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
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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
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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.
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