HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/4/2013 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.H. PALM SPRINGS
11 PRESERVATION
1FOUNDATION
to
December 2, 2013
The Honorable Steve Pougnet, Mayor of Palm Springs
City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Dear Mayor Pougnet,
Subject: Historic Site Preservation Board (RSPB) Recommendation (Item 2H)
Regarding item 2H on the city council's December 4, 2013 agenda, we strongly and
enthusiastically support the HSPB's recommendation to update PSMC Chapter 8.05 to
expand the definition of Class 3 sites to include those built before 1969. This change will
allow the HSPB, and the community, to be more fully informed of any proposed building
demolitions.
We fully concur with the city staff's assessment that "Many of the City's signature mid-
century buildings were built between 1945 and 1968." Just last year a 1962 Palm Springs
residence (Steel Development House #2) was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Hence, we would encourage the city council to make the logical, and forward-
leaning, decision to expand the definition of Class 3 sites to include those built before
1969.
Sincerely/�
Erik Rosenow
President
Cc: Councilmembers Foat, Mills, Hutcheson and Lewin
1775 East Palm Canyon Drive,Suite 110-195,Palm Springs,CA 92264
(760)837-7117 • info@pspreservationfoundation.org • w .pspreservationfoundalion.org
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is a value here. air([ we've been tasked Patrice Frey, president and CEO of
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c441F0 % CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 4, 2013 Consent
SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD TO
AMEND THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE (SECTION 8.05) TO
CHANGE THE AGE OF BUILDINGS ELIGIBLE FOR A SIX-MONTH
STAY OF DEMOLITION FROM PRE-1945 TO PRE-1960.
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Margo Wheeler, AICP, Director of Planning Services
SUMMARY
The Historic Site Preservation Board is requesting the City Council consider amending
the Code to amend existing procedure for stay of demolition to be expanded providing
more buildings to be considered.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
PREVIOUS ACTIONS:
On November 12, 2013, the Historic Site Preservation Board (RSPB) voted to
unanimously support the change.
On November 13, 2013, the matter was discussed at the Planning Commission /
Historic Site Preservation Board joint workshop and received favorably.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Chapter 8.05.125 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) delineates three
categories of Classes of Historic Designation. All buildings built before 1945 are
automatically classified as Class 3 historic sites. These buildings are eligible for a six
ITEM NO. _
City Council Staff Report
December 4,2013—Page 2
HSPB
month stay of demolition, intended to allow the Board an opportunity to conduct studies
or investigation for possible designation to a higher historic classification.
Many of the City's signature mid-century buildings were built between 1945 and 1968.
Currently unless they are designated Class 1 structures, there is no review prior to
demolition. This change to the code would provide an opportunity for board
consideration of such sites prior to the issuance of demolition permits.
If the HSBP recommended the stay, as with all actions of the RSPB, decisions of the
board this will be reported to the City Council and the City Council may overturn the
recommendation, upon appeal.
Additionally, the HSPB recommended the Planning Commission and the City Council
consider a Zone Text Amendment to allow vacant Class 1 historic sites to re-tenant with
more intense uses without providing additional parking. This matter will be on the
December 11, 2013 Planning Commission meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
r/
M. Margo Wheeler, AI P David H. Ready, Hager
Director of Planning Services
Attachments:
1. Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report
2. Historic Site Preservation Board Minutes
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.cq`IFO.RN�P HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
STAFF REPORT
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2013 NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR CODE
AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.05.125 AND
ZONING CODE CHAPTER 93.06.00.B.3 TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY OF
CLASS 3 HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND TO ALLOW CLASS 1
HISTORIC SITES TO RE-TENANT WITH MORE INTENSE USES
WITHOUT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PARKING. (CASE 5.1311 ZTA)
FROM: THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING SERVICES
SUMMARY
Amendments are proposed to designate pre-1969 structures as Class 3 historic sites
and to allow Class 1 structures to re-tenant with more intensive uses without providing
additional parking as required by the Zoning Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Historic Site Preservation Board recommend that the Planning Commission
and City Council approve the proposed text amendments.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Chapter 8.05.125 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) delineates three
categories or Classes of Historic Designation. All buildings built before 1945 are
automatically classified as Class 3 historic sites. These buildings are eligible for a 120-
day stay of demolition, with a possible 60-day extension, intended to allow the Board an
opportunity to conduct studies or investigation for possible designation to a higher historic
classification.
Many of the City's signature mid-century buildings were built between 1945 and 1968.
Currently unless they are designated Class 1 structures, there is no review prior to
demolition. This change to the code would provide an opportunity for board consideration
of such sites prior to the issuance of demolition permits.
As with all actions of the HSPB, decisions of the board may be appealed to the City
Council.
Section 93.06.00.B.3 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code (PSZC) deals with non-
conforming parking. Currently, buildings which previously housed offices or retail uses
may re-tenant with the same use but cannot be converted to restaurant, bar, theater,
03
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report Page 2 of 2
November 12, 2013
Case 5.1311 ZTA-Amendments to PSMC Chapter 8.05 and PSZC 93.06.
galleries or other type of more intense use without providing additional parking or
payment of in-lieu fees (when such sites are located in the Central Business District
(CBD). This proposed change in the code would provide greater flexibility in finding new
tenants and eliminate a major financial hardship in doing so. This is a way to provide
value to the city's historic resources and an incentive to landowners to seek historic
designation. This type of code change has proven successful in other cities.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed Municipal Code and Zoning Code text amendments have been reviewed
under the guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and have been
determined to be a project as defined by CEQA. The project was evaluated pursuant to
CEQA and a Class 5 Categorical Exemption (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations)
has been proposed.
NOTIFICATION
No notification is required for this item.
Margo Wheeler, AICP
Director of Planning Services
Attachment: Excerpt from PSMC Section 8.05.125 (created by City Council)
Excerpt from PSZC Section 93.06 (off-street parking)
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HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013
LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
EXCERPT FROM ITEM 3B
3.B. APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF PAL*SPRINGS FOR CODS AMENDMENTS
TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER $A5 AND ZONING CODE gPTER 93.06
TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY OF CLA$$ 3 HISTORIC STRUCTUS AND TO
ALLOW VACANT CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITES TO RE-TENANT WITH MORE
INTENSE USES WITHOUT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PARKING.
Director Wheeler presented nd answered questions..
Board members supported both measures.
M/S/C Ploss/Jphns 6-0 to approve the proposed text amendments by the Planning
Commission and The,City Council.
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