HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-99HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of October 19, 1999
I. Quorum: Commissioners Coutu, Goderstad, Langenfeld, Smith, Sovik-Siemens, Thorsen, and
Warg. Staff: Grossman. Meeting called to order at 7 p.m. by Chairman Thorsen.
II. Minutes September 21, 1999: motion be Sovik-Siemens, second by Coutu to approve;
motion carried.
IlL Review of building permits or design proposals.
1st Presbyterian - design review, side door shelter. Application reviewed. The purpose of the
shelter is to keep ice of the sidewalk. It will be built of redwood, shingled and painted to match
wood on church. Findings: Not a permanent structure and not permanently attached to church.
No affect on original design and material. Considered to be like an awning. Motion by Smith,
second by Warg to approve design and permit; motion carried, 8-0.
705 Vermillion, Dan Greii, porch removal and reconstruction. Committee of Sovik-Siemens,
Simacek and Thorsen met at site, approved work and directed staffto release permit.
IV. Unfinished business:
A. Review comp plan language for historic preservation component. Members discussed
difference between historic districts and conservation areas. Comments on draft will be relayed to
Carole Zellie for incorporation in the next version.
B. Review status of Guardian Angels. State Historic Preservation Office advised that Guardian
Angels Church and School would not meet National Register criteria (attached). Members
directed that local designation of Guardian Angels be discussed at next meeting.
V. New business.
VI. Staff & Committee Reports.
Staff report on HRA rehab programs. The HRA now has a program which specifically
includes restoration of historic structures. Some members were critical of the Dakota County
HRA's Community Rehabilitation program which acquires old houses for demolition and resells
the lot for housing. They prefer to see the old houses rehabilitated.
Dick Darsow's Hastings Archives. He has published the book at his own expense; it will be out
in early November.
VII. Adjournment. Motion by Smith, second by Coutu to adjourn; motion carried.
October 7, 1999
Mr. John Grossman
City of Hastings
101 E. Fourth Street
Hastings, MN 55033
Dear John:
It was nice to see you again last month. Thanks for suggesting a visit to your fair city and lunch.
Susan and I couldn't have asked for a better fall day for a drive. I promised to put our observations in
writing after touring the church and surrounding area with you, and hence, my purpose in writing.
Our visit confirmed Susan's earlier assessment that neither Guardian Angels Church nor School is
individually eligible for listing on the National Register. The recent remodeling of the chumh is
substantial and has changed its historic character to a degree that renders it ineligible for listing. The
second floor addition to the school which dates to the 1950s is also problematic; while not
unsympathetic in a design sense, it extends the period of significance for the building into the
modem era, and making an argument for exceptional significance is not likely.
You asked us to consider whether these buildings would be considered contributing if a National
Register historic district could be established. After touring the area, we do not feel that pursuing
historic district designation will be productive. Historic districts require a high degree of continuity
among a concentration of associated historic resources to be eligible for the Register. Sandwiched
between the commercial downtown area and a residential neighborhood, the church and school are
located in a transitional area that lacks a significant concentration or continuity of unaltered
buildings requii'ed of historic district.3.
These comments are not to say that the church and school do not contribute to the historic fabric of
the community nor that they are not worth preserving. They do, and they are. k does mean that other
types of economic development strategies will need to be explored if the proposed housing project is
to become a reality; federal investment tax credits will not be among the resources to be tapped in
this case.
It was encouraging to see the growing interest in historic preservation in Hastings. The list of recent
local designations, in particular, is evidence that community support is strengthening. The
commission is to be commended for its good work. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any
further questions about our assessment.
Sincerely,
Britta L. Bloomberg
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
August 6, 1999
Mr. John Grossman
Hastings Heritage Preservation Commission
101 4ta Street East
Hastings, Minnesota 55033-1955
Dear John:
National Register evaluation of Guardian Angels Church and School,
Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota
Staffrecently completed a review of the above properties. After evaluating the
information you submitted, it is our opinion that the church and school are not eligible for
nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The church has been remodeled
several times, each remodeling removing or obscuring more historic physical features.
These alterations have so compromised the historic physical integrity of the church that
it's ability to convey its 19th century building or religious practices associated with the
Irish community in Hastings is irreparable.
The school, the parish's 3~, was built in 1934 was enlarged in 1952 with the construction
of a second sto~y. The addition ora 2~a floor in 195,2 provided additional space, but the
construction, which happened less than 50 years ago, and which modified the 1930s
school design is not an alteration that can be considered of exceptional significance under
National Register guidelines. An assessment of the historical documentation reveals that
the educational activities that took place in the school are representative of parochial
education around the state, and does not constitute a historical contribution that can
substantially support nomination of the property on a historical basis.
I am returning the sheets with the current snapshots of the church and school.
Sincerely,
Susan Roth
State Historic Preservation Office