2006-08-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
August 10, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Kindness called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 3:35 p.m. in the 31a
Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Barbara Kindness
Deborah Binder
Norma Bruns
Christine Deiner-Karr
Michael Plunkett
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Brian Hall, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice
Steve Waite
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 3:55 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Commissioners Hall, VanTassell and Waite were excused from the meeting.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of July 13, 2006 were accepted as presented.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the proposed agenda.
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.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings were scheduled on the agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr announced that she has completed 11 applications for the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
She noted that all but three of them are for properties that have already been identified on the State's Register. She recalled
that a code amendment was recently approved allowing the Commission to streamline the process for these applications. She
submitted all of the applications to the Planning Department for review in preparation for public hearings before the
Commission.
The Commission discussed the application that was received from Chester Curtis regarding a house that was constructed in
1928. The Commission agreed to schedule the application for a public hearing and Commission review on September 141.
It was agreed that a full packet of information would be forwarded to each Commissioner prior to the hearing.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that she has not yet completed the form letter that would be sent to historic property
owners inviting them to register their properties.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder referred to examples of possible logo designs that were provided by Chuck Erickson. She asked the
Commissioners to provide feedback. It was discussed that the logo would be used for both the plaques and the Commission's
letterhead. The Commission discussed that rather than a block shape, a more architecturally descriptive shape would be
better (i.e. a motif of the Carnegie Library). They also talked about moving away from the circle design.
Commissioner Binder encouraged the Commissioners to be proactive in making sure their brochure is available at key
locations.
Commissioner Kindness reminded the Commission that they agreed to participate at the Summer Market on September 166h
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A group table would be set up to showcase the history of Snohomish County, and the
Commission would provide their own display items. She invited each Commissioner to sign up to participate in the event.
Preservation Planning Committee
None of the Preservation Planning Committee members were present to provide a report.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns did not have any additional information to report regarding the Edmonds South Snohomish County
Historical Society.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Holmes Corner
Commissioner Bruns reported that Mr. Underhill recently obtained approval from the Edmonds School District to place two
historic information signs on their property to identify Holmes Corner. The proposal has also been presented to the Edmonds
South Snohomish County Historical Society requesting their participation in the project.
Update on the Planning Board's Review of the Non -Conforming Section of the Code
Mr. Chave reported that the City Attorney and the Community Services Director are currently working on this issue, but no
draft language has been presented to the Planning Board yet.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
August 10, 2006 Page 2
Plaque Program
Other than the logo design, Commissioner Binder did not have any additional comments to make regarding the plaque
program. Ms. Cunningham advised that staff submitted Chair Hall's letter to the City Council requesting funding for the
plaque program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Council Member Plunkett advised that he has incorporated the questions he received at the last meeting. In addition to
publishing the questions and answers on the Commission's website, Commissioner Kindness said Chair Hall suggested the
Commission submit questions and answers for inclusion in the City's newsletter, "The Edmonds Update."
The Commission discussed the best way to obtain official answers for each of the questions on the list. The Commission
agreed to start considering the questions at their next meeting and invite Mr. Chave to provide verbal answers. The
Commission could then compose the answers into a written format. As questions are answered, they could be added to the
website. Council Member Plunkett was asked to provide a fresh copy of the list of questions to each Commissioner prior to
the next meeting.
Zoning
Commissioner VanTassell was not present to provide a report regarding zoning.
Update on Grant
Mr. Chave said he not yet received a grant contract from the State, but he would contact them to find out when to expect the
document.
Section 106 Review, Firdale Cell Tower
Commissioner VanTassell was not present to provide a report regarding the Firdale Cell Tower Section 106 Report
Information Editorial
Commissioner Kindness referred to the draft editorial that was written by Chair Hall. The Commission discussed whether or
not the article would have to be shortened before the local newspapers would publish it. They asked Commissioner Kindness
to contact the local newspapers to find out the best way to publish the editorial.
The Commission provided some editorial changes, but they agreed that the document was very well done.
Open House/Report to Council
Commissioner Kindness reviewed the outline she prepared for the Commission's presentation to the City Council and
recommended that the report be more upbeat and action oriented. The Commissioners agreed that each of the presenters
should coordinate with staff if they plan to provide visual images as part of their reports. They also agreed that the
presentation should be postponed until the new applications for the Register were ready to present to the City Council. They
asked Council Member Plunkett to schedule the presentation on a City Council agenda in late October or early November.
The Commission discussed possible dates and an agenda for the open house. They agreed that the open house should be
scheduled sometime after their presentation to the City Council. A specific date would be selected after the Commission's
report has been scheduled on the City Council's agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Properties for Streamlined Registration Process
Commissioner Deiner-Karr noted that she has eight applications to go through the streamlined registration process, and one
of the properties has already been placed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. All of the documents are ready to
move forward.
Mailboxes from the Old Edmonds HiLrh School Site
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
August 10, 2006 Page 3
Commissioner Kindness requested a report on what actions have taken place to date to preserve the old mailboxes from the
old Edmonds High School. Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that she heard the mailboxes have been preserved, but no
decision has been made regarding their future use. Commissioner Kindness agreed to follow up on this issue.
Washington National Trust Membership Dues
Ms. Cunningham informed the Commission that she just paid their Washington National Trust membership dues through
July of 2007. Commissioner Binder noted that the Commission is also a member of the Association of Preservation
Commission.
Special Tax Valuation
Mr. Chave advised that the Commission should be receiving a sample application packet from the Snohomish County
Assessor for the Special Tax Valuation Program. This information would help the Commission know what an applicant must
do in order to submit an application to the County.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Acting Chair Kindness had no comments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None of the Commissioners provided comments during this portion of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
August 10, 2006 Page 4