2014-11-13 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
November 13, 2014
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Tays called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:31 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
Sandra Allbery
Katie Bojakowski
Chris Deiner-Karr
Eric Livingston (arrived late)
Emily Scott (arrived late)
Larry Vogel
Lora Petso, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Tim Raetzloff, Vice Chair
Steve Waite (excused)
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
Patrick Doherty, Economic Development/Community Services
Director
GUESTS
Clayton Moss, Graphic Designer, Forma Design
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9, 2014 AS SUBMITTED.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS
The Commissioners welcomed new Commissioners, Katie Bojakowski and Eric Livingston. Commissioner Bojakowski
introduced herself and provided a brief review of her history and background. Commissioner Livingston was late in arriving.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was changed to add a discussion regarding proposed changes to the Reliable Floor Building (Certificate of
Appropriateness), a discussion about whether or not a December meeting is needed, and election of officers for 2015.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No one in the audience expressed a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
PRESENTATION BY PATRICK DOHERTY, COMMUNITY SERVICES/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR ON MAIN STREET PROGRAM AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
Mr. Doherty introduced himself and briefly reviewed his history and background. He advised that the intent of the Main
Street Program, which is under the purview of the National Parks Service, and specifically the National Trust for Historic
Preservation, is to recognize the historic cores of America's towns and villages; encourage revitalization, rehab and reuse of
historic buildings; and encourage more vibrant town life centered around the historic character of the community. He briefly
reviewed the four points of the program (organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring) and its eight guiding
principles.
Mr. Doherty observed that the community of Edmonds is defined by the City's historic core and traditional downtown, which
has become the standard bearer of the character of the City. He reviewed the rigorous and broad designation criteria outlined
in the program, noting that designation takes hard work and commitment by the entire community. He specifically referred
to Washington State's Main Street Program, which offers several levels of association. He announced that, as of yesterday,
the City of Edmonds is now an "affiliate community" of the Main Street Program. While this is an extremely minor
accomplishment, it allowed the City to apply to host the Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation's Revitalized Walk
Conference next May. The application was supported by the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau and the City of Snohomish,
which has offered to provide a tour to participants. He noted that the City will celebrate its 125`h anniversary in 2015. If the
City is selected to host the conference, it is hoped that downtown property owners will find added interest in "sprucing" up
their buildings.
Mr. Doherty said that, in his opinion, the City does not need to establish another nonprofit group to administer a Main Street
Program. He reviewed that the City already has a historic ordinance in place that works well. It also has a high level of
organization via the Business Improvement District (BID) and Downtown Edmonds Merchant's Association (DEMA).
Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she reached the same conclusion after attending the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Conference, which focused on the Main Street Program. Commissioner Allbery said Mr. Doherty's recommendation is
consistent with that of the South Snohomish County Historical Society, as well.
If the City is selected to host the Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation's Revitalized Walk Conference, the
Commission discussed using the event as leverage to get more of the historic downtown properties on the Edmonds Register
of Historic Places. For example, Commissioner Tays said he has had numerous discussions with the Edmonds Arts Center
Board, but they still have not decided whether to move forward with an application or not. The Commissioners agreed it is
important to inform the City Council and the public that the City is now an affiliate of the Main Street Program. They also
agreed that the City should continue to consider opportunities for additional participation in the program, perhaps in
conjunction with an existing program and/or organization.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS RELATED TO PROPOSED CHANGES FOR THE RELIABLE FLOOR
BUILDING
Mr. Chave explained that the owners of the Reliable Floor Building are proposing new signage, which requires a Certificate
of Appropriateness because the building is on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.
Clayton Moss, Architect, provided several photographs and described the proposed design for the new sign, which consists
of a logo and individual letters with brackets.
The Commission recalled previous concern about recent siding changes. Commissioner Scott noted that because there are no
pictures of the original siding (it was previously plywood), the property owner decided to use shingle siding to represent
Edmonds' heritage of shingle mills. Mr. Moss expressed his opinion that the shingle siding has been overused. While it is
okay on the fagade, using it on the canopy results in a mansard roof appearance that was popular in the 1980s. He suggested
that a more traditional siding could be used on the canopy.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE A CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE PROPOSED SIGN CHANGES. COMMISSIONER DIEINER-KARR
SECONDED THE MOTION.
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The Commission discussed that although the detailed designs have not been submitted, Mr. Moss has provided enough
information for the Commission to approve the proposed sign design. It was noted that Mr. Moss intends to discuss further
details with Commissioner Wade. Mr. Moss said he would like approval for the Commission to get the sign permit moving
forward. If necessary, additional construction details can be presented to the Commission at a later time.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONTINUED INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS
At the request of Chair Tays, Commissioner Livingston introduced himself and provided a brief overview of his history and
background.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that she was unable to continue her research on the Bigalow property timeline, but hopes
to get it done in the next few weeks. Chair Tays agreed to continue to work with the property owner to prepare the
nomination. Commissioner Deiner-Karr further reported that she intends to do more research on the historic house on Bell
Street and begin her research on the Yost Park Dams in early 2015.
It was discussed that new residents are living in the Mowatt House, and there is a file of information available on the home.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to find contact information on the new owners, and Chair Tays agreed to approach them
with a request that the property be added to the Register.
Commissioner Scott advised that she would send out an updated spreadsheet of properties currently on the Register, as well
as potential properties for the Register in December. She invited the Commissioners to forward their comments to her
regarding which properties they want to pursue.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr advised that she is working with representatives from the Edmonds Museum to update the
histories of buildings in downtown Edmonds. This information will be available to the Commission.
Education and Outreach Committee
Commissioner Vogel announced that the article on the Schumacher Building was published in the most recent edition of the
UPDATE EDMONDS NEWSLETTER. He was also invited to make his history presentation at Edmonds Landing, slanting
the information more towards the history of people.
Mr. Chave reported that the 2015 calendar has been sent to the press, and it should be available by November 21'. The
Commission had a brief discussion about how to disseminate the calendars.
Preservation Planning Committee
There was no report from the Preservation Planning Committee.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that the Historical Society announced the winners of the scarecrow festival at an event held
on November 3ra. Total funds collected from this year's Heritage Dinner were about $32,000, compared to more than
$40,000 collected at last year's event. She announced that the Edmonds Museum is currently closed as it prepares for its new
exhibit titled, "Christmas Toys." The museum will be a drop-off location for the "Toys for Tots" program.
A, AlAklm*i
The Process Before and After Receiving Applications for Register
Ms. Cunningham provided copies of the current process, which was drafted and approved by the Commission in 2004. The
Commission discussed whether or not the process needs to be significantly updated or if it is simply a matter of making sure
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applicants are fully aware of the process. They agreed to discuss the process at their January meeting and identify
appropriate changes.
Retrieve Plaque from a Residence
Ms. Cunningham reminded the Commission that when a property is removed from the Register, the property owner is
obligated to return the plaque. In addition, a plaque needs to be presented to the owners of the Schumacher property. Chair
Tays agreed to handle both of these issues.
December MeetinLy
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION CANCEL THEIR REGULAR MEETING IN
DECEMBER. COMMISSIONER VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Election of Officers
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION NOMINATE EMILY SCOTT AS CHAIR
AND COMMISSIONER VOGEL AS VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION IN 2015. COMMISSIONER
LIVINGSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Commissioners agreed to review the committee assignments at their January meeting.
Funding for the 2016 Calendar
Council Member Petso reminded the Commission that, at their last meeting, they took action to submit a request to the City
Council for $5,000 in the 2015 budget to fund the 2016 calendar. She agreed to submit their request for funding to the City
Council.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Tays did not make any additional comments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Petso said Council Member Johnson asked her to welcome the two new Commissioners and congratulate
the entire Commission on the new property (Schumacher Building located at 316 Main Street) that was recently added to the
Register. She asked to be notified if a celebration is planned to commemorate the event. The Commission discussed that the
property owner does not live in Edmonds, so it would be appropriate to schedule the event at a time that is convenient for her.
If she is unable to attend, the Commission should at least ask her permission to conduct the celebration. Chair Tays agreed to
contact the property owner regarding potential dates for the event, and then notify Commissioners accordingly.
Council Member Petso welcomed the new Commissioners and thanked all of the Commissioners for their work throughout
2014.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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