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Home My WebLink About2012-08-14- HSPB MinutesDRAFT CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 14, 2012 Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 BOARD MEMBERS: Present Present FY FY: 2012/2013 This Meeting: Year-to-Date: Excused Absences: John Gilmer, Chair X 2 Thomas DeLeeuw X 2 Lee Glenn 2 Sheila Grattan X 2 Patrick McGrew X 2 Roxann Ploss X 2 Staff Representatives: Craig A. Ewing, AICP, Director of Planning Services Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner Staff Liaison 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair DeLeeuw called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Ploss, McGrew, Gilmer Vice-chair Grattan, and Chair DeLeeuw Absent: Glenn 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. on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Sandra Warzwick, Palm Spring Historical Society, requested that the Historical Society be allowed time on the October HSPB meeting agenda to present its ideas for the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes from the August 14, 2012 Meeting 2 DRAFT 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Minutes from the July 10, 2012 meeting. Motion by Ploss; second by Grattan; vote 5-0-1 (Glenn absent) To approve the minutes of July 10, 2012, as presented. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 7. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUESTS: 7A. Case SI 12-065 / HSPB # 27 – An application by Best Signs, representing Workshop Kitchen and Bar for a certificate of approval for two signs; one three- sided seven (7) square foot LED illuminated sign affixed to the southwest second-story building corner; and one 2.25-square foot plate aluminum letter sign located at the courtyard entrance at the El Paseo Building, 800 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 10. Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Jim Cross, Best Signs, responded to a question regarding the positioning of the sign, by noting that a corner mount might raise structural problems and that the proposed location is consistent with a prior sign’s location. The Board discussed: - The location, type and design of previous signs on the building, - The remodel of the building in 2008, - The approved sign program and current signs on the building, - The absence of signs proposed within the courtyard and on the Indian Canyon elevations, and - The design of the proposed sign and its relation to the building and the tenant. Motion by Gilmer; second by Grattan; vote 4-1-1 (Ploss opposed, Glenn absent) To approve a Certificate of Approval for the two signs, as proposed. 8. OTHER BUSINESS 8.A Case 3.3580 An application by Barry “Scott” Barkley, owner, to demolish the house, pool and related structures at 829 North Patencio Road, a Class 3 historic site. Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Barry Barkley, property owner, described his investigation of the existing structure and his conclusions that the building could not be feasibly remodeled Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes from the August 14, 2012 Meeting 3 DRAFT or reconstructed. He noted that the site is not secure, the existing grade creates a flood / erosion problem, and that a new design would fit with the neighborhood. He also offered to salvage materials from the demolition. In response to a question, he offered to investigate if the murals in the house were by John Morris. Joe Ambrose, a neighbor, expressed an interest in improving the neighborhood with new development. Rod Edmonson, a neighbor, expressed support for the demolition. The Board discussed: - The existing condition of the house, - The potential that the house was designed by Cliff May, or one of May’s students - The need for a site visit by the Board, - Whether to continue the matter or adopt a Stay of Demolition, and - Holding a noticed meeting on-site. The applicant / owner agreed to a continuance to the meeting of September. Motion by Grattan; second by Ploss; vote 5-0-1 (Glenn absent) To continue the matter to the meeting of September 11, 2012, with direction to schedule a site visit before the meeting. 8.B HSPB Work Program 2012-2013 – Discussion of actions and initiatives the Board may undertake during the fiscal year. Chair DeLeeuw sought direction from the Board for objectives it would like to accomplish over the next year. He asked if there is a budget for historic preservation this year. Director Ewing indicated that $4000 was approved, with additional anticipated carryover from last year. He also noted that the City has spent about $750 on chains of title for the Farrell properties, as well as for markers. No brochures were ordered last year and supplies appear sufficient. Chair DeLeeuw asked for individual priorities from Board Members: Vice-Chair Grattan: - Designation of the Palm Springs High School Auditorium; - Preservation of other public buildings; and - Preservation of historic resources controlled by the Tribe. Board member Gilmer: - More focus on the Las Palmas Business Historic District, including a district that addresses modern buildings; and Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes from the August 14, 2012 Meeting 4 DRAFT - Continued outreach to homeowners and owners of commercial buildings; and - Attend to designated properties that are now empty. Board member McGrew: - Send letter to owners of Carnell building to invite its restoration following the fire (he submitted a draft letter to the Board); - Develop rules of procedure for the Board, including: - Using a two-stage approval process; and - Identify procedures for amending approved historic records; - Complete the work begun by previous Boards, including updating / expanding the Las Palmas Business Historic District; - Develop and maintain a data-base of candidate and approved properties (he has prepared three data-bases and will provide them to staff); and - Establish a method for prioritizing candidate properties for Board initiation. Mr. McGrew also submitted to Chair DeLeeuw digitized copies of historical phone directories and other reference materials. He also clarified his suggestion for adopting a two-stage designation process, beginning with Board approval of a statement of historic significance. Board member Ploss: - Conduct more public outreach; and - Create another historic district, either Old Las Palmas or the Movie Colony Chair DeLeeuw: - Obtain testimonials from owners of designated properties as an outreach and education tool for owners of candidate properties; - Develop additional historic districts, based on ‘grass-roots’ support through PSNIC or neighborhood organizations; and - Amending / updating the City’s Historic Preservation ordinance. Chair DeLeeuw appointed Vice-chair Grattan and himself to a sub- committee to obtain testimonials. The Board discussed: - Ways to improve outreach and education on historic preservation; - Issues surrounding the creation of historic residential districts; and - Approaching the City Council regarding historic preservation issues 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS: Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes from the August 14, 2012 Meeting 5 DRAFT 9.A Las Palmas Business Historic District Committee – Update Chair DeLeeuw noted that the committee met last week and that Board member McGrew assumed the role of committee chair. Board member McGrew noted that the justification for the district’s formation in 1986 was very limited and insufficient by current standards, including the absence of any building histories. He has prepared a draft statement of significance and about half the building histories. The Committee will prepare the remaining histories and bring forward a complete package for the district, including photos, for Board review and recommendation to the City Council. Chair DeLeeuw asked for any information Board members and staff might provide on the history of water in the City. Board member Grattan offered to forward information she has accumulated on the subject. 10. STAFF & OTHER REPORTS Director Ewing noted that the Board should also consider how to successfully role out any amendment to the Las Palmas Business Historic District The markers have been installed on the El Paseo Building, and staff expects to have the DeBrabant marker installed in the next week. Markers for the Del Marcos Hotel and Sinatra House are now complete. The Board discussed how tours of the latest markers could be arranged for the public. 11. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Board member Ploss acknowledged receipt from Marty Newman of a Palm Springs hotel guide from the 1940’s. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Grattan; second by McGrew; vote 5-0-1 (Glenn absent) To adjourn the meeting in honor of Marty Newman at 9:58 a.m. to the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at 8:15 a.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. ________________________ Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning Services