2022-03-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING
March 10, 2022
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Kelly called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:33 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Larry Vogel
David Preston
Tim Raetzloff
Katie Kelly
Annie Doyon
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Chris Deiner-Karr
STAFF PRESENT
Kernen Lien, Interim Planning Division Manager
Michele Szafran, Planner
OTHERS PRESENT
Kristiana Johnson, Edmond City Council
Representative
MINUTES
Mr. Lien presented the minutes for approval. Approval of minutes from June 10' and February 10', was approved by the HPC.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
Minutes update by Mr. Lien — The previous minute taker (Karin) has retired however the PB and ADB minute taker will begin
taking minutes for HPC beginning next month.
Membership recruitment update — Mr. Lien
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
NEW BUSINESS
In Person Meetings
Discussion by HPC to see how people feel about in person meetings. Mr. Lien provided an update regarding Boards and
Commissions and notes that they will be staying remote at this time. Hybrid meetings may not be practical at this time due to
IT support that would be required. City council will be going hybrid March 22'; however, this will most likely require
significant IT support and thus hybrid may not be practical at this time for boards and commissions. Staff will update HPC in
the future of any changes to timelines for in person or hybrid meeting options. HPC members expressed interest in attending
in person meetings when the time comes.
Walking Tour
HPC has proposed and seeks the level of interest with a walking tour to be coordinated with the summer markets with one a
month over the summer season. The HPC members are in support of walking tours in coordination with the summer market.
The Arts commission worked with HPC in the past to do the plaques which already make for good walking stops. HPC will
work with the museum to provide some signage at the museums table for walking tour times. Interest to add a scavenger hunt
along with the walking tour was discussed. David Preston mentioned that they could tie the scavenger hunt together with
downtown edmonds area merchants (DEMA) or Edmonds downtown alliance (ED). The Museum has provided scavenger
hunts with prizes in the past, so HPC will look at using some of those past ideas. Next steps for the walking tour are to coordinate
with the museum and historical society to set times. Annie and Katie Kelly will coordinate and reach out to ED and DEMA
regarding participation for a scavenger item.
HPC Marketing:
The HPC discussed the possibility of having a register list and separate list for historical homes worth honorable mention. Not
all old buildings can be on the historic register but may have a historic significance. Larry Vogel provided an example of a
historically significant property at 729 Main St. The property has a new owner that has sent a letter to the HPC which discusses
that an original member of the Floretum garden club used to live in the house, the garden club will be celebrating its 1001
anniversary this year. The home was rejected due to additions, so it was not eligible for the historic register, but has historical
significance tied to an original member of the garden club.
Mr. Lien provided reference dating back to 2013 when Michael Houser with the department of archeology and historic
preservation came and gave a presentation to the commission on integrity and a news article also went out about that time
regarding the renovations on the house on Main Street which made it look more historic and thus did not qualify for the register.
Mr. Lien referenced the board to the powers and duties of the code — which the primary focus for HPC is getting homes on the
register. The HPC may want to look into working with the museum and arts commission to recognize historically interesting
properties that don't qualify for the register. Mr. Lien referenced ECDC 10.90.040. which provides the powers and duties and
ECDC 20.45 which is the register of historic places chapter of the code. Mr. Lien further informed the commission that a
notebook rework is in progress for commissions, so that will be provided in the future.
HPC discussed the need to market more to the public about the register. In the past the board has approached homeowners but
mostly owners come to the board. Mr. Lien mentioned that there are old handouts located at city hall that talks about the register
and what the commission does and benefits of being on the register. HPC would like a flyer available for the walking tour to
provide information on what the commission does and how to reach out. Mr. Lien shared a brochure that is currently available,
but the contact info is out of date.
Mr. Raetzloff mentioned that word of mouth has been used for recruiting properties for the register, but some HPC members
don't feel that has been the best approach. The HPC used to get 1-2 homes a year on the register and there has been nothing in
the past 3 years.
Mr. Preston voiced interest in an article in My Edmonds News to reach out to the public.
Mr. Vogel shared past preservationist newsletter articles which could be revived to help provide more publicity. Annie Doyon
discussed adding information about the commission along with a success story or interview on the back page. Ms. Doyon will
connect with other preservation commissions around the region to see how their success has been.
Mr. Lien mentioned that there was a Historic survey that included a spreadsheet prepared by Diane in the past that ranked
houses with assignments to members to reach out.
New Members
Update by Mr. Lien — New membership press release notice will go out next week for HPC vacancies.
One person of interest for HPC came in under recruitment for ADB and the Planning board so there should be some interest
expected.
HPC Staff SUDDort
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
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The HPC would like to work with the arts commission for homes that can't go on the historic register but are still historic (like
820 Maple which had been voted to be removed from register). Plaques could be a good way to highlight historic buildings
even though they don't qualify for the register.
In response to Tim Raetzloff s request, staff will reach out to Frances Chapin to see what is possible regarding coordination of
plaques to cover historic old building that don't qualify for the register. Staff will also reach out with an invitation to Frances
to attend a future meeting for further discussion.
No unfinished business items were on the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
Annie Doyon will follow up regarding a walking tour scavenger hunt
Annie Doyon will check into other preservation commissions to see what success they have had.
Larry Vogel and Annie Doyon will look at reusing previous newsletters for marketing the HPC to the community.
Walking tour speaking points (Larry Vogel) mentioned script is already available. Mr. Vogel and Mr. Raetzloff will review the
script together.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Thank you to Annie from commission for taking lead as commission chair.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
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