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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-10- HSPB minutes CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Regular Meeting -Tuesday, June 10, 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 10 1 William Scott, Vice Chairman X 11 Lee Bledsoe X 10 1 Ron Chespak X 11 James Hayton X 10 1 Shevlin Rush 9 2 John Williams X 10 1 STAFF PRESENT: Doug Evans, Director of Planning and Zoning Jing Yeo, Associate Planner Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary * * * * * * In the absence of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Bill Scott called the meeting to order at 8:20 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, June 5, 2003. * * * * * * There were no public comments. * * * * * * APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Isermann asked for approval of the Minutes from the May 13, 2003 meeting and asked for comments or corrections. Director Evans asked if Board Member Hayton was present at the May meeting and if so the Minutes need to be corrected. M/S/C Hayton/Bledsoe (5 yes, 0 No, 2 absent) to approve the May 13, 2003 as corrected. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: No update, the Chairman was not in attendance. PUBLIC HEARING: HSPB #15 - Application by Diocese of San Bernardino for Declassification of Our Lady of Solitude Church which was continued from the April 8, 2003 meeting. Bill Lemann, attorney for the Diocese of San Bernardino (legal owner of Our Lady of Solitude) addressed the Board, and advised that John Skora with the department of construction and real estate for the Diocese is also here for any questions. Mr. Lemann explained to the Board that at the time of the original designation hearings there was a parking lot being built in back of the Diocese; and in reviewing Blanche Stewart’s notes of that time, her time was consumed with that particular project, she did not get back with the HSP Board, and they went forward with the designation without a hearing. The church has a rich tradition in Palm Springs going back into the last century and a close connection with the Indians. In most recent years a replica of a church in Assisi, Italy has been built in La Quinta, and the church is committed to good, long standing buildings, and operates as any large organization. It can be bureaucratic because of size and number of people. Parishes must report to building committees before they proceed on any projects, there are checks and balances. But by the same token, the Bishop requested that the committee and himself, as the decision maker, have the ability to make the ultimate decisions how buildings are used, designed to serve the people, etc. Our Lady of Solitude is a little tough because of the age of the building and how it was designed. For a variety of reasons, including that the Parish itself, the Diocese’s construction and building committees, and Bishop all participate and the fact that there was no earlier hearing, they did not understand that the building was on the list until an officer came by to observe what was being done at the Church. For those reasons, the Diocese would like to have the building declassified. The City Attorney is not here today, but she (Tiffany Israel) did call me last night. We both felt this could be worked out, thought there might be a CEQA requirement with regard to the declassification, but there were no objections to doing so. With that in mind, the Diocese is asking that Our Lady of Solitude be de-listed and respectfully asked that the Board do so. John Skora and Mr. Lemann offered to answer any questions. Board Member Williams asked for clarification of the conversations with the City Attorney and the information that was sent to the Board. Director Evans advised that the current Ordinance does not have a provision as to how a property would be de-listed. In consultation with the City Attorney, they feel that should occur so there is a codified process, so if there are any objections to the de-listing process, they won’t be procedural objections. Staff recommends this item be removed from today’s Agenda, and asks the Board to direct staff to prepare a process for de-listing to be brought back to the HSP Board for review which will then recommend the process for de-listing to the City Council. It will probably be a reverse of the process to list, and findings and provisions will be necessary relative to grounds for de-listing. Those grounds will be based upon current research of court cases and things of that nature. There will be a need for a CEQA document which has been clearly articulated in the courts, not so much as it opposes environmental regulations, but the de-listing has been found in courts as being a potentially Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 June 10, 2003 significant impact on the environment for cultural resources and historic resources in other communities. Staff would have to work with the Church and it’s representatives to prepare a CEQA document for that purpose. Staff would present the draft ordinance and perhaps the recommendation for de-listing and go through this process at one meeting and the de-listing request would take place at the next meeting. Any time there is something that could be questioned, it’s best not to have a procedural flaw or the whole process may need to be re-done. Based upon the City Attorney’s review, they believe de-listing should be addressed to alleviate any question(s) about the process. Staff will talk with the Diocese about options for de-listing. The Class 1 Historic Site has protections which stipulate that the Board and City Council must review and approve any exterior changes. The changes made to the Church to date, that really brought this back up as a live issue, are primarily aesthetic, they are reversible, don’t effect the operation of the Church, are not invasive, and probably meant to maintain the integrity of a significant building. Whether a historic site or not, the City would typically review changes of this nature, and at a minimum, would have suggested an alternative to the tile through the Planning Commission process, notwithstanding having a historic preservation process. None of these issues are clearly imminent problems, and in Mr. Lemann’s discussions with Ms. Israel, staff understands that the Diocese would be willing to put this on hold while we amend the Ordinance and then deal with both issues. Board Member Williams asked for clarification of the main issue of the wainscot tile on the front of the Church. What I think I heard you say, even to the Planning Commission, that probably would have been questioned. Is that correct? Director Evans answered in the affirmative. Board Member Ron Chespak indicated that he had a lot to say and indicated he would ask the City Council not to address the issue of de-classification of this site. The purpose of this volunteer Board’s work is to preserve the City. The designation does not affect the Church’s operations, and everyone should work together over the issues of a few tiles or whatever. The Church indicated they were committed to the City, and the issue is keeping our City in tact. Acting Chairman Scott indicated that the Board does not know what procedure is needed, and there is no point in going to the City Council until it is known what the procedure is required. The Board have never de-listed a designated historic site and there is no current documentation upon which the Board can act. The Church has made their position clear, they want to have Our Lady of Solitude de-listed, and in order for the Board to take an action there must be an appropriate procedure to follow. Board Member Williams asked Mr. Lemann about his statement that “the building was small and difficult to deal with”...does the Church have intentions or plans to change or significantly alter or perhaps tear down the Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 June 10, 2003 building? Also, does the Church have a commitment to keep it in its present state, even if it is de-listed? Mr. Lemann answered that he did not think there were any plans of that nature with regards to the Parish. As years go by, the Church will have to transition to something different than it historically was just because of the lack of services and priests, they can’t have nine (9) masses like they used to. They are building bigger churches, like St. Francis in La Quinta and St. Theresa on Ramon. This Church might end up being a mission of some sort in a different fashion, but suspect that because of it’s historical significance and because of what it is, it will always remain a structure and used in some fashion as a Parish. Board Member Williams stated that that is the concern of this Board..and if it is not designated site, then there is no assurance of it remaining in it current state. Director Evans advised that it would be appropriate to remove it from the Agenda and it will be re-noticed based upon the new procedure and staff will take no enforcement action against the Church. This will be set aside, reviewed over the summer. Staff will have a draft Ordinance for the Board’s review shortly. There may be other mechanical type issues in the Ordinance that need to be addressed by staff and the City Attorney. AGENDA ITEM #1: WEXLER HOME - 3133 NORTH SUNNY VIEW - RESTORATION OF DEMOLISHED WALL Associate Planner, Jing Yeo, went to the property on April 15 when Chairman Isermann called regarding the activity and demolition of the wall. Photos were passed to Board members that Ms. Yeo took. Dirk Voss (Community Services Supervisor) and Ms. Yeo talked with the property owner’s representative to determine what was going on. He indicated that the wall was being demolished temporarily to get a bobcat in the back yard to move dirt and the wall would be re-installed. A few days later the wall was rebuilt and Ms. Yeo inspected the wall and found it did not match the original wall. Last week Ms. Yeo called and was advised that the wall will be re-done in terms of matching the original mortar and replacement of the stones. The top part is not as flat as it should be. The way it looks now, it will be re-done to more closely match the original appearance of the wall. Acting Chairman Scott asked about the color of the building. Jing Yeo has not been to the site recently and has not seen the paint color that Chairman Isermann was concerned about. That will be double-checked and brought up with the property owner. AGENDA ITEM #2: DISCUSSION OF CITY’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE, DUTIES, ACTIVITIES. This has been discussed earlier. Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 4 June 10, 2003 AGENDA ITEM #3: BOARD UPDATE ON CONTACTS WITH POTENTIAL HISTORIC SITE PROPERTY OWNERS. Board Member Bledsoe asked Ms. Yeo if there was any further feedback on the Del Marcos property. Ms. Yeo contacted the property owner and sent her a package of information regarding the requirements for a Class 2 designation, but has not heard anything recently from her. Director Evans advised that he has been working with a person regarding one or two designations. They prefer not to publicly disclose them yet, but the Board will be pleased with those properties. The word is getting out, and staff is getting phone calls. Board Member Williams asked about the Edris house. Ms. Yeo has been in contact with that property owner, an initial package has been given to staff, along with some magazine articles about the house. This is being prepared for the July HSPB meeting. AGENDA ITEM #4: PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION - BOARD MEMBER SCOTT Acting Chairman Scott reported the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will have a Board meeting tomorrow night. Planning an event for November, will have more to report back at the next meeting. AGENDA ITEM #5: PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY - BOARD MEMBER RUSH Board Member Rush nothing to report. Ms. McManus is winding down for summer closure. AGENDA ITEM #6: PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE - BOARD MEMBER WILLIAMS The monthly meeting is this coming Saturday, June 14 with a social function at President Pete Moruzzi’s home. All members are encouraged to attend. He asked the Board to review the letter from Pete Moruzzi to John Wessman regarding the Church at 284 South Cahuilla that Mr. Wessman has recently purchased. AGENDA ITEM #7: PALM SPRINGS BRIEF HISTORY & ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE UPDATE Director Evans reported that staff is waiting for the final details to come in. AGENDA ITEM #8: MEDIA OUTREACH PROGRAM Director Evans pointed out that this came up at the May meeting where the Board discussed taking a more pro-active role in the community. A sub-committee was appointed to review this. Staff does have a photographer who is very interested in working with the Board, both in traditional photographic media and possibly video. This might provide a package that could be used in the outreach program, handouts, and other Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 4 June 10, 2003 types of material, and also on Channel 17 or at different types of events and affairs. It’s up to the Board how fast they want to move. Board Member Williams advised that he and Member Rush had not met as yet. He has prepared a skeletal outline of a handout for potential property owners interested in having their properties designated. He welcomed help from staff and viewers and hopes to meet with Member Rush to prepare an preliminary presentation for the Board. He suggested that September might be a good time for a community forum. Acting Chairman Scott asked for any additional Board or staff reports. Director Evans advised that the Visitors’ Center architectural work may need to come back to the Board and may require a special meeting. It’s a very aggressive schedule. Staff will call or email if a special meeting of the HSP Board is required. Parking has been moved off site and staff is working on parking agreements. The actual campus will have more open land for Visitors’ enjoyment. Project will probably be “phased” so it can be occupied for operations, then exterior site improvements after occupancy. When the Community Church was designated a Class 1 site, the Council did specifically address that they would anticipate that the use of the property might change in the future; but it still has the same exterior protection of the building. This only applies to the original church. Historic Site Survey: Staff is finishing the word-smithing of the actual work program. The contract should go to City Council July 2 or 16, and work could start in July. The consultant will meet and talk with the Board about community sites at the beginning. The Board should review that list of all sites and try to formulate Board priorities. The more fine-tuned instructions and directions from the Board, the more the consultant will focus on what is important rather than spending time researching archives. Target is to be finished in December or January. The consultant will be announced when the Council report is done and the scope of work has been determined. Board Member Hayton asked if the Visitors’ Center changes will come back to the Board? Director Evans advised that the site work will come back before the Board. When those plans are ready, the Board will be called for a meeting. Everyone involved in this project will have to move quickly. Director Evans advised that the 2004 California Chapter of American Planning Association Conference (statewide) for Planners will be in Palm Springs in October 2004 at the Wyndham Hotel. Attendance is expected to run between 800 and 900 Planners. Staff has listed a possible Mobile Workshop on Historic Preservation. There is a great story to tell, it could probably load up a full bus. If there was a “team” to host and give the tour, it could Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 4 June 10, 2003 possibly be run twice. A panel could be formed for a seminar/ workshop on historic preservation that could then tie-in to a mobile tour. The APA walking tour of historic properties was well-attended in 1996 when they were was here. The entire group of Coachella Valley Planners wanted to hold the Conference in downtown Palm Springs and felt that APA would not be happy with any other location in the valley. If there is Board interested in hosting a tour of this nature, Director Evans can coordinate with the APA programming chairman. Acting Chairman Scott asked for any additional Board or staff reports. There being none, the meeting was adjourned 8:57 a.m. The next meeting will be July 8, 2003 at 8:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Douglas R. Evans Director of Planning and Zoning :ldm HSPB Minutes, June 10,,2003