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Home My WebLink About2020-12-01- 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 Dixon to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Hough, Nelson, Burkett, Dixon, Kiser. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rosenow. 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 ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ DECEMBER 1, 2020 5:30 PM REGULAR MEETING Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 2 of 5 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: NOVEMBER 4, 2020 HSPB MEETING. Motion by Kiser, seconded by Nelson to approve the minutes of November 4, 2020. AYES: Nelson, Kiser, Hough. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rosenow ABSTAIN: Dixon. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2.A. STEPHEN ROSE, OWNER, REQUESTING HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF “THE SUTTER RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 1207 CALLE DE MARIA (APN 508-403-002) CASE HSPB #133 (KL). Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report. Member Hough provided clarification on the mention in the historic resources report about Sidney Williams’ involvement in consulting on one of the previous renovations. The chair opened the public hearing. TRACY CONRAD read a comment from the property owner STEPHEN ROSE asserting the residence qualifies as a Class 1 site. She spoke on her own behalf in supp ort of the nomination. STEVEN VAUGHT, author of the historic resource report, spoke in support of the home’s qualifications as a Class 1 historic site. BARBARA MARSHALL, of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (“PSPF”) spoke in support of the nomination and made the assertion that the home qualifies as a Class 1 historic site. Seeing no further speakers, the chair closed the public hearing. Member Hough asked if there was any evidence that the past owners who did the renovations consulted with the original architect E. Stewart Williams? (Steven Vaught stated he did not know for certain if Williams was consulted, but it did appear from notes on the renovation project drawings that the owners had referred to the original drawings as they planned their project.) Member Kiser opined that this is a prime example as a Class 2 property. He asserted that Class 2 is no less contributory than a Class 1 site. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 3 of 5 Member Nelson opined the property deserves Class 1 status regardless of the integrity findings. Member Dixon opined that the property has had minor, not major alterations , and the changes shouldn’t disqualify it from Class 1 designation. Chair Burkett noted the black steel frame along the north elevation survives and that the owner has considered removing the black tinted glass and restoring the milky white translucent glass. He noted the home provides better ability to accommodate large gatherings around the pool area with the alterations that have been made in the recent past. Member Hough noted the board is striving to hold a high degree of quality as it considers the criteria for nominating sites, compared to that which was done in the past. She noted the change in glass screen wall had quite a negative impact on the home’s integrity. She expressed regret that the screenblock wall was removed. Also the change from clear to frosted glass at the narrow vertical window on the living room was an unfortunate change that hopefully could be restored to its original condition. Member Nelson asked whether the previous owner had any photos of the home showing it prior to the removal of the screenblock wall and the renovations in 1991? (Steven Vaught could not ascertain this.) Member Dixon asked whether the board could require that any renovation to the house on the outside be required to re-instate the milky glass or if they wanted to replace the steel wall that the replacement would have to be a screenblock wall? (Lyon noted t he board could recommend but not require the replacement with the original materials.) She asked if the Board recommended Class 1 status could they require the materials to be restored. (Again, Lyon stated first the board would need to make affirmative f indings in the factors of Integrity to justify a Class 1 recommendation and then it could recommend but not require restoration of the original materials.) She asked if the 3 palm trees could be part of the contributing or defining characteristics of the site? (Lyon replied yes if the board feels the trees contribute to the historic significance of the site.) Staff member Lyon reminded the board that if it chooses to make a recommendation of Class 1, that it must make affirmative findings of integrity and that for h istoric integrity to be affirmed most if not all aspects of integrity must be present according to the National Register Bulletin on evaluating Integrity. Member Nelson compared a recent past nomination (the Liberace Residence) to this nomination in terms of which qualifies as Class 1 and Class 2 . He noted the expansion of the pool area by the removal of the screenblock wall made the home more conducive for large group entertaining. Staff Lyon reminded the board that its findings and recommendations must be made Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 4 of 5 based upon the criteria in the ordinance, not on what the owner or the preservation community thinks it should be. Member Hough expressed that the frosted glass would need to be restored for her to consider Class 1 for this nomination. She stated she doesn’t feel Class 2 is any less distinctive. Motion by Nelson seconded by Dixon to accept the findings in the staff report and recommend that the City Council designate the Sutter residence as a Class 2 (Historic Merit) historic site with the following conditions: 1. If the owner replaces the milky translucent glass on the north façade he would automatically trigger Class 1 designation. 2. The three palm trees shall be included as character-defining features. Chair Burkett reminded the board that both Class 1 and Class 2 (Historic Merit) resources are eligible for Mills Act contracts. Staff Lyon stated he would confer with the City Attorney on whether there are any issues with the proposed automatic re-classification to Class 1. Member Hough expressed confidence that the current owner will initiate replacement of the milky glass. AYES: Hough, Nelson, Kiser, Burkett, Dixon. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rosenow. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (None.) 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.A. BRUCE WELLS OF FLIPPING PALMS, LLC, OWNER, REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR A MAJOR ALTERATION OF THE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING LOCATED AT 330 WEST STEVENS ROAD, A CLASS 3 HISTORIC SITE, CASE 3.4200 MAA, (KL). Staff Lyon summarized the staff report. BRUCE WELLS, owner, further clarified the project scope and condition of the property. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes December 1, 2020 Page 5 of 5 Member Nelson discussed the background of the property he discovered based upon his research. He inquired of staff whether it is necessary for the board to remove the site from the Class 3 list? (Lyon explained that once the board has considered a Class 3 site ineligible to elevate to a higher historic designation it has essentially “let it go” and concluded that it does not possess historic significance.) Motion by Hough seconded by Dixon to accept the staff recommendation to take no action and allow the applicant to proceed with the proposed alterations and to remove the site from the Class 3 list. AYES: Burkett, Hough, Kiser, Nelson, Dixon NOES: None. ABSENT: Rosenow. 5. DISCUSSIONS: 5.A. CONFERENCE PLANNING – “PRESERVATION MATTERS” CONFERENCE (APRIL 2021) (DB). Chair Burkett summarized the status of the conference planning. Mayor Holstege has agreed to open the event. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Member Nelson suggested a study session involving community preservation organizations and the board to further clarify or educate everyone on the ordinance, the various classifications possibly involving an outside historic preservation specialists and even interested City Council members. Chair Burkett suggested such a study session be scheduled after new board members are seated. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff member Lyon mentioned the City’s Documentary film on the restoration of the Cornelia White residence and encouraged the Board to watch it. ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 6:15 p.m. to its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday January 5, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. ________________________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services