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2013-09-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING September 12, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. in the 3' Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5t1i Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Larry Vogel, Chair Sandra Allbery Chris Deiner-Karr Andy Eccleshall Tim Raetzloff Emily Scott Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member Lora Petso, City Council Member COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Gerry Tays (excused) Steve Waite, Vice Chair (excused) READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Rob Chave, Development Services Director Kernen Lien, Senior Planner Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant OTHERS PRESENT Valerie Stewart, Planning Board Andy Columbre, Reliable Floors Brick Wahl, Reliable Floors COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2013 AS SUBMITTED. CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES The agenda was amended to add a discussion about the Certificate of Appropriateness for the I.O.O.F. Hall (currently Reliable Floors). REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Valerie Stewart said she is a member of the Edmonds Planning Board and the Mayor's Climate Protection Committee, but she was present to comment as a citizen. She observed that land values in Edmonds are increasing and a number of older homes are being demolished to accommodate redevelopment. She commented that there are alternatives for dealing with older homes, such as reusing materials that have historical and/or salvage value, and moving historic structures to alternative sites. She also noted that older homes can be retrofit to meet current code and energy standards. She said she would like the City take a more active approach in that direction. She said she is pursuing the option of listing her property on the Register, and she is encouraging others to do the same. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS — INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS (I.O.O.F) HALL (currently Reliable Floors) Mr. Lien advised that the I.O.O.F Hall (542 Main Street) is currently listed on both the state and local historic registries, and properties on the Register require a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to any alterations. The property owners started an exterior alteration to the front (ground floor) of the building, and they were unaware of the Certificate of Appropriateness and Building Permit requirements. Mr. Lien explained that the Historic Preservation Commission has adopted the Secretary of the Interior's 10 Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings as its criteria for issuing Certificates of Appropriateness. He reviewed the four standards that are applicable to the I.O.O.F Hall: • Historic character of the property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alterations of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided. • Distinctive materials, features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved. • Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. • New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and special relationships that characterize the property. Mr. Lien noted that when the I.O.O.F. Hall was placed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, the elements of historic value included the entire exterior fagade. He briefly reviewed the specific historic features of the structure. He also provided photographs of the building at the time it was constructed, as it appeared in more recent years, and with the newly added shingles. He explained that the Commission has the following options: • If they find the alterations meet the standards, a Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued. • If they find the alterations would meet the standards with modification, a Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued with conditions. • If they find the alterations fail to meet the standards, they can deny the Certificate of Appropriateness and recommend against the Building Official issuing a permit. Brick Wahl, Reliable Floors, explained that they are using a combination of materials to cover the existing fagade, none of which is original. He particularly noted the large sheet of plywood in the middle of the building fagade where the sign is located. They felt the new cedar shingles would better represent the history of Edmonds and improve the building's appearance. Mr. Lien noted that the cedar shingles would be painted the same color as the rest of the building. Mr. Wahl added that, historically, cedar shingles were used for the building's roof. It was noted that very few buildings on the Register are in pristine condition. The Commission discussed that they would likely have approved the structure for the Register even if the cedar siding had been added to the building before it was placed on the Register because the historic nature of the building involves more than just architecture. The building is also historic because of its use. Mr. Chave explained that, if the property owner had approached the Commission prior to proceeding with the project, they would likely have encouraged him to try to use a material that is more consistent with the original siding. However, because the siding on the building at the time it was listed on the Register was not original, the Commission has the latitude to approve the new siding, with the condition that the property owner to do more research next time to come up with materials that are more consistent with the original cladding of the building. Although the shingles are not original to that portion of the building, the Commission noted that nothing on the lower portion of the building is original, and cedar shingles are definitely an important piece of Edmonds' history. It was discussed that painting the shingles would eliminate a lot of the perceived change, and the Commission commended the property owner for the restoration work that has been done. They particularly noted that the new molding around the windows on the second story is more consistent with the original building. They agreed with Mr. Chave, that when changes are made in the future, the property owner should be encouraged to use materials that are more reflective of what was originally there. COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE I.O.O.F HALL (CURRENTLY THE RELIABLE FLOOR BUILDING). COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 12, 2013 Page 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee The Registration Committee did not have any items to report. Education and Outreach Committee Chair Vogel reported that the "Walk Back in Time" event at the Edmonds Cemetery was very successful, and he enjoyed portraying Mayor Brady. He also reported that he is scheduled to make two presentations of the slide show he put together regarding the Historic Preservation Commission. The first will be at the Edmonds Landing Retirement Facility on September 17' at 10:30 a.m. and the second will be for the Alderwood Rotary Club on September 27" at 8:00 a.m. Chair Vogel reported that he prepared an article for MyEdmondsNew.com about the George Brackett event that was sponsored by the Edmonds Museum to celebrate their 401 anniversary. He said he is still working with Francis Chapin, who is preparing the Cultural Heritage Tour. He provided her a variety of information that would be accessible from the website. Chair Vogel commended Commissioner Eccleshall for the newest mural he painted in downtown Edmonds. It is fantastic. Preservation Planning Committee The Preservation Committee did not provide a report. Funding Committee The Funding Committee did not provide a report. Edmonds Museum — Scarecrow Festival Commissioner Allbery advised the First Annual Edmonds Scarecrow Festival is coming up in October. The event is sponsored by the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society and is intended to raise awareness about historic preservation. Awards will be given out at a dinner on November 8t''. The Society will also participate in the Halloween event by providing a haunted house. She announced that the Sister City Delegation from Hekinan, Japan, is excited to be visiting Edmonds during the month of October to participate in the Halloween festivities. It was suggested that the delegation could be invited to provide a scarecrow, as well. Commissioner Scott agreed to make a scarecrow for the Commission to enter into the contest. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Upcoming Fall Event Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested that rather than having a separate fall event, the Commission's presentation about the properties on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places could take place at the Edmonds Museum's annual dinner on November 8t''. Commissioner Eccleshall cautioned that holding the event in conjunction with the Museum's dinner could suggest that the Commission and the Register are part of the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society. The Commission agreed that, from a public perception point of view, there should be a clear delineation between the two groups. However, holding the event in conjunction with the Museum dinner would give them an opportunity to point out the different roles of the two groups, as well as their shared values. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to research the idea further and report back at the Commission's October meeting. Council Member Johnson noted that all owners of property on the state and local registers would be invited to attend the dinner, whether the Commission moves forward with its presentation or not. Ms. Cunningham agreed to provide the Museum with the addresses of owners of properties on the Edmonds Register. NEW BUSINESS Disbursement of 2014 Calendars Mr. Chave announced that the 2014 calendars have been printed and are available for distribution. The Commission thanked staff for taking charge of printing the 2,000 calendars. They also thanked Commissioner Eccleshall for his design work. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 12, 2013 Page 3 They agreed to postpone distribution of the calendar until November. Council Member Petso agreed to schedule a time on the City Council's November 41 agenda for Commission President Vogel to present the calendar to the City Council prior to it being distributed to the general public. It was noted that businesses that sold the 2013 calendars should be given first priority to hand out the 2014 calendars. They agreed that calendars should also be given to the Sister City delegation. The Commission discussed that there are still a number of 2013 calendars available. They agreed to continue distributing the calendars, particularly when making presentations on behalf of the Commission. Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested that the calendars could also be sent to other museums and historical societies to raise awareness of what the Commission is doing. Discussion on McDonald Historic Register Application at 630 Main Street Mr. Lien presented the nomination for the house at 630 Main Street to be added to the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. He briefly reviewed the criteria for listing a site on the Register. He also provided pictures to illustrate what the original structure looked like. The Commission noted that the structure has changed very little from its original construction, and it embodies distinctive architectural characteristics of the type, period and style of design. In addition, the home was occupied for several years by Charles Larsen, a former Edmonds City Marshall. Mr. Lien agreed to review the application further and prepare a staff report in preparation for a public hearing on October l Oth. ACTION ITEMS Mission Statement The Commission agreed to move their discussion regarding the Mission Statement to the October loth meeting when Commissioner Tays would be present to share his thoughts and ideas. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Vogel thanked Commissioner Scott for agreeing to make a scarecrow for the Commission's entry in the contest. Chair Vogel reminded the Commission that there may be vacancies on the Commission at the end of the year. He encouraged the Commissioners to think of potential candidates. He also reminded them that they elect new officers at the end of the year. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Raetzloff requested an update on potential nominations for the North Sound Church and the property at 396 Sunset Avenue. Councilmember Johnson suggested the Commission review the City's demolition records and research how other cities handle the demolition of historic structures. Perhaps the Commission could identify a program for encouraging the relocation of historic structures. Ms. Cunningham reported that the City received an application for a lot -line adjustment and future demolition of two homes at 336 and 340 Sunset Avenue. Commissioner Eccleshall referred to Valerie Stewart's earlier comment about having her house listed on the Register. He invited her to meet with a Commissioner for assistance with the application process. Commissioner Deiner-Karr requested a status report on the house at 729 Main Street. Board Member Eccleshall said he and Ms. Cunningham have tried to contact the owners to no avail. It was noted that Commissioner Waite agreed to meet with the owners to evaluate the home and determine its eligibility for the Register. ADJOURNMENT Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 12, 2013 Page 4 The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 12, 2013 Page 5