2007-02-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
February 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Kindness called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:03 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Barbara Kindness, Chair Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 4:06 p.m.)
Christine Deiner-Karr, Vice Chair Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Brian Hall
Deborah Binder OTHERS PRESENT
Norma Bruns Council Member Peggy Pritchard Olsen
Rob VanTassell
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Steve Waite
Council Member Michael Plunkett
Commissioner Waite and City Council Member Plunkett were excused from the meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as submitted.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VICE CHAIR DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY
11, 2007 AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER BINDER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No one in the audience 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
Vice Chair Deiner-Karr said she recently reminded Steve Bernheim that he still needs to forward a letter to the City
concurring that he wants his property to be listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Binder announced that she submitted the Commission's brochure for the State Historic Preservation Officer's
Award. She further announced that the Commission's membership in the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions
has been renewed.
Commissioner Binder provided several different versions for the Commission's new logo and requested feedback regarding
their preferred design.
COMMISSIONER BRUNS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT VERSION 3B AS THEIR PREFERRED
LOGO DESIGN. COMMISSIONER VAN TASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Binder advised that she has requested price lists from several different plaque companies. Mr. Chave recalled
that the Commission has a budget of $2,000 to purchase plaques, and orders should be placed through staff. The
Commission agreed it would be helpful to receive a proof of the plaque before the entire order is produced. It was noted that
the Commission previously agreed to use a generic design, without names and addresses.
Preservation Planning Committee
Council Member Pritchard Olsen reported on the successful walking tour that was recently conducted by Commissioner
Waite. She noted that another tour would be conducted on February 171, and all Commissioners and City Council Members
are invited to attend. The tour would be open to the public.
Council Member Pritchard Olsen suggested that when the Commission meets with the City Council on February 27t'', it
would be helpful to have the Commissioners and City Council Members seated around a table. This would allow an
opportunity for an open conversation between the two groups. The Commission briefly discussed the agenda for the joint
meeting.
Commissioner VanTassell reported on the Preservation Planning Committee's recent progress on the design standards for the
Heritage Neighborhood. He recalled that the Commission previously directed them to share the draft with City Council's
Community Services/Development Services Committee, and this is scheduled take place on February 131. The goal is to
outline the Commission's direction and obtain feedback about the best way to proceed with implementation. He said he
plans to emphasize the Commission's desire to have continued input as the document evolves through the process of
adoption. Mr. Chave suggested it would be appropriate for staff to provide a copy of the draft document to the City Council
Committee prior to their meeting. Commissioner VanTassell agreed to forward the document to Mr. Chave as soon as
possible.
The Commission briefly discussed that using terms such as "character" or "charm" of Edmonds is inadequate, and a more
specific definition of what the design standards are intended to accomplish must be created. Commissioner Binder suggested
the Preservation Planning Committee utilize the National Alliance of Preservation Commission's website as a resource.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns announced that a new Museum exhibit recognizes the 100t' Anniversary of the Edmonds Chamber of
Commerce. An open house has been scheduled for February 9' from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Holmes Corner
Commissioner Bruns reported that the Museum Board voted to provide a plaque at Holmes Corner, at a cost of up to $400.
She said she agreed to work on this effort with Jim Underhill. She complimented Mr. Underhill for his effort to research
Holmes Corner and take action to have it recognized as a historic place. Chair Kindness advised that the Mayor did receive a
few letters of concern about designating Holmes Corner as a historic site, and Commissioner Waite was invited to respond to
each of these individuals.
The Commission discussed the recent articles related to historic preservation that were published in THE EDMONDS
BEACON, one written by Commissioner Hall about the Commission and the other by Jim Underhill regarding Holmes
Corner. The Commission asked Chair Kindness to write a letter to the editor to clarify that the article regarding the Historic
Preservation Commission was submitted on behalf of the entire Commission. The letter should also point out that
Commissioner Waite worked with Mr. Underhill and the City staff to obtain the signage at Holmes Corner. The Commission
agreed that the Education and Outreach Committee should work diligently to get historic preservation information published
in the local newspapers on a more regular basis.
Plaque Program
This issue was discussed and resolved earlier in the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commissioner Binder recalled that at the last meeting she agreed to start the process of creating the Commission's new
brochure. She provided the following three documents to each of the Commissioners: the current information from the
Commission's website, a list frequently asked questions, and a flow chart of the designation review process. She asked the
Commissioners to review the three documents throughout the next few weeks and provide feedback about essential
information that should be included in the new brochure. Mr. Chave agreed to meet with Commissioner Binder in the near
future to answer the frequently asked questions identified on the list.
Zoning
This issue was discussed earlier in the meeting.
Update on Grant
Mr. Chave emphasized the importance of moving forward on the new brochure as quickly as possible so requests could be
submitted for reimbursement money. He noted that applications for the next round of grant funding must be submitted soon.
Commissioner Binder pointed out that this year's grants require matching funds from cities.
Vice Chair Deiner-Karr expressed her desire that the Commission apply for grant funding to expand the survey outside of the
initial area. If the City Council agrees, the Commission could ask them to budget matching funds in 2008 for this purpose.
The Commission discussed the need to develop the parameters of an expanded survey. The Commission discussed ideas for
involving the citizens in soliciting more information about historic properties in the City. They agreed to utilize the local
newspaper, the senior center, the museum, and the City's quarterly newsletter as possible resources.
Educational Editorial
The Commission agreed that the Education and Outreach Committee should submit the editorial that was prepared by
Commissioner Hall to THE SEATTLE TIMES, so it could be published in the Snohomish County section that is circulated on
Wednesdays.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Properties for Streamlined Registration Process
No further discussion took place regarding this item.
Resolution and Possible Action on Open Meetings
This item was discussed and resolved at the last meeting.
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Main Street Conference
Vice Chair Deiner-Karr announced that the Main Street Conference is scheduled for March 25t" through March 28t' in
Seattle. She noted that a few of the sessions pertain to issues related to historic preservation. It was discussed that no City
funds are available to pay the registration fee for Commissioners to attend. They discussed the option of sharing a
registration amongst the various Commissioners who were interested in attending.
Council Member Pritchard Olsen left the meeting at 5:08 p.m.
Update on the Proposed Design for Old Mill Town
Vice Chair Deiner-Karr reported that the ADB approved the new design for the Old Mill Town Project. While the new
design was very similar to the previously submitted plans, the applicant deleted the northeast portion of the site from the
proposal. No changes are proposed for this building, at all. She described some of the positive features of the new design
such as the windows, the awnings, the deck area, etc. The Commission emphasized that this type of project is something that
towns should hope for; rather than tearing down a building, the applicant wants to fix it up and respect its historic character.
WORKSHOP SESSION
Open House/Report to Council
The Commission held a brief discussion regarding the format for their upcoming meeting with the City Council on February
27'. The Commission discussed that each committee could take three minutes to explain what their responsibilities are. At
the end of each segment, the City Council Members could be invited to ask questions of the Commission. Then the
Commission could hold a discussion with the City Council about key issues that are currently before them. It was noted that
the new nominations for the Register would also be presented to the City Council on February 271. Chair Kindness agreed to
contact City Council Member Pritchard Olsen to identify a specific format for the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Kindness announced that the Sno-King Community Corale will perform in a concert on February 10t1i at the Edmonds
Center for the Arts to honor veterans and military personnel. Some proceeds from the tickets will go to children of military
families.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None of the Commissioners provided comments during this portion of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m.
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