2018-05-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
May 10, 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
Katie Kelly
Chris Deiner-Karr
Larry Vogel
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
David Preston (excused)
Emily Scott (excused)
Steve Waite (excused)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
Sandra Allbery
COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 2018 BE ACCEPTED AS
AMENDED. VICE CHAIR JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add an update on the Palmer House located at 820 Maple Street under Unfinished Business, and
the remainder of the agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation on Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) Training Session
Commissioner Kelly reported that she and Commissioner Scott attended the DAHP Training Session, which was primarily a
refresher course. Not a lot of new information was given out.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion on Telfer-Palmer House Located at 820 Maple Street
Commissioner Kelly provided information relative to the early occupants of the Telfer-Palmer House who were historically
relevant to Edmonds' history (Nellie Telfer, Dr. Palmer, and Matt Engels). Questions still remain as to when the house was
constructed and whether Dr. Palmer was the first to live there. Chair Raetzloff briefly reviewed that the house was pulled off
of the Register when some of the windows were replaced, but the current owners have recently submitted a new application
asking that the property be listed on the Register based on important people who lived in the home historically. Mr. Chave
agreed to research and provide additional information about what guidelines and criteria would apply to the new application.
Commissioner Kelly agreed to forward her information to staff in preparation for a public hearing.
Discussion on the Scalf House Located at 645 Fir Street
Ms. Cunningham advised that this application is tentatively scheduled for a public hearing on June 14'.
Discussion on Yost House Located at 658 Maple Street
Ms. Cunningham advised that this application is scheduled for a public hearing on June 14'h
Update on 2019 Historic Calendar
Commissioner Deiner-Karr said she was recently contacted by a gentleman who offered to share information and pictures for
the calendar about transportation in early Edmonds. She agreed to make contact with the gentleman and report back.
ACTION ITEMS
There were no action items scheduled on the agenda.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Raetzloff reported that several Commissioners participated in the Volunteer Day Event that was held at the Edmonds
Museum. All of the remaining calendars were distributed, as well as a number of the walking tour brochures. They were
able to talk with a number of people about what the Historic Preservation Commission is and does.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Ms. Cunningham asked for an update on the Gerdon House Plaque, and Chair Raetzloff recalled that Commissioner Waite
had agreed to work out an agreeable solution for the plaque's location. Council Member Teitzel and Commissioner Preston
agreed to assist Commissioner Waite in this effort by making contact with the property owners.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr suggested the Commission pursue the two Brackett Houses on 2nd Avenue between Main and
Bell Streets as potential candidates for the Register. Both of these properties are included on the Commission's list of
potential properties for inclusion on the Register.
Council Member Johnson referred to the Economic Development Commission's recent proposal to amend the Development
Code to reduce the ground -floor height requirement in the Downtown Business (BD I) zone to 12 feet. She reported that she
has done an inventory of all of the properties in the BD1 zone and identified the current owners. She suggested that this
information should be cross-referenced with the Historic Preservation Commission's records, as well. Using a list and
information the Commission already has, Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to correlate the two inventories.
The Commission had a brief discussion about the concept of forming an historic district in the BD1 zone, which the
Commission has favored in the past. They reviewed previous discussions regarding the topic, including potential benefits
and possible concerns. Council Member Johnson suggested that perhaps the concept could be pursued at the same time as
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the Development Code amendment. The Commissioners voiced support for this approach and discussed potential
opportunities for educating the public and property owners about the benefits of an historic district.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
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