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.