2015-03-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
March 12, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the 3" Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5"' Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Larry Vogel, Vice Chair
Sandra Allbery
Chris Deiner-Karr
Eric Livingston (arrived at 5:50 p.m.)
Gerry Tays
Steve Waite
Lora Petso, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Emily Scott, Chair (excused)
Katie Bojakowski
Tim Raetzloff
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Kernen Lien, Senior Planner
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
GUESTS
Kirsten Paust
COMMISSIONER TAYS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2015 AS SUBMITTED.
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
Item 7b (How to Begin Historic Research on a Property) was rescheduled to the April 9th meeting. Item 7a (Public Hearing
related to Profitt/Astell House) was placed before Item 5a. 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.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing to Determine the Eligibility of the "Profitt/Astell House" Located at 825 Main Street for Listing on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places (File Number PLN20100013)
Mr. Lien referred to the application for designation of the Profitt/Astell House at 825 Main Street for inclusion on the
Edmonds Register of Historic Places and noted that the property owner has signed the nomination form. He briefly reviewed
how the application meets the following designation criteria:
• The structure must be significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or cultural
heritage of Edmonds. Mr. Lien explained that the home is associated with the early residential growth of Edmonds and
is associated with George Profitt, a one-time water superintendent and plumbing proprietor of Reliable Flooring, and
James Astell (son of Carrie Yost Astell) who served several terms as a City Council Member, as well as the town's fire
chief.
• The structure must have integrity. Mr. Lien explained that the house is a largely intact example of a two-story
Craftsman bungalow.
• The structure must be at least 50 years old. Mr. Lien advised that the home was constructed in 1901 and is 114 years
old.
Mr. Lien explained that in addition to the above criteria, the property must meet at least one of the eleven designation
categories listed in Edmonds Community Development Code 20.45.010 (A through K). He reviewed that the subject
property would be consistent with the following categories:
• 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. Mr. Lien
explained that the subject house is an example of a two-story Craftsman bungalow.
• Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local history. Again, Mr. Lien advised that the
home is associated with the early residential growth of Edmonds and is associated with George Profitt, a one-time water
superintendent and plumbing proprietor of Reliable Flooring, and James Astell (son of Carrie Yost Astell) who served
several terms as a City Council Member, as well as the town's fire chief.
• Is a building or structure removed from its location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or
which is the only surviving structure significantly associated with a historic person or event. Mr. Lien explained that
the BOLA Report and application noted that the house was once located on a knoll on the site of the original grade
school on Main Street approximately two blocks west of its current location. It is noted that the house was purchased by
George Profitt in 1928 and moved to its current location. This would have been around the time that the Edmonds
Elementary School (currently the Francis Anderson Center) was constructed.
Next, Mr. Lien reviewed that the house is a two-story, rectangular Craftsman bungalow, and the significant features include
the front gabled roof, full -width hip roofed front porch, windows, and supporting brackets at the gable ends. He
recommended that the Commission find the application meets the criteria and is eligible for designation on the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places. The exterior of the structure contains the significant features. He further recommended the
Commission make a recommendation to the City Council that the property be listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic
Places. He provided historic photographs of the home.
Commissioner Tays noted that the 1st story windows on the west side are not original, and were probably changed when the
building was moved. The leaded glass windows were a common feature of homes in the late 20s and early 30s. It was noted
that the windows are still more than 50 years old.
The Commission had a brief discussion about what the property's official name should be. Mr. Lien reminded the
Commission that one of the criteria is that the property is associated with someone of significance in the City, and Mr. Profitt
and Mr. Astell were both historic figures. However, he acknowledged that neither was involved with the home's
construction. It was noted the property is identified as the "Profitt/Astell House" in the BOLA Report. When asked, the
owner of the home, Kirsten Paust, indicated she did not have a preference. The Commission agreed the appropriate name for
the home is "Profitt/Astell House."
Commissioner Waite reminded the applicant that, once the property is listed on the Register, a Certificate of Appropriateness
would be required for changes that require a building permit. He encouraged the homeowners to approach the Commission
for advice and support relative to any changes proposed in the future to ensure the historic integrity of the home is
maintained.
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COMMISSIONER WAITE MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION FIND THAT THE PROFITT/ASTELL HOUSE
(FILE NUMBER PLN20100013) MEETS THE DESIGNATION CRITERIA. HE FURTHER MOVED THAT THE
COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE PROPERTY BE LISTED ON THE
EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. COMMISSIONER ALLBERY SECONDED THE MOTION,
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was announced that Mayor Earling is scheduled to conduct a plaque ceremony at the Schumacher Building on June 2nd. It
was anticipated that the plaque ceremony for the Profitt/Astell House could take place on the same day.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Tays pointed out that several applications for the Register were submitted immediately following the BOLA
Report and are in the City's files. The owners of the properties received notification and are likely waiting for the
Commission to move the applications forward.
The Commissioners discussed the status of the project to expand the historic survey beyond the BOLA Report. Ms
Cunningham reviewed that the City received a grant for the expanded study, and staff is in the process of finding a
consultant. Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested, and the remainder of the Commission concurred, that they should set forth
specific criteria for the expanded study.
Education and Outreach Committee
Vice Chair Vogel said he would provide a presentation regarding the history of Edmonds at Edmonds Landing on April 20th
at 1:30 p.m. They have invited him to concentrate his presentation on personalities from Edmonds' history.
Preservation Planning Committee
Commissioner Tays said the Preservation Planning Committee would like a future meeting agenda to be devoted to training
the Commissioners on how to "assess the integrity of historic structures." The Commissioners reviewed previous
applications and discussed specific concerns that needed to be addressed as part of the training.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that the Society's website is being reformatted so that it can be updated and managed in-
house. Vice Chair Vogel agreed to ask the Society for permission to provide the Commissioners with a link to their server.
Commissioner Allbery said the Society must relocate the storage items that are currently at the former Woodway Elementary
School by June. A potential alternative facility has been found, but it is located further away.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion on the 2015 Strategic Plan
Commissioner Waite advised that the Preservation Planning Committee met recently, and the focus of their discussion was
the Strategic Plan. Commissioner Tays noted that many of the corrections are intended to clarify the inconsistent terms that
are used in the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Cunningham advised that the City is in the process of updating its Comprehensive
Plan, and potential amendments must be brought forward as soon as possible. Commissioner Waite agreed to forward the
updated Strategic Plan to the staff and Commissioners for review. Ms. Cunningham suggested that it might be necessary to
have a special meeting to take action on the Strategic Plan so that necessary amendments to the Comprehensive Plan can go
forward as part of the current update.
Discussion on the Morris/Frost House
Commissioner Deiner-Karr recommended that the Morris/Frost House (formerly known as the Bigelow House) be renamed
the "Elwell House." She reviewed historical information showing that the property where the structure is located, as well as
the surrounding properties, was originally owned by Pleasant Elwell, who obtained them via a preemptive claim under the
Homestead Act. The site was originally developed with a cabin that was eventually replaced with the current structure. She
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also provided historical information showing how the property changed hands and was subdivided over the years. The
Commission agreed to discuss the property again at their April 9th meeting.
WEBSITE UPDATES
It was noted that the Commission's web page needs to be updated to identify the current Chair and Vice Chair of the
Commission. Ms. Cunningham said the information is correct on the new website that will be up and running soon.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Vice Chair Vogel did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Definer -Karr said she recently spoke with former Commissioner Eccleshall, who agreed to help with the 2016
Historic Calendar.
The Commission discussed that, because the doors to City Hall are locked at 5:00 p.m., there is no way for members of the
public to access their meetings unless someone is available to let them in. Council Member Petso noted that the City Council
is aware of the concern and is working to address the problem.
Commissioner Tays reported that he has prepared an application for the house at 731 Main Street to be added to the Register.
The home is one of four that were constructed to house logging company employees. The center of the building (gable over
the second story) is the original portion of the house. When the house was purchased by the Crow Family (Crow Hardware),
the wings had already been added but not finished. Mr. Crow finished the two wings. He noted that Dorothy Crow
Williamson grew up in the house and now lives at the corner of 6th and Main. If staff has sufficient time to prepare, the
Commission agreed to schedule the application for a public hearing on April 9ch
Commissioner Livingston said he recently spoke with Bob Rinehart who agreed to make arrangements for the Commission to
make a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce relative to historic preservation. Vice Chair Vogel noted that the
Commission already has a prepared presentation relative to the general history of Edmonds. Commissioner Tays pointed out
that Mr. Rinehart is president of the Edmonds Public Facilities District Board of Directors. He recalled that he made a
presentation to the Board of Directors about a year ago regarding the opportunity to add the Edmonds Center for the Arts to
the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Since that time, there has not been a quorum of members available to vote on
moving the application forward.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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