2008-08-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
August 14, 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 STAFF PRESENT
Christine Deiner-Karr, Chair Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager Planner
Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair (arrived at 4:45, left at 5:05) Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Steve Waite
Norma Bruns
Andrew Eccleshal
Daniel Kerege
Larry Vogel
Jenny Anttila
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Sue Bauer
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHAL MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 2008 AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER KEREGE 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 that the Registration Committee determined that five different template letters would be
necessary to meet the needs of the Commission's current process for designating properties on the Register. They are
currently reaching out to other cities for guidance in creating the templates. She suggested they first focus on the letter that
would be sent to all current homeowners with properties already listed on the State's Register. Commissioner Antilla
reminded the Commission that she prepared a rough draft of this letter and is awaiting feedback and finalization.
Council Member Plunkett voiced frustration that while the Commission has discussed sending letters to the ten property
owners whose properties are already on the State's Register, nothing has happened to date. The Commission agreed to focus
their efforts on notifying these ten property owners first, inviting them to contact the City to have their properties added to
the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Council Member Plunkett agreed to assist the Registration Committee in
completing this project.
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE REGISTRATION
COMMITTEE TO DRAFT THE LETTERS AND GET THEM SENT OFF. HE FURTHER MOVED THAT THEY
FOLLOW UP EACH LETTER WITH A TELEPHONE CALL.
The Registration Committee agreed to get the letters sent out by August 18t''. Commissioner Antilla and Council Member
Plunkett agreed to make the follow up telephone calls within the next 30 days.
VICE CHAR VANTASSELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Education and Outreach Committee
The Education and Outreach Committee did not have any new items to report.
Preservation Planning Committee
Council Member Plunkett recalled that the Preservation Planning Committee has been working on the design guidelines for
the downtown core. The City Council has accepted the document, and an ordinance would be presented for their formal
approval on August 26th. Mr. Chave reminded the Commission that some issues related to the design review process are still
being discussed. The Commission briefly discussed whether or not they were interested in pursuing a different name for the
BD1 zone to denote its historic character. Mr. Chave recalled that the Planning Board would like to discuss this issue further
with the Historic Preservation Commission.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bruns announced that the new exhibit at the Museum is on buttons. They have had a lot of interest in the
exhibit, and she encouraged the Commissioners to visit. She emphasized that the Museum opens at 12:00 p.m. rather than
1:00 p.m. on Saturdays to accommodate people who are visiting the summer market. She also encouraged the
Commissioners to join the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society.
NEW BUSINESS
Media Events
Commissioner Vogel reported that he and Commissioner Bauer had intended to meet to plan a media event when the plaque
is replace don her historic property. However, they were unable to get together. The Commission noted that the new plaque
has not been placed on the property yet. The Commission encouraged Commissioners Vogel and Bauer to schedule this
event for sometime in late September. Commissioner Vogel said they have already prepared the template for future press
releases, and they have contacted various news media.
EHPC Website Maintenance
Commissioner Vogel reported that he has not made any progress working with staff to update the website, which hasn't been
changed since December of 2007. Mr. Chave invited Commissioner Vogel to send him an email with his contact
information, and he would forward it to the responsible staff person asking him to move ahead with the project as soon as
possible.
Discussion on Status of the 2008 Goals
This discussion was postponed to the September 1 lth Meeting.
Planning Board Update by Rob Chave
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August 14, 2008 Page 2
Mr. Chave did not have any additional information to report to the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
BettinEer House Status
Commissioner Eccleshal announced that he was recently contacted by a private property owner who is interested in
relocating the Bettinger House to property a few blocks away from the Edmonds Performing Arts Center. The project is in
the very early stages, but it appears to be a possibility. Vice Chair VanTassell pointed out that all of these downtown
residential properties are zoned RS-6, and most of the homes are considered non -conforming because they violate the
setback requirements. He urged the Commission to consider potential changes to the code to address this problem. He noted
that height could also be an issue in the downtown residential zones. Mr. Chave agreed to review the current code language
to determine what restrictions would potentially apply to situations that involve non-conformance and historic structures.
The Commission discussed the importance of informing the property owner of the advantages of listing the house on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Commissioner Eccleshal said he has discussed these advantages with the property
owner, and he offered the Commission's help in facilitating the proposal. The Commission concurred that, at this point, it is
up to the property owner to submit a proposal for the City to consider.
The Commission discussed the importance of having appropriate incentives to encourage the preservation of historic
properties. They suggested it would be appropriate to consider potential code changes that would enable the City to make
exceptions to the height and setback requirements, etc. to accommodate and encourage historic preservation.
The Commission discussed their disappointment that the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society was not
successful in their effort to save the Bettinger House. They discussed that although several members of the Commission
offered their expertise, the Society did not express interested in their help. It was suggested they work to resolve this
concern before similar proposals come up in the future. They agreed it might be appropriate for the Commission and Society
to meet together on a regular basis. Another option would be for each group to appoint a liaison to keep abreast of what is
going on.
The Commission commended Commissioner Waite, Commissioner Eccleshal and Vice Chair VanTassell for their efforts to
relocate the historic structure that is currently located at 555 Main Street. They did an outstanding job coming up with ideas
to accomplish the task. It was discussed that these Commissioners could help the interested property owner obtain the
necessary permits to relocate the structure.
ACTION ITEMS
News Article "Then & Now"
Commissioner Vogel reported that a "Then & Now" article was published in THE EDMONDS BEACON. Commissioner
Vogel and Commissioner Eccleshal agreed to consider possible topics for the next article.
Contact List
Commissioner Vogel reported that the Education and Outreach Committee is continuing their effort to assemble the contact
list, which would not be published on the website. Instead, it would be used internally by the Commission to disseminate
announcements and press releases. The committee agreed to assemble a final draft of the list and present it at the next
Commission meeting. Chair Deiner-Karr agreed to forward the contact list from the open house to Commissioner Eccleshal.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Deiner-Karr asked the Commission to consider the option of conducting a fall open house at their next meeting. They
were encouraged to identify potential goals for the open house.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Vogel reported on his attendance at the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions Conference, which
was excellent. He collected materials to share with his fellow Commissioners. He also agreed to distribute copies of the
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August 14, 2008 Page 3
notes he took of various sessions. He announced that the National Preservation Conference is scheduled for October 21"
through the 25t' in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Commissioner Bruns said she was sorry she didn't know of the conflict that occurred with the Edmonds South Snohomish
County Historical Society. She said she knows the people in the Society well, and she could have been a factor in helping
them all get together. Commissioner Eccleshal summarized that the problem was lack of communication, but there was no
conflict or animosity involved.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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