HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-13- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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
Sidney Williams, Chair X 6 1
Brian Strahl, Vice Chair X 7 0
Sheila Grattan X 7 0
Tom DeLeeuw
John Gilmer
Barbara Marshall
X
X
X
7
7
7
0
0
0
STAFF REPRESENTATIVES:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning
Diane Bullock, Associate Planner, HSPB Staff Liaison Loretta Moffett, Administrative Assistant
1. The regularly scheduled HSPB meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, January 13,
2009 by Chair Sidney Williams.
2. ROLL CALL: Present: T. DeLeeuw, J. Gilmer, S. Grattan, B. Marshall, B. Strahl, and Chair S.
Williams. Staff member Diane Bullock was not in attendance. Director Ewing represented Staff.
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, January 8, 2009.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
5.A Corrected Minutes from November 10, 2008, 2008 – no Board action required.
5.B December 9, 2008 – There were two corrections to the December 9, 2008 – see
CORRECTED Minutes in Board packets.
M/S/C (Strahl/Gilmer) moved to accept the December 9, 2008 HSPB Meeting Minutes
as corrected. Vote 6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions – motion carried.
6. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Chair S. Williams commented on the California Preservation
Foundation Conference in Palm Springs April 16 to 19, 2009. The City of Palm Springs has
agreed to be one of the Sponsors, along with La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and various others.
The Conference is titled “The Culture of Leisure – Re-Thinking the California Dream.” It will
focus on the assets of Palm Springs and the future of preservation and restoration. There will be
several workshops and tours. The Hilton Hotel is the headquarters. Conference coordinators
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are seeking volunteers for the study sessions, workshops, etc. Contact Chair Williams to
volunteer or Emily Christie at the Palm Springs Art Museum at EChristie@psmuseum.org.
Attendance is expected to exceed 500 from all over California. “Modernism Week” is February
13 -21, 2009. The City of Palm Springs is a major sponsor of this week-long event. Information
is available at www.modernismweek.com
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7.A Case 3.3229 – Application by Jeff Trachta and Al Sophianopoulos, owners, requesting a
Class 1 Historic Site Designation of a single-family residence “Koch Casablanca Adobe –HSPB-
68” constructed in 1936 by Lee Miller at 590 South Indian Trail, Zone R1C, Section 23.
Director Ewing explained the project and notable elements as described in the staff. He further
commented on the background of former owner Howard Koch, screenwriter of the movie
“Casablanca” which lends to the name “Casablanca Adobe.” Staff recommended that the Board
recommend approval of the dwelling for designation as Class 1 Historic Site – 68.
Chair S. Williams commented that the staff report and individual reports were outstanding and
gave credence to all the important historic elements of this significant property and its
preservation.
Board member Strahl corrected the reference to “Mission to Mars” on page 3 of the Staff Report
which should be “Mission to Moscow”. Staff will correct.
Board member Marshall asked how the name “Casablanca” name got attached to the Adobe?
There is nothing in the report as to how the property became the Casablanca Adobe.
Board member DeLeeuw reported that he has been inside the house and that the interior is in as
good a condition as the exterior. Unfortunately the interior is not within the purview of HSPB, but
it is hoped that the owners maintain the interior historic elements and character.
M/S/C (Grattan/Strahl) moved that the Board approve the property known as the
“Casablanca Adobe” at 590 South Indian Trial for recommendation to City Council for
designation as Class 1 Historic Site HSPB – 68. Vote 6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions
– motion passed.
8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S):
8.A A Mills Act Agreement Request by George Kessinger for Class 1 HSPB - 26 for the General
Telephone Building located at 369 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD.
Director Ewing briefly explained the Mills Act Agreement request as outlined in the Staff Report,
which offers property tax relief for Class 1 designated historic properties. Staff recommends that
the Board approve this application for recommendation to City Council for the City to enter into a
Mills Act Agreement with the owners of this Class 1 Historic Site – “GTE Building – HSPB #26.”
Board Gilmer asked if this is the first Mills Act Agreement application on this property. Chair
Williams and staff responded that it is the first.
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Board member Grattan commented that the contract offers a very good explanation of the Mills
Act requirements and provisions, and suggested that it be put on the HSPB website. Staff will
follow through.
M/S/C (Strahl/Gilmer) moved to approve the application for the GTE Building – HSPB #26
at 369 North Palm Canyon Drive for recommendation to City Council for the City to enter
into a Mills Act Agreement with the owners. Vote – 6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions –
motion carried.
8.B Case SI 08-168 – HSPB #12 – El Mirador Garage - Sign application by Michael Lord of
Lord Gallery, for Certificate of Approval to install two main business signs and a pedestrian sign
on the El Mirador Garage building at 1090 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 10.
Assistant Planner, Scott Taschner, explained the project as outlined in the Staff Report. All signs
are within the parameters of the Sign Ordinance and Code, and the design, color, placement, etc
of the signs will have the least possible impact on this historic structure, and the staff
recommends HSPB issue a Certificate of Approval for this sign project as presented.
Several Board members expressed concern about the number of holes (approximately 150) that
will need to be drilled into the brick to attach the signs to the structure, but otherwise liked the
clean-cut lines of the signs. Board member Marshall felt that three signs are excessive and
stated she could not support this application as presented. Painted signs were suggested rather
than plastic mounted sign letters. Board member Gilmer commented that this structure can be
easily restored and that painted signs on such an uneven surface will not have as clean or
professional appearance as what is being proposed. He felt the stud-mounted signs are more
appropriate. Board members also felt than when buildings are vacated, most owners just leave
and there is no guarantee that the building will returned to its original state or condition (no studs
sticking out)when this lease is up.
Michael Lord, owner of the Lord Gallery, was on hand to answer staff and Board members’
questions and assured everyone that when and if the Gallery moves, any and all holes required
to attach signs will be filled, and the building will be restored to its current historic condition. He
stated that he is fully agreeable to putting this in writing. The Gallery occupies almost all the
space of 6,000 s.f. and will be dealing in high-end art. Grand Opening of the Gallery will be
February 28, 2009. The signs’ letters are made of light acrylic material and will not require heavy
studs to hold them in place.
After detailed discussion, Board member Grattan moved, seconded by Board member Gilmer to
approve the Sign Application as presented. Vote – 3 Yes, 3 No (Marshall, DeLeeuw, Strahl).
Motion failed.
Chair Williams asked for another motion. Board member Gilmer moved to ask the applicant to
present something from the sign company as to how the letters will be physically attached to the
surface of the building and if there is an alternative to mounting the signs rather than drilling
holes in the surface.
Board member Grattan moved to approve the three signs as proposed with the caveat that the
studs must be removed when the building is vacated by this tenant and that the sign company be
consulted to determine if there is a lighter weight materials that can be used when attaching the
signs to the surface.
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Minutes from the January 13, 2009 Meeting
Director Ewing restated his understanding of the motion ...The motion is to approve the project
as presented, adding a condition that upon removal of the signs, the façade be returned to
is existing condition, including filling any holes, painting, and patching to match; and to
work on alternative methods of mounting the signs to reduce the impact on the surface.
Board member DeLeeuw seconded the motion and clarified by Director Ewing. M/S/C
(Grattan/DeLeeuw) Vote – 4 Yes, 2 No (Marshall, Strahl), 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions – motion
carried.
9. OTHER BUSINESS: NONE
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS:
10.A P.S. Preservation Foundation (www.pspreservationfoundation.org) – Board member Strahl
No report today, but web address was corrected. Chair Williams commented that the new web
site is outstanding and encouraged those wanting information to find it on the new web site.
10.B P.S. Modern Committee (www.psmodcom.com) - Board member Barbara Marshall has
heard from President, Peter Moruzzi, that they will be responding to the Baristo Lofts (Santa Fe
Federal Building) at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting. They will also go before City
Council in response to the Museum Market Plaza (Desert Fashion Mall – Town & Country
Center). The tickets at $100 to the ModCom Gala Benefit on Saturday, February 14 are
available on their website. This is a Modernism Week event.
10.C P.S. Historical Society (www.pshistoricalsociety.org) - Board member Sheila Grattan
provided a final reminder for the members only dinner on January 27 at the Smoke Tree Ranch.
Call 760-323-8297 for reservations – this has always been a sell-out. There are plenty of 2009
Calendars – these are historical keepsakes with rare past and present photos – $6.00 each or 2
for $10.00. They can be part of a historical portfolio. The Historical Society is sponsoring a
Modernism Week Lecture by Julius Schulman, famed photographer, at 2:00 p.m. on February 18,
2009 at the Riviera Resort – there is no charge for the lecture. There will be an exhibit at the
McCallum Adobe during Modernism Week (Feb. 13-22) showcasing other iconic Palm Springs
modern architects that include John Porter Clark and E. Stewart Williams – admission is $1.00,
children are free. Chair Williams mentions that Michael Stern, Curator of the Julius Schulman
Exhibit, will be the interviewing Mr. Schulman for the Riviera Resort event.
10.D Architecture and Design Council (www.psmuseum.org) - Board member John Gilmer
The January 24, lecture on January 24 at 6 P.m. by Christopher Hawthorne, LA Time
Architecture Critic, will be “The Rise and Fall of Celebrity Architecture” in the Annenberg Theater.
Saturday, January 17 the ADC will host its first Palm Springs Architecture 101 lecture on Albert
Frey by Bill Butler at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Museum Gala “Pizzazz” is January 31
at the Museum. ADC will host an Architecture and Design Council Symposium “Possessed – the
Obsession of Ownership” on February 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Museum. Sian
Winship, President of Society of Architectural Historians – Southern California Chapter will be
there as will Beth Harris, Kelly Lynch, Leo Marmol, and Crosby Doe. Contact the Museum Box
Office for tickets. During the Modernism Week Antique Show, February 13 thru 15, the ADC will
have a booth at the Convention Center to show what is being featured during the upcoming
lectures and seek new members. The ADC sent out its first Newsletter “The Fold” which is full of
great information. Members will automatically receive the Newsletter.
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10.E Web Site Development – Board members John Gilmer & Tom DeLeeuw
Board member DeLeeuw reported that all HSPB meeting materials are on the website as pdf
attachments so the public can get the same materials and information as Board members are
working from at this meeting.
Director Ewing commented that Scott Taschner and Loretta Moffett have been working to get
these and other materials on the HSPB web pages – work continues as time allows and
information is available.
11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS:
11.A Las Serena Villas was heard by Council 12-17-08 and continued for 50 days. Director
Ewing reported that the 50-day continuance allows this to be back to Council on February 4. The
applicant is aware that Council will take up the potential designation of the property at that time
and they are preparing materials, etc. Chair Williams reported that there has been some painting
of building exteriors on the property.
11.B Baristo Lofts on the Santa Fe Federal Building site will be heard by Planning Commission
on January 14, 2009. Director Ewing reminded everyone of the hearing tomorrow on this project.
The City Council will review the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan at a special meeting on
January 14, 2009. It is a public hearing and is the only Agenda item.
12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board member Strahl asked for updates on (1) the Orchid
Tree Inn; (2) the new lighting for the Palm Springs Visitors Center – when will it be installed?; and
(3) new signage at the P.S. Visitors Center – when will that be brought back to the HSPB?
Board member Marshall asked staff to check on the Historic District Brochure – using the same
format as the current “Historic Site Preservation in palm Springs”, affordability, etc.?
Director Ewing advised that staff will report to all Board members via email and reminded
everyone not to “reply to all” - and to only communicate back to staff whenever there are
questions, comments, information to share, etc.
13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the HSPB meeting adorned at 9:01 a.m. to
its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 in the Large Conference Room
at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig A. Ewing, AICP
Director of Planning