2008-06-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
June 121 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Deiner-Karr 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 — 5th Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Christine Deiner-Karr, Chair
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair
Steve Waite
Norma Bruns
Andrew Eccleshal
Larry Vogel
Sue Bauer
Jenny Anttila
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Norma Bruns
Daniel Kerege
COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2008 AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER ECCLESHAL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Chair Deiner-Karr reported there has been no progress on registration since February. She advised that the committee would
concentrate their efforts on contacting owners of property for which applications have already been submitted. The
Commission agreed it is important to educate these property owners about the benefits of placing their properties on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Properties.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Eccleshal reported that the Education and Outreach Committee did not meet over the past month. However,
they did prepare a "Then & Now" piece, as well as a press release on the property at 555 Main Street for publication in the
local newspapers. The Education and Outreach Committee agreed to contact the local newspapers to find out when the press
release would be published.
Preservation Planning Committee
Vice Chair VanTassell provided an update on the Preservation Planning Committee's effort to work with representatives
from the City of Edmonds, the Edmonds School District and the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
regarding the concept of relocating the house that currently exists at 555 Main Street to the Civic Playfield property. While
there is general support for this proposal, numerous legal issues must be addressed. He noted that the property owners have
given the entities until September 15t to complete all of the legal requirements associated with the concept. Vice Chair
VanTassell advised that a resolution is currently being prepared for the City Council's consideration. Council Member
Plunkett agreed to follow through to schedule the proposed resolution on the June 17th City Council agenda. He also agreed
to ask that the resolution be forwarded to the City Attorney for comment. Members of the Preservation Planning Committee
agreed to attend the City Council meeting to answer any questions the City Council might have.
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Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns was not present to provide a report on the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society.
NEW BUSINESS
SWIFT/Bus Rapid Transit — Determination of the "Station Names"
Mr. Chave briefly explained the SWIFTBus Rapid Transit proposal that has been approved by Community Transit for
application on the Highway 99 Corridor. As part of the proposal, Community Transit is inviting communities to provide
input regarding potential names for stations along the route. He noted there would be two stations in Edmonds: one near
216th Street (Stevens Hospital) and the other near 238th Street. Mr. Chave asked the Commissioners to share their ideas for
possible historic names that could be applied to the two stations to help identify the areas.
Media Events
The Commission agreed to schedule a media event to announce the plaque that was recently placed on the home of Steve
Burnheim and Sue Bauer, which was recently added to the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. The Education and
Outreach Committee agreed to work with the property owners to schedule the event. They also agreed to follow up with a
media piece to announce the event and explain the benefits of placing properties on the Register. They agreed that it would
be appropriate to prepare Then & Now pieces for each property that is identified on the Register in the future.
The Commission discussed ideas for creating a culture in the community that makes it an honor for properties to be identified
on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. They all agreed it is important to provide information to property owners to
clearly inform them of the benefits.
Contact List
Commissioner Eccleshal encouraged Commissioners to email him names of people who may be useful contacts for the
Commission. He said he plans to compile a list of contacts for the Commission's future use.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Commission Website Maintenance
Commissioner Vogel said he is still waiting for the City's website manager to contact him regarding a meeting to discuss
potential changes to the website. He said his first goal is to update the information that currently exists on the site. He
agreed to forward mock ups to each Commissioner illustrating what the new pages could look like. Commissioner Vogel
suggested the website could be improved by providing information to help facilitate the registration process. The site could
also include fact sheets to identify the benefits of placing properties on the Register. Press releases and other media pieces
could be accessed via the website, as well. The Commission agreed it would be helpful to provide more visual items on the
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site. Commissioner Vogel summarized his desire for the website to become a marketing tool, as well as a way to interact
with the public and raise awareness about historic preservation. The Commission also agreed it would be good to provide an
interactive element on the website that uses the BOLA survey map.
Status of the 2008 Goals
It was suggested that each committee provide an update on their efforts to implement the Commission's 2008 goals as part of
their monthly report. Chair Deiner-Karr agreed to assemble a list of all the 2008 goals.
Planning Board Update
Vice Chair VanTassell requested a status report on the issues the Historic Preservation Commission presented to the
Planning Board in 2007. Mr. Chave said the Planning Board recently forwarded their recommendation on the draft design
standards for the BD 1 zone to the City Council, and the City Council has scheduled a public hearing on July 15th. He
summarized that the Planning Board did not significantly modify the proposed design standards. However, they indicated
they wanted to work further with the Historic Preservation Commission to address other items such as the proposed name for
the zone, the demolition waiting period, and possible changes to the design review process.
Bettinger House Status
Mr. Chave reminded the Commission that the proposed move would be temporary. It is important that they not forget about
the need to address the situation on a long-term basis. The Commission discussed that proposals might also come forward in
the future for potentially relocating other historic structures. They agreed the City must have a general plan in place to
provide guidance in these situations.
Guidebook on How to Maintain Historic Structures
Commissioner Bauer provided a guideline book that was published by Columbus, Ohio, which describes how to maintain
historic structures. She suggested the Commission consider creating a similar document.
Volunteer
Commissioner Bauer suggested the Commission keep in mind that the Senior Center can be a resource for volunteers. She
suggested the Commission provide a presentation to this group to describe some of the Commission's projects. The
Commission agreed that would be appropriate.
Attendance
The Commission reviewed their attendance policy. It was noted that Commissioners are not allowed more than three
unexcused absences in a calendar year. It was further noted that Commissioners must notify the chair of any absence, and
the Commission must take action to excuse the Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER ANTILLA BE EXCUSED FROM THE LAST TWO
MEETINGS. COMMISSIONER ECCLESHAL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, WITH COMMISSIONER ANTILLA ABSTAINING.
ACTION ITEMS
Statement to City Council Regarding Naming of "Heritage" Zone
The Commission discussed a draft letter that would be forwarded to the City Council to describe the Commission's intent for
the draft design guidelines and their interest in retaining a name that identifies the "historic" significance of the area. It was
noted that the design standards proposed for this area are intended to preserve and continue the function and character of the
downtown area. They agreed that while there are no uniform building styles in Edmonds, there is a common scale and
character associated with the present structures.
VICE CHAIR VANTASSELL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE COMMISSIONER
ECCLESHAL TO WORK WITH CITY STAFF TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL OUTLINING
THE COMMISSION'S POSITION RELATED TO THE PROPOSED DESIGN GUIDELINES. COMMISSIONER
ECCLESHAL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Workshop Action Items
Chair Deiner-Karr noted that since most of the workshop action items were identified in the 2008 Commission goals, this
item would be removed from future agendas.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Deiner-Karr said the property owners at 555 Main Street have received numerous emails from individuals who are
interested in obtaining certain elements from the garden and yard of the property. She said she suggested that the property
owners consider allowing the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society to use these items as a fundraiser to
offset the cost of the move.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Vogel announced that he is registered to attend the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions
Conference. The State has offered a scholarship of up to $1,000 to help pay his expenses.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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