2020-02-13 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING
February 13, 2020
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Acting Chair Waite called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the 3"
Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Waite, Acting Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr
David Preston
Tim Raetzloff
Larry Vogel
Kristiana Johnson, Edmonds City Council
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Kate Kelly, Vice Chair (excused)
Emily Scott
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
OTHERS PRESENT
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2019 BE ACCEPTED AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add an update from staff on the potential of using interns to assist the Commission with outreach
and research and an update from Commissioner Deiner-Karr regarding potential properties for the Register. The 2020
Historic Calendar was also added to the agenda. The remainder of the agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of Goals and Work Plan for 2020
The Commissioners shared ideas for the 2020 Work Plan.
• Mission Statement. They agreed that the Commission's Mission Statement should be read at the beginning of each
meeting.
Purpose of the Commission. They discussed the need to review the purpose of the Commission on a regular basis
to verify whether or not it should continue to exist. The general consensus was that the Commission should
continue, but they should look for ways to be more apparent in the community. They agreed that the main focus
should be building up the Register. Questions were raised about the possibility of having support from City staff to
do research, speak to property owners, and prepare applications for the Register. Mr. Chave responded that the
Planning Department doesn't have enough staff resources to devote more time to the Commission. He suggested
they could approach the City Council with a request for a part-time staff person to assist them. It was suggested that
perhaps the Commission could meet on an as -needed basis to consider the applications that are prepared by staff.
Public Outreach. They agreed that more assertive outreach is needed. It was noted that the City is in the process
of updating its website and hiring a part-time Public Information Coordinator. They agreed it would be helpful to
invite this new person to a Commission meeting to discuss potential opportunities for using the City's webpage and
social media to communicate with the public. Target audiences could include owners of historic properties, alumni
of the schools, senior center, Downtown Edmonds Merchant's Association, Edmonds Museum and realtors. It was
suggested that Commissioners could also speak to community organizations, such as the Rotary Club and Chamber
of Commerce. They agreed to continue their discussion at the next meeting to zero in on the things they want to
focus on when they meet with the Public Information Coordinator.
• Open House for Owners of Property on the Register. They agreed that an open house would raise attention and
be fun for the property owners. In addition to inviting owners of properties on the Register, people who own
historic properties that are not yet on the Register could also be invited.
• Walking Tour. It was suggested that the walking tour map and brochure could be updated and perfected to provide
more specific information about each of the properties, which is something that is not provided on the plaques.
Informational Signage. It was discussed that some of the information provided on informational panels throughout
the City is historically inaccurate. Referring back to the Commission's Mission Statement, perhaps the Commission
should have an opportunity to review all historic markers for accuracy and appropriate location. Council Member
Johnson agreed to consider the best approach to address this concern. They discussed that the Commission could do
its own sub -level of plaques that fit the stricter guidelines for historic properties on the Register. Council Member
Johnson said the City Council approved the informational sign for the terracotta surround from the Edmonds Junior
High by a vote of 4 to 3, but she is concerned that the content of the panel is inconsistent with the Secretary of the
Interior Standards for historic properties.
• Plaques for Properties on the Register. Rather than the generic plaques that are currently used, it was discussed
that the plaques could provide more specific information about the history of the properties. Good examples can be
found in Snohomish and LaConner. It was noted that the Commission lacks funding and personnel to provide
plaques that are individual to each property. Absent a mandatory historic preservation program, Mr. Chave said it
would make no sense to do customized, expensive plaques when a property owner could decide to withdraw a
property from the Register at any time.
Interns to Assist the Commission with Outreach and Research
Mr. Chave advised that the City is working to hire interns to do public outreach and research to assist the Commission. For
example, the Commission could give them a list of historic properties and request they do initial contacts. However, he
doesn't anticipate they will be technical experts who are qualified to do a survey.
The Commission discussed the idea of creating a short video of historic properties that are already on the Register. The
videos could be sent out to owners of other historic properties to help them see the benefits of placing their properties on the
Register.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Update on the Hiring of Interns
Council Member Johnson asked Mr. Chave to provide an update on the City's effort to hire two masters -level historic
preservation students to assist the City in identifying appropriate buildings and structures in the downtown core for inclusion
on the Register. She noted that the City Council allocated $10,000 in 2019 for this purpose, and the funding was carried
over to 2020. Mr. Chave said advertisements will go out to the University of Washington, as well as a national clearing
house for interns. While they are not specifying graduate students, applicants need to have some background in architecture,
planning, and other related fields. Summer is the target date for having the two students on board.
Potential Properties for the Register
Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she visited the County Assessor's office to pull information about the house at 825 Main
Street and sent it to the architect. She said she also pulled information on the house at 757 Olympic Avenue, as well as the
house next door, which were both constructed in the early 1900s. Lastly, she said she pulled information for a house on
Maplewood Hills that is extremely unique. She submitted copies of the information she obtained to staff.
Commissioner Preston said he gave an application packet to a property owner at the corner of 31 Avenue and Caspers. He
asked if the City received the completed application. Mr. Chave agreed to check and report back.
2020 Historic Calendar
The Commissioners decided to table the 2020 calendar and prepare the calendar for 2021. They agreed that the calendar
should be printed and ready for distribution before Thanksgiving.
There were no action items.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Acting Chair Waite reported that the City's Facilities Manager was very complimentary to the Commission for its help
through the Certificate of Appropriateness process. He also reported that new plaques for the Parmelee House on 91 Avenue
and the house on Sunset Avenue) were created by the Parks Department. They were delivered to the property owners, but
haven't been installed yet.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Deiner-Karr volunteered to be in charge of planning an open house to celebrate the properties that are on the
Register.
Commissioner Raetzloff asked if there is a sense about whether or not the new Mayor supports the efforts of the
Commission. Council Member Johnson agreed to report back at the next meeting. They agreed it would be nice if Mayor
Nelson stopped by a future meeting to acknowledge the efforts of the Commission.
Council Member Johnson reported that she is pursuing three properties for the Register: the gardener's cottage in
Meadowdale, a mid-century modern home off of Olympic View Drive, and a 1926 farmhouse off of Bowdoin Way.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m
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