2006-10-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
October 12, 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 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Brian Hall, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair (arrived at 3:36 p.m.)
Steve Waite
Barbara Kindness
Deborah Binder
Norma Bruns
Christine Deiner-Karr
Michael Plunkett (arrived at 3:40 p.m.)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the proposed agenda.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 3:35 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
The Commission made some corrections to the August 10, 2006 minutes, which were approved at the last meeting.
COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
AS SUBMITTED. VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING
Continued Application by Chester and Delores Curtis to Determine the Eligibility of the Curtis House for Placement
on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places (File Number PLN-06-103)
Commissioner Bruns reported that she contacted Paul Roy, the previous owner of the Curtis House, to obtain more details
about its history. However, Mr. Roy has been unable to locate his file on the home. The Commission agreed they should
contact Mr. Roy again to follow up on their previous request for information.
COMMISSIONER BRUNS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION CONTINUE FILE NUMBER PLN-06-103 TO
DECEMBER 14, 2006. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported said she will be approaching a property owner on Bell Street regarding the possibility of
nominating the home for inclusion on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
Mr. Chave reported that the City Council approved eligibility for the house on 41 Avenue, but the City has not received a
specific request from the property owner for the home to be included on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. At the
request of the Commission, Mr. Chave agreed to forward a letter to the property owner indicating the home's eligibility and
providing information about how to place the home on the Register.
The Commission asked staff to bring forward those properties in Edmonds that have already been identified on the State's
Register. The Commission could review each of these properties and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding
their eligibility for the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. They agreed to place this item on their November 9t1i meeting
agenda.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder reported that their outreach at the Saturday Market was a lot of fun and effective, too. She suggested
they consider the possibility of making this an annual event.
It was discussed that numerous copies of the Commission's brochure were sent to the North County—Arlington/Smokey
Point Visitor's Center, the South County —Lynnwood Visitor's Center, the East County —Snohomish Visitor's Center, and
the Arts Council of Snohomish County.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Waite noted that the proposed design guidelines and current Comprehensive Plan are weak in regard to
historic preservation content, and he questioned what roll the Commission should play in proposing appropriate changes.
The Commission agreed it would be appropriate for them to present their ideas for amendments and become part of the
discussions that are currently in progress. They asked the Preservation Planning Committee to make recommendations for
the Commission to consider. One suggestion was that the Historic Preservation Commission be granted representation on the
Architectural Design Board and the SEPA Checklist so that historic preservation issues and concerns could be considered.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns provided each of the Commissioners with a copy of The League of Snohomish County Heritage
Organization's newsletter. She reported that there is currently a roving exhibit at the Museum regarding the History of
Women in Snohomish County. She invited the Commissioners to attend the Museum's dinner meeting on October 13t''
where there would be guest speaker on "Ghosts."
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Holmes Corner
Commissioner Bruns reported on her attendance at the South Snohomish County Historical Society Board Meeting, where
Mr. Underhill discussed the Holmes Corner situation. Unfortunately, there was no quorum present to take action. They are
very interested in the proposal, but there is still a question about who would pay for the plaques. She suggested that some of
the businesses near the intersection might be interested if the Board could provide some seed money. The Commission
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October 12, 2006 Page 2
agreed that since the plaques would be sponsored by the South Snohomish County Historical Society, they should take the
lead to contact the business owners.
Vice Chair VanTassell left the meeting at 4:11 p.m.
Commissioner Waite reported that the City's Public Works Director has suggested the Commission propose a design for the
sign that would be placed at the intersection of Holmes Corner. While the Public Works Director has not committing the
City to pay for the sign, he noted that they do have their own sign shop, and the Mayor could approve the project to be done
in house. He provided some draft sign designs for the Commission to review. The Commission provided some suggestions
and selected their preferred draft design to present to the Public Works Director.
Plaque Program
No additional information was provided regarding the Plaque Program.
Frequently Asked Ouestions
The Commission agreed to review and discuss Frequently Asked Questions at a future meeting.
Zoning
No new information was provided regarding the issue of zoning.
Update on Grant
Mr. Chave reported that the City received the contract from the State for $3,000 to cover design and printing of the
Commission's new brochure. Commissioner Kindness agreed to announce the grant in the Commission's next newspaper
editorial.
Information Editorial
Commissioner Kindness announced that the next Historical Preservation Commission Editorial is ready to be submitted to
The Enterprise, The Edmonds Beacon, the Everett Herald, and perhaps The Seattle Times and The Journal. Commissioner
Kindness also reported that it was very effective for the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to partner with the
South Snohomish County Historical Society to provide a booth at the Saturday Market. She suggested that perhaps the
Commission should come up with more graphics and visual information to draw the public's attention.
Change in Commission Meeting Time
Chair Hall said he polled the Commission regarding their preferred meeting time. It appears the majority of Commissioners
would be in support of changing the meeting time to 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Council Member Plunkett cautioned that changing the
meeting time could require the staff to work overtime, but staff noted that the time change would not impact them negatively.
COMMISSIONER BINDER MOVED THAT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING TIME
BE CHANGED TO 4:00 TO 5:30 P.M STARTING IN NOVEMBER. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
WORKSHOP SESSION
Open House/Report to Council
Ms. Cunningham reported that the Commission's report to the City Council was scheduled as the 71 item on their October
24' agenda. The Commission discussed the option of postponing their report to a different date. Commissioner Deiner-Karr
suggested that waiting until January would give the Commission an opportunity to complete more of the projects that are
currently in progress. It would also allow them an opportunity to provide an annual report for 2006.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION POSTPONE THEIR REPORT TO THE
CITY COUNCIL UNTIL JANUARY 2007. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Commissioner Kindness reminded the Commission of their previous decision to hold a public open house after their report to
the City Council. The Commission discussed the effectiveness of holding another open house and what the objective would
be. They agreed they should concentrate on getting properties on the register before considering another open house. They
asked that the Outreach Committee to reconsider future opportunities for public outreach.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Properties for Streamlined Registration Process
The Commission agreed to review all of the properties that are currently being considered for the streamlined registration
process at their next meeting.
Washington Preservation Commission's Fall Ouarterly Report
Ms. Cunningham provided each of the Commissioners with a copy of the Washington Preservation Commission's Fall
Quarterly Report, which contains some articles the Commissioners might find interesting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Hall did not have any comments to provide during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested the Commission discuss the content of their report to the City Council at the November
meeting so that each Commissioner has a clear understanding of their responsibilities.
Commissioner Kindness reported she would attend the Certified Local Government Training on October 23'. Mr. Chave and
Ms. Cunningham indicated they would likely attend the training session, too.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
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