2009-07-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
July 9, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 4:35 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Larry Vogel, Vice Chair Kernen Lien, Planner, Planning and Development Services
Jennifer Anttila Francis Chapin, Cultural Services Manager
Christine Deiner-Karr Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services
Daniel Kerege (arrived at 4:39 p.m.)
Alan Macfarlane COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Eric Norenberg Andy Eccleshall, Chair
Steve Waite (arrived at 4:50 p.m.) Sue Bauer
Michael Plunkett
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER NORENBERG MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 2009
AS PRESENTED. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
No changes were made 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.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Anttila reported that the Registration Committee was unsuccessful in their attempted to contact property
owners of previously nominated properties who have not responded. She further reported that the Committee did not meet
during the past month.
Commissioner Norenberg reported that he responded to an email the City received from a tenant of a home on 3rd Avenue
regarding the opportunity to nominate the property for the Register. He said he was unable to find any historic information
regarding the structure, and the tenant has not responded as to whether the property owner would be interested in nominating
the property for the Register.
Education and Outreach Committee
Vice Chair Vogel announced that the most recent edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST has been printed and distributed. He
noted that funding ($75) for the higher quality copies was provided by Council Members Bernheim and Plunkett.
Commissioner Waite distributed copies of the document at the June Art Walk, and it is now available on the Commission's
website. He advised that stripped out text and photographs, as well as a PDF file, were forwarded to both THE BEACON
and THE ENTERPRISE, but he has yet to receive a response. He further announced that the website has been updated and
offers downloadable copies of THE PRESERVATIONIST and other Commission articles.
Vice Chair Vogel advised that the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST would include a piece on the International Order
of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall. He is still in the process of editing the document, and would have a draft for the Commission's
review on August 13th. Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested that when the article is finished, it should be forwarded to the
current owner of the IOOF Hall for review and comment. Perhaps they would be willing to help fund the next printing in
exchange for recognition in the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST. If not, Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to fund
the next printing.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have anything to report during this portion of the meeting.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner MacFarlane announced that the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society's intern has converted
the Museum's entire collection of small pictures to a digital format for the computer. Presently, she is working to do the
same with the larger photographs. Once the project has been completed, the Museum would be able to provide access all the
pictures based on subject matter. Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested the Museum could sell the disks as a fundraiser. It
was also suggested that the digital pictures be made available on line.
Commissioner MacFarlane announced that the Museum is in the process of updating their cabinets to address safety issues.
He also reported that the Historical Society had a wonderful experience with their 4th of July float. They received the
Mayor's Trophy, which is the highest honor for the parade. He noted the trophy is on display at the Museum.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion of Boundaries for 4th Avenue Area Historic Overlay and How to Proceed
Vice Chair Vogel provided a map of the proposed boundaries for the 4th Avenue Historic Overlay, which identifies the
property that has already been listed on the Register, as well as properties that are eligible for the Register or would add to
the character of the corridor. Commissioner Waite reminded the Commission of their previously stated desire to coordinate
their overlay effort with the City's implementation of the 4th Avenue Cultural Corridor Plan.
Ms. Chapin emphasized that the 4th Avenue Cultural Corridor Plan area extends from south of Main Street down past the
Edmonds Center for the Arts to Third Avenue. The planned improvements would transform the street and sidewalk right-of-
ways into a single -level surface, with a curbless road. The intent is to significantly improve pedestrian access. A new pocket
park would be created in the triangular area at the corner of Edmonds Street and 4th Avenue. The City hopes that property
owners along the corridor would work with their own properties in ways that are consistent with the intended look and feel.
Vice Chair Vogel asked if the proposed overlay would set certain criteria for the properties that would contribute to the
overall character of the area. Commissioner Waite agreed that is the intent. He said that while the Commission could assist
in drafting design standards and criteria, the property owners would have the most significant role in the process.
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The Commission discussed what the next step in the process should be and what their role would be. They agreed the most
successful approach would be for the property owners to initiate the process, and the first step should be to contact property
owners on 4th Avenue asking them to share their initial thoughts. The Commission agreed to continue their discussion
regarding the best way to approach the property owners at their August 13th meeting. It was suggested that perhaps the
Commission should start by identifying some universal standards that would apply to all historic overlay districts in the City.
Ms. Chapin also suggested the Commission research the processes that have been used by other jurisdictions to create
historic overlays.
COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT THE AUGUST 13TH AGENDA INCLUDE A DISCUSSION
REGARDING THE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING A 4TH AVENUE HISTORIC OVERLAY. IN THE
MEANTIME, COMMISSIONERS COULD BE ASSIGNED TO RESEARCH THE PROCESSES USED BY OTHER
COMMUNITIES. COMMISSIONER ANTTILA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Status of Previously Nominated Properties That Have Not Responded
Commissioner Anttila noted that this issue was discussed earlier as part of the Registration Committee's report
Discussion of Recruitment Strategy
Discussion regarding this item was postponed to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Trees
Commissioner Anttila referred to a video that was prepared by Council Member Bernheim to illustrate areas in the City
where tree roots have damaged the pavement and sidewalks. She noted that the City Council would consider a proposal to
remove the trees, and she encouraged individual Commissioners to attend the meeting and provide their comments about
how trees contribute to the ambiance in the downtown corridor. Perhaps they could suggest alternatives for repairing the
pavement and sidewalks instead of removing the trees.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr recalled that at the last meeting, Chair Eccleshal invited Commissioner Waite to help him
identify how much the owners of the Edmonds Bank Building would have saved if the property had been listed on the
Register before the remodel project was started. Commissioner Waite clarified that he could only use the information
derived from public records. The Commission agreed this information would be helpful to future Commission discussions.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested the Commission make a decision about projects they want to pursue in 2010 for which
grant funding might be available. She suggested the Commission attempt to finish the BOLA Report. There may also be
grant opportunities to fund THE PRESERVATIONIST printing costs on a long-term basis.
Ms. Cunningham announced that a contractor has approached the City with plans to add on to the structure that has been
identified as the oldest house in Edmonds.
ACTION ITEMS
The Preservationist
This item was discussed earlier as part of the Education and Outreach Committee's report.
Media Events
Commissioner Waite inquired if the Education and Outreach Committee has figured out a way to count the number of hits
the Commission's website receives. Vice Chair Vogel said he would work on this issue during the next month.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Vice Chair Vogel did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Ms. Chapin announced that prints of the aerial photograph of Edmonds, Circa 1949, can be purchased for $15 at the Frances
Anderson Center. She noted staff has received a number of requests for the map over the years. She also announced that
staff printed 200 copies of THE PRESERVATIONIST that featured the Princess Theater, and they will be distributed to each
of the Write on the Sound Conference participants. She expressed support for posting THE PRESERVATIONIST on the
Commission's website. Vice Chair Vogel agreed but noted that getting approval to post the document has involved a lengthy
process. Ms. Cunningham was asked to research and clarify the process.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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