HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-12- HSPB MinutesHISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014
LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chair Ploss called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Vice-Chair Ploss, Board Members Burkett, Dixon, Hays, La Voie.
ABSENT: Chair Johns and Board Member Williamson.
ALSO PRESENT: Interim Director Evans, Associate Planner Lyon, and Planning
Technician Lopez.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
ASSOCIATE PLANNER LYON asked to move up the two guest speakers.
M/S/C Dixon/Hays Approved to accept the agenda as amended (5-0-0)
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: JULY 9, 2014 MEETING.
Motion to approve the agenda as amended
M/S/C Hays/Dixon (3-1-1) Hays abstained due to conflict of interest. Ploss
opposed to the format of minutes.
INTERIM DIRECTOR EVANS stated that for a consent calendar one must vote
on all items or pull items.
Historic Site Preservation Draft Minutes
August 12, 2014
Page 2 of 6
M/S/C (Dixon/Hays) Motion to approve the minutes as presented, withdrawn by
maker.
VICE-CHAIR PLOSS listed corrections to minutes
Spelling of Donna Shaban,
Tracy Conrad’s comments about a previous historic resources survey
and that Conrad was previously on the Planning Commission,
Clarify the vote on the Charlie Farrell Residence Class 1 designation that
it was recommended that the main house only be designated and not the
guest house, until both parcels are merged as a single parcel (which is
why she voted against the motion).
M/S/C Dixon/Hays (4-1-0) Approve the minutes of the July 12, 2014 HSPB
minutes as amended. Ploss opposed on the lack of first names.
1.B. REQUEST BY VICTORIA CRANDALL AND STEPHANIE HANKEY,
(OWNERS) FOR EXECUTION OF A MILLS ACT HISTORIC PROPERTY
PRESERVATION AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 360
CABRILLO ROAD UNIT 229, (HSPB 88 / HD-3).
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized all Mills Act staff reports.
M/S/C Dixon/Hays (4-0-1) Approve as staff recommended by consent. La Voie
abstained for the reason that he is a property owner in the same historic district.
1.C. REQUEST BY JAMES A. HANAPEL, (OWNER) FOR EXECUTION OF A
MILLS ACT HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION AGREEMENT FOR
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 360 CABRILLO ROAD UNIT 209, (HSPB 88 /
HD-3)
M/S/C Dixon/Ploss (4-0-1) Approve as staff recommended by consent. La Voie
abstained for the reason that he is a property owner in the same historic district.
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2.A. REVIEW OF PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 8.05 “HISTORIC
PRESERVATION”
STAFF MEMBER LYON noted that a study session was conducted with HSPB
members La Voie and Ploss, and council members Mills and Foat. Also
present City Clerk Thompson and Planning Director Wheeler.
Historic Site Preservation Draft Minutes
August 12, 2014
Page 3 of 6
BOARD MEMBER LA VOIE summarized the study session meeting noting the
group discussed: (1) Edits in Muni Code Section 8.05 to better define what
interior components are subject to HSPB review on City-owned Class 1
structures and (2) the Council members suggested the Board work to revise
previous City Council resolutions designating Class 1 sites to include listing of
the defining characteristics or contributing elements of the sites in each of the
resolutions.
The subcommittee will return with proposed revised text for the Board’s
consideration.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3.A. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL APPLICATION BY PLAZA INVESTMENTS
INC. FOR INSTALLATION OF PRECAST PAVERS FOR THE PARKING LOT
AT LA PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, LOCATED
AT 115 SOUTH INDIAN CANYON WAY (ZONE CBD) (HSPB 22 / CASE
3.1098 MAA)
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized the staff report.
JOE GARCIA representative for the owner summarized the various types of
pavers that will be installed.
M/S/C Dixon/Hays (5-0-0). Approved as staff recommendation with conditions.
3.B. CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST BY THE PALM SPRINGS ART
MUSEUM FOR A SIGN VARIANCE PROPOSING THREE MAIN SIGNS
INCLUDING TWO MONUMENT SIGNS AT THE PALM SPRINGS ART
MUSEUM ART + DESIGN CENTER (A.K.A. THE SANTA FE FEDERAL
SAVINGS & LOAN BUILDING) A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, LOCATED AT
300 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (ZONE CBD) (HSPB #54).
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized the staff report.
MICHAEL KINER, representing the owner, summarized the project scope.
BOARD MEMBER HAYS asked if the original stone for the signs was travertine.
MICHAEL KINER stated that the stone will be travertine.
BOARD MEMBER BURKETT asked what font will be used.
BOARD MEMBER LA VOIE asked if there would be different fonts.
Historic Site Preservation Draft Minutes
August 12, 2014
Page 4 of 6
MICHAEL KINER explained the fonts.
M/S/C Burkett/Dixon (5-0-0) Approve staff’s recommendation to approve as
proposed with conditions.
3.C. CONSIDERATION TO INITIATE STUDY PURSUANT TO PSMC 8.05.135 FOR
796 VIA MIRALESTE.
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized the item
M/S/C Ploss/Burkett (5-0-0) Approve to initiate study pursuant to 8.05.135.
3.D. DISCUSSION ON THE SPA HOTEL LOCATED AT 100 NORTH INDIAN
CANYON DRIVE.
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized the item noting that Tom Davis from the
Tribal Administration has agreed to attend the September HSPB meeting to
answer questions the board may have o n the Spa Hotel and suggests the
discussion be continued at that time.
M/S/C Dixon/La Voie (5-0-0) Approved to continue discussion.
4. DISCUSSIONS
4.A. Ashley Dunphy Thomas, Curator, The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
presenting: “The History and Evolution of the Agua Caliente Geothermal
Springs”.
Ashley Dunphy Thomas made a presentation regarding the history of the
geothermal hot springs and the various spa structures and uses of the hot
springs.
The board thanked Dunphy Thomas for her presentation and staff noted future
presentations from the ACBCI Cultural Museum will be planned.
4.B. Fire Chief John Allen: Discussion of the recent fire at the Palm Springs
Racquet Club.
VICE-CHAIR PLOSS stated that buildings that are vacant are vulnerable to fire.
Historic Site Preservation Draft Minutes
August 12, 2014
Page 5 of 6
CHIEF ALLEN explained that the recent fire at the Racquet Club was still under
investigation and there was limited information he could discuss at this time.
VICE-CHAIR PLOSS stated that she would like to know how buildings are
being protected and that she is worried about La Serena Villas.
CHIEF ALLEN opined that perhaps code enforcement should be the first to
respond. Code enforcement would then consult with the fire department to
assist.
VICE-CHAIR PLOSS asked if the City could require building owners to install
fire sprinklers.
CHIEF ALLEN explained that the fire and building codes are limited in the
circumstances in which fire sprinklers can be required.
VICE-CHAIR PLOSS asked Associate Planner Lyon to schedule a follow up
discussion with appropriate departments at a later date.
BOARD MEMBER DIXON stated she believes the City should require property
owners to have security, possibly 24 hours.
CHIEF ALLEN remarked that policy is not something the fire department can
enforce.
BOARD MEMEMBER LA VOIE thanked Chief Allen for the rapid and thorough
response the fire department provided to protect the buildings at the Racquet
Club.
4.C. Cornelia White House (HSPB #4) Discussion of Landscape Status.
STAFF MEMBER LYON summarized the item.
BOARD MEMBER PLOSS suggested that the flower bed should be removed.
STAFF MEMBER LYON remarked that the HSPB already has approved a re-
design for the landscape.
BOARD MEMBER DIXON asked if the board can request the sprinklers to be
shut off.
Historic Site Preservation Draft Minutes
August 12, 2014
Page 6 of 6
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
BOARD MEMBER BURKETT stated that the May 2015 Preservation Month
Event would tentatively be on Saturday, May 2nd. He suggested including
Ashley Dunphy Thomas with the ACBCI Cultural Museum at the event. The
current preferred location to hold the event is the Francis Stevens School
(Palm Canyon Theater). Details need to be addressed including seating
capacity, availability, rental fees, etc. Staff member Lyon to follow up.
BOARD MEMBER PLOSS suggested that it be a morning event, given the
typical daily temperatures make the afternoons extremely warm at that time of
year.
BOARD MEMBER PLOSS requested a copy of the City Council resolution
designating the Las Palmas Business Historic District to further understand its
parameters.
STAFF COMMENTS:
STAFF MEMBER LYON indicated that the city wide historic resource survey
update is beginning. Also, staff will look into opportunities for continuing
education opportunities for board members.
ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board will adjourn to its regularly
scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 9:00 A.M, in the Large Conference
Room at City Hall.