2006-03-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
March 9, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Hall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 3:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 51 Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Brian Hall, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Deborah Binder
Norma Bruns
Christine Deiner-Karr
Barbara Kindness
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Director
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2006 BE APPROVED AS
AMENDED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 9, 2006 BE APPROVED AS
AMENDED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
Commissioner Waite advised that he invited Jim Underhill to provide comments regarding Item f on the agenda. He asked
that the agenda be arranged to accommodate Mr. Underhill when he arrives. The Commission agreed, and the remainder of
the agenda was approved as submitted.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings were scheduled on the agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that she is working with two owners (Mary Stovell and Chester Curtis) who are
interested in submitting applications to have their properties placed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
Commissioner Binder advised that as she also compiled a list of property owners interested in submitting applications. She
agreed to forward the list to the Registration Committee. The Commission also reviewed the status of the Lippert house.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr noted that some property owners still have questions regarding the incentives and rules that apply
to properties on the Register. It was agreed that Mr. Chave would meet with the Registration Committee to further clarify
issues related to the rules and incentives.
Vice Chair VanTassell requested clarification from staff regarding the role of the Planning Staff and Commission in the
application process. Mr. Chave said that while staff does not fill out applications, they direct property owners to where they
can find the necessary information. The Commissioners could help the property owners fill out the applications and define
the specific historic aspects of the structure.
Education and Outreach Committee
The Education and Outreach Committee did not have any items to report other than those scheduled later on the agenda.
Preservation Planning Committee
Chair Hall advised that the Preservation Planning Committee has been working on the adaptive reuse incentives, which is
scheduled for discussion later on the agenda.
Arts Corridor
Commissioner Waite reported on his attendance at the Planning Board's public hearing, where the proposed plan for the 41
Avenue Arts Corridor was presented by the consultant. He said a historic theme was worked into the plan, and he supports
the proposed concepts. Mr. Chave added that the Planning Board requested some minor changes, and an updated draft would
be presented to them for review at their next meeting. He anticipates the Board would then forward the document to the City
Council with a recommendation of approval. Vice Chair VanTassell said he also attended the public hearing and spoke as a
private citizen to encourage the Planning Board to consider the concept of adaptive reuse along the street. The Commission
discussed that besides voicing their support for the concepts identified in the plan, they must also encourage the City Council
to consider funding strategies to implement various elements of the program.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns again requested that individual Commissioners join the Society, and she reviewed some of the benefits
of becoming a member. She reported that the summer market, which is an excellent fundraising opportunity for the Museum,
would be expanded to last longer. She further reported that at their annual meeting Chuck LeWarne and Jack O'Donnell
reviewed the book they compiled together.
Commissioner Bruns reported that she spoke with the Museum Guild, and they are interested in the Commission's activities.
She said there appears to be some confusion between the National, State and City registers, and the Commission should try to
provide clarification.
Commissioner Kindness said she has requested a table at the summer market for the Historic Preservation Commission. She
suggested the first Saturday in May, which is the Saturday before the Commission's planned public forum, might be a good
time. The Commission agreed that the Education and Outreach Committee should decide an appropriate date for the
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Commission to participate and make the necessary arrangements. It was pointed out that the first market is not a full market,
so the Commission would not get full exposure.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Grant Applications
Mr. Chave reported that he is working to finalize the grant applications that are due by the end of March.
Report to Council/Sprin Open House
Commissioner Kindness reviewed the proposed outline she provided for the next report to the City Council and suggested
that the report be presented to the City Council sometime in May, which is National Historic Preservation Month.
The Commission discussed their ideas for the report. In preparation for the next meeting, the Commission asked
Commissioner Kindness to finalize the outline based on the comments provided. Also, the committees were asked to start
preparing presentations for each of the following topics that fall within their purview:
o Properties that have been nominated for the Register
o Survey of Historic Properties
o New brochure
o Adaptive reuse incentives
o Grants
o Public Forums
Commissioner Kindness reported that another public forum has been scheduled for May 111. She suggested that Michael
Houser, the State's Architectural Historian, be invited to present his slide show of properties and places that have been
designated as historic. She read the proclamation she prepared for the Mayor's approval, which proclaims May 2006 as
National Historic Preservation Month and invites the citizens to the public forum. Chair Hall asked that the proclamation be
reviewed by staff prior to forwarding it to the Mayor.
Holmes Corner
Jim Underhill referred to property at the corner of 761 Avenue North and 2121 Street which was known as "Holmes Corner"
until the high school was built. It was previously owned by the Samuel Holmes Family, part of the initial group of people
who helped settle Edmonds. He emphasized that historic properties in Edmonds are not all located in the downtown and
waterfront areas. As a member of the Highway 99 Economic Development Task Force, he knows that 2121 Street has been
designated as one of the gateways into Edmonds. He suggested it would be great for the City to work with the school district
to recapture Holmes Corner as the first historic point leading into town. The Commission encouraged Mr. Underhill to
contact the high school first and ask them to co-sponsor the nomination process. They also suggested that Mr. Underhill
contact Francis White -Chapin, since her department is responsible for gateways and art in public rights -of -way.
Adaptive Reuse Incentives
Mr. Plunkett invited the Commissioners to provide their final comments on the adaptive reuse incentives and then take action
to move them forward. Vice Chair VanTassell emphasized that the proposed incentives would only apply to the 41 Avenue
Corridor, particularly the single-family structures. He explained that the goal of the incentives is to encourage property
owners to maintain the existing single-family residential appearance.
The Commission discussed whether or not it would be appropriate for them to recommend that the Planning Board and City
Council consider height as one type of incentive to help maintain the historical integrity of existing structures. They
specifically discussed ideas for changing Incentive 11 to further define the intent and agreed to drop the last sentence. They
also recommended some changes to Incentive 5.
COMMISSIONER BRUNS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FOR ADAPTIVE
REUSE INCENTIVES AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, WITH COMMISSIONER VANTASSEL ABSTAINING.
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The Commission agreed to present the amended list of adaptive reuse incentives to the Planning Board, with a request that
the options be considered when the Planning Board and City Council talk about possible amendments to implement zoning
and design guidelines for the 4r' Avenue Corridor. They also agreed to request that the Commission have an opportunity to
provide additional input as the 4t' Avenue Corridor plans move forward.
Final Version of Brochure
Commissioner Binder presented the final version of the new brochure and briefly reviewed the changes that were made since
the last time the document was reviewed by the Commission. Mr. Chave requested that Commissioner Binder provide staff
with a CD containing the final electronic format for the brochure.
The Commission agreed that Commissioner Binder should make the final changes to the brochure and then move forward to
determine the actual cost of printing.
Claims for Expenses
Chair Hall requested comments from the Commission regarding the draft process for submitting expense claims, which was
distributed to the Commission earlier. Ms. Cunningham agreed to forward an expense claim form to each of the
Commissioners. The Commission accepted the document as submitted by Chair Hall.
Historic Preservation Commission Retreat
The Commission considered the option of holding an annual retreat, which could be used as a longer working/planning
session. They agreed to discuss the issue of a retreat or working session at their next meeting.
Items Raised by the Building Official
Commissioner Waite reported that the International Existing Building Code has been adopted by several municipalities in the
State to address historic issues, and the State may adopt the document by July of 2007. He would like the Commission to
encourage the City to adopt the document, as well, and then make it clear to applicants that they have the ability to use it
when dealing with historic structures. He summarized that this code provides great incentives for historic preservation.
Commissioner Waite further reported that he recently worked with the City's Building Official to review the draft document
describing the process and permit requirements for nominating properties for the Register. He recommended that in Step 2,
language be inserted that would allow the City to utilize the International Existing Building Code. The Building Official
indicated that the City already has the authority to do this, but she would present the request to the Development Services
Director for approval. Commissioner Waite summarized that once the final change has been made, the document should be
ready for printing and distribution.
Draft Ordinance
Mr. Chave briefly reviewed the draft ordinance that would amend Section 20.45.020.E of the Edmonds Community
Development Code to expedite the registration process of historic properties already on the state or federal registers without
the requirement for review by the Historic Preservation Commission. If approved, these property owners would be able to go
directly to the City Council for approval.
VICE CHAIR VANTASSEL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION FORWARD THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO
THE PLANNING BOARD WITH A REQUEST FOR THEM TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND
RECOMMEND IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. COMMISSIONER KINDNESS SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS
Commission Loao/UpdatinE Existing Brochure
The Commission agreed to postpone discussions regarding the creation of a Historic Preservation Commission logo and
updating the existing brochure until they know how much money is left over from the new walking tour brochure project.
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Historic Homes of Edmonds
Commissioner Bruns said the museum has indicated their willingness to let the Historic Preservation Commission take over
the project of compiling a book of the historic homes in Edmonds. She questioned if the Commission is interested in
completing the project. The Commission agreed to table the issue and discuss it again at their next meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Hall did not provide any additional comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Kindness reported that she is working on a Women's Legacy Project. A book is being written on women who
have had an impact on the history of Snohomish County over the past 100 years.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
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