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2023-03-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting March 9, 2023 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:37 p.m. and read the land acknowledgement. Commissioners Present Staff Present Larry Vogel (Chair) Michele Szafran, Planner Jeremy Mitchell (Exiting Vice Chair) Chris Deiner-Karr Others Present Katie Kelly David Preston Tim Raetzloff Sam Spencer (New Vice Chair) Commissioners Absent None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of January 12, 2023 HPC Minutes Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council Representative The January 42, 2023 UPC minutes were approved as presented. Scrivener's errors regarding the spelling of Commissioner Deiner-Karr's name were noted. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES Ms. Szafran told the group that the CLG (Certified Local Government) Coordinator with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Michelle Thompson, might join them at the end of the meeting to introduce herself. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no audience comments. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 9, 2023 Page 1 of4 NEW BUSINESS HPC Member Update Jeremy Mitchell reported that he was appointed to the Planning Board back in February and would need to relinquish his seat provided this doesn't impede the HPC from carrying out any business. He expressed an interested in staying involved in the weir project. There was some discussion about areas of overlap between the HPC and the Planning Board. Chair Vogel suggested that Commissioner Mitchell stay on as an ex officio member and report back to the HPC. Commissioner Mitchell indicated he would be happy to do that as long as he is able. There was some discussion about the requirements for a replacement and a couple potential candidates. Sam Spencer was nominated and unanimously elected Vice Chair. 2. Discussion on support for adding the weir to the Register Vice Chair Spencer and Commissioner Mitchell made a presentation regarding the weir including the background, issues, and repairs under review. There was interest in having the weir designated as a historic structure of some sort based on its historical relevance as part of the original water system in Edmonds. Commissioners expressed a desire to find a way to save the weir while also improving salmon conditions. There was consensus to have Chair Vogel draft and circulate a memo to Director Feser which would express the desire of the HPC to preserve, at a minimum, the portion of the upper weir with the hole in it in its current location and possibly in the future have interpretive signage so people can appreciate the historical significance of it. Councilmember Teitzel commented that Council approved $150,000 in the 2023 budget to contract an engineering study about this erosion problem. He will find out the status of this. Edmonds Motor Court on 4th — Volunteer needed Vice Chair Spencer indicated he already did this. He spoke to the value of being able to write/tell stories about the historical significance of buildings when approaching property owners. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she would try to find some photos of the Motor Court. 4. Edmonds Resident Interested in potentially listing property (820 Main Street) — HPC volunteer needed Commissioner Spencer volunteered to make this contact. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Newsletter — Preservationist Resurrection Chair Vogel said his plan was to feature an article about what is going on with the weir and Yost Park, but the issue is very convoluted right now. He would still like to feature it but wondered if they should wait until they get some degree of resolution. He commented that it could be presented as an example of some of the types of issues that come up with preservation. He has a nice article about the weir from Vice Chair Spencer that can be Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 9, 2023 Page 2 of4 included along with some of the photos from the PowerPoint presentation. Commissioners thought it was fine to go ahead and feature the article; it could be good to raise awareness. Commissioner Deiner-Karr recommended putting some of the old Preservationist articles in My Edmonds News. Chair Vogel said he would look into this but thought that Teresa would not be interested because it is now "news". Commissioner Deiner-Karr recommended having a discussion next time about the subcategory about some of the historic homes that don't qualify for the Register because they have been modified. She noted that Snohomish has done a lot of this. 2. Walking Tours — These are on hold until spring. NEW BUSINESS (continued) CLG Coordinator Michelle Thompson Introduction Ms. Thompson introduced herself and praised the group in their great work. She was pleased to hear about the focus on doing research before approaching property owners about adding them to the Edmonds Register. She recommended using Sanborn maps in these efforts. She reminded the Commission that they can apply for grant money every year to assist them with their work. She offered to come to a meeting or participate via Zoom if the Commission ever wants to do a Q&A. She invited commissioners to contact her if they want to be added to her email list. Chair Vogel recommended adding the general HPC email to the mailing list so it would come to all the commissioners. Ms. Szafran indicated she would arrange that. Commissioner Preston asked about the subcategory issue. Ms. Thompson informed the HPC that they could amend the ordinance related to this. As a CLG it is possible to have criteria that fits Edmonds' needs and allows things to be listed in Edmonds that would not qualify for state or federal lists. She offered to assist with this. Commissioners were very interested in moving forward with this. CONBUSSION CHAIR CONF4ENTS Chair Vogel: • He stated he would get the memo together for Director Feser about their desires regarding the upper weir. • He will continue to work on the Preservationist newsletter and get the weir article done. • He said he was very encouraged about the news from Michelle Thompson that they could amend the ordinance. • He thanked Sam Spencer for his willingness to serve as Vice Chair and to contact the 820 Main Street folks and the Phillips Motor Court owner. • He thanked Jeremy Mitchell for his service and noted he would be missed. • There will be a 21' Legislative District Town Hall meeting on March 18 from 10 to noon at the Waterfront Center to answer questions. CONBUSSIONER COMMENTS Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 9, 2023 Page 3 of4 Vice Chair Spencer asked others to let him know if they come across people who are interesting to talk to or having interesting information about history so he can get started working on some stories. Commissioner Preston suggested approaching property owners about being on the Register by letting them know they might be eligible for bragging rights. He also shared a story that illustrated the importance of letting people know they can come off the Register at any time. He suggested having the flag salute in addition to the land acknowledgement at the beginning of meetings as other committees in other municipalities have done. He commented that the Edmonds Municipal Code (Chapter 10.9) about the Historic Preservation Commission duties is very interesting. Ms. Szafran also referred to Chapter 20 which talks about adding properties to the Register. Commissioner Deiner-Karr recommended having a workshop to go over the code and have a discussion with Michelle Thompson about updates after the Commission has a chance to discuss potential changes. She reiterated that she would pick up paperwork in Everett about the Motor Court and 820 Main. Commissioner Raetzloff referred to 820 Maple which was taken off the Register after it was put on because they changed the upstairs windows. He wondered what sort of changes need to be made to the ordinance in order to allow more flexibility with the Register. Commissioner Mitchell noted that staff is in the process of code modernization so now is a good time to get the HPC code on their docket. He spoke to the benefit of the HPC for the quality -of -life aspect it adds to the city. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 9, 2023 Page 4 of 4