2006-01-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
January 11, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Kindness called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. in the 3" Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Barbara Kindness, Chair
Christine Deiner-Karr, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Brian Hall
Norma Bruns
Rob VanTassell
Deborah Binder (arrived at 4:06 p.m.)
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 4:06 p.m.)
COMMISSIONER HALL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14,
2006 AS CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
Commissioner Waite asked that a report on the intersection sign at Holmes Corner be added under "Unfinished Business."
Chair Kindness agreed that this report could be provided as part of the "Holmes Corner Report" that is already scheduled on
the agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Tracy Tallman, Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission, said she was present because of her interest in
learning more about the concept of historic districts.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings were scheduled on the agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Council Member Plunkett recalled that the Commission is ready to move a number of nominations to the City Council for
consideration. Mr. Chave reported that staff is trying to prepare as many of the nominations as possible for presentation to
the City Council on the same night as the Commission's Report. He noted that staff was asked to explore other possible
dates for the Commission's Report because some of the Commissioners indicated they would not be available on January
16''.
Council Member Plunkett volunteered to make follow up calls to property owners after the City Council approves the
nominations to encourage them to follow through with placing their properties on the Register.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder reported that because the logo designer misunderstood her direction, the final logo designs would not
be ready for Commission approval until the next meeting. She agreed to forward the new logo designs to the Commissioners
via email as soon as they become available.
Commissioner Binder asked at what point the Commission should start working on the second brochure. Mr. Chave advised
that the grant funding for the new brochure must be used by mid 2007. Mr. Chave further advised that the design consultant
would be ready to start once the Commission comes up with the language they want to include in the new brochure. It was
discussed that the new brochure was supposed to include an insert of "Frequently Asked Questions."
Commissioner Binder volunteered to spearhead the new brochure project and agreed to provide a draft for the Commission to
consider at their next meeting. She asked that Commissioners forward their comments about things that should be included
that weren't in the last brochure. The Commission agreed that some of the "Frequently Asked Questions" could be included
in the hard copy of the brochure, but the remainder of them could be listed on an insert. They agreed that the headers found
in the existing brochure should remain in place, but perhaps additional information could be provided.
Commissioner Bruns said it is important that the brochure clearly identify the Historic Preservation Commission's
responsibilities. It should clearly indicate that the Commission was officially established by the City Council by ordinance.
The Commission agreed that rather than listing the individual Commissioners, a section of the brochure could focus on the
professional expertise of those who participate on the Commission.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner VanTassell indicated that the bulk of the Preservation Planning Committee's work would be discussed later on
the agenda.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns advised that the Society's Board meets on the first Monday of each month. An annual meeting is
scheduled for February, and the new officers and board members would be installed at that time.
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January 11, 2007 Page 2
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Holmes Corner
Commissioner Bruns reported that she is still working with the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society and
Jim Underhill to get a historic plaque placed at Holmes Corner. She said she is confident that the issue would be resolved
soon.
Commissioner Waite reported that on Monday, January 151, the Public Works Department would install two signs at the
intersection of 2121 Street and 761 Avenue to identify Holmes Corner as a historic site. Commissioner Hall suggested there
might be opportunities for the Commission to identify other historic sites in the City, as well. The Commission agreed and
suggested that all of the identification signs should be uniform.
Plaque Program
No additional information was provided regarding the plaque program.
Frequently Asked Ouestions
Council Member Plunkett advised that he is still waiting to receive more Frequently Asked Questions from the Commission.
Zoning
Commissioner VanTassell reminded the Commission that the City Council recently directed them to come up with a
recommendation on how to proceed with historic preservation in the BD1 (downtown) zone. He referred to the draft
conceptual design standards that were created by consultant, Mark Hinshaw, for the possible creation of a heritage
neighborhood. The document defines the characteristics of downtown Edmonds that should be preserved. It also provides
details about how these sites could be preserved through urban planning, community/citizen input, and resolving legal issues.
Commissioner VanTassell reported that the Preservation Planning Committee conducted a walking tour of downtown
Edmonds with the document in hand, and Commissioner Waite showed them how certain building characteristics were used
to create a specific look or feel. Commissioner Waite said it is important to recognize that Edmonds is an eclectic town,
which involves not only the history of buildings, but the history of retail and construction methods. A Commission tour
would enable them to identify the various facets that create the history of downtown Edmonds. The Commission agreed that
agreed a tour would be appropriate. Mr. Chave noted that Steve Bullock could be invited to participate in the walking tour,
since he has a lot of knowledge about the history of various buildings in the downtown.
The Commission discussed the timeline and process for creating the new design guidelines. They also discussed the role the
Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission, the staff and the City Council would have in creating and
adopting the new code language. Commissioner VanTassell suggested that while the draft document represents a good start,
additional review is necessary to make sure all of the Commission's concerns are addressed before it is forwarded to the
Planning Board.
Mr. Chave explained the difference between design guidelines and design standards. Design standards are mandatory
requirements that all developers must meet. Design guidelines are intended to steer development but are not requirements.
He cautioned that the Commission must decide if they want their document to be adopted as a standard or a guideline. The
Commission agreed that the document should be put forward as design standards, which are requirements instead of
guidelines.
Commissioner VanTassell summarized the Commission's intent to draft a discussion document outlining how they intend to
proceed with historical preservation in the BD1 zone. He advised that the Commission has agreed to review the discussion
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January 11, 2007 Page 3
document and then forward it to the City Council's Community Services Subcommittee. Once they have received direction
from the Community Services Subcommittee and/or the City Council to move forward, the document could be presented to
the Planning Board. The Commission could then work with the Planning Board to create draft code language.
The Commission decided to continue their review of the draft document at their February 8t' meeting in anticipation of
forwarding it to the Community Services Subcommittee for discussion on February 13t''. They agreed it would be
appropriate to schedule a walking tour of the Edmonds downtown. They also agreed it would be helpful for the City Council
Members and Planning Board Members to participate in the walking tour. Council Member Plunkett said he would report to
the City Council that the Commission's Preservation Planning Committee anticipates coming to the next Community
Services Subcommittee Meeting with draft historic preservation design standards.
Update on Grant
Mr. Chave advised that he reported on the status of the grant funding as part of the Education and Outreach Committee
Report.
Informational Editorial
Chair Kindness reported that she sent the informational editorial back out to the local newspapers. Hopefully, it would be
published sometime during the next week.
WORKSHOP SESSION
Open House/Report to Council
The Commission asked staff to schedule their report to the City Council for February 27`". At that timc, the Commission
could also report on their progress with the historic preservation design standards.
The Commission agreed to hold a workshop discussion at their next meeting to consider the items that would be included in
their report to the City Council.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Properties for Streamlined Registration Process
Commissioner Deiner-Karr advised that this issue was discussed earlier in the meeting.
Resolution and Possible Action on Open Meetings
Chair Kindness noted that this item was tabled until a future date.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Kindness thanked the Commissioners for their time and dedication in coming to the meeting during such inclement
weather.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
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Commissioner Deiner-Karr announced that the Main Street Preservation Conference would be held in Seattle in early April.
She questioned if the City would pay the registration fees for Commissioners who want to attend the conference. The
Commission agreed that would be appropriate, and Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to provide more information to each of
the Commissioners.
Commissioner Bruns said she was disappointed that the recent informational article that was published in the newspaper
regarding the new Performing Arts Center glossed over the fact that the City's most historic building was lost. There is a
common misconception that the auditorium was a historical building that was saved. She noted that none of the chronology
of the new building mentioned that the 1910 building was torn down.
Council Member Plunkett clarified that all of the City Council Members have expressed a desire to have better design
standards for the downtown. However, there are various ranges of what they want the design standards to be.
The Commission asked the Preservation Planning Committee to work with staff to schedule the walking tour on a day that is
convenient for the City Council Members to all attend. It was noted that the tour would have to be advertised as a public
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
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