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Cmd70522 spec mtg Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes July 5, 2022 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING APPROVED MINUTES July 5, 2022 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Nelson, Mayor Vivian Olson, Council President Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember Will Chen, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Laura Johnson, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Neil Tibbott, Councilmember STAFF PRESENT Jeff Taraday, City Attorney Scott Passey, City Clerk Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by Mayor Nelson in the Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually. 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW 42.30.110(1)(I) At 6:15 p.m., the council convened in executive session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss pending or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). 3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION The council reconvened in open session at 6:46 p.m. 4. INTERVIEW FOR APPOINTMENT TO A CITY BOARD OR COMMITTEE 1. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO BOARD/COMMISSION Councilmembers interviewed Jeremy Mitchell for appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission (responses in italics). Council President Olson invited Mr. Mitchell to describe his interest in serving on the HPC. My wife and I recently moved to Edmonds with our 5 and 3 year olds. We love Edmonds so I wanted to get involved in the community. The HPC opening came up and I have a background in architecture, doing exterior envelop related architecture for the last 16 years including a handful of historic preservation or adaptive reuse project in Seattle and Edmonds. I hope provide some insight to the HPC. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes July 5, 2022 Page 2 Councilmember Buckshnis said there has been interest in making the downtown core a historical district on the national historic registry. She asked his opinion on creating a historic district for an entire area. It depends on what the city wants its identity to be. All cities go through an evolutionary process. It is beneficial to target maintaining the historic identify of any city as long as it meets the business, walking, parking needs and makes it vibrant overall. A balance is needed for the city to progress forward. That is part of the HPC’s responsibility, evaluation proposals and ensure they meet with the needs. Councilmember Buckshnis summarized rather than an overall district, he preferred to look at buildings case by case. Yes, you do not want to flip a switch and be historic tomorrow; that can be a forced option and can look fake. A city’s identity in the long run is better preserved on a case by case basis. Councilmember Paine said the HPC is comprised of a lot of very talented people and she appreciated his background and experience with the building envelope. She asked what he would like to see in the neighborhoods and not just the downtown business core and business districts. There are some neighborhoods with unique and historic buildings. Edmonds has a lot of unique architectural styles built around the post-ware era including a lot of mid-century modern homes. My family lives in a mid-century modern home; they like that style and that style will soon be applicable for preservation. Consideration for the HPC include single houses, clusters in neighborhoods that were planned by a specific architect, and/or whether get every house with architectural significance on list. Edmonds has a unique historic dynamic, but not a lot of significant architectural styles. The mid-century aesthetic will need to be debated to what works. He recalled that was brought up at a recent HPC meeting. Councilmember Chen commented on historic funding in Everett and encouraged the HPC to explore whether Edmonds qualifies. Given his expertise and knowledge, Councilmember L. Johnson what about pitfalls that HPC can avoid, specifically where might clash with other goals in the city. The Seattle HPC put too many precedences in place where it acts against some of the zoning requirements, making it difficult for owners on the registry to do anything with a building without going through a rigorous process. It is a balancing act between the current zoning and ensuring those do not conflict. Since the HPC is advocating for promote historic preservation of qualified properties, there need to be incentives to maintain the property over time. That is where a lot of HPCs to wrong; there are too many steps in the process to maintain the building, or get on the registry so it is often a deterrent rather than welcoming. Councilmember K. Johnson commented unlike Seattle, Edmonds’ historic registry is a voluntary list; owners can get on the list and, if they do not like it, they can get off the list. If an owner wants to make changes to the structure, the process involving the HPC. She welcomed him to the commission, advising the HPC’s first meeting is virtual next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Council President Olson advised his appointment is on the consent agenda and once that agenda is approved, his appointment has been confirmed. 12. ADJOURN With no further business, the council meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.