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Heritage commission approves rehab at 504 University Ave SE after debate over railing safety and window egress
Summary
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on April 28 approved a preservation application for 504 University Avenue SE in the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District, adopting staff findings with modified conditions after discussion about deteriorated railings, a 2022 child lead poisoning allegation and third‑floor egress requirements; the vote was 9–0.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission voted unanimously April 28 to approve a commission preservation application to rehabilitate the front porch and replace windows at 504 University Avenue Southeast, adopting staff findings with modifications after debate over railing safety, lead hazards and window egress.
Erin Kaye, a senior city planner in the Historic Preservation subsection of the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), told commissioners the duplex at 504 University Ave SE is a contributing resource to the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District and that staff recommended approval subject to seven conditions intended to preserve historic character while meeting building code and safety requirements. "Staff recommend that the HPC adopt staff findings and approve the commission preservation application subject to the following conditions," Kaye said during the presentation.
The staff report described an original open porch later enclosed, existing wood railings that do not meet current code height, and a 2022 lead‑based paint assessment that showed positive results on wood trim and porch columns. Kaye said the assessment identified at least 35 windows that needed repair or replacement and that the applicant proposed replacing 63 window sashes, generally retaining existing operation except where code requires egress changes.
Applicant Lance Sherseth of SCS Builders and Remodelers argued the porch railings are structurally deteriorated and a lead hazard that should be removed and accurately replicated rather than retained behind a new code‑height guard. "There was already a child lead poisoning in 2022 there," Sherseth said, citing the property’s prior lead case and urging removal to prevent future hazards.
Sherseth also pressed the commission on egress details for a third‑floor bedroom addition, questioning whether the staff‑recommended interstitial spacer and applied muntins would meet fire and egress standards. He cited the clear‑opening requirement — "5.7 square feet of clear glass opening" — as a life‑safety standard and said two adjacent windows would look mismatched if one changed operation and the other did not.
Commissioners sought technical clarifications from staff and the building code reviewer, discussing precedents for visible glass block in basement windows and how to reconcile historic window appearance with the need for an egress opening. Staff referenced guideline 8.52, which contemplates adding a second rail above a historic railing where current code requires greater height, and explained that applied muntins or internal/external muntins can be permitted if they allow required egress.
After discussion about balancing historic preservation and safety, Commissioner Malbaum moved to approve the application with modified conditions that would: replace the front porch railing to match the existing design and make it code‑compliant; retain staff conditions 2 and 3 regarding trim and sash dimensions; strike condition 4 (the staff allowance for some glass block on listed elevations); retain condition 5 (requirements about casement egress windows and light divisions, with flexibility for applied muntins); strike condition 6; and retain condition 7. The motion was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote, with nine ayes (Alexander; Corotto; Meldrum; Rodriguez; Smith; Thomas; Wallace; Vice Chair Masten; Chair Burenberg).
The vote implements a compromise favored by several commissioners to remove and replicate unsafe or lead‑contaminated railings while preserving historic appearance where feasible and allowing staff and building code reviewers to ensure egress compliance for any new casement windows.
Andrea Burke, supervisor of CPED’s historic preservation team, made several closing announcements about an HPC retreat on May 7, an update that the Cookhouse demolition returned to the city council after review by the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee, and volunteer opportunities connected to an upcoming preservation conference. The commission adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for May 7.
What the commission decided: approval of the commission preservation application for 504 University Avenue Southeast (case/item 4504) with the modified conditions described above. The action directs staff to finalize permit and compliance details consistent with the approved conditions and applicable building code requirements.
