2009-02-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
February 12, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Eccleshal called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Brackett Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Andrew Eccleshal, Chair
Jenny Anttila
Sue Bauer
Andrew Eccleshal
Daniel Kerege (arrived at 4:34)
Alan Macfarlane
Larry Vogel
Steve Waite
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager (arrived at 4:42)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Christine Deiner-Karr (excused)
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2009 AS
SUBMITTED, COMMISSIONER BAUER SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ms. Cunningham referred to the minutes of January 9th, which provides a list of properties the Registration Committee was
checking into. She noted that the Edmonds Baptist Church went through the entire nomination process several years ago, but
in the end they decided not to have their property on the Register. Council Member Plunkett provided a brief report of what
took place previously, and the Commission agreed it would be worthwhile to pursue the nomination again.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Fred Bell, President of the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, announced that the Society is
interested in reestablishing the plaque program that was discontinued in the late 1990's. He recalled that the museum paid
for plaques to be placed on properties that were identified by the Plaque Committee. He noted that their plaques are different
than those placed by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission's plaques identify properties that are on the
Register, and the Society's plaques provides more in-depth information to explain why properties are historic. The
Commission encouraged the Society to pursue their plaque program. It was noted that the two programs would compliment
each other. Mr. Bell explained that while the Society has the financial resources to purchase the plaques, they do not have
the capability of installing them. He suggested that perhaps the Commission and City could help them in this regard.
Commissioner Vogel questioned how the plaques would be maintained and noted that the current plaque on the American
Legion Hall is in poor condition.
Susan Blalock, Edmonds, announced that she recently launched a campaign to save the historic home located at 6th and
Main, and a non-profit organization has been formed in an attempt to rally the community to purchase the home and establish
it as a center for creative and humanitarian endeavors. The owners have agreed to lease the home on a month -to -month basis
for the sole purpose of promoting the idea, inviting people to visit, and enticing potential donors. She summarized that she
believes the community's passion for this property would make the project doable. She shared her experience in processes
of this type, as well as some of her plans for proceeding with the project. She passed out a flyer for a reception and tour that
is scheduled to take place at the home on February 14th. She invited the Commissioners to visit their website, and she
encouraged them to offer their suggestions.
Commissioner Waite noted that Ms. Blalock's group uses two different names to refer to the home. He pointed out that if a
structure is located on a local, state or national register, the group would be required to maintain the original name in order to
preserve the history of the original inhabitants. Although the property has not been identified on a Register, he suggested
that changing the name would result in a loss of connection or nexus to those people who originally constructed the home.
He suggested she contact the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society to learn more about the property's
original name.
Diane Buckshnis, Edmonds, said she was inspired by the presentation Commissioner Eccleshal made to the City Council
regarding historic preservation and some of the benefits of being on the Register. She indicated that she owns property that
is identified on the Oregon Register of Historic Places, which allows her a 15-year tax freeze. She encouraged the
Commission to review Oregon's historic preservation laws and programs to gather ideas of what the City could offer to
motivate owners to place their properties on the Register.
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Registration Committee
Commissioner Bauer reported that the Registration Committee is in the process of completing nomination forms for 12
properties. They will be asking the City staff to send the forms out fairly quickly. She further reported that the Registration
Committee has heard back from all of the owners of properties that have been approved for the Register, and all but one of
the plaques have been delivered to the property owners. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to take pictures of
the properties and issue a press release to raise public awareness.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Vogel reported that the Education and Outreach Committee has managed to get some good press coverage.
An event was held at Commissioner Bauer's home, and it was placed on the front page of THE ENTERPRISE. Articles were
also published in THE EVERETT HERALD and THE EDMONDS BEACON.
Commissioner Vogel advised that some changes have been made to the Commission's website. The page regarding the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places has been reformatted. In addition, the list of Commissioners has been updated. He also
noted that he received information from Commissioner Kerege regarding the Ingalls Building that would be incorporated
into the next "Then & Now" Article. Chair Eccleshal encouraged the Education and Outreach Committee to finish up the
next article and get it published as soon as possible.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Waite reported that the Preservation Planning Committee would report on their recent activity as part of a
later discussion regarding the City -owned properties that have been nominated for the Register.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
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February 12, 2009 Page 2
Commissioner MacFarlane provided an in-depth overview of the services and programs provided by the Edmonds Museum,
which is sponsored by the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society. He specifically noted there is currently an
exhibit of marvelous antique Christmas toys that will remain through the end of February. The March exhibit would include
paintings by a Japanese -American artist who was forced to move with his family to an internment camp away from the
Pacific Coast. His paintings show how they lived during that time. He noted the Society has about 200 members, and they
are always looking for more volunteers and financial contributors. He summarized that the Museum contains more
information about old Edmonds than any other location.
OTHER BUSINESS
Discussions regarding a "Special Session" for Further Investigation of Overlays, Districts, and Other Ideas for
Historic Preservation in Edmonds, a Potential Public Meeting Regarding Overlay and Historic District Options, and
a Series of Three Meetings to Solicit and Gather Citizen Input regarding a Vision for Preserving Edmonds History
The Commission discussed the idea of conducting public meetings to solicit and gather citizen input regarding their vision
for preserving Edmonds history. At these meetings, they could also explain the concept of creating historic overlays and/or
districts and gauging the public's reaction to the idea. The Commission agreed it is important to get accurate information to
the public regarding the options available for historic preservation as well as the associated implications. The public could
then be invited to provide feedback about whether or not they want the Commission to move forward with more aggressive
historic preservation.
The Commission discussed whether the public meetings should focus on a specific area (such as the 41h Avenue Arts
Corridor), or if it would be better to have a more generic discussion about historic preservation that would include all the BD
zones. Mr. Chave cautioned that public meetings for vague subjects do not typically get a large citizen response. He noted
the 4th Avenue Arts Corridor may be a good place to start since people are already interested and supportive of the idea. This
could be an opportunity to show people what can be done. In addition to public meetings, the Commission agreed that other
public outreach tools would include on-line surveys, advertisements in newspapers with tear off s for people to send back to
the Commission, targeted mailings, and circulating questionnaires during summer events in Edmonds.
Chair Eccleshal suggested the Commission target a public meeting date for sometime towards the end of March. The
Preservation Planning Committee could spend the next month discussing the possible format and content of the meeting. At
their March Meeting, the Commission could develop concrete plans for a meeting date and agenda. He summarized that the
goal of the public outreach program would be to impart good information and gauge the public opinion on how they want the
Commission to move forward.
COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THAT THE PRESERVATION PLANNING COMMITTEE BRING THE
FORM AND CONTENT FOR POTENTIAL PUBLIC MEETINGS TO THE MARCH 12, 2009 MEETING FOR
THE COMMISSION'S DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion of City -Owned Properties Nominated for the Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Chair Eccleshal reported that he recently met with Mayor Haakenson to discuss the current Historic Preservation Ordinance,
which states that future development of sites that don't have structures on them still have to come through the Commission
for approval of development. The Mayor indicated that unless this wording is changed, he would not agree to place these
city -owned properties (Brackett's Landing and the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery) on the Edmonds Register of Historic
Places. Chair Eccleshal referred to Ordinance 3713, which was recommended by the Commission and approved by the City
Council on December 16, 2008, to address concerns related to the Old School Site. Mr. Chave explained that while the Old
School Site was historical in character, the structure was no longer there. The ordinance indicated that the site would be
designated as historic, but the Commission would not review future development proposals for the property. In order to
address his concerns, the Mayor has suggested that the same concept be applied to Brackett's Landing and the Edmonds
Memorial Cemetery.
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February 12, 2009 Page 3
To clarify the process Mr. Chave explained that while a City regulation explains the process for how historic sites and
structures are designated and how future review would be conducted, a separate ordinance is also done for each site that is
added to the Register. This ordinance incorporates the language that was reviewed and approved by the Commission to
explain what about the site is historic and what the review requirements would be. Once the owner has offered approval, the
City Council adopts an ordinance that adds the property to the register. Although historic sites without historic structures on
them would not be required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission, the Commission would be
notified of permit applications that are related to these sites if they are on the Register. They would have an opportunity to
provide comments to the Architectural Design Board or City Council regarding future proposals.
Further discussion on this issue was postponed until the Commission's March 12t' meeting. It was agreed that the
Registration and Preservation Planning Committees would meet to prepare a recommendation for the Commission's
consideration.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Eccleshal did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Bauer thanked Mr. Bell for his presentation regarding the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical
Society's plan to reinstitute their plaque program.
Commissioner Waite reiterated Council Member Plunkett's commendation of the Registration Committee's great efforts.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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