2019-08-08 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING
August 8, 2019
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Johnson called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:33 p.m. in the Yd Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Laura Johnson, Chair
Chris Deiner-Karr
David Preston
Tim Raetzloff
Emily Scott
Steve Waite
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Kate Kelly, Vice Chair (excused)
Larry Vogel (excused)
Kristiana Johnson, Edmonds City Council
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The July 11, 2019 meeting minutes were not available for approval.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF MOVED THAT THE
(INFORMATION ON HISTORIC INFORMATIONAL
COMMISSIONER SCOTT SECONDED THE MOTION,
The remainder of the agenda was accepted as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
ACTION ITEMS
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
OTHERS PRESENT
Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council
AGENDA BE ADJUSTED BY PLACING ITEM VVI.1
PANEL AT SALISH CROSSING) BEFORE ITEM V.1.
WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Information on Historic Informational Panel at Salish Crossing
Council Member Teitzel recalled that he made a presentation at the Commission's February meeting regarding the new
portico at Salish Crossing, which includes a piece of the Old Edmonds High School entrance. He provided pictures taken in
1910 showing the entryway of the high school, which was later used as a junior high school and then as a small junior
college. This partial architectural feature was removed in 2005 when construction began on the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
It was later set up as part of the portico in the Salish Crossing parking area in 2015. Although the architectural feature was
relocated, he felt it should be considered an historic feature. He said he is leading an effort to create an informational panel
that explains what the historic piece is and why it is there. Frances Chapin and the Edmonds Arts Commission is prepared to
proceed with the sign, and he will present the project to the City Council with a request for funding. The estimated cost for
design, fabrication and installation is just under $5,000. He reviewed that the Commissioners indicated general support for
the project at their June meeting, but no formal action was taken.
The Commissioners discussed whether or not it was appropriate for them to offer support for using City funds to provide an
informational sign on private property that the City does not own or control. Commissioner Waite cautioned that the
Commission is bound by the Department of the Interior's standards and guidelines and cannot officially offer support for the
project. The Commission is to advise on matters of historic preservation, and this example does not comply because the
feature is out of context.
While the Commissioners indicated general support for historically -accurate signage that promotes a larger understanding of
the City's history, they agreed they cannot formally support the use of City funds for an informational sign that is located on
private property. They recommended that Council Member Teitzel approach the Edmonds Museum Board, requesting their
formal support of the concept. The Commissioners offered their help to craft the verbiage on the sign to make sure it is
descriptive and historically accurate.
NEW BUSINESS
Certificate of ADDrouriateness for the Profitt/Astell House Located at 825 Main Street (PLN20100013)
This item was postponed because the application was not ready.
Individual Commissioner Reports on Potential Properties
Commissioner Waite reported that, as per the discussion at the last meeting, he approached the owners of a property on the
Register with a request that the sign be placed in a more visible location. Their response was favorable, and he intends to
approach other property owners with the same request.
As discussed at the last meeting, the Commissioners shared their individual efforts since the last meeting to contact owners of
historic properties:
• Commissioner Preston dropped off an informational packet to the owner of property at 314 Caspers Street, who
indicated interest in adding his property to the Register. He agreed to follow up to make sure an application is
submitted.
• Commissioner Johnson said she approached the owners of property at 345 4t' Street with a request to relocate their
sign, and she will follow up on the request soon. She also talked with Kathleen Sears, who owns one of the original
log cabins at the University Colony. She indicated that the house would not qualify for the Register because it has
been modified too much. The property should be removed from the list of potential properties.
• Commissioner Deiner-Karr indicated she would try to talk with five different property owners on Sunday at the Old
Settler's Picnic.
Discussion on 2020 Historic Calendar
Commissioner Scott said she was supposed to submit information related to the 2020 Calendar to Mr. Chave this week, but
was unable to do so. The item was postponed for further discussion at the next meeting.
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ADDITIONAL ACTION ITEMS
Discussion on Library Proiect
Commissioner Johnson announced that the Library Project is set up and has received a good response so far. She noted that
the Edmonds Museum shared social media posts about the project, and the City posted on its Facebook page, too. She agreed
to ask City and Museum staff to advise them on the number of views the posts receive. She encouraged the Commissioners
to visit the display and the City's Facebook page and then share and comment on their own social media accounts.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Johnson did not have any additional comments.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Raetzloff commented that he is glad the portico was saved, but the Commission's job is to save entire
buildings and not just bits and pieces of them. Encouraging signage on the portico would be counterproductive to the
Commission's mission.
Commissioner Waite reported that the application for the property on Main Street between 8' and 9' Avenues was not ready
for a public hearing, but it may be on the September agenda. He asked that staff provide the application information to the
Commissioners well in advance of the public hearing so they have time to study the property.
Commissioner Deiner-Karr agreed with Council Member Johnson's comment at the last meeting that if the Salish Crossing
property is sold, it would be nice if the owner of the portico would return it to the Edmonds Center for the Arts property.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
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