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2018-06-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING June 14, 2018 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Chair Johnson called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the 3' Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Laura Johnson, Vice Chair Katie Kelly David Preston Emily Scott Steve Waite Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Larry Vogel (excused) Tim Raetzloff, Chair (excused) Chris Deiner-Karr (excused) APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager Kernen Lien, Environmental Programs Manager OTHERS PRESENT Sandra Allbery Greg Brewer Kathy Brewer COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2018 BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER SCOTT SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE PLACED BEFORE NEW BUSINESS. COMMISSIONER KELLY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The Commission accepted the remainder of the agenda as presented. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no audience comments. ACTION ITEMS Public Hearing to Determine the Eligibility of the Yost House Located at 658 Maple Street for Listing on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places (File No. PLN20100035) Mr. Lien briefly reviewed the process for placing properties on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, as well as the benefits and obligations associated with the listing. He also reviewed the conditions required for listing properties on the Register as follows: • Significantly associated with the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or cultural heritage of Edmonds. The house is associated with the City's early pioneer history and the general development in Edmonds. It was constructed by the Yost family when they were owners of a local lumber mill. • Has integrity. The original portion of the house is a largely intact vernacular style architecture. The original wood sash windows on the east and west facades have been replaced with vinyl, double -hung windows, but the trim is consistent with the original house. In addition, some of the porch posts were relocated and the chimney was removed. There was an addition on the south side of the original house, but it would not diminish the home's historical value. Looking at a front view of the home, it appears to have enough integrity to be included on the Register. • Age at least 50 years old or has exceptional importance if less than 50 years old. The house was constructed in 1907 and is I I I years old. Mr. Lien advised that, in addition to the above criteria, the property must fall into at least one of the designation categories. He advised that the property appears to meet the following three categories: • Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state or local history. The house is associated with the City's pioneer history and general development of the City of Edmonds. • Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style or method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. The house is significant for its intact vernacular architecture. • Associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history. The house is associated with the Yost family, an early pioneer family extensively involved in the early development of Edmonds. The family was active in the lumbering, sawmill, shingle, water supply, telephone, automotive and bus transportation businesses and are the namesake of Yost Park. Mr. Lien shared several pictures of the subject property and described some of the home's design features. He also shared a variety of Yost family photographs. He suggested that the nomination should focus on the front facade as the significant features of the home. He recommended the Commission find that the Yost House meets the criteria for designation of the Edmonds Register of Historic Places and make a recommendation to the City Council for listing it on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. He reminded the applicant that, once listed, a Certificate of Appropriateness would be required for any changes that are made to the historic features of the home. Commissioner Preston asked why the entire house is not being recommended for the Register, given that all of the changes occurred more than 50 years ago. Commissioner Scott agreed that is possible but explained that the original construction is the significant portion of the house. Mr. Chave agreed that age, in and of itself, is not significant. The historical or architectural features of the house are what make it significant. It was noted that additional changes were made in more recent years. Greg Brewer, Owner, advised that everything on the front facade within the rectangular box is original construction. He also noted that there is no sub -straight on the siding, it is just boards over studs. The cap was added to provide some weather protection. He said he and his wife like the charm of Edmonds and enjoy purchasing historic homes so they can be preserved. He shared some of the history of the home and said he has no plans to change the structure at this time. Kathy Brewer, Owner, pointed out that Mrs. Yost lived in the home with her daughter until 1979. There have only been four owners since the original owner. The Commissioners had a back and forth discussion with the owners about various features of both the inside and outside of the home, as well as the changes and when they were made. Commissioner Waite asked if the owners would be willing to install the bronze plaque that is provided by the City at or near the property line so it is more visible to passersby. The Brewers answered affirmatively and discussed several options with the Commission. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 14, 2018 Page 2 COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION FIND THAT THE YOST HOUSE (ORIGINAL 2- STORY RECTANGULAR STRUCTURE), LOCATED AT 658 MAPLE STREET, MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AND RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ITS INCLUSION ON THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lien advised that he would schedule the nomination on the Council's agenda for a public hearing. NEW BUSINESS The Commission had a discussion about the criteria for listing properties on the Register and how the criteria is applied when determining a structure's historic integrity. They also reviewed the process for designating properties on the Register, specifically the Commission's role in reviewing applications and making recommendations to the City Council. Council Member Johnson said she would like a presentation on how historic districts are created in the State of Washington and how the City might go about creating one in downtown Edmonds. Mr. Chave agreed to schedule this presentation on a future agenda. Council Member Johnston reported that the City Council considered the Economic Development Commission's request to study the concept of decreasing the ground floor height requirement in the Downtown Business (BD-1) from 15 feet to 12 feet. They decided not to go forward with the study. The Commission had a discussion about the design standards for the BD-1 zone and how well they work to encourage new development to incorporate elements of design that are consistent with the historic character of the area. Mr. Chave summarized that the design standards do not require new development to replicate historic structures. There is nothing specific, architecturally, about the downtown buildings. It has more to do with a building's placement and context within the downtown. The design guidelines focus more on window and door placement, proximity to the street, awnings, etc. Commissioner Waite suggested it would be worthwhile to invite City Council Members to meetings where certain topics are on the agenda that might be of interest to them. Commissioner Waite requested a status report on the plaque that was supposed to be placed near the Campbell's house, which was recently added to the Register. Commissioner Preston said the owner has selected a location for the sign, but the post has still not been installed. Commissioner Waite agreed to work with Ms. Cunningham to get the post and sign installed. The Commissioners discussed that there are still vacant positions of the Commission. They agreed it would be helpful to have one more member (a total of 9) to ensure a quorum is present at each meeting. They were encouraged to invite interested and qualified citizens to submit applications. The Commissioners discussed that having a color -coded map of potential properties for the Register would be helpful to identify the current status of each property. They agreed to start by mapping the downtown area, cross referencing the properties to the two surveys. Sandra Allbery recalled that the owner of one property that would have likely been approved for the Register backed out because the required public notice that was posted on their property raised too many concerns and questions from passersby. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 14, 2018 Page 3 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS Vice Chair Johnson did not provide any additional comments. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Waite thanked Mr. Lien for his help and welcomed him back to the City. Commissioner Scott reminded the Commissioners that the Edmonds Historical Museum is a great place to research historic properties. The Museum Director is available to answer their questions and provide guidance. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 14, 2018 Page 4