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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-08- HSPB minutes CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING Minutes of Meeting -Tuesday, May 8, 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 12 0 Jade Nelson, Vice Chair X 10 2 James Hayton X 10 2 John Williams X 11 1 Harold “Bud” Riley X 12 0 Brian Strahl X 10 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 May 8, 2007, by Chair Sidney Williams. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: S. Williams, J. Nelson, B. Riley, B. Strahl, J. Williams Absent: J. Hayton 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, May 3, 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. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes) - N O N E 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: M/S/C (Riley/Nelson) moved to approve the March 13, 2007 Corrected Minutes as presented (5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions). J. Williams asked if the Minutes were sent to the owners of the property at 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive. Staff answered in the affirmative. M/S/C (J.Williams/Riley) to approve the April 10, 2007 Minutes as presented (5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions). 6. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Chair S. Williams reported meeting with Patrick McGrew, historical historian who is researching Palm Springs’ significant buildings, and has offered training when the Board starts its new fiscal year in July 2007. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: N O N E Historic Site Preservation Board Page 2 of 6 Minutes from the May 8, 2007 Meeting 8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUESTS: A. Case SP 07-060 - Sign Application for Palm Canyon Theatre located in the Frances Stevens School – Class 1 Site #7, 538 North Palm Canyon Drive (Staff member Diana Shay of Economic Development Dept. presenting) Possible Action: Approve Certificate of Approval Staff member Ken Lyon explained that this application is for new exterior signs and relocation of an existing sign. Frances Stevens School is a Class 1 Palm Springs Historic Site and is registered in the California Historic Register. Staff member Diana Shay of the City’s Redevelopment Agency reported working with the Palm Canyon Theatre to improve the ten-year old front, monument type, unlit, that faces one direction and can only be seen when traveling one way. The street is now two-ways so the sign needs to be seen from both directions of traffic, needs to be illuminated, and complementary to the building. Jim Crosse of Best Signs detailed the design of the new sign, size, materials, internally illuminated, encasement of letters, matching colors, etc. Staff member Lyon further explained that the front sign on Palm Canyon side of the building will be removed and relocated to the back of the building (Indian Canyon Drive side). Staff is recommending that HSPB vote in favor of a Certificate of Approval for this project. Questions from the Board members related to type of paint, color, location, encasement, solar power to light sign, etc. M/S/C (J. Williams/Riley) moved to approve the sign for the Palm Canyon Theatre as presented. (6 yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions) 9. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Case 3.3071 MAA - Demolition Application 211 East Morongo Road – “The Dr. Wm. Scholl Estate” Possible Actions: Stay of Demolition and/or Initiate Proceedings to Designate as Class 1 Historic Site. At the March 2007 meeting HSPB nominated this building for possible designation as a Class 1 Historic Site. Staff member Lyon explained that Planning received an application for the demolition of the home, swimming pool, and casita known as the Dr. Scholl Estate. Staff’s analysis and findings are provided in the Staff Report. Sub-committee report was presented by Board member Jade Nelson and copies were distributed to Board and Staff members. Please refer to that report for broader details. The sub-committee recommends: (1) the Board vote to place a 120-day Stay of Demolition on the property with the right to exercise the 60-day extension if necessary; and (2) to initiate proceedings to recommend designation of the site with particular emphasis on the house, attached garage, the detached out- door cabana kitchen, and the pool area to a Historic Class 1 status. George Marantz of G & M Construction spoke in behalf of the current owner Terri Cohn who contracted with G & M for the demolition and addressed several comments. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 3 of 6 Minutes from the May 8, 2007 Meeting PUBLIC COMMENTS: Robert Imber of Palm Springs spoke and requested the Board to take the necessary action to market this property and enable potential buyers to consider it’s designation to a Class 1 Historic Site. He also asked the Board to consider it for a Class 1 nomination. Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla, spoke in opposition to the demolition request. PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED. Board member Jade Nelson responded to speakers comments. A neighbor to this property wrote a short letter and asked that it be read at this meeting which stated, in part,- - “(1) home of noteworthy American entrepreneur; (3) reflects the origins of Palm Springs for architecture and lifestyle; (3) one of the few remaining structures from a meaningful time in the history of Palm Springs; and (4) preserves open space.” The letter was also signed by ten other neighbors adjacent to this property. (copy attached for reference) Board member Brian Strahl stated that the property is widely known in the real estate market, a substantial amount of time and money has been spent on marketing this property, it’s been on the market over a year as a 2.3 acre parcel valued at $4.2 million. This owner has done an extensive marketing program trying to sell this property. Board member Jade Nelson reported t the garage is original, the pool was added in 1969, and a sunroom was added in 1952. There was no roof permit on file, and the tile is superior quality so conceivably is original to the house. A call has been made to the tile company – awaiting response. Board member John Williams commented that he is intrigued by the letter from the neighbor Ms. Hayes and asked if the survey referred to in the letter is available. (Staff will research.) If that survey is available there may be documentation about this house – asked for Board members to have a copy of the 1987 survey. Board member Strahl asked if this property was included in the 2004 Historic Survey of the 200 properties and if any other properties had been designated that were not on the Historic Survey? Staff reported that it was not part of the 2004 Survey. All of the designated properties were excluded from the Survey because they were already designated. Board member Strahl asked if the 120-day Stay of Demolition and initiation to designate proceedings was approved by the Board today, would all this be done and in front of the Council in time -- knowing the Council is dark in August? Staff agreed that it could and would get the question to the Council in time that the Stay of Demolition would not expire which might mean it would take a higher priority. Chair S. Williams moved to approve Option 3 -- to place a 120-day Stay of Demolition on the property at 211 East Morongo Road and initiate proceedings to recommend the property be designated a Class 1 Historic Site. Board member Jade Nelson seconded. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 4 of 6 Minutes from the May 8, 2007 Meeting DISCUSSION: Board member Strahl agreed that the historical significance of this City is important to everyone, but somewhat disagrees that everything that is old has to be saved. Primary concern is losing the 120 days if the process cannot get done in that time frame. Will support the motion for research, but wants to be sure the report does consider that the house is the most important part of this process. M/S/C (S. Williams/Nelson) to approve the motion as stated above. (5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions) B. Case HSPB #57 - Application for Class 1 Designation – Casa Cody Inn 175 South Cahuilla Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Possible Action: Initiate proceedings to designate as a Historic Class 1 Site Staff member Lyon explained that this application and packet of information was provided by the owner of the property who is applying for Class 1 designation. Staff has not had time to evaluate or prepare a staff report but is bringing this forward if the Board wants to take action initiate the designation proceedings. Frank Tysen, Owner, explained that he and partner, Therese Hayes, have diligently restored four adjacent historic properties over the past 20 years. The Casa Cody itself dates back to the early 1900’s and is related to the family of the original Buffalo Bill Cody, cowboy performer. Acquired properties were owned by Polly Bergen, Lawrence Tibbit, Frances Crocker, and others. Additional history of the properties in this project was given (will be included in the informational packet). During the 20-year restoration, the original design and architecture were preserved to the extent possible. Without this historic Tennis Club district, Palm Springs would not be Palm Springs. (Copy of his statement is attached for further details.) PUBLIC COMMENTS: Roxann Ploss pointed out that the Adobe was built in 1915, the Winter house in 1936, the El Rincon Apartment Hotel in the 1930’s, the Apache Lodge was in the 1950’s, one small cottages was an Olympic Village Cottage for the 1932 LA Olympics and moved to this site from LA - the Casa Cody compound was built over a 20-year period. She urged the Board’s recommendation of this designation to a Class 1 site. PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED. DISCUSSION: Board member Riley reminded that one of the Board’s goal is to have a Historic District and this project could bring this goal to a realty. This is the ideal neighborhood for Palm Spring’s first Historic District. Board member Strahl agreed and asked that the next two meetings address how to set-up Historic Site Districts with this one being the first priority. Board member J. Williams asked if the Board was taking action today? He also asked if this property is five separate properties. Owner advised they have been lot-joined. Staff indicated that the APN numbers of the properties would be identified during the research and that it could be two or three parcels under one designation. In the designation process, if more properties are added to Historic Site Preservation Board Page 5 of 6 Minutes from the May 8, 2007 Meeting this compound, should the designation make reference to future additions? Staff member Lyon explained that the designation would closely identify and define the characteristic components of the property. Board member John Williams moved that the HSPB begin Class 1 Historic Site designation proceedings on the Casa Cody Inn property at 175 South Cahuilla Road. Board member Riley seconded the motion. M/S/C (J. Williams/Riley - 5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions) to approve the motion as stated. 10. A. Media Outreach – John Williams reported the sub-committee went through all the Class 1 Historic Site photographs and added two-line captions to each. This will be given to Rick Lee of Channel 17 this week. The Channel 17 broadcast will show historic photos and photos of Class 1 sites – the historic photos will also need captions from someone who has appropriate information. Staff reported that those captions are available and will be happy to accept Board member help in pulling this together. B. Palm Springs Preservation Foundation – Jade Nelson reported an exhibit at the Museum that showcases a mid-century industrial designer of pottery and the Foundation has already started plans for the 2008 Modernism week. C. Palm Springs Historical Society –Sidney Williams spoke with Jeri Vogelsang of the Historic Society who advised that the Cornelia White House and Historical Society will be closed during the summer to the public, but staff will be there working on individual projects. D. P.S. Modern Committee - John Williams – no report E. Architecture & Design Council - Sidney Williams – no report F. Production of Palm Springs Map of Public Art & Significant Architecture – Joint Proposal between PS Art Commission and HSPB – Sidney Williams – no report, still waiting for budget approval. Remove this item until budget is known. 11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: A. Staff member Lyon received a letter from an owner of a Wexler/Steel home on Sunny View Drive requesting a Mills Act application. The home is already a Class 1 site. B. Information forwarded to Board members on code enforcement courtesy notices sent to property owners within the City. C. The Colony Palms is now open to the public, and staff will be getting a status on the historic mural. D. Orchid Tree had some recent code enforcement action and notices given re clean-up of property. E. Board homework will be to review Chapter 8.05 of the Historic Preservation ordinance, in particular 8.05.125 on Historic Districts and the information in 8.05.185. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 6 of 6 Minutes from the May 8, 2007 Meeting Board member J. Williams asked if an exhaustive study of each property within the District would be done or just the District? Staff advised that enough study would be required to determine which properties are contributing and/or non-contributing. Findings for every structure will be needed. 12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board member Jade Nelson asked the balance in the HSPB budget and suggested hiring a historian to assist in compiling information on the Dr. Scholl and Casa Cody property? Staff will find out and let Board know, but suggested that the application by Casa Cody appears extremely thorough and may not need work. Staff advised that the special study session between the HSPB and City Council is on May 23, 2007. The purpose of the study session is for the Board and Council to discuss the Ordinance Revisions suggested by this Board earlier this year. Board member Strahl asked when the current budget expires – June 30, 2007. He and Chair S. Williams reported that the Smoke Tree Ranch movie was fabulous, thanked Tracy Conrad for coordinating this outstanding event. The second showing was also a sell-out. A DVD will be available shortly. Board member J. Williams noted the “in progress” Class 1 sites are listed on the designation list and asked about the “continued” note on the Spanish Inn. Staff advised that the Council basically rejected the Spanish Inn application and said that the owner can bring forward for Council consideration after significant progress has been demonstrated on the renovation/ restoration. 13. ADJOURNMENT: Chair S. Williams moved to adjourn this regular HSPB meeting at 10:11 a.m. to a joint Study Session with the City Council on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. Board member Riley seconded. M/S/C (S.Williams/Riley - 5 yes, 0 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions) to approve adjournment motion as stated. The next meeting of the HSPB will be a joint Study Session with Council at 6 p.m. on May 23. The next regular meeting of HSPB will be Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference room at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Ken Lyon, Associate Planner :ldm Attachments: 1. Morongo Neighborhood Letter written by K. Hayes 2. Frank Tysen Statement