7.b2 2 updated NPS approval for Smith garage 20919 QuintNational Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
401 N. Hamilton St., Saint Croix Falls, WI 54424
November 9, 2016
LA. I. (SACN)
Mike and Pam Smith
P.O. Box 4449
Ketchum, Idaho 83340
Re: Tract LOSA 07-103
Dear Mr. and Ms. Smith:
2Q1b
National Park
EENTENNIAI.Service.
We have received and reviewed your updated garage plan which now includes the historic ice
house structure incorporated into the new garage construction. This update or change to the
original plan stems from comments made by the City of Scandia Planning Commission members
during their recent site visit to your property regarding the old concrete ice house structure. This
structure was to be removed as a condition of National Park Service (NPS) approval. At this site
visit, members of the Planning Commission commented that the ice house should be preserved
as a piece of local heritage. The NPS will allow this ice house to stay and be incorporated into
the new garage design. The remaining elements of the concrete wall and stairs on the south side
of the existing structure will be removed. Once construction is complete, native stone/boulder
retaining walls of modest height will be placed to the north and south of the new structure and
visually will be similar to what is currently there. The rest of the garage plan is the same as the
original. No changes have been made to the overall garage dimensions and design other than to
show the ice house structure remaining on the south end.
NPS appreciates your willingness to replant trees and other native vegetation to replace those
that must be removed as a part of this project and to increase the vegetative screening of the new
structure from the St. Croix River. The maintenance of the existing vegetation and the replanting
of new shrubs and trees coupled with the design of the new structure and the dark green exterior
will help ensure that the project will not have a negative visual impact on the St. Croix River
now or in the future.
Please note that our approval is contingent upon your compliance with other applicable land use
controls as required by the easement. Our approval of the project will in no way evaluate the
merits of the project in relation to local, county or state zoning, and thus will not preclude or
supersede any actions by those units of government. Therefore, you will need to comply with all
land use controls or requirements of the City of Scandia, and the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, to whom copies of this letter are being sent.
Thank you for your continued stewardship of this national treasure. If you have any questions,
please contact me at 715-483-2261 or via email at laura_hojem@nps.gov. Your cooperation in
the compliance with the terms of the scenic easement on your property is appreciated.
Sincerely,
9L—�
Laura L. Hojem
Lands Program Manager
cc:
Neil Soltis
Administrator, City of Scandia
14727 209`h Street North
Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Sherri Buss
Senior PIanner, TKDA, City of Scandia
444 Cedar Street, Suite 1500
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Jenifer Sorensen
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Metro Region, Waters
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55106