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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-04- HSPB MinutesHISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting of May 4, 2022 (The subject meeting was conducted via teleconference pursuant to Assembly Bill 361) CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Hough, Vice Chair Nelson, Members Hansen, Kiser, Miller, Rosenow Absent: Rose Staff Present: Principal Planner/HPO Ken Lyon, Assistant Planning Director David Newell REPORT OF THE POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda for this meeting was posted for public review at the City Hall bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Department counter by 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 28, 2022 as required by established policies and procedures. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Motion by Miller, seconded by Rosenow, to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Kiser, Miller, Nelson, Rosenow NOES: None ABSENT: Rose ABSTAIN: None PUBLIC COMMENT: Dick Burkett commended the Board and City staff for its accomplishments and the recent symposium; spoke about a recent fire at the Community Church and urged staff to carefully monitor the site. Additionally, he spoke about ongoing projects at Town and Country; noted there are huge gaps; encouraged staff to reach out to Code Enforcement and spoke about Capital Improvement Projects, as it pertains to the main library. There were no other public comments. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: APRIL 5, 2022 RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes of April 5, 2022. Member Hansen made a correction to the spelling of her name. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft May 4, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Motion by Nelson, seconded by Hansen, to approve the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes of April 5, 2022, as corrected. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Kiser, Miller, Nelson, Rosenow NOES: None ABSENT: Rose ABSTAIN: None 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2.A. APPLICATION BY CARLOS SERRAO AND MONICA MAY, OWNERS FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF “THE ROBSON & HELEN CHAMBERS RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 695 SOUTH WARM SANDS ROAD, (APN #508-216-002), CASE HSPB #143 (DN). Principal Planner Lyon summarized the staff report. Discussion followed regarding implications of identifying the palm trees as character defining features. Chair Hough opened the public hearing. Carlos Serrao and Monica May, applicants, thanked the HSPB for its consideration; provided a brief history of their research efforts and discussed use of post-war materials. Steven Vaught, author of the historic resource report spoke about the importance of the architectural history of the residence; discussed use of post-war materials and noted its integrity has remained through the years. There were no other public comments Chair Hough closed the public hearing. Member Hansen spoke in support of the nomination and spoke about expansion of the residence being included in the original plans. Vice Chair Nelson thanked the applicants for their restoration efforts, including close attention to details; noted the existing palm trees are part of the original historic landscape and recommended including them as character defining features. Principal Planner Lyon asked the board: in considering including the trees as character-defining features, would removal of the trees impair the historic significance of the home? If the house is historically significant with or without the trees, then they should not be included. Mr. Serrao left the decision regarding the trees up to the Board. He agreed to replace them in the future if necessary. Member Hansen agreed with staff that removing the palm trees will not impact the historical significance of the residence. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft May 4, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Chair Hough commented on the significance of preserving an architect's own home. Motion by Kiser, seconded by Nelson, to recommend Class 1 designation to the City Council. AYES: Miller, Nelson, Kiser, Hansen, Hough, Rosenow. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rose ABSTAIN: None 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: None 5. DISCUSSIONS: 5.A. 2022 PRESERVATION MATTERS SYMPOSIUM (Hough, Kiser, Nelson) Chair Hough provided a review of the 2022 Preservation Matters Symposium; thanked Trina Turk and Jade Nelson for hosting the event; discussed presentation of Preservation Awards; addressed the brochure; stated she will compile comments received regarding the event and forward them to the next Symposium Subcommittee Members and presented an attendance report. Vice Chair Nelson stated he enjoyed working with Chair Hough and Member Kiser; thanked Assistant Planning Director David Newell and others for their work. Principal Planner Lyon expressed his appreciation to Assistant Planning Director Newell for stepping in and commended Board Members. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Vice Chair Nelson ask staff to review the building permit scope of a residence currently under renovation at 359 E Valmonte Norte. He expressed concern about gradual loss of historic “fabric” in older neighborhoods. Additionally, he asked staff to provide updates on several matters he noted in past Board Member Comments report. STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Lyon narrated a PowerPoint presentation regarding the recent Community Church fire and noted his field observation that the stone arch at Orchid Tree Inn had carving in the mortar with the date “1994”; suggesting that its inclusion in the 2010 designation of the Orchid Tree may have been in error and he would bring the matter forward for Board review at a future HSPB meeting. Additionally, Lyon reported on an in-person interview he had with architect Hugh Kaptur regarding Kaptur’s design inspiration for the Clubhouse building at the City golf course and stated he will bring a report to the HSPB when the Board considers the matter. He presented a brief update on the Union Bank building historic resource report and acknowledged that the board had questions at a past meeting on the amendment to the Las Palmas Business Historic District. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft May 4, 2022 Page 4 of 4 Vice Chair Nelson spoke in support of removing the arch at Orchid Tree Inn and expressed concern about the adequacy of policing of vacant historic buildings in general. Principal Planner Lyon noted the Town and Country Center and the Orchid Tree Inn site have security plans that were approved by City Council requiring owners to maintain and secure the sites. Principal Planner Lyon discussed two Certificate of Appropriateness applications that were processed at staff level. He noted his concern with the work being done at Casa Cody and advised the board he was following up with the owner for more clarification. ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 6:30 P.M. to its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 5:30 P.M., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, David Newell, AICP Assistant Director of Planning Services