Allen HouseHistPres designation staff report.pdf
City of Edmonds
Historic Preservation Commission
Designation Staff Report
July 12, 2012
Meeting Date:
Agenda Subject:Application for designation of Allen House located at 310 Sunset Avenue
North as eligible for inclusion on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Staff Lead:Kernen Lien, Associate Planner
Property Information
Site Name/Location: Allen House
310 Sunset Avenue North
Edmonds, WA 98020
Tax Account #: 27032300101300
Township 27 Range 03E Section 24 ¼ Sec SW ¼-¼ Sec
Construction date: 1901 (BOLA Report), 1906 (Snohomish County Assessor)
Owner/Applicant Information
Person(s) Nominating Site: John and Shirley Pauls
Property Owner: John and Shirley Pauls
Report Summary
Staff recommendation: Staff recommends that the Commission finds that the Allen
House meets the criteria for designation on the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places. The exterior of the structure
contains the significant architectural features.
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
1.Significantly associated with the The house was constructed by Zachary T.
history, architecture, archaeology, Allen, a former owner of the Olympic
engineering or cultural heritage of Hotel who lived in the hotel prior to
Edmonds… moving into this house. The house is also
associated with the early pioneer
settlement of Edmonds.
Allen HouseHistPres designation staff report.docx Page 1
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
2.Has integrity… The house is a largely intact example of
the Queen Anne Free Classic style. The
rear of the house was enlarged circa 1929,
but the front of the house retains its
original appearance from Sunset Avenue.
3.Age at least 50 years old, or has The BOLA report states the house was
exceptional importance if less than 50 constructed in 1901, while the Snohomish
years old… County Assessor information indicates the
house was constructed in 1906. In either
case, the house is at least 50 years old.
4.Falls into at least one of the following
designation categories:
Designation Category
a.Associated with events that have The house is associated with the early
made a significant contribution to the pioneer settlement of Edmonds.
broad patterns of national, state or
local history.
b.Embodies the distinctive architectural The house is an example of the Queen
characteristics of a type, period, style Anne Free Classic style.
or method of design or construction,
or represents a significant and
distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual
distinction.
c.Is an outstanding work of a designer,
builder or architect who has made a
substantial contribution to the art.
d.Exemplifies or reflects special
elements of the City’s cultural, social,
economic, political, aesthetic,
engineering or architectural history.
e.Is associated with the lives of persons
significant in national, state or local
history.
f.Has yielded or may be likely to yield
important archaeological information
related to history or prehistory.
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
g.Is a building or structure removed
from its original location but which is
significant primarily for architectural
value, or which is the only surviving
structure significantly associated with
a historic person or event.
h.Is a birthplace or grave of a historical
figure of outstanding importance and
is the only surviving structure or site
associated with that person.
i.Is a cemetery which derives its
primary significance from age, from
distinctive design features, or from
association with historic events or
cultural patterns.
j.Is a reconstructed building that has
been executed in a historically
accurate manner on the original site.
k.Is a creative and unique example of
folk architecture and design created
by persons not formally trained in the
architectural or design professions,
and which does not fit into formal
architectural or historical, the
designation shall include description
of the boundaries of categories.
Significant Features
1. Shape: The house is a cross-gabled two-story house with a square tower embraced
with the L-shaped mass.
2. Roof and Roof A pyramidal roof caps the roof of the tower, the full width partially wrapped
Features:
front porch has a shed roof and a pediment marks the main entrance.
3. OpeningsWindows are generally one over one, light double-hung types, with some set
(entries, etc.):
in pairs. At the side wall toward the front of the house is a small square
fixed window. The main entry faces Sunset Avenue and is marked with a
pediment.
4. Projections: A full width front porch partially wraps around the north side of the house.
The roof of the porch is supported by four classical columns. The porch
once featured a low railing with vertical pickets.
5. Trim & secondary N/A
features
6. Materials: Wood clapboard is the sheathing used on the first story, with wood shingles
above.
7. Setting: The house is located on Sunset Avenue North, a popular street for walkers ,
runners, sightseers and people out for a drive. There are several other older
homes located in the vicinity of the Allen house and along Sunset Avenue
North.
8. Materials at close N/A
range
9. Craft details: N/A
10. Individual N/A. Interior features are not considered for nomination.
rooms/spaces:
11. Related spaces or N/A
sequences:
12. Interior features: N/A. Interior features are not considered for nomination
13. Surface finishes & The cladding appears in historic photos to have been stained originally, and
materials:
it is presently painted.
14. Exposed structure: N/A
Allen House 310 Sunset Avenue: Left to right; Seraphina Allen, Zachery Allen, Charles Allen Circa 1906
(Photo from Pauls)
Allen House 310 Sunset Avenue Circa 1906 – Seraphina Allen in the yard (Photo from Pauls)
Current View of west façade from Sunset Avenue (Photo from BOLA Report)
Notes on historic register nominations:
Chapter 20.45.020 ECDC* states that if the Commission finds that the nominated property is eligible
for placement on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, the Commission shall make a
recommendation to the City Council that the property be listed on the register with owner’s consent.
According to Chapter 20.45.040 ECDC, listing on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places is an
honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or
cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually or as contributing properties to a
historic district. No property may be listed without the owner’s permission.
Prior to the commencement of any work on a register property, excluding ordinary repair and
maintenance and emergency measures defined in Section 20.45.000(H), the owner must request and
receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission for the proposed work. Violation of this
rule shall be grounds for the Commission to review the property for removal from the register.
Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver
of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Because Edmonds is a Certified Local Government (CLG), all properties listed on the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places may be eligible for a special tax valuation on their rehabilitation.
* Edmonds Community Development Code