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2023-06-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting June 8, 2023 CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, AND FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Spencer called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. and read the Land Acknowledgement.' Commissioner Preston led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners Present Larry Vogel (Chair) Chris Deiner-Karr Katie Kelly David Preston Tim Raetzloff Sam Spencer Commissioners Absent None MINUTES: Staff Present Michele Szafran, Planner Others Present Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council Representative Approval of May 11, 2023 HPC Minutes The May 11, 2023 HPC minutes were presented. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES Ms. Szafran distributed copies of the presentation from Michelle Thompson and the draft newsletter. Chair Vogel recommended adding discussions to the agenda about the draft newsletter and about budget ideas. Councilmember Teitzel added that the City Council is starting to think about next year's budget. If there are specific things the HPC wants funded they should let the Council know as soon as possible. REOUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no audience comments. 1 Chair Vogel arrived right after the meeting was called to order and assumed the role of Chair. Historic Preservation Commission June 8, 2023 Pagel of 3 NEW BUSINESS Discussion about Draft Newsletter Chair Vogel noted that Commissioner Spencer had worked hard on the writing of this while he worked on the layout. The topic was the Yost Park water system and the historical significance of the existing structures. There are environmental issues around it that need to be mentioned, but that is not the focus of the HPC. Councilmember Teitzel commented that this was very well written. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she had read they had put in fingerlings into the stream already. She wondered if that was premature since they haven't done the improvements there yet. Councilmember Teitzel said it was not and noted that Joe Scordino who was in attendance might be able to share more information. Joe Scordino commented that there are two weirs plus a concrete dam structure under one of the bridges. There's also a very large metal ring structure further down. He wondered if Commissioner Spencer could do some more digging to find out about what the system looked like — how it was set up and how water was delivered. He pointed out that he has been monitoring the creek every month for eight years and noticed that the upper weir was having an impact on the bluff above. In 2019 there were two significant rain events that impacted the weir, the creek, and the bluff. He expressed concern that the whole bluff is going to be impacted with significant erosion problems. He reviewed some background on this and actions he feels should be taken. He recommended that the HPC advocate for keeping the upper structure where it is. He also discussed details of his recommendation for addressing the issues with the creek. Chair Vogel thanked him for the information and noted the HPC's focus is on the historical significance of this. They are interested in the visual part and some interpretive signage to tell the history of the area. Councilmember Teitzel agreed with Mr. Scordino that the HPC's focus should be on the upper weir and let the lower weir situation be addressed as needed. The UPC concurred. Chair Vogel commented on his interest in preserving the ring -shaped portion. Mr. Scordino proposed an interim approach to hand dig a channel with volunteers to move the creek away from the base of the bluff before the winter. This would require an emergency permit, and the work would need to be done before salmon spawning season in September. Suggestions were made regarding the newsletter: correct the spelling of Joe's name, define weir, and reorganize the part regarding the mission. There was discussion about where this will be distributed. 2. Discussion about Budget Request Items for City Council Chair Vogel will send a memo to Councilmember Teitzel with a request from the HPC for $10,000 for calendars in 2024. 1. Historic Preservation Training Summary Ms. Szafran reviewed the summary document from the training. She encouraged the Commission to keep this handy as reference material. Commissioner Deiner-Karr commented on the need to update the HPC's documents. Ms. Szafran suggested that it may not need to be changed; it might just be the way the code is Historic Preservation Commission June 8, 2023 Page 2 of 3 interpreted. There was discussion about various houses and historical sites and the desire to increase the number of houses on the Register. Commissioner Deiner-Karr and Ms. Szafran will look to see if one of them has the old 820 Maple application so they can follow up on getting this on the Register. Commissioner Spencer will talk to the new owners about their interest and see if they still have the plaque. 2. Continued Discussion of Research, Projects, and Events There was more discussion about potential houses for the Register. Commissioner Deiner-Karr discussed some research she had done. Commissioner Preston asked how they would handle new homes that have been built on historical sites. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said they would just need to talk to the owner and see if they wanted to have a plaque in their yard and then go through the application process. Chair Vogel asked if they need to get more plaques. Ms. Szafran said she hasn't seen any but she can check around to see if anyone knows. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she would check with Diane. Commissioner Raetzloff said he might also speak with Diane. Commissioner Raetzloff noted that the full application for 820 Main is in and they are waiting for the staff report and notice requirements. Ms. Szafran said she will try to have it ready for a public hearing next month. Ms. Szafran noted they have two vacant professional positions and have not gotten any applications. COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Vogel thanked everyone for showing up and looking at the newsletter. He is very pleased to get it back on track again. He thanked Commissioner Spencer for all his work on it. He is looking forward to looking over the materials distributed by Ms. Szafran. The next meeting is scheduled for July 13. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Raetzloff asked about taking another look at the oldest house in Edmonds on 9' Avenue North even though it falsifies history with the new portion of the house. Commissioner Deiner-Karr thought if they focused on who lived there and built it instead of the integrity of the architecture, it could qualify. Commissioner Deiner-Karr stated they need to go back to some of the houses that were previously declined and see if they could qualify under the standards as they understand them now. She will gather a list of all those houses. Councilmember Teitzel spoke to the need to be consistent with the application of the standards. Commissioner Preston read the mission statement of the HPC and recommended adding it to the meeting agenda layout toward the beginning of the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission June 8, 2023 Page 3 of 3