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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-07- HPSB MinutesHISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting of June 7, 2022 (The subject meeting was conducted via teleconference pursuant to Assembly Bill 361) CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Hough, Vice Chair Nelson, Members Hansen, Miller Absent: Members Kiser, Rose, Rosenow Staff Present: Principal Planner/HPO Ken Lyon, Assistant Planning Director David Newell REPORT OF THE POSTING OF AGENDA: The Agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) by 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2022, and posted on the City’s website as required by established policies and procedures. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Motion by Miller, seconded by Nelson, to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Miller, Nelson NOES: None ABSENT: Kiser, Rose, Rosenow ABSTAIN: None PUBLIC COMMENT: Danny Ary, Board Member, Villa Roma HOA, discussed their amenities, activities and events; spoke about the contributions of Pearl Davis and Pearl White and efforts to honor and commemorate them; addressed community contributions and commented that Villa Roma is a special place. Marci Surfas, 388 East Del Monte Norte, reported her neighbor at 359 East Del Monte Norte has completely torn down their house without permits and have a red tag on their property. There were no other public comments. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: MAY 4, 2022 RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes of May 4, 2022. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 2 of 7 Member Hansen made a correction to the minutes. Vice Chair Nelson made corrections to the minutes. Motion by Hansen, seconded by Nelson, to approve the Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes of May 4, 2022, as corrected. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Miller, Nelson NOES: None ABSENT: Kiser, Rose, Rosenow ABSTAIN: None 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2.A. AN APPLICATION BY THE VILLA ROMA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION OF “THE VILLA ROMA GARDEN HOMES” LOCATED AT 2500 SOUTH SIERRA MADRE, (MASTER APN #512- 120-070), CASE HSPB #140 (KL). Staff Member Lyon summarized the staff report. He reported that staff could not affirmatively make the findings in support of a recommendation for designation as a Historic District. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of conditioning the designation on the Board studying the item further. Staff Member Lyon stated it would not be appropriate to condition designation on further study but noted if the Board feels it need more information, it could continue the public hearing to a date certain. Discussion followed regarding concerns with the historic design guidelines, contributing resources, analysis of all buildings, collectively and the possibility of analyzing individual buildings or features as a Historic District. Chair Hough opened the public hearing. Steve Vaught, Author of the Historic Resources report, speaking on behalf of the applicant, opined the designating criteria was applied a bit stringently by staff. He felt integrity issues are reversible and should not destroy the potential of the historical value of the complex. He noted the HOA is involved in the historic preservation of the complex and needs guidance; addressed the setting and feeling; mentioned the Garden City concept and believed the site is a perfect example of a Garden City; spoke about the different courts within the complex providing open space; reported the intent was to separate parking from pedestrian traffic; discussed use by the community of the open space in which the Temple of Venus is located. He commented on Villa Roma being a type of mid-century modern architecture; indicated Villa Roma is unique and significant and compared Villa Roma with Pompei de las Palmas which was designated as a Historic District several years ago. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 3 of 7 Phillip Parks, Board Liaison, thanked Mr. Vaught, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Eric Rosenow, Allen Hess and the community for their support. John Klingenmeier, HOA President, spoke about their love of the uniqueness of Villa Roma Garden homes; hoped the HSPB will consider both tangible and intangible aspects of the community; discussed amenities and recommended Historic District designation. Dr. Sharon Siegel thanked Mr. Vaught for this support; reported she purchased her home at Villa Roma because of its historic feeling; spoke about contributing to the City’s history; spoke about architectural distinguishing features; discussed open spaces including the corner park and the community clubhouse; addressed existing statues as mid-century modern, the “garden feeling” and integrity and hoped the HSPB will recommend approval of the Historic District designation. Dr. Jasmine Bnyamyn, Architectural historian and theorist and Ash Lettow, Architect, discussed the issue of integrity; noted the homes in the complex are not garden homes; reported they appreciated that the complex had come into the 21st century; commented on the desert landscaping as ecological awareness; spoke about the materials noting they were not meant to be high art and noted the reason the project came to be was because the person who wanted it built was discriminated against and wanted a community where he would be welcomed. Mr. Lettow spoke about the relevance and experience of coming into the 21st century; noted it is an urban landscape and encouraged comparing the complex with the Cody Court in Rancho Mirage. Gary Johns, Canyon View Estates, spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district; commented on its uniqueness and hoped the Board will recommend historic designation to City Council. Marc Giroux, Villa Roma, spoke about the complex being charming and creating the Palm Springs vibe; believed making it a historic district will prevent further deterioration of the complex; believed it is short-sighted to stick strictly to the guidelines of what creates historic preservation; noted the importance of future preservation and hoped the HSPB will approve the historic district designation. Ron Marshall, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district; referenced a letter by architectural historian Allen Hess in support of the item; discussed the complex as a sense of place and hoped the HSHB will approve the historic district designation. Tom Glaser and Greg Leder, Villa Roma, spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district; discussed the garden concept; reported many bus tours stop by the complex as an example of modernism and hoped the HSPB will approve the historic district designation. Gregory McGann and Jay Jastrzembsky, spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district and discussed the sense of community found in the complex. Bill VanHemert spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district and spoke about changes in the landscape because of ecological and environmental reasons. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 4 of 7 Joseph Praner, architectural designer, Villa Roma resident, spoke about themed architecture; discussed the significance of the central pool; noted the architecture is unique and hoped the HSPB will approve the historic district designation. James Perez spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district. Pam Hannah, Villa Roma resident, spoke about the uniqueness of the complex; noted the changes in features made through the years are reversible and hoped the HSPB will approve the historic district designation. K.A. Filio spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district. Paul Ingold discussed his experience in Villa Roma and the unusual mid-century architecture of the complex and spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district. Steve Eden, owner, referenced a letter he sent to the board and spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district. Kyle Gunderson reported how he was drawn to Villa Roma and its unique 60’s Hollywood revival styling; discussed restoration of his unit and spoke in support of designating Villa Roma as a historic district. Lisa Vicino addressed common areas and the garden feel of the homes and urged the Board to approve designation of the complex as a historic district. There were no other public comments and Chair Hough closed the public hearing. Chair Hough expressed delight in hearing from members of the community and their sense of pride in Villa Roma; discussed features of the complex such as the club house and spoke about contributing elements such as statues, benches, urns and planters as props without artistic value. Member Hansen thanked staff for their review of the nomination and Mr. Vaught for the report; discussed her experience in historic preservation and architecture; believed the historic resources report makes a compelling case for historic district designation; commented on the historic context of the development under Criterion 3 and the concept of multifamily dwellings as a trend in development in the 1960s; addressed the concept of garden apartments; agreed with Allen Hess regarding additional research that needs to be done and voiced her support for historic district designation. Vice Chair Nelson commented on the number of public speakers regarding this item; spoke about the sense of community in the complex; noted his respect for staff’s opinion but felt the report was a little harsh; stated the complex looks better now than it has ever looked, that the residents are trying and should receive credit for doing so and voiced his support for the nomination. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 5 of 7 Member Miller agreed with Board colleagues; spoke about the uniqueness of the community and voiced his support for the nomination. Staff Member Lyon noted the need for the board to make the criteria findings, affirmatively and spoke about the notion that there may be a different context relative to social history and community. Member Hansen acknowledged references to the garden style but felt the historic context is more specific to Palm Springs and not a larger movement toward garden living; spoke about the significance of the pattern of residential development in Palm Springs in the 1960’s and a shift from single-family residential to multi-family residential; noted the concept of social history She added that sometimes consideration must get away from the notion that it is all about architecture; noted the complex was billed as something special in the City and opined there should be a deeper examination of these types of complexes from the 1960’s as a significant property type. Staff Member Lyon spoke about the possibility of setting precedent; mentioned the Disneyland factor and listed other complexes where there are kitschy applications of a theme. Vice Chair Nelson spoke about Criterion 3 and 6 and noted the complex has become historic, as a construct, over time. Staff Member Lyon spoke about specific features as contributing elements that may make the complex historically significant. Chair Hough commented on the combination and weaving of the simple modern type of architecture and the Roman columns in the club house, its uniqueness and its sense of place. Member Hansen reported Criterion 6 was intended to apply to historic districts and felt findings can be made for Criterion 3 and 6. Staff Member Lyon stated that if it meets Criterion 6 and noted that if the Board recommends it as a historic district, it must identify the contributing features. Member Hansen stated that cannot be done without understanding the context and felt she would need additional information to make a decision. Staff Member Lyon recommended continuing the matter. Vice Chair Nelson indicated that a continuance is unnecessary; suggested that Member Hansen and he work with Staff Member Lyon refining recommendations to City Council; agreed that it meets Criterion 6 and felt focus should be on the complex, as a whole rather than on individual components. Member Hansen reiterated Criterion 6 was intended to apply to Historic Districts and proposed findings can be made for Criterion 6 of the National Register and the City’s Criterion 3. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 6 of 7 Staff Member Lyon recommended including a condition that the design standards be improved upon. Motion by Hansen, seconded by Nelson, to recommend Historic District designation to the City Council based on Criterion 3 and 6 and that design standards be improved upon. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Miller, Nelson NOES: None ABSENT: Kiser, Rose, Rosenow ABSTAIN: None 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (None) 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.A THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS SEEKING A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO ALLOW REMOVAL OF THE STONE ARCH AT THE ORCHID TREE INN, (CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2), LOCATED AT 261 SOUTH BELARDO ROAD; HSPB 72; CASE 3.0678. (KL) Staff Member Lyon summarized the staff report; addressed inspection of the arch and reported there are many factors that disqualify it as a character defining feature of the site and recommended removing of the arch and maintaining the designation of the bungalow court. Discussion followed regarding the reason for removal and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the City’s Historic Preservation Program. Vice Chair Nelson questioned the necessity to remove all sidewalls, noting an existing pillar that appears different and may have some historic integrity. Staff Member Lyon reported none of the block walls were identified as being from the period of significance or any part of the character defining features of the site in the Historic Resources Report. Motion by Miller, second by Hansen, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as recommended in the staff report based on the findings and conditions of approval therein. AYES: Hansen, Hough, Miller, Nelson NOES: None ABSENT: Kiser, Rose, Rosenow ABSTAIN: None 5. DISCUSSIONS: Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes - Draft June 6, 2022 Page 7 of 7 5.A. 2022 PRESERVATION MATTERS SYMPOSIUM (Hough) Chair Hough provided a brief report on the recent 2022 Preservation Matters Symposium; asked whether the board would like to proceed with planning and organizing a 2023 symposium and if so, suggested forming a subcommittee. Member Miller noted he will not be continuing on the board; mentioned there may be new board members coming on board and suggested waiting until the new board is established. Chair Hough suggested asking Vice Chair Nelson and Member Hansen whether they would like to serve on the subcommittee and leaving the third position open for a few months until she will consider stepping down and allowing for a new member with fresh ideas. Vice Chair Nelson and Member Hansen agreed to be on the subcommittee along with Chair Hough and the Chair will work with staff to schedule the first meeting. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Discussion followed regarding returning to meeting in person and City Council’s ongoing discussions regarding Boards and Commissions. STAFF COMMENTS: Assistant Planning Director Newell referenced an email invitation announcing a Joint meeting with City Council on June 21, 2022 at the Convention Center with all Boards and Commissions, with dinner at 5:00 p.m. and meeting at 6:00 p.m. Staff Member Lyon referenced a previous comment regarding demolition of a house without permits; reported staff has investigated that project and will be confirming final action on the matter with the Board and the City Attorney. ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 8:04 p.m. to its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.