyn would have liked a Call to Action in the pedestrian article. Bethany promised one later.

The Holiday Party will be December 5 from 5-7 at the Lynch’s. It’s designed to be members-only, but that’s pretty flexible. Board members are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share, and SARPA will pick up drinks and some extras.

We may get donated pines for the planters from Edina Realty — Bethany will update. There was some discussion as to the wear on the planters. Perhaps we could submit a CIB grant.

Bethany is hoping for website updates with Sonya in January.

Several other neighborhoods are facing teardown/new construction issues, including 1721 Princeton and two upcoming in Crocus Hill (National Register district but not locally designated.) SARPA is seen as a leader in this, and has been asked to participate in things like citywide forums. We had earlier discussed a Preservation Scorecard for the City Council, which we should look at developing.

The Lecture series was roughly outlined:

-       Sharon Toscano on the lost east end of Summit in February or March.

-       Larry Millet, tagging on to the Cathedral lecture, in March or April.

-       Friendly Streets and the Walking Street Initiative in April or May.

Carolyn updated on the pedestrian counts. We ran out of time but will kick up again in the spring, which gives time to raise funds and interest.

Discussion of a private garden tour in June, which would potentially raise us $500 with very little risk or expense. We decided to move ahead with that at minimum, with discussion of a garden tour to highlight the Walking Street. No tea this year.

Rachel gave the WSNAC report, which mainly concerned the CUP process at Cleveland and Grand.

No December meeting (just the party), and the January meeting will be devoted to the garden tour.

Adjournment at 8:20pm.

Our Appeal Remarks

This was our opening statement to the City Council during our appeal of the Conditional Use Permit for a hotel at 344 Summit last week:

Madame President and Members of the Council — thank you for your time. I’m Bethany Gladhill, President of the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association.

SARPA was formed under Latimer administration in 1986, with a mission to “preserve the historic, residential, and urban park character of Summit Avenue.”

We are an all-volunteer group, with activities ranging from public gardens to lectures to historic preservation and land use.

I’m on SARPA because I own the home my parents bought for $20,000 in 1965. It’s the home I hope to leave to my daughter. In my day job, I’m a preservation planner (and non-profit consultant).

Summit is full of all kinds of people. Young families, retirees, bigger houses, condos, chicken-keepers, socialites, everything in between. What unites us is being a part of the longest intact Victorian boulevard remaining in the US.

Every town once had a Summit Avenue. What makes it unique NOW is that we have the only one left of its scale. Think of Park Avenue in Minneapolis, Detroit’s Grand Boulevard, or Meridian Street in Indianapolis. All have lost their original character, their special sense of place. We don’t want to — we can’t — let that happen to Summit.

SARPA does not oppose this property because we don’t like the developer, or because we are against people staying in hotels, or for any personal reasons, much as some might try to make the issue about that.

Nor do we compare it to the previous use, a CUP that has expired for a several-years-closed college. That’s not the case at hand.

We’re here because we — simply enough — oppose commercial development on Summit. We support the City PED staff who recommend denial of the permit in their reports, based on the fact that it is not an appropriate use in a residential RT-2 area. It may seem like a small issue, but it can quickly escalate to a bigger one, as we have all seen in the past. We believe that the Planning Commission erred in permitting the use. Please reverse the decision.

Macalester-Groveland Demo Update

In our email box this morning from Councilmember Tolbert's office:

You are receiving this email because some time over the past six months you have contacted the Ward 3 office about “tear downs” and the new residential construction in our neighborhood. As most of you know, to combat some of the construction-related issues, Councilmember Tolbert passed an ordinance requiring all residential, exterior construction projects costing over $25,000 complete a Construction Management Agreement prior to construction. This Agreement reiterates the current Saint Paul City Ordinances and Minnesota State Building Codes that govern residential construction. Prior to construction the Agreement must be signed by both the contractor and the property owner. It must then be distributed to all neighbors on the block in question and the block face across the street. The Agreement requires that the contractor's contact information be included in the Agreement for all neighbors to have access to, and be posted on a sign in front of the property. In addition to the Construction Management Agreement, the Councilmember passed several ordinances that tighten up dumpster regulations.  The new legislation requires dumpster haulers to be licensed, adds a sliding scale to dumpster permit fees (the longer they sit on the street, the more the contractor will need to pay per day), and creates new safety signage for dumpsters.

The other concern we have heard the most is about the size and density of these new homes. In August, Councilmember Tolbert directed the City’s Planning and Economic Development department to conduct a study of these new homes and examine what zoning changes could be put in place to ease the impact on neighboring properties, while still allowing neighbors to invest in their dream homes. Mike Richardson, the city planner in charge of the study, has already been hard at work doing background research, visiting and photographing homes and examining heights and densities. This week he will be presenting to both the Highland District Council and the Macalester Groveland Community Council about his work so far and gathering feedback from neighbors and stakeholders about what they would like to see out of the study. I hope you can join us at one of these meetings.

-Highland District Council Community Development Committee, Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 PM, Hillcrest Rec. Center

-Macalester Groveland Community Council Housing and Land Use Committee, Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 PM, Edgcumbe Rec Center

Monster Dash

Team Ortho Foundation wants to make residents aware that on Saturday,October 25th, 2014 they will host the Monster Dash Half Marathon/10 Mile/5K Race in Saint Paul. The Half marathon and 10 Mile will have approximately 10,000 participants. Our runners would love to have you come cheer them on or have you join them for the race! 

We have arranged temporary road closures and detours with the City of St. Paul, the police and parks department regarding all event details.

Crossing Summit Avenue during the race:Summit Avenue between Nina and Mississippi River Boulevard will close at 7:30 a.m.  After that time officers will allow crossing at these intersections when it is safe to do so:  Dale, Lexington, Snelling, Cleveland, Fairview and Cretin.  You may have a bit of a wait, or no wait at all.  The Race starts at 8:30 a.m. so any time between 8:30 and 9:30 will likely have Summit Avenue very busy with runners.  Please plan accordingly.
If you are on the south side of Summit and need to get to the North side of Summit, we suggest to go to Jefferson Avenue and connect with Northbound Ayd Mill Road.
If you are on the south side of Summit and need to go west, take West 7th/Highway 5 westbound to Minneapolis.

St. Paul Police will reopen the roads after the last runner has passed. Please mark your calendar and share this information with others who may also be impacted in your neighborhood. You can see additional information and neighborhood detours on our website athttp://www.minnesotamonster.org. 

Festival of Lights at the Cathedral - Support its Preservation!

The Cathedral of Saint Paul will be a century old next year and the marble floors throughout the main level have lost their original luster.  In celebration of this landmark anniversary, the Cathedral Heritage Foundation will earmark its fundraising efforts at the 4^th Annual Cathedral Festival of Lights gala to polish these floors back to a brilliant shine.  The public is invited to help raise necessary restoration funding by attending the Fourth Annual Cathedral Festival of Lights, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, at the Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street in downtown St. Paul.

This gala evening features signature cocktails, a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions and local celebrities, with all proceeds directly benefitting the Cathedral’s restoration projects. Tickets are $150 per person, a portion of which is tax deductible.  Purchase online at www.cathedralheritagefoundation.org or email cwill@cathedralsaintpaul.org.

WCCO TV’s Frank Vascellaro will serve as celebrity auctioneer for the evening. Vascellaro has been a local news anchor for nearly 20 years. He was awarded the 2011 and 2012 Regional Emmy for Best Anchor and MSP Magazine named Vascellaro  “Best News Anchor” in 2013. 

“This year we have our sights set on preparing for the 100^th anniversary of the first Mass inside this cathedral, which was celebrated by the visionary Archbishop John Ireland on March 28, 1915,” said Mary Schaffner, chair of the CHF Board of Curators.

“Since that momentous date, the Cathedral’s marble floors have been subject to a century of wear by visitors and worshippers alike and now it’s time to ”Let it shine!”  Our fundraising goal will be to restore this lovely marble to its original luster throughout the main floor and side chapels of the Cathedral. ”

The CHF works  year round to identify and address Cathedral preservation and funding needs, including reducing $700,000 of restoration-related roof debt, completing the $3.4 million organ restoration, and supporting educational and artistic programs at the Cathedral.

The Cathedral has served as a majestic venue both for high-profile church and community celebrations. Millions of media viewers world-wide saw the floodlit image of the Cathedral illuminating the Red Bull Crashed Ice event for the past three winters. As an historic site, the Cathedral is a popular field trip destination for local school children as well as tourists from around the world, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors per year. In 2013, Fox News named the Cathedral one of the 12 Most Beautiful Churches in America. Last month, USA Today named it of the Top 10 Cathedrals to visit in America.

The CHF is an independent volunteer community organization whose mission is preserving the Cathedral as an historic monument and a community treasure, and supporting it as a venue for the arts and education.

For more information about current restoration projects or to register for the Festival of Lights, please visit cathedralheritagefoundaton.org.

For a visual reminder of the Cathedral’s significance as a landmark and architectural work of art, a two-minute aerial video can be seen online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BvgKX3CiR0&feature=em-share_video_in_list_user&list=UUApatPzsPYs8-NAKTu7Te8g.

Cathedral Hours:  The Cathedral doors are open Sunday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guided tours are given at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday year round except on Holy Days and civil holidays. No appointment is necessary. More information is available at cathedralsaintpaul.org.

Saint Paul Bike Classic

Come celebrate the 20th Annual Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour!  This family-friendly event will take place on Sunday, September 7th.  The ride begins at the University of St. Thomas near the intersection of Cretin and Grand Avenues at 7:30 a.m.

Many streets will be closed and parking banned on others, which allows mostly traffic-free bicycling for the 6,000 cyclists who will participate. Hot coffee, cold beverages, baked goods, fruit and live music will be at the start/finish line.

Additional details and registration information can be found at BikeClassic.org

(please note that much of Summit will be closed because of the Tour, you can see exactly where on their website)

SARPA’s Position on 344 Summit

John Rupp’s proposal to convert 344 Summit into a “residential apartment hotel” is an issue of great importance to Summit Avenue and to SARPA. To this end, Mr. Rupp has provided us information on his proposal, board members attended a community meeting about it, we discussed the idea at our Annual Meeting, and we have received commentary and feedback from many nearby residents.

Knowing that the issue is very complex, SARPA sponsored a special meeting on August 25, with 344 Summit the only agenda item. We conducted a “SWOT” analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and soon realized that the Weaknesses (and then the Threats) significantly and clearly outweighed the Strengths and Opportunities. The board voted unanimously to recommend against the Conditional Use Permit.

Our primary deliberation was that the granting of a Conditional Use Permit for 344 Summit to operate as a “residential apartment hotel” is clearly not allowed in the RT2 zoning for the property. The zoning does allow for the “reuse of structures over 9,000 square feet,” but only for a use otherwise allowed within the zoning code (for example as a school, home occupation, or even a bed and breakfast (up to 4 rooms). However, a “hotel” requires T2 zoning, or a rooming/boarding house RM1. Since spot zoning is disallowed by state law, a “residential apartment hotel” is simply not allowed at the site as zoned.

We also feel strongly that commercial development simply should not be allowed on Summit Avenue (as disallowed in the original Summit Avenue Plan, which the city apparently de-certified without or knowledge in 2009). Both the zoning and the original Summit Avenue Plan (1986) call expressly for Summit Avenue to be residential in nature. SARPA’s very charter is to “protect the historic, residential, and urban park character of Summit Avenue.” We feel strongly that this rationale is still sound and appropriate.

Were the city to allow this use, there would not be a principled way to say “No” to other commercial development, such as a high-end boutique shopping center or a luxury steakhouse. Summit Avenue stands as the nation’s longest, intact, Victorian residential street, and it is too valuable a part of our history to lose.