Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10- HSPB minutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD CORRECTED - Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 10, 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 7 1 Brian Strahl, Vice Chair X 8 0 Sheila Grattan X 8 0 Tom DeLeeuw John Gilmer Barbara Marshall X X X 8 8 8 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, February 10, 2009 by Chair Sidney Williams. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: T. DeLeeuw, J. Gilmer, S. Grattan, B. Marshall, B. Strahl, and Chair S. Williams. Staff in attendance: Director Craig Ewing and Loretta Moffett. 3. POSTING OF AGENDA: The 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, February 5, 2009. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: 5.A Corrected Minutes from December 9, 2008 – no Board action required 5.B Minutes of the January 13, 2009 Meeting – There were three corrections requested by Board member DeLeeuw who also asked that the following be added to the January 13 Minutes under the Motion Item 8.B - “THERE IS A CONDITION TO REQUIRE THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING TO CORRECT ANY DAMAGE LEFT BY A TENANT.” M/S/C (Gilmer/Grattan) to approve the January 13, 2009 HSPB Minutes as CORRECTED – Vote 6 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions – motion carried. 6. REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: Chair Williams stated that Modernism Week begins Friday, February 13, an events brochure has been widely distributed. Information can be found at www.modernismweek.com. There is a Mid-Century Modern Home Tour in the Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood with tickets available at www.racqueCtclubestates.com Historic Site Preservation Board - CORRECTED Page 2 of 5 Minutes from the February 10, 2009 Meeting 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE 8. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S): 8.A HSPB #27 – El Paseo Building - Case SI 09-015 Application by Design Within Reach (DWR) for a Permanent Main Sign at 800/816/830 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1 & R-3, Section 10. Director Ewing commented that the Sign Program for the El Paseo Building includes Design Within Reach and also sets the Sign Program for all future tenants of the building. He briefly gave information about the 1920s Historic Building and that recent renovations/restorations are almost complete. Details of the application and Sign Program are in the Staff Report and materials provided in the Board packets. The Sign Program for the building includes tenant directory identification signs, small and large individual tenant signs, window decals, double-sided blade signs, and small decal signs for hours of operation. There is also a 66 sq.ft. complex identification sign. Staff is recommending HSPB approval of the Sign Program for the entire El Paseo Building and the tenant signage for Design Within Reach. Staff’s only concern is that the sign fronting North Indian Canyon Drive is too large for the building and recommends that the Zoning Code’s limit of 32 sq. ft. is more appropriate. The Architectural Advisory Committee reviewed this project February 9 and offered two comments: (1) The EL Paseo sign on the wall could use a slightly greater tone differentiation to make the sign more visible. AAC left this up to staff and the applicant to propose something that would provide more contrast. (2) The 67.6 66 sq. ft. Design Within Reach sign is appropriate because that wall is about 60 feet from Indian Canyon Drive and a larger sign is warranted. Board members discussed the following concern: (1) Size, color, types, illumination, locations, and numbers of signs (2) Entrances to the building (3) Alleyway signage (4) Deviations from the Code figure into this Sign Program? (5) Signage attached to the metal plates supporting the awning (6) Sign Programs and procedures Jack Fovell with Southwest Sign, Sheldon O. from the Owner, and Director Ewing were available to answer questions. After discussion Board member Gilmer moved (1) that HSPB approve the Sign Program for the El Paseo Building (HSPB #27) with the following conditions: (1) that the actual paint used for the El Paseo sign on Indian Canyon Drive be done as a mock-up for separate approval; and (2) that HSPB approve the Design Within Reach signage proposal, as proposed. Board member Grattan commented that the mock-up of “El Paseo” is a very good idea and seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Ewing asked if the Board wanted to consider the option of a blade sign rather than the balcony sign for the upstairs tenant. As the motion reads it would be only the balcony sign – there was discussion about this earlier. Historic Site Preservation Board - CORRECTED Page 3 of 5 Minutes from the February 10, 2009 Meeting Board member Gilmer amended his motion to include the option of a blade sign on the second story, size and placement similar to the Design Within Reach sign. Board member Grattan seconded the amended motion. Discussion: Board member Strahl wanted more contrast for the sign on Indian Canyon Drive and the size of the sign needs to be slightly smaller – between the 32 feet and the proposed 60 feet. No necessity of the extra two decal/sticker signs on the windows. Director Ewing explained that the Planning Commission will see this Sign Program and will have the final approval including the size of the larger sign. Board member DeLeeuw commented that “El Paseo” on the back wall in the contrast that the walls show will probably not be seen from the street – it is too subtle. He would also like to see Design Within Reach reduce the size and give more to the tenant sign for better identification. No problem with decals in the window. The alleyway entrance to the store may need a sign. Board member Marshall suggested the Design Within Reach sign on the Indian Canyon Drive side be smaller. She does not believe the wall sign mock-up would be useful unless there is going to be difference in the paint color. If it is going to be re-done, she would also like it to say ‘El Paseo Building’. On the Palm Canyon Drive side. She would rather not see an illuminated sign hanging from the balcony, but would like to see a blade type sign. Board member Gilmer amended the motion to read: option with slightly contrasting shades on the painted sign to make it more distinct and that it is a separate item for HSPB approval after seeing the mock-up. Board member Sheila Grattan seconded the motion as amended. Vote - 2 Yes, 4 No (Strahl, Marshall, DeLeeuw, Williams) – motion failed. Chair Williams moved that: HSPB will approve the Sign Program with some modifications: (1) A blade sign only on the balcony rather than the illuminated sign; (2) reduce the size of the Design Within Reach Indian Canyon Drive sign to approximately 50 to 55 s.f.; (3) a mock-up of the graphic painting of ‘El Paseo’ on the Indian Canyon Drive side with a more contrasting color for better visibility. Director Ewing stated for clarification...the ‘El Paseo’ painting on the wall is not to create great contrast, but to make it easier to read than the existing tone-on-tone. Board member DeLeeuw seconded the motion by Chair Williams. There was no further discussion. Vote: 6 Yes, 0 No, 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 A fundraiser is being held February 20 at the Frank Sinatra house - $125 per ticket. PSPF is now offering free membership to PSPF – can sign-up online. 10.B P.S. Modern Committee (www.psmodcom.com) - Board member Barbara Marshall Historic Site Preservation Board - CORRECTED Page 4 of 5 Minutes from the February 10, 2009 Meeting ModCom is asking their members and other interested parties to email Council members and attend the hearing to voice their opinions and comments on the Baristo Lofts project (Santa Fe Federal Building. Architect William Krisel will receive a “star” on the Walk of Stars on Friday, February 13 and 2 p.m. at 300 South Palm Canyon Drive. Their Modernism Week Gala is Saturday, February 14, tickets are available online at $100 each. They are monitoring the downtown Specific Plan and the Town and Country Center status. 10.C P.S. Historical Society (www.pshistoricalsociety.org) - Board member Sheila Grattan Moya Henderson’s book “Images of America” will be available February 14 for $25 each. PSHS is sponsoring a Julius Shulman lecture Wednesday, February 18 in conjunction with Modernism Week – free to the public at the Riviera Resort at 2 p.m. The Annual Dinner at Smoke Tree was very successful. 10.D Architecture and Design Council (www.psmuseum.org) - Board member John Gilmer They are sponsoring several events during Modernism Week, and will have a booth at the Modernism Antique Show this weekend. The Preview Party is Friday, February 13 from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Convention Center. The Tours of the Frey House II will be Monday and Tuesday – contact the Museum for tickets. An architectural film “The Alchemy of Building” highlighting Herzog and De Meuron’s work will be at 6 p.m. February 17 in the Annenberg Theater. Thursday, February 19 Peter Moruzzi will lecture on his new book “Havana Before Castro” at 6 p.m. in the Annenberg Theater. A full day’s symposium, motor coach tour and cocktail reception on ‘Possession – The Obsession of Owner- ship’ will be Saturday, February 21. The ADC Lecture Series presents ‘Father and Son: 60 Plus Years in Automobile Design’, Ron Hill and Jason Hill, automobile designers – February 25 at 5:30 p.m.. The March 21 lecture is ‘Good Modernism Now’ with Stephen Kanner of Kanner Architects, LA at 6 p.m.; and AT 6 p.m. May 2 “Practices of Encroachment: Urban Waste Moves Southbound, Illegal Zoning Seeps into North” with Teddy Cruz, Architect, estudio teddy cruz, San Diego. All lectures will be in the Annenberg Theater, and tickets for all events can be purchased at the Museum Box Office or online at www.psmuseum.org. 10.E Web Site Development – Board members John Gilmer & Tom DeLeeuw Thanks to staff, the HSPB’s website is slowly moving forward. The Subcommittee proposes that the web page – blue left column – show all Boards and Commissions names. Remove the list of from the body of text and show all vacancies and online applications for various groups. The Historic Site Preservation Board is the only one showing a “link” – but also needs another page specific to HSPB where the original outline will be shown with links to the various outline items. It is difficult to get to the Historic Resources page online – there needs to be easier access for the public = User Friendly. Director Ewing explained that the Boards and Commission is a citywide listing and HSPB is among them with its own ‘hot link’ to the Historic Resources page. Planning created the Historic Resources page and section within the Planning department. Additional links can be added to the left column in the Planning section, but the City maintains the Boards and Commission section. Front page accessibility is not entirely available – in the Government section, Boards and Commissions gets one to HSPB for a link to Historic Resources, and Planning accesses Historic Resources rather quickly as well. 11. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: 11.A Baristo Lofts update from Planning Commission January 14, 2009 Meeting - approved and recommended by the P.C. and will go to Council on February 18, 2009. Historic Site Preservation Board - CORRECTED Page 5 of 5 Minutes from the February 10, 2009 Meeting 11.B Update from February 4, 2009 City Council Meeting – La Serena Villas was on as a continuation, the applicant requested additional time. The Council approved continuation to the April 15, 2009 meeting. 11.C Web Site Update – the City has no dedicated webmaster. Each department updates its own content and information. Staff will continue adding static type information as much as time allows. It has been noted that as a City website, City Hall should be highlighted on the front page, not the Convention Center. 11.D Joint Meeting with City Council February 11, 2009 – HSPB members need to be there a little before 7 p.m. for seating about 7:15. Council agenda talks about updates and there is a memo in the Board packet for potential topics for discussion with Council. This is an opportunity to tell the HSPB story to Council members, but pending projects should not be discussed. 12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board member Strahl asked for an update on the current HSPB Board vacancy and how long in advance are notices posted for vacancies. Director Ewing advised that the City Clerk monitors Council’s appointments and is receiving applications. There is no filing deadline, but when at least two applications are received staff will start talking with Council and the Mayor as to how they wish to proceed. Board member Gilmer proposed Historic Districts for a discussion topic on the March 10, 2009 Agenda, and to have a couple of proposals for moving forward with designating one or two districts. He also asked staff if there will be an interim Staff Liaison while Diane Bullock is on medical leave? Director Ewing advised that he and Scott Taschner will be working on historic issues and possibly other Planning staff. Director Ewing updated the Board on Diane Bullock’s medical progress. Chair Williams asked about the Palm Springs Airport designation proceeding – Director Ewing indicated it will be on the March 10 Agenda. Board member Marshall asked that policies and procedures for referring matters that affect Class 1 building sites to the HSPB be added to the March Agenda. She received a scholarly letter document from the public regarding the Casablanca Adobe designation and she asked that those comments be included in the record and to be made available to the Board. She offered assistance to staff for data input to the website or other ways that she or other Board members could help with historic issues. 13. ADJOURNMENT: The HSPB meeting adjourned at 9:42 a.m. to its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning.