Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-09- HSPB minutes City of Palm Springs HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting of Tuesday, January 9, 2001 Large Conference Room, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California Call to Order: 8:22 a.m. by John Harrell, Chairperson Roll Call: Members Present: John Harrell, Tracy Conrad, Hal Meltzer, Karen Pirozzi, Carl Prout, Jim Isermann Members Absent: John Connell Staff Present: Doug Evans, Director of Planning & Building Carrie Rovney, Senior Secretary Posting of Agenda: The agenda was posted in accordance with state and local procedures on January 4, 2001 Public Comments: Jack Reed, owner of a Wexler/Steel Home, located at 3133 Sunnyview Drive in Palm Springs, attended the HSPB meeting to show his support for the preservation of the steel homes, and to present some information on the addresses, owners and construction of these homes. The handouts included pictures of the All-steel Home System, showing the process from beginning to end. There are seven steel homes in the Palm Springs area which were designed in 1962 by Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison. U.S. Steel and the Rheem Manufacturing Company developed the homes. The homes were built by the Alexander Construction Company. Because the Steel Homes were not on the agenda for the current meeting, Chairman Harrell reminded the members that they were not able to discuss the matter at this time. Chairman requested that staff schedule a public hearing to be conducted on the Steel Homes at the February 13, 2001 Meeting. Member Prout requested that Mr. Reed speak with the owners of the seven Wexler/Steel Homes and have a letter made-up by those who are interested, stating that they are in agreement with historic preservation of their homes. Member Prout suggested that these letters be ready for presentation at the HSPB Public Hearing on February 13, 2001. Mr. Jack Reed agreed to Member Prout=s request. Chairman stated that there are no Minutes to approve, no Architectural Approvals, and no Public Hearings scheduled for today=s meeting. CHAIRMAN=S REPORT: 1. Design Review of Designated Sites: Chairman Harrell discussed the work being done on designated properties without being reviewed and/or approved by the Board. Chairman proposed that the HSPB author a letter to all owners and occupants of existing designated properties, outlining the requirements for review of all exterior work and all changes. Chairman prefers that it be a friendly letter that explains who the HSPB is, what they do, and why it is important. This letter is not to be a chastisement letter, but a friendly presentation. Since Design Review has been such an inactive part of the Boards work over the past few years, people are not necessarily aware they need to get approval from the HSPB when they want to alter designated properties. Chairman asked that the Members begin working on a draft and start the process to get it out to people. This also means the Board will have to begin to be more critical about the delineation of landmarks. This letter will take some file work on the part of the Staff, which means it may take a couple of weeks, but this is a high priority item. 2. The Proposed Revised Ordinance: All of the members have gotten a copy of the latest draft of the ordinance. Because of the difficulty of the additions, strikeouts, and other corrections, Chairman made the decision to read and go over the ordinance as a group, in order to have the changes marked that the members felt needed to be made. Member Prout presented a draft copy of the ordinance, in which he had been able to make his corrections and additions. The Members continued to make additions and corrections to the draft copy presented by Member Prout. Chairman stated that the corrections and additions will be done and ready for a final draft at the next meeting. Attached is a copy of the corrections and additions made by the board members as a group. AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Report of the Survey Sub-Committee Member Conrad reported that the sub-committee has been very active in their review of the survey. The sub-committee has sorted the survey into three categories: Definite Properties for Designation, Not Necessary for Designation, and Investigations. Some sites that were not in the survey have been added to the list. These sites were comprised from the suggestions of the community. A list of Definite Designations is going to be typed and distributed to HSPB. The sub-committee is going to work on the Ainvestigate@ stack before presenting the list back to the board. Member Conrad commented that she believes the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes January 9, 2001 Παγε 3 οφ 6 sub-committee would have the Adefinite@ list to present at the February 13, 2001 meeting. The sub-committee is going to do field work to make decisions on the Ainvestigate@ category. A final list of all three categories will more than likely not be ready for presentation in February. Chairman Harrell asked about the number of Adefinites.@ Member Conrad stated that it would be very difficult to come up with a number because of the items that could be added from the Ainvestigate@ category. Member Meltzer commented that all of this material has made him quite aware of what real treasures and resources we have in our community, for many different reasons. All of these reasons really portray the history of our city. Chairman addressed the issue of being interested in a Local Certified Government proposal. Director suggested to present what would it cost, and what it would mean and stated that this would be done through Hope Sullivan acting as the person that would put the report together. He also stated that if it is a new program requiring funding, that the Council very rarely does mid-year budget allocations for new programs. Chairman believes that the funds would not be great, that most of the work will be paperwork. Member Conrad brought up the topic regarding the need for the Historical Brochure to be updated. By updating the Brochure and by including the Survey in the Brochure, Member Conrad believes this would raise public awareness. Member Pirozzi commented on the interest of the community for the Historical Brochure is still very much alive. The Members discussed the different facilities that sell the Historical Brochure and the cost of the Brochure when sold to these facilities and then to the community and interested tourists. Member Prout requested 300 copies of the Historical Brochures for an event in February. Chairman asked for an update on the Guide that Public Arts is working with the HSPB. Member Pirozzi noted she would meet with Diane Morgan from Public Arts fo an update. Member Isermann commented that there is a great need for this Guide to be finished as soon as possible, because there are several other groups that are working on a similar project/idea and whoever gets this Guide out first will be getting the most attention. Member Pirozzi requested that this be put on the next Agenda. 2. Work Program - presented by Member Isermann Chairman Harrell asked Member Isermann for an update regarding the Work Program of the HSPB. Member Isermann suggested prioritizing the items on the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes January 9, 2001 Παγε 4 οφ 6 Work Program. Member Isermann noted that the Wexler/Steel Homes is an important issue that needs to be addressed soon. Another project Member Isermann would like to work on, is the designation of the Stewart Williams banks. One of the owners has approached the HSPB regarding designating these banks. Member Isermann asks that Hope Sullivan, Principal Planner, approach the owners of the other banks regarding this project. Chairman would like to meet with Donald Wexler and discuss with him what he feels should be designated. Member Pirozzi addressed the issue of the Racquet Club. Chairman asked Member Pirozzi to continue to pursue the Racquet Club for designation. Member Prout announced an event on a weekend in the Fall on AThe Alexanders@, hosted by The Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation. The Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation is planning to have the original architect attend the event. The owners of AThe Alexanders@ are going to participate by hosting open houses. This will assist in the process of getting these homes designated. This event in the fall will help to excite and educate the City. Member Prout asked if a portion of the monies that are allocated to Public Arts, could be available for the HSPB for historic preservation. Chairman stated he believes that fees collected for designated properties can be earmarked for distribution to HSPB. Member Prout requested information regarding the amount of money Public Arts had allocated to it. The Director gave the names of people that would help Member Prout with the information regarding Public Arts budget and mentioned that Hope Sullivan, Principal Planner, would be able to get the information together for the Board. The Director also gave suggestions of requesting a separate source of funding, including going out to the community and raising funds, just as the City Library did, then requesting the matching of those funds by City Council, preferably in phases. Chairman also expressed that the HSPB may want to start talking about monies for education and public awareness along with the survey. 3. Member Concerns Member Pirozzi stated that on the Kocher/Samson building someone has taped-up some information regarding the building. Members Meltzer and Isermann commented that Brad Dunning is renting the studio upstairs and is kind Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes January 9, 2001 Παγε 5 οφ 6 of Awatching over@ the building and is very interested in that building, and he is probably the one who taped the sign up. Member Meltzer announced the Modernist Residential Symposium, presenting Mid-Century Decorative Arts and Furniture on February 24 and 25. Member Meltzer presented a flyer of this event that is being put on by the Desert Museum. Joseph Rosa will be the keynote speaker. A presentation will be made by Adele Cygelman and David Glomb. There will also be portraits by David Glomb. Alan Hess will also be speaking. There will be a home tour, and there will be a fund-raiser at the Pereira House at the Thunderbird Country Club. The expectation is for this event to be as exciting and successful as last year and have as many participants as there were last year. Flyers are available at the Museum and other places throughout Palm Springs, such as the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Harrell stated that Joseph Rosa, who is the keynote speaker, is the author of Albert Frey: Architect, and is the Frey Aauthority@ at the moment. Member Prout announced an event that will be sponsored by The Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation, on February 16-18, 2001, titled APalm Springs Modernism@. There will be booths, a hospitality room, and lots of education information. The preview is on Friday, February 16, 2001. The weekend also includes a tour of the Kaufmann House, which is very rarely open, never available to the general public, and will be by invitation only. Member Prout asked that if someone wishes to attend, to let him know, and he will be sure they receive an invitation. Member Conrad expressed her concerns regarding the American Legion Post patio and Our Lady of Solitude Church. Member Meltzer stated that he had gone and inspected these designated properties very carefully. Chairman stated that the Community Preservation Officer, Nadine Fieger, has contacted someone regarding these issues, but the process is going very slowly. Chairman feels that the Board may have to become more aggressive and emphasized the letter mentioned earlier in the meeting regarding the need for HSPB Design Review. At 9:34 a.m., Chairman announced that the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Hope Sullivan Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes January 9, 2001 Παγε 6 οφ 6 Principal Planner