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2019-05-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING May 9, 2019 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 David Preston Tim Raetzloff Larry Vogel Steve Waite (left at 5:50 p.m.) Kristiana Johnson, Edmonds City Council COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Emily Scott Chris Deiner-Karr (excused) APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant OTHERS PRESENT COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2019 BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER VOGEL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ARTICLE ABOUT CALENDAR Commissioner Raetzloff reported that a reporter from THE EDMONDS BEACON contacted about the Historic Calendar. He is writing an article and was seeking additional information. He provided him with Ms. Cunningham's contact information. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES The agenda was adjusted to add a discussion about the properties at 314 Caspers Street and 22029 — 981 Place West. They also discussed postponing the Social Media Policy, Goals and Objectives and Library Project discussions until the next meeting so the Commissioners could attend the Creative District Advisory Committee meeting. COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED THAT ALL THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA (SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND LIBRARY PROJECT) BE POSTPONED TO THE JUNE 13TH MEETING SO THE COMMISSIONERS COULD ATTEND THE CREATIVE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING. COMMISSIONER KELLY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH FAILED. COMMISSIONER VOGEL MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS OF PROPERTIES AT 314 CASPERS STREET AND 22029 — 98Ta PLACE WEST. COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no audience comments. NEW BUSINESS Social Media Policy Ms. Cunningham said she is the manager of the information that the Commission posts on Facebook. She provided copies of the Social Media Policy for the Commissioners' information. Goals and Objectives for 2019 The Commissioners reviewed the summary report from the Goals and Objectives Subcommittee discussions. The report included a list of what the Commission has done in the past, what it is currently doing, and potential ideas/goals moving forward. They specifically discussed the following items on the list: • The Commission could work to foster pride amongst property owners on the Register and perhaps initiate an historic tour of properties on the Register. Other ideas included reviving the walking tour and putting out a regular e- newsletter. • Commissioner Vogel advised that he would update the historic preservation slideshow and present it to the Daybreakers Rotary Club on May 14'. • Commissioner Vogel shared a rough draft of the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST, which will include information about the Commission and feature the Campbell House. • Council Member Johnson suggested that the Commission could ask the City Council's Administrative Assistant to help research the creation of an historic district, time permitting. • The Commission discussed the idea of establishing a reference library to provide information to owners of historic properties regarding restoration, etc. It was suggested that perhaps the information could be made available in the Development Services Green Resource Center. • They discussed the idea of posting information on the City's social media sites, such as recognizing a property owner's good work in rehabilitation efforts. Commissioner Vogel agreed to clean up and prioritize the list of ideas/goals for the Commissioners to discuss at their June meeting. Once the draft is available, Ms. Cunningham agreed to forward it to all Commissioners. Creative District Advisory Committee Chair Johnson explained that each of the City's Boards and Commissions was invited to send a representative to the advisory committee meetings. Commissioner Waite would represent the Commission at the May 91 meeting and Chair Johnson would attend the next meeting. They agreed it would be helpful for the Commission representatives to report back to the Commission. Property at 314 Caspers Street Commissioner Preston agreed to do a site visit and contact the owner to discuss the property's eligibility for inclusion on the Register. It was noted that there is a giant sequoia tree on Caspers Street that should be brought to the attention of the Tree Board, as well. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes May 9, 2018 Page 2 Property at 22029 — 98" Place West Chair Johnson and Commissioner Kelly agreed to do a site visit and research the property to determine its eligibility for the register and report back to the Commission in June. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion on Library Proiect Chair Johnson reported that the subcommittee was unable to meet last week, so there is nothing new to report. They will provide an update on the project at the June meeting. ACTION ITEMS Property Interested in Historic Register The Commission once again discussed the 560 Bell Street property's eligibility for inclusion on the Register. They reviewed the criteria and agreed that the home would meet Criteria 4, "Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history. " It was noted that the property has not been changed in any way since 1942. They indicated general support for moving the nomination forward. Ms. Cunningham agreed to research the City's records for information regarding the home's history. They were particularly interested in learning more about the remodel that occurred in 1942. They asked that Mr. Lien and Commissioner Waite share their concerns about the property's eligibility at the June meeting. Commissioner Raetzloff agreed to contact the property owner to sign the application so the nomination could move forward. The goal was to conduct a public hearing on the application in July. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Johnson did not have any comments to share. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners voiced concern about the number of historic properties that are demolished every year. While they are working to get big houses like the Campbell house on the Register, the little houses that are representative of most of the people who lived in Edmonds historically are being torn down. They agreed to be more proactive in seeking out smaller homes that might qualify for the Register. Commissioners Vogel and Preston shared their research on the history of the Old Windmill Tower, noting that it was originally constructed to be a copper smelter and the windmill was decorative. The Commissioners discussed property on Caspers Street that was used as a watchtower for possible Japanese ships coming in. The also discussed that there was an air watch tower near Claire's Pantry. They discussed the idea of placing these properties on the Register based on their connection to people in the City's history. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes May 9, 2018 Page 3