Everett Historical Commission

Everett Historical Commission Meeting Summary May 25, 2021 Commissioners Staff Guests Steve Fox, Chair Karen Stewart Darcy Walker Amelia Hieb Becky McCrary Richard & Christa Porter Andrea Tucker Chris Moore Glenn Hunter Kari Quaas Laura Cameron-Behee Madison Vazquez The virtual meeting convened at 6:30 pm with a roll call of Commissioners. The new Long Range Planning Manager, Becky McCrary, was introduced and welcomed. Citizen Comments (for items not on tonight’s agenda) Chair Fox asked if there was a member of the public with comments or questions for items not on the agenda. No one spoke up with any comments. Approval of Prior Meeting Summary The meeting summary for the prior Historical Commission meeting held on March 23, 2021 was reviewed with no changes requested. A motion to approve the meeting summary was made by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Tucker, and approved unanimously by the Commissioners in attendance. Review of Nomination to Everett Register of Historic Places The Historical Commission reviewed a nomination for the home built in 1919-20 at 2803 19th St. known as the James and Lenore Gowdy House to be listed on the local historic register. Staff gave a brief overview of their memo to the Commission listing how the nomination meets the criteria for listing on the historic register. Richard Porter, homeowner, gave a presentation with photos illustrating historic features of the home in the Delta neighborhood. Several Commissioners made comments about the home, landscaping and neighborhood that support listing the home as a fine example of a typical mill workers home from 1919 in this part of Everett. A motion to approve adding the Gowdy House at 2803 19th St. to the Everett Register of Historic Places was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Commissioner Hunter, and approved unanimously by all the Commissioners in attendance. Review of Nomination to the National Register The Historical Commission reviewed a nomination for the Longfellow School and Annex located at 3715 Oakes Av. to recommend to SHPO that the buildings be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A letter from the property owner, the Everett School District, requests that the buildings not be added to the national register at this time. A memo from the City Planning Director states that the City supports the school district because of the abbreviated work of the task force and that the time is not right to proceed 1 with this nomination. During public comment, the Executive Director for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation asked that the buildings be recommended to be listed on the National Register. An Everett resident commented in favor of preserving the buildings as a landmark visible from Interstate 5. Several Commissioners asked the school district representative a number of questions primarily focused on the public process and planned next steps. After gathering more information, the Commissioners discussed the nomination criteria met by the historic buildings. A motion to recommend to the State approval of the nomination of the Longfellow School and Annex at 3715 Oakes Av. to the National Register of Historic Places was made by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Cameron-Behee, and approved unanimously by all the Commissioners in attendance. Chair Fox will sign the CLG evaluation report form checking “Approved” box and return to staff for the Mayor’s designee recommendation. Then the CLG form will be sent to the State for their consideration and decision. Commissioner and Staff Comments Staff reported that Michelle Thompson, the new State CLG and Main Street Coordinator at DAHP, has agreed to conduct a training session for the Commissioners at the June 22 meeting. She will focus on explaining the role of the Historical Commission and Everett’s status as a Certified Local Government (CLG). A motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. was made by Commissioner Hunter and seconded by Commissioner Tucker, with unanimous agreement. 2