Loading...
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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 14, 2019 Page 2 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 14, 2019 Page 3 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 14, 2019 Page 4