2006-07-13 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
July 13, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Hall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 3:33 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Brian Hall, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair (arrived at 3:39 p.m.)
Steve Waite
Barbara Kindness
Deborah Binder
Norma Bruns
Christine Deiner-Karr
Michael Plunkett (arrived at 4:09 p.m.)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 3:55 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2006
AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER DEINER KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 8,
2006 AS CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER KINDNESS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The Commission agreed to add a discussion regarding the telecommunication tower that is proposed in the Firdale Village
area as New Business. The remainder of the agenda was approved as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience who expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner Karr reported that she has not finished the form letter yet, but she did mail out two applications to
property owners at 6r' and Bell and 6t' and Dayton. She has not heard back from either one.
Commissioner Deiner Karr said she completed an index to the survey, including the names of property owners. She agreed
to email a copy of the index to each of the Commissioners.
Chair Hall reported that he has been working with Mr. Chave regarding the process for getting properties that are already on
the State Register added to the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
Commissioner Deiner Karr recalled that the Commission previously decided not to accept Mr. Chester's Alder Street
property onto the Register. However, she suggested that the Commission reconsider the property from an architectural
perspective. They agreed that Commissioners Binder, Waite and Deiner Karr would visit the site again and review its
historic significance based on three criteria: the historic activity that occurred on the site, the historic features of the building,
and whether or not the building represents a particular historic movement or style.
Commissioner Definer Karr cautioned the Commissioners that, as they talk to individual property owners regarding the
possibility of placing their property on the Register, they should be very careful not to imply that a property would definitely
be accepted.
Commissioner Deiner Karr reported that the Bumheim's application must still be scheduled on the City Council's agenda.
She expressed the need for the Commission to clearly communicate with the property owners in an expedient manner.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder reported that Chuck Erickson is working on designs for the Commission logo, but no samples are
available yet. In addition, another article was published in the newspaper regarding the Commission's new brochure. It was
noted that Commission and staff have received very favorable feedback regarding the new brochure.
Commissioner Kindness recalled that she had originally intended to submit a press release announcing that the Commission
reviewed an application for the August Johnson House, but staff asked her to hold off until the application was scheduled for
review before the City Council in August. Mr. Chave agreed to contact Commissioner Kindness regarding the date for the
Council review.
Commissioner Kindness announced that the Commission has been invited to participate in the Edmonds Historical Museum
Booth at the Saturday Market on September 161. They have been asked to help man the booth, which would be open from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Commissioner Kindness was asked to organize the volunteers.
Preservation Planning Committee
Vice Chair VanTassell reported that the Preservation Planning Committee recently met to discuss the differences between
historic districts and historic overlays. Mr. Chave reminded the Commission that the City is in the process of reviewing and
revising the nonconformance section of their code. In addition, they are also considering a proposed new zoning designation
for the downtown area. Once these two projects are finished, the Commission could reevaluate whether or not they want to
consider the option of creating a historic overlay or a historic district.
The Commission discussed the best way for them to their provide comments related to the proposed new downtown BD
zones. Mr. Chave noted that a public hearing on the downtown BD zoning proposal is scheduled before the Planning Board
on July 26'. The Commissioners could provide their comments at that time.
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION DIRECT THE PRESERVATION PLANNING
COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN ZONING LANGUAGE AND CIRCULATE THEIR
COMMENTS BY JULY 21, 2006. COMMISSIONER BINDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Council Member Plunkett advised that he asked the City Attorney and the Development Services Director to review the
City's nonconforming codes now instead of waiting for the upcoming development code rewrite. The goal would be to
deregulate the burden of nonconformity so that historic structures could be allowed to expand without bumping into
unexpected consequences. They are currently waiting for a recommendation from the staff and City Attorney.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns announced that she was unable to bring the Commissioners copies of the Society's recent newsletter,
which featured a colored advertisement of the Commission's new brochure. She agreed that the brochures appear to be well
received by the public. She advised that the Edmonds School District exhibit is still on display.
Chair Hall questioned if it would be helpful to develop a process by which the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical
Society could help the Registration Committee research properties they are considering for the Edmonds Register of Historic
Places. Commissioner Bruns said there are volunteers on staff at the Museum who help people research properties in
Edmonds. There is also a significant amount of information available at the Museum. Commissioner Bruns agreed to
become the contact person for the Registration Committee to help them obtain historic information from the Museum.
Holmes Corner
Commissioner Bruns suggested that the Commission prepare a proposal that could be presented to the Edmonds Snohomish
County Historical Society requesting that they help provide a sign at Holmes Corner.
Commissioner Waite reported that he and Mr. Underhill's are currently working with the City's Public Works Department
regarding the option of placing a sign within the right-of-way at Holmes Corner, but they recognize that the City would not
pay for this sign even if approved. It was noted that no application has been submitted to nominate the Holmes Corner
Property on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Bruns noted that Mr. Underhill has been invited to
attend the August 81 Edmonds School District meeting to present the concept to the School Board.
Plaque Program
Commissioner Binder reported that she provided information to the designer regarding what the foundry needs in terms of a
design. Whatever logo is approved by the Commission would also be used on the plaque. She reminded the Commission
that they recently selected plaque designs that they liked and that could be affordably reproduced.
Council Member Plunkett suggested the Commission write a letter to the Edmonds Mayor asking him to set aside $2,000 in
the 2007 budget to pay for the plaques.
COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED THAT CHAIR HALL FORWARD A LETTER TO THE MAYOR OF
EDMONDS ASKING FOR 2,000 PER YEAR TO PAY FOR PLAQUES TO PLACE ON PROPERTIES ON THE
EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. COMMISSIONER DEINER KARR SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Commission reviewed the list of frequently asked questions that was prepared by Council Member Plunkett. It was
noted that staff is still working to develop an answer for each one, but some are very technical and will require more time to
address. The Commission discussed that some owners of historic property are scared and feel that instead of enhancing the
value of their property, being on the Register would restrict their options. Rather than focusing on financial benefits, the
Commission should foster the public spirit of preserving historic buildings. It was agreed that the staff and Commission
should work to address the easier questions quickly to help alleviate public concern.
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Commissioners Deiner Karr and Binder agreed to review the list again and propose some additional questions that could be
included. Council Member Plunkett agreed to update the list for the Commission to review at a future meeting.
Grant Application
Mr. Chave reported that the City has received preliminary budget and contract information from the grant the Commission
recently received. The final version has not been received yet, but should arrive soon. He said he spoke with a perspective
designer to make sure he would be available and interested in working with the Commission to update their informational
brochure. He is working on a proposal for the Commission to consider. The Commission should start talking about their
ideas for the brochure's content at their next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Section 106 Review — Firdale Application for Cell Tower
Commissioner Waite explained that the owner of property in the Firdale area is proposing to construct a cell tower on site.
As part of the review, the applicant was required to notify numerous government agencies, including the local historic
preservation commission. A historian was hired by the applicant, and he concluded that there are no identified historical
properties within the vicinity. Mr. Chave explained that because there are no historic properties in the vicinity, the City could
report that they reviewed the application and didn't find anything to comment on. The Commission asked Vice Chair
VanTassell to review the application. Unless notified by Vice Chair VanTassell of a concern, no action would be taken by
the Commission.
Informational Editorial for the Newspaper
Chair Hall referred to the rough draft editorial he provided to each of the Commissioners prior to the meeting and asked them
to provide additional comments and suggestions. He explained that the editorial describes the responsibilities of the
Commission, their achievements, and their disappointments.
Commissioner Kindness was asked to rework the draft into an editorial article that could be submitted to the local
newspapers. She was asked to email her draft to the Commissioners for additional comments. The Commission could
finalize the document at the next meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Hall did not provide any additional comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Kindness requested that staff contact the Commissioners regarding the dates that applications for the Register
would be considered by the City Council.
Vice Chair VanTassell suggested that the Commission consider possible dates for their next public open house. He
suggested it be held sometime in September. It was agreed that Commissioner Kindness would bring her open house ideas
back to the Commission at their next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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