2012-06-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
June 14.) 2012
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:35 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5"' Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Larry Vogel, Chair
John Dewhirst, Vice Chair
Christine Deiner-Karr
Meg Keogh
Eric Norenberg (arrived at 5:50 p.m.)
Tim Raetzloff
Steve Waite
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
Lora Petso, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Bill Muller (excused)
Jerry Tays (excused)
Andy Eccleshall
Fred Bell
STAFF PRESENT
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
Shirley Pauls
John Pauls
Todd Clayton
Ms. Cunningham announced that Council Member Johnson has been appointed to replace Council Member Plunkett as the
City Council Representative to the Historic Preservation Commission.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was amended to add a discussion about appointing a Historic Preservation Commissioner as a representative to
the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society. The Commission also discussed moving their discussion about a
student representative position on the Commission to earlier on the agenda. The remainder of 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.
PRESENTATION BY JOHN AND SHIRLEY PAULS, OWNERS OF ALLEN HOUSE AT 310 SUNSET AVENUE
NORTH
Commissioner Keogh introduced John and Shirley Pauls, who recently nominated their property at 310 Sunset Avenue North
for inclusion on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
John Pauls said they moved into the house in 1975 as renters, and they purchased the home in 1977 from May Allen
Redington. He shared the history of the home, which was built in 1906. He also provided information about the original
owner, Zachary Taylor Allen, who also owned the Olympic Hotel and a shingle mill, and his son, Harry Allen, who appears
frequently in the book, "Edmonds, the Gem of Puget Sound," as junior warden of the Masons and as cashier at the Edmonds
State Bank.
Commissioner Keogh commented that Mr. and Mrs. Paul could be considered unofficial ambassadors for the Sunset Avenue
area because they have maintained vigilance on the area and kept track of the residents. She said she hopes they can show
other owners that placing properties on the Register is a good thing.
Commissioner Norenberg arrived at the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
Mr. Clayton asked if the house had a water closet when it was originally constructed. Mr. Pauls answered that a bathroom
was located in the center of the home. He briefly described the floor plan of the original house, noting that a new bathroom
and kitchen were added in 1929.
Commissioner Waite asked the Pauls to share their thoughts on how historic preservation is perceived by property owners
along Sunset Avenue. Mr. Pauls said that wonderful cottages and homes are being torn down at an alarming rate to build
very large homes. However, Ms. Paul said some property owners want to preserve their existing homes.
Ms. Cunningham said staff will present the nomination in the form of a Staff Report to the Commission for public hearing on
July 1 lth. After the hearing, the Commission would forward a recommendation to the City Council, who will make a final
decision. Notification of the hearing will be posted in the Paul's yard.
Commissioner Waite asked if the Pauls used the recently released census data to prepare their presentation. Mr. Pauls
answered affirmatively.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
The Commission reviewed an outline prepared by Council Member Petso for altering the Commission's governing resolution
to permit a high-school student representative who either attends school or lives in Edmonds. Council Member Petso
announced that the City Attorney is currently developing language that would apply to student representatives on all City
boards and commissions. She invited the Commissioners to review the outline she prepared and provide input that could be
forwarded to the City Attorney for consideration.
The Commission provided the following comments:
Rather than being a City Council decision, boards and commissions should be allowed to choose their own student
representatives.
Boards and Commissions should be allowed to establish their own criteria for selection, responsibilities, and
expectations of their respective student representatives.
Representatives must be enrolled in school and be an Edmonds resident.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMISSIONER NORENBERG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2012 AS AMENDED.
COMISSIONER WAITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reviewed that at their last meeting, the Registration Committee identified some action items.
They also discussed appointing a Historic Preservation Commissioner to serve as liaison to the Edmonds South Snohomish
County Historical Society and a Historical Society Member to serve as liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission.
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June 14, 2011 Page 2
Commissioner Muller has volunteered to serve as the Commission's liaison. Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she is working
on a few more property nominations, and Commissioner Keogh has been working with the Pauls to get the Allen House
added to the Register.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Keogh announced that Commissioner Muller was able to obtain approval for the Commission to have a small
table for two hours at each of the Saturday Markets to provide information about historic preservation. She requested
volunteers from the Commission to man the table starting July 7`h. She noted that a page of talking points and various
information would be available at the table.
Commissioner Keogh said she has had discussions with representatives from the Edmonds South Snohomish County
Historical Society about working together to encourage historic preservation in Edmonds. For example, they could create a
walking tour of historic houses along Sunset Avenue. She said the Commission has also been invited to provide regular
articles for THE EDMONDS BEACON blog. She said members of her staff have agreed to volunteer their time to help setup
a walking tour of historic sites in Edmonds that utilizes cell phones.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Waite said he has spoken with a resident of the University Colony to learn how things are being perceived.
Fundraising Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr said the Fundraising Committee met to discuss potential ideas for funding. One idea was creating
a set of postcards that feature historic properties in Edmonds. Commissioner Keogh announced that Mr. Chave has submitted
a grant request to fund another calendar project. Perhaps the calendar could become a revenue generating source.
I e I XVIA 1.1W"I I e I aI.v
Discussion on Creating a New Calendar for 2013/2014
Ms. Cunningham reported that Mr. Chave went to Olympia to defend the $6,000 grant application to fund a new October
2013 to December 2014 calendar. His presentation went well, but the funding is very competitive this year. Commissioner
Keogh suggested the Commission could invite businesses to donate money in exchange for advertising space on the walking
tour brochure. This could potentially generate enough funding for a 2013 calendar. The Commission discussed the potential
of having a small fundraising event (gala, silent auction, etc.) in the fall to obtain additional funding for future Commission
activities and projects. Council Member Johnson reported on her attendance at the June 13th Arts Festival Gala, which was
funded by donations from local restaurants and bars. It was very community oriented and well received.
Commissioner Keogh reported that there are already enough photographs available to complete a new calendar, and she has
committed to donate up to 10-hours of her staffs time to complete the project once funding is available for printing. She
suggested that a mock up could be available by August for Commission review and input.
Commission Representative for the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
This item was postponed until the next meeting when Commissioner Muller could be present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Continued Discussion on Strategic Plan
Commissioner Waite suggested that, at some point in the future, the Commission should identify a specific process for
reviewing nomination applications.
ACTION ITEMS
The Preservationist
The Commission agreed that the Allen House would be a good feature article for an upcoming edition of THE
PRESERVATIONIST. " Commissioner Keogh announced that the next edition would feature Native Indians in the area, and a
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June 14, 2011 Page 3
draft would be sent to each Commissioner next week for review and comment prior to publication. She also announced that
the Commission's next blog article for THE EDMONDS BEACON would discuss historic properties on Sunset Avenue.
Discussion and Recommendation to Mayor on Historic Preservation Commission Candidate
The Commission once again reviewed the two candidates (Emily Scott and Todd Clayton) for the vacant Commission
position.
THE MAJORITY OF COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO RECOMMEND EMILY SCOTT TO FILL THE VACANT
COMMISSION POSITION. (Note: Commissioners Dewhirst, Keogh and Raetzloff abstained, and Council Member
Johnson is not a voting member of the Commission.)
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Vogel welcomed Council Member Johnson as liaison to the Commission. He said he appreciates support from the City
Council. He said he was pleased to see the progress made by the Education and Outreach Committee. He was also pleased
that the Allen House has been nominated for the Register.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Johnson said she is pleased to be a member of the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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