2023-04-13 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 13, 2023
CALL TO ORDER, LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, AND ROLL CALL
Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:33 p.m.
and read the land acknowledgement. Commissioner Preston led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners Present
Larry Vogel (Chair)
David Preston
Tim Raetzloff
Sam Spencer
Commissioners Absent
Chris Deiner-Karr
Katie Kelly
MINUTES:
Staff Present
Michele Szafran, Planner
Others Present
Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council Representative
Approval of January 12, 2023 (revised) and March 9, 2023 HPC Minutes
The January 12, 2023 (revised) and March 9, 2023 HPC minutes were approved as presented.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
Commissioner Preston asked to discuss less rigid standards for designating homes/buildings. This was added to
New Business. Chair Vogel added another item to New Business regarding a note he received from Andy
Eccleshall.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
NEW BUSINESS
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Potential Addition of 820 Main Street to Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Commissioner Spencer said he met with the owners. Based on visual review, he was tentatively in support of
approving this. A complete application is expected in May. The house was built in 1901. Ms. Szafran noted
there was an addition in 2004. Some photos from Commissioner Deiner-Karr were reviewed. Once the complete
application is received, staff will prepare a report and begin the public hearing process. Ms. Szafran noted they
needed more information about the integrity portion of this. Chair Vogel suggested they do not need to be as
strict as they have traditionally been if they are following the federal and state guidelines. There was consensus
that the HPC should look at loosening requirements in general.
If a photo of this home can be located prior to 1972 it would be helpful. There was discussion about whether or
not vinyl windows would have an impact. Chair Vogel recalled heated discussions regarding vinyl windows
and the Schumacher building. Ultimately, it had been determined that the vinyl windows should not stand in
the way of being on the registry.
One commissioner noted that in discussions with somebody about the Motor Inn they were very upset that the
property was not being kept up. He asked if part of the requirement for the historical designation is that it be
maintained. There was agreement that it was not. It was asked if there are any tax benefits to being on the
register. The response was that there were no immediate benefits, but if they add on to the property and meet
certain requirements, they are not taxed for the addition they make to the property for a certain number of years.
It was noted that the benefits of being on the register need to be clarified. There should be a very clear list to
hand to the homeowner which could increase the number of homes on the registry. It is also important to
differentiate requirements and benefits from being on the federal versus the local registry.
Ms. Szafran pulled up the Special Tax Valuation portion of the code and the group discussed it. The owner
would have to do improvements of at least a 25% of the assessed value of the home. The qualified rehabilitation
costs could be deducted from the assessed value of the property for ten years. Ms. Szafran noted that if someone
does something to the structure after receiving this tax credit it gets complicated for the homeowner. Otherwise,
there is nothing stopping homeowners from doing anything to their structures because it is more of an honorary
designation. Chair Vogel said he will look into this topic and get more clarity.
There was discussion about the Mayor's intention of creating a historic district downtown. When this was
brought up in the past, there was a lot of pushback from downtown building owners concerned it might restrict
what they could do with their building. The Commission discussed what happens if a historic building is torn
down. The building is removed from the registry, but the site may still be recognized. There would be no benefit
to it though.
Commissioner Spencer said he had another house that looks very similar to this on 116 - 0 Avenue that he is
trying to get on the register. Chair Vogel said he also has a home as indicated in the note from Andy Eccleshall.
Ms. Szafran stated she had invited CLG Coordinator Michelle Thompson to the next meeting. The Commission
wants to ask her if there is a handout listing benefits of being on the registry.
2. Historic District Exploration
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Chair Vogel noted this was brought up in passing during the Mayor's State of the City address but nothing had
been done since then. Ms. Szafran thought that was because the ball was in the Commission's court. Chair
Vogel said he had told the Mayor to let him know if there was anything he could do to help but he has heard
nothing. Ms. Szafran commented that there are different options for doing this. There is a national district
possibility and a local district possibility. Either way there needs to be a certain percentage of structures that
would contribute to that district. She doesn't know if there needs to be consent by owners or not for the national
district. They do have to have a certain percentage of consent for the local district. This percentage would need
to be established by Council.
Councilmember Teitzel recommended that if they want to pursue this, they should invite everyone to a town
hall type forum including citizens, building owners, tenants, downtown merchants, etc. to explain the idea and
discuss any concerns. He offered to check to see if some of these buildings would be exempt from new density
bills going around Olympia right now. If so, this could be a potential incentive.
Motion made by Commissioner Raetzloff to present a resolution that says the HPC favors the creation of a
historic district in downtown Edmonds. The purpose would be to try to preserve the way it looks now. The
motion died for lack of a second. The group indicated support for finding out more about the Mayor's intentions
before making a resolution.
Chair Vogel indicated he would contact the Mayor and try to get clarification about his intentions and what this
would mean for downtown businesses and property owners.
New Category of Designated Homes/Buildings Discussion
Chair Vogel commented that the HPC is going to reassess criteria for the main register so this discussion might
not be necessary. This is another topic they can ask Michelle Thompson about next month.
4. Note from Andy Eccleshall
Chair Vogel read the note from Mr. Eccleshall giving some background on the house and asking about the
possibility of being on the registry because of a historical connection.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• The Weir
Councilmember Teitzel explained that City Council set aside $120,000 to study the erosion problem in Shell
Creek that is being created by the sedimentation behind the weirs. It is in Parks' court right now to do something
with it, and it is on hold until June because of Parks' workload. Parks will bring in an expert to help identify an
action plan. Part of the action plan will be removing part of the weir as discussed so the stream can be realigned
away from the bank and stop the sedimentation. The sedimentation causes problems with the salmon spawning
in the lower third of Shell Creek.
Commissioner Raetzloff noted that a historic structure at Meadowdale Beach Park was destroyed within the last
year. The old culvert under the railroad had to be destroyed in the restoration process. He thought the same thing
might happen with the weir even though they don't want it to.
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Chair Vogel asked about differences in opinion between Parks and environmentalists about the criticality of this
situation for the salmon. Councilmember Teitzel reviewed Joe Scordino's opinion that this is critical from a
salmon spawning standpoint. He believes that Parks' priority is pedestrian accessibility. Councilmember Teitzel
stated the need for a holistic plan for the entire basin of the watershed.
Chair Vogel said he is still thinking about the resurrection of the Preservationist. He was going to lead with an
article about the weir but will have to come up with a different subject matter. He suggested 820 Main might be
a possibility; he is open to other ideas.
• Research collections on Motor Court and 820 Main Street (Deiner-Karr)
Ms. Szafran noted that Commissioner Deiner-Karr had given her some photos but she had not had time to look
closely at them. Commissioner Raetzloff gave some detailed history of the historical road configurations in
Edmonds.
Chair Vogel commented that one of the former members of this commission had passed away recently.
ACTION ITEMS
No additional items were noted.
COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Vogel thanked the commissioners for their work. He is looking forward to the next meeting. He will try
to bring coherent information about the actual advantages of being listed on the register.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Preston said they need to use Commissioner Raetzloff's expertise in technology to take some
videos of older people who have recollections of the history. It was noted that the museum is supposedly doing
some of this. Commissioner Preston noted that Steve Beck is someone they should talk to. Commissioner
Raetzloff agreed and noted that Steve could tell about the all the cemeteries that have been encroached on above
9th at the lower end of Yost Park and on 212t' behind the insurance agency. The building is probably built on
some graves. Commissioner Preston said it would be nice to find out more about that. He is also looking forward
to seeing Michelle Thompson next month.
Commissioner Spencer said he is working on 820 Main and wants to get started on 116 - 0 Avenue. He also
wants to try to get the historic significance of Perrinville reinstated. This will be a big project.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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