2009-06-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
June 11, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Eccleshall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:30 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
Eric Norenberg
Steve Waite
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning and Development Services Manager (arrived at 4:45 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Planning and Dev. Services
Frances Chapin, Cultural Services Manager
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Jennifer Anttila (excused)
Christine Deiner-Karr (excused)
Daniel Kerege (excused)
COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 14, 2009 AS
SUBMITTED. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted as presented.
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.
Review and Vote on Commission's Recommendations for a Historic Preservation Plan for the 4`b Avenue Cultural
Corridor Proiect
The Commission and staff reviewed the latest draft of the proposed language. It was noted that this is a preliminary
document that is intended to be a statement of the Commission's position and recommendation on the concept of creating a
Historic District or Overlay. Further details and criteria would be worked out in the future.
As the Commission reviewed the document, they made the following observations and changes:
• The title of the document should be changed to "Recommendations for a Historic Preservation Plan for the 4 h Avenue
Cultural Corridor Project.
• While the corridor for the project extends 'h blocks further on 4`h Avenue, the Commission felt it would be less
complicated to start the Historic Overlay Area at the boundary of the BD1 zone. The area could be extended at a later
date.
• The 15` bulleted item on Page 1 should be changed to read, "The Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission recommends
the establishment, with input from citizens and property owners, of either a Historic District or Historic Overlay, which
incorporates and helps to preserve..." It was emphasized that creation of a Historic District or Overlay would require
citizen and property owner input, and the City Council would be responsible for deciding what the appropriate public
process would be and what level of property owner consent would be required.
• The 3rd bulleted item on Page 1 should be changed to read, "Develop and apply incentives for context sensitive
rehabilitation, maintenance and development of properties within the corridor, such as ..." It was discussed that in order
to protect the character of the corridor, the incentives should apply to properties that are listed on the Register, properties
that have been surveyed but not yet listed on the Register, and properties that contribute to the historic character. At some
point, it might be appropriate to use incentives to encourage the remaining properties to develop in a context sensitive
way, as well.
Ms. Chapin explained that the document would be attached to the overall 4`h Avenue Cultural Corridor Report, which would
be presented to the City Council on June 23`d. The document would eventually be submitted to the Washington State
Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the National Historic Preservation Office. Mr. Chave noted that
approval of the document would be subject to minor technical corrections that might be identified before it is submitted to
the State and National Organizations.
CHAIR ECCLESHALL MOVED THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE DOCUMENT "RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR A HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN FOR THE 4TH AVENUE CULTURAL CORRIDOR PROJECT,"
WITH THE CHANGES NOTED ABOVE. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion of Boundaries for 41h Avenue Area Historic Overlay and How to Proceed
Chair Eccleshall suggested the Commission schedule a special meeting to tour 41h Avenue and identify possible boundaries
for the 4`h Avenue Historic District or Overlay. He clarified that the current map identifies properties within the proposed
area that have been surveyed, but it does not identify the actual boundaries. He emphasized that the overlay boundaries do
not have to match the boundaries identified in the 4`h Avenue Cultural Plan. The Commission agreed a special meeting
would be appropriate.
Status of Previously Nominated Properties that Have Not Responded
Chair Eccleshall referred to an email he sent to the Commissioners identifying those properties that have been nominated but
the property owners have not responded. He reported that the owner of Great Northern Railway Section Foreman's House
(Mr. Nicholson) has submitted his agreement to the City, but the owners of the Railroad Station have not responded.
Commissioner Bauer reported that three City -owned properties (Ganahl-Hanley Log Cabin, Edmonds Memorial Cemetery,
and Brackett's Landing) are scheduled for review and approval on the City Council's agenda. She further reported that she
hasn't heard back from the owner of the Beeson Building. The Stevens Hotel has been scheduled on the City Council's June
16`h consent agenda. Chair Eccleshall advised that the owner of the Briggs House, a craftsman house on 3rd Avenue,
expressed a desire to be nominated for the Register, as well.
The Commission discussed the need to develop a strategy for getting owners of significant historic properties (Beeson
House, Princess Theater, and Mowatt House) to sign the required agreement so that the properties could be included on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places. The Commission directed the Registration and Education and Outreach Committees
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June 11, 2009 Page 2
meet together to identify some possible ideas for the Commission to consider at their next meeting. It was noted that if more
than three Commissioners would be present at the committee meeting, the meeting must be advertised to the public.
It was noted that Sound Transit and Amtrak have plans to refurbish the Edmonds Railroad Station, and concern was
expressed that the changes could decrease the historic value of the structure. Mr. Chave said his understanding is that the
changes to the building would be fairly minor in nature and most of the project would involve platforms, lighting, etc.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Bauer reported that the Registration Committee did not meet during the past month. She suggested that
before the Registration Committee moves onto another batch of properties, the Commission should consider opportunities
for expanding the incentive program and addressing some of the issues that have been raised by property owners. She
agreed to investigate what other successful small cities have done to provide incentives for historic preservation and report
back to the Commission at their next meeting.
The Commission brief discussed ideas for obtaining support from the majority of property owners on 4`h Avenue. It was
suggested the Commission start with a template from another comparable City, make changes to address their goals and
ideas, and then present it to the property owners for feedback. The Commission agreed it would be better to go to the
property owners on 4th Avenue with an idea rather than a finished product. It was also suggested the Commission invite
property owners who are in favor of the concept to help the Commission sell the idea to their neighbors.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Eccleshall reported that the Education and Outreach Committee did not meet during the past month. However, THE
PRESERVATIONIST is ready to be published.
Vice Chair Vogel advised that he would post THE PRESERVATIONIST on the Commission's website, and it would be
forwarded to both THE EDMONDS BEACON and THE ENTERPRISE as a press release, and Commissioner Norenberg has
agreed to distribute copies of the document throughout the community. He suggested the Commission consider opportunities
for improving the quality of the printing, and members of the Commission agreed to split the cost of professional printing.
Chair Eccleshall advised that the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST would feature an article on the International
Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall, and he has started collecting information. He has contacted the local head of the Order
of Odd Fellows who agreed to come up with a list of the original members. Once he has collected the information, he would
invite a Commissioner to write the next article.
Preservation Planning Committee
Chair Eccleshall reported the Preservation Planning Committee did not meet during the past month.
Commissioner Norenberg reported that the Federal Government has put together a project to record and document historic
buildings, feats of engineering, and significant landscaping and open space features. The goal of the project was to create
jobs, but it resulted in a large document that can be accessed via the Smithsonian Institute's website. He suggested it would
be fun to create a local version of this document, especially in the case of buildings that may be compromised or lost in the
foreseeable future. The Commission agreed that a local version of the document would be a great asset to the City,
particularly for properties that are not identified in the BOLA Report. However, they recognized that a project of this type
would take a significant amount of time. Commissioner Norenberg agreed to brainstorm the concept further and provide
suggestions for moving forward at the Commission's next meeting.
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Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Mr. Macfarlane did not provide any report during this portion of the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Cunningham advised that the ordinances for the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, Brackett's Landing and the Olympic
View Hotel would be presented to the City Council on June 16d' as part of their consent agenda. However, there is nothing
in the minutes to indicate the Commission took formal action on the Brackett's Landing and Edmonds Memorial Cemetery
sites. While the items have been moved forward to the City Council, she cautioned that the Commission should make sure
they take formal action on items in the future.
Ms. Cunningham reported that staff ran out of time to complete the ordinance for the Ganahl-Hanley Log Cabin. It would be
scheduled on the City Council's consent agenda at a later time. Chair Eccleshall and Commissioner Bauer agreed to work
with staff to finalize the ordinance.
ACTION ITEMS
The Preservationist
This item was discussed earlier on the agenda as part of the Education and Outreach Committee Report.
Media Events
There were no media events to discuss during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Eccleshall announced that he would not be in attendance at the next two Commission meetings. Vice Chair Vogel
would serve as chair on those two dates.
Chair Eccleshal reminded the Commission of a previous discussion that it would be interesting to identify how much the
owners of the Edmonds Bank building would have saved if their property had been listed on the Register before they started
their remodel. Commissioner Waite agreed to help Chair Eccleshall calculate this savings and report back to the
Commission at their next meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Vice Chair Vogel encouraged Commissioners to attend the current feature at the theater.
Ms. Cunningham announced that the City received a letter from the City of Everett announcing a public meeting on their
Downtown Historic Preservation Plan on June 23rd. She provided copies for interested Commissioners.
Vice Chair Vogel reported on his recent visit to Bellingham, particularly the Fair Haven Historic District. It is clear that the
residents in the area value the district, and it is difficult to describe the positive energy that exists. His visit inspired him to
think about what could be done in Edmonds.
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The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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