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Home My WebLink About2001-10-09- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 9, 2001, 8:15 a.m. Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California DRAFT ROLL CALL John Harrell, Chairman Hal Meltzer, Vice Chairman Tracy Conrad Jim Isermann Karen Pirozzi Carl Prout Present This Meeting X X X X Present To Date 13 13 10 9 7 7 FY 2000-2001 Excused Absences To Date 0 0 3 2 6 6 STAFF PRESENT: Hope Sullivan, Planning Manager Carrie Rovney, Senior Secretary * * * * * * Chairman Harrell called the meeting to order at 8:25 a.m. * * * * * * REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: 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, October 4, 2001. * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS: There being none, Public Comments was closed. * * * * * * Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting October 9, 2001 Παγε 2 οφ 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M/S/C (Meltzer/Isermann 4-0, 0 abstention, 2 absent) to approve the minutes of April 10, 2001 as presented. M/S/C (Isermann/Meltzer 4-0, 0 abstention, 2 absent) to approve the minutes of June 12, 2001 as presented. M/S/C (Meltzer/Isermann 3-0, 1 abstention, 2 absent) to approve the minutes of June 26, 2001 as presented with one phrase correction on page two. * * * * * * PUBLIC HEARINGS: None * * * * * * ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS: 151 WEST ALEJO ROAD - Facade Improvements - Our Lady of Solitude Church, Update and Clarification. Planning Manager Sullivan clarified the position of the Board on the tile applied to the facade of the building and the research regarding the stucco applied to the facade of the building. The Board agreed during the previous architectural approval that the tile needed to be removed and that research needed to be done regarding whether the stucco was applied prior to or after designation. It was clarified that the stucco was applied to the building prior to the site being designated. A letter will be sent to the applicant signed by staff, giving a time frame for conformance, containing the information that was researched and clarified. Chairman Harrell inquired about the involvement of Community Preservation in this violation. Manager Sullivan stated that Community Preservation was involved in the matter to be able to encourage the applicant to apply for architectural approval. Staff=s recommendation is to remedy the violations without further assistance from Community Preservation. Member Conrad brought up the concern regarding a newly painted area behind the alcoves at this building, will the applicant again be asked to come before the Board for this unapproved action. Manager Sullivan agreed that the applicant could be asked to come before the Board. Manager Sullivan advised the Board of improvements that were approved for one of the Wexler/Steel Homes. The Wexler/Steel Homes were recently designated as Class One Historic structures. These improvements are all in conformance with the guidelines approved by the City Council. The location of the improvements are at 300 East Molino Road. Chairman Harrell stated that the approved improvements for Louise=s Pantry have begun Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting October 9, 2001 Παγε 3 οφ 5 and look very sympathetic with the architecture. * * * * * * CHAIRMAN=S REPORT: Chairman Harrell wanted to publicly compliment Senior Secretary, Carrie Rovney, Secretary to the Historic Site Preservation Board, for the excellent job that was done on the minutes for their past meetings. The new format is very nicely done and the content is excellent. The past few meetings had some rather difficult issues and she accurately describes these discussions in the minutes. Chairman Harrell announced that he would be resigning as Chairman. He is not resigning from the Board, he is stepping down from Chairman. He is making this decision in the best interest of the Board. Vice Chairman Hal Meltzer will conduct future meetings. MAP UPDATE - Diane Morgan, Arts Administrator for the City of Palm Springs, presented a final draft of the Public Arts and Historic Sites Map. Administrator Morgan provided current copies of the list of sponsors for the forty four proposed sites for the map. Thirty of the forty four sites have already been sponsored. Sponsorship is $200 for each site on the map. The break-down for the number of art and historic sites is approximately a 50/50 split. If you know of an individual or a group that is interested in sponsorship for the map, please have them contact Diane Morgan at (760) 778-8408. Member Meltzer voiced his concern regarding some sites that were originally scheduled to be on the map, but were not included on the updated list that was presented. Planning Manager Sullivan informed the members that some items were removed from the map because they were not able to receive sponsors. Also, the final intent was to reduce the number of sites according to designation, if they were not a designated site they were removed. Manager Sullivan advised the Board to approach individuals or groups that would be interested in sponsoring a site. Each member affirmed their intent to find sponsors for the sites to be included on the map. SURVEY SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE - The Inventory of Historic Structures list is in final draft form. If there are anymore corrections or additions, they should be done immediately. This updated list is being presented to the City Building Department for entry into the computer system, for flagging these sites as potentially historically sensitive. PLAQUE UPDATE - Planning Manager Sullivan stated that six historic plaques have been ordered and received. The Easmor Tie Down plaque was paid for and delivered to the Cape Ann Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII. Plaques for two residences, Raymond Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting October 9, 2001 Παγε 4 οφ 5 Loewy House and Carey/Pirozzi House are in our possession. Plaques for three non-residential sites, City Hall, Tramway Gas Station, and the Tramway Valley Station are also in our possession. Manager Sullivan suggested that the Board needs to schedule a field trip for the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting to go out to sites and determine where these plaques are to be mounted. Manager Sullivan also suggested that the Board begin planning for the plaque dedication ceremonies and mounting of the plaques. Chairman Harrell recommended that a field trip be scheduled for the next regularly scheduled meeting to go to the sites to decide where the plaques will be mounted. Some board members agreed to individually contact the owners of the sites for the plaques to begin the ceremony and mounting process. Manager Sullivan confirmed that the plaques will be a Ameaty@ item for the November meeting. The field trip will include stops at all designated sites to review plaque placement. ORDINANCE UPDATE - Chairman Harrell inquired regarding the HSPB Ordinance. Planning Manager Sullivan clarified that there were no updates at this time. * * * * * * AGENDA ITEMS: NEW APPOINTMENTS TIME TABLE - Chairman Harrell distributed a statement that he is requesting to be read by Hal Meltzer at the October 17, 2001 City Council Cabinet meeting. The statement is regarding HSPB membership. Chairman Harrell requested that the Board give their support. All members were in favor of the statement being read at the October 17, 2001 City Council Cabinet meeting. BOARD MEMBERS REQUESTS AND CONCERNS - Member Isermann requested information regarding the Alpha Beta / Ralph=s building. Member Conrad and Chairman Harrell confirmed they were aware of the plan for demolition, and there were two options for rebuilding. One option including the complete demolition and an entirely new structure. Another option is a demolition to include all structures except a portion of the building to be salvaged and be used in conjunction with the new construction. Chairman Harrell stated that construction and architect companies are using as much original materials and shape for the new building as possible. Chairman Harrell announced an event scheduled for October 26, 2001 for the 98th Birthday Anniversary for Albert Frey titled ACome Share Your Stories of Albert With Us.@ This will be held at the Moorton Botanical Gardens. Also, the AGreat Alexander Weekend@ will be held here in Palm Springs on November 2-4, 2001, sponsored by the Palm Springs Historic Foundation. For more information call (760) 778-3997. Member Meltzer announced an event being held at a Neutra house in Redlands on October 20, Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting October 9, 2001 Παγε 5 οφ 5 2001 by the Society of Architectural Historians. Member Conrad expressed her concern regarding alterations to buildings that are not sympathetic to the architecture. One example is the fence put up in front of the Starbuck=s Coffee in downtown. This building is a historic building and the fence is not complementing the structure. She asked what steps could be taken to help prevent this type of thing happening in the future. Chairman Harrell expressed that he feels the City needs to be more attentive to Historic Preservation. Manager Sullivan stated that the Inventory list of Historic Structures that is being entered is a big step for protecting historically sensitive sites. Planning Manager Sullivan informed the Board that she attended a seminar regarding Financial Incentives for Historic Preservation. Unfortunately, there are not many incentives available, but she will put together a packet of useful information and include the subject on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting in November. There being no further business, Chairman Harrell adjourned the meeting at 9:00am Respectfully submitted, Hope Sullivan Planning Manager