Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – Sherwood Village Survey – February 17, 2026
Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
On February 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM (originally scheduled for February 12, 2026, per agenda), the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission met in the Brackett Room at City Hall and via Zoom. Chair Larry Vogel called the meeting to order, acknowledged the Tulalip Tribes, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The commission was reconvened after a budget-related pause of approximately one year. The primary agenda item was an introduction to a reconnaissance-level survey of the Sherwood Village neighborhood, funded by a federal grant through the Certified Local Government program.
Consent Calendar
- None.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Sherwood Village Reconnaissance Survey Presentation: Spencer Howard of Northwest Vernacular (consultant) presented the scope of the survey. The survey area includes about 101 properties, mostly built between 1921 and 1968, with some earlier homes. The survey will document architectural character, assess National Register and Edmonds Register eligibility, and produce a report and GIS maps. Fieldwork is planned for March 2026, with a draft report due April 30, 2026, and a second public meeting on June 11, 2026. Commissioner Chris Diner Carr shared extensive research she had compiled on the area, including historic maps, assessor data, and deed histories. She offered to share her data with the consultant. Chair Vogel noted that the survey is funded entirely by a grant, not city funds. Commissioner David Cleston (via Zoom) asked for clarification that the survey would not restrict property owners’ ability to make alterations; Spencer confirmed that the National Register is primarily honorary and requires owner consent for any restrictions. Commissioner Chris Diner Carr raised concerns that past surveys led to nominations that stalled at the planning department, and she advocated for streamlining the process. She also proposed recruiting a grant-writing volunteer to the commission to reduce staff workload. Other commissioners discussed the need to revitalize the commission’s role and improve communication with staff.
Key Outcomes
- The commission heard the presentation and expressed support for continuing the survey as planned.
- Commissioner Chris Diner Carr will share her research data with Spencer Howard via a shared online folder arranged by staff liaison Rose.
- The next milestones: fieldwork in March 2026, draft report by April 30, second public meeting on June 11, 2026, final report by August 31, 2026.
- Commissioners agreed to further discuss operational improvements (e.g., grant writing, nomination processing) at future meetings, but no formal action was taken at this session.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:35 PM.
Meeting Transcript
And I guess David Cleston is going to be joining us via Zoom. Okay. There he is. Recognize that smiling face anywhere. Spencer Howard. It's in. From the commission. I mean it's that's a whole setup right now. And then we want to make sure we have our don't have to borrow them. We could do our job and not yeah. Definitely. Yeah. We have our bring that up. Yeah, thank you. So let me um oh Spencer is here. How do you so I'm gonna um does somebody who knows how to do like Zoom if we need, I don't think we need to do anything. Spencer, are you there? I am, yes. Okay, and you're gonna be running uh the meeting. I'm gonna let Larry start the meeting as chair. I'm gonna go downstairs and make sure there's no one else who needs to come in. Okay, so we can start without me. Okay. If you want to put a note on the door with my phone number, please feel like I can put one with my number too. Yeah, that's wonderful. Okay. So it being 5 30, we can get underway. Um I haven't done this in a long time since we've been uh on uh on pause to the budget situation, but uh help me out if I need it, okay. Um okay, so it's um it is Thursday, February 12th, Abraham Lincoln's birthday uh at 5 30. It looks like about 3 p.m. And this is the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission coming into session. Uh I'm Larry Vogel, chair of the commission. Uh, and this is a public meeting with some folks joining us virtually via Zoom. Um welcome everyone. Um, I will read the land acknowledgement. Um we acknowledge the original habitants of this place, the Snohomish people and their successors, the two tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted fish gathered and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and the water. Uh David usually leads us in the pledge, but since he's virtual, I shall do so. Stand up and join me through the phone. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and under God indivisible with the British and Justice. We'll start with the roll call. Um again, I am very bold chair, and I am here. Chris Barnikar. Uh Shell Dutch uh council liaison, Doug Troost, Karen Eigelhard Brown, Sam Spencer. We should also mention that Sam is vice chair of the commission. And is Dave with us? Yeah, can you hear me? All right, David. Sorry. Oh, David, yes.
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