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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-13- HSPB minutes CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD July 13, 2010 Meeting Minutes Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 BOARD MEMBERS: Present Present FY FY: 2010/2011 This Meeting: Year-to-Date: Excused Absences: John Gilmer, Chair X 1 0 Barbara Marshall, Vice Chair X 1 0 Thomas DeLeeuw X 1 0 Sheila Grattan X 1 0 Roxann Ploss X 1 0 Brian Strahl X 1 0 Leo Cohen X 1 0 Staff Representatives: Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning Services Staff Liaison 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gilmer called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Gilmer, Vice Chair Marshall, L. Cohen, T. DeLeeuw, S. Grattan, R. Ploss, and B. Strahl. 2A. Introduction of new Board. The Chair recognized the appointment of Leo Cohen to the Board, the re-appointment of Board member Ploss and Vice Chair Marshall, and the continued service of Board member Grattan. 2B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Chair Gilmer asked the Director to conduct the election for the Chair. Director Ewing opened the nominations for Chair. Board member Ploss nominated John Gilmer; Board member Grattan seconded. With no other nominations, the Board approved John Gilmer as Chair by acclamation. Chair Gilmer opened the nominations for Vice Chair. Board member Ploss nominated Barbara Marshall for Vice Chair; Board member DeLeeuw seconded. With no other nominations, the Board approved Barbara Marshall as Vice Chair by acclamation. 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 July 8, 2010. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ron Marshall, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, spoke on the remodeling of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Mariecar Mendoza, The Desert Sun, introduced herself as the new beat reporter for the City Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 2 of 6 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 of Palm Springs. Gary Johns, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, spoke on the remodeling of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Patrick McGrew, 674 S. Grenfall, spoke on the remodeling of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Board member Grattan asked for clarification on the Brown Act. Director Ewing indicated that Board member site visits may be conducted with less than a quorum without violating of the Brown Act; however, Board members may not deliberate or establish a majority consensus except at a noticed meeting. The Board discussed conducting on-site meetings, including providing ADA access and meeting minutes. Chair Gilmer asked if the City Attorney might provide additional clarification on the issue of Board site visits and ex parte communications. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR: M/S/C (DeLeeuw / Ploss, 6-0, abstain Cohen) To approve minutes of the June 8, 2010 meeting, including corrections on pages 2, 4 and 5 offered by Board member Grattan and Vice Chair Marshall. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 6A. HSPB 75 (928 Avenida Palmas) – CONTINUED HEARING – An application by Dr. Jane Cowles Smith for the historic designation of 928 Avenida Palmas, Zone R-1-C, Section 13. (CE) Board member Ploss indicated that she would recuse herself from this item, except to provide comment during the public hearing. Ms. Ploss exited the chambers. Director Ewing summarized the staff report, including the Board’s comments and questions from the meeting of May 11, 2010. Chair Gilmer opened the public hearing. Patrick McGrew, 674 S. Grenfall, asked to withdraw from the file any information submitted by Mr. McGrew on this nomination. Board member Ploss returned to the Chambers to provide public comment. Roxann Ploss, 930 E. Chia, provided information on Dr. Jacob J. Kocher’s and Cary Grant’s association with the property, as well as clarification on the application’s description and depiction of the property’s status and renovation. Board member Ploss left the Chambers. Dr. Jane Cowles Smith, 928 Avenida Palmas, (applicant) described the renovation and history of the property. She noted that the building’s style has been established as within the “California Style”. She requested that information presented by Mr. McGrew under her name not be considered by the Board, and noted that no Board members had visited the property. Chair Gilmer closed the hearing. 2 Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 3 of 6 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Board member Grattan and Vice Chair Marshall stated that they had visited the property in the past as private citizens. Chair Gilmer re-opened the public hearing. Steve Sobotta, representing the applicant, described the original property purchased by Dr. Kocher, the chimney caps, the shutters, the exterior stucco finish, trim colors. Chair Gilmer closed the public hearing. Board member Strahl stated a site visit was not critical to his deliberations in this case. Board member Grattan noted that Cary Grant’s name would be the most appropriate by which to identify the building. Vice Chair Marshall indicated that she could only support the most accurate record of the property. Dr. Jane Cowles Smith (applicant) raised concern with unauthorized materials submitted under her name, and Chair Gilmer noted that the public hearing was closed. Dr. Smith withdrew the application. Director Ewing indicated that a withdrawal by the applicant ends the Board’s deliberations, but the Board may calendar the matter on the August agenda. He recommended that the Board table the item at this time. M/S/C (DeLeeuw / Grattan, 6-0-1; recuse Ploss) To table the application. Board member Ploss returned to the Chambers. 7. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S): Chair Gilmer proposed to take Item 7B next to accommodate the applicant’s request. 7B. HSPB 3, Welwood Murray Library, 100 South Palm Canyon Drive – An application by the City of Palm Springs to amend a Certificate of Approval for remodel and expansion of the existing public library to revise the roof line of the proposed rear addition, Zone C-B-D, Section 15. Director Ewing summarized the proposed amendments to the Board’s prior approval. Ana Escalante and John Rivera, representing the applicant, identified the reasons for the proposed roof line revisions. Vice Chair Marshall stated that the changes to the rear of the building do not respect the building’s historic status and suggested that the project was proposed piecemeal. M/S/C (Marshall / Ploss) To continue the item until after a project description of all elements is submitted. Director Ewing indicated that the basis for the continuance must focus on the proposed amendment. Chair Gilmer suggested that additional details are needed to explain how the proposed roof is to be attached to the existing building. Board member Ploss indicated that the proposal would be a major change to the look of the building and that she would have difficulty 3 Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 4 of 6 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 supporting the project. Vice Chair Marshall accepted the modification to continue the item with direction to provide additional details on the proposed construction. Board member Ploss withdrew her second. Board Member Strahl offered a second to the revised motion. The Board discussed the motion and Board member DeLeeuw asked the maker of the motion and the second to withdraw the motion so that a motion to deny might be considered. The Board discussed the effect of a continuance versus a denial, including the right of appeal to the City Council. M/S/C (Marshall / Strahl, 7-0) to continue the item with direction to the applicant to provide additional details on the structural attachment of the roof to the building. 7A. HSPB 33, Palm Springs Visitors Center, 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive – An application by the City of Palm Springs Community and Economic Development Department for an interior remodel of the Visitors Center to include removal of existing partition walls and installation of new walls and furnishings, Zone C-1, Section 3. Director Ewing presented the staff report. Lance O’Donnell, Margaret Park and Jennifer Henning, representing the applicant, described the purpose and details of the proposed remodel. The Board discussed the proposal, including questions regarding the interior furnishings and graphics. M/S/C (Ploss / Marshall, 7-0) To approve as presented. 7C. Case 3.1018 - HD #1, Las Palmas Business Historic District – Cheeky’s Restaurant revised application for the construction of a 1,330 square foot garden pavilion to include a kitchen area, bar, trash enclosure, restroom, and limited indoor seating at 622 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 10. Assistant Planner Glenn Mlaker presented the staff report and summarized the comments of the Architectural Advisory Committee’s June 7, 2010 review. Tara Lazar (applicant) and architect Maria Song described the proposed amendments, the expected function and use of the building and its relationship to the surrounding gardens. The Board discussed the project, including the placement of evaporative coolers, the color and materials board, use of the building during the different seasons, access and interior configuration. Board members DeLeeuw and Grattan and Chair Gilmer stated that the project would have no adverse effects on the historic district. Board member Ploss stated that the new building was too large for the site. M/S/C (Grattan / Strahl, 6-0-1; Ploss opposed) To approve as submitted, subject to the requirement that any new signs must be submitted to the Board for approval. 8. OTHER BUSINESS 8A. Whitewater Mutual Water Company Risers 4 Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 5 of 6 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Vice Chair Marshall suggested that the concrete risers from the now-defunct Whitewater Mutual Water Company be researched for future consideration for historic designation. In response to a question from Chair Gilmer, Director Ewing would confirm if the City has authority to designate the structures. The Board’s consensus is to place the item on the August agenda; Chair Gilmer appointed Vice Chair Marshall to investigate the matter in advance of the August meeting. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS: 9A. Las Palmas Business Historic District Committee – Update Board member DeLeeuw offered no report. Chair Gilmer suggested that a third committee member be appointed to replace Sidney Williams. The Board’s consensus is to proceed with two members (DeLeeuw and Ploss). 9B. Public Outreach / Chamber-PSEDC Committee – Update Chair Gilmer reported indicated that a meeting is expected to be held within four weeks. 10. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: Staff reported on a meeting with the property owner on improving security at the Orchid Tree site, including regular maintenance and patrols, and improved fencing such as tube steel fence. Staff reported that Council hearings will be scheduled in the fall for the Orchid Tree and City Hall sites. 11. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board member Strahl noted: A. The Visitors Center is out of pamphlets for Historic Preservation. Director Ewing noted that the City has made 150 copies of the pamphlet available to the Visitors Center for pick-up. B. A member of the HSPB should attend AAC meetings when historic designated projects are on the agenda. The AAC agenda will be forwarded to the HSPB Chair and will note any project that is designated as historic. C. A question regarding the status of Ms. Grattan’s membership on the Board. Director Ewing indicated that the Council had not appointed a seventh member of the Board in June and Ms. Grattan had agreed to continue her service until an appointment is made. D. A question if the Board will meet in August. Vice Chair Marshall noted: A. The Board should develop a list where pamphlets should be located. Board member Grattan agreed to develop a pamphlet location listing. B. The Preserve America sign is still not installed. C. California Preservation Foundation workshop on July 28th regarding the California Historic Building Code D. A question regarding the status of the Cork-n-Bottle sale. Director Ewing noted that there are negotiations proceeding on the sale of the Cork-n-Bottle. 5 Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 6 of 6 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 E. A question regarding the status of the Las Palmas Historic District based on a March 28, 1991 HSPB meeting. Board member Ploss indicated that work was abandoned on the Las Palmas Historic District in the early 1990’s due to absence of local support. Director Ewing suggested exploring the idea of a district with the Las Palmas Neighborhood Association. F. The HSPB should be informed of staff decisions regarding historic properties. Director Ewing indicated that the Board will be notified of staff level decisions on historic properties. G. The Class 1 List should be posted on the City’s web site. Board member DeLeeuw will e-mail the latest Class 1 listing to staff for posting on the City’s website. H. The Historic Preservation pages of the City’s web site should be reviewed and updated. Vice Chair Marshall will review the Historic Preservation pages and provide edits to staff. I. The Board should clarify its process so that a site history is agreed upon by the Board prior to acting on a designation application. Chair Gilmer will calendar this item for the August meeting. Board member DeLeeuw noted that an “in Escrow” sign is posted at the Santa Fe Savings building. Director Ewing did not have any information on a potential sale. Board member Strahl raised a complaint regarding conditions of the alley adjacent to the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Staff will forward to Code Enforcement. Board member Ploss noted that the historic designation application form needs to be reformed. Director Ewing noted that the application is “fillable” on-line. 12. ADJOURNMENT: M/S/C (Grattan / DeLeeuw, 7-0) To adjourn. The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 11:34 a.m. to its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. _________________________ Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning Services 6