2019-12-04 Architectural Design Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting
December 4, 2019
Chair Herr called the meeting of the Architectural Design Board to order at 7:00 p.m., at the City Council Chambers, 250
- 5 h Avenue North, Edmonds, Washington.
Board Members Present
Cary Guenther, Acting Chair
Kim Bayer
Cary Guenther
Maurine Jeude
Bruce Owensby
Tom Walker
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board Members Absent Staff Present
Joe Herr, Chair (excused) Mike Clugston, Senior Planner
Laurie Strauss, Vice Chair (excused)
BOARD MEMBER OWENSBY MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 2019 BE APPROVED AS
AMENDED. BOARD MEMBER BAYER SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
There were no audience comments during this part of the agenda.
MINOR PROJECTS:
No minor projects were scheduled on the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING:
There was no public hearing.
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR EARLING
Mayor Earling commented that one of the real joys of his position, as mayor, is watching the community at work. The
City enjoys a large number of local volunteers who serve well. For example, the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) is
run primarily by volunteers, yet the setting appears professional. The Edmonds Art Museum is another example, as it
only took two weeks to fill all of the docent positions after the positions were advertised. He summarized that the City
benefits enormously from its volunteers, and it is important to recognize this service.
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Minutes of Regular Meeting
December 4, 2019
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Mayor Earling recognized Board Member Walker and thanked him for his eight -year service on the Architectural
Design Board. He presented him with a gift as a token of the City's appreciation.
CONSOLIDATED PERMIT APPLICATIONS (No Public Participation):
There were no consolidated permit applications.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Indigenous PeoDle's Land Acknowledgement for Public Meetings
Mr. Clugston explained that on August 27'1i, the City Council took action to include a land acknowledgement statement
on each of their meeting agendas. They also agreed to read the statement at each of their meetings. The Planning Board
took similar action. He explained that the intent of the statement is to recognize the fact that the current residents were
not the first to inhabit the area. The purpose of this discussion is for the Board to talk about the idea of adding the
statement to their agendas and/or reading it at their meetings. The following statement is the language used by both the
City Council and the Planning Board.
"We acknowledge the original inhabitants of thisplace, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors
the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We
respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with
the land and water. "
Board Member Bayer asked if other cities have adopted similar statements. Mr. Clugston said he is not familiar with the
background, other than the information provided in the packet. It appears the practice is starting to take hold in parts of
the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The statement simply recognizes those who lived in the area
before.
Board Member Bayer commented that it is great to acknowledge and understand the early inhabitants of the area, but she
believes it is sufficient to make the acknowledgement at the City Council level rather than including the statement on
every board or commission agenda. All of the boards and commissions fall under the umbrella of the City Council.
Board Member Owenby asked if the statement was requested by the Snohomish Tribes. Mr. Clugston answered that
the statement was the result of discussions between the City and the Tribes. Board Member Jeude recalled that, initially,
a female activist presented the request to the City Council.
Board Member Guenther agreed it is appropriate to show respect for the early inhabitants, and the appropriate place to
do so is at the City Council level. It is unnecessary to do so at every level of City government. The remainder of the
Board Members agreed.
Continued Discussion on Architectural Design Board (ADB) Roles
Mr. Clugston recalled that the Board originally discussed presenting a proposal to the City Council at their retreat on
February 7`", but that might not be possible because the Board's January lst meeting has been cancelled. However, it
would be useful to at least include something on the Council's retreat agenda to reiterate the Board's desire to shift roles.
The Board's actual proposal could be presented at a joint meeting after the retreat. He reminded them that the changes
will require a number of code amendments, which staff can start working on now.
Mr. Clugston announced that a 5-unit, multifamily project is scheduled to come before the Board for a public hearing
during the 1 St quarter of 2020.
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Mr. Clugston said the purpose of the workshop is to review the Board's previous discussions and finalize their direction
to staff. Staff can then start preparing information to present a coherent vision for how they see the Board moving
forward in the future. However, he acknowledged that the City Council could reject the changes and the Board's current
role in reviewing applications would continue. The more information they can present to the City Council at the joint
meeting, the better.
Mr. Clugston recalled that, at the last meeting, they briefly talked about changing the name of the Board. They also
talked about having two meetings a month, which will be necessary if the Board's role is expanded. There was also a
discussion about meeting times, perhaps on Thursday afternoons following pre -application meetings with staff.
Applicant's would then have the ability to talk to the ADB about the design aspects of a project. They may also want to
change the format and setup of their meetings.
Mr. Clugston explained that there is a large number of outdated links in both the Edmonds City Code (ECC) and
Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) that need to be cleaned up. It will also take a lot of work to update
the code to incorporate the proposed changes. He asked the Board to provide more specific direction on the ideas that
were discussed at the last meeting so he can start working on the needed code changes.
Board Member Owensby said he wouldn't be opposed to changing the Board's name. The current name implies a
certain type of mentality related solely to architecture. The Board's interest goes beyond simple building architecture to
include landscape architecture, urban design, and other aspects that the City wants to promote. There is so much
potential to link the different areas in the City together (i.e. waterfront, marina, ferry, downtown, Dayton Street, etc.). It
would be great to get people thinking beyond architecture, and a name change could help that along.
There was a suggestion to change the Board's name to Edmonds Design Board, which would encapsulate all aspects
related to design. Board Member Walker pointed out that architecture would still be the main theme of what the Board
does. He suggested a more appropriate name might be Architecture and Design Board. He noted that the University of
Washington's College of Architecture and Urban Planning changed its name to the College of Built Environments,
which includes landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, planning, construction management, etc.
Mr. Clugston reviewed that the Board was originally called the Amenities Design Board. Its name was changed to
Architectural Design Board in about 1980, but its mission remained the same. If the Board's mission is really going to
change, he suggested that a name change might be appropriate. He made note of the ideas put forward by the Board,
advising that they could make a final decision at their next meeting.
Board Member Owenby voiced support for having two meetings each month, and said he would prefer that the
meetings be held on either Wednesday or Thursday. Mr. Clugston agreed the Board could continue to meet on
Wednesdays. However, he suggested Thursday meetings would be an opportunity for the Board to piggyback on the
preapplication meetings. Having both the pre -application meeting and the ADB meeting on the same day would be
easier for applicants.
Concern was expressed that a 6:00 p.m. meeting start time might be too early for people who are still working full time.
Most Board Members indicated they could start earlier in the day. Mr. Clugston suggested that perhaps the pre -
application meetings could start a little later, and then the Board meetings could start at 7:00 p.m.
The Board Members agreed that the current meeting location (City Council Chamber) would continue to work well.
There was some discussion about having one of the meetings at City Hall, but they agreed it would be best to hold all of
their meetings in the same location.
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Board Member Owenby said he googled the responsibilities and duties of design review boards in jurisdictions around
the country. Some are very vague and open ended, leaving their decisions open to legal challenges. However, he also
found some good examples that he would share with staff.
Mr. Clugston recalled that Vice Chair Strauss suggested that a sustainability element should be added to the Purpose
Statement. Board Member Owensby cautioned that placing so much emphasis on sustainability is making projects
dramatically more expensive, and he is not sure everyone understands the impacts of this new direction. He referred to
the new energy code standards, and recalled that the old code required developers to select five or six items from a list of
sustainable options. The new code requires developers to implement twice as many sustainable options, and it will end
up raising the cost of construction significantly. The higher construction costs will be passed on to the building
occupants. He questioned if it is the Board's role to influence sustainability since it is already a requirement of the new
energy code.
Board Member Guenther commented that the only way the Board could influence sustainability would be when an
applicant requests a departure from the development code or design guidelines. If an applicant cannot meet a certain
standard the Board could require them to do something equal or better. One option would be to require some
sustainability elements as part of the design. Board Member Owensby added that they could also encourage
sustainability by offering incentives, such as increased floor area ratio, when sustainable elements are included as part of
the design.
Board Member Guenther observed that, typically when reviewing projects, he asks applicants to identify the sustainable
elements included in their projects. Many sustainable elements are already included as part of a good design, and with
just a little bit more effort and money, an applicant can obtain LEED certification. Board Member Walker commented
that, in the coming years, there will be Board members who will want to encourage developers in one direction or the
other. The Board can provide reasonable suggestions, but at the end of the day, it will come down to what the code
requires.
Board Member Guenther commented that it is difficult to codify what is sustainable. While he served on the Planning
Board, there were a number of discussions about sustainability. However, when he reviewed the LEED requirements,
he found very few things the City could codify that would push people towards LEED certification. He cautioned that
while the Board can suggest, it cannot dictate exactly what the elements of design must include.
Mr. Clugston suggested that perhaps language related to sustainability could be incorporated into Item B or Item C of the
Purpose Statement. It could be as simple as rewording one of these items to tie design sustainability back to the
Comprehensive Plan element. It could also be added to the opening sentence. He doesn't believe that Vice Chair
Strauss's recommendation included a desire to require LEED certification. However, adding a general mention of
sustainability could be useful.
Board Member Bayer requested clarification of Item C, which calls for encouraging creative approaches to the use of
land and related physical development. Mr. Clugston said he likes the language, but acknowledged that the Board
doesn't really have any way to implement it at this time. However, adding a departure option would provide some
flexibility for more creative approaches. Board Member Guenther commented that he did a Google search and found a
number of jurisdictions offer variances, but none allow departures. As per the current code, a variance requires an
applicant to prove a hardship, and what the Board is looking for is a more creative way to encourage good and
sustainable design. Currently, there is no means for the Board to grant a variance.
Board Member Owenby pointed out that there is not a lot of undeveloped land in Edmonds, so Item C may not even be
applicable. Perhaps the language would be more applicable if the phrase, "to the use of land and related physical
development" was removed from the statement. He goal is simply to encourage creative approaches to development.
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Mr. Clugston asked Board Member Owensby to forward the information he collected from other jurisdictions to him so
they could be compiled and reviewed at the next meeting.
Board Member Owenby expressed his desire for the Board's future role to include the ability to consider requests for
temporary exemption permits, request potential code amendments, etc. He agreed to forward Mr. Clugston a copy of his
red -lined version of the Board's proposed purpose and duties.
Board Member Guenther pointed out that the City of Tacoma allows variances to design standards if an applicant can
provide a design solution that is equal to or better than what the code requires. He felt this would be a fair approach for
the City of Edmonds, as well. He agreed to forward a copy of Tacoma's variance code to Mr. Clugston.
Board Member Walker asked if there would be support for including an additional item that encourages design that
properly balances the City's social, economic and environmental needs. Board Member Owensby cautioned that the
Board should stay away from being too general; what is beauty to one person might be a blight to another.
Board Member Owensby shared a purpose statement he found in his research that said, "The Architectural Design
Board is a non political board intended to provide professional analysis, review and input on proposed development
applications to achieve the highest level of design standards and quality for the City. " He said he particularly likes the
phrase, "non -political." He agreed to present staff with a list of ideas he favors.
Mr. Clugston explained that, previously, the ADB didn't have very many standards; it simply provided guidance on the
fly based on preferences. The purpose statements are still fairly general, and he agreed that more specific language that
addresses the need to balance social, economic and environmental values would be appropriate. Having the ability to
encourage creative design, via design variances, would also be favorable. He emphasized that the Board is not
proposing to change or offer departures from the bulk standards, but they are interested in having the ability to approve
design standard variances to encourage creative design. If departures are allowed, Board Member Guenther said it will
be important to have clear language in the code to ensure that projects still meet the intent and purpose of the design
standards.
Board Member Guenther said he sees the Board's future power and duties might include: providing design input,
providing design review and providing recommendations for potential code amendments related to design. He voiced
concern that there could be a potential conflict of interest if the Board were to provide both design review and
recommend potential code amendments, since it would mean the Board would both write the rules and judge
applications for compliance. That is one of the main reasons for removing the City Council and Planning Board from
being quasi-judicial decision makers. In the past, the Board's role has focused on design review, which is still
appropriate to some degree. However, there are some risks that must be considered.
There was some discussion about the types of legislative issues the Board should focus on. Board Member Guenther
pointed out that zoning code amendments currently fall under the purview of the Planning Board. However, the ADB
could provide input on code amendments that include elements of design. Up to this time, the ADB's expertise related
to design standards hasn't been utilized. Board Member Owensby agreed and suggested that their proposal should
include a recommendation that the ADB's advice should be sought out more often when the Planning Board and City
Council are considering amendments to the permit processes, Development Code, Comprehensive Plan, etc.
Mr. Clugston said he would work with Mr. Chave and Ms. Hope to get an introduction of the proposed changes on the
City Council's retreat agenda. He would also work to create a schedule for moving the changes forward. He reminded
them that their January meeting was cancelled. The Board asked staff to prepare some preliminary language to
implement the concept of departures or variances based on tonight's discussion. They agreed to continue their
discussion at their February meeting.
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Board Member Guenther noted that the meeting was Board Member Walker's last one. He thanked him for his service
to the Board.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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