2014-06-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
June 12.) 2014
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Tays 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 — 5`' Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Gerry Tays, Chair
Tim Raetzloff, Vice Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr
Emily Scott
Larry Vogel
Steve Waite
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Sandra Allbery
Lora Petso, City Council Member
Approval of the May 8, 2014 minutes was postponed to the next meeting.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
Registration Committee
Chair Tays reported that he has exchanged emails with the owner of the Schumacher Building (318 Main Street) about the
possibility of placing it on the Register. He intends to meet with her personally soon.
Education and Outreach Committee
Chair Tays indicated his plan to attend the Mid Century Resource Workshop in Everett on June 14`h from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any items to report.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Vogel reported that the Scarecrow Festival will take place during the month of October, and the associated
website has been done by the IB computer science class at Edmonds/Woodway High School. The Gala Heritage Days
Banquet is scheduled for October 24`h, and the Commissioners are invited to attend. Using funds from the raffle of the pedal
fire truck, the Society granted a scholarship to Snohomish County Fire District 1 to help fund the 9/11 Memorial. There will
be a similar raffle this year.
The Commissioners commended the Society for the recent library renovation, but they expressed concern about the idea of
relocating the main entrance.
The Commission discussed the article that was printed in the most recent edition of the Society's newsletter requesting that
people submit historic photographs. It was clarified that the Commission was not interested in establishing its own collection
of photographs, and the historical society would be remain the repository for the historic photographs that are collected.
Commissioner Vogel advised that he is the Commission's liaison and participates on the society's board as an ex-officio
member.
There were no other reports
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on New Application for Historic Register (Tuson Residents located at 232 Sunset Avenue North)
The Commission acknowledged the application and provided some general comments regarding the home. They directed
staff to prepare a report for the Commission's continued discussion on July 1 Oth.
Discussion of Other Potential Properties for the Register
Commissioner Waite reported that he was unable to find enough information on Yost Damn to support nominating the
property for the Register. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to search Snohomish County records for additional information.
Commissioner Raetzloff reported that he has been unable to make contact with the owner of the North Church to discuss its
nomination to the Register.
Chair Tays announced that he would present an application for the Bigelow House at the Commission's July 10`h meeting.
He briefly shared information he has learned about the property and its previous owners. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed
to share the information she has found, as well.
The Commission discussed the status of the property at the corner of 91h Avenue and Casper Street, which is currently owned
by the Edmonds Methodist Church. It was noted that the existing home is a potential candidate for the Register. The
property has been considered for potential subdivision, but no formal application has been submitted. The Commission
discussed the concept of using development incentives to encourage property owners to maintain historic structures, but they
recognized these opportunities are not currently available in the City. They agreed to talk about the concept further with
staff, recognizing that implementation would require a lengthy process.
Discussion on Virtual Tour of the New Historic Plaques in Downtown Edmonds
Council Member Johnson reported that all of the brass puppet theater style plaques on 4th Avenue will be installed by the end
of the month, and members of the public are invited to attend an official ceremony and actual tour at the Art Walk on July
17th (third Thursday). A virtual tour will also be made available to the public. The Commission agreed they wanted to view
the virtual tour at their next meeting.
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Discussion on Plaque Placement Location Policy
Commissioner Waite reported that he met with Commissioners Vogel and Scott to talk about a plaque location policy. In
addition to making the plaques more visible, they also discussed the need to provide more information about historic
properties and the Historic Preservation Commission, in general. They presented a conceptual idea where the same bronze
plaque would be placed on future historic structures. In addition, a post would be placed at each site with an additional
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June 12, 2014 Page 2
plaque identifying the name of the property and the year it was built, as well as box containing a pamphlet with specific
information about the property.
The Commissioners expressed general support for the conceptual idea, but they voiced concern about costs, maintenance and
keeping the information boxes full. They agreed to pursue the concept further and provided comments and suggestions for
addressing the concerns. Chair Tays agreed to discuss funding opportunities with representatives from the Washington State
Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
CHAIR TAYS MOVED THAT COMMISSIONERS WAITE, VOGEL AND SCOTT REFINE THE PLAQUE
PROGRAM FURTHER FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONTINUED DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER DEINER-
KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS
There were no action items on the agenda.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Tays did not provide comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Ms. Cunningham reminded the Commissioners of the Mid Century Resource Workshop in Everett on June 141h from 9:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Cunningham reported that Mr. Chave presented the Commission's grant application to the Washington State Department
of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
Council Member Johnson advised that, at their retreat in March, the City Council identified citywide priorities for 2014. One
was to pursue historic preservation for Downtown Edmonds. She recalled that creating a historic district would require the
support of at least 40% of the property owners. She suggested the Commission should focus their attention on this effort. A
potential partner is the Business Improvement District, which is concerned about improving the overall quality of the
downtown area. The remainder of the Commission concurred.
The Commission agreed to review the design standards for the BD I, BD2, BD3 and BD4 zones at their September meeting.
They specifically asked staff to explain the changes that were recently adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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