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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-11- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 11, 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 X Present Year To Date 3 5 5 5 4 FY 2002-2003 Excused Absences To Date 2 1 STAFF PRESENT: Doug Evans, Director of Planning and Building Jing Yeo, Assistant Planner Cathy Thomas, Senior Secretary * * * * * * Chairman, Meltzer 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, June 6, 2002. * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS: Theony Passiden explained that she owns the house on the corner of Raquect Club and Indian Canyon. It was built in 1936. She is concerned about the new development proposed by Del Mar Properties. She feels bad about her property being bulldozed. Her property is currently in escrow. * * * * * * Παγε 2 οφ 5 PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Neutra Grace Lewis Miller House at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive. Staff member Yeo explained the Miller House was on the agenda for consideration of a Class I Historic Designation. The house was designed by Richard Neutra and constructed in 1937. Yeo further site explained the existing condition of the house and explained that a guest house had been added in which the owner desires to include as part of the Class I designation. Director Evans discussed the resolution for approval of the Class I Historic Site. Chairman Meltzer explained he had a conflict of interest and turned the item over to Vice Chairman Iserman to conduct. Catherine Meyler explained her feelings about the house. Prout expressed how proud he was about Ms. Meyler’s historic endeavors. He voiced his concerns about protecting this historic house. He requested Ms. Meyler share her ideas with respect to keeping the house restful and peaceful yet accessible for historic site viewing. Ms. Meyler explained her landscaping plan. Board Member Conrad explained the resolution provides for the landscaping plan to be reviewed by Design Review and Historic Site Preservation Board approval, prior to completing. Board Member Harrell read the referenced and attached letter written by Mr. Walker. Casey Jones spoke on behalf of the Palm Springs Modern Committee. He explained the Palm Springs Modern Committee appreciates the Board considering this house for Class I Historic Site and would appreciate a positive vote. Patrick Barry discussed the history of both Grace Miller and Richard Neutra. He read a poem he had written. Public Hearing was closed. Two questions arose for staff. One regarding alteration to Indian Canyon Drive and one regarding the proposed development that may surround the Miller House. Director Evans explained that currently Indian Canyon Drive is an under developed roadway and does not meet the standard plan street width. Evans further explained that if Ms. Meyler were to expand the property adding more than 40% to the square footage, the City Ordinance would require the property owner to improve the street. Director Evans discussed the proposed development near the Miller House. He explained he has seen plans but nothing has been filed for development. At one point the plans were submitted but were withdrawn. They are exploring the correct market for the property. They are looking at a multi-family residential development and are trying to acquire smaller properties. No action has been taken by the City’s Re-Development agency. The City’s Παγε 3 οφ 5 General Plan for the neighborhood is 1, 2 and 3 story structures over time. Board Member Harrell expressed his appreciation regarding the comments spoken by Ms. Meyler and Patrick Barry. He also explained he had a growing concern that every illustration of the house has a very strong landscaping imprint integral to the thought behind the house and he sees some conflict between Neutra’s concept and the proposed landscaping plan. Harrell would like the landscaping review to be part of any future the process. M/S/C (Conrad/Prout, 4-0, Meltzer abstain) To approve the Neutra Grace Lewis Miller House at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive as a designated Class I Historic Site. The owner is required to maintain and replace the plaque if it is lost. There is a required 25% view corridor and that any alternation or proposed permit to this site come back before Design Review and Historic Site Preservation, including the landscaping plans. * * * * * * Vice Chairman Iserman turned the meeting back over to Chairman Meltzer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M/S/C (Conrad/Iserman, 4-0, Harrell abstain) To approve the minutes of March 12, 2002. M/S/C (Conrad/Iserman, 4-0, Meltzer abstain) To approve the minutes of April 9, 2002. M/S/C (Conrad/Iserman, 4-0, Meltzer abstain) To approve the minutes of May 14, 2002. ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS: 1. Application by City of Palm Springs for lighting program at Frances Stevens park, located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive. Director Evans explained that the Frances Stevens Park has been getting increased activity. There has been complaints about insufficient lighting. Staff has been requested to come up with a plan to increase the lighting. The plan is to take the downtown light fixture concept, apply that concept around the perimeter of the park, along Alejo, adjacent to the Theater area, and up as close to the fountain as possible. Design Review recommended the light fixtures be stripped down so banner rods could not be used on the light fixtures. Board member Conrad understands the safety concern in the park. She felt the lighting could be put in the trees and not on the street. M/S/ (Iserman/Harrell) , Approve the lighting plan as submitted. Discussion by Board Member Harrell with the review process of the Frances Stevens renovations. The mechanical area on the east end of the building was to be screened in the least architectural manner possible. An architectural lean to has been constructed that is not original. Member Harrell expressed his unhappiness of the total dismissal of the boards purview and would like the mistake fixed. Παγε 4 οφ 5 Conrad explained there were a wide variety of concerns why the solution that the HSPB recommended was not appropriate therefore it was approved at staff level. M/S/C (Iserman/Harrell, 3-2) amended the motion to approve the lighting plan with the addition of uplighting on the palm trees and investigate deleting the flood lights on the palm trees near the fountain. * * * * * * AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Board Member Iserman commented that the Palm Springs Modern Committee is in the process of becoming a non-profit organization. 2. Board Member Prout announced that the new president of the Palm Springs Historic Site Foundation is William Kopelk. There is also a new board for the foundation. The board has attempted to simplify the common usage name of the foundation. The foundation name will remain officially the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Foundation. The new board is now using the name in publications, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. 3. Board Member Conrad explained the Palm Spring Historical Society recently completed an addition to the display space by adding a wall. The final rewrites and editing of Frank Bogarts’s reprint of his book is close to being done. The Desert Sun is publishing a 75 year monograph coffee table book that includes items from the Palm Springs Historical Society. The patio is completed and the City did a great job. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS: Board Member Conrad updated the board on Louise’s Pantry. There was a major mis-communication regarding the demolition and the entire site was gutted, including the historic tiles. Some of the tiles were salvaged. The construction site demolition crew did not realize they were to salvage the tiles. It is Mr. Wessman’s intent to replace and copy the tiles as per the HSPB recommendation. Member Conrad feels that a solution to this would be a pre-construction meeting with City staff and the actual workers on the job site so they understand the board recommendations. Also, in the future when considering changes to historic sites there should be a bond required. Board Member Harrell agreed with Member Conrad. He also stated that when a Design Review or Architectural approval is issued there be a board member as the Design Review Officer for the project. Director Evans explained requiring a bond would have to included in the resolutions and at some point modify the ordinance in which this group operates under. Board Member Conrad asked if there has been any further action on Our Lady of Solitude. Director Evans explained he has tried to establish a line of communication with them and has not had a response to date. Παγε 5 οφ 5 Chairman Meltzer felt that removing a designated historic site is cultural terrorism. * * * * * * ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Meltzer adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Douglas R. Evans Director of Planning and Building