Letters: Shoreline Preservation Society Issues Statement on Outcome of Ronald School Hearing

 The objective of the Shoreline Preservation Society in filing the appeal of the Certificate of Appropriateness was not only to protect the Ronald School, but to ensure that the decision was made by Shoreline.

SPS took a position to support both the rebuild of the Shorewood High School and properly protect the Ronald School. Sadly, because the City Council relinquished its responsibility to protect our cultural and historic assets, the current proposal will unnecessarily impact the Ronald School and invade its the landmarked sections SPS obviously strongly disagrees with the Council's decision and believes their appeal demonstrated numerous Landmarks Commission errors, including in important procedures, but also errors of fact, judgement and conclusion.  It was the Council's duty, if there was any possible error, to assert its authority, and remand the decision back to the Landmarks Commission.

 SPS is currently looking at options for the future and considering what steps can be taken to ensure the protection of the cultural and historical assets in the Shoreline area.

 Councilmember Chris Roberts made many good points in his statement, including pointing out:

 • that the Landmarks Commission did NOT indeed have a quorum with only 3 voting members,

 • that the proposal will impact the landmarked sections,

 • that the Shoreline School District had followed a course that divided the community and,

 • that SSD missed many opportunities to work cooperatively with the Shoreline Historical Museum from the beginning

Roberts then justified voting to Deny the appeal of the COA based on his belief that SPS had not properly mentioned the "quorum" word in the appeal or at the first hearing.

 But, SPS believes that it was not the place of citizens at that first hearing to raise the quorum issue, but that it was the responsibility of the Commission and its Chair to do so. SPS did specifically call out the commission numerous times on their faulty procedures and especially the lack of a Shoreline member, which was required by law. 

Where was the City Manager and City Attorney and their responsibility to instruct the Council on their responsibilities?  Some Councilmembers seemed to think it was not their place to "judge" the decision of supposed experts on the Landmarks Commission. Don't they realize that in this case that is their job?

It was their job to judge whether Commission was correct and the School District/Bassetti's plan would be allowed to impact this historic building.  

 Shoreline Preservation Society strongly believes that the Council has now shirked its responsibility to protect the Ronald School in denying our appeal.

 SPS points out that there were numerous, serious flaws in the procedures that have been followed by the "Shoreline Landmarks Commission" and the City's responsibilities, including:

• no Shoreline Member and no provision for a substitute when needed

• no staff even attended the first hearing

• intent of the City's preservation law undermined and disregarded

 What was gained through this appeal process? SPS is proud to have made it possible for the public and stakeholders to be a party to this Certificate of Appropriateness process. Until these hearings, the public had been excluded from the process. Now two public hearings were held, which would not have otherwise happened on a matter of importance on a cultural icon in Shoreline. One was televised. The public also had the opportunity to speak their minds.  

 Also, the Council had originally proposed to hold their deliberations on this matter in "executive session", and SPS challenged that and was able to stop it.

 Lessons Learned

1. Preservation is a process that needs to be seriously strengthened in our community.

 2. Without serious oversight and and constant vigilance, everything of value here is potentially at risk.

 3. The Shoreline City Councilmembers are too busy and don't have the staff support to be able to understand the complex issues presented in this case.

 4. The Shoreline City Council is willing in their decision, to ignore important, basic procedural issues such as "quorum", when the desire for expediency is stronger that ensuring accuracy and quality of their judgements. 

 5. Standards which are required to be followed under the Preservation Law regarding landmarked buildings in the City Code are easily dismissed by councilmembers when conflated with issues that are irrelevant such as, "use, timing and proposals for shiny and new".

6. The City is not in control of what is allowed in Shoreline. The Shoreline School District is. 

The Shoreline Preservation Society will continue its mission on preservation.  Meanwhile the future of the oldest, and most significant historic building in our area, is still at serious risk.

In a statement made in our appeal, "If what has befallen the Ronald School, is the outcome available to all Shoreline Landmarks, then no historical property is safe and the City's Landmarks code is not worth much."

The Shoreline Preservation Society