Loading...
2010-11-18 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES November 18, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:35 p.m. in the 3Td Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Larry Vogel, Chair Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager Sue Bauer, Vice Chair Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services Jennifer Anttila Andy Eccleshall COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Alan Macfarlane Christine Deiner-Karr (excused) Eric Norenberg John Dewhirst (excused) Steve Waite Michael Plunkett READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES VICE CHAIR BAUER MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 2010 AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER NORENBERG 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. PRESENTATION BY MEGAN DUVALL. DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION Megan Duvall, Certified Local Government (CLG) Coordinator, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, explained that Edmonds already offers a special tax valuation incentive to owners who place their properties on City register, but this incentive really only benefits owners who are getting ready to make improvements to their buildings. Beyond that, there are not a lot of additional incentives to offer property owners unless the City was to identify independent local incentives for owners who list their properties on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. These local incentives would be attractive to primarily commercial properties and larger developments and could include relaxing parking requirements, waiving building permits, offering fagade easements, and establishing a fagade improvement program. Ms. Duvall referred to Hillyard, an old railroad town that was annexed into the City of Spokane that received a CLG Grant for $10,000. The grant was matched by the City of Spokane, and the money was awarded to property owners to complete fagade improvements with the condition that the properties must be listed on the local register. This same program has been used successfully in Cle Elum. Upon the request of Chair Vogel, Ms. Duvall agreed to share some before and after photographs of properties that participated in the program. Ms. Duvall advised that CLG grant opportunities will be announced by the end of January, and applications are typically due in April. Applicants will be invited to present their proposals to the panel sometime in May, and the panel would make their final decision shortly thereafter. Grant funding would be available October 1st. If the City receives grant funding for fagade improvements, they could solicit applications from property owners and use a design review process to award the funding to properties listed on their local Register. They could require property owners to provide matching funds. The City would be required to provide upfront funding for each project, and the State would reimburse the City when the project has been satisfactorily completed. She emphasized that no specific project designs must be submitted as part of the application for CLG grant funding. Vice Chair Bauer questioned if the City could mention the fagade improvement program as a potential incentive for listing properties on the local Register. Ms. Duvall agreed they could announce that their next intended grant application would be for a fagade improvement program. However, she cautioned that there is no guarantee the City will receive funding for the program next year. The majority of the Commissioners agreed it would be appropriate to obtain the grant funding before announcing the program to property owners. Mr. Chave asked if other jurisdictions have voluntary historic registers. Ms. Duvall answered that there are 48 Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in Washington State, and almost all are voluntary registers. Mr. Chave asked if other jurisdictions allow owners to remove properties from their registers. Ms. Duvall answered that she tries to convince jurisdictions to take this language out of their ordinance before it is formally adopted. Most ordinances state that only the historic preservation commission can remove a property from the register. Mr. Chave explained that, as currently adopted, the City allows owners to remove their properties from the local Register unless they have taken advantage of a specific incentive. He noted that, absent of incentives, the City does not have the ability to require owners to keep their properties on the register. Ms. Duvall suggested the City could require property owners who take advantage of a facade improvement grant program to sign a contract with the City that the property would remain in its current condition for 10 years. Commissioner Eccleshall asked if the application for CLG grant funding would require the Commission to identify specific properties that would be eligible for the program. Ms. Duvall clarified that the Commission could request the money without identifying specific properties. She suggested that the application should, however, indicate the number of fagade improvement projects the Commission wants to sponsor and the amount of money each project would receive. Changes to the number of projects and the amount each would receive could be worked out as the year progresses. Mr. Chave emphasized that it would make the application stronger to have at least a few potential property owners lined up to participate in the program. Ms. Duvall agreed this would be helpful to include in the application, but not mandatory. She said it would also be helpful if the City Council were to commit some matching funds for the program. Chair Vogel asked if the City would lose any grant funds that are not spent by the end of the grant period. Ms. Duvall answered that there is some room for flexibility. She pointed out that property owners that participate in the fagade improvement program could be encouraged to also take advantage of the special tax valuation incentive and perhaps do additional improvements to the building. Ms. Duvall asked how Snohomish County has used their funding from House Bill 1386. She explained that approximately five years ago, an additional $5 fee was attached to every title and deed recorded in the county, and this money was specifically earmarked for historic preservation or historic document preservation. She suggested the Commission research how this funding has been used in Snohomish County. Perhaps there are opportunities for local funding. The Commission discussed various options for obtaining mitigation funding to protect Brackett's Landing as a result of future Washington State Ferries projects. Ms. Duvall noted that Section 106 of the Federal Historic Preservation Act requires that any projects that include federal involvement must be looked at by the State's Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 18, 2010 Page 2 Historic Preservation for its impact to historic resources. Therefore, the State has a voice in this process to encourage the creative mitigation of impacts. Vice Chair Bauer asked Ms. Duvall to share information about the Federal tax credit program. Ms. Duvall answered that the Federal tax credit is a one-time, 20% tax credit that can be used in combination with other incentives such as the special tax valuation. Eligible properties must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, it only applies to commercial, income -producing properties that are not considered the property owner's place of residence. Properties that participate in the special tax valuation program are reassessed each year for 10 years, and the amount of money spent on improvements is subtracted. Vice Chair Bauer pointed out that the City's ordinance appears to imply that the Commission is responsible for ferreting out candidates for the National Register. Ms. Duvall said local CLG's are required to review any National Register nominations that come out of their jurisdiction. Therefore, the Commission would be the first body to review nominations for properties in Edmonds before they are forwarded to the State advisory group for consideration. She summarized that while the Commission could create a nomination for the National Register, they should focus their time on the local Register. At the request of Commissioner Waite, Ms. Duvall explained that historic districts are wonderful, but probably the most controversial tool available to the Commission, depending on the level of support from the community. Mr. Chave said that, as per the ordinance, the City Council authorized the Commission to pursue a historic district, but they did not specify the percentage of votes that would be required. Ms. Duvall said most communities in Washington require a positive vote from a simple majority of property owners. She suggested that establishing a fagade improvement program and emphasizing the special tax valuation incentive would help sell the historic district concept to the community. She explained that the benefit of a district is that every contributing property would be eligible for the incentives. However, changes to any property in the district, whether contributing or non-contributing, would be subject to design review and approval by the Commission. The Commission discussed the difference between historic districts and historic overlay zones. Ms. Duvall explained that although an overlay would impose certain regulatory requirements, it should not be used as a vehicle for getting incentives because properties would not actually be listed on the register. Mr. Chave clarified that every property within a historic overlay zone would be subject to specific design standards and design review procedures, but the overlay would not necessarily apply the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for rehabilitation. He added that although a majority vote is not required for a historic overlay zone, the Commission previously discussed that it would be politically difficult to impose this concept without support from the property owners. Mr. Chave explained that, as per the ordinance, the Commission has the ability to nominate and recommend approval of properties for the Register. However, the properties are not actually added to the Register until the owners have given their consent. Ms. Duvall said that in other jurisdictions, owners typically nominate their own properties for the historic register so they can utilize the special tax valuation and other incentive. She noted that Seattle, King County, Tacoma, and Lakewood are the only jurisdictions that do not require owner's consent before listing properties on their local registers. Ms. Duvall said plaque programs are also great incentives. The Commission indicated that their program provides plaques for each property listed on their Register. Mr. Chave pointed out that because owners can withdraw their properties from the Register, the plaques are generic and can be reused. Commissioner Anttila expressed her concern that it might be necessary to create historic districts in downtown Edmonds before it is demolished. Vice Chair Bauer noted that all owners of historic property in downtown Edmonds have been notified that their properties have been nominated for the Register, but most have either declined or failed to respond. Ms. Duvall said many other jurisdictions are struggling with this same problem. Mr. Chave observed that communities that have been established as CLG's for longer periods of time have a track record and momentum. The benefits of listing on the Register are more visible, and it is not so hard to get property owners on board. He suggested one positive approach would be to invite property owners on the Register to participate in the fagade improvement program. These improvements would be highly visible and would allow other property owners to better understand the benefits associated with the Register. To help educate the public, Ms. Duvall suggested the Commission consider establishing a blog that provides stories and photos Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 18, 2010 Page 3 about local history and historic properties. She said she has been very surprised at the positive response the State has received for their blog. Vice Chair Bauer asked why no other jurisdictions, besides Spokane and Seattle, have used fagade easements as an incentive for historic preservation. She expressed concern about Downtown Edmonds, which is quickly being ruined by speculative real estate. Many property owners in the downtown are no longer appropriately maintaining their buildings because they anticipate the economy will improve and they can sell for redevelopment. The City has limited buildings heights and increased parking requirements to discourage mixed -use redevelopment of historic buildings, but it is difficult to get people to recognize the value of the traditional downtown. She expressed her belief that a fagade easement program could be a valuable incentive for encouraging historic preservation. Ms. Duvall said she does not have extensive knowledge about fagade easements. She questioned if owners would view them as a property value reduction because the building's fagade would be owned by the City. Vice Chair Bauer pointed out that property owners who are on the National Register and participate in a fagade easement program are eligible to receive a Federal tax credit equal to the difference between a pre - appraisal and an appraisal of the property if it had been redeveloped to its highest and best use. Mr. Chave said the tax credit is an incremental amount relative to the total value of the property. Seattle uses the fagade easement as part of an overall incentive package for larger projects. However, it is typically not the driving incentive. Ms. Duvall added that the fagade easement process is almost too daunting to be a desirable option for small projects. Ms. Duvall invited the Commissioners to call her with more questions at her office (360-586-3074) or on her cell phone (360-584-5900). Her email address is megan.duvall@dahp.wa.gov. COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee The Registration Committee did not have any items to report. Education and Outreach Committee Chair Vogel provided a draft of the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST, which features the Palmer House. He said he would try to include a picture of the inscription on a log in the attic of the house dating back to 1895. He would also contact Council Member Plunkett, who indicated a desire to sponsor the cost of printing. Chair Vogel announced that a press event is scheduled for December 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Palmer House. He agreed to notify the various local newspapers and invite them to attend. Copies of THE PRESERVATIONIST should be available for distribution at the event, as well. The Mayor has indicated enthusiastic support for the event. Preservation Planning Committee Commissioner Waite reported that the Preservation Comprehensive Plan as it relates to historic preservation. OTHER REPORTS Edmonds South Snohomish Countv Historical Socie Planning Committee is in the process of reviewing the City's Commissioner Macfarlane announced that a new Exhibit titled, "Playing with the Past: A Festive Trip Down Memory Lane," opened on November IOth and will remain on display through December 31st. The exhibit is a display of antique childhood toys. He read an article about the exhibit, which was published in the November 10tn ENTERPRISE. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Updated Strategic Plan Ms. Cunningham reminded the Commission that their Strategic Plan needs to be updated. Commissioner Waite advised that the Preservation Planning Committee would work on this project and report back at a future meeting. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 18, 2010 Page 4 Final Calendar Photo Selection Commissioner Norenberg agreed to review the photographs for the calendar and present his preferred choices to the Commission for final acceptance. To aid in the final selection process, he invited Commissioners to forward him their individual lists of what they view as the top 10 dates in Edmonds history. Potential Property Nominations Vice Chair Bauer indicated she would revisit the status of the Beason Building nomination. Ms. Cunningham reported that Commissioner Eccleshall recently turned in a nomination from Ms. Muir for property that is referred to as "the Edmonds Arboretum" and is located near South County Park. While Ms. Muir provided a stack of documents, none of them provided sufficient information for staff to prepare a report, and they have been unable to locate additional information elsewhere. Vice Chair Bauer agreed to contact Ms. Muir and invite her to provide the necessary information for staff to proceed with the nomination. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Vogel reported that Commissioner Eccleshall invited the Commissioners to visit the museum after the meeting, where refreshments are being served. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Anttila asked that a discussion regarding plaque location be placed on the December 9th agenda. Commissioner Norenberg asked if the Commission could apply for grant money to help the City and/or Commission purchase and preserve historic properties. Commissioner Anttila suggested it might be better to approach Snohomish County for money from the House Bill 1386 fund. Commissioner Norenberg suggested the Rose House would be a prime candidate for grant funding. ADJOURNMENT The Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 18, 2010 Page 5