Title
Olympia Heritage Register Nomination for the Wynstra House at 907 Percival St SW
Recommended Action
Move to recommend that the Olympia Heritage Commission list the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend that the Olympia Heritage Commission list the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register.
Staff Contact:
Holly Borth, Olympia Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning and Development, 360.688.0419
Presenter(s):
Holly Borth, Historic Preservation Officer
Garner Miller, Lead Heritage Review Committee member
Background and Analysis:
Grant and Karen Wirtz, property owner of the Wynstra House at 907 Percival St SW submitted an Olympia Heritage Register application to the City of Olympia on October 26, 2023. The Mabel and Theodore R. Wynstra House meets the minimum criteria provided in OMC 18.12.080. It is over 50 years old, very well maintained, retains all five elements of integrity, and meets Categories B, C, and E.
Under Category B, the house was home to the Theodore Roosevelt Wynstra as his career in the education of Olympia’s youth began to rise and he became the first Vice Principal for the Washington Junior High and Grade Schools. Wynstra would go on to become principal of several schools in Olympia, served as President of the Olympia Teachers Association, and was a beloved member of the Olympia community at large. Under Category C, the house was constructed by popular local home builders, the Garrard Brothers. The full extent of their impact on Olympia is yet to be fully known, but current research provides sufficient information to know they were important to the housing market during the 1930s through 1960s. Under Category E, the house is an excellent, intact example of the Minimal Traditional style in Olympia.
On January 5, 2024, the Heritage Review Committee voted unanimously to recommend the nomination be approved by the Heritage Commission.
Climate Analysis:
Listing the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register would open up opportunities for the property owner to apply for the Special Valuation Tax incentive program, which encourages property owners to conduct improvements to a historic property in a manner that follows NPS guidelines. Following the NPS guidelines encourages repair of historic material as much as possible, which reduces the introduction of more waste to landfills. If repair is not feasible, use of historic, often natural, locally sourced materials, is then encouraged, which reduces environmental impacts of the work.
Equity Analysis:
As the Special Tax Valuation encourages repair of historic material as much as possible, not only does that reduce the introduction of more waste to landfills, it also offers property owners more affordable opportunities they may not have otherwise considered.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Wynstra House is located in the South West Olympia neighborhood, which may represent a historic district that could be eligible for listing in the Olympia Heritage Register. Further survey, research, and study is required to identify this potential officially.
Options:
1. Move to recommend that the Olympia Heritage Commission list the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register.
2. Move to amend Option #1 and recommend listing the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register with amendments.
3. Do not recommend that the Olympia Heritage Commission list the Wynstra House in the Olympia Heritage Register.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Wynstra OHR Nomination