Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Contact: Michelle Sadlier 360.753.8031 Wednesday, June 24, 2015 6:30 PM Room 207 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Davies called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Chair Holly Davies, Vice Chair Dwayne Harkness, Commissioner Stephen Austin, Commissioner Benjamin Helle, Commissioner Rachel Newmann, Commissioner Mark Rentfrow, and Commissioner Nicholas Vann Excused: 4 - Commissioner Mary Coacher, Commissioner Patricia McLain, Commissioner Garner Miller, and Commissioner Heather Youckton 1.B OTHERS PRESENT Historic Preservation Officer Michelle Sadlier Olympia Downtown Association Executive Director Vida Zvirzdys-Farler 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 15-0624 Approval of May 27, 2015 Olympia Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were amended to correct a few minor errors. The minutes were approved as amended. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT A community group expressed their opposition to the Medela rezoning as it impacts a historical cemetery. Concerns include atmospheric impacts, the potential for the discovery of bodies buried outside the cemetery limits, and loss of cemetery privacy due to overlook. It is requested that development be postponed until property lines have been determined. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2015 Ms. Sadlier announced that the next special valuation application has come in. Commissioner Vann has met with citizen Tina Roose about pursuing a National Register listing and tax credits for her property at 1701 4th Ave E. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 15-0629 Olympia Downtown Association and the Main Street Program Ms. Zvirzdys-Farler presented an overview of the Olympia Downtown Association and its role as a Washington Main Street. The Association utilizes five committees and various partnerships to catalyze action in the downtown area. The report was received. 6.B 15-0631 OHC Work Plan Prioritization The Commission reviewed the work plan and considered which sub-committees would be needed. Main discussion topics for each prioritized plan item included the following: - Maintenance - Combine with Outreach Committee. - Downtown - Collaborate with further downtown planning and improvements. - Outreach - Historic preservation month was a success with more to come. - Policy & Ordinance - Ordinance changes will be reviewed and discussed. - Survey & Inventory - Potential Register options will be discussed. - Heritage Review - Postponed until next Heritage Review Committee meeting. The discussion was completed. 7. REPORTS 7.A Downtown Committee The CRA process has progressed and a recommendation made that the RFP go out to developers. The EPA greening Capital Way report has been released with constructive recommendations. 7.B Heritage Review Committee The Committee met to provide presubmission advice for a property in South Capitol Neighborhood. Ms. Sadlier noted that the applicant decided not to submit. 7.C Maintenance Committee The Maintenance Committee will be disbanded and folded into the Outreach Committee. City of Olympia Page 2 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes June 24, 2015 7.D Outreach Committee Ms. Sadlier and Commissioner Helle provided an update on the Historic Preservation Month activities on Downtown Landmark Birthdays, including: - Historical photo posters that describe downtown's historic buildings that have recently celebrated their 50th, 75th, 100th or 125th birthday. The posters are hanging in the Downtown Welcome Center and will potentially be moved to City Hall at a later date. - A presentation on the landmark birthdays at the May 29th Downtown Academy. - Information packets delivered to owners of historic buildings around downtown, including details on the exhibit and a window cling celebrating the relevant birthday of their building. 7.E Policy & Ordinance Committee - (None) 7.F Survey & Inventory Committee - (None) 7.G Staff - (None) 8. OTHER TOPICS Commissioner Helle brought in a report published by the Olympia Heritage Commission of 1984 and would like to get it scanned. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3