HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-13- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of Regular Meeting -Tuesday, April 13, 2004, 8:15 a.m.
Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
Present
Present
FY 2003-2004
Excused Absences
John Williams, Chairman
X
7
1
Shevlin Rush, Vice Chair
X
6
2
Lee Bledsoe
X
7
1
Ron Chespak
X
6
2
James Hayton
X
7
1
William Scott
X
7
1
Jim Isermann
X
7
1
STAFF PRESENT: Doug Evans, Director of Planning & Zoning
Jing Yeo, Principal Planner Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
* * * * *
Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 8:23 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, April 8, 2004.
* * * * * *
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were a number of people in the audience and public comments were
welcomed.
Ms. Sheryl Hamlin of 565 West Santa Rosa Drive in the Tennis Club area spoke to the Board
regarding the Belardo Bridge. Their community group is concerned as the entire area will be
affected by this project. The corner of Ramon Road and Belardo Road is empty now, but potential
traffic barreling down into the historic district will de-stabilize the properties, change the ambiance,
noise patterns, etc., etc. From the east - west directions, Mesquite could become a magnate for
people cross-town hitting this road and impacting that area, and the neighbors in that area are also
concerned. There has been a signature gathering process and postcards have been collected from
approximately 400 households in opposition to the size and scope of the Belardo Bridge and
Roadway Project APE (Areas of Potential Effects). The engineering map should definitely be
expanded to include more area. It was requested that the letter from Peter Moruzzi be read into
the records, wherein he enumerates the historic properties and his request from the Palm Springs
Modern Committee to increase the scope of the APE. A copy of the letter was given to staff and
the Board. Ms. Hamlin has a lot more details, and asked to be contacted.
There were no other public comments.
* * * * * *
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (Hayton/Bledsoe) (6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 1 Abstention) to approve the
March 9, 2004 meeting as presented.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: The application process for the upcoming vacant positions was closed as of
last month and there are 16 applicants for the HSPB. Current terms expire June 30, 2004 for four
positions. The Council generally appoints members prior to the end of the terms. Board
members are pleased to see so much interest in the Historic Site Preservation Board.
Secondly, Board Member Scott and Chairman Williams had a good meeting with David Dixon of
Pacifica Capital Corporation, the company in escrow to purchase The Palms at Palm Springs, which
is the current name for the old historic Spanish Inn on North Indian Canyon Drive which was built in
the mid-1930s. It is a Class 3 Historic Site because of it’s age, it was built in the mid-1930s. The
building is pretty much in its original condition it was (except the restaurant addition). The buyers
have concerns about the number of rooms and want to add a second story to one section of the
building, and have assured us they will keep the nature of the architecture as it is. Nothing has
happened as yet and changes will be brought before the HSPB before they are put into effect. The
current room count is 44, they want to increase it to 58 rooms. More to come on this project.
Had a very informal meeting with Steve Lyle regarding the Oasis Hotel Tower project and nothing
has been finalized as yet. That is a Class 1 Historic Site and any changes will be brought before
HSPB prior to being put into effect.
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PUBLIC HEARING: N O N E
ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS: N O N E
AGENDA ITEM #1: BELARDO ROAD BRIDGE - APE MAP Director Evans explained the history of the Belardo Road Bridge and the relationship with the Agua
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This issue is recognized as being controversial in the
neighborhood wherein people are questioning the need for the roadway and bridge extension.
The Belardo Road has been on the City’s General Plan for about 30 plus years as a roadway needed
to provide additional access into downtown from north to south to relieve traffic from northbound
Indian Canyon Drive and southbound on Palm Canyon Drive. This would allow people living in
south Palm Springs to travel North Palm Canyon Drive, turn left before East Palm Canyon Drive,
thereby missing all the Palm Canyon Drive intersections by going north on Belardo into downtown.
This element is necessary from the standpoint of circulation in the community. It is designated
south of Ramon Road as a secondary thoroughfare, which is a four lane roadway. North of Ramon
Road, it moves into the central business district as well as the Historic Tennis Club & Hotel and
residential districts, shifts to a collector roadway with the intent that some traffic will be shifted off
at Ramon Road for traffic continuing northbound on Indian Canyon Drive. This is a relief valve and
is intended for local resident traffic to move around out of the tourist traffic on Palm Canyon and
Indian Canyon Drives. When the Tahquitz debris basin was proposed, initially the Tribe was very
concerned about a retention-dam facility on the Tahquitz cone, in the middle of national register
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site, and one of the most culturally sensitive locations in the community. After many years of
negotiations between Riverside County Flood Control, the City of Palm Springs, and the Tribe, a
cooperative agreement was put into place. The agreement had components that were approved
by the National Park Service and SHPO for cultural resources purposes. The key components of
that agreement really have a wide-ranging effect on the community. One was that the City is
required to fund a design study for the Tahquitz Interpretive Center. The City funded and
managed that in the late 80's and delivered a report to the Tribal Council which was the first step to
the Visitors Center that is here today.
The second component of that agreement was that the flood control facility could be built. It
resulted in one of the most sophisticated and lengthy cultural resources investigation in the area.
An Indian village was investigated that had many in-tact components and dealt with very sensitive
resources. it was a full recovery program and the Tribe received all of the artifacts and all the
information for the future museum.
Another component was that the City and the County Flood Control had to each contribute about
$150,000. towards the construction of the Interpretive Center.
The Belardo Roadway and Bridge accesses Tribal allotted land (land that is individually held in trust
for Indians), Tribal trust land (land held in trust for benefit of the Tribe for the Tribe). It’s
high-density residential and is expected to have residential and hotel development. The Star
Canyon Resort is a property within the Reservation and culturally sensitive areas, and it’s success
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depends on having the Belardo Road connection. It is a very large timeshare project that will be a
major benefit to the revitalization of this area and to existing and vacant properties.
As part of this program the City is contractually required to build the bridge.. The Tribe recognized
that the City did not have the resources when the agreement was signed. They worked
cooperatively with the City to secure a $3 million grant to build it. The City recognizes the
concerns of the neighborhood, the project analysis will include traffic studies and traffic impacts
within the project and surrounding streets. It is believed that when the information is available, the
bridge will complement our circulation system, it will not damage and hurt downtown resource
properties and will provide the circulation network the City has always envisioned that is different
than other cities within the Coachella Valley. This is a north-south, east-west pure grid system
based upon giving people many different routes to travel to the same places and not force
everyone onto every major thoroughfares creating traffic congestion.
Marcus Fuller, the City’s Project Coordinator, advised that the project is now in the environmental
process and will be treated differently than a privately funded project in that it is federally funded.
The grant came from a public highway discretionary fund grant from the Federal Highway
Administration. The custodian of the funds is funneled through CalTrans so NEPA and CEQA
guidelines must be adhered to. There will be a two-document (NEPA & CEQA) environmental
approval process. The National Environmental Policy (NEPA) document goes through FHWA in
Washington D.C. Because the cultural resources on this project are significant and artifacts are on
the site where the bridge is to be constructed, it even goes through more extensive processes that
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staff has not experienced in other federally funded projects such as widening the interchange and
other such projects. This process has just begun, the Tribe is partnering with the City and their
responsibility is the environmental phase. Jones & Stokes is the firm chosen and hired by the Tribe
to perform the environmental analysis. Dokken Engineering was hired by the City to take care of
the engineering design and construction of the project and are working with Jones & Stokes to do
the preliminary engineering and environmental analysis. A project such as this starts with a
blueprint, which in this case is the City’s General Plan. The drawing displayed shows the proposed
improvements that are consistent with the General Plan, which is a secondary thoroughfare north of
Morongo to Ramon Road and below that a collector. This project is basically filling in a lot of
missing gaps, one being that Belardo Road between Mesquite and Morongo is already there, the
curbs and gutters exist, but it is closed off and has never been paved. Soon, Star Canyon Resort
will be building a portion of Belardo Road from Mesquite to their rear access. This is a difficult
thing for the City to handle because it is within the project area and for environmental issues it gets
challenging ...it’s an approved private development project that needs secondary access for fire
purposes. Peter Moruzzi contacted staff and expressed his concern about the APE map. The
project is at the stage of coordinating with CalTrans, who determines and approves the APE map as
well as all the other technical reports on behalf of FHWA, which then goes to FHWA for a final
stamp of approval. City staff asked for Mr. Moruzzi to submit his concerns in a letter for the record
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that could be shared with CalTrans. The purpose of today’s meeting is to determine how this
project may or may not impact areas beyond the actual limits of the project.
Andrew Schmidt, an architectural historian and an environmental planner from Jones & Stokes, who
is working with the City and the Tribe gave an overview of the Belardo Road project and asked for
information and input from the HSP Board. In summarizing the project, there are three processes
involving historic resources (1) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); (2) California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and (3) National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106). These
are separate, but typically run parallel for efficiency purposes.
There was a scoping meeting last May to obtain input from the general public regarding issues and
areas of concern related to this project to help guide in the analysis of different areas. Engineers
have come on board and developed preliminary designs. Technical studies are now in process for
various resource areas: traffic, noise, air quality, and cultural resources. In the area of cultural
resources, it overlaps with the federal process (Section 106).
How are resources defined as historic under the different processes? Under Section 106, they are
properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic places. Under NEPA, there are
no specific guidelines, each federal agency typically follows Section 106 or the National Register
criteria for historic properties. CEQA is a little different, they are actually defined as historical
resources such as properties listed or eligible for the National Register, the California State
Historical Register; and properties that have previously been designated by local boards or
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commissions as historical landmarks. Under Section 106, they have to meet the Federal criteria and
under CEQA, its state or local criteria.
There are several archeological sites known in this area so the firm is working closely with the Tribe
to avoid effects to those resources primarily by capping and going over the top of them, which is
preferred by the Tribe rather than relocating the archeological deposits. For historical resources,
staff wants to know the known resources in the general vicinity of the project and to discuss the
draft APE map.
The Area of Potential Effects (APE) map focuses solely on historic resources and is a Section 106
compliance, not NEPA or CEQA. There are two types of effects: (1) Direct and (2) Indirect effects.
A direct effect might be construction related activities, ground disturbance, demolition of property
or other physical alteration of the property. Indirect effects can be more subjective – visual
changes, drastic increases in noise, vibrations, etc. In looking at indirect effects on historic
properties..staff asks “what are the critical characteristics of the historic property?” “Is the setting a
critical component for the property?” An indirect effect example might be a great increase in noise
on a property that is dependent on being relatively quiet for its historic significance (church, rural
farm/ranch). If a new highway goes in adjacent to this property, it could affect the setting
substantially. In defining the APE map for the Belardo Road Bridge project (a handout was given to
all Board members), the firm has been working closely with CalTrans, and FHWA, the responsible
agencies for developing the APE map, by starting out with the areas of construction looking at
existing and proposed right-of-way, road widening, extension of roadway, and all construction
easements, and staging areas. The firm is aware of Mr. Moruzzi’s letter requesting that the APE
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extend north of Ramon Road. When looking at potential changes, specifically to historic
properties, visual changes might be such things as existing on-street parking, modern commercial
properties directly across the street, not widening the roadway or bringing traffic closer to the
properties. There may be noise and traffic increases and those studies are underway. It was felt
that the changes would not adversely change the historic character of the properties on Belardo
Road given the current setting. The recommendation for the draft is that the APE end at Ramon
Road.
Chairman Williams stated that in looking at South Belardo Road - 150 The Oasis Hotel, 339 South
Belardo, Serena Villas, 415 South Belardo, Estrella Inn, and 261 South Belardo, the Orchid Tree Hotel.
That does not include the Ingleside Inn at 200 West Ramon Road at South Belardo Road or the
Oasis Hotel Tower, both Class I Historic Sites. The question is if there is concern about the noise to
the new houses above Belardo Road and the trailer park - these are certainly as close to the planned
expansion as the Ingleside Inn. What is the harm of including another two blocks or so,
and what are the potential effects? Feels the Board would like to see the APE extended as far north
as Tahquitz.
Board Member Isermann asked for the Peter Moruzzi letter be distributed to all board members.
Another property, the Del Marcos Hotel, is on the corner of Baristo and Belardo, one block from
Ramon Road. Additional traffic will affect those areas. Where will all the traffic go at the
intersection where it goes back to a two-lane street? The APE ends where that takes place and it
appears there is no consideration for that impact when traffic increases on Belardo Road. It may
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be improbable to think that traffic will turn west on Ramon from Belardo, otherwise why would
traffic be on Belardo in the first place?
Board Member Scott pointed out that on the northwest corner is a historic site - the Ingleside Inn.
If this road is now proposed as a collector road from Morongo, Mesquite, and Sunny Dunes taking
traffic into downtown along Belardo, that is one of the City’s most important historical sites. The
entrance to Ingleside Inn is right on that crucial corner. The Tennis district calls itself the Historic
Tennis and Inn District and there are a number of listed buildings on the new resources survey
which may lead to historic designations. In the next few years, it is anticipated that a number of
neighborhoods will be coming to the HSPB asking to be declared Historic Sites, and it is ascertained
that the Tennis Club district will be one of those. This is meant to look at the effect that this
development will do to these areas - - how is all this traffic going from four lanes down to two lanes
and not affecting the historic sites? Why is it such a big road, why are four lanes needed in that
area?
Board Member Hayton commented that the landscape buffer areas are very critical to the habitat of
people who live within the areas and should not be taken out. Also if the roadway was a little more
primitive and restrictive, it would keep the speed down and perhaps alleviate a lot of the concerns
about having too much traffic and the road being a little too successful, creating these conflicts in
an existing historic neighborhood. Feels it is a mistake to remove the landscape buffers, the size of
the road could be reduced, and asked that features are built in to constrict speeding so that eyesore
traffic signals are not required.
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Director Evans commented that in the scope of work shown from South Palm Canyon Drive to
Ramon Road, there are no existing landscape areas being taken, and he walked the Board through
existing improvements on Belardo Road.
Chairman Williams asked about the planned traffic flow and what the major traffic flow to be, and if
four lanes of traffic end at Ramon Road where will they go from there?
Director Evans advised that the traffic study is currently underway, information is not available right
now, and he showed the Board how the traffic would flow from the maps posted. Northbound
traffic that is going through downtown would be routed onto Ramon Road and onto Indian Canyon
Drive northbound.
Chairman Williams asked about the historic sites, is it safe to assume that a percentage of that
traffic, when it gets to Ramon Road, would continue on Belardo. It would increase traffic and from
the APE point of view, it should certainly include that so we can determine if and how that will effect
those resources.
M/S/C (Scott/Rush, 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions) that the APE include the area north of
Ramon Road up to Tahquitz Canyon Way and Belardo Road.
Director Evans advised that the Tribal staff will forward this on to a host of agencies who participate
in this project, it does not necessarily mean that they will agree. In dealing with federal processes,
decisions will not be made immediately, it could take two (plus or minus) years. When dealing with
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cultural resources, as in this instance, it’s very carefully reviewed. The HSPB will be advised of the
results of this discussion.
Mr. Schmidt requested a survey report, and staff will see that he gets a copy.
AGENDA ITEM #2: PALM SPRINGS VISITORS’ CENTER/TRAMWAY GAS STATION - CHAIRMAN
WILLIAMS Chairman Williams pointed out a fund-raising drive that was done by the Parker Meridien Hotel
(Charlie Robles) where he is selling his rose bushes for $20 each. A copy of the press release was
included in the board packets. In viewing the Visitors’ Center, there is a lot of work to be done.
Funds were limited and have been spent, but there is a lot yet to be done. Is there a sign
application or is staff aware of changes at the Center?
Director Evans reported that the Center is not finished, there are components that need to be added
and the Economic and Community Development Department is the lead City department working
on this project. They are pulling together a committee of City employees and other interest
groups who have an interest in upgrading and completing the Visitors’ Center. Service
organizations have committed funds for the flag pole and others have pledged to help with
landscaping and other improvements. Meetings are scheduled and after the input has been
evaluated, staff will be sure that HSPB has direct involvement.. Everyone understands the
sensitivity of the sight and to get everyone’s input, and there so many community groups who are
interested in seeing that project finished.
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Chairman Williams stated that he was not aware of all the committees involved and asked to be part
of these meetings along with the HSPB sub-committee. He further asked who the groups were.
Director Evans indicated that Planning is not the lead department involved in this and would have to
ask them, but known organizations are Rotary, the large Hoteliers, Bureau of Land Management,
among others. Staff is not doing any sign designs at this time.
Board member Chespak indicated that all the buildings, designs, etc., were reviewed by this Board,
the City spent so much money and in driving by the Visitor’s Center, it needs a sign to welcome
people. That was and is the entire purpose and process of the project. He expressed
disappointment that a sign wasn’t an initial part of this project. He further stated that he was very
adamant about it in several meetings and was brushed off - this needs to be addressed
immediately. This sign cannot depend on such a thing as a “little rose.” It’s very embarrassing to
what this Board and City are attempting to do. In no way is this meant to belittle any project,
fund-raiser, or attempts to assist, and everyone’s help and cooperation is welcomed and applauded, but this
needs to be addressed now.
Chairman Williams expressed his concern and the Board’s concern and sense of urgency. It is disheartening
to drive by and see a sign tied between two poles advertising what is one of the most significant resources
in the City. If it’s rose bushes sold or other groups committing money, let’s get this process rolling and get
the sign completed and installed.
Board Member Isermann felt this was somewhat of an over-reaction. The City had a very limited budget, the
priority was restoring the building and all the other things were “left to be done.” Everyone would have
preferred that this be part of the original budget, but it was never intended not to be done. There is an
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architect team who has preliminary proposals for all these things. They should be involved, as the money
comes in. We should all be very grateful for the rose project, and for any other community involvement to
get this sign in place.
Director Evans indicated that the entire community would like to see this project completed and considering
all the circumstances, the fact that everyone wants to assist, it’s quite possible to get this done during the
summer and open next season with a Visitors’ Center that is complete. Every report indicates that traffic
through the Center has never been better. Once the sign is up and the project finished, there should be an
absolute success and the community interest will drive the completion of this major project.
Chairman Williams indicated that the first good news is that there is a Visitors’ Center and that the City was
willing to buy this property and restore it; the bad news not having money for the sign. The traffic is up
and the Center and staff are doing a great job.
AGENDA ITEM #3: MEDIA OUTREACH PROGRAM - PHOTOGRAPHY OF CLASS 1 SITES - STAFF Principal Planner Jing Yeo reported that Omar has been photographing all the Class 1 Historic Sites, and
passed around a sample of the photographs taken. They will be available in a slide and CD format, and Rick
is working on a program to get these on the air. This is the first phase and step in a media program that staff
and the HSPB sub-committee have worked on. Thanks to Omar and Rick for the work they are doing on this
project, hope to see it on Channel 17 quite soon. (A few photographs were then displayed on Channel 17.)
Chairman Williams asked if the photographs will be identified with a caption and/or narration.
Director Evans indicated that “auditions” of Board members were going to be done today for the narrator. If
anyone would like, a narration can be clipped into the showing of each photograph, and
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having a HSP Board member doing this would make a great statement.
Chairman Williams asked for a volunteer. Board member James Hayton volunteered.
AGENDA ITEM #4: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-0COMMITTEE UPDATE - MEMBER RUSH Member Rush indicated there is no update, but expressed his thanks to staff for the quick progress on the
slide program for Channel 17. There are a couple items on today’s agenda that will involve media outreach,
one being #7 and #13. After those items have been reviewed, it might be a good idea for the
sub-committee to meet between now and the next meeting to discuss how to ramp-up publicity efforts for
those and any other items the Board has on the horizon.
Chairman Williams asked if it is possible to get a press release or other information to the local press about
the upcoming meeting on the 23rd? Time is short to get out notices.
Planner Yeo indicated that Lee Husfeldt, Public Information Officer, will be given that information for a press
release.
AGENDA ITEM #5: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUES SURVEY UPDATE - MEMBER RUSH Member Rush asked staff about the plaque for the Ingleside Inn and if there is any new information
relative to this plaque.
Jing Yeo reported that the wording for this plaque had been forwarded to the owner, Mel Haber,
who had some corrections. This will be brought back to the HSPB at the May meeting.
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Member Rush asked about the installations of the plaques for the Edris, Grace Lewis-Miller,
Carey-Pirozzi, Kaufmann-Harris houses, the Visitors’ Center, Cork ‘N Bottle, and the Ingleside Inn,
and what is the headway in finding someone to install these plaques? Also, since Historic Sites are
City projects, could the Facilities Department be involved in all the plaque installations.
Jing Yeo reported that staff had met with the Facilities staff and the Visitors’ Center plaque should
be installed soon, and staff will talk with them again about installations on private properties. They
are quite busy with a lot of other City projects at the moment, but they will be contacted again.
Staff has not contacted the Cork ‘N bottle as yet, they had originally not wanted a plaque installed,
but will discuss it with them again. Will report back at the next meeting.
Board Member Isermann asked if money could be taken from the HSPB budget and hire an outside
source to install these plaques....a general contractor or installation firm rather than waiting for the
City staff to handle.
Director Evans indicated that it is possible, the amount of the contract and effort to do a private
contract may be more work than putting the plaques up. Staff will look at all options and may find
someone who is willing to do the work. Some property owners might be willing to do or have the
work done and the City could reimburse. There are several other options. We don’t have a cost
as all the previous plaques have been done by City staff and each installation is a little different –
from drilling into a building to mount the plaque, some require mounting on boulders, so
installations can be rather creative and challenging.
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Chairman Williams summarized that The Willows, O’Donnell House, and Fire Station No. 1 have
wording, but no plaques as yet; the Edris House, Visitors’ Center, and The Grace Lewis-Miller House
have plaques and are awaiting installation. Wording is being re-done for the Ingleside Inn and will
probably be re-doing the plaque, and staff will contact the owners of the Carey-Pirozzi House,
Kaufmann-Harris House, Cork ‘N Bottle about plaquing those houses.
Jing Yeo reported that the Carey-Pirozzi and the Kaufmann-Harris houses are plaqued, but they are
not visible from the street.
AGENDA ITEM #6: PLAQUE WORDING FOR THE WILLOWS, O’DONNELL HOUSE, AND FIRE STATION
No. 1 - STAFF Chairman Williams asked what STS tiles are on the O’Donnell house and asked if there were other
questions on the wording for these plaques.
Corrections were made, length of wording, and other comments considered and discussed. It was
suggested that any changes in the wording on the plaques be discussed with the owners before
being submitted.
M/S/C (Isermann/ Bledsoe) 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions that the plaque wording for the
O’Donnell House, The Willows, and Fire Station No. 1 be accepted as written except that Batchelder
and STS be capitalized and the word ‘exquisite’ be deleted from the description of The Willows.
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The Board wants to see the mock-ups for proofing as long as it does not delay the project more
than one month.
AGENDA ITEM #7: HISTORIC SITE SURVEY UPDATE Planner Yeo pointed out that a handout was distributed to each Board member listing 200 of the
completed primary records. The last 50 primary records were recently mailed to the property
owners for information and accuracy and also sent out an April 23 public meeting notice for the
consultants to present their draft survey report. Meeting will be in this large conference room at
3:30 p.m. They will have 200 primary records along with the 50 building and object records. This
will be an opportunity for everyone to review them and to discuss the findings. The consultant will
also describe how these 200 were chosen, the criteria, and methodology in documenting these
resources – basically the survey process.
Chairman Williams announced to the public who may be viewing the meeting on television that this
is an ongoing survey to identify the 200 most architecturally and historically significant properties in
Palm Springs that are not already identified or are Class 1 Historic sites. Again, the meeting to
discuss the findings and view the presentation is on Friday, April 23, here at City Hall in the large
conference room at 3:30 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM #8: DISCUSSION OF THE CITY’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE (Chapter 8.05
PSMC), Duties, Activities
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Nothing to report and no updates.
AGENDA ITEM #9: PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION - MEMBER SCOTT The Foundation is in the preliminary stage of planning the November event, but no information is
available at this time.
AGENDA ITEM #10: PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MEMBER BLEDSOE Nothing to report and no updates.
AGENDA ITEM #11: PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS There was a meeting held Saturday, April 10, which was very well attended. The Modern
Committee is taking a new approach and becoming active in development issues in or near historic
resources within the City. Watch for an October Home Tour which will feature homes that are
architecturally significant, but very little is known about the architects or who built them.
AGENDA ITEM #12: ARCHITECTURAL & DESIGN COUNCIL - PALM SPRINGS DESERT MUSEUM -
MEMBER ISERMANN This past Saturday night the Council’s lecturer was Los Angeles based Neil Denari who talked about
all his work. The final lecture in the series is in May and features Katherine Petrin and Bridget
Maley-Cannon from Architectural Resources Group, the HSPB survey team who will talk about the
Historic Survey for the City. No date as yet, will report at the next meeting.
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AGENDA ITEM #13: HSPB INFORMATION BROCHURE FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH - FINALIZE This was a carryover from the last meeting, and the letter-size pamphlet has been published and
staff is working it into a smaller brochure. This is available to the general public in the Planning
Department if anyone is interested to learn how buildings are classified as historic sites.
BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS: Board Member Isermann commented that a community member mentioned that there may be
some plans for work on the lower Tramway Station, does the staff have an update for the Board?
Director Evans explained that information may have come from the Development Projects Update
report that lists active projects. One project that has been left on the list is the Tram. Several
years ago, they went through an expansion renovation process. The changes to the Valley Station
were reviewed by the HSPB then, a sub-committee and Don Wexler worked with the architectural
team; and there are no current projects underway on this property. There is a joint meeting with
the City Council and the Winterpark Authority to discuss the Tram, its operations, their future, etc.
Staff does not have an agenda, just a generalization of what they wish to discuss. If new
developments come up, HSPB will be advised.
Member Rush asked if the “Ship of the Desert” designation was approved by the City Council.
Chairman Williams reported that it was nominated about two months and it has been approved as a
Class 1 Historic Site. For those not familiar with it, it’s built in the shape of a sea-going ship.
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Director Evans noted that the Development Project Update report was handed out to each member
and the Annual Report that Planning and Building prepares is an outline of all the activity that
occurs in both departments. The HSPB’s work program is included in this Annual Report and this
document then becomes a report to the City Council that gives an overview of the activities relative
to development, historical preservation, code enforcement, etc. There is a lot of current activity in
Palm Springs, lots of work has been done by both departments, and staff is pleased to present this
report to the Board.
Director Evans reported that he talked with the potential buyers of The Palms and in follow-up to
the on-site meeting, they were very complimentary of the HSP Board members who attended and
the fact that you had a good knowledge about buildings, projects, and how to make small hotels
work.
A series of properties that are up for sale are on the list as potential historic sites, several of which
could probably be Class 1 sites. When people call Planning staff about those properties, the survey
list is used to discuss the historic character of the properties and staff works very hard to let people
know that the property should not be looked at for land value. There are some people looking for
land value and not for the existing structures, so when historic characteristics are discussed, some
property owners may not be pleased. The Board should be aware of this as the last thing staff
wants to happen is that someone comes in saying they just bought this property and here’s my
demolition permit, no one told me it was a problem. This is being done right now and very
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notable properties are coming through. Some property owners have been very good friends to the
City, but staff needs to be very factual to prospective buyers to help alleviate potential problems.
Chairman Williams asked for an explanation of what happens to the properties that are on the
survey list that are flagged.
Director Evans explained that a flag has been put into the building permit system for those
properties currently on the survey list, so there is a basic hold-up of the issuance of any permits so
that Building has to refer people over to Planning. Not every property that is potentially historic is
subject to any specific planning review, so in theory someone could come in and get a permit for an
addition or demolition. Once this current list has been refined and adopted by Council, one of the
decision making points will be what level does staff put a flag into the system to avoid the
inadvertent issuance of a permit that could hurt the historic character. Some property owners are
offended when they find out there is a flag on their property. The fact that there is a very public
process in place and property owners have been notified for input, will allow staff to decide which
additional properties may be designated. It is hoped this type of program results in people asking
for historic preservation designation - - that is really the best way to deal with historic properties.
Director Evans announced that the American Planning Association is having their conference in
Palm Springs on October 17, 18, and 19. There is a tentative mobile tour of Palm Springs Historic
properties on October 17 or 18. There is great interest at the Planners’ level and staff is asking if a
Board member or two would work with staff to arrange a mobile tour. HSP Board members and
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Commissioners from other communities often attend these conferences and it would lend a
different perspective to have our HSPB participate. Monday afternoon, October 18 is the time
being considered. Tours are generally between two and three hours and it’s difficult to actually
tour the inside of properties during that time span. Will double-check the date and time, it could
be Sunday afternoon, October 17 based on something that was mentioned at the last planning
meeting. Will report back at the May meeting.
Member Scott suggested that community members, such as Robert Ember? Chairman Williams
thought that Mr. Ember might be able to facilitate touring one or more of the prime historic homes,
and perhaps Member Isermann would allow a tour of his historic home?
Member Isermann and Chairman Williams volunteered to assist and participate in the APA mobile
tours.
Chairman Williams expressed his approval of the process with David Dixon and Pacifica Capital at
The Palms at Palm Springs and feels they are doing it the right way in trying to obtain the Board’s
input. It’s important that the Board be flexible so that people can make a living when they have a
commercial property and their homes livable when they want to make changes there. Thanks to
the Board.
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Director Evans reported that staff is having difficulty keeping up with all the work and Kathy Marx
had to be pretty much taken out of historic preservation. There are interviews ongoing for another
Principal Planner so in another four weeks or so another person will be on board and Jing will start
to shift her work program to long-range, historic preservation, and things of that nature. The
survey is very exhausting, a lot of phone calls come in. Staff may not be able to keep up the next
month or two until all the new staff are on board and underway.
Member Chespak thanked the staff for all their hard work, and knowing about the heavy workloads
in Planning, expressed his sincere appreciation for everything that does get done.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:07 a.m.
The next meeting will be at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, May 11, 2004.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas R. Evans
Director of Planning and Zoning
:ldm
HSPB Minutes, April 13, 2004