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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-10- HSPB minutes CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Meeting -Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 92262 BOARD MEMBERS Present This Meeting Present Year-to-Date FY 2006-2007 Excused Absences To-Date Sidney Williams, Chairperson X 11 0 Jade Nelson, Vice Chair X 9 2 James Hayton X 10 1 John Williams X 10 1 Harold “Bud” Riley X 11 0 Brian Strahl X 9 0 STAFF PRESENT: Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Administrative Assistant Ken Lyon, Associate Planner * * * * * 1. The HSPB regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m. on April 10, 2007, by Chair Sidney Williams. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: S. Williams, J. Nelson, B. Riley, B. Strahl, J. Hayton, J. Williams 3. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: This 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, April 5, 2007. 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. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes) Retired Palm Springs Police Chief Lee Weigel introduced himself to the Board, gave a brief personal and business background, advised everyone that he is a candidate for City Council, that he respects the efforts of all HSPB members, and looks forward to working with them in the future. PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 13, 2007 - Vice Chair Nelson asked for several corrections. M/S/C (Riley/Hayton) moved that the March 13, 2007 Minutes be approved as corrected. (6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent) 6. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Chair S. Williams reported that the California Preservation Foundation’s CEQA Workshop held at the P.S. Art Museum a week ago was productive and informational, and was attended by four HSPB members and staff members Lyon and Ewing. At their April 4, 2007 meeting, Council voted to postpone discussion of the Class 1 designation of the Santa Fe Federal Building and chose to hear it concurrent with the hearing on the Baristo Lofts project, also at this site. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 2 of 4 Minutes from the April 10, 2007 Meeting Modernism Magazine’s Spring issue has an article about the restoration of the Horizon Hotel. It was brought to HSPB some time ago and their plans for this William Cody building were presented. The restoration is now complete and this article gives them nice coverage. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: N O N E 8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUESTS: N ON E 9. OTHER BUSINESS: A. The Potter Clinic at 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive Possible Action: Stay of Demolition At the March 2007 meeting HSPB nominated this building for possible designation as a Class 1 Historic Site. Board member Strahl asked if the file was flagged in Planning if a demolition application came in— a special meeting could be quickly called. A Stay of Demolition would not need to be put into effect now – so not to waste the 120 days? Staff advised the Board at the last meeting that if a demolition application comes in, HSPB will be advised, a special meeting can be called, and a demolition permit would not be issued until after the Board’s hearing. Board member Strahl toured the building and stated the building is basically destroyed. He stated that if the building was not Stewart Williams’ first building, the City would probably condemn it. Board member Nelson commented that this came before the Board a year ago, it is in bad shape and may not be as important as other buildings, but it’s only fair to give it complete analysis. Board member J. Williams pointed out that the owner originally stated he wanted to restore it and incorporate it into the project, but the building is in much worse shape now that when the present owner bought it. If the building is allowed to be destroyed, it’s almost like giving property owners an incentive to let buildings deteriorate, and this appears to be what has happened here. The Board needs to make a decision based on the historic significance of the building(s) not necessarily on the state or condition of them. The architectural assessment very clearly states that the building qualifies for local designation and therefore meets CEQA’s definition of a historical resource. He feels it best that the Board take a wait and see approach. Staff member Lyon responded that if a demolition application came in, there may have to be a CEQA analysis and findings made as part of the demolition application. It would probably come before HSPB. The City, as lead agent, would make the determination of the adequacy of the CEQA findings. MOTION: Board member J. Williams moved that the HSPB not take action for a Stay of Demolition on the 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive – Potter Clinic project, but keep it in order of Board investigations for possible Class 1 Historic Site designation provided staff will advise the Board of any demolition permit. Board member Bud Riley seconded the motion. After discussion, it was moved, seconded, and unanimously passed to approve Board member J. Williams’ motion as stated above. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 3 of 4 Minutes from the April 10, 2007 Meeting Board member Bud Riley commented that the Board had talked about ‘benign neglect,’ talked about Ordinance updates, and he wants to be sure that benign neglect is tagged as an item that HSPB will discuss further and recommend to Council. 10.. A. Media Outreach – John Williams reported that he and Ken Lyon are working to get one or two lines of copy for each photograph being aired on Channel 17. B. Historic Site Plaques Update – Staff member Lyon reported that he and a facilities staff person visited all nine sites, identified locations to mount the plaques, and the owners have been notified that within the next few weeks, the plaques will be installed. Those nine sites are: First Station #1, The Willows, O’Donnell House, Neel House, Loewy House, Ship of the Desert, Cork ‘n Bottle, Ingleside Inn, and Hamrick House. Board member Bud Riley pointed out that the Policy and Procedure for Plaques was approved at the last meeting and suggested it be removed from the Agenda. C. Palm Springs Preservation Foundation – Jade Nelson No Report. D. Palm Springs Historical Society –Sidney Williams Thursday, April 12 at the Camelot Theatre, the film on the Smoke Tree Ranch is being shown at 7:30 p.m., advance tickets are available at the Historical Society on the Village Green or at the door. Smoke Tree Ranch was one of the earliest housing enclaves with open land, stables, etc. This is one of the last of its kind in Palm Springs. Staff member Lyon reported that Smoke Tree qualified for historic designation, but they have asked not to be because their owners and HOA rules and regulations adequately preserve Smoke Tree properties. Smoke Tree is appropriate for a Historic District. Chair S. Williams reported that it is possible for the public to stay at the Ranch now. E. P.S. Modern Committee - John Williams No report Staff member Lyon reported that P.S. Modern has made a public records request from the City for all files regarding the action of the City Council relative to the Baristo Loft project and all files related to the HSPB Class 1 designation proceedings for the Santa Fe Federal Building. F. Architecture & Design Council - Sidney Williams Sunday, April 15 is the cocktail reception fundraiser at the Abernathy House designed by Bill Cody which has been extensively restored. Tickets are available at the P.S. Art Museum at 325-7186, ext. 118. The next lecture will be at 6 p.m., April 21 with Ken Smith, landscape architect, who is architect for the Orange County (OC) Great Park at the El Toro Marine Base. G. Production of Palm Springs Map of Public Art & Significant Architecture – Joint Proposal between PS Art Commission and HSPB – Sidney Williams Already discussed with Mr. Butler from the Arts Commission. Now waiting to hear on the budget approval, will have an update at that time. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 4 of 4 Minutes from the April 10, 2007 Meeting 11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: A. Orchid Tree Inn - Staff member Lyon reported that he spoke with Matt Fischer, project manager with Palisades Development. They are finishing plan review and anticipate receipt of their building permits. They do not anticipate doing advance demolition. Security concerns were discussed, they have been aggressively maintaining security at the site. B. Oasis Hotel “Loretta’s Hide-a-Way” – Staff spoke with Steve Lyle, they are in final plan check review, and anticipate construction starting mid-summer following receipt of the building permits. C. Board member J. Williams asked if staff could send a letter or the Minutes to the property owners of 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive – Potter Clinic to let them know that HSPB is considering the property for Class 1 designation. Staff will send a copy of the Minutes. D. There was a request for information that came thru the City Manager’s office on the Gillette Estate or King-Gillette estate. Board member Jade Nelson reported that it is located in the Mesa area on the corner of Overlook Road (will get exact address) and was owned by the man who started Gillette razors. Very large Spanish Colonial Revival compound that’s been abandoned for many years. It’s been on the market for sale for about five years. E. Chair S. Williams asked about the comments of “less than significance” stated in the General Plan under Cultural Resources. Staff explained and clarified for Board’s understanding. F. There will be a proposed new sign presentation for the Palm Canyon Theater at the Frances Stevens School on the next Agenda for a Certificate of Approval for the building permit, and another Class 1 Site report. 12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: May 4, 2007 is the deadline to complete and return applications for nomination to the Historic Site Preservation Board. Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information. 13. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved, seconded, and unanimously passed that the meeting be adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Next meeting will be at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in the Large Conference room at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Ken Lyon, Associate Planner