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.
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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.
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