HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-08- HSPB minutes
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CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of Regular Meeting -Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 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 2004-2005
Excused Absences To-Date
William “Bill” Scott, Chair X 8 0
James Hayton, Vice Chair 0 6 2
John Williams X 6 2
Jim Isermann 0 6 2
Sidney Williams X 7 1
Kenny Cassady X 5 1
STAFF PRESENT:
Jing Yeo, Principal Planner Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
* * * * *
Chairman Scott called the meeting to order at 8:18 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
Services Department counter by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 3, 2005.
* * * * * *
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.
* * * * * *
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Cassady asked for correction of his attendance record. Because of
absences at the February meeting, the Board did not have a quorum to approve the February Minutes and
they were carried forward for approval to the April 12 meeting.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs of the HSPB Meeting are available for review. Minute format is more
action related and not verbatim.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Scott reported no updates but there was a special meeting with the City
Council that reported everything going on with the HSPB and preservation community, and the Mayor was
especially impressed with what’s happening within the City.
PUBLIC HEARING:
HSPB #48: Application by Joey English and Marty Botwinick to designate 272 Camino Buena Vista as a
Class 1 Historic Site, Zone R-1-B, Section 27.
Staff Member Yeo reported that this property is listed on the City-wide Historic Resources Survey. Property
owner, Joey English, was in attendance and will describe the property that was constructed in 1924 in a
Spanish Colonial Revival style. Various characteristics of the home are listed in the report, such as the
unpainted posts, beams, and rafters, etc. The home was previously owned by Earl Neel, former City
Councilman and owner of Neel’s Nursery, currently the Palapas Art Gardens and Nursery. There is a site
plan and application in the board packet/report. Photos were passed around.
Miss English introduced herself and explained that the house was originally built for Lawrence Davidson, the
president of U.S. Steel. It was landscaped by Earl Neel, whose father landscaped downtown Palm Springs.
The exterior of the home has been completely protected, renovation of the interior has been completely
re-done in the “feeling and flavor” of which it was created. The current owner promised Earl Neel that this is
what would be done. It was actually built on a foundation of railroad ties and is an old kind of building called
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“earth cooled” which was the original way of ventilating homes. Livingroom plank lengths were originally
milled for the entire length of the room, these have been restored. Of the 2-1/2 acres, the majority is desert
landscape. It’s been on several historical site tours.
The house was added onto about 40 years ago. Earl Neel lived there 40 years, it was vacant prior to that for
about 17 years. Neel re-roofed the home several years ago, there has been a lot of repairs to the roof, which
was done in the original design. The Koi pond still exists, there is no swimming pool, but if a pool is built, it
will be in the old style where the grass comes right up to the pool. The garage was recently built by Ms.
English – used the original carport foundation and constructed the garage in the same style of lath, plaster,
and slumpstone.
Staff member Yeo reported that the carport was built in 1971 and enclosed in 1999. There was a remodel of
the east wing (interior) in 1997-1998.
Chairman Scott asked if the designation had been reviewed and if Ms. English is willing to accept the
information contained in the designation about maintaining the view corridor, etc. He further pointed out
Section 7 that stipulates that the applicant must agree that all future exterior modifications including but not
limited to building, site, landscaping, lighting, walls, and fences shall require architectural approval pursuant to
Section 4.4 of the Palm Springs Zoning Ordinance and the Historic Site Preservation Board review. Applicant
indicated she was well aware and will accept all restrictions outlined in the designation. The vicinity map only
showed one parcel, but there are two parcels involved in this designation.
M/S/C (J.Williams/S.Williams) moved that the application be approved and recommended that it go to the City
Council to declare that the home at 272 Camino Buena Vista is a Class 1 Historic Site. Roll Call: all
members in attendance (Scott, Cassady, J. Williams, S. Williams) voted Yes. There were 0 Nos, 2 Absent, 0
Abstentions.
This will probably go to the City Council at it’s April 6, 2005 meeting. Board recommends that applicant attend
that Council meeting, but it is not required. Staff will work with applicant as to date it will be presented.
Chairman Scott explained that the property will be plaqued, staff will work with applicant to establish the
appropriate wording on the plaque, and the plaque must be displayed in a location where it can be viewed by
the public.
ARCHITECTURAL APPROVALS:
5. PRE-APP: APPLICATION BY PALM SPRINGS MODERN HOMES FOR DEMOLITION OF
2ND FLOOR PATIO WALL AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO BUILDING AT 1081 NORTH
PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-1, SECTION 10:
Staff Member Yeo reported that this property is known as the Seeburg building. Staff did a
walk-thru with Chairman Scott and Member Hayton some time ago with project principals Dennis
Cunningham and Greg Trousdell. Exhibits are posted for Board review.
Greg Trousdell and Dennis Cunningham from Palm Springs Modern Homes explained that over the
past three months they have contacted museums, the Historical Society, the Santa Barbara
museum, and other sources and have found some photos of the building - - one of which depicts the
building in about 1949. They obtained the original Frey and Clark rendering from the University of
Santa Barbara that shows the finished building. Both photos show what was contemplated from the
original sketch. It was built around 1946, with original tenants in the downstairs area being the
pharmacy, interior design, and a clinic in the back portion by the rear parking lot, upstairs were
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apartment units. A 1960's photo shows that the back clinic expanded about 700 sq. ft. and that’s
when the rock veneer now on the north facade and the elliptical canopy were added (about 1959).
Those two features exist today. In about 1983, the upstairs canopy was added . A rendering was
completed about two months ago from the research with an artist’s proposal of the best solution for
the building – removing the rock veneer and the canopy, and re-opening the patio. Desert MRI is
vacant as well as most of the upstairs spaces on the east side of the building. May or may not do
canopies above the existing windows. May go to some type of metal carport design to replicate the
“eyebrows” on the back of the building. Actually trying to restore the original design to get away
from the additions of the 60's and 80's. From research in the Palm Springs Library and in speaking
with the Historical Society, it was indicated that Frey did not consider this building as part of his
prime architecture at any time during all their meetings.
Applicant is asking for approval to replace the storefront windows, remove the rock veneer, remove
the existing canopy that extends out toward the street, re-open the upstairs patio wall looking south,
install a gate on the side so that there is no security issue for the upstairs apartments, and install
butt-jointed glass across the front so it looks like solid glass. The outside of the building will be
stucco.
A real estate company will be moving in and will take the entire downstairs front, Palm Springs
Modern Homes will take the back part for their offices, and there will be two apartments upstairs.
Chairman Scott read the building’s description from the primary record prepared in the 2004 Historic
Resources Survey which indicated that the elliptical awnings and both gates “appear to be original to
the building.” But, information today from the applicant’s research indicates these were not original
to the building and were installed/built in or around 1959.
Board members were concerned about the removal of the rock veneer and canopy as those are
distinctive features of the building. Could these additions in 1959 have been a part of the Frey
architecture group? Could the permit activity around that time frame of 1959 and 1960 be
researched and reported back to the Board? Several Board members like the canopy and potential
removal of the addition made by the clinic was questioned. Board asked staff to further research to
see if the Frey group were involved in the 1959 additions.
Applicant responded that removal of the addition was a cost factor as well as seismic issues and the
uniqueness of the building is shown in the original rendering with deviations being minimal. If the
canopy stays -- it stays, if it goes -- it goes, but applicant would like to see it go. Applicant also
indicated they spent hours researching the permits, some were old and very difficult to read, a lot of
the microfilm could not be read.
Mr. Cunningham cited Greg’s history of being with the City of La Quinta for 13 years in the Planning
department and with Cathedral City for seven years, his research capabilities are stellar, and this
project has been researched just about as much as it can be.
Board Member S. Williams indicated that the “overhang” reminds her of the Hagerty building (now
Kaiser Grille), and that was Stewart Williams who knew Albert Frey and she wants to ask Stewart
Williams about the additions, if he knew about them, who was involved, etc. He may know
something about it. Will report back at the next meeting.
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Member J. Williams reiterated that the historic survey researchers looked at significant features of all
the properties they surveyed and really looked at this as one of the primary features of the building,
and specifically wrote about it in their survey as being a very important part of this building.
Chairman Scott summarized where the Board now stands in that there is no problem in what
applicant is proposing to do, the issue is more about the canopy and the attachment, so the Board
would like a little more research. If the canopy is removed, it should be made available to any
authorized group the applicant would like to give it to, or perhaps save it to use in some other
project. It is unique enough to be protected.
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Applicant indicated he had no problem with that and really did not have a problem with the canopy
staying on the building. It appears there is enough social features/functions wrapped around this
canopy to make it an important issue. So, “let’s find a little more about it if we can. The volcanic
rock does have to go.”
M/S/C (S. Williams/J. Williams) 4 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstentions, approved the removal of the
rock and other proposed alternations, except the history of the canopy will be researched further and
will come back to the Board.
Board Member Cassady asked that the rock be offered to an interested party and not just be thrown
away.
6. CASE 3.2130: APPLICATION BY O’DONNELL & ESCALANTE ARCHITECTS FOR
DEMOLITION OF A STRUCTURE AT 339 SOUTH BELARDO ROAD, ZONE R-3, SECTION
15.
Staff member Yeo reported that during 2004 the restoration of the bungalow units of La Serena
Villas were approved and this project is now replacing doors and windows toward the preservation
and restoration of the bungalows. Exhibits were displayed on the wall for Board viewing.
Applicants are requesting demolition be approved for building No. 10 – it is built on the property line,
no building permits were found, photos are available to show the original look of it before all the extra
illegal additions were removed, and it now appears to have been some type of outdoor cabana or
shade area. Overtime it was added onto with a second story - there were no permits on file for any
of this. This building will be replaced with a building of the same style of the other buildings on the
property and will meet building and zoning codes.
Peter Blackburn, project architect with O’Donnell and Escalante, described the proposed project
structure as not being designed as residential or hotel and has been seriously compromised over the
years. The barrel tiles will be re-used as replacements for broken and missing tiles from adjacent
units. A number of structures were built around the property for storage of some type - all were
poorly constructed in an ad-hoc manner. Most did not match the casitas. A storage add-on, two
lean-to enclosures, a laundry room, and adjacent support storage structures have already been
demolished – they were all add-on types and very poorly constructed. Two swimming pools were
removed to allow for a new fitness center for the property. A lap pool as part of the fitness facility
will be added. Future storage will be adjacent to one of the mechanical rooms within an existing
building and in the fitness center.
John Williams and Sidney Williams volunteered to be the Board representatives for this project to
visit the site as necessary and report back to the Board.
The Board is being asked to approve the demolition of the one building described earlier. It will be
replaced with a structure similar to the surrounding buildings.
M/S/C (S.Williams/Cassady) 4 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstentions to approve demolition of the
building described and allow applicant to proceed with the project.
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7. PRE-APP: APPLICATION BY DAX STUDIO FOR EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS TO 290
NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, ZONE REO, SECTION 14.
Staff Member Yeo reported that this property is listed on the Historic Site Survey at the corner of
Indian Canyon Drive and Amado Road, formerly a car dealership, and applicants wish to convert it to
a furniture store. Drawings were displayed for Board viewing.
Chairman Scott read the building description shown in the Historic Site Survey.
Alberto Rivera of Dax Studio and Joe Beyon of DWR Construction described the proposed project of
converting the old auto dealership building into a furniture store. Most of the buildings are well
constructed, there are some additions to the original structure, and some parts were recently
restored. The main architectural change will be to enclose/connect two spaces, remove the poorly
constructed existing facade from the old showroom and create an indoor showroom for furniture as
well as an outdoor area for outdoor furniture. Gates will be necessary to close off at night for
security of the furniture, they will be constructed to allow viewing of the furniture area. Two
elements being introduced will be an outdoor fireplace, a water feature or deck. Some demolition of
additions will need to be made. All buildings are of a light metal type construction, similar to
old-type gas stations. The back buildings will be painted, but closed off as they are not needed.
The colors on the renderings are to give interesting contrast - - most of the buildings will be painted
white. The main building will stay as it exists, except for a couple of elements being removed. It is
hoped that the space in back will be used for temporary events and/or special community events.
The architecture of this is similar to some of Don Wexler’s, but the architect is unknown.
Chairman Scott and Kenny Cassady volunteered as the Board’s representatives to work on this
project.
8. CASE 3.1088: APPLICATION BY VINCE PIROZZI FOR A NEW POOL AT 651 VIA
ESCUELA, ZONE R-1-A, SECTION 3. HSPB HISTORIC CLASS 1 SITE #33.
Staff Member Jing Yeo introduced Duff Evans of Desert Pools. Photos of the project site were
passed around. The finished pool will be lap style with a spa, will not be visible from public viewing
areas, and will have a safety cover so no fence around the pool is required. Pool equipment will be
in the same area as the a/c on the side of the house and will have a natural rock wall to enclose the
equipment. All will be rock and natural to the terrain of the property with the existing slab removed.
A raised curb has been created for rain runoff.
Staff will work with the owners for re-locating the plaque or perhaps consider a secondary plaque
installed in an area that is easier for public viewing. The plaque now installed is on a large rock and
cannot be moved, nor can it be seen by the public.
M/S/C (Cassady/S. Williams) 4 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstentions, to approve the plan for a new
pool as presented.
Chairman Scott appointed Jim Isermann and Kenny Cassady as the work sub-committee is case
there are any issues that come up during the project. Staff Member Jing Yeo will be the contact in
case field issues arise.
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AGENDA ITEM #1: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE - BOARD MEMBER JOHN
WILLIAMS Nothing to report.
AGENDA ITEM #2: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUE SURVEY UPDATED - STAFF Staff member Loretta Moffett reported that another quote and proof of the wording from all five
plaques has been requested, and once all that information is confirmed, they will be ordered. The
five plaques are: O’Donnell House, The Willows, Fire Station No. 1, Ingleside Inn, and Ship of the
Desert.
AGENDA ITEM #3: DISCUSSION OF CITY’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE (Chapter
8.05 PSMC), DUTIES, ACTIVITIES, ETC. Chairman Scott asked about the discussion of the 2005/2006 Work program. Staff member Jing
Yeo reported that the new Work Program was submitted to the City Clerk. The change was in the
Historic Survey to develop a procedure with respect to review of survey properties. The Ordinance
will be reviewed as part of the General Plan update.
AGENDA ITEM #4: PRESERVATION FOUNDATION - BOARD MEMBER SIDNEY WILLIAMS. The February Modernism Show was well attended. No figures as yet, will have those at the next
meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #5 PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MEMBER JIM HAYTON Chairman Scott attended the 50th Anniversary February 15 at the Plaza Theatre. It was a sold-out
event with 600 people attending and all the living Mayors of Palm Springs.
AGENDA ITEM #6 PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE - MEMBER JOHN WILLIAMS Very involved in the Modernism Show and the fundraiser at the Bolero House was very successful.
AGENDA ITEM #7 ARCHITECTURAL & DESIGN COUNCIL - PALM SPRINGS DESERT MUSEUM
- MEMBER ISERMANN Member Sidney Williams reported in Mr. Isermann’s absence. Saturday evening, March 12, Joseph
Rosa, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Curator of Architecture will speak and sign his latest
book “Next Generation of Architecture Folds, Blobs, and Boxes” with a reception afterwards.
Tickets are available at the Desert Museum’s Box Office.
BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS: Member John Williams asked about the Orchid Tree Inn. Staff Member Jing Yeo explained that
they are not ready, still working on the historical assessment of the property. It will be brought to
the Board when it is completed. The property is in escrow.
Member J. Williams asked about the progress of the Colony Palms project. Staff Member Jing Yeo
reported that the project is moving forward, does not know when it will be going to Planning
Commission. HSPB has completed what was needed.
Member Kenny Cassady will be out of town and not attending the April 12 meeting.
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Chairman Scott reminded the Board that with one vacancy, it’s important that members try to be at
all the meetings so there is a quorum.
No staff reports.
There being no further business , the meeting was adjourned at 10.07 a.m. The next meeting will
be April 12, 2005 at 8:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Loretta Moffett
Recording Secretary