2018-03-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
March 8, 2018
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Raetzloff 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.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Tim Raetzloff, Chair
Laura Johnson, Vice Chair
Sandra Allbery
David Preston
Emily Scott
Larry Vogel
Steve Waite
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member (arrived at 5:40 p.m.)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Chris Deiner-Karr (excused)
STAFF PRESENT
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
Katie Kelly, Director, Edmonds Historical Museum
Chair Raetzloff welcomed Commissioners Preston and Johnson to the Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Waite noted that the minutes indicate he agreed to be the point person to contact the property owner at 645 Fir
Street to assist in filling out the application. However, his understanding was that he was to research the property and bring
back additional information regarding its eligibility for the Register prior to his contacting the property owner.
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 2018 BE ACCEPTED AS
PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER ALLBERY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY,
WITH COMMISSIONERS PRESTON AND JOHNSON ABSTAINING.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add a discussion on the Gerdon House plaque presentation under Action Items. The remainder of
the agenda was accepted as presented.
REOUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Katie Kelly, Director, Edmonds Historical Museum, introduced herself to the Commission. Commissioner Allbery
announced that she is contemplating stepping down from her position as the museum's liaison to the Commission. Pending
the museum board's approval, she anticipates that Ms. Kelly will be her replacement.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of 2018 Officers
It was noted that the Commission elected Commissioner Raetzloff to serve at its Chair for 2018 at their last meeting. However,
they postponed election of Vice Chair until the two new Commissioners were present.
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED THAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON BE APPOINTED TO SERVE AS VICE
CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION IN 2018. COMMISSIONER ALLBERY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Discussion on New ADDlication for Dr. Palmer House Located at 820 MaDle Street
Ms. Cunningham advised that the owners of the Palmer House have submitted an application for their property to once again
be listed on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Chair Raetzloff reviewed that the property was placed on the Register
in 2010 but was removed in 2016 at the request of the owners after the Commission denied a Certificate of Appropriateness
for the large windows that were proposed for the 2nd story.
Chair Raetzloff referred to the new application, noting that the applicants' contention is that the new windows are not
substantially different than the ones they replaced. Commissioner Scott pointed out that the new windows are larger than the
previous windows, which were fixed and leaded glass. The Commission did not feel that the new windows met the criteria set
forth by the National Register of Historic Places.
The Commission discussed disappointment that the structure may no longer qualify for the Register, even though it is beautiful
and an important part of the City's heritage. Chair Raetzloff recalled that the Commission has previously discussed the idea
of having a secondary category for historic properties that do not qualify for the Register. While the law does not allow the
Commission to do this, perhaps the museum could create a program to recognize older structures that have historic significance
but do not qualify for the Register. Ms. Kelly reported that the Museum Board has discussed the concept and expressed interest
in pursuing it. Commissioner Waite stressed the importance of making sure there is a distinction between the plaques placed
by the Historic Preservation Commission and those placed by the Edmonds Historical Museum.
Council Member Johnson asked if it would be possible to designate the Palmer House property as a historic site rather than a
historic structure. Commissioner Waite agreed that there is criterion for designating historic sites on the Edmonds Register of
Historic Places. However, the plaques that identify sites should probably be different from those that identify properties.
Currently, there is only one plaque design with generic verbiage. The Commission agreed to discuss this idea further, including
opportunities for grant funding to fund the plaque program.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION TABLE ITS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DR.
PALMER HOUSE (820 MAPLE STREET) UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. VICE CHAIR JOHNSON SECONDED
THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Commissioners were encouraged to visit the site and review the criteria in preparation for their continued discussion.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2019 Historic Calendar
Commissioner Scott reminded them that the theme for the 2019 calendar is "transportation." She recalled the email she sent
out highlighting her ideas for each page and inviting the Commissioners to volunteer their time to conduct research. Following
a brief discussion of ideas about what could be included in each of the categories, the following assignments were made:
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Railroads
Hoof and Water (animals and use of waterways)
Interurban Trolley
Mosquito fleet (ferry)
Roads, freeways and highways
Buses
Motor Vehicles
Bicycles and other self-propelled devices
Monorail
Transportation fails
Chair Raetzloff
Commissioner Allbery
Commissioner Preston
Council Member Johnson
Commissioner Vogel
Commissioner Scott reminded the Commissioners that while they have permission to use photographs from the Edmonds
Historical Museum, they must obtain permission to use photographs that are obtained elsewhere. Citations must be provided
for each photograph that is used in the calendar. In addition to photographs, she asked that the Commissioners provide a short
write-up on each topic, along with references.
ACTION ITEMS
Nomination for Yost House Located at 658 Maple Street for Inclusion on Edmonds Resister of Historic Places
Chair Raetzloff referred the Commission to the signed application submitted by the owners of the Yost House located at 658
Maple Street. It was noted that the Commission has discussed the property on previous occasions. They agreed to schedule a
public hearing on the application for April 121. Chair Raetzloff agreed to notify the property owners of the public hearing
date, advising that they must attend. Ms. Cunningham indicated that the hearing would be advertised and the appropriate
notices would be posted.
Nomination for House Located at 645 Fir Street for Inclusion on Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Commissioner Waite referred to the application for the house located at 645 Fir Street and reminded the Commission of the
criteria that must be considered when reviewing applications for the Register. He advised that he and Council Member Teitzel
visited the residence and its surrounding property and found it to be essentially intact. He noted that there is a new foundation,
which he does not believe would disqualify the structure. He also has some questions about the railing. He advised that the
structure appears to meet Criteria 2, 4 and 5:
• Criteria 2 — 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.
• Criteria 4 — Exemplifies or reflect special elements of the City's cultural, special, economic, political, aesthetic,
engineering or architectural history.
• Criteria 5 — Is associated with the lives of persons significant in national, state or local government.
Commissioner Waite referred to Commissioner Allbery's written documentation about the people who occupied the structure,
which supports Criteria 4 and 5. This information alone qualifies the structure for the Register, even if it doesn't have
architectural character.
Commissioner Waite advised that there are three outbuildings on the property. While one may qualify for the Register, there
is insufficient documentation to support its inclusion. It appears that the owners are currently interesting in having the main
structure listed on the Register, and no mention has been made about including the outbuildings. However, upon their request,
the Commission could revisit the outbuildings to determine their eligibility, as well.
Commissioner Johnson agreed to contact the property owners and invite them to sign the application. Chair Waite agreed to
assist as needed. Commissioner Allbery agreed to provide a brief synopsis of the information she has collected pertaining to
Criteria 4 and 5. They agreed to schedule a public hearing for April 12t' if the required application, with signature, is submitted
to the City within the next two weeks.
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Properties to be Discussed for Inclusion on Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Ms. Cunningham referred the Commissioners to a list of properties (and their owners) that were identified by the consultant as
possible candidates for the Register. She also provided an updated list of properties the City has previously received
applications for that still need to be processed by the Commission.
Council Member Johnson said she would be happy to pursue the property at 9309 Bowdoin Way, which is owned by Shirley
Johnson. She said Ms. Johnson has been in contact with the City about potentially donating the property to the City of Edmonds
at some point. She also agreed to contact Marni Muir, who owns the property at 7700 — 1751 Street SW, which is an old
caretakers cottage from a large estate.
Commissioner Allbery said she contacted the owners of the property at 232 Sunset Avenue N, who indicated they were not
interested in pursuing placement on the Register.
Gerdon House Plaque Presentation
Ms. Cunningham announced that a plaque presentation ceremony for the Gerdon House is scheduled for March 20t' at 10 a.m.
Mayor Earling will be present. Commissioner Vogel indicated that he would cover the event for My Edmonds News.
Commissioner Preston agreed to talk with the property owners regarding the plaque's location, noting that the preference is
somewhere close to the street.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Raetzloff announced that the interpretive plaque on Sunset Avenue is now in place. He suggested that the photograph
that was used on the plaque would be good for the 2019 calendar, as well. Commissioner Vogel said the interpretive sign at
Yost Park has also been installed.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commissioners all welcomed the two new Commissioners and thanked them for being willing to participate.
Commissioner Johnson said she is excited to learn from her fellow Commissioners. It quite an opportunity for her to participate
on the Commissioner. Commissioner Preston concurred.
Council Member Johnson announced that she will be the Council's 2018 liaison to the Commission. She commented that the
Historic Preservation Commission is her favorite committee assignment. She reported that the Commission should never have
to cancel another meeting because of a quorum because the City Council has authorized all board and commission members to
participate in meetings via phone. Secondly, she reported that the Economic Development Commission made a presentation
to the City Council in February, asking that the Downtown Business (BD-1) zone height requirement be changed to allow for
redevelopment and reconstruction. Their idea is that the area is underdeveloped. The goal is to get three stories where only
two stories are currently allowed. She emphasized that the intent of the current height limit is to prohibit development of more
than two -stories and to maintain the historic character of the downtown. She said it would be helpful for the Commission to
provide some background information to the City Council relative to this issue. The Commission decided to add this discussion
to their April agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
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