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.
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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
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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
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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.
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