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Home My WebLink About2008-09-09- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 92262 BOARD MEMBERS Present at this Meeting Present FY Year-to-Date FY 2008-2009 Excused Absences To-Date Sidney Williams, Chair X 2 1 Brian Strahl, Vice Chair X 3 0 Sheila Grattan X 3 0 Shelly Saunders Tom DeLeeuw John Gilmer Barbara Marshall X X X X 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 STAFF REPRESENTATIVES: Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Diane Bullock, Associate Planner Loretta Moffett, Administrative Assistant 1. The regularly scheduled HSPB meeting was called to order at 8:16 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 by Vice Chair Brian Strahl. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: T. DeLeeuw, J. Gilmer, S. Grattan, B. Marshall, S. Saunders, and B. Strahl. Chair S. Williams is on vacation and excused. Staff Liaison Bullock was on vacation. 3. POSTING OF AGENDA: This Agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber), City Clerk’s office, and Planning Services’ counter on or before 4:00 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2008. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Robert Imber, PS Modern Tours, suggested that HSPB send the proposed Palm Springs Visitors’ Center Signage application back for review and rework. The contemporary font style used in the directional signage at the Center needs to carry through to the permanent monument sign. Will Butler, P.S. resident, commented that the proposed signage for the Visitors’ Center appears to be forced into the proposed location on the wall, and there is not enough light or room to set it off. He suggested a free-standing sign or changing locations – feels the proposed placement on the wall has no aesthetic value. PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the August 12, 2008 Meeting. Board member Marshall corrected as follows: A quotation mark needed at the end of sentence on Page 3... ...”given the new composition of the City Council, is the Class 1 Historic Site nomination for the Santa Fe Federal Building going to be re-submitted for Council approval in the near future?” Item 12 – ”to do the paperwork for funding applications...change to “to do the paperwork for THE PRESERVE AMERICA application. M/S/C (Grattan/ Gilmer) to approve the Minutes of the August 12, 2008 Meeting as corrected. Vote: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent –S. Williams. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 2 of 4 Minutes from the September 9, 2008 Meeting 6. REPORT FROM THE VICE CHAIR: None 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None 8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S): 8.A. Case SI 08-128 HSPB # 33, 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive. Class 1 Historic Site, Palm Springs Visitors Center. Application by the City of Palm Springs Community and Economic Development Department for a sign to be installed on the perimeter wall of the Palm Springs Visitors’ Center. The sign will have backlighting for nighttime visibility. Presented by Craig Ewing. Director Ewing described the project – proposed installation of a new “Palm Springs Visitors’ Center” sign of approximately 43 s.f. on the perimeter wall. There is history going back to 2003 regarding signage at this location. Staff believes that the concept of the proposed sign is appropriate and reflects the old style “Welcome to Palm Springs” sign which could be determined appropriate for this Historic Site. Staff member Jennifer Henning from Community and Economic Development department answered Board questions and advised that the original “Welcome to Palm Springs” entrance sign was preserved. The existing Palm Springs Visitors’ Center sign was installed some time ago knowing that it would temporary. It was recently defaced by graffiti and needs replacement. It was thought that using the old entrance sign as a permanent Palm Springs Visitor’s Center sign mounted on the wall in front of the structure would be historically appropriate. Examples of the appearance of the lettering and lighting were displayed. Board concerns and suggestions were: (1) needs better location; (2) two-way North/South visibility; (3) font style is not consistent with other signage at the Center; (4) attach a double- sided sign under the Tramway Aerial sign for two-way visibility that would be out of reach for graffiti or vandalism; (5) script for Palm Springs entrance sign should not relate to Visitors’ Center sign; (6) as landscape matures, it may obscure proposed sign; (7) proposed sign is too small; (8) proposed sign limits visibility for drivers to turn into the Visitors’ Center – by the time they see it, it’s too late to make the turn; (9) the old-style entrance sign is not appropriate for a mid-century modern building; (10) a wall-mounted sign would detract from the historic building. After lengthy discussion and numerous concerns about this proposal, Board member Saunders moved, seconded by Board member Marshall, to continue this matter as a restudy and requested that staff submit a new proposal for the Visitors’ Center sign. Vote: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (S. Williams). Unanimously carried. 8.B. Certificate of Approval: Vincent Amodeo, owner, requests demolition of two Class 3 Sites to construct town-homes on .48 acres at 275 and 435 Chuckwalla Road, Zone R-2, Section 11. (Project 5.1200-PD-352) Presented by Associate Planner David Newell. Staff Associate Planner Newell described the request for demolition which includes two residences, a pool, decking, and two detached outbuildings. The structures being demolished will be replaced with seven residential for-sale townhomes on 0.48 acres (21,000 s.f.) when both sites are combined. Current buildings have been altered several times throughout the years. No historic values were found during research, and staff recommends approval of the two demolitions requested. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 3 of 4 Minutes from the September 9, 2008 Meeting Board member Gilmer moved to approve the Certificate of Approval for demolition of the two Class 3 structures at 275 and 435 Chuckwalla Road as requested, seconded by Board member Grattan. Vote: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (S. Williams). Unanimously carried. 8.C. Amendment to Case 3.1277, Azul Restaurant, 369 North Palm Canyon Drive, (GTE Building, Class 1 Historic Site – HSPB #26) Amendment to Staff Report of 11-13-2007 request- ing review by the HSPB pertaining to a Building Department requirement on a plan check process for tenant improvements that the rooftop bar guard rails require a 4" maximum spacing. Staff Assistant Planner Taschner explained that HSPB previously approved this project last November, 2007 for second-floor modifications to the rear portion of the building. During Building’s plan check process, it was determined that the railing does not meet California Building Code. Rather than redesigning the railing, the client proposes spot-welding vertical tubular steel with horizontal cross-members behind the railings. Staff recommends that HSPB amend its Certificate of Approval to include the modification for the second-story railing. Details for modifications were displayed. Board member Grattan moved to approve the project application as presented, seconded by Board member DeLeeuw. Vote: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (S. Williams). Unanimously carried. 9. OTHER BUSINESS: None 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS: 10.A. P.S. Preservation Foundation – Board member Saunders is awaiting response to her emailed inquiry about meetings and events to attend. Additional information is available at www.pspf.net 10.B. P.S. Modern Committee – Board member Marshall contacted Peter Moruzzi and was advised that PS ModCom continues to monitor the alternative for the Town & Country Center. They are in production of their Annual Awards and Lifetime Achievement event to be held at the Riviera Hotel on November 1. Additional information is available at www.PSModCom.com 10.C. P.S. Historical Society – Board member Grattan talked with Jeri Vogelsang, Director, who advised that: (1) the Annual “Pioneer” Picnic will be November 9 at the O’Donnell Golf Course. Reservations can be made at 760-323-8297; (2) PSHS continues work on Moya Henderson’s book “Palm Springs” for release early 2009; (3) an orientation for volunteers will be Tuesday, October 7 at 4 p.m. at the McCallum Adobe; and (4) the Society will re-open with regular hours October 17, 2008 thru May 31, 2009. Information is available at www.palmspringshistoricalsociety.org 10.D. Architecture and Design Council – Board member Gilmer reported that no meetings had been held – nothing to report. 11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: 11.A. The Architectural Resources Group (ARG) has been contacted to submit a bid or information on the process regarding surveying Historic Districts. Nothing heard back, staff will continue to pursue. 11.B. Mills Act – GTE Building, Historic Site #26 at 365-369 North Palm Canyon Drive. Staff is processing the request from Azul for a Mills Act Contract. Historic Site Preservation Board Page 4 of 4 Minutes from the September 9, 2008 Meeting 12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board members asked about previously requested reports and how to report back if the topics are not listed on the Agenda. Director Ewing advised that information can be reported, but there cannot be discussion amongst members. 12.A. Report from Board member Gilmer re CPF’s Identifying Historic Integrity and the Sec’y of Interior’s Standard for Treatment of Historic Properties Workshops – Board member Gilmer attended two days of well organized workshops in Ventura with over 100 attendees. PDFs of the PowerPoint are available online, will send to staff. Several important and interesting presentations, one in particular was the four points for treatment of historic buildings: (1) Preservation; (2) rehabilitation; (3) restoration; and (4) reconstruction. Historic District presentations were equally interesting, especially the verbiage from the National Park Service as to what defines a historic district – will email to staff for use in HSPB’s current process. Cultural landscaping is a new and hot topic – a case study of Scripps College was cited as to what defines a cultural landscape vs. a historic property or district. ADDITIONAL BOARD COMMENTS NOT AGENDIZED: (1) Board member Grattan reported that Roxanne Ploss and Dr. Jane Smith, owner of the Cary Grant house, are working on the research and photographs to apply for Class 1 Historic designation, and Ms. Ploss will keep us advised. (2) Board member Saunders reported contacting Del Marcos Hotel and designation information was sent by staff; they are interested, and she will follow-thru. (3) Vice Chair Strahl asked that historic properties being considered for designation be listed on future Agendas until the projects are finalized. He also asked for staff input/update on the Spanish Inn, how the items recently demolished relate to the historic application, and other historic issues on this property. (4) Board member Marshall visited the El Paseo Building site and the original design feature (grill in the window) discovered during the restoration on the side of the building has been removed and replaced with new materials. She asked staff to find out why that may have happened. Director Ewing indicated that staff will get updates on items (3) and (4) above. (5) Board member DeLeeuw viewed the City’s new web site and suggested Board members view this so it can be discussed at the next meeting or at a time in the future. Director Ewing asked the HSPB Website Sub-committee to take their original list for web site items and start an outline with sub-categories so pages and sub-pages can be created for the Historic Site Preservation page(s). This item will be on the October Agenda. The City Manager will provide a new website demonstration to the Council on September 17. 13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, at 8:59 a.m., Board member Grattan moved to adjourn the September 9 HSPB meeting to its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. Motion seconded by Board member Marshall and carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Loretta Moffett, Administrative Assistant HSPB Recording Secretary