2018-07-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
July 12, 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 3rd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Tim Raetzloff, Chair
Laura Johnson, Vice Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr
Kate Kelly
David Preston
Emily Scott
Steve Waite
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
(Participating via telephone)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Larry Vogel (excused)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Kernen Lien, Environmental Programs Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
Richard and Sharon Erickson
Sandra Allbery
Anthony Palatini
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 2018 BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add a review of the Gerdon House plaque prototype, an update on the Edmonds Museum windows,
and a discussion about Commission exterior communications under New Business. The remainder of the agenda was accepted
as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
PUBLIC HEARING TO DETERMINE THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 645 FIR STREET
FOR LISTING ON THE EDMONDS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (FILE NO. PLN20180005)
Mr. Lien presented the Staff Report, noting that the house is located at 645 Fir Street and was constructed in 1910. The original
occupants were the Scalf family. He reviewed the criteria the Commission must consider when reviewing nominations for the
Register as follows:
1. Significantly associated with the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or cultural heritage of
Edmonds. This house is associated with the early pioneer history and general development of the City of Edmonds.
2. Has integrity. The house is a well-preserved, simple Victorian two-story residence, and the only apparent alterations
appear to be a new foundation and patterned guardrail on the front porch. The deck was also redone. None of the
alternations distracts from the historic character of the residence.
3. Age at least 50 years old or has exceptional importance if less than 50 years old. The building was constructed
in 1910 and is 108 years old.
Mr. Lien advised that in addition to the above criteria, the property must fall into at least one of the 11 Designation Categories.
The subject property is consistent with Designation Category b:
b. 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. The house is significant for being a well-preserved simple Victorian early residence of the City of
Edmonds.
Mr. Lien provided several photographs of the house taken at different time periods. He explained that the house is significant
for its intact early residential structure. The house is a rectangular -shaped, simple Victorian residence. All of the windows
appear to be original, and there are not a lot of extra features on the home. He recommended the Commission find the residence
meets the criteria for designation on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places and make a recommendation to the City Council
for listing it on the Register.
Anthony ??, Edmonds, asked if placing the subject property on the Register would change or impact the neighborhood. Mr.
Lien answered that the designation would be honorary and a plaque would be placed on the house or closer to the street. There
would be no additional restrictions on neighboring properties, but the owners of the subject property would be required to
obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before doing any work on the exterior of
the home to ensure the changes do not alter the significant features of the home. Mr. ?? described the deplorable condition of
the home and property over the past several years and said he had hoped that designating the property on the Register would
improve the situation. Mr. Lien advised that designating the property on the Register would not obligate the property owner
to clean up or improve the property's appearance. At the request of Mr. ??, Commissioner Waite briefly explained the tax
benefits associated with placing a property on the Register.
Commissioner Johnson said her property looks directly at the subject property, and she believes the owners have done a
beautiful job restoring the exterior. The landscaping is more natural than manicured, but there is nothing in the backyard that
is significantly different from the neighboring properties. She suggested that the problems are more of a neighborhood concern
rather than caused by this one property.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION FIND THE RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 645
FIR STREET (SCALE HOUSE) MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION ON THE EDMONDS REGISTER
OF HISTORIC PLACES AND RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE LISTING AS PRESENTED
IN THE STAFF REPORT. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS
Edmonds Museum Windows Update
Commissioner Waite reported on his meeting with the City's Public Facilities Manager, Tom Sullivan, regarding the windows
at the Edmonds Museum. He advised that the City obtained grant funding for 12 windows, and all but two will be done inhouse.
Mr. Lien pointed out that the Certificate of Appropriateness that was approved by the Commission only included the three
windows on the eastern fagade. The Commission still needs to review and approve the additional window replacement
proposals.
Holmes Corner Sign Placement
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The Commission discussed that the placement of the Holmes Corner sign is not historically accurate, and the actual location of
the Holmes Homestead is where the high school now sits. They also discussed Council Member Teitzel's recommendation
that the Commission send a letter or email to the Public Works Director requesting that the sign be relocated to the southwest
corner to accurately reflect the history of the area. Mr. Chave suggested the Commission could make a motion of support for
relocating the sign, and the minutes from the meeting could be forwarded to the Public Works Director.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION OFFER ITS SUPPORT FOR RELOCATING THE
HOLMES CORNER SIGN TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION AT 76TH AVENUE AND
212TH STREET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr pointed out that the sign was put up under the direction of the Edmonds Museum and not the
Historic Preservation Commission. The motion would simply voice support for relocating the sign, and it would be the City's
responsibility to move it. Commissioner Scott said the intent of her motion is also to suggest that the sign relocation become
a priority for the Public Works Department. Commissioner Kelly said the Edmonds Museum also supports relocation of the
sign.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Chave agreed to forward the meeting minutes to the Public Works Director, specifically noting the motion to relocate the
Holmes Corner sign.
Gerdon House Plaque Prototype
Commissioner Waite reported on his meeting with Tom Sullivan, Public Facilities Manager, regarding construction of the post
on which the Gerdon House plaque will be mounted. The post will be delivered to the property owner for installation close to
the street within the next month.
Commission Exterior Communications
Commissioner Waite voiced concern about a letter Chair Raetzloff submitted to the local newspaper that implied the
Commission held certain beliefs. He felt that several points did not necessarily represent the position of the Commission as a
whole. He suggested that any statements made on behalf of the Commission should be carefully vetted and voted upon before
they are released to the public. The remainder of the Commission concurred. Mr. Chave summarized that Commissioners
should feel free to express their personal opinions, but he cautioned against tying their opinions to the Commission as a whole
without having some official action to base them upon. They had a brief discussion on how to best handle these situations in
the future.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Status of 2019 Historic Calendar
Commissioner Scott provided a status report on the 2019 Historic Calendar, noting that the goal is to have the draft calendar
ready for the Commission's review by the end of August. She reviewed the information she has collected thus far and reminded
the Commissioners of their assignments. She encouraged them submit their information to her as soon as possible.
Adding New Properties to the Register
Ms. Cunningham recalled that last year the Commission updated its list of potential properties for the Register. All of the
completed applications were also updated and are now ready for assignment to Commissioners to contact the owners and
request their approval to move them forward.
ACTION ITEMS
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Discussion on New Auulication for Dr. Palmer House Located at 820 Manle Street
Ms. Cunningham reviewed that the Commission voted to remove the Dr. Palmer House from the Register based on proposed
changes that were deemed inappropriate by the Commission. Since then, the Commission has discussed the possibility of
listing the site (not the house) on the Register. Commissioner Scott pointed out that the property's historical description was
updated based on research done by Edmonds Museum representatives. Commissioner Kelly summarized the new information,
particularly facts relative to the home's early occupants.
Chair Raetzloff summarized that the property owners are asking that the home be listed on the Register based on its historic
occupants rather than the homes historic architecture and appearance. Mr. Chave observed that the property owners purposely
changed the windows, knowing that the Commission deemed the changes inappropriate. If the Commission were to now find
some other avenue for listing the property on the Register, it could undermine the integrity of all of the historic structures on
the Register. It could send the message that the Commission will turn a blind eye to changes that get made.
The Commission had a lengthy discussion about the Dr. Palmer House and its potential eligibility to be re -instated on the
Register based on the criteria in the code and the Department of the Interior's Standards for designating properties on historic
registers. Mr. Chave pointed out that, although the Commission voted to remove the house from the Register, it was never
officially removed by the City Council as required by code. He agreed to review the history of the property and verify its
status. The Commission postponed a decision on the property until the next meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Raetzloff did not provide any additional comments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Waite encouraged the Commissioners to seek out additional properties to add to the Register. Commissioner
Deiner-Karr suggested the Commission should first review the criteria for determining whether or not a property is eligible for
listing on the Register.
Commissioner Preston suggested that, rather than a list, it would be helpful to have a map that identifies the highly -probable
properties that fit the criteria for inclusion on the Register. He also stressed the need to focus on the rules and procedures that
are outlined in the code.
Ms. Allbery pointed out a potential property for the Register located at 7t' Avenue and Cedar Street. She agreed to follow up
and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Preston said he talked to the property owners on Carey Road, who indicated their intent to sell the house. It is
likely the house will be significantly modified by the new owners.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
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