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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-09- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 9, 2002, 8:15 a.m. Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California ROLL CALL Hal Meltzer, Chairman Tracy Conrad Jim Isermann, Vice Chairman Carl Prout John Harrell Present This Meeting X X X X Present Year To Date 2 3 3 3 2 FY 2002-2003 Excused Absences To Date 1 1 STAFF PRESENT: Doug Evans, Director of Planning and Building Jing Yeo, Assistant Planner Alex Meyerhoff, Principal Planner Cathy Thomas, Senior Secretary * * * * * * Vice Chairman, Isermann called the meeting to order at 8:20 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, April 4, 2002. * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS: Catherine Meyler, 2311 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, owner of the Neutra Grace Lewis Miller House at 2311 N. Indian Canyon Drive. Ms. Meyler would like to propose the house for a Class I Historic site designation. She supplied historical material regarding the house. She stated a new book will be coming out in September called the Richard Neutra’s Miller House. * * * * * * Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting April 9, 2002 Παγε 2 οφ 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There was not a required quorum to adopt the minutes. * * * * * * CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: 1. Report on plaqueing ceremony and reception for Albert Frey structures - Planner Jing Yeo reported that the plaque for the Carey-Pirozzi house was installed on April 5, 2002. Staff is working on the plaque installation for the Lowey house. Director Evans reported the City Hall plaque would be put up within the next week. This plaque will be installed just outside the City Council Chambers adjacent to the 50th Anniversary bronze plaque. Director Evans has been in contact with the new property owners of the Tramway Gas Station. The new owners are not quite ready to have a reception but, at an appropriate time may host a reception. The owners are very proud of the building and are developing plans for a mixed use development. The plans at this point are still in the talking stages. Director Evans will report back at the next meeting regarding the proposed plans. Board Member Conrad asked if there were any plans to take down the wall. Board Member Conrad expressed that she would be happy to see the wall come down. There was discussion on the Valley Station at the Tram. A location for the plaque was determined by the Board. The board will get with Director Evans after the meeting to provide him with the plaque location. 2. Invitation to community to make application to designate properties on the survey report - Vice Chairman Isermann extended an invitation to the community to bring forward properties for Class I designation. * * * * * * PUBLIC HEARINGS: None * * * * * * ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS: 1. Spanish Inn - Application by Hormoz Ramy for architectural approval of a proposed renovation of the Spanish Inn located at 640 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-3, Section 11. Director Evans explained the property has been in disrepair and unoccupied several years. Staff has worked very hard with the property owner. The owner has retained the services of Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting April 9, 2002 Παγε 3 οφ 6 James McBride to put together plans for renovation of the property and some upgrades. Some remedial work, most notably pulling out debris, trimming the landscaping, stripping the roof off and pulling the tile off has been completed. The tile is stored and they have demolished the old buildings in the back that are ad-ons that had no value and were problematic. The planning process has been started on the Architectural Approval Application, no decisions have been made. The Design Review Committee has looked at the project. They had some recommendations regarding materials, as well as, landscaping along with some esthetic concerns that relate to architectural desire. The project representatives responded favorable to the recommendations. Planner Meyerhoff gave an overview of the project. Meyerhoff explained that the applicant is looking at renovating the property to return it to its historic use as a hotel facility. A number of permits have been issued. A preliminary structural report has been received and it appears that the roof will be required to be reconstructed and a new deck placed below. Along the Indian Canyon frontage the Architect, Mr. McBride, was interested in introducing an element that would provide for shading of the ground floor rooms. The Design Review Committee felt this introduced element did not support the integrity of the historic design of the original structure and directed the applicant to return with a revised design for shading. Other issues the Committee looked at was additional information on the landscape plan and retaining some of the historic features in terms of materials, tile, sculptural iron work. There is a question about the location of the perimeter wall along Indian Canyon. Design Review would like any new walls to match the pattern of the fencing. Director Evans informed the board that when the applicant started working with the City, they did contact the staff member that worked with the HSPB and asked if this was a project that the HSPB would take interest in and was told no. Therefore, direction has been taken that the site would not be considered historic and that there was prior discussion by HSPB. Director Evans suggested that the applicant make a presentation to the HSPB board. Board Member Conrad stated she was interested in the building and absolutely belongs in perview of HSPB. She is very concerned about maintaining the tiles, iron, cultural and architectural value. Board Member Prout agrees with Board Member Conrad, he feels it should be presented to the HSPB. He feels it is a very significant building and occupies a key site in the City and should be considered very carefully by the HSPB. Board Member Harrell commended Planner Meyerhoff for his summary of the Design Review Committee meeting of the Spanish Inn. He noted that the applicant, at the Design Review meeting, said all the right things and was concerned that the performance matched his words. It is technically a Class III site because of its age. He voiced that there are elements of the building that is deteriorating, with some outside help, faster than it needs to. He supports the City’s diligence to monitor this project. Board Member Isermann stated he is only aware of the building in the abandoned state and he will be very happy to see it returned to its version of its former glory. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting April 9, 2002 Παγε 4 οφ 6 Director Evans stated that this project will be brought back to the next meeting. * * * * * * AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Designation of Racquet Club - not discussed. Postponed until the next meeting. 2. Historic District Discussion - Overall Guidelines and area south of Ramon Road. Director Evans noted he received some information from a member of the public that attended an event in Los Angeles regarding historic neighborhoods. Director Evans noted it is a nice brochure and possibly a good model. Director Evans noted that staff has not been contacted by the proponents since February, 2002. Overall guidelines given by the board were fairly general and project specific until a district or two has been developed. Staff is pulling information together so we have ideas from other communities. 3. Plaqueing of the Wexler Steel Frame Houses - Due to the abstention of Vice Chairman Iserman there was not a quorum, therefore no action was taken. Director Evans announced the upcoming dedication ceremony on Saturday, April 13th, 2002 at 3125 Sunny View Drive. Director Evans also discussed the status and installation of the plaques. 4. Our Lady of Solitude Church - Director Evans stated that staff has made positive contact and a dialogue is now moving in a positive direction. There is an awareness and understanding that was not previously existing. 5. Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation - Board Member Prout explained the next event is scheduled for the fall, the first weekend in November. It will be called Desert Polynesia. Planning is underway and Board Member Prout hoped everyone would join them. 6. Palm Springs Historical Society - Board Member Conrad stated that the Historic Society is thriving. Mayor Bogart’s book has a new graphic design and cover. The book is expected to be out in May. The Director, Sally MacManus, is also working on a book for the 75th anniversary of the Desert Sun and will feature pictures that come from the Historical Society. 7. Historical Site Survey for Development at Ramon Road and Sunrise Way - Request for Proposal Director Evans explained that this is the Ralph’s store location. The developer may be willing to help fund the first survey. Staff is developing the request for proposal per a prior commitment to the City. The money will not be available until the developer starts construction. Demolition may occur in May or June. Board Member Harrell asked if the HSPB could make editorial changes. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting April 9, 2002 Παγε 5 οφ 6 Director Evans stated that the request for proposal would be brought to the board for comments. * * * * * * BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS - Director Evans stated that the Sunrise Gateway Revitalization Planning Area has been approved by the City Council. It was put together as a compilation of all the city’s programs. It identifies geographic boundaries and is useful in grant applications. It has no force and effect and adds no regulatory authority. It paraphrases existing programs. Board Member Harrell requested Planning Staff assist Ms. Meyla with the application process to designate the Miller house as a Class I historic site. Director Evans stated the discussion of the Miller House would be put on the next agenda. Board Member Conrad stated in light of the Maslon house in Rancho Mirage being torn down without review and public comment, Palm Springs deserves credit for having a Historic Site Preservation Board and Preservation Ordinance. Member Conrad feels the City Council should be commended for having awareness of historic preservation. Director Evans discussed the Mills Act Agreement with regard to the Carey-Pirozzi House. An agreement will be written and will parallel the Kaufman house agreement, with a few provisions for future additions, modifications, and display of the plaque. Director Evans stated that if any board members have any suggestions to please convey to staff and they would be considered in drafting the agreement. Board Member Harrell requested that in the future we refer to the Pirozzi house as the Carey- Pirozzi house. Director Evans introduced the new Senior Secretary, Cathy Thomas and expressed that she is a great addition. Board Member Harrell voiced concern regarding board appointments. He stated he has been serving beyond his term for almost a year. He feels there are qualified applicants that have been available for thirteen months to be appointed. * * * * * * Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting April 9, 2002 Παγε 6 οφ 6 ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairman Isermann adjourned the meeting at 9:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Doug Evans Director of Planning and Building