2017-05-11 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
May 11, 2017
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Raetzloff 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 — 5d' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Tim Raetzloff, Chair
Eric Livingston, Vice Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr
Steve Waite
Larry Vogel
Sandra Allbery
Christiana Johnson, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Emily Scott
Dave Teitzel, City Council Member (excused)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
COMMISSIONER ALLBERY MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 2017 BE ACCEPTED AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add an announcement about the Historic Preservation Month Proclamation and a discussion
about updating the list of historic properties that might be eligible for the Register.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
NEW BUSINESS
Review of 2018 Calendar
The Commission reviewed the draft 2018 Calendar and identified a few minor changes. They agreed it would be fun to add
the names of people who are featured in the photos, and Commissioner Allbery agreed to help with that task. Commissioner
Deiner-Karr agreed to take the draft calendar to the Old Timers Picnic in August, asking those in attendance to help identify
the people in the photographs. The Commissioners also agreed it would be nice to include a historic picture of the Edmonds
High School Building. In addition, Chair Vogel agreed to locate a good picture of Robin Hood Lanes to replace the
Lynnwood Lanes photograph that is in the draft calendar. Chair Raetzloff cautioned against making too many changes that
will further delay printing of the calendar.
The Commission discussed that the 2018 calendar might be more popular because it features pictures of actual people. They
talked about how many calendars should be printed. It was noted that the budget for the 2017 calendar was never spent, but
it was not rolled over for the 2018 calendar, either. The Commission asked Ms. Cunningham to seek feedback from the
Finance Director as to whether this funding would still be available so that additional calendars could be printed. They also
suggested that the calendar could be made available electronically for people to print their own copies.
Commissioner Vogel agreed to assist Commissioner Scott in making the changes, and the Commissioners all agreed to
review the calendar portion and note changes that are needed to dates and events. Chanes should be submitted to Ms.
Cunningham as soon as possible. The goal was to have the changes completed by the June 81 meeting.
Proclamation
Chair Raetzloff announced that Mayor Earling read a proclamation recently identifying May as National Historic
Preservation Month in the City of Edmonds. He and several other Commissioners were in attendance. The Commissioners
agreed that the proclamation should be posted in a visible location at least for the month of May, perhaps as part of the
Museum's exhibit. It should also be posted on the Commission's website. At the end of the month, the proclamation could
be framed and displayed in the Brackett Room of City Hall, which is where the monthly Commission meetings are held. It
was noted that the proclamation was written and submitted by Commissioner Scott on behalf of the Commission.
Update on the Edmonds Museum Exhibit
Commissioner Allbery reported that there has not been a large crowd of people visiting the new exhibit, "Edmonds in Focus:
Capturing our Collective History." However, quite a few people attended Membership Night. The main draw at the exhibit
is an enlarged aerial photograph from the 1940's. People are amazed at the small homes and the number of vacant lots.
Examples of the types of building materials that have been used historically in the City are also part of the display.
Commissioner Waite asked if the Museum is actively pursuing participation by the younger generation. Commissioner
Allbery answered that is not a specific focus, but it is something the board talks a lot about. Commissioner Waite noted that
a larger number of young families are moving to Edmonds, and many are interested in purchasing the older homes. Perhaps
it would serve well to let these people know that the City has a Historic Preservation Commission.
Commissioner Waite requested an update on the Museum's maintenance project, and Commissioner Allbery reported that the
larger maintenance project that was presented previously to the Commission will not likely move forward in the near future.
However, Public Works staff is currently working to replace the windows, skylights and doors, which will be funded by a
grant. The Commissioners voiced concern that they have not yet approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project.
Ms. Cunningham agreed to seek more information about the project and advise of the approval requirement. They agreed
that representatives from the Museum and the Public Works Department should be invited to the Commission's June 8th
meeting to provide more information.
Updating the List of Historic Properties
Commissioner Deiner-Karr advised that she is in the process of reviewing and updating the list of historic properties. Once
the list has been updated, the Commission indicated a desire to take action by reaching out to the property owners in some
way via a mailing and/or a special event.
ACTION ITEMS
There were no action items on the agenda
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
May 11, 2017 Page 2
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Raetzloff said he was recently contacted by David Preston, who is interested in submitting an application to serve on
the Commission. He also reported that he received photographs from the Courood Cemetery in the Five Corners
Neighborhood. While he does not believe the owner is interested in placing the property on the Register, it is still important
to note this cemetery, as well as the Pioneer and Indian Cemeteries. The Commission had a brief discussion about the best
process for locating and identifying the graves in these cemeteries using modern technology and historical information.
Chair Raetzloff reported that he had contact with the property owner at 621 Bell Street, but he does not believe she is
interested in placing her property on the Register. He said he suspects the property has been considerably changed from its
original condition.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Council Member Johnson asked how many properties were added to the Register in 2016. Commissioner Vogel answered
that one property was added, and one property was removed from the Register. None have been added thus far in 2017, but
they are working on one. Council Member Johnson said that during the last budget process, she raised the idea of hiring
additional help (perhaps graduate students in the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Washington), but
questions were raised about who would supervise them. The Commissioners indicated a desire to pursue the concept further.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to forward helpful contact information to Council Member Johnson.
Commissioners Vogel and Deiner-Karr agreed to pursue historic photographs and other information about Robin Hood Lanes
to use in the 2018 Calendar.
Commissioner Waite indicated that he could meet with the Public Works Director regarding proposed changes at the
Edmonds Museum within the next week. Ms. Cunningham agreed to work with Mr. Chave to pursue the issue further and
perhaps set up a meeting time for Commissioner Waite.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
May 11, 2017 Page 3