2020-12-02 Architectural Design Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD
Minutes of Virtual Meeting
December 2, 2020
Board Member Owenby called the meeting of the Architectural Design Board to order at 7:00 p.m., at the City Council
Chambers, 250 - 5' Avenue North, Edmonds, Washington.
Board Members Present
Laurie Strauss, Chair (joined at 7:05)
Bruce Owensby, Vice Chair
Kim Bayer
Cary Guenther
Joe Herr
Maurine Jeude
Board Members Absent
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR NELSON
Staff Present
Mike Clugston, Senior Planner
Mayor Nelson thanked Board Member Guenther for his 8 years of service on the Architectural Design Board. He also
voiced appreciation for the Board's work to shape the City building -by -building. On behalf of the City, he presented a
paper weight gift to Board Member Guenther.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED BOARD MEMBER STRAUSS TO SERVE AS CHAIR AND
BOARD MEMBER OWENSBY TO SERVE AS VICE CHAIR IN 2021.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE:
There were no audience comments during this part of the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BOARD MEMBER BAYER MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 5, 2020 BE APPROVED AS
AMENDED. VICE CHAIR OWENSBY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted as presented.
MINOR PROJECTS:
No minor projects were scheduled on the agenda.
Architectural Design Board Meeting
Minutes of Virtual Meeting
December 2, 2020
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PUBLIC HEARING:
There was no public hearing.
CONSOLIDATED PERMIT APPLICATIONS (No Public Participation):
There were no consolidated permit applications.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Board Member Herr shared an experience he had in the City of Redmond. He estimated his company spent over
$30,000 in extra costs to design a house to save a tree that was rather sickly and unattractive and needed to be taken
down. Board Member Guenther observed that the City of Seattle has similar tree retention requirements. Mr. Clugston
announced that the Planning Board will have a public hearing on the new draft Tree Code on December 0. He
encouraged the Board Members to review their agenda and provide some comments. The Board Members asked Mr.
Clugston to send them a reminder email.
Mr. Clugston advised that the positions vacated by Board Members Walker and Guenther will be advertised soon.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Board Member Guenther said he was disappointed that, due to the pandemic, the Board was unable to make progress in
redefining its role. He was hoping the Board's role could be modified to allow an opportunity to provide more direction
to applicants. He was also hoping the Board could have drafted a proposed amendment that allows exceptions to the
Design Guidelines. He recalled that this opportunity would have been helpful for a few recent projects.
Board Member Jeude said her understanding was that, following joint meetings with the Planning Board to discuss the
changes, the Architectural Design Board indicated support and asked the staff and Planning Board to work on proposed
amendments to implement the concepts. Mr. Clugston reviewed that there was a general discussion about the proposed
changes when the Planning Board met jointly with the City Council earlier in the year, but the pandemic stalled the
process. The concept can be reintroduced to the Mayor and City Council as they work on setting the 2021 Work
Program.
Chair Strauss suggested that, when there are no projects to review, the Board could use their regular meeting dates to
discuss their ideas and the best way forward. She stressed the need to keep the momentum going, and the remainder of
the Board concurred.
Board Member Bayer requested an update on the Westgate Station Project. Mr. Clugston said he recently spoke with the
developer a few months ago and was advised that he would likely submit a building permit application before the end of
the year. Board Member Bayer noted that a "for sale" sign was recently posted on the property. Mr. Clugston said he is
not aware of any recent changes. Board Member Bayer requested an update on the Main Street Commons Project, as
well. Mr. Clugston reported that the project is currently in building permit review.
Vice Chair Owenby asked if building permit reviews have been slower. Mr. Clugston responded that some of the larger
projects have slowed down a bit. However, there have been a number of permits issued for single-family residential
development and remodels. Staff s level of work has remained constant.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Architectural Design Board Meeting
Minutes of Virtual Meeting
December 2, 2020
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