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2015-02-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING February 12, 2015 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Scott called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:18 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5d' Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Emily Scott, Chair Larry Vogel, Vice Chair Sandra Allbery Katie Bojakowski Chris Deiner-Karr (arrived at 5:30) Eric Livingston Tim Raetzloff Gerry Tays Steve Waite Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member (arrived at 5:28) Lora Petso, City Council Member STAFF PRESENT Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager Kernen Lien, Senior Planner Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant GUESTS Clayton Moss, Graphic Designer, Forma Design CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR MUSEUM Clayton Moss, Graphic Designer, Forma Design, presented an updated proposal to renovate the exterior grounds of the Edmonds Museum, specifically noting how the Commission's concerns have been addressed. He emphasized that no changes have been proposed to the exterior of the building, itself. The Commission raised questions relative to lighting changes. Mr. Moss answered that the applicant is proposing to install electrical junction (J) boxes that will accommodate lighting changes to the exterior of the building at some point in the future. However, the applicant is not proposing any new flood lighting or changes to the existing light fixtures on the building at this time. The Commission also raised questions related to grading and the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) access to the building. Mr. Moss explained how the elevation of the site would be slightly modified. Mr. Lien pointed out the sidewalk and ramp that leads to the Museum's ADA access, noting that the sidewalk is flush with the plaza edge. Mr. Lien explained that the Commission must approve a Certificate of Appropriateness before the City can issue a building permit for the project. COMMISSIONER TAYS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE EDMONDS SOUTH SNOHOMISH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S PROPOSED RENOVATION TO THE EXTERIOR GROUNDS OF THE EDMONDS MUSEUM. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES CHAIR SCOTT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2015 AS SUBMITTED. VICE CHAIR VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES 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. DISCUSSION ON PROCESS BEFORE AND AFTER RECEIVING NOMINATIONS FOR REGISTER Commissioner Waite briefly reviewed the process for reviewing properties that are nominated for the Register. He cautioned that they should avoid preconceptions when reviewing properties, and their decisions must be based on the property's historical context and integrity and whether or not it complies with the Washington State Secretary of the Interior's Standards and other local review criteria. He stressed the importance of doing due diligence when researching the historic nature of the properties and reviewed the various aspects that should be considered. Commissioner Waite explained that a Certificate of Appropriateness is required when changes are proposed to structures that are listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. This process allows the Commission an opportunity to ensure that the historical characteristics of the building are retained. The Commission spent some time recalling how the standards and criteria were applied previously when the Commission reviewed properties that had been nominated for the Register. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Commission reviewed the responsibilities of each of the committees and invited the new Commissioners to participate. Commissioners Livingstone and Bojakowski agreed to participate on the Preservation Planning Committee. Registration Committee (Raetzloff, Scott and Deiner-Karr) Chair Scott referred the Commission to the updated list of historic properties in Edmonds. She invited the Commissioners to review the list and forward additional information they know about the properties and their owners. Education Committee (Vogel and Tays) Vice Chair Tays announced that he is scheduled to make a presentation regarding Historic Preservation at Edmonds Landing on April 20'h. He said he also tries to weave information regarding historic preservation into the articles he writes for www.mvedmondsnews.com. The Commission discussed whether or not to pursue another edition of The Preservationist. Commissioner Livingstone indicated he may be able to help publish the document, and Vice Chair Vogel agreed to write the feature article about a property on the Edmonds Register. Commissioner Bojakowski suggested that another option would be to approach the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society about the possibility of including a regular article in their newsletter The Commission indicated support for either idea, but emphasized it should be made clear that the Commission is completely separate from the Historical Society. Vice Chair Vogel and Commissioner Livingstone agreed to pursue the two options further and report back to the Commission. Commissioner Allbery suggested that educational information related to historic preservation should be available to visitors at the Summer Market. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate to provide copies of the walking tour brochure. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2015 Page 2 Preservation Planning Committee (Tays, Waite, Livingstone and Bojakowski) Commissioner Waite said the committee has been working to update the Commission's 2015 Strategic Plan. He agreed to forward the updated document to the Commissioners for feedback so it can be finalized at their next meeting. It was noted that the plan must be up-to-date to be eligible for grant funding. Ms. Cunningham reminded the Commission that they should identify potential projects for grant funding as soon as possible. Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society (Allbery and Vogel) Commissioner Allbery reported that the new exhibit, "Washington School Houses," is now open at the Edmonds Museum. She also reported that there was good attendance at the Society's annual membership meeting on February 91h where the authors of a new Edmonds history book were present to sign copies of the book. DISCUSSION ON PROFITT/ASTELL HOUSE AT 825 MAIN STREET Commissioner Tays announced that an application for the Profitt/Astell House at 825 Main Street is complete and the owners are ready to move forward. Commissioner Allbery provided additional historic information regarding the home's previous occupants. A public hearing on the application was scheduled for March 12th DISCUSSION ON HOUSE AT 742 BELL STREET Chair Scott reported that she is working with the owner of the house at 742 Bell Street. It was constructed in 1901 by a gentleman with the last name of Bell, and it is the oldest house on the Bell block. She asked the Commissioners to share information they have regarding the property, particularly photographs. DISCUSSION ON MORRIS FROST HOUSE ON 9TH AVENUE NORTH Commissioner Deiner-Karr shared historic information, including pictures, regarding a house on 9th Avenue North that was built in 1872. She noted that the home was actually built by Morris Frost and changed hands a number of times. She agreed to forward her information to Commissioner Tays, who would prepare an application for the Commission's review on March 12th. DISCUSSION ON THE MOWATT/WELLS HOUSE Commissioner Tays reported that he is currently working with the owners of the Mowatt/Wells House to prepare an application for the Register. DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES FOR THE REGISTER Commissioner Tays said he is currently working with the owner of the property at the corner of 8`h and Main Street relative to a nomination for the Register. He has also had discussions with the owner of property just east of the Luce House. Commissioner Deiner-Karr reported that she has also researched a home on Bell Street that is identified in the BOLA Report as the Tommy Hall House, and found that Mr. Hall was not the original owner. She shared pictures of the house and invited Commissioner Waite to identify the changes that have occurred more recently. UPDATING ON PLACING OF A PLAQUE AT THE SCHUMACHER BUILDING The Commission agreed to schedule a ceremony to place the plaque on the Schumacher Building, which is now listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, on June 2nd at 10 a.m. Commissioner Tays agreed to invite the property owner to attend the event. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2015 Page 3 Chair Scott did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Council Member Johnson recalled that, in his State of the City Address, Mayor Earling noted that this year is the City's 125t' Anniversary. He asked for volunteers to work on a committee assigned to plan anniversary events, and Chair Scott agreed to participate. The Commission discussed how they could participate in the celebration events, particularly by focusing some of their efforts towards events that happened 125 years ago. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2015 Page 4