2008-04-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
April 10, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice Chair VanTassell called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:30 p.m. in the 3rd
Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5"' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager (arrived at 4:45 p.m.)
Steve Waite Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Norma Bruns
Andrew Eccleshal COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Larry Vogel Christine Deiner-Karr, Chair
Council Member Michael Plunkett Daniel Kerege
Jenny Anttila
Sue Bauer
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of March 13, 2008 were approved as read.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
A report on the Bettinger House was added to the agenda as Item 5d. The remainder of the agenda was accepted as
presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Melissa Parker was present in the audience to observe the meeting. There was no one in the audience who expressed a desire
to address the Commission.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Commission appointed Chair Deiner-Karr as the chair of the Registration Committee and Commissioner Eccleshall as
chair of the Education and Outreach Committee. The Preservation Planning Committee agreed to appoint a chair, as well.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Eccleshall reported that the Education and Outreach Committee met recently to review their 2008 goals and
assign each one to a member of the committee. He reviewed the goals as follows:
• Create a monthly piece for the local newspaper, probably THE EDMONDS BEACON, which highlights a
particular building or location in Edmonds and describes the history of the site. Commissioner Eccleshall advised
that the article could be used to raise awareness of historic sites that are in danger of being eliminated. Commissioner
Bruns would provide a sample piece for the Commission to review at their next meeting. One example would be a then -
and -now piece of the Bettinger House at 555 Main Street to illustrate what it looks like now compared to when it was
originally constructed.
• Create a list of contacts at various newspaper and outlets. Commissioner Eccleshall said this list could be used by the
Commission when they need to get the word out about a particular issue. Commissioner Vogel distributed the draft list he
has been working on, as well as a draft for the Commission's news release template. The Commission agreed the template
should utilize the Commission's logo and include the names of the chair and vice -chair of the Commission. It was noted
that the list is incomplete. It was further noted that a contact person should be identified on the list, as well.
Commissioner Vogel agreed to update both the news release template and the list and forward it to Commissioner Deiner-
Karr prior to the next meeting. The Commission could review and reach a consensus on the two documents at the next
meeting.
• Contact EVENING MAGAZINE inviting them to do a piece on the Bettinger House at 555 Main Street.
Commissioner Eccleshall explained that the purpose of this would be raise awareness. Contact has been made, but the
committee has not yet received a response. Council Member Plunkett suggested, and the Commissioners concurred, it
would be appropriate to contact all three local television stations.
• Improve the Commission's website. Mr. Chave explained that the Committee would not have the ability to directly
make changes to the Commission's website since the City currently uses an outside contractor to manage the website. The
Commission agreed it would be appropriate to filter any proposed changes to the website through Mr. Chave. Mr. Chave
agreed to arrange an opportunity for Commissioner Vogel to meet with the person in charge of the City's Information
Services.
• Strive to make contact with historical societies and City/State bodies, when appropriate. Commissioner Eccleshall
said the purpose of this goal is for the Commission to branch out and find other contacts in the County and State. Council
Member Plunkett suggested that Megan Duvall, Certified Local Government and Survey Coordinator, Washington State
Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, could provide an extensive list of State and local contacts.
• Create a mock up of an art piece to raise public awareness of historic preservation in Edmonds. Commissioner
Eccleshall indicated he would attempt to have a draft piece available for the Commission to review within the next three
or four months.
Preservation Planning Committee
Vice Chair VanTassell reported that the Preservation Planning Committee met and identified the following goals:
• Further develop and recommend downtown design guidelines.
• Research, develop and recommend historic districts, overlays and/or other planning options.
• Research and propose additional incentives and other tools to encourage historically consistent designs.
The Commission discussed the philosophical difference between a historic commission and a historic museum.
Commissions deal with the preservation of buildings and sites, and museums deal with the preservation and curation of
movable objects. They discussed the concept of creating a "historic village," and Commissioner Waite expressed his believe
that this concept would dilute the Commission's original intention of preserving buildings on their original sites. When
buildings are moved to a historic site, they become a collection rather than the historic preservation of an area. The
Commission agreed it would be appropriate to explore incentives to encourage property owners to maintain historic
structures in their original locations and that the concept of creating a "historic village" should be the City's last resort for
approaching historic preservation. The Commission invited the Preservation Planning Commission to prepare and present
their philosophical thoughts in regards to the "historic village" concept. The Commission could then have a full debate
regarding the issue. Commissioners were encouraged to forward their thoughts on the subject to Commissioner Waite. The
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Preservation Planning Committee also agreed to contact Frances Chapin to discuss how the Commission's efforts could
dovetail with the Parks Department's plans for the 4"' Avenue Arts Corridor.
Registration Committee
No members of the Registration Committee were present to provide a report. However, Vice Chair VanTassell invited the
Registration Committee to provide a status report at the next meeting on the 12 applications for properties that are on the
State Register but not the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. He suggested they establish a goal for attempting to get the
properties on the City's Register. Commissioner Waite suggested the Registration Committee also establish a goal for
getting new properties on the Register, specifically focusing on properties along 4"' Avenue. For example, the committee
could consider opportunities for explaining the benefits associated with historic preservation. Vice Chair VanTassell said it
would also be helpful to point out to property owners on 4"' Avenue that properties could potentially be developed with a
commercial structure that goes from lot line to lot line.
Bettinger House Report
Commissioner Eccleshall provided a report on the owner's current plans for the building that is located directly opposite the
Edmonds Performing Arts Center. At this time, the owners have no plans to sell the property, and they are planning to move
back into the home. He further reported that the owners of property at 555 Main Street are still trying to find a new location
for the existing structure. While the City's Parks Department has expressed a desire for the structure, there is no money in
the City's budget to either purchase or maintain the home. It appears the only solution will come through the help of a
private enterprise.
Commissioner Eccleshall reported that the Committee did not meet with Frances Chapin or Brett Lambert regarding the
property at 555 Main Street. However, they did work with members of the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical
Society to prepare a petition to obtain a straw pole about whether the community is interested in saving the house.
Commissioner Eccleshall agreed to contact the Historical Society for an update on the petition.
Mr. Chave reported that the Washington Trust recently notified him that former Commissioner Binder has nominated the
Bettinger House for "Most Endangered Historic Property." The Trust contacted City staff to find out more information, but
they generally already know what is going on.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns reported that the Museum's current exhibit it in honor of the 85"' Year of the Edmonds Floretum
Garden Club.
NEW BUSINESS
Commission Terms
The Commission discussed that the City Council has indicated their desire that Commission terms all end at the end of the
year. Commissioner Bruins indicated she would be willing to remain on the Commission until the end of the year.
Goals for 2008
Vice Chair VanTassell suggested the committees review the 2008 goals and identify those that are applicable to their group.
Chair Deiner-Karr should assign any remaining goals to one of the three committees.
Planning Board Update by Rob Chave
Mr. Chave reported that the Board forwarded the proposed downtown design standards to the City Council with a
recommendation of approval. However, their recommendation discouraged the document being named "historic design
standards." He noted the Board did not forward a recommendation related to demolition or changing the ADB review
process. They felt these issues would be better addressed in the context of historic standards rather than zoning standards,
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April 10, 2008 Page 3
and they would like to have more discussion with the Historic Preservation Commission. He also reported that the Planning
Board expressed opposition to renaming the BD1 zone to a name that infers it is historic. The Commission asked
Commissioner Waite to contact Cary Guenther, Chair of the Planning Board, to schedule an opportunity for members of the
Preservation Planning Committee to meet with the Planning Board.
Mr. Chave said the Board's recommendation would be presented to the City Council for a briefing later in April. A public
hearing would likely be scheduled sometime in May. The Commission agreed to discuss the Planning Board's
recommendation at their May 8th meeting and prepare a response for the City Council's consideration regarding the issue of
renaming the BD zone to something that has a historic connotation.
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Review Action Items from Workshop
Vice Chair VanTassell referred the Commissioners to the notes from their 2008 workshop. He invited them to contact Chair
Deiner-Karr about any concerns.
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Melissa Parker complimented the Commission for networking so well with each other. As a citizen of Snohomish County,
she said she would like the Civic Center Play Field Stadium to be retained. There are many elderly people in the community,
and there needs to be a place for them to meet where no dogs are allowed. The stadium is used for numerous community
events. Members of the community would like the stadium to be either rebuilt or maintained as a historic structure.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Vice Chair VanTassell did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Vogel reported that he submitted an application to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and
Historic Preservation to obtain scholarship funding to attend the National Alliance of Preservation Commission Conference
on July I Oth through the 13th.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
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