2007-11-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
November 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Kindness called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:05 p.m. in the 3'd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Barbara Kindness, Chair Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager (arrived at 4:10 p.m.)
Steve Waite Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Norma Bruns
Rob VanTassell (arrived at 4:25 p.m.) COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Michael Plunkett Christine Deiner-Karr, Vice Chair (excused)
Deborah Binder (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There was not a quorum available of Commissioners who were present at the October I II meeting. Therefore, approval of
the minutes was tabled.
COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE AGENDA AS
SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
REOUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Andrew Eccleshal and Daniel Kerege were introduced as prospective members of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Chair Kindness advised that the City Council would formally consider their appointment on November 20r''.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chair Kindness described the responsibilities and activities of each of the committees and invited Mr. Eccleshal and Mr.
Kerege to join one or more of the groups. Mr. Kerege and Mr. Eccleshal both indicated their desire to participate on the
Education and Outreach Committee.
Registration Committee
Ms. Cunningham referred to the list of 12 nominations still waiting for completion. Staff is waiting for a letter from the
property owners indicating their desire to be on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Because all of the properties have
been identified on the State Register, no public hearing would be required. Chair Kindness asked staff to find out if letters
have been sent to each of the property owners. If not, she agreed to make this contact and encourage them to take action. It
was noted that several property owners on the list indicated they are not interested, and the Commission agreed it would be
appropriate to pitch the benefits of having their properties on the Register. Mr. Eccleshal suggested it might be worthwhile
to put together a standard letter that property owners could sign and fax back to the City. The remainder of the Commission
concurred. They also agreed it would be appropriate to invite the property owners to learn more about the Commission.
At the suggestion of Commissioner Waite, the Commission agreed it would be appropriate to focus first on publicly owned
properties that are prominent. They agreed it would be helpful for the Registration Committee to prioritize the 12
nominations.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Kindness advised that the Commission received approval to increase their membership to nine. The Commission
directed staff to contact the Mayor's office, asking them to place an advertisement requesting applications by December 11t
This would allow the Commission to review the applications at their December 131 meeting. Chair Kindness agreed to
contact the local newspapers to invite them to run a story about the Commission, describing their recent activities and
announcing the vacant positions.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Waite recommended that, once the new Commissioners are on board, the Commission conduct a workshop to
establish new goals, objectives and priorities for the upcoming year. The remainder of the Commission agreed a workshop
discussion should be scheduled as early in 2008 as possible after all of the vacant positions have been filled. Chair Kindness
said it would also be appropriate to discuss how the Commission might become more involved in State and National historic
preservation activities.
Commissioner Waite reported that the Preservation Planning Committee is keeping track of what is happening with the
Comprehensive Plan amendments and Historic Design Standards for Downtown Edmonds. He said he would attend a special
Architectural Design Board Meeting on November 28' at which the Historic Design Standards would be discussed prior to a
recommendation to the Planning Board. It was noted that the proposed non -conforming ordinance would be presented to the
City Council for consideration in the near future.
Commissioner VanTassell arrived at the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2007 BE APPROVED AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns reported that the Museum participated in the downtown Halloween activity, and she was surprised at
the large number of children who participated. She reported that a needlework exhibit is currently on display at the
Museum.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
Chair Kindness advised that she was recently contacted by the Mayor's Office advising that Council Member Plunkett's term
must be renewed before the end of the year. Council Member Plunkett explained that a new City Council President would be
appointed in January of 2008 and new appointments would be made shortly thereafter.
Historic Site Plaques Draft Agreement
The Commission reviewed the draft "License for Display of Historic Registration."
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November 8, 2007 Page 2
COMMISSIONER VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE LICENSE FOR DISPLAY
OF HISTORIC REGISTRATION AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
WORKSHOP SESSION
Frequently Asked Ouestions
This item was tabled to a future agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Historic Preservation Brochures
Chair Kindness pointed out that near the north door of the Edmonds Center for the Arts there is space to advertise events that
are taking place at the center. She said she would take some of the Historic Preservation Commission's brochures to this
location, as well.
Election of 2008 Historic Preservation Commission Officers
Council Member Plunkett agreed to contact each of the Commissioners regarding their recommendations for the nomination
of candidates for chair and vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission agreed to elect new officers
on December 13'.
Ideas for Publicizing Historic Preservation Commission Activities and Efforts
Chair Kindness recalled Commissioner Deiner-Karr's earlier suggestion that the Commission sponsor a scavenger hunt for
small children that ties into historic preservation.
Mr. Eccleshal suggested the Commission create a poster that identifies the top 15 important historic properties in Edmonds;
not necessarily only those that are on the Register. This would not only increase awareness for historic preservation, but
encourage the property owners to get involved. He offered to create the poster at no charge to the City and suggested perhaps
the posters could be sold as a fundraising activity for the Commission. The Commission invited Mr. Eccleshal to work with
the Education and Outreach Committee to develop a plan for the Commission to consider at their next meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Kindness welcomed the two prospective members of the Commission, Mr. Kerege and Mr. Eccleshal.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Ms. Cunningham distributed an article from the American Association for State and Local History titled, Establishing a
Plaque Program: Bringing Local History to the Community. " She also announced that the plaques had arrived.
Commissioner Waite also welcomed the two prospective members of the Commission. He said he looks forward to serving
with the new members in 2008.
Ms. Cunningham indicated she would distribute a list of phone numbers and addresses for all Commissioners. She invited
the Commissioners to notify her of any necessary changes.
Commissioner Bruns said she was pleased the City Council voted to increase the size of the Historic Preservation
Commission.
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The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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