HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-12- HSPB MinutesHISTORIC 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 Burkett, Vice-Chair Hough, Members Nelson, Rosenow, Dixon, La
Voie, Kiser.
ABSENT: None.
2019 – Attendance Record for CLG
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Burkett, seconded by Dixon to accept the agenda as presented,
AYES: Dixon, Rosenow, Kiser, Nelson, Hough, La Voie, Burkett.
NOES: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There were no speakers during public comment.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR: (none)
1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: OCTOBER 8, 2019 HSPB MEETING.
Name Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dick Burkett ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐
Katherine
Hough ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐
Bill La Voie ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐
Jade Nelson ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐
Dan Kiser ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐
Linda Dixon ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐
Erik Rosenow ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐
November 12, 2019
9:00 AM
REGULAR MEETING
Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda
November 12, 2019
Page 2 of 6
Motion by Dixon seconded by Nelson to approve the minutes of October 8, 2019 as
corrected.
AYES: Dixon, Kiser, Nelson, Burkett.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: La Voie, Hough, Rosenow
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2.A. AN APPLICATION BY CATHERINE BODZINER AND DUFF LINDE, OWNERS,
FOR CLASS 1 HISTORIC RESOURCE DESIGNATION OF “THE SUNMOR
MODEL HOME” LOCATED AT 2821 LIVMOR DRIVE, (APN 502-141-006),
CASE HSPB #124. (KL).
Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report
Member Dixon asked for clarification on the deferred maintenance items and the
material of the original perimeter garden wall. (Originally was a wood wall.)
Seeing no further questions of staff, the Chair opened the public hearing.
SUSAN SECOY JENSEN, representing the Palm Springs Preservation Fo undation,
(“PSPF”) former owner of the home and the author of the historic resource report spoke
in support of the application and clarified that the alterations (steel and glass privacy
screen, steel shade canopy and the steel gate at the carport) are reversible. The mural
on the back was added by the current homeowner and also can be removed.
Seeing no further speakers, the Chair closed the public hearing.
Member La Voie opined that the glass wall added at the front of the house in 2010
detracts from the historic feeling and public perception of the home and should be
removed as a condition of designation.
Member Nelson disagreed with Member La Voie noting the issue of privacy was
justification for retaining the frosted wall.
Member Rosenow noted the glass wall is for privacy – but mentioned it is an interesting
combination of materials when seen in context with the original home.
Member Kiser noted the frosted wall provides for contemporary living and that people
covet privacy. The architecture of the original intent is still clear and the glass wall is the
least intrusive type of modification to afford privacy rather than a masonry wall.
Member Hough noted the additions are well integrated and are removable.
Member La Voie opined that it was an exquisite restoration but that the frosted glass
screenwall is an impediment to understanding the historic condition of the home and
should be conditioned to be removed.
Chair Burkett inquired of Member La Voie if a modest hedge would be more satisfactory
(Member La Voie opined it would be better if it was at a height that one could see over.
Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda
November 12, 2019
Page 3 of 6
He noted the board is not tasked with preserving things “of today”. The board should be
considering the home during its prime period of significance not in its condition during
the contemporary period.)
Motion by Nelson, seconded by Hough to accept the staff report and recommend that
the City Council designate 2821 Livmor Drive as a Class 1 historic site noting that the
alterations could be removed in the future.
AYES: Dixon, Kiser, Nelson, Hough, La Voie, Rosenow, Burkett.
NOES: None.
2.B. AN APPLICATION BY WILLIAM AND JENNIFER NELSON FAIN, OWNERS,
FOR CLASS 1 HISTORIC RESOURCE DESIGNATION OF “THE J. CHENEY
WELLS RESIDENCE” 1850 SMOKE TREE LANE, ROCK 12 (APN #510-192-
003), CASE HSPB #125. (KL).
Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report.
Seeing no questions of staff, the chair opened the public hearing.
TRACY CONRAD, CEO of Smoketree Ranch spoke on behalf of the homeowners and
on behalf of Smoketree Ranch, noting their support of the nomination.
Member Dixon asked for clarification of the stone walkways and the cementitious shake
roof not being original (Ms. Conrad confirmed they are not from the period of
significance).
Chair Burkett asked for clarification on the design standards of Smoketree Ranch within
the homeowners CC&R’s. (Ms. Conrad explained the architectural standards in
Smoketree are more stringent than those of the City.)
STEVEN VAUGHT, author of the historic resources report for PSPF spoke in support of
the nomination. He pointed out the construction firm Wilson & Sorum was also
important.
Seeing no further speakers, the Chair closed the public hearing.
Member Hough spoke in support of the nomination and noted the Frey additions are
visually seamless and wonderful.
Member Rosenow spoke in favor of the nomination.
Member Nelson spoke in support of the nominations and inquired whether the door
knobs could be listed as contributing features. (Staff member Lyon stated they could not
because the Board’s authority does not include interiors of privately owned prop erties.)
Member La Voie feels the home is extraordinary and suggested Smoketree Ranch
could be considered for historic district nomination.
Member Kiser supports the designation and noted the natural landscape was beautiful
and the minimal amount of turf balanced well with the desert vegetation.
Motion by Rosenow, seconded by La Voie to accept the staff report and recommend
Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda
November 12, 2019
Page 4 of 6
that the City Council designate 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Rock 12 as a Class 1 historic
site.
AYES: Dixon, Kiser, Nelson, Hough, La Voie, Rosenow, Burkett.
NOES: None.
3. UNBUSINESS: (None)
4. NEW BUSINESS (None).
4.A. AN APPLICATION BY J.R.ROBERTS, OWNER, FOR HISTORIC RESOURCE
DESIGNATION OF “THE LAWRENCE WELK RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 730
EAST PASEO EL MIRADOR, (APN 507-082-020), HSPB #126. (KL)
Motion by Dixon seconded by Hough to accept the report and direct staff to schedule
site visits and a public hearing of the HSPB to consider the application.
AYES: Dixon, Hough, Rosenow, La Voie, Kiser, Nelson, Burkett.
NOES: None.
5. DISCUSSION:
5.A. UPDATE ON PLANNING FOR THE 2020 HSPB SYMPOSIUM (Burkett, Hough,
Kiser, subcommittee). April 18 and 19, 2020.
Chair Burkett passed out a program planning memo and summarized the
progress in planning to date.
5.B. Annual review of the PSMC 8.05, the historic preservation ordinance.
Director Fagg summarized that the City Council would be reviewing the
effectiveness of the updated ordinance at the end of the year. He explained the
Council was concerned with review of all Class 4 properties – that it should not
slow down the processing of these cases for applicants. Director Fagg also noted
minor “clean-up” issues will also be addressed at this time.
Staff member Lyon passed out copies of the ordinance to members then
summarized some of the edits, corrections and changes proposed by staff.
Director Fagg noted his proposed edits including allowing the HSPB the authority
to waive the condition requiring a permit for replacement structures to be in place
before the structures could be demolished. (He noted findings would need to be
created associated with this proposed change.)
Chair Burkett mentioned adding descriptive names to the various classifications
for clarity (i.e. Class 1 – Landmark, Class 2 – Structure (Resource) of Merit,
Class 3 Potential Historic Significance.
Member Nelson requested a copy with proposed text change and if co pies could
be shared with the not-for-profit preservation organizations (PSPF, PSModcom,
etc.) for input prior to sending to Council. (Director Fagg clarified that a report
would go to Council in December and at their direction Staff will follow up
Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda
November 12, 2019
Page 5 of 6
changes to the ordinance at the beginning of 2020 so that would come through at
that time.)
Member Dixon asked about increased fines for penalties for violations of the
ordinance. (Director Fagg noted the fine amounts were established in
consultation with City Attorney with both civil and criminal penalties and that
discussion of increased fines could be reviewed again with him.)
Member Dixon also asked about demolition and alteration of Class 3 and 4 site
on Tribal land, and whether the City and the HSPB could or does receive copy on
the findings from the THPO on their actions . (Staff Lyon stated yes, but there had
only been one repaint which was not significant enough to report to the Board.)
Member La Voie inquired about adding resources to the Class 3 list. (Director
Fagg noted staff had discussed adding a process using standard industry-
accepted “DPR” forms.)
Chair Burkett also noted Class 4 does not have an option for HSPB review
except for full demolitions, and desires that routine alterations of Class 4 also be
reviewed by the HSPB.
Member Dixon asked if ordinance changes are disseminated to the local realtors
for information purposes. (Staff Lyon noted staff does do outreach to the realtors
board which can disseminate to its members.)
Chair Burkett also suggested creation of a document with a condensed set of
bullet points explaining processing of alterations to historic resources for realtors
to pass to their prospective clients.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Member Dixon mentioned concern about the loss of trees and landscape material in many of
the commercial shopping centers. She has submitted code complaints but did not see any
replacement plants. (Director Fagg suggested if code complaints are not acted upon by Code
Enforcement that members forward the complaint to him for further follow up with Code
Enforcement.)
Chair Burkett asked Staff Lyon for any guidelines for the length and content of historic
resource surveys. (Lyon stressed brevity is best and that other interesting but superfluous
information be placed in appendices. He also stressed the importance of a well documented
bibliography to source precisely where the author found the information contained in the
reports.)
Member La Voie stated his appreciation in the relatively unbiased nature of most reports that
the Board has received.
Chair Burkett mentioned the comprehensive HSPB tour of the College of the Desert Campus
and thanked staff for helping coordinate it.
Historic Site Preservation Board Agenda
November 12, 2019
Page 6 of 6
He asked staff if a proposal could be forwarded to Council recommending a collaboration of
architects - rather than a single consultant - to work on the Sunrise Park / Library master plan.
(Director Fagg noted he would speak with Chair Burkett after the meeting on that suggestion.)
STAFF COMMENTS:
Director Fagg mentioned the PSModcom gala made several awards to noteworth y historic
sites and that the various not-for-profit organizations should consider those sites for submittal
of future nominations to the HSPB for consideration. He also noted that Staff may want to
include Fire Station #4 as a potential nomination for hi storic designation in the future.
ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourn at 10:32 a.m. to its regularly
scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 9:00 A.M, in the Large Conference
Room at City Hall.
________________________________________________
Flinn Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services