Bothell landmark board reviews local register, nomination process and upcoming park restorations

BOTHELL, Wash. — The Bothell Landmark Preservation Board on Oct. 8 received a detailed briefing on the city's local register of historic landmarks, the criteria for designation and the steps that follow national and state procedures for historic preservation.

Adam Alsobrook, senior architectural historian with Cultural Resources Associates, led the presentation in a hybrid meeting attended in person and by Zoom. He said the briefing was the first in a proposed series of trainings for months when the board has no cases to consider.

The briefing explained that Bothell is a certified local government under a National Park Service program and that the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation administers the program in Washington. Alsobrook described Bothell Municipal Code Title 22 as the local authority: chapters 22.12 (board governance), 22.16 (designation criteria), 22.24 (nomination and designation procedures) and 22.28 (review of changes to designated properties).

Alsobrook summarized the city's designation criteria, noting that a property must generally be at least 50 years old (1975 or earlier) and meet at least one significance criterion while retaining integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship and association. He said the management agreement negotiated with an owner after a board approval sets the "character-defining features" to be preserved and that the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation are typically used as management standards.

Alsobrook identified several resources on the register to illustrate the range of properties Bothell has designated, including the Andrew and Augusta Beckstrom Cabin (1884) and other structures moved to the Park at Bothell Landing, the North Creek Schoolhouse (circa 1885), the Bothell Pioneer Cemetery (established 1889), the 1929 Ford Model A Bothell fire department truck (a mobile structure), the McAdoo House (completed 1958, nomination pending), and the Ivy Graham House (1949). He noted that the parks department will soon apply to the board for a certificate of appropriateness for proposed work on the Beckstrom Cabin.

Alsobrook said any person or group may nominate a property to the local register but that the property owner's consent is required before designation is finalized. He also reviewed the two-step public-review process: the landmark preservation board holds the initial public hearing and, if it approves a nomination, the Bothell City Council holds a second public meeting and must approve designation and execution of the management agreement.

Board members asked clarifying questions about specific cases discussed in the presentation. One board member provided additional background about the August Bartelson House, saying the structure had been moved and that subsequent exterior work did not fully meet the board's preservation criteria, which affected eligibility for tax reductions. Staff members said they will continue to review records to document the property's history.

A board member asked that the board review Bothell Municipal Code Title 22 in detail and consider preparing recommendations or resolutions for the city council regarding code changes and board operations. Ray Sosa, city senior planner, clarified that approved certificates of appropriateness made by the board are recommendations that can require further city council action where the council's approval is needed.

Procedural business: the board approved the minutes of its Sept. 10, 2025, regular meeting by voice vote, 4-0 (Board member Thomas: aye; Board member Nelson: aye; Board member Musiker: aye; Board member Salazar: aye). Later the board voted to adjourn, 4-0.

The presentation and subsequent discussion highlighted upcoming work the board is likely to review in the coming months, including certificates of appropriateness for multiple Park at Bothell Landing resources and follow-up documentation on previously moved structures.