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Home My WebLink About2010-10-12- HSPB minutes CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DRAFT HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD October 12, 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 4 0 Barbara Marshall, Vice Chair X 4 0 Thomas DeLeeuw X 4 0 Sheila Grattan X 4 0 Roxann Ploss X 4 0 Brian Strahl X 4 0 Leo Cohen X 4 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, T. DeLeeuw, S. Grattan, R. Ploss, and B. Strahl. (L. Cohen arrived at 8:45 a.m.) 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. Wednesday, October 6, 2010. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Richard Kip Serafin, PS Preservation Foundation invited the Board, staff and public to a home tour of the DeBrabant house, 982 Avenida Palmas, on Sunday, October 17, 2010, 2 to 4 p.m. Gary Johns, commented on Item 7A, asking the Board to consider the interior demolition, the addition of the new structure and the impact of the project on the building. Ron Marshall, President of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, commented on Item 7A, asking the Board to give consideration to the special significance of the building to the City. Ron Duby, read a letter from Sarah James regarding Item 7A, supporting use of the library as a research library / museum. Eric Rosenau, read a letter from Phillips Welwood Murray regarding Item 7A, recommending a renovation of the existing library. Chris Menrad, read a letter from Pete Moruzzi of PSModCom regarding Item 7A, supporting rehabilitation of the existing library. Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 2 of 4 Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2 DRAFT • Compliance with ADA standards, Dan Tarnoveanu, owner of Renaissance Art, Restoration & Architecture, supported restoration of the Welwood Library and offered his assistance. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR: M/S/C (Ploss / Grattan, 6-0; Cohen absent) To approve minutes of the August 10, 2010 meeting, including corrections on page 3 offered by Board members Ploss and Grattan. 6. PUBLIC HEARING: None 7. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST(S): 7A. Case HSPB 3 (Welwood Murray Library) – An application by the City of Palm Springs to remodel and expand the existing public library at 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive, a Class One historic site, Zone C-B-D, Section 15. (CE) Director Ewing summarized the staff report. Board member Grattan recused herself from this item due to a potential conflict of interest, and left the room. Board members asked questions regarding the review procedures, the historic designation as it applies to the site, the nature of the existing porch enclosure and the proposed CEQA Categorical Exemption. Allen Smoot, representative of the applicant, summarized the history and purpose of the remodeling project. John Rivera, project architect, submitted an analysis of the proposed project under the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (36 CFR 67) and described the proposed physical improvements. Board member Cohen arrived. Board members raised questions on: • The new roof as it connects to the existing building wall and columns, • The effect of the new roof addition on ambient interior lighting, • The exterior appearance of the addition • The purpose of a remodel / expansion versus a full restoration At the invitation of Chair Gilmer, David Gray, President of the Library Board of Trustees described its work to develop a program for use of the building as a branch library. The HSPB ask about using the library as a research facility. The Board discussed: Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 3 of 4 Tuesday, October 12, 2010 3 DRAFT • Comments of the AAC meeting of October 11, 2010. (The AAC voted to recommend against 3-0); • The inadequacy of the proposed Categorical Exemption; • The overall program for the library, as prepared by the Council’s library programming and design committee; • The lack of a historic preservation voice on the Council’s committee; • The affect of the proposed addition on the clerestory windows and interior light; • Insufficient appreciation by the City for the building’s authenticity and its potential for restoration; and • Loss of palm trees in patio caused by the addition. M/S/C (Marshall / Strahl, 5-1-1; Gilmer opposed; Grattan recused) To deny the application for a Certificate of Approval. Board member Grattan returned. 8. OTHER BUSINESS: 8A. Nomination for National Register of Historic Places; O’Donnell Residence / 447 W. Alejo Road, Adoption of Letter of Support Staff noted that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) would meet to review the application on November 5, 2010. A draft letter of support has been presented for the Board’s consideration M/S/C (Marshall / Ploss, 7-0) To direct staff to send the draft letter to SHPO. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS 9A. Las Palmas Business Historic District Committee – Board member DeLeeuw reported that work continues on the district research. 9B. Public Outreach Committee – Chair Gilmer indicated that the next meeting is set for November 1, 2010. Director Ewing summarized the work of the committee to update and clarify Chapter 8.05 (Historic Preservation). 10. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS: Director Ewing noted that he will be out of town during the November 9, 2010 Board meeting, and Principal Planner Edward Robertson will be in attendance. 11. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Board member Strahl noted the trash bins and maintenance problems next to the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda Page 4 of 4 Tuesday, October 12, 2010 4 DRAFT Vice Chair Marshall asked about: • The signage for the change of tenants at the El Paseo Building. Director Ewing reported that a sign program for the El Paseo Building governs signs, which are processed over-the-counter. • The “Preserve America” sign. Director Ewing noted that the “Preserve America” sign is subject to Council action on all service signs at the City entry feature and an alternative location should be considered. • The schedule for Council action on the nomination of the Hugh Stephens House. Director Ewing reported that the hearing will be held November 3, 2010 along with the Orchid Tree nomination. • Establishing an updated nomination “wish list” on the November Board agenda. • Noted her appreciation for Sheila Grattan continued service as the Council considers an appointment. Board member Ploss noted: • The conduct of site visits by the Board in small groups. Director Ewing summarized the requirements for site visits by Board members. Chair Gilmer • PS Mod Com conducted a successful awards ceremony at the Riviera Hotel on October • Place on the November agenda the discussion of plaques, including draft copy for the Menrad and de Brabant houses. 12. ADJOURNMENT: M/S/C (DeLeeuw / Ploss, 7-0) To adjourn. The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 10:12 a.m. to its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. _________________________ Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning Services