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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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 13, 2007 Page 3