Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-14- HSPB minutes City of Palm Springs HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting of Tuesday, November 14, 2000 Large Conference Room, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California Call to Order: 8:20 a.m. by John Harrell, Chairperson Roll Call: Members Present: John Harrell, Tracy Conrad, Hal Meltzer, John Connell, Karen Pirozzi Members Absent: Jim Isermann, Carl Prout Staff Present: Hope Sullivan, Principal Planner Carrie Rovney, Senior Secretary Posting of Agenda: The agenda was posted in accordance with state and local procedures on November 8, 2000 Public Comments: Mr. David Aiken from the Public Arts Commission, presented and displayed the latest version of the map being worked on for the historic sites and the public art sites in Palm Springs. Mr. Aiken discussed and explained the map and its features, he also discussed the choices the Board would have for representation of the map, colors, images, borders, verbage, descriptions, pictures, and other details. These decisions would all be made by both Boards. Some Members expressed their concerns regarding the title of the map, the funds for publishing the map, and how often the map would be updated. Mr. Aiken addressed all of these issues explaining that the titles and other details would be all decided by both Boards, that the money to publish the maps would be supported by sponsors donating $100-250 each. Ideally, this map would be updated annually, giving the Board a chance to make new additions, use different artists and ideas each year, which could cause the map to become a keepsake, and people would be able to start collecting the different volumes. Mr. Aikens also stated that this map will not be ready until the year 2001, for a 2001-2002 map. Chairman Harrell thanked Mr. Aikens for is comments, and assured him that the Board would appoint additional members to the sub-committee in short order, so that work on the map could continue. Approval of Minutes: September 12, 2000 meeting minutes - Discussion of corrections and additions by Member Conrad, on page 7 change of wording regarding the survey to the 1980's instead of 1984. Chairman Harrell had 3 changes. 1) To omit the statement on page 2 that David Ready is from Canton, Ohio. 2) On page 5 first statement under agenda items: wants to change the second sentence to read AChairman Harrell has requested that the resolution be included in the application package, in the future, so that the process can move along more quickly. 3) On page 6 under paragraph number 3, the statement should say AIt was reported to the Board that after considering the applicant=s proposal, the City Council denied the proposal, not on historic grounds, but it was a design driven denial.@ M/S/C (Harrell/Pirozzi 5-0, 2 absent) to approve minutes of September 12, 2000, with corrections and additions noted. October 10, 2000 meeting minutes - Discussion of corrections and additions by Member Conrad, on page 6 at top of page the proper spelling of the word razed. 2) On the top of Page 7, the beginning of the first sentence should read AMember Meltzer, in making the motion,@ and continue on. Chairman Harrell noted a correction on page 9 under Member Concerns the word Adamaged@ should be changed to Ainappropriately altered@ or some words to that affect. Member Conrad added one more correction, on page 9 in the third paragraph in the first sentence, to add Athat with the current scope of work proposed,@ to the sentence regarding the paint samples. M/S/C (Harrell/Pirozzi 4-0, 1 abstention, 2 absent) to approve minutes of October 10, 2000, with corrections and additions noted. CHAIRMAN=S REPORT: 1. City Council Cabinet Meeting: Parks & Recreation reported that there is serious interest by two baseball teams in having pre-season training sessions at the stadium, so the City may see the return of professional sports. 2. The Airport Commission announced that the airport will soon have the new radar control. 3. The Chairman noted that he has two copies of the Library Board=s annual report, if anyone would like to review it. 4. During the cabinet meeting the Public Arts Commission discussed the City signs Page 3 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 project. The Commission awarded four honorable mentions, but no prizes. None of the submissions actually addressed the entire project, nor did any get enough support to be declared a winner. Public Arts Commission summarized three recommendations for going forward: 1. Involve local artists and graphics people in the area. 2. To speak to design firms and be more careful about requesting qualifications. 3. To consider refurbishing what we have. Public Arts Commission had a very interesting presentation on Gateway Signs. When reporting on the HSPB at the Council Cabinet meeting, Chairman Harrell noted a number of points. The Chairman talked about Local Certified Government. This could be a step towards legitimizing and preserving and possibly bring in funds. The Chairman expressed to the Cabinet, that the HSPB would like to work on procedures in City Hall that would integrate preservation earlier in the process. The Chairman discussed funding for the survey, noting that it is essential to fund the implementation of the survey, in whatever form that takes, because doing the survey won=t be helpful, unless it is integrated into City Hall procedures. 5. Ordinance Review Discussion is going to be delayed, until the HSPB work study session. 6. It is important to have a copy of the Secretary of the Interior=s Standards Letter. This could be helpful and all the Board members should have a copy of this letter. ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS Francis Stevens School - Class 1 Site Principal Planner Sullivan discussed the review of the Francis Stevens Site on September 12, 2000. On September 12, 2000, it was discussed that the HSPB=s review would be a two-part review: First, to look at damage removal, and that is what occurred on September 12, 2000. Second, rehabilitation, which will be discussed today. The southeast wing of the Class 1 building was damaged by fire. Principal Planner Sullivan introduced and welcomed Mr. Reuel Young and Maxine Page 4 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 Warwick, architects from Interactive Design, and Dana Raskin, from Risk Management. Mr. Reuel Young lead the presentation for the architectural approval of the roof tiles for the building. Mr. Young explained that they had done two things 1)assessed what the building would look like after all of the was damage was removed and 2)done research on the original drawings prepared in 1926 or 1927. Mr. Young presented a tile that resembles the original building tiles. Mr. Young noted that windows and doors to be replaced will be replaced to match what was there originally. Mr. Young also discussed the cost of materials for this wing. Mr. Young passed around pictures of the building from different angles to give a visual display of the comparison of the two different types of tile, when the new tile is installed. Having the two types of tile with different shadows and color, will not be visible at most angles. Mr. Young noted the difference in tile will be a noticeable difference to someone who is sensitive to it and sees it up close. Chairman Harrell addressed his concerns regarding the rafters. Member Conrad noted the Board=s responsibility to do what is right for the building, and that it is not for the Board to decide what decision is most cost effective. The Board was in agreement that the best decision was, the tile that matched the original tile. Member Conrad stated that to match something that is incorrect and was inappropriately put on before, is not the right direction to be going in. The Board can do the right thing for part of the building and in the future, hopefully, correct the rest of the building. The Board questioned if the City has proper insurance for Historic Sites that are owned by the City. The Board decided this would be discussed at a different time, not during Architectural Review. M/S/C (Conrad/Meltzer, 5-0, 2 absent) to approve the scope of work regarding the roof tiles for the Francis Stevens school building, to choose option 3, that the Board approves the Glidden McBean tile that closest matches the original tile. And to thank Mr. Young for a job well done. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None The Board recessed from 9:10 - 9:15 a.m. AGENDA ITEMS: 7. Ordinance Update There was discussion regarding the existing Class 3 Designation and how to treat the survey in the ordinance. The Board agreed to update the existing survey and Page 5 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 current survey into a form that identifies what the Board sees currently as the potentially significant Historic Resources. Chairman Harrell appointed a sub-committee to prepare a report on the survey. Survey Sub-Committee appointed was Member Conrad, Member Meltzer, and Member Isermann, with help from Chairman Harrell. Members stated that the legitimacy and validity of a professional survey is greatly important. The Board needs to create a report with the list, but note that this is an interim document until a professional survey is completed. A time-line was prepared by Chairman Harrell regarding the Ordinance. The Chairman noted there are only two big issues left - 1) cultural resources and 2) non-designated sites. The Chairman indicated that the City Attorney said at the Council Cabinet Meeting that we were broadening Historic Preservation to include cultural preservation, and that was not legal. If the word cultural is removed from out of the draft, nothing will be lost and arguments will be side-stepped. The word cultural gets used in the draft arbitrarily in place of historic inconsistently. Suggestion is to take the words Acultural and@ out of the ordinance. Also discussed by the Board is that it seems as if it will be difficult to retain anything that is approaching what is categorized as Class 3, which is based on a date. A survey lists properties that may potentially have historic significance. The Board supported incorporating a survey into the regulations in a role as a early warning device, not a regulatory device. Chairman Harrell is very uncomfortable with Section IV, Nondesignated Historical Resources. Conflict comes from codifying it, but protects the ability to demand staff for the activity. And if it isn=t codified, there won=t be staff time to do it. But codifying it, it will create a monster that will make the Boards job very, very difficult. Principal Planner Sullivan recommended that perhaps a written policy noting the interim measure, how it should be used, and the Board could send a resolution forward to Council where Council establishes policy and recognizes it as the official survey, therefore doing a lot of things of Section IV, but taking it out of this ordinance. Chairman Harrell felt that this may be the right direction. Member Conrad stated that in the ordinance there just needs to be a section that states there is an official survey, deemed by the Council. This can be amended on an as needed basis. Chairman Harrell stated that the Council asked for three things: Page 6 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 1) The Board=s version of the ordinance re-draft 2) The Planning Director=s version and 3) The City Attorney=s comments. Chairman Harrell, suggested substituting existing Section IV, with a generic statement about inventory. Member Conrad urged inclusion of a statement that the survey exists and, in the policy & procedures of the planning department that buildings that come to the permit process will be subjected to a cross-reference to this list. This needs to be done simply and administratively, not as a regulatory device. The Board decided to put a package together for all that is needed by the Council. Principal Planner stated that it would be administratively better to have an archival file on anything designated, so that we can go to the file and determine why it was designated and be specific about it. 8. Work Program Principal Planner stated that we need to designate a sub-committee for plaques and wording. The Board has to get this done this year, for funding purposes. Sub-Committee designated for this project will be Member Meltzer, Principal Planner Sullivan, and Member Pirozzi. Member Conrad will be designated for support to the sub-committee. The Board discussed the maps being prepared in cooperation with Public Arts Commission. Map Sub-Committe designated is Member Connell, and Member Pirozzi. Member Conrad will be designated for support to the sub-committee. The Board reviewed the existing work program and discussed updating the work program. 9. Member Concerns and Comments Principal Planner Sullivan introduced new Senior Secretary, Carrie Rovney, who will be handling all the HSPB items. Principal Planner Sullivan stated that she will be meeting on Thursday, November Page 7 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 16, 2000 with the residents of the 1930 Adobe buildings in the Santa Rosa Neighborhood, and giving the residents who are interested, more information. Principal Planner Sullivan noted this is not a City-driven function, but the City staff will provide technical support. This neighborhood is included on the City Tour on Thursday. Principal Planner Sullivan also stated that the work being done to Villa Hermosa is rehabilitation. It has been purchased by a man named Mr. Buckley, from Chicago. Some demolition has been approved, with hard-scapes and landscaping being removed. Structural demolition is limited to removal of rotting staircases Chairman Harrell discussed that HSPB has stopped attending the Historical Society in an official capacity. Principal Planner Sullivan offered a copy of the Historical Society=s newsletter to the members. The Board requested that staff try to attend the Historic Society meetings. Member Meltzer mentioned his concerns that Our Lady of Solitude Church, was altered without permission. Principal Planner Sullivan stated that none of the work being done was done by permit. Chairman Harrell reported on the dedication of the Ramon Academy building. Chairman Harrell noted the school district chose to stucco the structure against Mr. Wexlers wishes. But the remainder of the restoration was remarkable. Member Conrad expressed her concern that the Owen Kaufman Memorial now has a wrought iron fence put up in front of it. Member Connell requested a report be ready at the next meeting stating what action has been taken at this site. Member Conrad also expressed her concern of a fence in front of Peabody=s. Chairman Harrell stated that now Member Conrad and he are members of the Design Review Committee, and will be able to use their input to help in certain situations like Peabody=s and the Owen Kaufman Memorial. Member Connell summarized that we need to handle these three concerns, 1) Our Lady of Solitude Church, 2) The American Legion Post, and 3) Peabody=s. These are all designated sites. Member Connell addressed one more concern, regarding the magazine he has published. Permission was granted by a former city staff member to Member Connell to use the photos out of the brochure prepared by the HSPB. Chairman Page 8 of 7 Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes November 14, 2000 Harrell mentioned that these photographs were used free of charge, for the brochure, and he feels Member Connell should not only have permission but pay the Historical Society for the use of these pictures. It was decided that this issue will be resolved at another time. Member Connell had another concern regarding the contacts made to local newspapers, such as The Desert Sun. Member Connell decided he will take the responsibility to contact the Desert Sun, when important issues are going to be on the agenda. At 10:10 a.m., Chairman Harrell announced that the Board will conduct a field trip of AThe Works of William Cody@, and will subsequently adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Hope Sullivan Principal Planner