HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-03 HSPB Minutes HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Minutes
Regular Meeting of September 3, 2024
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
Large Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Nelson called the regular meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chair Nelson, Bachman, Hansen, Herr, Moruzzi.
Absent: Rosenow, Mischka Hitchcock.
Staff Present: David Newell, Assistant Director of Planning Services, Sarah Yoon, Historic
Preservation Officer & Associate Planner
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 August 29, 2024,
and posted on the City’s website as required by established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Motion by Member Hansen, seconded by Member Herr to accept the agenda.
AYES: Nelson, Bachman, Hansen, Herr, Moruzzi.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rosenow, Mischka Hitchcock.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident Michelle Johnson spoke in favor of a Class 1 designation for the Merrill Lynch building.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1.A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 2, 2024 HSPB MEETING.
RECOMMENDATION: Approved as amended.
Motion by Member Hansen, seconded by Member Moruzzi to approve the revised minutes on the consent
calendar.
AYES: Nelson, Bachman, Hansen, Herr, Moruzzi.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rosenow, Mischka Hitchcock.
Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes
September 3, 2024
Page 2 of 3
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2.A. APPLICATION BY CHARLES E. BENTALL AND JULIE BENTALL FOR
HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “THE BURNHAM-WELLS RESIDENCE”
LOCATED AT 1850 SMOKE TREE LANE, ROCK 6, 4 LEFT (APN 510-172-001)
CASE HSPB #159 (SY).
Associate Planner and Historic Preservation Officer Yoon presented the staff report and answered
questions of the Board.
Tracy Conrad, Chief Operating Officer of Smoke Tree Ranch, spoke on behalf, and in favor of, the
applicant.
Motion by Member Hansen, seconded by Chair Nelson to adopt the findings and recommend that the
City Council designate the “Burnham-Wells Residence” (HSPB 159) as a Class 1 historic landmark site,
subject to conditions.
AYES: Nelson, Bachman, Hansen, Herr, Moruzzi.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rosenow, Mischka Hitchcock.
2.B. APPLICATION BY SCOTT P. TIMBERLAKE AND ANNE KRIZMAN
REPRESENTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “THE MERRILL LYNCH
BUILDING” LOCATED AT 415 SOUTH PALM CANYON, (APN 513-213-001)
CASE HSPB #160 (SY).
Associate Planner and Historic Preservation Officer Yoon presented the staff report and answered
questions of the Board.
Steven Keylon, Architectural Historian, spoke on behalf of the applicant and answered questions of the
Board.
Motion by Member Hansen, seconded by Member Moruzzi to adopt the amended findings for Criterion
3 to include the building’s contribution to the financial district during the post-war era and amend the list
of contributing features to include landscape features located on the parcel and remove the right-of-way
palm trees along Palm Canyon from the list on contributing elements, and recommend that the City
Council designate “The Merrill Lynch Building” (HSPB 160) as a Class 1 historic landmark site, subject
to conditions.
AYES: Nelson, Bachman, Hansen, Herr, Moruzzi.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Rosenow, Mischka Hitchcock.
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting Minutes
September 3, 2024
Page 3 of 3
4. NEW BUSINESS: None.
5. DISCUSSIONS: None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Member Hansen requested the City’s consideration of a designation application for the Ruth Hardy Plan
of the palm trees along Palm Canyon. She also requested an update on the symposium status. Member
Hansen asked if there was an allocated budget for board member training.
Member Moruzzi received an update from Associate Planner and Historic Preservation Officer Yoon
regarding the status of Town and Country code enforcement.
Chair Nelson agreed with Member Hansen’s recommendation on the designation of the Ruth Hardy plan.
He wanted to note that he appreciates the outside help on preparing for the symposium but wants to
emphasize that the Symposium is the HSPB’s event. Chair Nelson invited everyone to his lecture at the
library before they close for renovation.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Staff reminded the board to review the public integrity ordinance and memo from city attorney related to
participating in outside boards and projects before the city or Board.
Project updates regarding the Dean Martin House (1123 N. Via Monte Vista) and Invernada (657 N. Via
Miraleste) were given.
Two recent publications by board members Janet Hansen and Peter Moruzzi were mentioned.
Assistant Planning Director David Newell’s departure was announced.
ADJOURNMENT: The Historic Site Preservation Board adjourned at 7:33 p.m. to its regularly
scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 5:30 PM, in-person in the Large Conference Room at
City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
__/s/ Christopher Hadwin_______
Christopher Hadwin
Director of Planning Services