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Home My WebLink About2001-02-13- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 13, 2001, 8:15 a.m. Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California ROLL CALL John Harrell, Chairman Hal Meltzer, Vice Chairman Tracy Conrad Jim Isermann Karen Pirozzi Carl Prout Present This Meeting X X X X X Present To Date 8 8 7 5 7 4 FY 2000-2001 Excused Absences To Date 0 0 1 1 1 4 STAFF PRESENT: Hope Sullivan, Principal Planner Carrie Rovney, Senior Secretary * * * * * * Chairman Harrell called the meeting to order at 8:21 a.m. * * * * * * REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The February 13, 2001 agenda was available in accordance with state and local procedures for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning & Building counter by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2001. * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairman Harrell opened the meeting to Public Comments. There being none, Public Comments was closed. * * * * * * APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M/S/C (Meltzer/Pirozzi 5-0, 1 absent) to approve the minutes of November 14, 2000 with corrections to grammar and wording noted. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting February 13, 2001 Παγε 2 οφ 5 M/S/C (Meltzer/Pirozzi 5-0, 1 absent) to approve the minutes of December 12, 2000 as presented. M/S/C (Prout/Meltzer 5-0, 1 absent) to approve the minutes of January 9, 2001 with corrections to spelling and punctuation noted. * * * * * * PUBLIC HEARING: Chairman Harrell opened the meeting for Public Hearing on the request to designate the Wexler/Harrison Steel Homes, located at 290 Simms Road, 3100, 3125, 3133 & 3165 Sunnyview Drive, and 300 & 330 East Molino Road for Class 1 Designation. Member Isermann abstained, due to a conflict of interest. Principal Planner Sullivan presented a staff report outlining the historical context and defining characteristics of the Wexler/Harrison Steel Homes. She stated that the defining characteristics are: roof features, fenestration, materials, stone walls, carports and color. Mr. Don Wexler, the architect who designed the homes, presented additional information regarding the seven homes. Mr. Wexler stated that the floors were not steel, but either concrete or terrazzo. He also stated that the original master plan was for 30-40 homes, and that the first three homes were built by Calcor with himself and Ric Harrison as partners. The second phase were four homes built by Rheemetal and designed by Wexler. Member Isermann stated that some of the steel homes were originally one color, and Member Meltzer asked Mr. Wexler what the original color concepts were for the homes. Mr. Wexler mentioned that the colors emphasized post and beam structure with a darker color and all of the soffits were white and most of the walls were off-white or tan and they always tried emphasizing the structure as much as possible with darker contrasting colors. Chairman asked Mr. Wexler for his opinion on the importance of exterior color being a control factor in designation. Mr. Wexler suggested that a multiple-colored palate be created for the homes. Chairman instructed staff to make minor refinements to the staff report in response to Mr. Wexler’s comments and information. Chairman opened the meeting to public comments. Mr. Hugh McKenna, a Wexler/Harrison Steel Homeowner, 290 Simms Road, expressed his support for the Class 1 Designation of the Steel Homes. Mr. McKenna stated that he owns the folded-plate roof home. Mr. McKenna stated his concerns regarding restrictions or requirements for future renovations in regards to his carport and possibly adding a block wall on the side of the home for protection from sand damage. Mr. Kevin Lane, a Wexler/Harrison Steel Homeowner, 3125 Sunnyview Drive, expressed his support for the Class 1 Designation of the Steel Homes. Mr. Lane stated that he purchased the Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting February 13, 2001 Παγε 3 οφ 5 home for its defining and functional characteristics. He also believes that this is an opportunity, for the first time since the homes have been built, that all of the owners understand the significance and benefit of their design. He encouraged the board to designate and save the neighborhood. Mr. Don Belotti, a Wexler/Harrison Steel Homeowner, 300 East Molino Road, expressed his support for the Class 1 Designation of the Steel Homes. Stated that he agrees with Mr. Lane’s comments and supports and believes that this is a fine project. There being no further appearances, Chairman Harrell closed the meeting to public comments. Member Prout clarified that each of the seven owners of the Wexler/Harrison Steel Homes are on record as being in support of the Class 1 Historic Designation. Member Meltzer directed questions to Mr. Wexler, regarding the original interior and furnishings of the Wexler/Harrison Steel Homes. Mr. Wexler distributed an explanatory handout, which is on file in the planning division. Chairman stated that the six defining characteristics of the Wexler/Harrison Steel Homes for the recommendation for Class 1 designation would be: 1) roof features - the roof design is not to be altered; 2) fenestration - no window alterations are to be permitted; 3) materials - the use of steel for the walls, roof and structure is not to be altered; 4) stone wall - existing stone walls are to remain, with no alteration, and to encourage restoration as much as possible, but not require it; 5) carports - accept changes that have happened, but encourage restoration to original, but not require existing alterations to be reversed; 6) color - current color is acceptable, but a suggestion that a color palate be created by the Board, the Architect, and the Homeowners, to serve as a guide. Chairman also stated that any alterations must be reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Don Belotti asked the Board if there would be any requirements for the landscaping of the homes. He also noted that it is important to use some screening to protect portions of the homes from the sun and wind. Mr. William Kopelk, landscape architect, stated that he has several significant mid-century homeowners as clients and made a recommendation that a percentage of the frontage be available for public view. The Board concurred that this is a good approach, but that it would encourage rather than mandate the approach. M/S/C (Prout/Pirozzi 4-0, 1 abstention, 1 absent) to direct the staff to prepare a resolution, to recommend to City Council to designate the Wexler/Steel Homes as a Class 1 Historic Site, including the concerns expressed during the hearing for adoption by the board at the next meeting. * * * * * * Chairman adjourned meeting for a brief recess at 9:05 a.m. and brought back to order at 9:15 a.m. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting February 13, 2001 Παγε 4 οφ 5 * * * * * * CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Notification Letter - Chairman Harrell presented a draft letter to owners of historic sites, explaining the policies and requirements involved. He requested staff to send this letter on City letterhead. Conflict of Interests Forms - Chairman reminded board members that their completed Conflict of Interest Forms are due to City Clerk by April 2, 2001. Resignation - Chairman stated that Member John Connell had resigned from the Historic Site Preservation Board, effective January 29, 2001. Chairman also stated that with Mr. Connell’s resignation, there are four vacancies on the HSPB, effective July 1, 2001. The Chairman encouraged the viewing public to apply. Fire Station #1 Re-Roof - Chairman announced that the Fire Station #1, located at 277 North Indian Canyon Drive, may be re-roofed, which will be considered routine maintenance. This will not impact the appearance of the building. * * * * * * ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS: American Legion Post #516, at 400 North Belardo Road, request for architectural approval to erect a fence and utilize outside heaters. Principal Planner Sullivan presented the staff report regarding the American Legion’s proposal. Staff then circulated pictures for the Board Members to review. Member Meltzer stated that the fence is not congruant with the architecture. Chairman Harrell pointed out that the fence is not attached to the building. Chairman also noted that the drawings for the fence do not match what was actually installed. Chairman stated that if the fence had been equivalent to the drawing, he would have been comfortable approving it. He and other members stated that they do not feel comfortable with approving the existing fence. Chairman clarified that the Board is not objecting to the concept, but it is objecting to the design. M/S/C (Meltzer/Pirozzi 5-0, 1 absent) for staff to perform a re-study of the American Legion Post #516 fence, and continue to the March 13, 2001 Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting. * * * * * * AGENDA ITEMS: Ordinance Update - Chairman Harrell addressed the final draft of the HSPB Ordinance. Chairman asked that any additional revisions by the Board be noted. There were none. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting February 13, 2001 Παγε 5 οφ 5 M/S/C (Isermann/Pirozzi 5-0, 1 absent) to endorse the final draft of the HSPB Ordinance dated February 5, 2001, to be reviewed by staff and the City Attorney as presented, with a request that any changes by staff or City Attorney to the draft, be presented to the HSPB before they are made. Work Program - The Updated Work Program for Calendar Year 2001 is as follows: · Funding - Identifying additional funding sources for Historic Preservation. · Plaques - Identify those properties which are designated but have not received their plaque. · Map/Guide - Continue to work with Public Arts Commission. · Complete the revised Ordinance. · Reviewing how Historic Preservation is addressed in the General Plan, and preparing a revision, as appropriate. · Completion of the Survey of Potentially Historic Resources. · Review the plaque design. · Continuing to study the Certified Local Government Designation. M/S/C (Pirozzi/Meltzer 5-0, 1 absent) adopt the above summary of the HSPB Work Program for Calendar Year 2001 as presented by staff. Survey Update - The survey sub-committee will continue to update the lists and investigate sites for proposed designations. Map/Guide - Member Pirozzi reported that Chairman Harrell and she attended the last Public Arts Commission meeting and viewed the latest rendering of the map. The artist who is donating his time and work has asked that the pictures are in color. Member Pirozzi stated that the HSPB is responsible for writing a 35-word description for each of the pictures being placed in the map/guide. Member Pirozzi and Chairman Harrell will complete this task. There being no further business, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:09 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Hope Sullivan Principal Planner