Showing posts with label king county landmarks commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label king county landmarks commission. Show all posts

DSHS and DNR challenge portion of Fircrest Chapel landmark status

Monday, March 22, 2021

Fircrest Chapel's wooded setting is part of its landmark
status - but DSHS wants to expand a parking lot.
Photo courtesy SPS
DSHS has filed an application for a Reconsideration of the Landmark Status of the Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest,  just secured by Shoreline Preservation Society and their many supporters in January of this year.

The Chapel is a nationally significant site since it was the very first freestanding, non-denominational Naval Hospital Chapel. It was built at the Naval Hospital Base in 1944 at what is now Fircrest School in Shoreline.

A hearing is scheduled this Thursday, March 25, 2021 starting at 4:30pm on Zoom to hear a challenge from DSHS to the recent landmark status for the historic Fircrest Chapel. 

At issue is not the chapel itself but the amount of forested land landmarked with the chapel. DSHS wants to adjust the boundary to allow them to expand the parking lot at Fircrest School.

This would be done in a section of native forest designated as a part of the Landmark landscape. This forest was originally highlighted by Captain Boone, the Commander of the Naval Hospital as his inspiration for building the Chapel.
  
The Shoreline Preservation Society invites the public to weigh in to protect this unique community asset, one of the few Landmarked elements in Shoreline.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS; SPECIAL TAX VALUATION APPLICATION; REQUEST TO RECONSIDER LANDMARK DESIGNATION BOUNDARY DATE, TIME, PLACE:

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Zoom Conference Access Link:
Meeting ID: 896 9247 1595 
Passcode: 494361

If you have questions, please email or call Chair Janet Way janetway@yahoo.com, 206-734-5545.



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Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest Landmarked by King County Landmarks Commission

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Janet Way


Thursday night, January 21, 2021 the King County Landmarks Commission decided to Landmark the historic Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School in Shoreline, WA.

Interior of chapel
Photo by Janet Way

The Commission also took the unusual step to landmark most of the interior of the chapel and approximately three acres of surrounding native forest.

The forest was specified by Base Commander, Captain JT Boone in 1944 as one of his main inspirations to build the chapel. The setting of the Chapel within the beautiful forest makes it quite unique, especially in Shoreline.

Three acres of woods around the chapel were also given 
landmark status. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

 
The building is a lovely but humble “Tudor Revival” style and is distinctive in its brick exterior and custom designed original interior. Captain Boone was actually quite notable as one of the most decorated officers in American History and eventually served three presidents.

The Chapel is extraordinary and notable because it was the very first freestanding, nondenominational Naval Hospital Chapel in America. It was built at the height of the World War II in the Pacific theater.

The nomination was made by a small non-profit, the Shoreline Preservation Society and the research and submission undertaken by historical experts at Northwest Vernacular.

Shoreline Preservation Society Chair, Janet Way said, “We are extremely proud and happy to have this beautiful building and its surrounding forest at Fircrest School protected with this Landmark designation. 
"We hope to host a celebration of this Landmarking later this year and invite the community and the Navy to participate.”

Naval Hospital Chapel, 1902 NE 150th Street Shoreline, WA 98155



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Fircrest Chapel still under consideration as a King County Landmark

Saturday, January 23, 2021


There is a continuation of the KC Landmarks Commission process of the nomination to designate the "Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel" (Fircrest School) on January 28, 2021. 

The Chapel was the very first freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel built in the Nation. It was constructed in 1944 and is surrounded by a beautiful native forest which inspired its original construction as a place of peace and quiet contemplation.

A small, lovely brown building nestled in tall green evergreens
Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
We encourage everyone who is interested to please tune in again and testify to reinforce the points we made before. 

Our excellent consultants, Northwest Vernacular, responded in a couple days after the previous hearing with some measurements to better verify the extent of the beautiful surrounding forest we are also nominating for preservation. 

We feel we have a very good chance of getting this landmarked!

KING COUNTY LANDMARKS COMMISSION MEETING
Zoom (Call-in) Conference
January 28, 2021
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 pm
Meeting ID: 851 2935 5688
Passcode: 653869
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

If you would like to write an additional letter of support, that would be helpful. Send it to Sarah Steen, ssteen@kingcounty.gov

If you would like to speak in support that would also be welcome. If you have questions, you can respond to me here or call.

Janet Way
206-734-5545


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Update on Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel landmark process

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Interior of Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest
Photo by Janet Way

By Janet Way

The Shoreline Preservation Society has been through a nearly yearlong process of nominating and researching the extensive history of the very first freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel in America located at Fircrest School in Shoreline!

We were quite pleased with the reception we received from the King County Landmarks Commission Hearing, November 19, 2020 in a Zoom meeting (of course), but we need to be patient and wait a little bit longer for our final wish for our beautiful historic treasure to be granted.

All of the commissioners praised our presentation expertly presented by our historian experts at Northwest Vernacular. And they also seemed enthusiastic about the building’s history, beauty, interior and surrounding forest setting. They were impressed as well by the community response and many comment letters. 

SPS also provided a short “walkabout video” to better give the commissioners a sense of the Chapel in its serene, wooded surroundings. Numerous community members gave verbal comments at the hearing too.

While Department of Social and Health Services testified they were also supportive, they requested an amendment of the nomination proposal to reduce the forest area protected in case of expansion parking at the bottom of the hill. But the Commissioners seemed interested in supporting our original surrounding forest area nomination and said that DSHS could always come back to them if need be to amend the space if more parking spaces are desired.

However, the Commissioners decided to table the final decision and asked us to provide a more precise map that could be clearly defined the measurements. And provide a list of what would be eligible for preservation in the Chapel Interior.

We are already working on a response with our historians and hope that these details can be settled at their next hearing. It is up to the KC Landmarks Commission as to whether there will be another hearing this year or whether it would have to be in January.




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Shoreline seeks volunteers for Planning Commission and Landmarks / Heritage Commission

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

2019 Planning Commission
Help plan the future of Shoreline by serving on the Planning Commission!

The City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on the Planning Com-mission for four-year terms beginning in April 2020.

The volunteers who serve on the Shoreline Planning Commission provide recommendations to the City Council on land use, growth, and development issues.

The Commission addresses key questions that affect the quality of life in Shoreline, such as:
  • How should we balance new commercial and residential development with the desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods? 
  • How do we plan for a future that includes light rail? 
  • How can we encourage developers to use green building practices and provide affordable housing? 
  • How will the City allow alternate housing types that fit within our established neighborhoods?

No technical background or experience in land use is required. Important qualifications are an ability to listen and work well with others; a willingness to prepare and read staff reports prior to the meetings; and a commitment to regular attendance and active participation at the meetings.

The Shoreline Masonic Lodge
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Help review and preserve historic structures in Shoreline by serving on the Landmarks and Heritage Commission!

The King County Landmarks and Heritage Commission is a nine-member citizen board charged with designating landmarks in unincorporated King County and in those cities and towns in King County that have entered into an interlocal agreement with the County for historical preservation services. 

The City Council is seeking to appoint a volunteer to serve on the Commission for all business conducted within the City of Shoreline. The Special Commissioner will serve a four-year term beginning in April 2020, with the option of serving a second four-year term.

The Commission is responsible for reviewing and deciding nominations for landmark designation; reviewing and deciding certificates of appropriateness for alterations to or demolition of landmark properties; developing policy and planning recommendations for King County’s historic preservation program; and attending periodic training sessions and conferences. 

The Special Member is to be an individual with a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation. The Special Member is a voting member on all matters relating to or affecting landmarks within the City of Shoreline.

Application details

Community Service Applications for both the Planning Commission and the Landmarks / Heritage Commission are available on the City's website or at City Hall. Submit your application by email to choekzema@shorelinewa.gov or mail it to:

City of Shoreline, City Clerk
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133

You can also drop it off in person to the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of City Hall. Applications for both commissions are due by 5pm on Friday, January 10, 2020.

More Information:



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Landmarks Commission Special Member Position Now Open

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The City of Shoreline is accepting applications for the City’s “Special Member” on the King County Landmarks and Heritage Commission. 

The Special Member serves on the Commission only when the Commission reviews and designates Shoreline buildings and structures nominated for landmark status.

The Special Member of the Landmarks Commission is appointed by the City Council for a four-year term and must have a demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation. 

Applications are available in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall or on the City’s website (download here) and must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

For more information contact Management Analyst John Norris 206-801-2216.

-City of Shoreline Press Release

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Shoreline Historical Museum purchases land in Town Center area; Citizens' group appeals Ronald School decision

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Shoreline Historical Museum recently finalized the purchase of land at the corner of Linden Ave N and N 185, across from the Richmond Masonic Lodge and Fred Meyer, at the north end of the newly designated Shoreline Town Center.

The property was previously owned by the James Alan Salon and has been vacant for some time.  It is the corner property and has two buildings on site.

The Museum held several work parties to ready the buildings for occupancy for office and storage.

Per the agreement with the Shoreline School District, the Museum has moved all its holdings from the old Ronald School and stored them temporarily in the closed Sunset School.

Bassetti architects has designed the new Shorewood High School as an addition to the landmarked Ronald School. The design was approved by the King County Landmarks Commission (see previous story) at a special public hearing in Shoreline and a Certificate of Appropriateness was issued to the architects and the School District.  Plans are proceeding on schedule to build the new school. Construction is under a deadline as delay would mean a loss of millions in State grants.

The newly-formed Shoreline Preservation Society, headed by Museum supporter and former Shoreline Councilmember Janet Way, has filed an appeal of the Landmarks Commission decision to the Shoreline City Council.
According to Janet Way, "The appeal will be heard by the Shoreline City Council on February 28 at the regular council meeting. It is a "closed record, quasi-judicial" matter. This means no new evidence or testimony will be taken and the Councilmembers are not permitted ANY exparte communications with anyone, including each other."
The process states:
If, after examination of the written appeal and the record, the council determines, that:
          1. An error in fact may exist in the record, it shall remand the proceeding to the commission for reconsideration or, if the council determines that:
          2. the decision of the commission is based on an error in judgment or conclusion, it may modify or reverse the decision of the commission.

If the appeal to the Council is unsuccessful, the Preservation Society can either accept the ruling of the City Council or appeal to Superior Court.

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