The Library's Education and Neighborhoods Committee voted Dec. 12 to recommend passage of two landmark ordinances: one to codify protections and controls for Licton Springs Park and another for the Stewart House (10455 Maplewood Place SW). Both committee recommendations will be sent to the full Seattle City Council for final action on Dec. 16.

Erin Doherty of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods presented both nominations and explained the Landmarks program's designation standards and the role of controls-and-incentives agreements. Doherty said Licton Springs Park—identified by the Landmarks Preservation Board under standards A and C—is recognized for its Coast Salish cultural significance, its iron-oxide mineral springs and red ochre, and the site's long use as a gathering place for Indigenous communities. She said Seattle Parks and Recreation owns the property and that Parks had consulted tribal partners during the development of interpretive signage and other commemorative features.

Public commenters and nominators spoke in support: Carolyn Ramamurti, owner and nominator of the Stewart House, described the property's Spanish eclectic (Spanish Colonial Revival) architecture and its design by Lionel Priest; Eugenia Wu of Historic Seattle thanked the owners and nominators for stewardship; and Friends of the Market president Heather Peel spoke earlier in support of a related appointment to the Pike Place Market commission.

On the Licton Springs Park ordinance (council bill 121140) the committee voted 4–0 to recommend passage. On the Stewart House ordinance (council bill 121139) the committee recommended passage with a 3–0 vote and one recorded abstention (Council member Eddie Lynn). Erin Doherty noted the Stewart House features that are controlled include the site, exterior of the main house, the exterior of an attached apartment/garage building and portions of the first-floor interior; she said those controls permit review of proposed alterations through the Landmarks board and the certificate of approval process rather than an absolute prohibition on change.

Both committee recommendations will be transmitted to the Dec. 16 City Council meeting for final consideration.