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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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 8, 2007 Page 2 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 8, 2007 Page 3 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 8, 2007 Page 4