FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Heritage Preservation Board?

The Heritage Preservation Board (HPB) is the citizen panel charged with advising the City on all matters relating to the preservation, protection, and use of historic buildings, sites, objects and districts.

Who are the Members of the Heritage Preservation Board and how are they chosen?

HPB members are volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The only qualifications are residency in the City and demonstrated interest in heritage preservation. With the exception of the Planning Commission representative and the student member, who serve one-year terms, Board members serve three-year terms of office.

What does the Edina Heritage Landmark designation mean?

By ordinance, the City Council may by resolution, designate buildings, sites, structures and objects that meet established criteria for historical significance as Edina Heritage Landmarks or Heritage Landmark Districts.

How does Edina Heritage Landmark designation differ from the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register was created by the U.S. Congress and is maintained by the National Park Service. Edina Heritage Landmarks are a form of overlay zoning created by the City of Edina to identify heritage resources worthy of preservation. The National Register regulations apply only to projects that use Federal funds—unless Federal funds are being used, there is no government regulation or community oversight of privately owned properties listed in the National Register. Heritage Landmark zoning is enforced by the City in cases involving application for permits to demolish or move a landmark property, to construct a new building in a landmark district, or to excavate in proximity to a landmark archaeological site.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register, authorized under the 1935 Historic Sites Act and expanded under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, is the official list of buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts recognized as significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture, and worthy of preservation. The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The primary way that properties are listed in the National Register is through nomination by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Although National Register listing provides some protection from development projects that use Federal funds, the regulations do not apply to private undertakings or to activities requiring state or city permits. In Edina, Heritage Landmark zoning follows and reinforces the National Register listing, extending the concern for preservation and protection to the local level.

Where are the Heritage Landmarks in Edina?

The HPB has issued a map showing the locations of all properties that have been designated or determined eligible for rezoning as Heritage Landmarks or Heritage Landmark Districts.

What is a Plan of Treatment?

By ordinance, whenever the HPB nominates a property for landmark designation, a study is prepared by the City's Planning Director that identifies and locates the heritage resource being nominated, explains how it meets the landmark eligibility criteria, makes the case for historical significance, and recommends a “plan of treatment” to guide preservation work at the property, including Heritage Preservation Board review of applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is an official City document required before any permit can be issued for demolition, new construction, moving a building, or excavation in relation to an Edina Heritage Landmark. The COA affirms that in the opinion of the Heritage Preservation Board, the proposed activity is consistent with heritage preservation standards and will not have a negative effect on any significant heritage resource. COA decisions by the HPB may be appealed to the City Council but the appeal must be filed within 10 days.

If my property is located within a Heritage Landmark District, under what circumstances must I apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A COA is required for construction of a new building anywhere within the boundaries of a designated Heritage Landmark District (such as the Country Club District). A COA is also required for any demolition work that would precede new construction.

Is a Certificate of Appropriateness required for a remodel or addition to a home?

No. By ordinance, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required only for demolition, new construction, moving a building and excavation in relation to a designated Edina Heritage Landmark or Landmark District. A COA is not required for home maintenance, repairs, exterior remodeling, additions, and landscaping, except in those rare instances where the subject property is owned, leased or controlled by the City (for example, the Cahill School).

What is the process for applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness?

A COA application form can be obtained from the Planning Department at City Hall. Once the application form is completed and the application fee is paid by the property owner, it is reviewed by the City Planner, who prepares a staff report that is transmitted to the HPB with the COA application form.

How does the Heritage Preservation Board evaluate Certificate of Appropriate applications?

The landmark “plan of treatment” is the authoritative guide for design review decisions involving COA’s. The City of Edina has also adopted the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties to provide consistency in evaluating COA applications and to promote responsible preservation practices.

Are neighboring properties notified when an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is being considered?

Yes. Whenever a COA application involves demolition of a primary building and/or construction of a new building, abutting and adjacent property owners receive written notification and are invited to attend the HPB meeting when the COA application is to be acted on. The HPB strongly encourages neighbors and other interested parties to participate in the COA design review process.

After a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued, can the plans be changed?

No. Either the work described in the COA application is carried out according to the plans reviewed by the HPB, or a new COA needs to be applied for. All work that is done under a COA is periodically monitored and inspected by city staff to ensure compliance with city policies and regulations.

Does the landmark designation affect property values?

Generally, properties that have been designated Heritage Landmarks acquire additional prestige and distinction that is reflected in increased re-sale value. Studies conducted in other communities suggest that landmark designation may boost the re-sale value of a home by as much as 20-30 percent. The local market for preserved, historically distinguished homes and commercial buildings is very strong.

What is the difference between the terms “heritage” and “historic?"

The terms heritage and historic are used interchangeably in the city preservation program to describe resources of cultural value to the community. The City Code chapter dealing with preservation defines heritage resource as “Any prehistoric or historic building, site, structure, object, or district that has historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural value of the citizens of Edina, the State of Minnesota, or the United States.”

What is the difference between the Heritage Preservation Board and the Edina Historical Society?

As the City of Edina’s official heritage conservation agency, the Heritage Preservation Board has responsibility for implementing the Edina Heritage Landmarks program. The members of the Board are Edina residents appointed by the mayor and city council. The Edina Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization which operates a museum and provides various other educational services. In accordance with state statute, a representative of the Historical Society serves on the Heritage Preservation Board. While the Historical Society receives part of its funding from the City of Edina, it is an independent community organization and not an organ of municipal government.


Revised January 10, 2007