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2005-11-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 10, 2005 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 — 51 Avenue North. PRESENT Stephen Waite, Chair Brian Hall Barbara Kindness Deborah Binder Norma Bruns Christine Deiner-Karr (arrived at 3:35) Rob VanTassell Michael Plunkett READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 9, 2005 AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER VANTASSEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 11, 2005 AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 2005 AS AMENDED BY REPLACING THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH ON PAGE SIX WITH THE TABLE THAT WAS PREPARED BY COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR. COMMISSIONER BINDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA The Commission agreed to allow each of the subcommittees to report as part of "Administrative Reports." REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There was no one present in the audience. PUBLIC HEARINGS No public hearings were scheduled on the agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Reuort on Open Forum for the Citv's New Streetseane Plan Chair Waite reported that he, Commissioner Deiner-Karr and Commissioner VanTassell attended the forum. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for the evening of November 10', and the same three individuals would attend. Commissioner VanTassell reported that the meeting was conducted by the architectural firm hired by the City. Slides were provided depicting streetscapes from cities throughout the United States and other countries to give those in attendance some ideas that could be considered for 4r' Avenue. They were told that the streetscape plan would be created by the citizens and that funding resources would be addressed later. He noted that a good percentage of the residents who live along 4t' Avenue (proposed new arts corridor) were in attendance, as well as some of the business owners. Their questions were centered on how the City would fund implementation of the plan, and most were answered. Then the group broke into teams to identify the design elements they would like to have incorporated into the streetscape plan. Over the past month, the staff and architect have used the comments provided by the groups to develop three schemes that would be presented to the public on November 101. He anticipates the participants would be asked to provide their comments on each of the schemes in an effort to come up with some consensus on design. Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that in the beginning, the forum stumbled because the participants were thinking of the area as public space instead of private residential space. Many of the concepts shown to the group depicted ideas that would not be appropriate for residential areas. She said she is curious to see what the architect came up with for the three schemes. Commissioner VanTassell pointed out that the Planning Board spent a significant amount of time talking about the arts corridor concept. In addition, the issue of historic preservation has come up on numerous occasions, and this is a concern to people who live on 4r' Avenue in regards to how it would impact their property rights. He pointed out that there is a definite connection between historic buildings and art, but there are definitely some buildings on 4r' Avenue that most people do not necessarily want to preserve. The forum participants discussed the need to bring the arts corridor concept together with Edmonds' history and past. They discussed the idea of creating some visual space using lighting, flowers, pocket parks, etc. Commissioner Hall suggested that the Commission consider how they could be involved in the streetscape planning process ofna more formal basis. The Commission agreed that all groups within the City should collaborate together on the streetscape plan effort, and that they would like to have a more active role. COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT CHAIR WAITE, COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR AND COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL TO FORMALLY ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THE 4Tn AVENUE ARTS CORRIDOR PROJECT AS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER HALL SECONDED THE MOTION. Council Member Plunkett inquired if the representatives would be granted the authority to make certain declarations regarding the streetscape plan on behalf of the Commission; or is their purpose merely to gather information and report back to the Commission. The Commission agreed that the representatives would act as the "eyes and ears" of the Commission and provide reports back to the full Commission. Before making declarations on behalf of the Commission, the representatives would be required to seek input from the Commission regarding their collective thoughts. The Commission discussed the possibility of a conflict of interest situation because Commissioner VanTassell lives on 4t' Avenue. They agreed that there should only be two Commission representatives instead of three. DOld UVIK*3141Ono:AY:WN1F.V3304NW.111u101013011311K*IUV ]IIMen 111119I:1193 Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 2 THAT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPOINT CHAIR WAITE AND COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION AND TO REPORT BACK THEIR FINDINGS DURING THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE 4Tn AVENUE ARTS CORRIDOR PROJECT. COMMISSIONER HALL SECONDED THE AMENDED MOTION. THE AMENDED MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Report on Effort to Send Notes to Everyone Who attended the Commission's Open House Commissioner Binder asked if Commissioner Kindness was able to send out notes to all those who participated in the open house and if the Commission had received any responses. Commissioner Kindness said she sent out some of the notes but did not have addresses for all of them. She reported that the Commission has received no responses to date. Commissioner Binder reminded the Commission that they previously agreed to follow up with all of the participants who have properties eligible for inclusion on the register. Council Member Plunkett said he thought this work would be the responsibility of the new Registration Subcommittee. Chair Waite agreed. It was agreed that this issue could be addressed as part of the subcommittee reports. NEW BUSINESS Historic Preservation Brochure Commissioner Binder reported that she has raised $750 for the new Historic Preservation Brochure. She sent out about 30 letters and received commitments from three different places (Point Edwards, Michel Construction and Old Milltown) for $250 contributions. Her goal is to obtain $2,000 for the project. She asked that Commissioners email her with additional contact names so that letters could be mailed out. She noted that anyone who contributes would be recognized in the brochure. Council Member Plunkett inquired regarding the timeline for production of the new brochure. Commissioner Binder answered that the Commission would use the same designer and printer as those used by the Arts Commission for their walking tour brochure of public art. Hopefully, this would allow them to save on cost. She said Commissioner Bruns is currently working with representatives from the Edmonds Museum to find photographs for the brochure. The brochure would be based on the original walking tour the Edmonds Museum created, but it would be amended and expanded to add additional structures. Council Member Plunkett recalled that, at one time, the Commission had plans to create two brochures. One would provide information about the Historic Preservation Commission similar to the generic one they already have. The other brochure would be a walking tour brochure. Commissioner Binder said her efforts are centered on the walking tour brochure, which would be centered on cultural tourism and local education. The other brochure would not be a professionally printed brochure. Instead, the Commission would continue to copy their generic one. She said she is hoping to have the walking tour brochure ready to print by the end of the year. Commissioner Bruns expressed her disappointed that the Edmonds Arts Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission were not able to collaborate together to create one good brochure. She said she is concerned that each group in the City appears to do their own thing, and she wished they could coordinate their efforts. Commissioner Binder said she and former Commissioner LeWame worked with the Arts Commission on this effort, but they expressed concern that architecture was not really art. Request from Citizen Regarding a Possible Nomination for the Register Chair Waite reported that he received an email from Mr. Underhill, who participates on the Highway 99 Task Force, regarding his interest in pursuing the Holmes Property that is located near the Edmonds/Woodway High School. This was Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 3 originally a 40-acre farm that was an anchor for that portion of Edmonds. He said he would contact Mr. Underhill regarding the process for submitting an application for the property to be included on the Register. Chair Waite suggested that it would be helpful for the Commission to set up a process by which various City Departments would be notified whenever a nomination for the Register is submitted. The remainder of the Commission agreed that this would be helpful. Chair Waite reminded the Commission that they must elect new officers for 2006 at their December meeting. He asked that Council Member Plunkett organize the election process for the Commission to consider at their December Meeting ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Subcommittee Report (Chair Waite, Commissioner VanTassell, Commissioner Deiner-Karr) Commissioner VanTassell reported that he and Commissioner Deiner-Karr met together over the past month, but they didn't realize that Chair Waite was also a member of the subcommittee. They established the following three goals: • Registering at least two properties during the next twelve months. • Educating themselves as to what similar historic commissions in the area are doing to encourage people to place their properties on the register . • Obtaining a more thorough understanding of the incentives that are available for historic preservation and testing them in the market place by speaking with people who have properties that are eligible for the register. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said the Registration Subcommittee plans to pair up with the Education and Outreach Subcommittee to accomplish their goal of testing the incentives that are available for historic preservation. The two subcommittees could also work together to contact all of the property owners who attended the Commission's recent open house. In addition, they could question the property owners about whether they are interested in pursuing a nomination, and if not, what is holding them back. She summarized that it is important for the Commission to educate themselves regarding the community's feelings regarding historic preservation. Commissioner Deiner-Karr pointed out that before the Commission could actively approach property owners to help them fill out the necessary paperwork to get their properties on the register, they must educate themselves as to the appropriate way to work through the process. Ms. Cunningham indicated that she would attempt to locate the list of individuals who attended the forum and distribute it amongst the Commissioners. Council Member Plunkett pointed out that a list of the incentives related to historic preservation could be found in the historic preservation brochure that was produced previously by the Commission. For further information about each one, Commissioners could contact either him or the Planning Department Staff. The Commission discussed that the owner of the Reliable Floors Building has expressed interest in having his property nominated for the Register. In addition, it was noted that a property owner of one of the oldest homes in Edmonds has expressed an interest, but was not personally invited to the forum because his property falls outside the geographic area that was included in the inventory completed by the consultant. The Registration Subcommittee agreed to pursue these two properties over the next year. Council Member Plunkett said he also spoke previously with representatives from the Masonic Temple regarding the possibility of them submitting an application for nomination. He encouraged the Registration Subcommittee to pursue this property, as well. Council Member Plunkett pointed out that the Registration Subcommittee does not have the responsibility of creating additional incentives for historic preservation. Commissioner VanTassell agreed and pointed out that their goals are associated with learning more about the existing incentives that are available, as well as what other jurisdictions offer their property owners to encourage them to register. Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 4 Council Member Plunkett expressed his concern about the Registration Subcommittee gets too bogged down with looking for and creating new incentives. He suggested they pass their ideas for new incentives to a different committee, instead. Commissioner VanTassell said his understanding is that the Commission feels their progress has stalled, and the Registration Subcommittee's goal is to understand what has taken place so far and then decide how to move forward with a new approach. Council Member Plunkett pointed out that they haven't tried to apply the existing incentives yet, so they have no track record to indicate whether or not they would be successful. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said the Registration Subcommittee's main goal is to encourage owners to register their properties. Therefore, it is important that they document the property owners' reactions to the existing incentives to determine which ones are effective. The information they collect could be turned over to the Preservation Planning Subcommittee since they are responsible for creating the incentives. It was discussed that no one on the Commission had formally approached the owners of historic properties asking them to submit a nomination application. However, they all agreed that the Commission is now at the point where it is time to move forward with this effort. Commissioner Hall said it is also important that the Commission continue to expand the City's official inventory of historic properties that are eligible for the Register by including more of the properties that were identified on the Commission's initial list of properties that are 50 years or older. He pointed out that it is likely the Commission would decide to approach the State next year with a grant application to enable to them to extend their inventory. He suggested that this assignment should be given to one of the subcommittees. The Commission agreed that the Preservation Planning Subcommittee would be responsible for this effort. Council Member Plunkett said he would check with Mr. Chave and report back on what needs to be done for a future grant application. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said it would also be helpful to put out a call via the media inviting owners of historic properties to come forward. Commissioner Binder suggested that they start by working with the property owners that have already expressed interest. Once a new property is on the register, they could publish an article in the newspaper and invite more property owners to contact the Commission via email, phone, etc. The Commission agreed that this would be an appropriate approach. Education and Outreach Subcommittee Reuort (Commissioner Bruns. Commissioner Kindness. Commissioner Binder Commissioner Binder reported that she and Commissioner Bruns met over the past month. They discussed current fundraising efforts. Commissioner Kindness was unable to attend the meeting, so they were unable to find out more about the remnants the Commission wants to collect from the old Edmonds High School site. For example, the Commission previously discussed the concept of obtaining possession of the mailboxes and then selling them to raise money for Commission activities. Commissioner Kindness reported that no decision has been made by the project manager regarding the mailboxes. She said she would contact her again for an update on their status. Commissioner Binder said the Education and Outreach Subcommittee also talked about the importance of using the media to create additional interest in historic preservation. She pointed out that people are becoming much more aware of the character of the City, and they have become more educated about how architecture is part of this character. Their hope is that, through education, the Commission can get more people interested in becoming part of the Register. The subcommittee would focus on public awareness and helping the community view historic preservation in a more positive light. Commissioner Binder said the subcommittee's goal is to create a walking tour brochure that would interest the local property owners, as well as serve as a tourism piece. It is important for the local community to understand the history of Edmonds and the importance of preserving the historic sites. Commissioner Binder said another goal of the Education and Outreach Subcommittee is to conduct another public forum. Hopefully, by early spring the Commission would have more to celebrate and they should work to keep their momentum. Their other goal is to stay abreast of getting information out to the public through the media. Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 5 Council Member Plunkett recalled that the Commission previously produced a video presentation on historic preservation. It was played on the public access station for quite a while. He suggested that the Education and Outreach Subcommittee review the video and consider the possibility of doing another one. Chair Waite noted that the video could be viewed from the City's website. Another option would be to ask the City to play the video again on the public access station. Commissioner Binder said she would contact the Mayor's office and ask that the existing video be played again. Chair Waite said that a high school student also produced a video about the history of Edmonds. Council Member Plunkett said the two video presentations were played together. Preservation Planning Subcommittee (Counsel Member Plunkett. Commissioner Hall. Chair Waite Commissioner Hall reported that the Preservation Planning Subcommittee held their first meeting. In addition to himself, Council Member Plunkett, Chair Waite, and Mr. Chave were in attendance. They all agreed that the more appropriate name for the subcommittee would be Preservation Planning. As they discussed their goals, it became clear that they needed both a preservation plan and a strategic plan. The strategic plan would identify what the Commission would do and the preservation plan would become part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Hall said the subcommittee's goal is to put together the strategic plan by the end of the year. Once they have agreed to the final language, they could forward it to the State for review. This would place the Commission in a nice position when they submit an application for grant funding. He suggested that it would be appropriate to identify the goals of all three subcommittees in the strategic plan. Commissioner Hall said the subcommittee discussed the process for creating a preservation plan. They agreed that they should start by reviewing the State's plan. They would review the State's goals and interpret them in terms of the Commission's goals and what is in the City's current code and ordinance. The subcommittee would meet again in the next few weeks to move forward. Commissioner Hall further reported that they discussed the option of creating three separate groups within the Preservation Planning Subcommittee: one to work on the preservation plan, one to review the option of creating a conservation district, and another to take the local incentives and building code related issues forward. Council Member Plunkett explained that the conservation district concept would deal with non -conforming structures. He reminded the Commission of the City Attorney's advice that the City's current codes related to non -conforming structures provide a way to eliminate historic preservation. The idea of these codes is to make everything conform to the current requirements. When a non -conforming structure is changed significantly, it must be brought into conformance. Because historic structures are, by nature, non -conforming, it is important that the Commission create incentives that allow people to have non -conforming structures and to keep them up. This could be done through the creation of a conservation district, which would be different from a historic district. Commissioner Kindness reminded the Commission that when they apply for state or federal grant opportunities, it would be good to send them to Megan Duvall at the State Office. She is very helpful in providing feedback on their work prior to submitting the applications. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Waite did not provide any additional comments during this portion of the meeting. HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Bruns reiterated that she finds it interesting that the various Commissions within the City are having a hard time cooperating with each other. It would have been wonderful if the Edmonds Arts Commission and the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission could have cooperated on their brochure efforts. She suggested this is something they Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 6 should work on. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed and pointed out that there is an opportunity for the Historic Preservation Commission and the Arts Commission to work together on the plans for 41 Avenue. Commissioner Kindness said that when the Commission holds their next public forum, they should again invite the consultant who conducted their inventory survey. It would good for her to meet with the new Commissioners and to help the public understand the process that has taken place thus far. ADJOURNMENT The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:11 p.m. Historic Preservation November 10, 2005 Page 7