Discrepancy note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on June 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM, but the provided date is June 15, 2026. This summary adheres to the provided date.
The Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission held a hybrid meeting in the Brackett Room at City Hall, chaired by Larry Bogle. The meeting included a land acknowledgment, roll call, approval of previous minutes, a detailed presentation on the Sherwood Village Reconnaissance Survey Report, and a lengthy discussion about the commission’s future in light of a recent city council study session where the mayor proposed transitioning the commission to an advisory board meeting quarterly.
Sherwood Village Reconnaissance Survey Report (Unfinished Business): Spencer Howard of Northwest Vernacular presented the findings of a reconnaissance-level survey financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service and administered through the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. The survey covered the Sherwood Village plat, filed in 1954 by James R. and Jenny W. Fletcher. Fieldwork was conducted in March 2026. Key findings included:
Future of the Commission (New Business): Chair Larry Bogle added an agenda item to discuss the commission’s future following a May 15 council study session where the mayor proposed retaining the commission’s codification but transitioning it to an advisory board meeting quarterly, with optional committees for special projects (e.g., designations, Native American historic walking tour). The commission’s pause (due to a council resolution expected to sunset in January 2027) currently halts regular meetings.
Commissioner discussion highlighted three core functions from the enabling ordinance (2002): maintaining the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, raising community awareness, and serving as the city’s primary resource on historic preservation. Concerns were raised that an advisory board status would impede these functions, especially grant applications (e.g., the commission lost nearly $40,000 in grants during the pause, and window changes at the Francis Anderson Center removed it from the state register, jeopardizing future grants). Commissioners also noted that the listing process through the planning department has become cumbersome (8–9 months for one listing) and that the commission could take on more workload to simplify and expedite listings. Chair Bogle suggested the commission propose returning to its former status and meeting schedule, taking a more active role in preparing nomination packages, and simplifying the city code. Commissioner Sam Spencer added that engaging other commission members (e.g., Karen) and re-establishing liaison with the museum and parks department (for Francis Anderson Center and cemetery) would strengthen preservation efforts. Staff liaison Mike stated he would administer whatever program results but did not advocate a specific position.
So I guess I guess we're everybody who's that's coming here is here. So this to you. That way, maybe if you can make something more of it, fine. If not, that's fine too, because I have copies of all. We are recording it, right? Okay. Well then let's go. Um then uh welcome everybody to the uh June 11th meeting of the Advanced Historic Preservation Commission. Uh I'm Larry Bogle, Commission Chair. Uh and this is a a hybrid meeting. Public may join in person or online. Um see, I will read the land acknowledgement. Um we acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Snowish people and their successors, the Toledo tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, 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. Um do a roll call. I'm uh Littry Bogu, and I'm here. Sam Spencer here. Speak. Oh, and uh Spencer Howard with Northwest Vernacular. Yeah, you you may sit at the big table, Spencer. If you're the only reason why we're gonna be able to do it. Yeah, why don't you just join us? You can eat dinner with us. Uh um, uh let's see. Uh well, we're having approval of the minutes from the last meeting. Did anyone look at them? Did we even have any? Uh 18 months ago. No, February on the February. Yeah. Yep. Uh there are minutes there. I well, I breeze through them and I saw nothing amiss. So um I will make for a motion to approve the benefits from my second. All in favor? Okay, Minister. Uh thank you. Thank you, thank you. Um, let's see. New business. Um, I don't know if this comes under new business, but I would like to add an agenda item uh to today's meeting. I would like to have a discussion about the future of the commission in light of the recent uh council study session where the mayor presented ideas for what's going to happen with citizens' boards and commissions henceforth. Yeah, I'll do it. And I'd like to talk a little bit about us and how we might fit into that and how we would like to shape this thing since we're early in the process. Uh and uh if there's something we can maybe do to get out in front of them to make the outcome more like what we would like rather than have an outcome imposed upon us. Sound good? Yep. Okay. Um any other new stuff. Uh okay, I would like uh to do that discussion after we have uh Spencer talk about the Sherwood Village Reconnaissance Survey Report.