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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-06- HSPB MinutesHISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 this meeting was conducted by teleconference and there was no in-person public access to the meeting location. www.palmspringsca.gov MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Burkett, Vice-Chair Hough, Members Nelson, Rosenow, Kiser ABSENT: Member Dixon. 2020 – Attendance Record for CLG ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Motion by Burkett seconded by Rosenow to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Hough, Nelson, Burkett, Rosenow, Kiser. NOES: None. ABSENT: Dixon. PUBLIC COMMENT: (None.) Name Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dick Burkett ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ Katherine Hough ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ Jade Nelson ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ Dan Kiser ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ Linda Dixon ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ Erik Rosenow ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ OCTOBER 6, 2020 5:30 PM REGULAR MEETING Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 2 of 7 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: OCTOBER 6, 2020 HSPB MEETING. Motion by Kiser, seconded by Nelson to approve the minutes of October 6, 2020 as amended. AYES: Nelson, Kiser, Hough. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. ABSTAIN: Rosenow, Dixon. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2.A. JEREMY SCOTT, OWNER, REQUESTING CLASS 1 / LANDMARK HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE ARTHUR ELROD RESIDENCE, A CLASS 3 HISTORIC SITE, LOCATED AT 2175 SOUTHRIDGE DRIVE (APN 510-250-031 AND 510-250-026), CASE HSPB #64. (KL). Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report. Member Nelson asked whether the demolition of the greenhouse was permitted. (Lyon stated he did not know the scope of the building permit for the project.) Member Rosenow noted the driveway was currently unpaved and whether the board could request it to be re-poured to match the original. (Lyon suggested the owner’s representative clarify.) Vice-Chair Hough recalled there being a waterfall at the northwest edge of the swimming pool and asked if it was to be re-instated. (Lyon suggested the owners representative clarify.) Member Dixon inquired whether John Lautner was the architect of the vacant bank building at Smoketree. (Lyon stated he was not.) She asked if the retractable glass wall was new to architecture in the 60’s. (Lyon replied not necessarily innovative but obviously was custom made for the site.) Vice-Chair Hough opened the public hearing. OLIVIA WHITE representing Chattel, Inc. author of the historic resources report and representing the owner narrated a slide presentation about the site. GARY JOHNS spoke in favor of the nomination and of the importance of the now- demolished greenhouse reflecting Elrod’s interest in plants and flowers. Member Nelson reported that he had spoken with the owner’s representative prior to the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 3 of 7 meeting via e mail regarding the greenhouse. MARK HADDAWY, owner’s representative clarified that the waterfall to which Vice-Chair Hough had referred is not an actual waterfall feature but rather a spillway that maintains the water level in the swimming pool. Mr. Haddawi further clarified the scope of the restoration project at the site, noting the intent is to restore the herringbone slate at the pedestrian entry to the home and replace the driveway with seeded black aggregate concrete. He explained the greenhouse was removed because it was in poor condition, visually distracted from the guest carport and the current owner doesn’t have the hobby of planting. Seeing no further speakers, the Vice-Chair closed the public hearing. Member Nelson inquired whether the owner intended to re-instate the flower garden on the roof of the master suite and main carport. (Mr. Haddawi answered no.) Member Nelson stressed again the importance of the greenhouse stating his opinion that it was a character-defining feature. Member Dixon asked whether demolition of the greenhouse would have come through the Building Department at the time of the building permit. (Lyon stated he did not know the exact scope of the building permit.) Motion by Nelson, seconded by Dixon to accept the findings in the staff report and recommend that the City Council designate the Arthur Elrod residence as a Class 1 (Landmark) historic site. AYES: Hough, Nelson, Kiser, Dixon, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. 2.B. THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE CLASS 2 / HISTORIC MERIT HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF THE PALM SPRINGS RACQUET CLUB, A CLASS 3 HISTORIC SITE, LOCATED AT 2743 NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE (APN’S 504-040-038, 504-133-001, AND 504- 133-002) CASE HSPB #83. (KL). Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report and noted written public comment had been received and forwarded to the board prior to the meeting. It included comments from the property owner including a request that the hearing be postponed. Member Rosenow asked for clarification on staff’s recommendation on character-defining elements of the Clubhouse building. Member Dixon asked for clarification on staff’s recommended exclusion of the parcel on Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 4 of 7 which the 1969 building is located. (Lyon explained staff did not recommend the 1969 building as character-defining, and if the Board concurs there would be no historic resource on that third parcel.) Member Nelson asked for clarification on the change in status of the Schiff residence from the earlier reports to the current one. (Lyon referenced the discussion on the Schiff residence on page 34 of the historic resources report.) Member Nelson opined that the Schiff residence still exhibits a high level of integrity. Seeing no further questions of staff the Vice-Chair opened the public hearing. The board considered a request from the property owner to postpone the hearing. Motion by member Nelson, seconded by Member Dixon to reject the request for postponement. Member Dixon asked the reason for the postponement. JUDY DLUGACS, owner explained two of her team members were not available. AYES: Nelson, Dixon, Kiser, Rosenow, Hough. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Burkett. MS. DLUGACS read her written comment and summarized the difficulties and efforts to secure the property and find a viable buyer. She stated that if the City wishes to place historic designation on the property that there could be a stipulation to pay homage to the history through a plaque or photo of the history on a prominent area of the site without encumbering the next developer on the project. BRIAN HEADMAN, a neighbor, opined that an appropriate historic designation would assist in attracting a buyer with possible tax benefits and find a use for the property that doesn’t require demolishing the entire clubhouse. PETER MORUZZI, representing the Palm Springs Modern Committee stated PSMC strongly supports the Class 2 designation of the property and that the Schiff House is a significant example representing the latter part of Albert Frey’s career. KEN HALL, a neighbor reiterated the comments of Mr. Headman, urged the board to make a decision that provides flexibility and viability for a future developer, and opined that the clubhouse and bamboo room were the most important pieces. MS. DLUGACS stated it is not an owner objection to having a historic designation and that she agrees with everyone about the historic value of the Racquet Club. The question is how would designation impact the ability to find someone to develop the property. She Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 5 of 7 noted there needs to be an understanding of what has to remain so a developer can properly develop the property. Seeing no other speakers, the Vice-Chair closed the public hearing. Member Kiser asked staff about creating a list of what the Board considers important enough to retain including the interior elements such as the Bamboo Room and then allow them to be relocated anywhere on the site to give a developer leeway to redevelop. (Lyon explained the list of contributing or character-defining features would be that kind of list. With respect to the interior areas that the Board might identify as important, the Board could encourage their adaptive reuse but the Board does not have authority over interiors of privately owned sites.) Member Dixon asked if the three parcels that comprise the Racquet Club could be sold separately (Lyon replied yes with possible access agreements if the parcels are landlocked.) Member Nelson opined about the elements of the site he felt were character-defining included the Clubhouse, the pool, the tennis court, the Farrell residence, and the Schiff house. Member Rosenow concurred with Member Nelson. Member Kiser opined that it was not necessary to keep the entire Clubhouse building. He agreed about the importance of the Schiff house, the tennis court and the pool. Vice-Chair Hough opined the Schiff house and Bamboo Room were most important elements in conjunction with the pool. After several amendments, Member Nelson made the following motion seconded by Member Dixon: That the HSPB recommend that the City Council designate the Racquet Club as a Class 2 historic site based on the findings in the staff report. The contributing character-defining features would be: • The portion of the Clubhouse containing the bamboo lounge and the octagonal volume of the Bogert dining room both of which are contained under the cedar shake roofline and had board and batten siding along the south and east elevations, but not including the kitchen or later additions added after the period of significance (after 1969). • The Swimming pool and roughly twenty feet of deck / open space around it. • The Tennis court. • The original part of the Charlie Farrell residence (excluding the 1980’s addition). • The Schiff house, including the 1961 addition. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 6 of 7 • One of the Frey bungalows located closest to the Schiff house. AYES: Nelson, Dixon, Hough, Kiser, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (None.) 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.A. ROSWITHA KIMA SMALE, OWNER, REQUESTING CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “THE HENRY PEARSON RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 573 NORTH CAHUILLA DRIVE (APN 505-311-001) CASE HSPB 131 (KL). Motion by Hough seconded by Rosenow to accept the historic resources report and direct staff to schedule site visits and a public hearing of the board to consider the application. AYES: Nelson, Dixon, Hough, Kiser, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. 4.B. PAUL NIHIPALI JR AND MICHAEL MARTIN, OWNERS, REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR ALTERATIONS TO THE GOODLOE RESIDENCE, (AKA THE CASABLANCA ADOBE) LOCATED AT 590 SOUTH INDIAN TRAIL (APN 508-142-006) HSPB #68 (KL). Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report. Member Nelson expressed concern that the proposed corner gate would obscure the view of the site from the public street. PAUL NIHIPALI and MICHAEL MARTIN, owners explained the proposal and noted public view of the site would still be possible above the existing pedestrian gate. Motion by Dixon, seconded by ROSENOW to grant the Certificate of Appropriateness and to direct staff to record the changes in the City’s archival file for the site. AYES: Nelson, Dixon, Hough, Kiser, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes October 6, 2020 Page 7 of 7 5. DISCUSSIONS: 5.A. ANNUAL WORK PLAN - FY 20/21. Staff member Lyon summarized the status of the work plan memo. Motion by Rosenow, seconded by Dixon to accept the work plan priorities as outlined in the September 1, 2020 staff memo noting the following as the Board’s ranking of the top five work priorities: 1. Korakia Pensione. 2. Araby Adobe (tie with Gas Company Building). 2. Gas Company Building. 3. Willard Moorten Residence. 4. Fire Station #4. AYES: Nelson, Dixon, Hough, Kiser, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Burkett. 5.B. CONFERENCE PLANNING – “YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW” (DB) Vice-chair Hough summarized the status of the conference planning. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Member Nelson noted he will be sending some information he found on the Goodloe residence to Staff member Lyon as requested. STAFF COMMENTS: Notice of the change of date for the November meeting from Tuesday November 3 to Wednesday November 4. ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 8:00 p.m. to its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 5:30 P.M, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. ________________________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services