2013-11-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING
November 14, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:36 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
Steve Waite, Vice Chair
Sandra Allbery
Chris Deiner-Karr
Tim Raetzloff
Gerry Tays
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
Lora Petso, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Development Services Director (arrived at 5:55 p.m.)
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Andy Eccleshall (excused)
Emily Scott (excused)
COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2013 AS
SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
Commissioner Tays asked to add a discussion about the Bigelow House (1520 — 9d' Avenue North) to the agenda under "New
Business." The remainder of the agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL MEMBER PETSO.
Chair Vogel recognized Council Member Lora Petso for all her support in moving Historic Preservation Commission items
through the City Council approval process.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee did not have any items to report during this portion of the meeting.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Vogel announced that the Commission's 2014 Calendars are available to the public, and they are going fast.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any new items to report.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that the Edmonds Historical Museum exceeded its goal for the number of attendees at the
Heritage Days activities. She announced that the annual dinner in November, which has now become a fundraising event,
was successful. The Commissioners who attended the dinner event said they found it enjoyable, and it appeared to be a
success.
Commissioner Allbery announced that the Edmonds Historical Museum's new exhibit titled "40 for 40" has drawn a lot of
attention. It features artifacts from the Museum's collection. She reported that Museum is just beginning the process of
finding a new building to store its fire engine and other artifacts. They held the first fundraising raffle at the Summer Market.
She also reported that there has been no additional activity regarding the Museum's plans to redesign the front of the museum
and make other improvements to the building.
There were no other reports scheduled on the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on 2015 Calendar
Chair Vogel said Commissioner Eccleshall shared his idea of featuring "then and now" photographs in the 2015 Calendar.
The Commission concurred that was a great idea. They discussed the process and timing for grant funding from the
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. They agreed that the item should be penciled into
the City's 2014 Budget that is currently before the City Council for approval and they should move forward with a grant
application for $5,000. Mr. Chave noted that, as opposed to grant funding, using City funds would allow the Commission to
sell the calendars.
Application for Historic Register — Bassett House at 729 Main Street
Commissioner Tays reported that while there is some photographic evidence that the house has been changed over time, he
has not been able to locate photographs showing what the house looked like originally. Although the house has undergone
many changes over the years, he said it is important to recognize that it is one of the City's original homes. Chair Vogel
said the house may be visible in photographs taken in the 1890's looking down Dayton Street. He agreed to review the
photographs and report back to the Commission.
The Commission discussed that most of the alterations to the structure occurred in the 1980's, and it is highly unlikely that
the Commission would have issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for the changes. However, a property can become part
of the Register for other reasons, such as it being the home of a prominent person in the City's history. In order to provide
direction for staff to prepare the application for a public hearing, the Commission agreed to review the criteria for listing
properties on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places later in the meeting and provide guidance to staff.
Search for Photos of Historic Edmonds
Commissioner Tays noted the difficulties he experienced in his search for photographs of historic structures. He suggested
the Edmonds Historical Museum send out an appeal to the public for additional historic photographs and information. Chair
Vogel and Commissioner Allbery agreed to present the concept at the Museum Board's December meeting.
Discussion on Bigelow House located at 1520 — 9th Avenue North
Commissioner Tays advised that, in photographs he has found, the Bigelow House and the Curry House appear to be the
same structure. There is also some confusion as to who built the two houses. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to research
the issue further and report back to the Commission. The Commission agreed to continue their discussion regarding the two
homes at their next meeting.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion on Reprinting Guide Brochure and Budget Amendment
Council Member Petso agreed to submit a budget amendment to the City Council for $1,500 to fund the printing costs for the
"Guide" brochure. Vice Chair Waite indicated that the brochure has been updated and is ready to be reprinted.
Changes Made to Ordinance, Mission Statement and Strategic Plan
The Commission discussed that their current Strategic Plan was adopted in 2011, but they subsequently discussed updates
that were never incorporated. They agreed to revisit the updates at their next meeting.
Ms. Cunningham reported that Mr. Chave presented the Commission's proposed amendments to the ordinance to the City
Council Committee, and they were referred to the full Council for approval.
ACTION ITEMS
Discussion on Plaque Presentation Ceremony for Charles Larsen Residence
Commissioner Raetzloff reported that the owners of the Charles Larsen Residence have indicated that they would be
available the week of December 9"' through 13"' for a plaque presentation ceremony. Chair Vogel and Commissioner
Raetzloff agreed to work together to schedule a date when the property owners, Mayor Earling and Council Members
Johnson and Petso could attend. He said he would prepare a press release to advertise the event and provide some talking
points to Mayor Earling.
Discussion on Board Positions for 2014
COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER TAYS BE ELECTED TO SERVE AS CHAIR
OF THE COMMISSION FOR 2014. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF BE ELECTED TO SERVE
AS VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION FOR 2014. COMMISSIONER TAYS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
License of Display — McDonald House
Ms. Cunningham asked Chair Vogel to stop by her office and sign the form needed for a plaque to be placed on the
McDonald House.
Continued Discussion on Application for Historic Register — Bassett House at 729 Main Street
Once again, the Commission acknowledged that the fagade of the structure has changed significantly since it was
constructed. However, the application must only meet one of the criteria in order to be included on the Register. As noted in
the application, the property would likely meet the following criteria:
• Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or
architectural history. The Commission discussed that the architecture of the front of the structure represents the
types of houses that were being built in the early 1900s. In addition, given that it was constructed by the logging
company for its employees, the structure would tie in well with the City's economic history.
• Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history. The Commission discussed that
the home is associated with prominent members of the community from that period of time. These individuals
represent a significant piece of the City's history.
The Commission directed staff to review the application further and provide more information about how the application
meets or does not meet the above criteria. They agreed to continue their discussion at the December meeting, with a public
hearing tentatively scheduled for January.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Vogel thanked the Commissioners for all of their efforts. They have had a great year, and he is pleased that
Commissioners Tays and Raetzloff have agreed to assume leadership in 2014.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Johnson expressed concern about the number of demolitions that have occurred in Edmonds, many of them
buildings greater than 50 years old. She asked the Commission's permission to review the statutes that apply to demolition
and identify potential opportunities for historic preservation. The Commission agreed that it is important for the Commission
to learn about the demolition in sufficient time to photograph historic structures before they are demolished. They discussed
the following options:
• Require property owners to submit photographs of their properties when they submit applications for demolition
permits.
• Require a 10 to 14-day notice before demolition permits are issued.
• Establish a 48-hour waiting period from the time a demolition permit is issued until the work can begin.
• Hire someone to create a digital archive of all the historic structures in the City.
The Commission agreed to discuss the issue further in December and solicit feedback from the Building Official. They also
agreed it would be appropriate for Council Members Petso and Johnson to work with staff and then present the concept at a
City Council Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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