HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14- HSPB Minutes
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Large Conference Room, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
www.palmspringsca.gov
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Gary Johns, Vice-Chair Roxann Ploss (arrived 9:05 a.m.), Members
Dick Burkett, Todd Hays, Bill La Voie, Linda Dixon
ABSENT: Member James Williamson (excused)
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Agenda accepted as ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
KITTY KIELEY HAYES thanked the board for their efforts, and spoke in favor of preserving the
Tahquitz Plaza complex. Ms. Hayes also discussed the history of preservation in Palm
Springs.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (the minutes were unavailable for review and
the item was rescheduled for the next HSPB meeting).
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2.A. A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL REQUEST BY THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS SEEKING APPROVAL OF A COMPREHENSIVE LANDSCAPE
DESIGN FOR THE TRAM WAY VISITORS CENTER (EMCO GAS STATION)
LOCATED AT 2901 TRAM WAY, ZONE ESA-SP PLANNING AREA 5A (CASE
HSPB #33).
Staff member Mlaker summarized the staff report and noted the revisions that
had been made to the drawings since the last time the board had reviewed the
project.
JULY 14, 2015
9:00 AM
REGULAR MEETING
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July 14, 2015
Page 2 of 5
MICHAEL BUCCINO, landscape architect for the project, described the proposed
changes to the project.
Member Hays supported the addition of the “driveway” element, but preferred to
see the larger inner wall removed while retaining the shorter outer wall.
Member Dixon questioned the budget for the project and requested additional
information on the construction phasing.
Member Ploss verified the material for the former lawn area, and noted that the
proposed trees behind the building blocked the view of the mountain. She also
expressed concern that any tent structure at the rear of the structure be
temporary in nature and only used for special events.
Member Burkett stated that the proposed benches should be more
organic/natural in form, or should be more appropriate to the era in which the
building was constructed. He also expressed concern regarding the phasing of
the project and if the City would have the funds available to complete the future
phases.
Member La Voie noted that the revisions were an appropriate response to the
historic resource, and supports the removal of the wall in front of the property; he
also suggested that the recycled plastic material for the benches may be too hot
and that the design of the benches should be more sensitive to th e building.
Chair Johns stated that the outdoor furniture should be specific to the site, much
like the furniture at The High Line Park in New York or the Rose Kennedy
Greenway in Boston. Mr. Johns clarified the tree types to be used on the site ,
and requested that Palo Verde trees be added. He suggested that the project
should come back with revised furniture, and supported the removal of the wall.
He also requested additional information about the budget and phasing of the
project, and details of the flagstone ledger used along the pathways.
M/S/C (Ploss/Hays, 6-0-1) to request that the applicant revise the project, noting
the following comments and recommendations:
1. The landscape plan and “driveway” element are an appropriate
response to the historic resource.
2. Retain the lower outer wall and remove the larger inner wall at the
front of the property; investigate if there is adequate money in the
budget to remove the larger wall in its entirety along the north
property line.
3. Custom furniture should be designed specific to the site, citing the
following examples:
• The furniture designed for The High Line Park;
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July 14, 2015
Page 3 of 5
• Concrete poured-in-place furniture designed by Albert Frey; or
• Furniture appropriate to the era in which the building was
constructed.
4. The applicant shall provide details regarding the budget and
timeline for the phasing, with a recommendation to complete the
project in two phases if feasible.
5. Include Palo Verde trees in addition to the other tree types
proposed for the site.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3.A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Chair Johns opened the floor for nominations for Chair of the Historic Site Preservation
Board.
Member Ploss nominated Gary Johns for Chair. No other nominations were received.
M/S/C (Ploss/Dixon, 6-0-1) to nominate Gary Johns as Chair.
Chair Johns opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair.
Member La Voie nominated Roxann Ploss for Vice Chair. No other nominations were
received.
M/S/C (LaVoie/Dixon, 6-0-1) to nominate Roxann Ploss as Vice Chair.
4. DISCUSSION:
4.A. FY 15/16 HSPB WORK PLAN.
A handout was provided by staff, summarizing the work plan recommendations
provided by the subcommittee at their meeting of June 23, 2015.
The board recommended that the following sites be studied for Class 1 designation:
• Town & Country;
• Cody Gas Station;
• Parkview Mobile Home Court Sign.
It was noted that the Dollard Building, the Trina Turk Building, and the Backstrom -Reid
Building would be evaluated for designation as part of the work on the Las Palmas
Business Historic District. The board members also requested that staff maintain the
list of potential sites for Class 1 designation as a reference for the board. Member
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July 14, 2015
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Member Ploss voiced concern that no Spanish Revival buildings or bungalows were on
the list for study and designation.
The board recommended that the following educational activities be planned for the
coming fiscal year:
• Workshop on the Class 1 designation process for property owners
(Subcommittee: Hays, Dixon, Johns);
• May National Preservation Month event;
• HSPB informational website;
• Recognition awards for outstanding preservation work (as part of the N ational
Preservation Month event);
Board members also noted that a map of the Class 1 sites was being prepared by the
Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, and suggested that information and maps on
historic resources be available at the airport.
As part of the work plan, staff noted the need to complete projects started during the
previous fiscal year, including the updates to the Las Palmas Business Historic District,
ordinance revisions to Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, amendin g the
resolutions for the Class 1 City-owned buildings, and completing the city-wide historic
resources survey.
4.B. UPDATE ON CORNELIA WHITE STABILIZATION/RESTORATION.
Director Fagg presented a memo summarizing the alternatives and approximate costs
for stabilization of the Cornelia White house, noting the need for City Council to
appropriate the funding. Board members voiced concern about the need for immediate
repairs to preserve the structure and prevent further damage. Chair Johns agreed to
write a letter to the City Manager, requesting immediate action regarding the historic
structure.
4.C. UPDATE ON WEXLER STEEL HOUSE #4 UNPERMITTED WORK.
Director Fagg reported that the Building & Safety Department had sent notices to the
owner to correct the unpermitted work, and that a Notice of Violation had been filed
against the title of the property.
4.D. UPDATE ON LAS PALMAS BUSINESS HISTORIC DISTRICT
Director Fagg informed the board that a revision had been made to the contract wit h
HRG to include work on the assessment of contributing and non -contributing buildings,
as well as work on the design guidelines.
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July 14, 2015
Page 5 of 5
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Member Burkett requested that the National Preservation Month event be placed on the
agenda for the September meeting, and requested that Robert Safran be invited to the
meeting to discuss an alliance of preservation organizations within the Coachella Valley.
Member Burkett also requested an update on the Orchid Tree Inn project.
Member Dixon requested that board revisit the issue of the threshold for Class 3 designations
(45 years old vs. 1969), and to make the issue a priority.
Member La Voie noted that City’s preservation ordinance is outdated and needs to be updated
as to how preservation is carried out currently.
Member Ploss stated that the 750 Lofts project is worthy of discussion again by HSPB. She
requested that Spanish Revival and Mission Revival structures be given attention for historic
designations and surveys, and questioned if a memorial plaque would be placed on the Port
Lawrence site commemorating the buildings that were torn down.
Chair Johns made a motion to cancel the August HSPB meeting; the item was seconded by
Member Dixon, and the board voted 5 -1-1 (Ploss opposed, Williamson absent) to cancel the
meeting.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Director Fagg shared a letter with the board from the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation,
requesting that the citywide historic resources survey be expanded to include all structures that
meet the criteria listed in Chapter 8.05 of the municipal code. In addition, he provided a letter
from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, outlining their historic preservation policy
statement.
ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned to its regularly scheduled
meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 9:00 A.M, in the Large Conference Room at City
Hall.
_____________________________________
Flinn Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services