2019-03-14 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING
March 14, 2018
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Johnson 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
Laura Johnson, Chair
Kate Kelly, Vice Chair (left at 6:00 p.m.)
Chris Deiner-Karr
David Preston
Tim Raetzloff
Larry Vogel
Steve Waite
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Emily Scott (excused)
Kristiana Johnston, Edmonds City Council (excused)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council
Vivian Olson
COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 2019 BE ACCEPTED AS
CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The agenda was adjusted to add a recap of the assignments made at the last meeting.
COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. COMMISSIONER WIATE
SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Vivian Olson, Edmonds City Council Candidate, said she is interested in codifying zoning regulations to ensure that
Downtown Edmonds stays charming. The changes might include amending the Architectural Design Board Guidelines and
incorporating new provisions into the code relative to preserving the historic charm of downtown. While it would be great to
have a "legacy program" that recognizes property owners and developers who maintain the historic one-story buildings, she
recognizes that the majority of citizens would not likely support the notion since it would require taxpayers to accept
financial responsibility for the lost development potential that the property owners have a right to under the current 30-foot
height limit. She is now suggesting that the City consider a different version of charm that works with the existing 30-foot
height limit. The code could be adjusted to ensure that whatever buildings are developed or redeveloped are charming. She
noted downtown New Orleans as an example.
NEW BUSINESS
Goals and Objectives for 2019
Commissioner Vogel reported that the subcommittee met recently to review the ordinance that created the Historic
Preservation Commission (Ordinance 3392) and discuss what the Commission could and should be doing based on the
ordinance and what is realistic for them to accomplish. He reviewed the responsibilities of the Commission as outlined in the
ordinance, emphasizing that their primary responsibilities are to "Identify and actively encourage the conservation of the
City's Historic Resources by initiating and maintaining the Register of Historic Places," and to "raise community
awareness of the City's history and resources."
Commissioner Vogel said it was suggested that the Commission should seek feedback from the State Historic Preservation
Officer regarding the list of responsibilities, and Mr. Chave pointed out that the ordinance was actually created using the
State's model.
The Commissioners reviewed their past activities as follows:
• Cared for and fed the Register, keeping it updated and posted online.
• Published the Preservationist, which was very well -received by the community.
• Published an annual Historic Calendar.
• Presented a slide show that Commissioner Vogel made on the history of Edmonds to various organizations and
groups in Edmonds.
• Held an open house for the community.
• Consulted with the City on the Art Commission's Stages of History Project and alterations to City -owned properties.
• Published pamphlets and conducted walking tours of historic sites in Edmonds.
• Completed three historic inventories.
Next, the Commission reviewed a list of additional activities and ideas that came up during the subcommittee's discussion.
• Search the City's' meeting attendance policy and enforce where required.
• Understand and accept the fundamental purposes of historic preservation.
• Establish, enhance and take pride in our own identity as a Commission.
• Understand the diverse but complimentary functions of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission and
Edmonds Museum and collaborate together on issues of joint interest.
• Outreach and collaborate with other City commissions and boards on what we can do.
• Foster pride among registered property owners and perhaps have an annual reception for owners of property on the
Register.
• Initiate an historic tour of properties on the Register.
• Work with City officials and others to enhance tangible and intangible incentives for owners to add their homes to
the Register.
• Revive the Preservationist, perhaps recasting the articles Commissioner Vogel published for THE EDMONDS
PATCH.
• Revive the historic walking tours, perhaps offering them during the summer market.
• Put out regular E-newsletters.
• Place messages on the City's social media sites.
• Research for the creation of a Historic District in Downtown Edmonds.
• Permanently close off one block on all four sides of the fountain and create a European -style public plaza.
• Provide a reference library for owners of historic properties with information on how to renovate, etc.
• Recognize the good work and rehabilitation efforts of owners of local historic buildings.
• Re-establish the Commission subcommittees: Publication, Register, Outreach, etc.
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The Commissioners discussed the need to do more public outreach to educate the community about historic preservation and
the benefits of placing properties on the Register. They agreed that personal contact is the best way to get owners to place
their properties on the Register, and follow through on the part of the Commissioners is vital to the success of any of the
outreach programs. It was noted that there aren't a lot of financial incentives the City can offer to properties on the Register
so it is important to emphasize the sense of community, pride in ownership and ongoing recognition from others. Ideas
moving forward included:
• Hold an annual reception for owners of property already on the Register to recognize them for stewardship of their
buildings. Invite them to share input about the benefits of being on the Register. Provide poster boards featuring the
historic properties on the Register. Invite the owners of the top 10 historic properties they want to get on the list to
attend.
• Do a press release following the owner reception.
• Work personal stories into all of the Commission's publications and outreach materials.
• Hold a public open house to help people recognize the value of historic preservation. Point out the benefits of
placing properties on the Register and solicit feedback from property owners relative to their concerns about placing
properties on the Register.
• Use the Commission's August display at the library to not only talk about historic preservation through the years,
but also to talk about the values the Commission wants to promote. A new issue of The Preservationist could be
available as a handout.
• Prepare a script that Commissioners can use when approaching owners to request they place their properties on the
Register.
• Work with local restaurants, particularly those located in historic buildings, about offering free dinners or other
incentives to owners who place their properties on the Register.
Marketing Plan to Add Qualified Homes to the List
Based on the Commission's previous discussion, they agreed it might be helpful to re-establish the subcommittees to
implement the ideas. In addition, the following assignments were made:
• Commissioner Vogel committed to preparing a new draft of THE PRESERVATIONIST for the Commission to
review at their next meeting.
• Chair Johnson and Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed to each approach restaurant owners and invite them to offer
an incentive (donate a dinner, host a reception) to owners who place their properties on the Register.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion on Library Proiect
Chair Johnson provided a diagram of the display area at the library where the Commission's exhibit will be located. She
shared her ideas for the exhibit and invited the Commissioners to provide general direction and identify a theme for the
display. They agreed that the exhibit should educate the public on the purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission,
share information about the properties already on the Register and announce future activities. Chair Johnson agreed to work
with Commissioners Scott, Kelly and Vogel to pull the exhibit together.
Discussion on 2020 Historic Calendar
The Commission discussed the purpose of the calendar and how it fits in with their primary mission, which is to get
properties on the Register. It was pointed out that another duty is to raise community awareness of the City's history and
historic resources, and the calendar serves this purpose. However, they agreed that perhaps the calendar project could focus
more on the Commission's main objective to build the Register. For example, the Commissioners could hand deliver
calendars to owners of property they want on the Register, and a page on the calendar could recognize the owners who have
already placed their properties on the Register. They also agreed that publishing new editions of THE PRESERVATIONIST
could help give the Commission some identity.
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Recap from Last Meetin
Ms. Cunningham reviewed the list of assignments made at the last meeting and the Commissioners reported on their
accomplishments. Ms. Cunningham reported that she sent a letter to the owners of the Mowatt Wells House, requesting a
signature so the application could go forward to a public hearing, but she hasn't heard back from them.
ACTION ITEMS
Property Interested in Historic Register
Ms. Cunningham shared photographs collected by Commissioner Kelly of the home at 61 and Bell. The pictures clarify the
changes that have been made. It was noted that many of the changes likely happened prior to World War II. Commissioner
Waite said he and Commissioner Kelly are collecting information that will inform whether or not the home meets the criteria
for inclusion on the Register. He reminded Commissioner Deiner-Karr that she agreed to pick up historical documents from
Snohomish County.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Ms. Cunningham distributed copies of the Commission's current attendance policy for the Commission's information.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Johnson did not provide any comments during this part of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Waite thanked Council Member Teitzel for filling in for Council Member Johnson.
Commissioner Raetzloff commented that the home at 6t' and Bell is representative of a small, working-person's house, which
is a type of structure that is often lost. If possible, he would like it to be listed on the Register for that reason.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr asked Commissioner Vogel to clarify Ms. Olsen's comments made earlier in the meeting.
Commissioner Vogel said that she is running for City Council and is interested in protecting the charm of historic Edmonds.
He suggested that she attend a meeting to learn more about what the Historic Preservation Commission does in that regard.
Council Member Teitzel his understanding is that Ms. Olsen has a passion for the history of Edmonds and values its historic
charm. She wants to maintain this as much as possible, and she might be interested in the concept of a "historic district"
where there are design guidelines in place to retain the charm. She is not advocating a cap on building heights, but is
interested in perhaps providing incentives to owners to keep the heights low.
The Commissioners agreed it would behoove them to find out where the mayor and council candidates stand on the topic of
historic preservation and, in particular, an historic district in downtown Edmonds. They discussed that property owners and
businesses are concerned about how an historic district designation would limit what they can do with their properties. They
may be more receptive of a concept that offers incentives rather than restrictions. Providing information about successful
historic districts in other communities might help, as well.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
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