Council approves ‘historic’ label for Riverside

Published 2:08 am Thursday, November 20, 2008

EVERETT — The Everett City Council on Wednesday approved a plan to designate 24 blocks in the Riverside Neighborhood as a historic district.

The decision prompted hugs from residents who worked for two years to have the “historic” designation bestowed upon their neighborhood.

“By giving a neighborhood historic status, you also give a neighborhood an opportunity to show its best,” said Glenn Hunter, one of the lead proponents of the historic district.

The district east of downtown Everett was proposed by residents seeking to protect the city’s oldest neighborhood from redevelopment and to preserve its architectural heritage. It’s the third historic district created in the city since 1993.

“These historic overlay zones have been very, very successful,” Councilman Paul Roberts said.

Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher said the Rucker-Grand historic district is where some of the most tasteful redevelopment in the city is occurring.

Placement in a historic district does not affect the underlying zoning or prevent a property owner from building a new house or addition.

However, it does add a layer of regulations for major exterior renovations or new construction.

For example, a property owner who wants to construct a new house or demolish a house built before 1931, will now need the blessing of the Everett Historical Commission.

Hunter and his neighbors Steve Fox and Sara Church spent two years spearheading an effort to have the city create the district.

They built a database with details of more than 400 homes in the district encompassing Virginia and Baker avenues between California and 19th streets.

The information they collected includes the date the houses were built, their current condition, the architectural style of the buildings and, in some cases, the name of the original owner.

Opponents have said the preservation plan conflicts with private property rights. They fear development and renovation guidelines required in the district will add expense and hamper future projects.

Diane Raines, who sits on a city panel that helps people secure loans for housing improvements, suggested the city allow people to opt out of the district.

“I think you’re going to price people out of the remodels that they need to do,” she said.

The drive for a Riverside historic district started after a church sought to demolish a block of older rentals houses that it owns on Baker Avenue, including one of the city’s oldest houses. The church eventually backed away from its plans amid neighborhood protests.

Still, because Everett is preparing to absorb more people and development in the coming decades — especially close to downtown — some Riverside residents pushed for greater protections.

Bob Creamer, a neighborhood organizer who led protests against that expansion plan, pumped his fists after the council voted Wednesday.

“We did it,” he said.

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.