2014-08-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
August 14, 2014
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Tays 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 — 5d' 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 (arrived at 5:35 p.m.)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Tim Raetzloff, Vice Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr (excused)
Steve Waite (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
GUESTS
Andy Eccleshall
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2014 AS AMENDED.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The presentation of the Cultural Heritage Walking Tour was postponed to the September meeting. 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.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee did not have any items to report.
Chair Tays reviewed that when he approached the owner of the Schumacher Building about placing the property on the
Register, he was surprised to learn that she had already signed the appropriate paperwork for the process to move forward.
He questioned if there are other situations where property owners have offered consent for their properties to be considered
for the register, but the process was never completed. Commissioner Scott pointed out that 29 applications are currently on
file but have not been presented to the Commission. The Commissioners discussed approaching the property owners again in
an attempt to move the applications forward.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Vogel said the Education and Outreach Committee's focus has been on the calendar, which is scheduled for
discussion later on the agenda.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any items to report.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery announced that Tarin Erickson has resigned as Director of the Edmonds Museum, and Emily Scott
has been hired to recruit applicants for the vacant position. They hope to announce that a new Director has been hired at the
Heritage Days Dinner on October 24`h
Commissioner Allbery shared posters that advertise the Heritage Days Dinner and Scarecrow Contest. Commissioner Vogel
announced that the website for the Scarecrow Contest is nearing completion, and a press release will be put out by the end of
the week. A separate event will be held in early November to announce the contest winners.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on the Schumacher Building Nomination
The Commission discussed that the Schumacher Building was featured in a previous edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST.
The Commission reviewed a brief history of the building, particularly noting that it was the first commercial building in
Edmonds.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SCHUMACHER BUILDING
APPLICATION BE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2014. COMMISSIONER VOGEL SECONDED THE
MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Continued Discussion on Tuson Residence at 232 Sunset Avenue
The Commission reviewed the criteria for nominating properties for the Register, and particularly discussed staff s concern
that the property does not meet Criterion 2 (Embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a type, period, style or
method of design or construction, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack
individual distinction.) They reviewed pictures of both the inside and outside of the home and discussed its historic
characteristics.
Chair Tays shared input he obtained from Michael Houser, a historian with the State Department of Archaeology and
Historic Preservation, stating that the house represents the distinctive architecture of the 1950's era, particularly the Prairie
Style of design. Although the inside of the house also has historic characteristics, Mr. Houser cautioned against including
interior features on the Register, since this would require the property owner to obtain a Certificate of Approval from the
Commission each time a change is proposed.
The Commission agreed to discuss the Tuson Building further at their next meeting. They discussed having a professional
photographer take pictures of the historic features found in the interior of the building.
Historic Preservation Commission Calendar
Commissioner Vogel provided a mock up of the 2015 calendar, which he prepared with the help of former Commissioner
Andy Eccleshall. He invited the Commissioners to provide feedback and identify corrections no later than their September
11"' meeting. He specifically asked them to review the calendar matrix to make sure the dates and events are correctly noted.
The Commissioners agreed the calendar should be ready for print by the end of October so it can be distributed at the tree
lighting ceremony the weekend after Thanksgiving.
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ACTION ITEMS
Walking Tour of Cultural HeritaEe Tour
The presentation was postponed to the September llth meeting. However, the Commissioners shared some of their
observations as they visited the tour sites.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Tays did not provide any additional comments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Johnson invited the Commissioners to attend the City's Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on August 24th and
asked them to RSVP if they are able to attend.
Andy Eccleshall announced that a Home and Garden Show will be held in Edmonds on March 7-8, 2015.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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