Loading...
2008-10-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES October 9, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Waite called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:32 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5 h Avenue North. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Rob VanTassell, Vice Chair (arrived at 4:39 p.m.) Steve Waite Norma Bruns Andrew Eccleshal Daniel Kerege Larry Vogel Sue Bauer Jenny Anttila Michael Plunkett READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Christine Deiner-Karr, Chair COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 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 No one in the audience expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee Commissioner Bauer reported that the Registration Committee has received 4 positive responses from the 12 letters that were sent out. A few other property owners have indicated a positive interest, as well. She noted that because these properties are already identified on the State Register of Historic Places, the Commission should be able to forward at least four of the nominations directly to the City Council at their next meeting. Commissioner Bauer announced that the Registration Committee received a letter from Mayor Haakenson, advising them of his concern about the impacts associated with placing City -owned properties on the Register. She said she would meet with the Mayor to provide more information and report back to the Commission at their next meeting. Mr. Chave reviewed the new nomination form, which was constructed in such a way that the property owner must only look at the first page. The remainder of the application could be filled out by the Commission. He noted that much of the more confusing information was taken out. The Commission discussed if it would be appropriate for them to review nominations and forward them to the City Council, even without a property owner's consent. It was noted that while nominations could be reviewed and approved without the consent of property owners, properties can not be added to the Register until this consent has been obtained. The Commission discussed that while sending nominations forward without this consent could potentially expedite the process, it could also alienate some property owners. The majority of the Commission agreed that, as a policy, they should attempt to gain a property owner's consent before forwarding a nomination to the City Council. However, many felt it important for the Commission to retain the option of forwarding a particular nomination to the City Council without the property owner's consent. They asked the Registration Committee to consider the issue further and provide a recommendation on how best to address the concern. For example, it was recommended that the "consent" section of the form could be changed to indicate that property owner consent is optional and/or not required for a nomination to be forwarded to the City Council. The Registration Committee also agreed to discuss the current nomination process and perhaps propose some changes to the order in which notice is given. Education and Outreach Committee The Education and Outreach Committee did not meet during the last month. Preservation Planning Committee Commissioner VanTassell reported that the Preservation Planning Committee discussed the concept of establishing a process and standards for creating "historic neighborhoods" throughout the City. The Commission discussed how they could gain public support for creating a historic district overlay for the downtown BD1 zone, the Arts Corridor (4th Avenue), Sunset Avenue, etc. They asked Vice Chair VanTassell and Commissioner Bauer to research this option and provide a recommendation to the Commission at their next meeting. Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Commissioner Bruns reported that the new exhibit at the museum consists of old pictures of downtown Edmonds storefronts that were taken by Bob Sears, a local photographer. His intended message is that he hates to see buildings he remembers being torn down. She further reported that the Museum would provide a haunted house on their first floor for the community to enjoy on Halloween. In addition, the Museum's annual dinner and program is scheduled for October 171h QIA`A, : IMILIMM Transfer of Development Rights Mr. Chave explained the concept of transferring development rights. He advised that the notion is to offer a property owner a development right they can sell to somebody else in exchange for prohibiting further development or modification of a historic property. He cautioned that this concept would be difficult and costly for the City to implement. Media Events Commissioner Vogel reported that he met with Commissioner Bauer to put together ideas for a media event when the plaque is placed on her home. He advised they would continue their efforts and attempt to schedule an event later in the year. The goal is to have Mayor Haakenson officiate the event, with representation and remarks from City Council and Commission Members. He distributed a copy of the notes they put together for the event. The Commission agreed the event should be scheduled as soon as possible. Ms. Cunningham reminded the Commission that no plaque has been placed on the Carnegie Library Building yet. Creating New Nomination Forms This item was discussed earlier as part of the Registration Committee's report. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 9, 2008 Page 2 Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission Website Commissioner Vogel suggested that if the Commission is going to move forward with public awareness efforts, they must update their website. He said his attempts to contact Carl Nelson have been unsuccessful to date. Council Member Plunkett agreed to contact Mr. Nelson and request that he work with Commissioner Vogel to update the website. Bettinger House Status Commissioner Eccleshal reported on the status of the historic Bettinger House. There are two property owners in the downtown area who have expressed an interest in the home. A third property owner from Sequim has also indicated an interest. No decision has been made yet. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate for Commissioner Eccleshal to contact the current owner of the home and offer the Commission's help getting the relocation process underway. ACTION ITEMS Discussion on Properties/Sites Nominated and What Aspects of the Design are Being Nominated Ms. Cunningham pointed out that these properties have been scheduled on the City Council's extended agenda for October l't or November 3rd. Commissioner Bauer pointed out that because they have not obtained property owner consent yet, they cannot move the nominations forward to the City Council. She anticipated the Commission could take action to forward at least some of the applications to the City Council at their next meeting. The Commission asked Ms. Cunningham to request the item be placed on the City Council's extended agenda for the first part of December. News Article "Then and Now" The Commission reviewed and approved the final draft of the next "Then and Now" article. Commissioner Eccleshal agreed to forward the article to the local newspaper as a press release. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Acting Chair Waite did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Council Member Plunkett commended Commissioners Bauer, Eccleshal and Deiner-Karr for all their work to move forward the efforts of the Historic Preservation Commission. He commented they have done more work towards getting properties on the Register in the last two months than has taken place in the previous year. Ms. Cunningham gave each of the Commissioners one of the new National Historic Preservation Week posters. ADJOURNMENT The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 9, 2008 Page 3