2015-10-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
October 8, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Scott called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 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
Eric Livingston
Tim Raetzloff
Dave Teitzel
Steve Waite
Lora Petso, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Gerry Tays (excused)
Chris Deiner-Karr (excused)
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
David Peterson
Margaret Peterson
COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 AS
SUBMITTED AND SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER ALLBERY SECONDED THE
MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The Commission added a discussion on possible modifications to the Cooper House (820 Maple Street) to the agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No one in the audience indicated a desire to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting.
DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE ADDITIONS TO COOPER (DR. PALMER) HOUSE (820 MAPLE STREET)
David Peterson, Edmonds, said he and his wife moved to Edmonds from Southern California, purchasing a home that is
listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places (820 Maple Street). Work needs to be done on the home, and he is seeking
direction from the Commission. They have engaged the services of an architect, who is working on a proposal for the
Commission's consideration. He advised that potential work includes:
• Adding a garage.
• Removing the asbestos siding to expose the original siding, which would be painted.
• Renovating the attic space to provide an additional bedroom, which may require a small dormer.
• Enlarging the decorative windows in the gables on the second story.
The Commission agreed that a detached garage (or carriage house) or changes done inside the attic space would not concern
the Commission. However, external changes, such as adding dormers and changing the size of windows, would raise more
concern. They offered their assistance to the Peterson's architect to ensure the changes qualify for a Certificate of
Appropriateness. They asked Ms. Cunningham to email the Petersons links to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for
additional guidelines. As general guidance, it was discussed that changes that modify the key historical elements of the
structure should be avoided.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
Commissioner Raetzloff reported that he contacted an owner of historic property, but he has not heard back yet. He agreed to
send a reminder next week.
Education and Outreach Committee
Vice Chair Vogel announced that he would address the Epic Writers Group on Monday, October 12th. His presentation will
touch on history.
Commissioner Teitzel reported that while he knocked on nearly 5,000 doors over the past weeks, he has run across properties
that have historic interest. He has provided information to property owners about the Edmonds Register of Historic
Properties, and two have indicated high interest. The Sears kit house at 6th and 3`d that was constructed in 1910 is a well
preserved home, and he will work with the owner to get an application going. He said he will continue to work with the
owner of the Campbell Home at 209 Kaspers, who is still interested in pursuing an application for the Register. Also, he has
agreed to meet with the elders of the North Sound Church to explain the Commission's interest in having the church on the
Register.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not have any activities to report.
South Snohomish County Historical Society
Commissioner Allbery reported that the Summer Market exceeded the prior year's income. She announced that the
Scarecrow Festival is underway, and scarecrows are beginning to pop up around the City. The Heritage Days Dinner is
scheduled for November 131h, and the deadline for the early dollar tickets was extended until October 201h
Vice Chair Vogel reported that the plaza project is still evolving, and the next piece will be a timeline of Edmonds History,
which will go on the display sign next to the bell tower. He is working closely with Clayton Moss, the plaza designer, and
they are hoping to provide information at the Heritage Days Dinner that will offer interested people an opportunity to donate
to and sponsor the project.
NEW BUSINESS
New Contacts for Historic Register
Commissioner Allbery said she has contacted the owners of a brick home at 923 Cedar Way that was built in 1931 by Robert
Weller, the son-in-law of George Durbin, whose family owned retail businesses in Edmonds. She was able to answer their
questions, and they are working on an application. She also reported that the owner of the Tucson House may have changed
her mind again about adding the property to the Register.
Protocol for Email Communications Between Commissioners
Mr. Chave reviewed the content of a handout regarding the Open Public Meetings Act that was prepared by the Municipal
Research and Services Center (MRSC). He cautioned the Commissioners to be careful about exchanging emails with each
other about subjects that should be discussed in an open meeting. These situations could be interpreted as unadvertised
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public meetings. He also encouraged the Commissioners to use the City's email account for Commission business since it
allows them to separate their public and personal emails. This avoids situations where private emails become the subject of
public records requests. Discussions related to items that are coming before the Commission for a decision should only be
discussed in an open public meeting, and any emails relative to the items should be distributed via Ms. Cunningham so they
can become part of the record. The Commissioners discussed various situations and staff provided input and direction for
best practices.
Discussion on Adding Tree Stumps to Edmonds Historic Register
Commissioner Teitzel read from Ordinance 3392 (Item A), which talks about safeguarding the heritage of the City as
represented by the buildings, districts, objects, sites and structures that reflect significant elements of Edmonds history. He
reported that he located an old cedar stump at Yost Park that could meet this criterion. It has springboard notches on it and
the tree was most likely cut down and taken to one of the shingle mills at the waterfront. He provided a picture of the stump,
which is about 60 feet south of the concrete barrier dam, and requested that the Commission provide feedback about whether
it would be appropriate to pursue the stump for possible inclusion on the Register.
Chair Scott suggested the Commission has three options to consider when addressing objects: adding them to the Register,
creating a separate inventory for objects, or creating an education opportunity. After further discussion, the Commission
generally agreed that stumps are not objects that would typically be included on a historic register. However, they indicated
support for Chair Scott's suggestion of working with the Parks Department and the Edmonds Museum to create an
educational exhibit. Commissioner Teitzel agreed to discuss the idea with representatives from the Parks Department and the
Edmonds Museum.
The Commission had a brief discussion about the Yost Dam site. It was noted that the Commission has been unable to obtain
enough information to place the site on the Register. Chair Scott suggested that the Commission submit a form to the State
that identifies the dam as a historic site. She agreed to print out the form for the Commission's continued discussion at their
November 12th meeting.
Status of 2016 Calendar
Chair Scott reported that the calendar is nearly finished and should be ready to print within the next few days. It was
discussed that the goal is to print the calendar before Thanksgiving.
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Update on Demolition Permits
Ms. Cunningham reviewed that, as discussed at their last meeting, rather than having Commissioners visit sites and take
pictures before historic structures are demolished, she copies pictures from Google Maps and incorporates them into the
City's database. She asked if the Commissioners still want to be notified when a historic structure is being demolished.
They agreed that they still want to be notified of these situations.
Discussion on Meeting Schedule for the Rest of the Year
The Commission agreed to hold its regularly scheduled meeting on November 12th. They discussed cancelling the December
1 Oth meeting but agreed to make the final decision on November 12th
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Scott thanked the Commissioners for attending and participating in the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Petso said she received an email from Council Member Johnson asking her to float the idea of having a
table together for the Heritage Days Dinner on November 13th
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Commissioner Allbery announced that Rita Wicklund, a granddaughter of Mr. Yost, has made a number of paper donations
to the museum in the last month. Along with the paper donations were some old reel-to-reel films. The films have been
transferred to disks, and one of them shows the steeple coming off of the church at 6th and Dayton Street.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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