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