2010-12-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
December 9, 2010
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 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
Jennifer Anttila Diane Cunningham, Planning and Development Services
Christine Deiner-Karr
Andy Eccleshall COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Alan Macfarlane Sue Bauer, Vice Chair (excused)
Eric Norenberg John Dewhirst (excused)
Michael Plunkett Steve Waite (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER ANTTILA MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18,
2010 AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER NORENBERG SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
Election of 2011 Historic Preservation Commission Officers was added to the agenda under New Business. The remainder
of the agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Reeistration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that a plaque was placed on the Palmer House. The Commission agreed to schedule a
press event in early 2011 when the plaque is placed on the Frances Anderson Center.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Vogel reviewed that the plaque ceremony at the Palmer House was a successful event, with good press coverage. The
Commission thanked Commissioner Anttila for organizing the event. Chair Vogel announced that the editor of a new news
outlet, edmondspatch.com, has invited the Commission to submit a weekly column. He agreed to submit the first article for
publication in January. Commissioner Eccleshall advised that the editor of myedmondsnews.com also requested the
Commission do a column. The Commission agreed that Chair Vogel, Commissioner Eccleshall and Commissioner
Norenberg would collaborate together to write a monthly column and forward it to both organizations. Chair Vogel noted
that edmondspatch.com would pay for the column, and Mr. Chave agreed to research whether this money could be donated
to the Commission. They agreed to discuss the issue again at their January meeting.
Chair Vogel announced that the latest edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST has been published and is available for
distribution. It is also available on the Commission's website.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Eccleshall announced that the Preservation Planning Committee has been working on the Strategic Plan,
which is scheduled for discussion later on the agenda.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Macfarlane announced that there are two different trains on display at the Museum. They did not receive a lot
of money from the Halloween event, so changes will be made for next year. Commissioner Eccleshall added that the
Museum's playing card fundraiser has been very successful.
The Preservationist
Chair Vogel advised that the next edition would feature the Frances Anderson Center. Council Member Plunkett agreed to
sponsor the next edition by purchasing the paper for in-house printing. Council Member Plunkett agreed to supply an
advertisement for the sponsorship block.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on Updated Strategic Pan
Commissioner Eccleshall provided an updated draft of the Commission's Strategic Plan, which identified all of the
amendments and edits in red and blue. He said Mr. Chave suggested the goals be spread out over a two-year period. The
Commission concurred. They reviewed the document and made the following changes and comments:
Registration Committee Planned Action Items
• Goal 1 — The goal for the number of properties to add to the Register each year should be changed from 7 to 5.
• Goal 2 — This list would likely increase once the expanded survey has been completed. It is anticipated a consultant
would start work in January, with the bulk of the work being completed by mid year.
• Goal 3 — A member of the Registration Committee should make verbal contact with the property owner before a letter
is sent out. The letter should also be changed to use a more personal tone.
• Goal 4 — It is important to network with neighboring Commissions.
• Goal 5 — The Commission agreed this goal should be moved to the Education and Outreach Committee in conjunction
with creating a web blog for registered property owners.
• Goal 6 — The Commission agreed that this goal could also be accomplished by the Education and Outreach Committee
as part of the web blog.
Education and Outreach Committee Planned Action Items
• Goal 1 — The Committee has already started the calendar project.
• Goals 2, 3, 4 and 5 — These goals should be combined as elements of a single goal related to the Commission's website
and blog. Once created, the document listing and describing properties on the Register could be made available on the
website. Rather than sending newsletters to those who own properties of significant historic value (Goal 3), the
Commission could send targeted mailings to property owners, providing copies of their latest publications and an
invitation to visit the website and subscribe to the blog. The media should be notified of the blog so they can
announce it the public.
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December 8, 2010 Page 2
• Goal 6 — The thought was that Commissioner Waite would educate the Commission on how to conduct walking tours
so they can all take a turn. Perhaps they could do walking tours in conjunction with the City's 4"' of July celebration.
• Goal 7 — Change this goal to read, "Have a regular presence at Edmonds civic events." This could include the Arts
Festival, Taste of Edmonds, the Summer Market, etc.
• Goals 8 and 9 — These goals can be combined into a single event for those on the Register, as well as others who are
interested in historic preservation.
• Goal 10 — It was discussed that the Commission has approached the City Council with a request for $7,500 to fund
publication of the newsletter and the updated walking tour brochure. If money is left over, they could ask the City
Council for permission to spend the balance on another project.
Preservation Planning Committee Planned Action Items
• Goal 1 — The updated Strategic Plan has been presented for the Commission's consideration.
• Goal 2 — The Committee is working on a Preservation Plan, but the goal language should be reworded and the date of
mid January needs to be changed, as well.
• Goal 3 — No change or comment.
• Goal 4 — No change or comment.
• Goal 5 — It was noted that the descriptions are clear for properties in the BOLA Report. However, the Commission
needs to be educated on how to describe the historic features of nominations that involve buildings not identified in the
BOLA Report.
• Goal 6 — The Commission agreed to review their progress on the goals in the Strategic Plan on a quarterly basis.
• Goal 7 — It was discussed that the Commission would not be responsible for selecting a survey consultant, but a few
Commissioners would be invited to participate in the interview process.
Commissioner Eccleshall agreed to update the draft Strategic Plan and send it out to the Commissioners via email. He
invited them to provide additional input so the document could be further updated in preparation for a continued discussion
and approval in January.
Review of Draft Handout on Plaque Location Guidelines
Commissioner Anttila suggested the Commission have a discussion about whether or not a handout related to plaque location
is even necessary. Commissioner Norenberg recalled the purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that plaques are posted in
locations that are highly visible and to avoid potential damage caused by plaques being placed directly on historic structures.
The Commission agreed to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
Election of Historic Preservation Commission Officers for 2011
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL NOMINATED COMMISSIONER VOGEL AS CHAIR OF THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2011. COMMISSIONER ANTTILA SECONDED THE NOMINATION.
THERE WERE NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS SO NOMINATIONS WERE CLOSED. THE COMMISSION
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE COMMISSIONER VOGEL AS CHAIR.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR NOMINATED COMMISSIONER BAUER AS VICE -CHAR OF THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2011. COMMISSIONER NORENBERG SECONDED THE
MOTION.
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL NOMINATED COMMISSIONER NORENBERG AS VICE CHAIR OF THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2011. COMMISSIONER VOGEL SECONDED THE
MOTION.
THERE WERE NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS SO NOMINATIONS WERE CLOSED.
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December 8, 2010 Page 3
Commissioner Norenberg advised that he has obligations that might make it difficult for him to serve as vice chair. The
Commission decided to postpone the vote for vice chair until Commissioner Bauer has been notified of her nomination.
Final Calendar Photo Selection
Commissioner Norenberg said he is using his friend's graphic design suite to finalize the calendar photographs.
Commissioner Eccleshall reminded Commissioner Norenberg that he has digital files for all of the photographs. It was
discussed that the calendar is intended to be for 2012 and perhaps the last quarter of 2011. Council Member Plunkett agreed
to approach the City Council with a request to change the allocation of the Commission's funding request to also include the
calendar project.
Discussion on Updates to Walking Tour Brochure
Ms. Cunningham noted there is some inaccurate information in the current brochure, but she suggested they postpone their
discussion until they are ready to move forward with the project.
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Potential Property Nominations
The Commission agreed to spend time at their January meeting reviewing the list of property owners who have not
responded to the letter that was sent out.
Updates to Historic Inventory
Commissioner Eccleshall advised that the BOLA Report states the Beeson Building was built in 1909, but the entire block
actually burned down in 1909. The building was likely finished in 1910 or 1911. He agreed to conduct further research to
resolve the discrepancy.
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Chair Vogel said he is honored by the Commission's expression of confidence in electing him to serve as Chair of the
Commission again. He has enjoyed serving as Chair and he is looking forward to a great 2011.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Eccleshall thanked Chair Vogel for serving as chair, which he has done well.
At the request of the Commission, Ms. Cunningham agreed to notify the Commissioners of when their terms expire.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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