Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Heritage Commission Contact: Marygrace Goddu (360) 753-8031 Monday, June 1, 2020 12:00 PM Online and via phone Heritage Review Committee 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Davies called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. for Commissioner Miller who was present but unable to host the online discussion. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Vice Chair Holly Davies, Commissioner Jessica Bieber, Commissioner Audrey Henley, Commissioner Kenneth House, Commissioner Garner Miller and Commissioner Sheila Swalling Excused: 1 - Commissioner Gary Stedman 1.B OTHERS PRESENT City of Olympia Community Planning and Development staff: Historic Preservation Officer Marygrace Goddu Homeowner: Jill Casebolt James Casebolt, brother of homeowner 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 20-0431 Approval of May 18 Meeting Minutes of Heritage Review Committee The minutes were approved. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 20-0430 Review of Alterations Underway at 108 20th Avenue SE Ms. Goddu facilitated the discussion and reviewed materials provided in meeting packet, including letter from homeowner, and asked a few clarifying questions of the homeowner. City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes June 1, 2020 The only alteration of concern to the Committee is the change in material used to finish the supporting piers of the porch columns. The Committee determined that: · The original finish on the porch piers was painted cedar shingles; · The most recent finish was clapboard, which was rotten in places according to the owners, leading to their desire to replace it. The owners expressed a dedication to preservation of the Craftsman character of the home, demonstrated by their careful research into the appropriateness of river rock accent on the exterior. · The Historic District Nomination (dated 1991) notes the clapboard finish on the piers, but the original shingles had already been replaced by that time; · The homeowner is more than halfway complete in applying river-rock to replace the clapboard that faced the piers; and · The new finish was designed and thus far has been executed by the owners to replicate the size and shape of the original piers, albeit in a different material. The Committee found that, strictly interpreted, the alteration of the home’s porch piers does not meet Secretary of the Interior Standards 2, relative to alteration of characterizing features; 3, relating to the creation of false historical development and addition of conjectural features or elements from other historic properties; 5, related to preservation of distinctive finishes or materials; 6, which seeks to repair rather than replace historic features and to replace using in-kind materials when necessary; or 9, requiring that new additions and alterations honor but be distinguished from the original and preserve character-defining features. The alteration may also fail to meet standard 10, related to reversibility. Discussion resolved that had the owners made timely application for permit prior to undertaking the work, the Committee would have objected to the alteration and counseled the homeowner to replace the failed finish in-kind, using wood. For this reason, the alteration cannot receive Committee approval. However, the alteration has been well-executed to honor the home’s architectural style, and the Craftsman character of the home is intact and preserved. The Committee can “accept” the work and allow its completion, as long as the work is documented as non-historic and that record is shared with future owners; and if the homeowners agree to seek preservation review for any future proposed alterations to the exterior of the home. Commissioner Swalling moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to accept but does not approve the alterations underway with two conditions: 1. Historic documentation of the original materials and design of the porch piers and documentation of the reconstruction with stone will be retained and shared with future owners; and 2. This homeowner will seek historic review in advance of any future alterations proposed to the exterior of the home. City of Olympia Page 2 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes June 1, 2020 The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Vice Chair Davies, Commissioner Bieber, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Swalling Nay: 1 - Commissioner House Excused: 1 - Commissioner Stedman 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3