Historic PreservationCity of Chanhassen • 2030 Comprehensive Plan Historic Preservation | 3 -1 3 Historic Preservation 3.0 ~ INTRO DUCTION This is the first time that the city has included a historic preservation
section in the Comprehensive Plan. With the rural portion of the city ripe for development and the desire to preserve the city’s history, it is the appropriate time to formalize the
city’s goals for historic preservation. 3.1 ~ BAC KGRO UND “The history of Chanhassen begins in many places. It begins in Germany where social unrest moved some to travel across an ocean
to find a new home. It begins in western Massachusetts in small towns in the Connecticut River Valley. It begins in the halls of Congress as the United States government decided how
to distribute land. The area that we know as Chanhassen had its own history as well. Native American populations lived there for thousands of years…Research projects show evidence of
habitation around Lake Susan, Minnewashta, and Lotus Lake as early as 6000 BC…For one hundred yea?rs, the Dakota were the primary native group, moving into the land and displacing the
Iowa people sometime in the 1750’s. They had no major villages in Carver County… In 1851 the treaties of Transvers de Sioux and Mendota provided a cash payment to Native Americans in
return for the land…Within weeks, settlers began staking claims.” Source: Chanhassen: A Centennial History. The Preemption Act of 1841, a statute passed by the U.S. Congress, permitted
settlers to stake a claim of 160 acres and, after about 14 months of residency, to purchase it from the government for as little as $1.25 an acre before it was offered for public sale.
Congress repealed the Preemption Act in 1891. The first wave of German immigration to America came when Minnesota lands opened for sale. A German Colony gathered around a lake. Since
all the families came from Bavaria, many began to refer to the lake by that name. The Northampton Colony migrated from several towns in the Connecticut River Valley and settled around
Lake Minnewashta. In 1887, the Franciscan Brothers relinquished title to the property around St Hubert’s Church and the town of Saint Hubertus was platted. When the Village of Chanhassen
was organized in 1896, St. Hubertus opted for the traditional name of Chanhassen. On April 21, 1896, Chanhassen was incorporated as a village government. “When the population of a township
exceeds 2,000, the Minnesota Municipal Commission (MMC) is required to hold a hearing to determine its legal future. Chanhassen Township was the largest piece of unincorporated land
in Carver County and became a target for the competing interests of local governments. Chaska made the first move, petitioning to annex 3800 acres of Chanhassen Township, including the
new Hazeltine Golf Course and the proposed “New Town of Jonathan”
3 -2 | historic Preservation City of Chanhassen • 2030 Comprehensive Plan Chanhassen created a precinct in 1854, becoming the first township in Carver County. On May 11, 1858, a meeting
was held to organize the township government. The first order of business was the official acceptance of “Chanhassen” as a name of the community. Originally, the town consisted of a
few simple buildings. Family farms occupied the land on the periphery. St. Hubertus, the residential portion, consisted of small lots in a grid pattern. New England Protestants settled
in the Lake Minnewashta Area German Catholics settled in the Lake Bavaria Area German Catholics settled in downtown Chanhassen
City of Chanhassen • 2030 Comprehensive Plan Historic Preservation | 3 -3 annexation. In one legal maneuver, Chanhassen lost its southwest corner. The township board was outraged and
fought the ruling all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court where they lost. Victoria began consideration to annex the northwest corner. The township permanently lost sections to Chaska
and Victoria. The MMC issued an order in December 1966 that the township and village would merge if there were no objections within the community.” On May 2, 1967, the merger was approved
by a vote of two to one. Chanhassen Township was dissolved.” Source: Chanhassen: A Centennial History. 3.2 ~ PRESERVATION Historic Preservation is the act of maintaining and repairing
existing historic materials and the retention of a property’s form as it has evolved over time. When considering the United States Department of Interior’s interpretation, “Preservation
calls for the existing form, materials, features, and detailing of a property to be retained and preserved. This may include preliminary measures to protect and stabilize it prior to
undertaking other work—or protection and stabilization may be an end in itself, for example, in an archeological project.” Historic Preservation is a vital tool in the effort to save
historic buildings and locales. It helps maintain a community’s historical roots and provides various educational opportunities. In the City of Chanhassen, the focus will be on buildings
and places that are unique, time sensitive, culturally or socially important, or architecturally significant. Between December 3, 1997 and April 27, 1998, the City undertook a study
of “Old Town” and attempted to create a historic overlay district. Property owners opposed restrictions on their properties that would impose limitations on exterior improvements and
remodeling. They welcomed guidelines but not ordinances. The state and county play a role in historic preservation. The state is in charge of making recommendations of properties that
are worthy of nominations as historic properties or sites. The recommendation is forwarded to the Keeper of the National Registrar of Historical Places.The Carver County Historical Society’s
role and mission is to collect and preserve artifacts and objects. Carver County was awarded a grant and hired The 106 Group, Ltd. to identify historically significant sites. This process
included sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sites eligible for National Register of Historic Places, and a photo of the property. The 106 Group, Ltd. phased their
study into stages: Stage 1: Baseline Data Obtain data on the known historic, archaeological and cultural resources Stage 2: Develop Priorities Delve further into the identification of
additional, previously unidentified historic resources
3 -4 | historic Preservation City of Chanhassen • 2030 Comprehensive Plan Stage 3: Survey and Policy Development Identify and evaluate historic resources that are significant to the
heritage and formulate policies with regard to the protection and preservation of those resources. Based on the available information, the City will establish a Recognition Program of
historic properties and buildings, with owner’s consent, designed to encourage private property owners to use, maintain, and protect their historic properties. The City of Chanhassen
will rely on Carver County to be the Historic Preservation Organization. Properties requesting a historic designation or funding will be directed to Carver County Historic Society. 3.2.1
Historic Buildings and Structures The City contains a number of structures that embody its architectural and cultural heritage. The City will continue to encourage the preservation,
interpretation and active reuse of privately-owned historic buildings and structures, and will work to protect such buildings and structures to the extent feasible during the development
process. The City will also continue to preserve and restore the historic structures it owns. The City will not actively pursue the acquisition of historic sites or structures. 3.2.2.
L andmark Preservation Whenever possible, landmarks should be preserved on the site where they are located. Failing that, they may be moved, if feasible. A demolished landmark may be
commemorated in one or more of the following ways: 1. Naming the new structure in honor of the old. 2. Inclusion of some architectural features of the original structure in the new structure.
3. A display area in the new structure which may include photographs or other memorabilia of the old structure or site. 4. A plaque or marker of appropriate size describing the original
structure and its significance. 3.3 GOAL Promote the preservation and protection of valuable historic and cultural resources through community partnerships and collaborations with citizens,
non-profits, state, federal, public and private entities. 3.4 POLICIES 1. Inventory the City’s historic assets.
City of Chanhassen • 2030 Comprehensive Plan Historic Preservation | 3 -5 2. Utilize opportunities to educate students and other residents about the historical assets of the city. 3.
Assume a leadership role by identifying historic resources within our community and educating the public on the historic value of a site or structure. 4. Conservation of significant,
scarce, non-renewable historic resources. 5. Develop and maintain a list of historic sites and structures within the city. 6. Develop and maintain an interactive website link of historic
inventory between the city and the county. 7. Encourage the preservation and adaptive reuse of structures of historic and architectural significance. 8. Incorporate historic sites into
new subdivision or developments where possible. 9. Utilize available historical photographs, maps and artifacts in public buildings to focus attention upon the City’s history and historical
assets. 10. Encourage development of buildings that complement historic buildings. 11. Encourage property owners to apply for historic designation. 12. Recognize structures on voluntary
basis. 13. The City of Chanhassen will rely on Carver County to be the Historic Preservation Organization. 14. Properties requesting a historic designation or funding will be directed
to Carver County Historic Society. 15. The City will not actively pursue the acquisition of historic sites or structures.