Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-03- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 11, 2003, 8:15 a.m. Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 92262 ROLL CALL Present This Meeting Present Yea-to-Date FY 2002-2003 Excused Absences To-Date Jim Isermann, Chairman X 7 William Scott, Vice Chairman X 7 Lee Bledsoe X 6 1 Ron Chespak X 7 James Hayton X 6 1 Shevlin Rush X 6 1 John Williams X 6 1 STAFF PRESENT: Doug Evans Director of Planning and Zoning Jing Yeo Associate Planner Loretta Moffett Senior Secretary * * * * * * Chairman, Jim Isermann called the meeting to order at 8:22 a.m. * * * * * * REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The Agenda was available and posted in accordance with state and local procedures for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning & Zoning counter by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003. * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE * * * * * * Director Evans reported on the Conflict of Interest Abstentions. The City Attorney advised of the State's criteria for declaring conflicts of interest and what a conflicted board member needs to do. After the item has been read into the record, the specific conflict needs to be stated by the concerned individual so the records show the nature of the conflict. Once the abstention has been stated, that person must leave the room and not return until after the item has been completely heard. The intention is to not have members in the room watching the proceedings or influence the proceedings in other than verbal means. This is a State law and has nothing to do with anything that has occurred in Palm Springs. This is a quick update, the full guidelines are not available from the City Attorney as yet. Each Board Member is asked to carefully look at the agendas and prior to the meeting check to determine whether you might have an abstention. Ask staff if there are any questions. The only change from past guidelines is that the new rules require a person to leave the room after stating the nature of their conflict of interest. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Isermann asked for approval of the Minutes from the January 14, 2003 meeting and asked for comments or corrections. M/S/C (7 yes, 0 No) to approve the January 14, 2003 Minutes as presented. Director Evans updated the Board on the Minutes stating that the minutes will be reduced to summary minutes. Basically the direction you give to staff and not much more. When there is a public hearing relative to designation of a property, the Board will receive detailed Minutes for that action; but for just a discussion item, it will be recorded as generally what staff talked to the board about and what direction was given by the Board. It will not be a running dialog. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: Chairman Isermann advised there was nothing to report. AGENDA ITEM #5 - CONSIDERATION OF CLASS 2 HISTORIC SITE FOR ORCHID TREE INN, 261 SOUTH BELARDO ROAD: Director Evans updated the Board and introduced Robert Weithorn. Staff has received a Class 2 Historic Designation request, which was put on the agenda for discussion purposes only. If staff hears different ideas from this discussion, they will work with the property owner to prepare a Class 2 designation if that is his pleasure after this discussion. Class 2 designation does not require Board approval of changes, additions, or modification as a Class 1 designation does; however, Class 2 does offer protection of a stay of demolition. Vice Chairman Scott asked Mr. Weithorn to explain why the application was specifically for Class 2? Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 February 11, 2003 Robert Weithorn described the property in detail and the direction he and staff wish to continue in maintaining the property as a historic property. They are long-time members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, California Historical Society, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, plus numerous others. The earlier heritage is being lost with all the new development taking place in and around Palm Springs. The Orchid Tree Inn ownership and staff want to bring back a low-key way and feeling for a period that was and should still be considered significant. Each room in the Orchid Tree Inn has been designed and decorated in an unpretentious manner to individually represent and bracket that historic and nostalgic period that Palm Springs has been famous for and deserves to be recognized and maintained. Vice Chairman Scott and Board Member Williams thanked Mr. Weithorn for his presentation and the concern for such a great property and encouraged him to do whatever is needed to complete the Class 2 application and get it approved. Chairman Isermann asked about the registries that the Orchid Tree Inn belongs to and re-stated for understanding that this application was clearly for the Class 2 designation so that the owner has control over the restoration ? Mr. Weithorn acknowledged that it was a Class 2 designation they wanted so they may continue restoration of various buildings, re-roofing, etc. Chairman Isermann expressed the Board's thanks to Mr. Weithorn, asked if the Board had any further questions, and encouraged the nomination process be continued for the Class 2 designation. AGENDA ITEM #1 - DISCUSSION OF CITY'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE (Chapter 8.05 PSMC), DUTIES, ACTIVITIES: Nothing to discuss. AGENDA #2 - PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION: Board Member Scott reported that the Preservation Foundation's next event is March 7 & 9, which is Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 February 11, 2003 the P.S. Modernism Show in which there are 75 international dealers showcasing 20th century furniture, lighting, glass, pottery, paintings, silver, jewelry, books, etc. at the P.S. Convention Center. The foundation is sponsoring the preview gala Friday. Dealer booths are all sold out, the gala is about full, so everyone is encouraged to attend. AGENDA ITEM #3 - PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Board Member Bledsoe spoke with Sally McManus yesterday and there are no major events coming up in the next month or so. There is a newsletter available which will schedule the next six months and viewers and staff are encouraged to drop by and pick one up. AGENDA ITEM #4 - PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE: Board Member Williams reported that the meeting will be this Saturday, February 15 at Modern Way at 10 a.m. ModCom had a very successful home tour in January of many fine homes, including Chairman Isermann's home. There were about 110 people taking part in the tour. The ModCom is very involved in the March Modernism show and trying to get the City of Rancho Mirage to adopt a preservation ordinance. AGENDA ITEM #6 - DISCUSSION RE CITY GENERAL PLAN HISTORIC RESOURCES: Director Evans stated that this is really the first meeting of the General Plan update. Staff copied the Historic Resources section of the existing General Plan for the Board to review. Please read, jot down notes of what you feel is good, what needs to be revised, what could be added, etc. It was suggested that since this will be a multiple year project, include all ideas. The implementation programs have a pretty good start and with the new survey, this will clearly open up new areas. Staff does not feel it is appropriate nor would it be beneficial for the Board to expand it's view into cultural resources. This is handled directly with the Tribal Council. All construction sites are monitored very closely with the Tribe. If the Board moves into that they will be crossing over into Tribal, Planning Commission, and City Council jurisdictions. There may be up to 100 meetings in the General Plan update, and all members are encouraged to look at the entire General Plan and participate in neighborhood and community meetings and network within the community. Staff is not asking for any direction from the Board at this time. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 4 February 11, 2003 Chairman Isermann advised the Board that in reading the General Plan, he learned that the HSPB was instituted in 1981 and a lot of the policy issues are very specific. One question that seems to always come up is..."What are the significant structures that need to be protected?" This upcoming survey will resolve a lot of those questions. Chairman Isermann asked for additional Board or staff reports, and reminded the Board of the Study Session immediately following this meeting. Director Evans reminded the Chairman that his term on this Board expires this June 2003, and that he is eligible for reappointment and will need to complete another application. Deadline is March 31, 2003 Board Member Williams asked for a status on the Historic Survey. Director Evans advised that there are three (3) proposals. Staff is working with the purchasing department for a scoring index. The committee will numerically score based on qualifications and then staff is required to hire the most qualified firm. The scoring sheet from purchasing should be here shortly, then the scoring, Council gets a staff report and makes the selection of who to hire. Vice Chairman Scott asked about including a community member from outside the City agency. Director Evans advised that the committee will probably be limited to three (3) people, all from staff. There are three (3) proposals, so it is felt a group of three (3) is appropriate. Those three will be Chairman Isermann, Jing Yeo, and Kathy Marx. The purchasing department will probably overview to be sure procedures are followed. State guidelines have to be followed for this type of selection. Board Member Bledsoe asked about the P.S. History and Architectural Guide, the photos, etc. to finish this booklet. Director Evans advised that it is very close to being published. Tracy Conrad received the photograph authorization from Julius Schumann and there are some editorial changes, and consulting with one of the premiere architects in the community who had some editorial concerns about some buildings that Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 4 February 11, 2003 he worked on. Additional brochures (200) were printed and are available. Board Member Williams asked about the process going on as long as it has and even though this was approved by the last Board, will this Board still have some input? Director Evans advised that when the completed version is in hand, it will be given to the Board Members for immediate review and comments. If it is put on an agenda, it will probably incur another delay. Almost every historian in the community has been working on this. It is primarily down to the last edits. Board Member Williams' preference is to see it on the agenda, but will leave it up to the Board. This Board will now be perceived as the ones who are issuing this brochure, as it states "from the Historic Site Preservation Board..." it's rightful place is on the agenda. Vice Chairman Scott stated his preference that one Board member work with Tracy Conrad, the City or whoever and then make the presentation to this Board, so one of us will be up-to-speed about what is going on and can carry on in future as needed. Board Member Williams' preferred that it come before the next Board meeting (if everything can be pulled together by that time), for the final review process rather than the delay of mailing it out to everyone. Director Evans stated that most of the plates would not be changed, but there as additions and some editing. If the Board would like it back on the agenda, staff can certainly do that. Chairman Isermann stated that he was on the Board when it went before Tracy Conrad. It is really about correcting the mistakes that have been in the brochure for a number of years and adding some additional designated sites. It could be resolved as simply as having the information brought before the Board either as an agenda item or more informally. Once Tracy Conrad has completed this task, it should be a very simple process to finalize, but it would be a good thing to have a Board Member in contact with her so the next go-round someone can quickly pick this up and move with it. Board Member Chespak stated that we are a new Board and if this is going to represent us, we should Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 4 February 11, 2003 have someone on this Board aware of the process. Director Evans re-iterated that if the Board wants it on the next agenda to let him know after the meeting who will be designated to work this Tracy Conrad to get this finalized. Staff will make sure that connection is made. It will be given to all seven (7) Board Members as soon as staff has it in hand. Chairman Isermann adjourned the meeting at 9:17 a.m. and the Board moved into their Study Session. Next meeting is at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2003. Respectfully submitted, Douglas R. Evans Director of Planning and Zoning :ldm HSPB MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2003