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.
