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.
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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.
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