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Home My WebLink About2010-10-11- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at .3:00 p.m. f I 1 - 1 I V VIVOW11L. ff MUAl:11 L. f I Wma Paul Ortega X 17 2 19 William Kleindienst, Chair X 18 1 19 Chris Sahlin X 18 1 19 Lance O'Donnell, Vice Chair X 16 3 19 Michael King X 18 1 19 Robert Parker 11 X 8 19 Patrick McGrew 17 2 19 Donald Wexler X 3 N/A Ana Maria Escalante 8 N/A (The attendance record is from January 2010 through the meeting of September 20, 2010). Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Munger APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of September 20, 2010. ACTION: M/S/C (Ortega / Kleindienst, 6-0-1, abstain McGrew) To approve the minutes of September 20, 2010. REVISIONS TO AGENDA: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: Three (3). minute time limit per person on matters within the jurisdiction of the Architectural Advisory Committee. There were no public comments. AGENDA ITEM #2: Case 3.3440 MAA The Palm Canyon Roadhouse Proposal to replace deteriorated canvas shade panels with corrugated galvanized metal panels at 535 South Palm Canyon Drive (Zone C13D) Associate Planner Lyon presented the project. Member Kleindienst suggested the metal panels should be painted. Associate Planner Lyon explained the applicant desires an exposed natural metal for an industrial look. ACTION: M/S/C 5-2-0 (Kleindienst/O'Donnell opposed) To recommend approval as presented. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2010 AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.1032 MAA, HSPB #3 Welwood Murray Memorial Library Escalante Architects, representing the City of Palm Springs, for a 1,589 square foot rear courtyard addition to the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, located at 100 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD. (GM) Chair Kleindienst and Vice Chair O'Donnell recused themselves and left the chamber; Member Ortega assumed the Chairmanship for this case. Planning Director Ewing addressed the Committee giving an outline of the role of the AAC while reviewing this case. Sitting Chair Ortega asked Staff to review the review process for this case. Planning Director Ewing stated that when making his decision, he will take into consideration today's AAC recommendation. He reminded the AAC that additions which do not increase existing floor area by twenty-five percent (25%) may be acted upon by the Planning Director. The Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) will review the project on Tuesday, October 12, . 2010, and a final action may occur at that meeting. The City Council can review this project if the decision of the Planning Director is appealed. The Planning Commission will not review this project. Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief staff report of the proposed project. Project Manager Al Smoot was present and spoke on behalf of the City of Palm Springs. He stated that on December 12, 2009 the City signed a contract with Escalante Architects for design services relative to the Welwood Murray Memorial Library project. The City Council then set up a committee to help direct the design of the project. He stated that the front fagade will not change and he listed exterior changes including the new courtyard roof extension. There is no decision on the interior re -design. John, Riviera representing Escalante architects described the revised proposal to include an increase in the courtyard addition ceiling height from seven (7) feet to nine (9) feet to meet California Building Code. The new rear addition entrance will meet ADA requirements. Mr. Rivera described the addition as minimalist designed in a way that brings the feel of the outside into the library. Gary Johns who was not in favor of the project, stated that the last recommendation from the AAC for a re -study was ignored by the City. Furthermore, he stated that a letter was sent to the City Council from the Palm Springs Historical Society which stated that the community has high regard for this project. Ron Marshall, President of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, also not in favor of the proposal stated that the City has a unique opportunity to make this project a first class 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2010 restoration. According to Ron Marshall, the property is owned by the City and AAC should be able to make a recommendation to HSPB; the AAC acts as the City architect and recommendations should be sensitive to the restoration of the building. Ron Duby, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation read a letter from one of the direct decedents of Dr. Murray, Sara James, objecting to the proposal. Erik Rosenal of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation stated that the descendent of Dr. Murray recommends a sensitive restoration not a renovation. Mary Jensen, Palm Springs Modern Committee read a letter from Peter Moruzzi. The letter stated that the proposal will cause harm to the building and the California State Historic Building Code is not being followed. Ms. Mary Jensen suggested that a qualified historic architect should be retained to review the project. John Tymon, stated that the trees in the rear courtyard should not be removed. He stated that the Library was once the home of the Palm Springs Museum and that the less done to the building the better. Member King stated that there seems to be an issue with the review process. He suggested that it is difficult for the AAC to review projects when the client is the City. In terms of the specific proposal, the new roof should be constructed in a way that if it should be removed, the original building would not be harmed or altered. The appointed sub -committee should review the AAC recommendations and make appropriate revisions based on comments from the AAC. Mr. King noted that the current project does not reflect what the community wants, and that the sub -committee design scheme does not need to be at odds with the community. Member McGrew stated that the project before the AAC is the same project as previously submitted. The revised project does not reflect the AAC comments from the earlier review. There seems to be a procedural problem and the staff memo states that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA regulations. In his opinion, the project will require an EIR and until such time that an environmental assessment can be made, he can not support the project. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 3.a Prepare appropriate environmental documents 3.b Sub -committee to review project. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew / King, 3-1-2, recommending denial of the project to the Director of Planning Services. (Member Don Wexler abstained, stating that he was not well informed on the project and therefore could not make an informed decision on the project. Chair Kleindienst and Vice Chair O'Donnell, recused themselves) Planning Director Ewing stated that the AAC does not rule on CEQA documents. III Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 11. 2010 CHAIRMAN I COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Member King stated that he will not be seeking reappointment to the AAC after his term expires later this year. He suggested that the City use the AAC and HSPB when preparing request for proposals (RFP) on City owned projects. Member Ortega asked which groups were represented on the Welwood Murray Memorial Library sub -committee. He stated that preservationists should be part of the process. Planning Director Ewing stated that the City Council appoints members to a committee and that selection of membership is at their discretion. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. bit ward O. 4aoWertson Principal Planner 4