Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Heritage Commission Contact: Marygrace Goddu (360) 753-8031 Wednesday, March 24, 2021 6:00 PM Via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Davies called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Chair Holly Davies, Commissioner Jessica Bieber, Commissioner Audrey Henley, Commissioner Kenneth House, Commissioner Garner Miller, Commissioner Andrea Pareigis, Commissioner Susan Rohrer, Commissioner Stephen Scott, Commissioner Gary Stedman and Commissioner Sheila Swalling OTHERS PRESENT City of Olympia Community Planning and Development Staff: Preservation Officer Marygrace Goddu Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Executive Director Chris Moore South Sound Maritime Heritage Association Founding member Chuck Fowler 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0281 Approval of February 24, 2021 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Stedman should be noted as "Present" at the February meeting. The minutes were approved as amended. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Goddu made announcements that the Legislature is beginning to wrap up: the Senate budget came out which includes proviso language proposed by the South Capitol Neighborhood to help ensure comprehensive campus planning is part of the design City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes March 24, 2021 development for proposed construction projects. It also requires historic preservation expertise is included to help guide a study to be commissioned on potential for preserving the Pritchard Library or renovating it. The House budget is not yet available. Language providing Olympia with priority opportunity for acquisition of the Olympia Armory was included in the Senate budget, but no funding was included to accompany the language, nor in the local projects appropriations via the Dept of Commerce. The City is continuing to work on a federal funding grant application for improvements to the Armory building. The Third Thirty oral history series is hosting a Story Circle on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. This can be reviewed online at Windowseat Media’s website. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0282 Informational Briefing on the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area (MWNHA) Mr. Moore provided a briefing on the designation of a national maritime heritage area that includes all of the Puget Sound and most of the Washington State coastline. The Olympia Heritage Commission is invited to join with other interested local “anchor” organizations in promoting public participation and hosting events. A workshop will be held for Thurston and Pierce Counties on April 29, 5-7 p.m. via ZOOM. Mr. Fowler shared a presentation on the activities of the South Sound Maritime Association, including restoration and future display of the Tugboat Parthia, collaboration with Erich Ebel on a book of Washington’s maritime history, and the emerging project to promote and educate about the WNMHA. The information was received. 21-0285 City Comprehensive Plan Amendments Ms. Goddu shared with Commissioners that Councilmembers Cooper, Madrone, and Huýnh have requested Heritage Commission feedback on proposed language changes for their consideration before submitting a formal application to amend the City Comprehensive Plan. The Commission determined the Policy Ordinance and Guidance Committee will review the documents provided and offer feedback. The discussion was completed. 21-0283 Review of Draft Guidance on Solar Installations Commissioner Swalling moved, seconded by Commissioner Scott, to recommend approval of the Guidance for Solar Installations as written. The motion passed unanimously. City of Olympia Page 2 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes March 24, 2021 21-0284 Discussion of SOI Standards Ms. Goddu introduced the concern, highlighted by the rapidly increasing interest in construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), for consistency in application of the SOI Standards for New Construction which include inherently conflicting direction for new construction to be “compatible” with original structure, yet “differentiated” from it. The topic was referred to the Heritage Review Committee for further consideration. The discussion was completed. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.a Heritage Review Committee Chair Miller updated the Commission on a recent ADU approval at 301 Maple Park. 7.b Marketing and Outreach Committee Commissioners Henley, Rohrer, and Pareigis updated the Commission: The Committee will be hosting a virtual booth at the Lacey Cultural Fair on March 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Commissioners are invited to contribute to "Historic Olympia" social media website that offers information on Olympia history, heritage, and related events and stories. The Committee will be helping to promote the continued sharing of the Hotel Olympia history performance. Heritage Month activities are being planned for virtual program and awards. The theme for Heritage Month 2021 will be Heritage Diversity. 2021 efforts to include: continued work on the Women of Olympia series, 2021 Heritage Awards, support for the heritage component of our Art Crossings, collaboration on an ArCH and Equity Speaker Series with the Arts Commission, and focus on research and development of a 4th Avenue East Historic District that will celebrate the history and development of this vibrant corridor. 7.c Policy, Ordinance & Guidance Committee - None 7.d Survey & Designation Committee Commissioner Bieber shared work underway in preparation to apply for a 2021 grant from the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to support downtown historic designation. The boundaries of a new or expanded district are also a point of discussion and strategic consideration. City of Olympia Page 3 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes March 24, 2021 An additional grant application is being developed to request funding to commission a professional historic structure report on the former City Hall building on Plum Street, which is threatened by demolition to create a new location for the Thurston County Courthouse complex. 8. OTHER TOPICS Chair Davies shared highlights of information from the General government Committee about this coming year's work plan. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. City of Olympia Page 4