2006-11-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
November 9, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Hall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Brian Hall, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Barbara Kindness
Christine Deiner-Karr
Norma Bruns
Deborah Binder (arrived at 4:14 p.m.)
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 4:05 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2006 BE APPROVED AS
CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the 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
There were no public hearings scheduled on the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Properties for Streamlined Process
Chair Hall reviewed the City Ordinance which deems properties listed on the National or State Registers of Historic Places as
eligible for listing in the Edmonds Register of Historic Places without the requirement for review by the Historic Preservation
Commission. As per the ordinance, formal listing only requires the owner's consent and approval by the City Council.
Ganahl/Hanley Log Cabin — File Number PLN-06-105
The Commission noted that the current use for this structure is government office, and its historic use was a domestic single-
family home.
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER DEINER-
KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE GANAHL/HANLEY LOG CABIN (FILE
NUMBER PLN-06-105) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:
o THE STRUCTURE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 2, 7
AND 11.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE BOLO REPORT AND STATE SURVEY ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Brackett's Landing — File Number PLN-06-106
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER KINDNESS
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE BRACKETT'S LANDING SITE (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-
106) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE SITE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1 AND 5.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Edmonds Memorial Cemetery — File Number PLN-06-107
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER BINDER
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE EDMONDS MEMORIAL CEMETERY (FILE NUMBER
PLN-06-107) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE SITE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1 AND 9.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE BOLO REPORT AND THE STATE AND NATIONAL SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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November 9, 2006 Page 2
Edmonds High School — File Number PLN-06-108
It was noted that the historic use of the structure was an educational facility, and the structure is currently being used as the
Edmonds Performing Arts Center. It was also noted that the concrete frame buildings from the 1930's provide a good
representation of art deco details.
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER DEINER-
KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE 1939 PORTION OF THE OLD EDMONDS HIGH
SCHOOL ON 4TH AVENUE NORTH (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-108) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF
HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE STRUCTURE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1, 2,
AND 5.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE BOLO REPORT AND THE NATIONAL AND STATE SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IOOF Hall (Reliable Floor Building) — File Number PLN-06-109
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER BINDER
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE IOOF HALL (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-109) FOR THE
EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE STRUCTURE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1, 2 and
4.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE BOLO REPORT AND THE NATIONAL AND STATE SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Old Hotel Site (Olympic View Hotel/Stevens Hall — File Number PLN-06-110
Council Member Plunkett pointed out that the Minnesota Mining Company purchased everything that Mr. Brackett owned in
Edmonds because they thought the railroad would be coming in this location. The substantial hotel was constructed in the
1890's. When the railroad didn't come through, they sold everything back to Mr. Brackett.
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER DEINER-
KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE OLD OLYMPIC VIEW HOTEL/STEVENS HALL
SITE (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-110) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:
o THE SITE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORY 1.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE, BUT LANGUAGE SHOULD
BE ADDED TO NOTE THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
PLUNKETT REGARDING THE MINNESOTA MINING COMPANY'S PURCHASE AND SUBSEQUENT
RESALE OF THE PROPERTY BACK TO MR. BRACKETT.
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Parmelee house — File Number PLN-06-111
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER BRUNS
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE PARMELEE HOUSE (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-111) FOR
THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE STRUCTURE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORY 2.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Site of First School House in District 15 (Townhouse Apartments) — File Number PLN-06-112
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER WAITE
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE SITE OF THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE IN DISTRICT 15
(BRACKETT'S BARN) (FILE NUMBER PLN-06-112) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
o THE SITE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1, 4 AND 5.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE.
VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mowatt/Wells House — File Number PLN-06-113
Commissioner Waite noted that several changes have been made to the structure since it was placed on the State Register of
Historic Places.
AS PER THE STREAMLINED PROCESS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, VICE CHAIR VAN TASSELL
MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE THE MOWATT/WELLS HOUSE AT 120 EDMONDS STREET
(FILE NUMBER PLN-06-113) FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING:
o THE STRUCTURE IS CONSISTENT WITH AREAS OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CATEGORIES 1, 2
AND 5.
o THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
PROVIDED IN THE BOLO REPORT AND THE NATIONAL AND STATE SURVEYS ARE ACCURATE,
INCLUDING ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION.
COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Commission directed staff to send a form letter to the property owners asking for their consent to add the properties to
the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. It was agreed that Council Member Plunkett would contact each of the property
owners after the letters have been sent out.
Chair Hall referred the Commission to the three other applications prepared by Commissioner Deiner-Karr and asked that
staff try to complete the staff reports for at least some of the applications so that public hearings could be scheduled on the
December 14' meeting agenda. He noted that the nomination application for the Chester Curtis Home was deferred to
December 14'. Mr. Chave indicated that staff would not likely complete the staff reports in time to schedule public hearings
on the three new applications in December. The Commission agreed to hold the public hearings in January, if possible.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
ReLyistration Committee
Commissioner Bruns reported that she was able to talk with Paul Roy, the former owner of the Chester Curtis Home. He
indicated that Fred Rose owned the property, but he did not build the home. Instead, it was built by a contractor. Mr. Roy
provided some information about the Rose Family, such as the elder Rose came to Edmonds from New York during the gold
rush and owned several properties in the Edmonds area.
Chair Hall referred to articles in THE EDMONDS TRIBUNE from March 16 to March 31, 1930, regarding a mayoral
proclamation about making the City look more beautiful. The newspaper provided a picture of a house that is almost
identical to the Curtis Home. Therefore, the Commission could make the argument that the Curtis Home is typical of the
architecture of the time.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder distributed copies of the latest logo designs. The Commission provided input about the design they
liked best. However, they asked her to change the font and remove the words "City of so that the lettering was not so heavy.
Ms. Cunningham advised that the Commission is scheduled to provide a report to the City Council on January 16t''
Commissioner Kindness reported that the Commission's editorial was forwarded to the local newspapers and should be
published soon. The Commission agreed that Commissioner Kindness should forward the editorial to the editor of THE
JOURNAL, as well.
Commissioner Kindness said she would be meeting with a representative from the Public Facilities District to follow up on
the possibility of utilizing the bricks and mailboxes from the Old Edmonds High School as a fundraising opportunity.
Commissioner Binder requested a progress report on the next Commission Brochure. Mr. Chave reported that the City just
recently received the contract from the State. While the document has been sent back to the State, the City doesn't have a
signed contract, yet. He suggested the Commission discuss the content of the new brochure at their December 141 meeting.
Preservation Planning Committee
Vice Chair VanTassell referred the Commission to the first draft of the historic district concept. He explained that the intent
is to organize the geography of the City and then incorporate some development design standards. He said he has invited a
consultant to come before the Commission to discuss the process they have gone through with other communities that are
doing the same type of thing. It appears the City Council is willing to entertain the concept, and they should provide more
specific direction to the Commission sometime in December.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns did not have anything to report related to the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Holmes Corner
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November 9, 2006 Page 5
Commissioner Bruns said she has not heard anything further from Mr. Underhill regarding the plaques for Holmes Corner.
However, she said there is a good chance the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Board would agree to
purchase at least one plaque. Because there was not a quorum present at their last meeting, they were unable to make a
decision. She suggested that perhaps some of the merchants in the area could contribute funding, as well.
Commissioner Waite reported that he has met several times with the Edmonds Public Works Director regarding the option of
having City staff making the signs for Holmes Corner in their sign shop. He provided a sample of the proposed sign. He said
that while he anticipates that four signs would eventually be made, the Public Works Director has agreed to complete the first
sign and get it up before constructing the remaining signs. It was agreed that Commissioner Waite should work with the
Public Works Director to move forward with fabrication of the first sign as soon as possible, using the City's logo.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Hall indicated he would step down as Commission Chair at the end of 2006. He suggested the Commission elect new
officers at the December 14' Meeting.
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT COUNCIL MEMBER PLUNKETT TAKE CHARGE OF THE
ELECTION PROCESS. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Plunkett thanked Mr. Chave for suggesting the Commission create an expedited process for nominating
properties that are already on the State and/or National Registers of Historical Places. He also thanked Commissioner
Deiner-Karr for all of her work to bring the properties forward. The remainder of the Commission concurred.
Commissioner Waite said he recently met with Mayor Haakenson, where he expressed the Commission's appreciation for the
two staff members (Mr. Chave and Ms. Cunningham) who meet with the Commission every month.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
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