2007-10-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
October 11, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Kindness called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:15 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5a' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Barbara Kindness, Chair
Christine Deiner-Karr, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Norma Bruns
Rob VanTassell
Michael Plunkett
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Deborah Binder (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
COMMISSIONER BRUNS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER
13, 2007 AS CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the proposed agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
INTERVIEW HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CANDIDATES
The Commission interviewed Andrew J. Eccleshall, a candidate for the vacant Commission positions.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee did not have any activities to report.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Kindness announced that an article was published in the October 1 Ith EDMONDS BEACON regarding the Preserve
America grant the City recently received for improvements on 4"' Avenue, the City's designated arts corridor. An article
should be published in the next edition announcing the Commission's new brochure.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Waite reported on his attendance and participation at a recent Planning Board Meeting, where the Board
reviewed the Historic Preservation Commission's recommended changes for the nonconforming use provisions in the
Edmonds Community Development Code. He reviewed some of the comments and issues that were raised during the
Board's discussion. He said the Planning Board accepted many of their proposed changes, but they did not incorporate the
proposed language that would allow property owners to construct to the previous nonconforming conditions if a natural
disaster were to occur. He concluded that the Board anticipates forwarding a draft ordinance to the City Council in the near
future.
The Commission discussed their disappointment that the Planning Board has not shown a lot of enthusiasm for updating the
City codes to address historic preservation. The Board has also not shown a great deal of support for the proposed historic
design standards. It was noted that while these changes must go through the Planning Board before they are considered by
the City Council, the Commission would have another opportunity to present their proposals to the City Council for
consideration when the two items move forward later this year.
The Commission discussed that nonconforming buildings cannot expand their bulk. If the City were to offer some flexibility
on bulk, older historic structures could remain economically viable. The Commission also discussed possible changes to the
code that would allow detached accessory dwelling units on larger properties. This concept could be utilized instead of
subdividing larger properties into very small lots with small residential units. They agreed it would also be appropriate for
the City to offer different options to encourage and make it easier for property owners to preserve historic structures. In
order to utilize one of these options, property owners could be invited to exchange a public benefit such as open space,
sidewalks, trees, etc. The Commission discussed the concept of establishing a neighborhood design review process in which
these matters could be negotiated between the City, the community and the developers early in the design phase. The
Commission asked the Preservation Planning Committee to consider the options that have been discussed, and identify the
best way to move them forward as part of the proposed historic design guidelines and the amendments to the nonconforming
ordinance.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns reminded the Commission that the museum has a special exhibit on Carnegie Libraries until October
28th. She noted that more than 40 of these libraries were built in Washington State, alone.
Historic Site Plaques
Ms. Cunningham presented the City's first historic site plaque and advised the Commission has a $2,000.00 budget to order
plaques for properties that are identified on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. She said the first plaque cost $216.00.
If the Commission orders 10 or more plaques, each additional one would cost $153.60, plus $8.00 for shipping. The
Commission indicated they were pleased with new plaques.
The Commission briefly discussed the process that would be used to install the new plaques on the properties on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places. They recalled that the City Attorney was reviewing the Commission's proposed
document entitled, "License to Display," which would be signed by the property owner before a plaque would be installed on
a historic structure.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION DIRECT STAFF TO ORDER TEN
MORE PLAQUES. COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
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September 13, 2007 Page 2
Commissioner Waite suggested that one of the plaques be displayed near the Planning Division counter within the public's
view.
NEW BUSINESS
Review of Applicants for Vacant Commissioner Position
Chair Kindness reviewed the four applicants (Daniel Kerege, Andrew Eccleshall, Sondra Padgett, and Susan Bauer) for the
two vacant Historic Preservation Commission positions.
COMMISSIONER VANTASSEL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
TO DISCUSS THE APPLICANTS FOR THE VACANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
POSITIONS. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION.
Council Member Plunkett questioned the Commission's ability to hold an executive session discussion regarding the
applicants. While it might be possible, he did not feel it would be appropriate for the Commission to do so.
COMMISSIONER VANTASSEL WITHDREW HIS MOTION. BOARD MEMBER DEINER-KARR WITHDREW
HER SECOND, AS WELL.
The Commission briefly discussed each of the candidates.
COMMISSIONER VANTASSEL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE DANIEL KEREGE AND
ANDREW ECCLESHALL TO FILL THE VACANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION POSITIONS.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Note: Council Member Plunkett did not participate in the vote.)
The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to invite Mr. Kerege and Mr. Eccleshall to attend the next Commission
meeting. If the nominations have not yet been accepted by the City Council, they could participate in the meeting as
members of the public, only.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Kindness did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commissioners thanked Council Member Plunkett for his guidance regarding the executive session. They agreed it was
more appropriate to hold their discussion in a forum that is open to the public.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at about 5:25 p.m.
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