2014-07-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
July 10, 2014
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Tays called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:45 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5 h Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Gerry Tays, Chair
Sandra Allbery
Emily Scott
Larry Vogel
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
Lora Petso, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Kernen Lien, Senior Planner
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Tim Raetzloff, Vice Chair (excused)
Chris Deiner-Karr (excused)
Steve Waite (excused)
The minutes of April 1, 2014 were approved as submitted, and the minutes of May 8, 2014 were approved as amended.
The Commission discussed their Mission Statement and enabling ordinance (ECC 10.90.040), which establishes the purpose
and duties of the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Scott agreed to review the most recent changes and
report back to the Commission.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
STATUS REPORT ON THE 2015 CALENDAR
The Commission discussed the status of the 2015 Calendar. Ms. Cunningham recalled that they are still waiting for the City
Council to decide whether or not the funding allocated to the Commission could be used for the 2015 calendar. Council
Members Petso and Johnson agreed to follow up on this issue. The Commission set August 1" as the date to have a final
copy of the 2015 calendar ready.
STATUS REPORT ON PLAQUE LOCATION POLICY
Commissioner Scott reported that she and Commissioner Waite are working on the policy, but they were unable to meet over
the past month.
STATUS REPORT ON HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR THE DOWNTOWN
Council Member Johnson recalled that at their retreat, the Commission identified historic preservation in the BD-1 through
BD-4 zone as a top priority, and the concept of creating a "historic district" was one of the options discussed. She suggested
the next step is for the Commission to learn more about the Main Street Program, which is the mechanism for doing this
work. The Commission agreed to discuss the issue further at their September I I"' meeting.
UPDATE ON GRANT FUNDING FOR EXPANDING THE HISTORIC INVENTORY SURVEY
Ms. Cunningham reported that the City received a grant for $7,500 from the Washington State Department of Archaeology
and Historic Preservation to fund expansion of the City's historic inventory.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Vogel reported that he contacted a property owner who expressed interest in adding a property to the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places. However, he has not received a response. He said he would continue to pursue the
property. Chair Tays said he has been approached by three property owners in Meadowdale who are interested in placing
their properties on the register. The Commission agreed that all historic properties within the City's jurisdictional boundaries
should be pursued.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Vogel reported that he will participate in the introduction of the Cultural Heritage Walking Tour on July 171h
as a representative of the Commission, the Museum Board and My Edmonds News. He noted that he wrote a lot of the copy
that was used on the website and the puppet show plaques.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any items to report.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that Heritage Days is coming up and the Museum Board and numerous volunteers are hard at
work planning for the dinner on October 24t'. She also announced that the Summer Market is in full swing and going well.
Chair Vogel reminded the Commission of the Scare Crow Festival scheduled for the month of October. He noted that
students in a computer class at Edmonds Woodway High School are putting together a more functional website to facilitate
the event.
CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR
It was announced that a celebration of the new Cultural Heritage Walking Tour is scheduled for July 17"'. In addition to the
12 interpretive markers throughout the downtown area that provide insights into the City's history and cultural heritage, the
project includes a "Stages of History" website and brochure. The Commissioners briefly visited the web site, which includes
a virtual tour of the various sites.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on Tuson Residence at 232 Sunset Avenue
Mr. Lien provided a staff report on the application for the Tuson Residence (232 Sunset Avenue) to be added to the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places. The Commission viewed several pictures of the home, and it was noted that the original interior
and exterior are both intact. The Commission discussed the possibility of designating both the exterior and interior of the
structure as historic. It was pointed out that designating the interior of the home as historic would require the property owner
to obtain a Certificate of Appropriate every time a change is made that requires a building permit. Although they would like
the property owner to maintain the interior of the home, they acknowledged that designating it as historic would place a
significant burden on the property owner.
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Mr. Lien reviewed the criteria for identifying a structure's significant historic features. While the house has integrity and is
at least 50 years old, he struggles to identify the structure's significance to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or
cultural heritage in Edmonds, particularly if they are only considering the exterior of the structure. There are a number of
mid-century houses in Edmonds, and he questioned what makes the exterior of this house significant enough to be placed on
the Register.
The Commission agreed that the interior of the structure has historic significance, and they discussed the idea of designating
only portions of the interior as historic. They agreed to research the property further and continue their discussion at the next
meeting. Chair Tays agreed to contact Michael Houser from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation for additional information, as well.
Chair Tays and Mr. Lien reported on the things they learned at the Mid Century Architecture Conference they attended last
month.
The Commission discussed their desire to learn more about where Missouri Hannah lived. She was into real estate
development and promotion and purchased and published the Edmonds Review. She was also known as the "mother of
journalism" in Washington State and a major player in the women's suffrage movement. She developed Hannah Park and
actually lived there, but none of the current structures are old enough to have been her home. Commissioner Vogel
announced that this year, the Cemetery Board's "Walk Back in Time" event will focus on women, and he is hoping that she
will be one of the featured individuals.
No unfinished business was scheduled on the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
No action items were scheduled on the agenda.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Tays reminded the Commission that there are open positions. Ms. Cunningham reported that one application has been
submitted. Several Commissioners indicated they had had discussions with interested individuals.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Petso recalled the Commission's earlier discussion about recent changes to their Mission Statement and
enabling ordinance. She shared a current version of the ordinance, pointing out the most recent changes. The Commission
agreed that the website should be updated accordingly.
Commissioner Vogel reminded the Commission of the "Walk Back in Time" event on September 17th at 1:00 p.m. at the
Edmonds Cemetery. The Artwalk and the celebration for the new Cultural Heritage Walking Tour will also take place on
September 17th. The Commission agreed to do the Cultural Heritage Tour together after their next meeting.
Council Member Johnson announced that the City's 2nd Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic is on August 24d' from 2:00 to
4:00 p.m. and Commissioners are invited to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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