2005-01-13 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
January 13, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 3:30 p.m. in the 3'd Floor Conference
Room of City Hall, 121 — 5t1i Avenue North.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Stephen Waite, Chair Darrell Marmion Star Campbell, Planner
Brian Hall Chuck LeWarne
Michael Plunkett Barbara Kindness
Deborah Binder
Ed Baker
Commissioners Marmion, LeWarne, Kindness, Baker and Binder were excused from the meeting.
2. READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There was not a quorum of Commissioners present to approve the minutes.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as submitted.
4. REOUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one present in the audience.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings scheduled on the agenda.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Permit Desk Customer Handouts
Chair Waite distributed a copy of the handout regarding historic preservation. City Council Member Plunkett questioned if
the handout includes all of the possible incentives that are offered. He suggested that they cross reference the handout with
the Historic Preservation brochure that was prepared by the Commission to make sure the two documents are consistent.
Chair Waite noted that rather than calling the tax incentive a "tax break" perhaps a better term would be "tax relief." They
agreed that any reference to initiatives in the handout should be replaced with the Commission approved identification such
as "special tax evaluation," "special restoration," "historic reconstruction," "parking relief," etc.
Council Member Plunkett also suggested that in the third paragraph of the handout, they should add the words, "appropriate
identification of the incentives." The remainder of the Commission agreed. In addition, Chair Waite suggested that the
fourth paragraph is redundant. Council Member Plunkett agreed and suggested that the paragraph could be shortened.
Another option would be to replace the whole paragraph with a concluding line to read, "Therefore, being on the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places will be a great benefit for property owners of older buildings." The Commission agreed to replace
the fourth paragraph with the language suggested by Council Member Plunkett.
Chair Waite indicated that he would make the necessary corrections to the handout, and bring it before the Commission at
their next meeting. Council Member Plunkett summarized that the handout generally addresses the intent of the Commission
to provide an introduction to historic preservation. The intent of the handout is to make the public feel comfortable and
positive about historic preservation before they get into the application process. Ms. Campbell said her understanding is that
the handout would be distributed along with a building permit application for a property alteration. However, this is not
consistent with the intent referenced by Council Member Plunkett. The handout now appears to be the first thing a property
owner would read when they are thinking about nominating their property. She summarized that she is confused about the
Commission's intent for the handout.
Ms. Campbell explained that the building official is concerned about regulations for obtaining a building permit, and not with
the nomination process someone would go through initially to get their property on the register. She recalled that, originally,
the handout was intended to accompany the building permit application, which would make sense. However, someone would
not likely come in and ask for information on a building permit if they were interested in getting their property on the
Register first.
Chair Waite recalled the Commission's previous discussion that the handout be used as an introduction for property owners
who are interested in nominating a property on the Register. Ms. Campbell explained that if that is the intent, the handout
should not accompany the information the building official initially provided to the Commission. She recalled that the
document provided by the building official was dropped by the Commission, and the handout was created, instead. She
expressed her belief that it is important to get the building permit information to property owners, and perhaps this is getting
confused with the user-friendly version that would be given to property owners who are looking into the process of placing
their property on the Register. She recommended the Commission revisit the information that was provided by the building
official. This information is something a property owner could use to get detailed information when they want a building
permit for property that is already on the register.
Chair Waite indicated that the Incentives Subcommittee would review the document submitted by the building official and
bring it back before the Commission for review at their next meeting. They would also make the proposed changes to the
handout prior to the next meeting.
Ms. Campbell suggested that the handout created by the Commission could be used as the cover sheet for the nomination
handout. Council Member Plunkett recalled that the Commission was under the impression that when a property owner
requested a nomination handout, they would receive the document that was prepared by the building official. He recalled the
Commission's concern was that the building official's document could make the nomination process appear overwhelming to
property owners. Staff has now clarified that the building official's document would be given to property owners who are
further in the process, and the user-friendly handout would be distributed to property owners first when they request a
nomination packet. Ms. Campbell agreed that the best use for the user-friendly handout would be as a cover for the
nomination packet.
Council Member Plunkett inquired if the nomination packet would include an overall general narrative. Ms. Campbell said
she is working on a draft narrative to explain what the Edmonds Register of Historic Places is and when it was founded. It
would also describe the benefits and process for nomination. She said she would make sure the narrative is coordinated with
the Commission's handout and brochure. Council Member Plunkett suggested that the Commission submit the handout to
staff to represent their idea for an introductory piece to accompany the nomination application packet.
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Chair Waite reviewed that the documents that have been created to date could be used in a three -step process. The brochure
could be distributed first in an effort to increase public awareness about the concept of historic preservation. Next, the
nomination application and handout could be distributed by the staff to property owners who express interest in being on the
Register. Lastly, a property owner who is either on the register or thinking about being on the register could receive more
detailed information from the building official as part of the building permit application packet.
Commissioner Hall suggested that in many situations, property owners would approach the building official first, before
obtaining a nomination packet. Ms. Campbell explained that, typically, a property owner would come to the Planning
Department first to discuss their proposal with a planner. If a property has special status such as a historic designation, the
property owner would always be directed to a planner before the building official.
The Commission agreed that the narrative that is being drafted by Ms. Campbell and the handout that was prepared by the
Commission should be combined as an attachment to the nomination packet.
Commissioner Hall suggested that the title of the handout should be changed. Ms. Campbell agreed, especially if the handout
is intended to be an introduction to the process. The remainder of the Commission agreed. Commissioner Hall summarized
that the intent of the handout/narrative is to get property owners interested in historic preservation and provide information
regarding the nomination process.
7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Administrative Subcommittee Report
Council Member Plunkett recalled that Commissioner LeWarne approached the Lodging Tax Committee with a request for
funding for the Commission's brochure. Commissioner LeWarne recently reported that he did not think the project would
receive funding. However, after making some additional phone calls, Council Member Plunkett announced that the
Committee has allocated $500 in provisionary funds for the brochure project. He recalled that the Commission has worked
on the premise of having two brochures. One has been completed and is being distributed already. In addition, the
Commission agreed that if funding were available, they would create another brochure.
Council Member Plunkett said the $500 grant requires that the brochure be tailored towards tourism. Now that the money is
available, the Commission should designate a subcommittee or Commissioner to redesign the brochure to meet the
requirements of the Lodging Tax Committee. The brochure design could then be presented to the Lodging Tax Committee
for review and approval. He suggested that the new brochure would work well with the Commission's efforts to roll out the
historic register program.
The Commission discussed whether the grant money would be better spent on designing the new brochure or printing the
new brochure. Council Member Plunkett pointed out that Commissioner Kindness has expertise in public communications.
Chair Waite agreed but said he does not believe she is also a graphic designer.
Ms. Campbell recalled that several months ago, Mr. Chave distributed a copy of a brochure he helped to create when he
worked for the City of Auburn. This brochure was a tourism piece that reviewed the historic sites in the city. She suggested
that the Commission review this example again. The Commission agreed this would be an appropriate first step. Chair
Waite recalled that numerous years ago, a walking brochure was prepared for the City of Edmonds. Ms Campbell recalled
that the brochure was created by the Edmonds -South Snohomish County Historical Society. She questioned if it would be
acceptable for the Commission to create a similar brochure. Chair Waite suggested that the Commission seek input from
Commissioner LeWarne, who is the representative from this group.
Chair Waite noted that when all of the Commissioners are present at the next meeting, the Commission would elect new
officers and make new subcommittee assignments, etc. They would also have an opportunity to discuss the Commission's
goals and objectives for 2005. Chair Waite indicated that he would contact Commissioner LeWarne regarding his opinion of
the Commission creating a new brochure using the walking tour brochure that was previously prepared by the Edmonds -
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South Snohomish County Historical Society as a template. Ms. Campbell pointed out that the inventory that was recently
completed would be a good source of information for the Commission to use when creating the new brochure.
b. Communications Subcommittee Report
There was no report from the Communications Subcommittee.
C. Historic Register Subcommittee Report
There was no report from the Historic Register Subcommittee.
d. Incentives Subcommittee Report
There was no report from the Incentives Subcommittee.
8. NEW BUSINESS
Chair Waite again reminded the Commission that at their next meeting, they would elect new officers, and reassign the
subcommittee responsibilities. He requested that staff provide a dry erase board for the Commission to use at their next
meeting.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Update of Commissioner Contact List
Ms. Campbell advised that none of the Commissioners contacted her regarding changes to the Commissioner Contact List.
Therefore, she assumes that the information is accurate. She said she would check again at the next meeting, when all of the
Commissioners are present.
Historic Inventory Draft Report
Ms. Campbell reported that the consultant would be present at the Commission's February meeting to make a presentation
regarding the Historic Inventory Draft Report. She would anticipate her presentation taking at least 30 minutes.
10. REVIEW OF NEXT MEETING'S PROPOSED AGENDA
Chair Waite pointed out that the next meeting agenda appears to be quite lengthy. He questioned if the tape recording could
be turned off during the Commission's white board discussion. Then the Commission could go back on record and provide a
summary of their discussion and conclusions. Ms. Campbell answered that the Commission could choose to take summary
minutes of the next meeting. The Commission agreed that normal minutes should be prepared for the first items on the
February agenda. Then the Commission would go into a work meeting to discuss their goals and objectives, etc. The notes
from this discussion could be given to staff so that summary minutes could be prepared.
11. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Waite did not provide any additional comments during this portion of the meeting.
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12. HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Plunkett suggested that after the consultant presents the final report on the draft Historic Inventory Report,
the Commission must move forward quickly with a plan to present the information to the community. He pointed out that the
Commission has known this would be the last step for several months, and they should know how they want to proceed.
However, the Commission will now have to start from scratch to decide what they want to do with the report. A lot of good
ideas have been discussed, but no decisions have been made yet. He recalled that one of the popular ideas was to schedule an
open house that would include several informational stations for the interested public to visit. He suggested that someone on
the Commission must take on the responsibility of laying out a plan for this event.
Commissioner Hall inquired if the Commission would have an opportunity to comment on the draft Historic Inventory
Report before it is presented to the public. Council Member Plunkett said the document has been available for review for the
past few months. Commissioner Hall suggested that the Commission review the report and get it finalized so that it is no
longer a draft before it is presented to the public. Ms. Campbell said the consultant is working to finalize the draft, right now,
and the Commissioners could certainly submit comments to the consultant within the next 30 days.
Commissioner Hall clarified that at the next meeting, the Commission would discuss a plan to implement the Historic
Inventory Report and introduce it to the public.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
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