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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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes July 9, 2009 Page 2 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes July 9, 2009 Page 3 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes July 9, 2009 Page 4