2009-11-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
November 12, 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 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Andy Eccleshall, Chair
Christine Deiner-Karr (arrived at 4:40 p.m.)
Sue Bauer (arrived at 4:40 p.m.)
Alan Macfarlane
Steve Waite
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
STAFF PRESENT
Kernen Lien, Planner
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Larry Vogel, Vice Chair (excused)
Jennifer Anttila (excused)
Eric Norenberg (excused)
Michael Plunkett (excused)
There was no one in the audience who expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR VACANT COMMISSION POSITION
The Commission interviewed John Dewhirst, a candidate for the vacant Commission position.
CHAIR ECCLESHALL MOVED THE COMMISSION APPOINT JOHN DEWHIRST TO FILL THE VACANT
COMMISSION POSITION. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Bauer reported that after contacting several historic organizations for input and information, she came away
with the idea that perhaps the Commission should approach property owners of historic properties in Edmonds and ask them
what would want or need in order to save the structures. In order to do so, the Registration Committee should become well
versed as to what benefits the various registries offer. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said this could consist of a simple
spreadsheet to outline all of the opportunities. Commissioner Bauer said it would also be helpful to spend some time
mapping out the various resources available to the Commission. The Registration Committee agreed to meet as soon as
possible to begin the task.
Commissioner Bauer referred to the Bettinger House at 555 Main Street. Because the property is located in a residential
zone, no commercial use would be allowed without specific City review and approval to ensure the building meets code
requirements. This requirement has stopped Susan Blalock from moving forward with her fundraising efforts.
Commissioner Bauer said she suggested that Ms. Blalock and her architect meet with the City's Building Official to work
through the situation and research additional opportunities to preserve the home. In the meantime, she researched an option
that would allow a property owner to place an easement on some portion of his/her historic property, and he/she would be
granted a tax deduction equal to the difference between the before and after easement values. The Commission agreed the
Registration Committee should solicit more input from staff about the possibility of the City offering the easement option to
the property owner. Commissioner Waite agreed to meet with Ms. Blalock to find out more information about how she
intends to use the structure in the future, since this will play a significant role in determining the required upgrades.
Commissioner Waite recalled the Commission has also discussed the possibility of offering an expedited permit process and
a reduction in permit fees for properties that are identified on the Register. However, this change would require City Council
approval. Chair Eccleshall recalled the Registration Committee's earlier discussion with the Building Official, who indicated
these two options would not be feasible at this point in time.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Eccleshall reported that the Education and Outreach Committee did not meet over the past month. He further reported
that "The Preservationist" is still not ready for publication because he has not heard back from the previous owner of the
Railroad Foreman's house who knows the date the house was built and when it was moved, and he also has a photograph of
the house when it was on the trailer being moved. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to contact the South Snohomish
County Historical Society for clarifying information.
Preservation Planning Committee
Chair Eccleshall reported that the Preservation Planning Committee did not meet during the past month.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner MacFarlane reported that last year the Society's Halloween event raised $600, but this year they were able to
net $1,200. The busiest time was after 6:00 p.m. He expressed his belief that the event would become a tradition.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported on the Society's Annual Meeting, which featured a presentation by a "historic
detective."
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion about Rearrangement of Agenda
Chair Eccleshall expressed concern that because the Commission spends a great deal of time on their committee reports at
the beginning of each agenda, some of their large projects are not moving along. He suggested the Commission create some
floating committees to work on specific large issues such as the Bettinger House, plaques, historic overlays, etc.
COMMISSIONER BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION RESTRUCTURE THE COMMITTEES TO REFLECT
THE CURRENT ISSUES. THE COMMITTEES WOULD CHANGE OVER TIME AS THE ISSUES EVOLVE.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Fundraising Ideas for Plagues/Discussion of Grant Ideas
The Commission reviewed a draft statement that was prepared by Commissioner Bauer on behalf of the Commission to the
City Council requesting funding for the plaque program. The Commission recalled that at an earlier time, a previous
Commission Member contacted people in the community with a request for funding for the plaque program, and
approximately $2,000 was raised for this purpose. The funding was not used, and the Commission needs to find out where
the money is now.
The Commission agreed the statement should be changed to make it clear that the plaques would remain the property of the
City of Edmonds. They agreed the statement, as amended, should be presented to the City Council
Next, the Commission reviewed the draft statement that requests the City Council allocate $4,000 per year to fund payment
of the permit fee of $625 per meeting with building officials for any structure already on the National, State or Local
Register until the yearly amount has been exhausted. Commissioner Waite suggested that rather than asking for money from
the City Council to pay the fees, the Commission could ask that the fees not be collected from the owners of historic
properties. Chair Eccleshall suggested that perhaps the Commission should request that the City Council waive the fees for
the first five historic properties per year.
The Commission discussed the possibility of soliciting the South Snohomish County Historical Society's support for the
plaque program. Chair Eccleshall said he met with the Society's President, Fred Bell, who indicated that he would like the
Society's Plaque Committee to get started again so the Commission and the Society could work together. The Society could
choose to do an additional plaque (more informative) for some properties on the Edmonds Register.
The Commission discussed whether or not they are allowed to fundraise. They also discussed the option of approaching the
Society for funding ($3,000) each year to pay the fees for pre -meetings with owners of historic properties and the City's
Building Official. The funding would be held by the City, and any unused portion would be carried over to the next year.
They agreed they should approach the City Council first for funding opportunities for the plaque program and to offer some
fee relief to owners of historic properties.
Bettinger House Update
This item was discussed earlier as part of the Registration Committee's Report.
Election of Commissioner Officers
Chair Eccleshall agreed to send out an email to all Commissioners soliciting input on the Commission's 2010 Chair and Vice
Chair. They agreed to discuss the issue again at their next meeting. They also agreed to have a discussion about possibly
changing the meeting time to 5:00 p.m. beginning in January 2010.
Historic Overlay Zone/Letter to 4th Avenue Residents
The Commission discussed the idea of sending a letter to property owners on 4th Avenue explaining the Historic Overlay
concept and inviting them to contact a Commissioner for more information. Chair Eccleshall suggested the letter would be a
useful tool for gauging the property owner's reaction and support. The letter could invite the property owners to a public
meeting in March. If the property owners appear interested in pursuing the concept, the Commission could spend some time
preparing a proposal. The Commission agreed the letter should be sent out by staff before Thanksgiving. A second letter
could be sent out in January.
ACTION ITEMS
The Preservationist
Chair Eccleshall indicated that as soon as the dates have been clarified, THE PRESERVATIONIST would be printed.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Eccleshall did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Deiner-Karr once again offered to purchase a high -quality paper for printing the next edition of THE
PRESERVATIONIST in house.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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