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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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