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2009-04-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES April 9, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Eccleshall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:32 p.m. in the 3" Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5`h Avenue North. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Andy Eccleshall, Chair Larry Vogel, Vice Chair Sue Bauer Alan Macfarlane Daniel Kerege Steve Waite READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services Brian McIntosh, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Christine Deiner-Karr (excused) Jennifer Antilla (excused) Michael Plunkett CHAIR ECCLESHALL MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 2009 AS SUBMITTED. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2009 AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER KEREGE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA No changes were made to the agenda. INTERVIEW OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CANDIDATE The Commission interviewed Eric Norenberg, a candidate for the vacant Historic Preservation Commission position, for a second time. They invited him to share his background and expertise, as well as his interest in historic preservation. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Susan Blalock provided a report on the activities of the non-profit organization that was formed to purchase the Bettinger (Rose) House and turn it into a non-profit center for the arts, environment, health and wellness, and global understanding. She reported that she met with Chris Moore of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, who indicated there are funds for campaigns, as well as a State acquisition fund of up to $1 million. While he felt the Bettinger House would be a great candidate, it requires an application in 2010 to get funding in 2011. She reported there is significant community interest, and the campaign for major donors would be launched in the next few weeks. They are also exploring opportunities for joint ownership with other non-profit organizations. Another option is to find one very generous donor who would purchase the house and lease it to the non-profit organization on a lease -to -own basis to buy them more time to purchase the home. Ms. Blalock invited the Commissioners to attend a luncheon on April 19"' at 1:30 p.m. for people who are interested in historic preservation. They will honor Fred Bell, President, Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, for his efforts in trying to save the house over the past year. She invited a Commissioner to say a few words at the luncheon about the importance of historic preservation, as well as the mission and goals of the Commission. She further reported that the organization would soon rent space at the Bettinger House to community groups, and it would be an excellent location for a Historic Preservation Commission open house. Commissioner Waite cautioned that when considering a name change for the home, it is important to keep in mind the need for historical continuity. However, he acknowledged that the structure has not been identified on any historic registers. Ms. Blalock pointed out that most citizens in the community identify the house as either the "pink" house or the Kretsler house. She suggested they explore the option of registering the property as the Bettinger House, and then the non-profit organization that operates within the structure could come up with their own name. The Commission agreed that at least one Commissioner should attend the luncheon on behalf of the Commission. DRAFT ORDINANCES OF CITY -OWNED PROPERTIES NOMINATED FOR THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Edmonds Memorial Cemetery The Commission and staff discussed the pros and cons of placing the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. They specifically discussed how the cemetery and its current operations would be impacted by the designation. Mr. Chave pointed out that the draft ordinance that was prepared for the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery simply designates the exclusive and continued use of the property as a cemetery as historically significant. Changing the use of the site would require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission. Additionally, the ordinance notes that normal operation of the property as a cemetery is not an activity that would require Commission review. However, because the cemetery would be identified on the Register, the Commission would be notified of proposed projects that require Architectural Design Board (ADB) and/or State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and they would be invited to review the proposal and share their comments. Mr. McIntosh suggested that a Commission representative attend the next cemetery board meeting to explain their proposal. He suggested the board would likely embrace the concept of being part of the Commission's efforts to preserve the history of Edmonds. Mr. Chave agreed it would be helpful for a Commissioner to explain to the board that the proposed ordinance would simply formalize the historic role in the SEPA and ADB processes and would not add another step in the review process. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to send a representative to the next cemetery board meeting. Brackett's Landing North The Commission reviewed the draft ordinance that was prepared for the Brackett's Landing North nomination. Mr. Chave explained that the proposed ordinance currently identifies only the sandy beach area of Brackett's Landing North as historically significant. To address previous Commission discussions, the ordinance also states that any new permanent buildings or structures proposed to be built or located on the beach would require review by the Commission. Mr. McIntosh said he would support the ordinance if it only includes the sandy beach area because it would draw attention to the beach. However, it is important to keep in mind that several projects are on the horizon for the upland property such as restroom and jetty replacement. Mr. Chave explained that the proposed ordinance would allow the Commission an opportunity to review and comment on any projects in the vicinity that would require ADB or SEPA review. This would give the Commission a formal role in the design review without requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness. He explained that it would be difficult to require a Certificate of Appropriateness without specific information about historic structures that Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 9, 2009 Page 2 previously existed on the site. He noted that all the historic discussion in the nomination that was submitted as part of the State record was related to the landing and beach area, and no mention was made about the upland portion. The Commission agreed they would like the opportunity to review projects that are proposed for the grassy area that is upland of the beach. In addition, Mr. Chave agreed to consider language that would better describe the beach area. The Commission also discussed the idea of specifically identifying where Mr. Brackett landed on the beach if historic data is available to pinpoint the exact location. The Commission agreed that this might be a more appropriate project for the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, and they asked Commissioner McFarlane to share the idea with the society. Ms. Blalock suggested the Commission should also consider how the area was used by settlers and Native Americans prior to Mr. Brackett coming to the area. Conclusion The Commission agreed to postpone final action on the two nominations until after they have met with the cemetery board. They asked staff to present all three ordinances (Log Cabin, Brackett's Landing North, and Edmonds Memorial Cemetery) for final Commission review and approval at their next meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee Commissioner Bauer reminded the Commission that the Registration Committee submitted numerous nominations to the Planning Department, and staff is in the process of writing their reports. Once the reports are available, site visits would need to be scheduled. She noted that in addition to the three City -owned properties, the Stevens Hotel and the Edmonds Bank Building are ready for Commission review and approval at their next meeting. Both property owners have offered their consent to be on the Register. Ms. Cunningham noted that the Edmonds Bank Building is not on the State's Register, so the Commission must conduct a public hearing before making a recommendation to the City Council. Education and Outreach Committee Vice Chair Vogel announced that THE PRESERVATIONIST has been distributed and sent to the newspapers (THE BEACON and THE ENTERPRISE). In addition, they have gathered information about the theater to publish a piece in THE PRESERVATIONIST. Vice Chair Vogel advised that he has not completed the task of photographing the properties that have already been identified on the Register. Chair Eccleshal and Vice Chair Vogel agreed to accomplish the task before the next Commission meeting. Vice Chair Vogel asked if there is any budget to print a higher quality of THE PRESERVATIONIST. Mr. Chave said the City could probably provide 50 to 100 copies on higher quality paper and in color. Vice Chair Vogel agreed to discuss this opportunity further with staff. Preservation Planning Committee The Preservation Planning Committee did not provide any reports during this portion of the meeting. Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Commissioner Mcfarlane reported on the current exhibit of paintings by a Japanese -American artist who was forced to move with his family to an internment camp away from the Pacific Coast. OTHER BUSINESS Clarification on Theater Information Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 9, 2009 Page 3 Chair Eccleshal noted that as he collected information to write an article about the theater, he found some discrepancies between the information he found and what was actually in the BOLA Report. The BOLA Report says the building was moved from an original location, which is not true. It also states that the building burnt down in 1928 and was rebuilt. While he knows the building was burnt in the fire of 1928, he couldn't find anything about it actually burning down. Commissioner Mcfarlane agreed to provide information to clarify these two issues. Vice Chair Vogel pointed out that the Education and Outreach Committee would also work to bring the theater information up to date. Assembling a Coalition to Form Designated Historic Districts Commissioner Bauer referred the Commission to the article she provided regarding the process for forming designated historic areas, which provides numerous case studies of what other jurisdictions did to accomplish the task. She suggested the first step in the process would be to collect input and buy in from major groups and organizations in the City who believe in historic preservation. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to assemble a coalition of interested people to help the Commission begin the process of forming designated historic areas. They agreed to start with a retreat discussion about what they want historic preservation in Edmonds to look like. The Commissioners would email amongst themselves to come up with a suitable date for the retreat. Discussion on Who and What the Commission Is Chair Eccleshal encouraged each Commissioner to read the ordinance that was adopted to establish the Commission before the retreat discussion. There was no additional information to discuss as unfinished business. ACTION ITEMS There were no action items to discuss. CONSIDERATION OF CANDIDATE FOR VACANT COMMISSION POSITION CHAIR ECCLESHALL MOVED THE COMMISSION ACCEPT ERIC NORENBERG'S APPLICATION TO BE ON THE COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Ms. Cunningham pointed out that the application would be forwarded to the City Council and Mayor for a final decision. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Eccleshall did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS There were no Commissioner comments ADJOURNMENT The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 9, 2009 Page 4