HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/06/09 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Large Conference Room, City Hall,
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
Present at Present FY FY 2008-2009
BOARD MEMBERS this Meeting Year-to-Date Excused Absences
Sidney Williams, Chair X 11 1
Brian Strahl, Vice Chair X 12 0
Sheila Grattan X 12 0
Tom DeLeeuw X 12 0
John Gilmer X 12 0
Barbara Marshall X 11 1
STAFF REPRESENTATIVES:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
1. The regularly scheduled HSPB meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, June 9 by
Chair Sidney Williams.
2. ROLL CALL: Present: T. DeLeeuw, J. Gilmer, S. Grattan, B. Strahl, Chair S. Williams, and
B. Marshall. Staff in attendance: Director Craig Ewing and Loretta Moffett.
3. POSTING OF AGENDA: The Agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior
bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber), City Clerk's office, and Planning Services' counter
on or before 4:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2009.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(1) Taylor Cushmore, Palm Springs resident, commented on (1) contributing to the blight of
downtown Palm Springs; and (2) taking private property from people and not allowing them to
build or make profitable use out of the property.
(2) Gary Johns, Palms Springs resident, commented on the Staff Report and Nomination of
the Town & Country Center and supported Class 1 Historic designation.
Public Comments Closed.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Minutes of the May 12, 2009 Meeting — there were two
CORRECTIONS on Pane 2.
M/S/C (Grattan/Gilmer) moved to approve the May 12, 2009 HSPB Meeting Minutes as
corrected. Vote -6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions.
6. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Chair Williams thanked Loretta Moffett, Recording Secretary, for
her work with HSPB and wished her well on her June 25 retirement. She reminded everyone
that the Council will vote on the Class 1 Historic Site designation for the Oasis Commercial
Building and the Casablanca Adobe at their June 17 meeting. She noted the article "Adaptation
and Preservation' in the new edition of the `Architectural Record'. It is available online.
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Minutes from the June 9.2009 Meeting
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7.A HSPB 51 — Proposed Historic Class 1 Site designation of the Town & Country Center
at 1464hru 171 North Palm Canyon Drive, and 167-thru 181 North Indian Canyon Drive.
Director Ewing presented the Staff Report and recommended that the HSPB recommend to City
Council that the Town & Country Center be declared a historic site using definitions 3, 4, 5, and 6
of the Historic Site Ordinance 8.05.010.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(1) Keith McCormick, downtown business owner, opposed.
(2) Patrick McGrew, Professional Preservation Consultant, supported.
(3) Michael Braun, Wessman Development, Owner's representative, opposed.
(4) Vic Grainer, Chairman of HOA Presidents' Council, opposed.
(5) Lyn Calerdine, PSEDC President, opposed.
(6) Joy Meredith, downtown business owner for 20 years, opposed.
(7) Peter Moruzzi, Mod Com President, supported
(8) Tim Brown, Palm Springs, supported.
(9) Roxanne Floss, supported.
(10) Gary Johns, Palm Springs resident, supported.
(11) Taylor Cushmore, opposed.
(12) Ron Marshall, P.S. Preservation Foundation, supported.
(13) Paul Medina, Palm Springs native, opposed.
(14) Debbie Alexander, Peabody's Restaurant, opposed.
(15) Rodolfo Castillo, downtown merchant, opposed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED.
After discussion, Board member John Gilmer moved, seconded by Board member Tom Deleeuw,
that the Historic Site Preservation Board adopt HSPB Resolution 51 to recommend to the City
Council that the Town & Country Center be designated Class 1 Historic Site 51. Vote: 4 Yes, 2
No, (Grattan/Strahl), 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions.
Motion carried 4-2.
8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S):
&A Case 3.3352 — Application by Satterwhite for demolition of the structures at 823 Avenida
Palos Verdes, Zone R1 B, Section 1, Built 1925 - Class 3 Historic Site.
Assistant Planner Glenn Mlaker presented the staff memo and recommended that the Board
appoint a subcommittee of two HSPB members for a site visit and report back to the Board.
Emily Hemphill, representative for the owner, requested approval of the certificate of approval.
Board members Marshall and Grattan volunteered to serve on the Subcommittee to visit the site
and report back to the Board at the July HSPB meeting.
M/S/C (Marshall/Grattan) moved to continue to the July 14, 2009 HSPB meeting. Vote 6 Yes,
0 No. Motion passed.
9. OTHER BUSINESS:
9.A Case 3. 3228 — HSPB 67 Casino House, 982 North Avenida Palmas, Introduction for the
potential Historic Class 1 Site designation and formation of Sub-committee.
Assistant Planner Glenn Mlaker described the application for designation of the 1929-built
"Casino House" in the Movie Colony neighborhood.
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Minutes from the June 9.2009 Meeting
Board members Marshall and Williams volunteered for the Subcommittee to visit the site and
report back to the Board at the July 14, 2009 HSPB meeting.
9.13 HSPB 72 — Navajo Drive Alexander House — Subcommittee Report. Board members Strahl
and Gilmer visited a house in the Twin Palms estates area which has been submitted for
classification as a historic resource.
9.0 Historic Marker Installations —Appoint Ad-hoc Committee for citing the location of the markers
and text for upcoming markers. Subcommittee will be Williams and Strahl for the Invernada, Casa
Cody, and Coachella Valley Savings & Loan.
Historic Markers Text Report: Board members Grattan and Deleeuw to forward draft text to staff.
Board member Deleeuw asked if "donations" for markers could be accepted from outside
sources. Director Ewing will check and report back.
9.D Preserve America Resolution — Board member Marshall reported that the application was
prepared and signed by the Mayor, and recommended the board support a resolution by the City
Council as part of the Preserve America application.
M/S/C (Marshall/DeLeeuw) moved for HSPB's recommendation to the City Council that
they adopt this Preserve America Resolution. Vote 6 Yes, 0 No— Motion carried.
9.E Work Program and Budget for 2009/2010 - Chair Williams and staff discussed the
upcoming budget. The budget will be adopted at the June 17, 2009 Council meeting. When the
HSPB budget is known, the Work Program planning can move forward. This is deferred to the
July meeting.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS:
10.A P.S. Preservation Foundation (www.pspreservationfoundation.org) — Board member Brian
Strahl —discussed PSPF's next educational tribute journal.
10.13 P.S. Modern Committee (www.psmodcom.com) — Board member Barbara Marshall noted
that ModCom monitors development projects around the City, and that the Palm Springs Home
Tour is October 31, 2009.
10.0 P.S. Historical Society (www.pshistoricalsocietv.orq) — Board member Sheila Grattan noted
that the Historical Society's office is closed for the summer, but appointments can be made for
information at 760-323- 8297. Also, photos of Palm Canyon Drive taken in 1946 by E. Stewart
Williams will be matched by a set of 2009 photos.
10.D Architecture & Design Council (www.psmuseum.orq) — Board member John Gilmer noted
that the Museum will have an opening lecture and reception on February 19, 2010.
10.E Streamlining Options for Historic Site Application — Board member John Gilmer presented a
Draft Copy of revised Historic Site Designation Application. The item was continued for further
discussion.
11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: None
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Minutes from the June 9,2009 Meeting
12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: The Board received an update on the Historic District brochure.
Board member Marshall offered to locate photos for the brochure.
Board member Strahl asked when the Council will be interviewing for the vacancy. Staff will
check and email information to the Board.
Chair Williams commented that the new Board member(s) will not be seated in July, so current
members will continue until whatever changes are made.
13. ADJOURNMENT: The HSPB adjourned at 10:22 a.m. to its regularly scheduled meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall
Respectfully submitted,
C gector
Ewing,D of Pla Wing