HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-14- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of Regular Meeting -Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 8:15 a.m.
Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
ROLL CALL
Present
This Meeting
Present
Year-to-Date
FY 2005-2006
Excused Absences
To-Date
James Hayton, Chair X 8 0
Sidney Williams, Vice Chair X 7 1
William “Bill” Scott X 8 0
John Williams X 8 0
Jim Isermann X 4 4
Jade Nelson X 8 0
Harold “Bud” Riley X 3 0
STAFF PRESENT:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Senior
Secretary
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
* * * * *
Chairman Hayton called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
* * * * * *
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The Revised 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
counter by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs of HSPB Meetings are available for review. Cassettes will be kept for six months
only. DVDs of the meetings will be kept indefinitely. Minutes format is more action related than verbatim except where
special interest or special meetings are involved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes) N O N E
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
M/S/C (Scott/Riley - 6 Yes - 0 Absent - 1 Abstention) to approve the February 14, 2006
Minutes as presented.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: N O N E
PUBLIC HEARING: N O N E
ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL: N O N E
AGENDA ITEM #1: HSPB WORK PROGRAM 2006/2007 - DRAFT
Staff presented the revised Work Program for the coming year. The budget request is being
prepared and staff will report back after City Council review.
AGENDA #2: BOARD LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL RE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS - BOARD MEMBERS S.
WILLIAMS AND J. NELSON
Sub-Committee members drafted letter based on discussions at February meeting. Various
verbiage and aspects were discussed with revisions suggested. Sub-committee and staff will finalize
letter, get all signatures of Board members, and present to Mayor and Council members before
tomorrow’s meeting.
M/S/C (Isermann/J. Williams - 7- Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions) to accept the Board’s letter
to City Council with all revisions so outlined for delivery to City Council before tomorrow’s
(March 15) Council meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS #3. POTTER CLINIC - 1000 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE - ARCHITECTURAL
ASSESSMENT - LISTED ON SURVEY - BILL SCOTT AND STAFF Board concern was voiced about demolition of adjacent properties if this a permit to demo this
property also had been issued. There has been a historic assessment done on the property and one
member heard the owner was interested in relocating the building.
Staff reported receiving a copy of this assessment and circulated the report, stating that it basically
contains the background normally included in historic preservation reviews. Nothing in file
regarding demolition or activity on the building. Relocation of the building has not been brought
to staff’s attention.
AGENDA ITEM #4: STREBE BUILDING, 400 BLOCK OF NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE - BILL
SCOTT & STAFF There has been a historic assessment done on this property. This building is part of a large parcel
of property purchased by Lawrence Rael, a developer who wants to raze it and build a large urban
style shopping center. Seems sympathetic to the historic value of the properties and ordered the
assessment. Staff will update the Board at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #5: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE - BOARD MEMBER JOHN
WILLIAMS. No report. Commented that media coverage will be needed when the Workshop / Study Session is
finalized.
AGENDA ITEM #6: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUE SURVEY UPDATE - STAFF & BOARD Board Member Bud Riley volunteered for this project. Chairman Hayton is still discussing the
plaquing of the Cork ‘N Bottle with the new owner. One member asked if the Indianoya building, a
Class 2 site, is eligible for plaquing and wanted this added to next month’s agenda for discussion.
AGENDA ITEM #7: DISCUSSION-CITY’S HISTORIC PRES. ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 8.05
PSMC, DUTIES, ACTIVITIES - STAFF Staff provided a copy of the Historic Preservation Ordinance Chapter 8.05 in the Board Packet.
Board felt they should review the 53 properties and then determine if they want to nominate any of
them for higher designation.
AGENDA ITEM #8: PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FNDTN - VICE CHAIR SIDNEY WILLIAMS Foundation is reviewing a successful Modernism Week and will start making plans for next year.
HSPB Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
AGENDA ITEM #9: PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Chairman J. HAYTON Chairman Hayton commented that the Society has a lot of Palm Springs history and are an excellent
source for those who are interested.
AGENDA ITEM #10: PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE - MEMBER J. WILLIAMS Peter Moruzzi, Chairman of ModCom and ModCom fully support the HSPB letter drafted for the City
Council. ModCom will be presenting a plaque to the City Council tomorrow honoring Palm Springs
as being chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the nation’s dozen
distinctive destinations.
AGENDA ITEM #11: ARCH. & DESIGN COUNCIL-P.S. ART MUSEUM - MEMBER J. ISERMANN The next lecture is Saturday, March 18 at 6 p.m. and Architect Leo Marmol will be speaking about
Pre-Fab Architecture. $5 for ADC members and $10 for general public. There will be another
screening of “Desert Utopia” on March 23, a 90-minute film profiling the architects who contributed to
mid-century modern here in the desert. Time is 7 p.m. at the Palm Springs Art Museum, tickets are
available through the box office.
AGENDA ITEM #12: ON-GOING PROJECTS UPDATES - STAFF & SUB-COMMITTEES (A) COLONY PALM HOTEL - Case 3.0619 at 572 North Indian Canyon Drive: Went before
Planning Commission on February 8, and was approved subject to ”the mural in the
reconstructed spa building is to be protected throughout the construction phase and is to
remain preserved in the basement of the building.” Board asked that this project be watched
carefully because of actions being taken by the project management without permits.
(B) HORIZON HOTEL: 1050 Est Palm Canyon Drive: No update.
(C) GTE BUILDING: 360 North Palm Canyon Drive (Class 1 Historic Designation #26):
Staff reported the building is still a sandy beige color. The approved color was off-white.
Owner had agreed to re-paint the building. Board asked for an update at the April meeting.
(D) SEEBURG BUILDING, 1081 North Pal Canyon Drive: Sub-committee: Bill Scott reported that
it is almost complete. There are aluminum eyebrows being added over the upper windows
and that is the final aspect of the exterior renovation. Suggested this be removed from the
Agenda.
(E) VISITORS CENTER AMPHITHEATER, 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive (Class 1 Historic
Designation #33): Staff reported that the Amphitheater is complete with the exception of
back-ordered Bougainvillea and installation of the Rotary plaque. It was submitted to City
Council a couple weeks ago and there was no objection or comment. Board asked about
the plaque proposed by the Rotary Club. A copy of the plaque will be presented at the next
meeting.
(F) ATM SHELTER AT WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, 499 South Palm Canyon Drive:
Sub-committee Jade Nelson and Sidney Williams met with regional manager, George
Swanson regarding the significance of the building and that the ATM shade shelter was not
sensitive to the architecture. He indicated that it is a designed used at other bank and they
wanted to keep it and felt the only change being necessary would be to repaint the black
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page
4 of 4
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
upright the steel 2x2s to a color that would the buildings metal treatments. It has been done.
Another contact within the community was made with someone who is familiar with the
Washington Mutual head office and a letter has been sent to the President of the bank
indicating that WMB should be more sensitive to the community, and that other options
should be entertained. There has been no response as yet. Sub-committee asked about
moving the ATM to the side of the building, it was installed about ten years ago and newer
designs would be bettered suited. Will report back.
(G) OASIS HOTEL/TOWER, 121 South Palm Canyon Drive (Tower is Class 1 Historic Site #10):
Staff reported this went to Planning Commission on February 8, presented to City Council on
March 1, Resolution 15424 was adopted, and the project was approved. Staff received a
final report on the demo of the two buildings on March 9 and is in process of reviewing the
report. No comment on the report at this time.
(H) PALM SPRINGS RACQUET CLUB, 2743 North Indian Canyon Drive: Staff reported it was
approved by Council on February 8, no further review staff until applicant submits the working
drawings.
(I) SPANISH INN - CASE 5.1019-CUP / TTM 31104 - Conditional Use Permit to allow the
conversion of hotel to condominiums and construction of new condos at 640 North Indian
Canyon Drive. (Survey listed property). Staff reported it has received approvals with the
conditions for milestone compliance. There is a schedule associated with that approval and
does not begin until the final tract map is recorded. Building permits have been issued,
inspections have occurred, and work is being done on the site toward completion and
compliance. More building has been taken down than originally indicated, but they are
building in accordance with plans so they are within the approvals.
j. TYLER’S HAMBURGERS, 149 South Indian Canyon Drive, Part of La Plaza Historic Class 1
Site #22. Sub-committee: Bud Riley and James Hayton looked at latest designs that are
sympathetic to surrounding structures. Board approved at an earlier meeting. Staff
reported they will now apply for the building permit.
Board was concerned that other businesses within that historic site have installed
canopies/awnings in front of their business, but no other application has come before this
Board.
K. CATHERINE MEYLER - Case 3.2098 convert garage to living space and construct 440 s.f.
carport at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive (Class 1 Historic Site #45 - Grace Lew Miller
(Neutra) Home. Staff advised the Ms. Meyler appeared before the AAC on March 6, they
voted unanimously to approve with recommendations. Applicant will be presenting a letter
to staff disputing the recommendations. Staff has not received that letter.
BOARD AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS: N O N E
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDATES:
Staff asked for a sub-committee to assist staff in the review of the Hamrick House, a 1941-42 John
Porter Clark and Albert Frey designed home at 875 West Chino Canyon Road. Staff and the
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page
5 of 4
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
sub-committee will do a walk-thru with the homeowners, review, and determine if it is worthy of
proceeding with a recommendation for a Class 1 designation. Sidney Williams and Jade Nelson
volunteered. Staff will contact all parties and arrange for a walk-thru with the owners.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 a.m. The next regularly
scheduled meeting will be April 11, 2006 in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Loretta Moffett, Recording Secretary