2015-06-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
June 11.) 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Scott called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:35 p.m. in the 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5d' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Emily Scott, Chair
Larry Vogel, Vice Chair
Sandra Allbery
Chris Deiner-Karr
Eric Livingston
Tim Raetzloff
Dave Teitzel
Steve Waite
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
Lora Petso, City Council Member
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Katie Bojakowski (excused)
Gerry Tays (excused)
COMMISSIONER TEITZEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 14, 2015 AS SUBMITTED.
COMMISSIONER ALLBERY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The 2016 Historic Calendar was added to the agenda under "New Business." A presentation of three concepts prepared by
Commissioner Teitzel and a discussion on the plaque ceremony for the Profitt/Astell House were added under "Unfinished
Business." The remainder of the agenda was approved as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee did not have any specific items to report.
Education and Outreach Committee
Vice Chair Vogel reported that the Senior Center invited him to lead a historic walk (Stages of History) on August 61h at
10:00 a.m. It will start at the Edmonds Senior Center and continue into the downtown core. He invited interested
Commissioners to join the tour.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any items to report.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that the Edmonds Historical Museum's plaza project is underway, and most of the pavers
have been installed. Tomorrow they will begin placing the personalized engraved paving tiles. They have collected $6,700
to date through the sale of tiles, and there are still some available. The purchase form is available on the Museum's website.
The goal is to have all the tiles in place for the City's 125`h Anniversary celebration. The school bell will return and become
the centerpiece of the plaza.
Commissioner Allbery also reported that the Edmonds Historical Museum is forming a search committee for a new director.
She invited Commissioners to contact Barbara Fahey with any leads.
WEB UPDATES
No website updates were noted. Chair Scott encouraged the Commissioners to visit the site and note potential changes.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on Main Street Program
Council Member Petso reported that at its last retreat, the City Council discussed the concept of creating a historic district
(Main Street Program) in the downtown. She and Council Member Johnson met with Mr. Chave and Shane Hope to map out
a plan for moving the concept forward. Mr. Chave agreed to seek feedback from the consultant who is working on the
inventory about how to present the concept to the property owners. They agreed it would be appropriate to start small (close
to the fountain) and expand later as appropriate. It was noted that the cooperation and participation of the property owners
would be crucial. They also briefly discussed the additional review requirements associated with the program and whether or
not it would require the City to hire an additional staff person. Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to research the criteria for
participating in the Main Street Program, as well as example programs from towns throughout the State. She further agreed
to meet with Council Members Petso and Johnson to review her research results. At their next meeting, they agreed to
discuss how staff could assist the Commission in moving the concept forward. Council Member Johnson recalled that Mr.
Chave previously agreed to obtain a list of all the property owners in the downtown and prepare a map to identify the district.
Updating Register Application
Ms. Cunningham provided hard copies of the Register application and brochure and invited the Commissioners to share their
thoughts on how the two documents could be updated. For example, she suggested it would be helpful to have the email
addresses of property owners. Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested that directions for filling out the application would also
be helpful. The Commissioners discussed making the application and brochure available in electronic format. They agreed
to review the document during the next month and send their comments to Ms. Cunningham.
2016 Historic Calendar
Vice Chair Vogel provided a mock up to illustrate what the 2016 calendar would look like. He reminded the Commission
that the calendar would play off the City's 125th Anniversary and feature one decade each month. Commissioner Deiner-
Karr announced that she has a bundle of photographs depicting Edmonds in the late 1800s and early 1900s that have never
been seen. Chair Scott reminded Commissioners of their assignments to research particular decades and forward a rough
timeline of dates and associated pictures to Vice Chair Vogel. She agreed to send out an email reminding the Commissioners
of their assignments. The Commissioners indicated support for the calendar design and content, as proposed. However, it
was discussed that it should be noted throughout that the calendar was prepared by the Historic Preservation Commission.
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Commissioner Waite cautioned that, as they move forward with the calendar program, the pictures and written information
must be in context to historic buildings and sites. While photographs of everyday life in Edmonds might be appropriate, they
must be associated with a historic structure or site. It was discussed that people bring context to a site in a period way. Chair
Scott and Vice Chair Vogel agreed to choose photographs that are consistent with the Commission's mission, but
communicative of so much more than just a structure.
Discussion on Plaque Mock Up
Commissioner Waite recalled that the Commission previously discussed that the current plaques are oftentimes not visible,
and they do not provide enough information. The proposed new plaque would include space for an informational brochure
that links the plaque to the Historic Preservation Commission. They discussed whether the Commission or property owner
would be responsible for filling the information boxes. It was suggested that rather than using paper brochures, the plaques
could include a Quick Response (QR) Code, which could be updated immediately when changes are needed. Questions were
raised about how property owners would feel about having the boxes in their front yards, and who would pay for them. The
Commissioners agreed that the Preservation Planning Committee would meet and discuss the following: cost for each
plaque, who will pay for the plaques and their installation, and should property owners be allowed to opt out of the new
plaque design. They also agreed to solicit feedback from owners of property on the Register regarding the new alternative.
Three Concepts Presented by Commissioner Teitzel
Commissioner Teitzel raised concern that there are not enough visual reminders along the waterfront of the approximately 14
lumber and shingle mills that previously existed. He reported on the items he found relative to reminders of what was
previously there as he walked from the jetty to the dog park. Because lumber and shingle mills are the City's heritage and
what drove Edmonds economically, he suggested it would be appropriate to place a diorama in the grassy swale at the park
located south of the ferry terminal to depict what Edmonds looked like at the turn of the century. The Commissioners voiced
support for the concept, which is consistent with their mission. Possible options for moving it forward include partnering
with the Edmonds Historical Museum and soliciting private funding from residents. It was also suggested that the
Commission contact the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director regarding the possibility of partnering with the City
to integrate the project into either the Marina Beach Park Master Plan or the Senior Center Project. Commissioner Teitzel
agreed to make contact with both Carrie Hite and Frances Chapin from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Department.
Commissioner Teitzel provided a picture of an old -growth cedar stump that is located about a quarter mile in on the left side
of Woodway Park Road. The stump is about five feet in diameter, and he estimated the tree was probably 200 feet tall at one
time. A springboard notch is still visible from the street, and he can easily imagine loggers using the springboards to saw the
tree down. He suggested they find a similar stump in Edmonds and move it to the edge of Yost Park where it would be
visible from Main Street.
Commissioner Teitzel reported that his friend recently purchased the house at 209 Caspers Street and is considering the
possibility of listing the house on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. It was noted that an application was already
prepared for the property, but the previous owners decided not to pursue it. Ms. Cunningham agreed to forward the
application to Commissioner Teitzel, who would work with the property owner to move the application forward.
ACTION ITEMS
Plaque Ceremony Profitt/Astell House
Ms. Cunningham reported that she is working with the property owner and Mayor Earling to schedule a plaque ceremony for
the Profitt/Astell House. She reviewed the potential dates, and the Commission asked Ms. Cunningham to schedule the
ceremony for July 20 at 10:00 a.m.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Scott did not provide any additional comments.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None of the Commissioners provided comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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