Loading...
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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 12, 2009 Page 2 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 12, 2009 Page 3 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 12, 2009 Page 4