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2008-12-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES December 11, 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 (arrived at 4:44 p.m.) Steve Waite, Vice Chair Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services Rob VanTassell (arrived at 5:28 p.m.) Norma Bruns COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Andrew Eccleshal Jenny Anttila Daniel Kerege Larry Vogel (arrived at 4:35 p.m.) Sue Bauer Michael Plunkett PRESENTATION BY MAYOR HAAKENSON Mayor Haakenson said this is his favorite time of the year because he gets to speak to all of the City Boards and Commissions and thank them for their service to the community. He expressed his belief that the citizens of Edmonds appreciate their efforts. He presented plaques to retiring Commissioners Bruns and VanTassell for their years of service on the Commission and to the Community. (Note: Commissioner VanTassell was not present at the time to receive his plaque) READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2008 AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER KEREGE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA Election of Officers was added to the agenda. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There was no one in the audience who expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting. ELECTION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OFFICERS COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER ECCLESHAL BE ELECTED AS THE 2009 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR. COMMISSIONER BRUNS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Commissioner Eccleshal indicated he would recommend a Vice Chair at the Commission's January meeting. PUBLIC HEARING Application by Scott and Colleen Loucks to Determine the Eligibility of the "First Congregational Church Parsonage" for Placement on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. The Site is Located at 610 Dayton Street and is Zoned Single -Family Residential (RS-6) The applicants, Scott and Colleen Loucks were not present at the hearing. However, Commissioner Bauer indicated they have offered their consent to have the property included on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. The Commission reviewed the application, particularly discussing the elements of the structure that are historic. It was noted that the structure was nominated for the register based on the following criteria; It embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style or method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. The structure is representative of the residential construction type from the early settlement of Edmonds. It represents the early residential style that was typical for the area, illustrating local building techniques and materials. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history. The structure was built as a parsonage for First Congregational Church, which was located across the street at the corner of 6`h and Dayton. The house was later sold to Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Kellogg, who was a Superintendent of the Edmonds School District. It is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history. The house was built as an early parsonage and was also occupied by an early school district superintendent. The Commission observed that it appears alterations have been made to the south (back) side of the structure as part of a first story addition. Also, the dormers on the left side appear to have been added at a later date. The side wall pillars on the north fagade are probably not original, either. COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION BY SCOTT AND COLLEEN LOUCKS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF THE "FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH PARSONAGE" FOR PLACEMENT ON THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING: o THE STRUCTURE PLAYS A ROLE IN THE HISTORY OF EDMONDS, BEING THE HOME OF MR. AND MRS. A.C. KELLOGG, A SUPERINTENDENT OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE HOME OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH'S FIRST PARSONAGE. o WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SOUTHERN FACADE, THE EXTERIOR OF THE STRUCTURE HAS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. COMMISSIONER ECCLESHAL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The Commission suggested Commissioner Antilla attempt to locate pictures of the original structure from the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society or the property owner. They also asked her to particularly seek more information about when the southern fagade was altered and the north facing pillars were added. Ms. Cunningham agreed to check the City's building permit records, too. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 11, 2008 Page 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee Commissioner Bauer reported that the Registration Committee is working to update the process for nominating properties to the Edmonds Register of Historic Places to make it clearer. Chair Deiner-Karr agreed to forward a copy of the new draft to the Commissioners for their review and comment. Commissioner Bauer reminded the Commission that three applications that were forwarded to the City Council would be reviewed for final approval at the December 16th City Council Meeting. The Committee indicated they would continue to work with the property owners of the Bell Street and Bettinger Houses. The Commission discussed the city -owned properties (Brackett, Cemetery, Log Cabin) that have been nominated for the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. It was noted that Mayor Haakenson has voiced concern that if the properties were included on the Register, any improvements and/or changes would require the Historic Preservation Commission's approval. He particularly expressed a concern about adding another level of bureaucracy to the approval process. It was discussed that making a clear distinction between historic sites and historic buildings may help resolve the concern. They recognized that while owners of structures identified on the register would have to obtain Commission approval to make alterations, the Commission would not have the ability to control what is built on a site that has been identified on the Register as historic. The Commission discussed the Mayor's recommended compromise that only the beach portion of the Brackett property be identified on the Register. However, Commissioner Waite suggested the Commission should complete a review of what occurred historically on the site. He expressed his belief that the Commission is obligated to include all of the property that is determined to have historic significance as part of their nomination. The remainder of the Commission concurred. Commissioner Bauer agreed to find out what portions of the three properties are designated as historic on the State Register. Once more information has been gathered, the Registration Committee could form a response to address the Mayor's 16113114NO M Commissioner Bauer announced that the property owners of the Stevens Hotel Site have expressed an interest in nominating their property for the Register. However, they have been unable to finalize their application yet. Education and Outreach Committee Commissioner Vogel reported that the update of the Commission's website is moving forward well. He distributed copies of the two pages that are now available on the site. He reviewed that the home page talks about the Commission and provides a link to a newsroom page where viewers can access all press releases. There is also a page where viewers can access all City documents related to historic preservation. Commissioner Vogel reported that the Education and Outreach Committee has nearly completed the next newspaper article. Commissioner Eccleshal reported on his efforts to find local businesses to provide funding support to pay the cost of printing the article. He further reported that THE ENTERPRISE has recently agreed to print the article within their regular copy at no charge. He said he would discuss with them how often they would be willing to print the article. Chair Deiner-Karr reminded the Commission that it is time to submit grant applications for State funding. This money could be used for newspaper articles, publishing the brochures, etc. She asked Commissioners to forward their ideas in this regard to Commissioner Eccleshal. Commissioner Bruns left the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Vogel said he recently resubmitted the Commission's "Now & Then" article on the Powers House that was supposed to be printed earlier in THE BEACON. He added that he is currently researching in preparation for an article on the Ingalls House. Preservation Planning Committee Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 11, 2008 Page 3 Commissioner Eccleshal reported that the Preservation Planning Committee discussed ideas for encouraging historic preservation, and the head of the Everett Historic Commission has agreed to send the Committee a packet of information about what their historic codes are and how they work. This information should aid them in their discussion. Council Member Plunkett suggested the committee work closely with Mr. Chave, as well. Chair Deiner-Karr also suggested the Committee work with Francis White Chapin, who is heading up the 4th Avenue Arts Corridor Plan. Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Chair Deiner-Karr reported that she is working with the President of the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society to appoint a new Commissioner who can be a liaison for the Society. Bettinger House Status Commissioner Eccleshal reported that the Bettinger House property is now up for sale. The Commission noted that an application has been prepared to nominate the property for the Register. Mr. Chave explained that because the property is already identified on the State and/or National Registers, it is already eligible for the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. The only thing left to do is obtain property owner consent. Commissioner Eccleshal agreed to meet with the current property owners and suggest that the property would be easier to sell without the house on it. He would also remind the property owners that someone has already offered to move the house to a new location. The Commission discussed that the ultimate solution for saving this historic house and others in the area is to create an overlay district. Many suggested that this concept should be presented to the citizens to gauge their support. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of the concept to the City, the community and the property owners. Mr. Chave suggested the Commission work with Francis White -Chapin to get some sort of historic overlay district in place along the 4Ih Avenue Corridor. This effort could be used as an education tool to expand the concept into other areas of the City. The Commission concurred. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Deiner-Karr pointed out that the vacant Commission positions are for professional individuals, but the notices do not make this clear. Ms. Cunningham agreed to follow up. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commission thanked Commissioner Deiner-Karr for serving as chair of the Commission in 2008. They also thanked staff for a wonderful year and for participating with enthusiasm. They thanked Council Member Plunkett for serving as City Council Liaison, as well. ADJOURNMENT The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 11, 2008 Page 4