Everett Historical Commission

Everett Historical Commission Meeting Summary August 27, 2019 Commissioners City Staff Guests Arnold Morrison, Chair Karen Stewart Nathan Munn Steve Fox (excused) Corey Williams Dave Ramstad Laura Cameron-Behee City Council Liaison Amelia Hieb Liz Vogeli Glenn Hunter Jack O’Donnell Andrea Tucker Patrick Hall (excused) Neil Anderson (excused) Thomas Feeney (excused) The meeting convened at approximately 6:30 pm. Introductions were made around the room. Several members were not in attendance, but had communicated with Karen prior to the meeting so were excused. Commissioner Ramstad had one correction to the July meeting summary. He said the City of Marysville Park is called “Comford” Park not Comfort Park. A motion to approve the July meeting summary with this correction was made by Commissioner Cameron-Behee, seconded by Commissioner Ramstad, and approved by all. Citizen Comments Project applicants, Corey Williams and Nathan Munn, requested an informal design review of revised plans for a proposed 6 unit multi-family development at 2115 and 2117 Grand Ave. The Historical Commission had previously reviewed preliminary designs at their June meeting and requested a major redesign. The applicant prepared a new plan set which they brought to the meeting to show the Commission. Staff informed the Commission that the existing single family house at 2115 Grand Avenue is listed as a contributing structure in the Rucker Grand Historic Overlay. The applicant seeks approval from the Historical Commission to demolish the structures at 2115 Grand Av. so a new multi family building with an infill dwelling over a garage off the alley may be constructed. The applicant will submit a revised site plan in time for staff to prepare a recommendation that will be mailed to the Historical Commission prior to their September meeting for a formal review and recommendation to the Planning Director. Status Update on I-5 Historic District Signage Staff presented recent email communication with Mazen Mahmoud an engineer at WSDOT regarding our request to install signs along I-5 promoting Everett’s Historic District. Mr. Mahmoud reports the following: “A site assessment confirms WSDOT’s prior findings that there is a large number of signs along the exits to the City of Everett and sign spacing is maxed out. Everett is a large metropolitan area and has many destinations and services signed off on I-5. About the only option we have is to modify the CITY CENTER sign in the northbound direction and install a new sign prior to exit 192 in the southbound direction, provided we can relocate the existing “ADOPT A HIGHWAY SIGN”. The Historic District must be included on the National Historical Register prior to any signing approvals. City of Everett will be responsible for all costs associated with the fabrication, relocation, installation and maintenance of the signs. Follow through signing on local streets must be secured and in place prior to WSDOT installing the signs on I-5.” The Commissioners discussed teaming with the Downtown Everett Association and using the Main Street program to help with wayfinding signs off of the freeway. We could also pursue a Washington Trust grant to fund the signs and team with Alaska Airlines, Angel of the Winds Event Center, Marriott Courtyard, etc. The historic walking tour could be distributed via tourism rack carts. Continue to brainstorm on ideas to promote Everett’s Historic District. Historical Commission 2019 Work Plan With three meetings remaining for this year’s work plan, it was time to review priorities for the remaining action items. Signage, including local wayfinding signage for the Hewitt Historic District and freeway signs, is now identified as a high priority action. Accordingly, staff was asked to follow-up with WSDOT about freeway sign potential and report back at the September meeting. The Main Street Program action item was raised to medium priority. There was discussion about the Naming Policy and Projects action item. There was also discussion about the CLG grant cycle. Karen will discuss with other staff to learn about the funding cycle and identify eligible projects for next year. Historical Commissioner Comments Roundtable report outs inviting Commissioners to a Housing Roundtable hosted by Councilmember Vogeli and help Commissioner Tucker at the September 14th Historic Everett Homes Tour. Commissioner Ramstad signed up for a shift. Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 24th. Commissioner Cameron-Behee will be out-of- town and is excused. Motion to adjourn at 8:19 p.m. made by Commissioner Ramstad, seconded by Commissioner Cameron- Behee, with unanimous agreement.