2012-01-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
January 12, 2012
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Eccleshall called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the 3rd
Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
STAFF PRESENT
Andy Eccleshall
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
Christine Deiner-Karr
John Dewhirst
OTHERS PRESENT
Eric Norenberg
Lora Petso, City Council Member
Steve Waite
William Muller, Commission Applicant
Michael Plunkett, City Council Member
Meg Keogh, Commission Applicant
Tim Raetzloff, Commission Applicant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Larry Vogel, Chair (excused)
Fred Bell
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8, 2011 AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No one in the audience expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
DISCUSSION WITH COMMISSION APPLICANTS
Discussion with Bill Muller
Mr. Muller briefly shared his experience with restoring and preserving two historic homes in California, which are now
occupied by the Banning and Muller Museums. He said he went through the process to list the Muller Home on the National
and Los Angeles Register of Historic Places, so he is familiar with the process. He said he is also still active on the Friends of
Banning Museum Board and served on the Building and Grounds Committee for a new exhibit at the Banning Museum. He
said he enjoys history very much, and he would like to utilize his experience to help the Edmonds Historic Preservation
Commission. He said he moved to Edmonds four years ago to be close to his children.
Discussion with Meg Keogh
Ms. Keogh said she has always been interested in historic preservation, and she has been lucky enough to live in areas of the
world where it is important. She previously owned and restored a home in Pacific Grove, California, that Robert Lewis
Stevenson once lived in. She briefly shared her experiences while participating on various historic preservation commissions
in the areas where she has lived. She said she has worked in the field of interior design for 25 years and recently received her
LEED Certification. She feels a real sense of community in Edmonds, and she wants to be part of this effort. She said she
believes she has sufficient time to commit to Commission activities, and she is making an effort to become more familiar with
Edmonds' history. She summarized that because of her strong architectural background and previous experience in historic
preservation, she believes she can be an asset to the Commission. It was noted that Ms. Keogh lives in Shoreline, and the
Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance allows the Mayor to make an exception for residency. Ms. Keogh said she
previously lived in Edmonds and plans to move back at some point in the future.
Discussion with Tim Raetzloff
Mr. Raetzloff said he has been exploring the ghost town of Alpine, Washington, for three years, and recently they uncovered
the entire foundation of the sawmill and the school. He said his eclectic interest in history goes back more than 50 years. He
shared that he recently used a historic survey map to walk the entire route of historic Snohomish County Roadway 49. He
commented that all of the candidates are well -qualified. If he is not chosen, he would continue to participate in historic
preservation efforts in Edmonds anyway. Mr. Raetzloff suggested that the best way to capture people's interest in historic
preservation is to constantly talk to them about the fascinating elements of Edmonds' history that they can relate to. Mr.
Raetzloff commented that he believes he has adequate time to fulfill Commission responsibilities.
Commission Discussion
The Commission recalled that they interviewed applicant, Gerry Tays, at their December 8th meeting. They discussed that
there are currently two vacant positions, and the Commission has requested to expand their membership by three. However,
there are only four applicants to fill the five positions. After discussing the pros and cons, the Commissioners indicated their
continued support for a 12-member Commission, recognizing that the City would have to re -advertise for additional
candidates. They reviewed each of the candidates and made the following recommendations:
• COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT GERRY
TAYS BE APPOINTMENT TO SERVE ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
• COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT WILLIAM
MULLER BE APPOINTMENT TO SERVE ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
• COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT MEG
KEOGH BE APPOINTMENT TO SERVE ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
• COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT TIM
RAETZLOFF BE APPOINTMENT TO SERVE ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
COMMISSIONER NORENBERG SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.
ELECTION OF 2012 OFFICERS
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER VOGEL BE APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE
COMMISSION FOR 2012. COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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January 12, 2012 Page 2
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR NOMINATED COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST AS VICE CHAIR OF THE
COMMISSION FOR 2012. COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL SECONDED THE NOMINATION.
COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST NOMINATED COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL AS VICE OF THE
COMMISSION FOR 2012. THE NOMINATION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR NOMINATED COMMISSIONER NORENBERG AS VICE CHAIR OF THE
COMMISSION FOR 2012. COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST SECONDED THE MOTION.
COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST WAS ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION BY A VOTE OF 4-1.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Eccleshall reported that he and Commissioner Norenberg have discussed various potential Commission
publications, and they would like to discuss their ideas at the February 9th Commission meeting.
OTHER REPORTS
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Bell was not present to provide a report.
NEW BUSINESS
3rd Avenue House
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported on recent efforts to nominate a house on 3rd Avenue to the Edmonds Register of Historic
Properties. She indicated while she has obtained historic pictures of the house, she is having a difficult time tracking the
previous property owners to learn more about the house and a potential fire that occurred on the site. Commissioners
Eccleshall and Deiner-Karr agreed to work together to research the property and complete the nomination application.
Community Activities That Promote Historic Preservation
Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested the Commission consider opportunities to work with the Edmonds South Snohomish
County Chamber of Commerce to identify potential community activities that would not only bring people to Edmonds but
would help promote historic preservation, as well.
Commission Goals and Obiectives
Commissioner Waite suggested the Commission spend time at their next meeting reviewing the goals and objectives in their
Strategic Plan and updating them for 2012. The remainder of the Commission concurred.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No unfinished business was scheduled on the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
No action items were scheduled on the agenda.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Deiner-Karr said her family and many others are still sharing positive comments about the historic calendars.
Once again, she commended Commissioners Norenberg and Eccleshall.
Commissioner Norenberg announced that Old Milltown has a new owner, and the Commission should keep their eye on
future plans for the site. He also announced that Robyn Hood Lanes is scheduled to be replaced with a bank and a Walgreens.
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January 12, 2012 Page 3
The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to recognize the historical significance of Robyn Hood Lanes in the next
edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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