2008-02-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
February 14, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Deiner-Karr called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5"' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Christine Deiner-Karr, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Norma Bruns
Andrew Eccleshal (arrived at 4:35 p.m.)
GUESTS
Larry Vogel
Sue Bauer
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager (arrived at 4:40 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Daniel Kerege
Michael Plunkett
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2007
AS CORRECTED. VICE CHAIR VANTASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
VICE CHAIR VANTASSELL MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2008
AS CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
VICE CHAIR VANTASSELL MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE WORKSHOP NOTES OF
JANUARY 22, 2008 AS CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The Commission discussed the City Council's new process for appointing new members to the various boards and
commissions. It was noted that candidates for the vacant Historic Preservation Commission positions would be interviewed
on February 19"'. If the new positions are filled by the Commission's next meeting, new committee assignments could be
made at the March meeting. The committees could then meet and identify their short and long-term goals based on the
Commission's workshop discussion. She suggested that each committee's action items be identified on future agendas as
part of their reports.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Larry Vogel, Edmonds, announced that he recently saw a "for lease" sign in front of the home at 555 Main Street. The sign
indicates the structure would be available for six to nine months.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Chair Deiner-Karr indicated there was nothing new to report regarding the activities of the Registration Committee. Once a
full Commission is in place, she would invite the members to help prepare templates for letters to send to owners of historic
properties. Both Commissioners Eccleshall and Bruns indicated they would be willing to help in this effort.
Chair Deiner-Karr said she attended an Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Board meeting and
volunteered to be part of a committee to find a facility for storage of their additional historical artifacts. She noted the
Society has numerous activities and projects planned for 2008. She suggested possible opportunities for the Commission and
Society to work together on projects such as creating a CD with pictures of historic structures in the County and sponsoring a
historical scavenger hunt. She said she would continue to attend their board meetings to work on these ideas.
Chair Deiner-Karr reported that the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society is also concerned about the
potential loss of the historical structure at 555 Main Street, and they have discussed the possibility of relocating it to a new
site. Commissioner Waite reported on his efforts to work with the property owners, who have offered to give the structure to
anyone who wants it. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate for them to work with the Edmonds South Snohomish
County Historical Society to identify opportunities for preserving the structure. Commissioner Bruns agreed to approach the
Society with a request they work together in this effort.
Commissioner Eccleshall arrived at the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Mr. Chave arrived at 4:40 p.m.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Bruns reported that the League of Women's Voters has a monthly program on KSER, and every once in a
while she does a commentary called Norma's Notes. She said she didn't say anything in the last commentary about the
Historic Preservation Commission or the property at 555 Main Street, but she did share her thoughts on historic preservation.
She provided the Commissioners with a copy of her statement.
Preservation Planning Committee
Vice Chair VanTassell announced that the Preservation Planning Committee did not meet last month because of the
additional Commission Meeting that was held later in the month.
Commissioner Waite reported that he represented the Commission at the last Planning Board Meeting, where a public
hearing was conducted regarding the proposed Design Standards for the BD Zone. The hearing was continued to February
27t" for additional Planning Board deliberation. Mr. Chave pointed out there were numerous public comments against the
proposed Design Standards, and it is important for the Planning Board and City Council to also hear from those who are in
favor of the document. He noted that many property owners are concerned that the proposed standards would require even
small projects in the BD zone to go through an extensive ADB review. The Commission agreed to send representatives to
the next Planning Board Meeting to explain the proposal and why design guidelines are important. Vice Chair VanTassell
agreed to a draft a letter to the Planning Board, explaining the Commission's position.
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Review Action Items from Workshop
Chair Deiner-Karr advised that, as previously agreed, the Commission would defer the discussion regarding committee
assignments and future action items until the new Commissioners have been installed.
The Commission discussed the idea of changing the start time for their monthly meetings.
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February 14, 2008 Page 2
VICE CHAIR VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION CHANGE THEIR MEETING START TIME
FROM 4:00 P.M. ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH TO 4:30 P.M. ON THE SECOND
THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Deiner-Karr advised she would not be present at the April meeting. Therefore, Vice Chair VanTassell would be
responsible for leading the meeting.
Chair Deiner-Karr referred to the numerous emails she forwarded to the Commission. She particularly referenced the
Robert's Rules of Order document that was provided by Commissioner Bruns, which she forwarded to each Commissioner
as a PDF file. Because some Commissioners did not receive this document, she agreed to forward it again.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None of the Commissioners provided comments during this portion of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
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