Committee recommends confirmation of reappointment to International Special Review District board

The Seattle City Council Arts and Culture Committee voted unanimously Friday to recommend confirmation of Heather Hargersheimer’s reappointment to the International Special Review District Board, sending the nomination to the full council for consideration at its Feb. 11 meeting.

The International Special Review District, one of the city’s historic districts, advises the Department of Neighborhoods on exterior work, changes in principal use and public-rights-of-way in the district. Rebecca Freistat, International Special Review District and Columbia City Landmark District coordinator with the Department of Neighborhoods’ Historic Preservation Program, told the committee the board is advisory to the department director and that it reviews exterior changes and rights-of-way but does not have jurisdiction over interiors.

“We have 1 of the city's 8 historic districts,” Freistat said, and “the board is charged with reviewing changes to the underlying principal use of a space as well as any changes to the exterior of a building or changes to the rights of way or open spaces in the district.” She described the board as a seven-member panel with five community-elected seats and two mayoral appointments that require council confirmation. Freistat said Hargersheimer has served one term, has more than 30 years of experience as an architect and served as vice chair of the board this past year.

Before the committee took up the appointment, one remote public commenter, David Haines, criticized the preservation of buildings in Pioneer Square and Chinatown, saying some preserved properties are dilapidated and worsened housing conditions. “Is it sustainable to force people to live and work in preserved modern third world slums,” Haines said, asserting that preservation had left some buildings “dilapidated, inflated, and deregulated.”

Alexis Mercedes, chair of the Arts and Culture Committee, moved that the committee recommend confirmation of Appointment 03071, the reappointment of Heather Hargersheimer to the International Special Review District Board for a term through Dec. 31, 2026. A motion to recommend confirmation was approved on a 4-0 vote; Council member Moore, Council member Strauss, Council member Solomon and Chair Alexis Mercedes recorded affirmative votes. The committee clerk announced there were four in favor, zero opposed and zero abstentions.

The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the full City Council for action on Feb. 11. The committee adjourned at about 9:43 a.m.