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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 10/30/2018CITY OF PALM DESERT BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachel le ,Klassen, City Clerk ,J� From: Suzanne Cicchini, Management Specialist II Date: January 29, 2019 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on October 30, 2018 Attached is a copy of the Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on January 29, 2019. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment CITY OF PALM DESERT CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes October 30, 2018 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Tom Mortensen, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Chair called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Paul Clark Don Graybill Kim Housken Juan Mireles Thomas Mortensen K. Gary Olesen Also Present: Sabby Jonathan, Mayor Susan Marie Weber, Mayor Pro Tern Gilbert Stayner, Successful Bidder -Miles Bates House/Palm Desert Wave House Christian Stayner, Successful Bidder -Miles Bates House/Palm Desert Wave House John Going, Colleague of Gilbert Stayner and Christian Stayner Rochelle McCune, future Palm Desert resident Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Committee Chair Tom Mortensen introduced Mayor Sabby Jonathan. The Mayor thanked everyone for giving him the opportunity to speak and mentioned that it was the time of year when .we give thanks. On behalf of the City of Palm Desert, the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, he thanked everyone and presented the Committee Members with a gift card from Westfield Mall, a token of appreciation which he hoped they would enjoy. The 17 committees and commissions help set policy and guide staff in the work they do. The Mayor pointed out that this committee is so important. The older one is, the more it is understood and appreciated how important it is to understand the roots from where you came. Understanding where we are today helps guide us in the future. Everyone is a part of that process and it CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30. 2018 is so important to our city. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for the Committee volunteering their time, effort and expertise which helps City of Palm Desert be better. The Mayor thanked everyone and wished all a joyous holiday season. All applauded and thanked the Mayor. Rochelle McCune is a retired arch ivist/researcher and historian. She and her husband are in escrow and are relocating to a home on Deep Canyon Road next month. They spent a month house hunting -and began to research the history of their future home. The history of her current house in San Francisco is at the San Francisco History Room at the library. She started digging and Merilee Colton, Palm Desert Historical Society Board Member, suggested she learn about the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee. Committee Chair Tom Mortensen inquired about her current house. It was built in 1899. It is on Haight Street. A census was done and they found a second family four blocks away with the same name as her husband's name. -They were from the same town in Ireland and had the same birthday. The house, made of wood, survived the earthquake and the fire. She noted they were on the far side of Van Ness Corridor where the Fire Department dynamited. It left their house with a crack down the hallway. The house she is purchasing was built in 1955, she cannot bring any of her furniture; Mid Century modern furniture will be needed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 Motion was made by Committee Member Juan Mireles to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Committee Vice Chair Paul Clark and carried by a 6-0 vote with Graybill, Mireles, Clark Mortensen, Olesen, and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER — None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSS AND DETERMINE STATUS OF MILES BATES HOUSE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS - Christian Stayner and his father, Gilbert Stayner were the successful bidders on the Miles Bates House, also known as the Palm Desert Wave House. John Going is their colleague. Since the auction in February, 2018, they conducted a lot .of archival research on the house. Escrow closed in October, 2018 and they are actively trying to move forward with the restoration of the original house. Their intent is to bring the Bates house back to what the original architect intended for the property. They would like it to be as close to what it was like when Miles pulled up in whatever car he drove. According to their research, Palm Desert circa 1955-56 was a more sparsely populated open G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 201 M2018 10 30 Minutes.docx Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30. 2018 space, unincorporated area. Their goal is to. bring the building back physically, but also revive the use of the building as a very lively cultural place with artists and visitors from all points near and far. They are here to talk about the Certificate of Appropriateness application for the extra modifications that happened to the house over the last 56 years. Gilbert Stayner's goal for the house is to have it look as close as possible to what Miles Bates saw when he walked in the door. It's not quite as easy as it would seem. The intent was the interesting part. They found drawings that were not quite built the way they actually were. A great deal of time was spent at UC Santa Barbara, and with great help from their contractor, they got a pretty good idea of what Walter White intended. Miles Bates was the boss. Architects do what their clients tell them to. Gilbert Stayner requested a little latitude in some of the precise things. They discovered his famous drawing for the roof is not the way it was built. It wasn't strong enough, so he built it big. The color of the house is blue, however, in various areas, various shades of blue were discovered. They want to find the original blue. A lot of really horrible things were done to this little house. They pretty much know what they are now. They are doing their best to find what was intended from the drawings. They discovered that as an engineer/architect builder decisions were made. He felt he had -a better way and then built it that way. They are trying to figure out what color the ceiling is inside. They have an incredibly expensive restoration stripper that will hopefully get it down to the final, original color. Restoration will be done detail by detail, photo by photo. They met and worked with some wonderful people, . such as Jim West and Dr. Barbara Lamprecht. They learned a lot about people. The architect, the owner and the people around them. This amazing, tiny place has such a draw on people. Gilbert Stayner's daughter works at the New Yorker in Manhattan and she was the one who came out to see it the first day. She encouraged him to take this project on. She is actually quitting her job to do an oral history which is for her Master's degree on the people around this home. We could have a very credible academic document that takes on not just the, home but the people. John Going, colleague of Gilbert and Christian Stayner mentioned that they have been doing a lot of research at the Walter White archives at UC Santa Barbara, in addition to speaking with different people who have been associated with the house. They are focused on the environment and original construction, the different colors and materials and all the alterations that were done. Some of these seem like that were, a part of the original house, and they are uncovering things like a low wall at the front entry, removed after the construction when the addition's were happening. Christian Stayner explained their architectural practice in Los Angeles has about 8 people right now. Their practices has interesting parallels with the original architect, Walter S. White's practice. Both are actively involved in the construction of many of their projects. This particular project is a little further away from Los Angeles. They are very engaged in how things got assembled and the construction processes and inventions that White tried on the Wave house. Some of them didn't work out as well as they should have. They are trying to figure out ways of maintaining what the intent was and fixing some of G:%BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteelMinutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30. 2018 those things such as drainage, and things that the house was dealt, in many cases damaged the original intent of the house. The fixes include unexciting and _invisible things that will make sure the house lasts a lot longer. The Stayners, are approaching the house from a professional point of view as well as being the owners of the property and using the property for some enjoyment ° after completion. Christian Stayner mentioned that he used to teach architectural history focused on mid 20th century at the university level, so the project is approached from an academic perspective, as well. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety stated that Gilbert and Christian Stayner submitted documents for the Certificate of Appropriateness as well as the construction documents. There are a lot of overlapping requirements, but the difference is the Certificate of Appropriateness doesn't get into the details of construction, as you would if you were submitting building permit plans. We do have a set of plans that were submitted for a building permit that triggered this meeting in order to discuss the Certificate of Appropriateness. The Committee is to review and provide feedback on it. If any of you have specific questions they have all the answers and if not, I will try to guide you. Committee Vice Chair Paul Clark inquired if the title had changed yet. Mr. Grance replied that it has, and that is the reason they are here. Mr. Grance mentioned that there are two sets of plans to review. Gilbert Stayner put the plans on a display board at the back of the Administrative Conference Room for the Committee to walk over to review. He noted that these are just summaries. Susan Marie Weber, Mayor Pro Tern inquired if this will eventually go on for the Mills Act. Mr. Grance informed that they submitted an application for the Mills Act. We accepted their $318 application fee. He is currently reviewing that application to determine completeness. The next step is submission of the formal contract, which is sent to the City Attorney for review. After approval by the'City Attorney, a Staff Report will go to the City Council. Susan Marie Weber, Mayor Pro Tern commented that it was encouraging. Christian Stayner explained that they are applying for federal tax credits for the property. Additional oversight and input on the exterior modifications will be required. The interior modifications will be subject to the Secretary of the Interior standards on restoration and rehabilitation as part of the review, part two of the IRS federal tax credits. It goes to the State of California and Department of the Interior for review of their intents. The goal is approval of the restoration activities as consistent with the federal guidelines. They are 90% done with the application and are hoping to send if off to the State of California for the first review soon. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety explained that if federal money is not sought, it's a nationally registered site, then basically SHPO takes over and then they would be the lead agency. If you are going after federal funds, then both are involved. Christian Stayner mentioned that it was his understanding that the State of California entity determines whether the restoration is approved. They will get a tax credit if they are successful. The Committee Members viewed the plans that were posted on the board for the first Palm Desert home approved for the National Register of Historic G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30. 2018 Places. Gilbert Stayner explained that the two sets of drawings are very detailed and indicated that shaded area on the demolition plan represented the original house. This big demolition contains lot of little demolitions and they are going very slowly. They discovered some really nice things and some not so nice things. Their contractor, Kevin O'Donnell has been here 20 years in Palm Desert, he worked with a client in Cahuilla Hills. He's a craftsman. He has the tools to re -mill the lumber so it will be the same. Everything they are doing is going back to the original drawings, whenever possible. Committee Member Don Graybill inquired if some parts can be saved for historical purposes. Some parts of the roof are salvageable, but .some are not. They plan on saving as much as they can. In some areas, a wood hardener will be used to harden the old wood to see if they can preserve it. It's quite a process to restore. Gilbert Stayner explained that at some point it was re -roofed. Parts of the roof was not strong enough. Some areas are very bad. They are working very hard to match the colors. Three weeks ago they finally were able to go into the house. Christian Stayner mentioned a planter that by original intent was supposed to hover. It didn't quite hover the way the architect wanted it to. At some point, a concrete foundation was used, diminishing the effect. They are trying to come up with ways and details that they can make it work. Gilbert Stayner remarked that this is a good example of experimental architecture. When you do only one, you haven't tested things. When things didn't quite work, adjustments were made. Whoever bought it later wanted a more traditional house. Gilbert Stayner told the Committee that they are so lucky to have Cora Gaugush and Russell Grance. Cora Gaugush was not present today at the meeting. She was really accommodating. She told Gilbert Stayner that in this town, we take public service very seriously. She was even available on Sunday. When they first looked at the house they realized the elegance of this place. It's basically a couple of squares. There is something very nice about it. It's the right proportions and you see through what was done to the house: Every one of us thought this was something special. We thought that we could really do something. Gilbert Stayner pointed out that before they did this, they sold his very first building. This was a really big commitment. The money is always there; it's costing more than they thought, but they plan to realize it and Mr. Stayner believes the Committee Members will be quite happy when it's done. They want to return the roof to that slender profile. They still need insulation and they came up with an idea for the eve, the overhang. They suspect the roof may have been white originally. A light colored roof makes sense. There were jalousie windows. These leak and are terrible for energy. There is no way to lock them up. They determined the smartest decision was high energy efficiency glass. They will try to make up for what was probably cross ventilation. It won't be colored or mirrored double glazed. There is citrus around it, and we think that might be one very minor divergence. Throughout the house there are very few walls: You can pretty much see this whole idea. You couldn't do that today. Mr. Grance commented, that you probably could, but it would be moment framed. Christian Stayner mentioned that they were pretty sure that this is basically steel framed with a lightweight roof on top of it. They are G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Ciochini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 5 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30. 2018 still trying to find door knob pictures. They are going to have a curved driveway. It will blend in and there will be places for three cars. Beautiful desert landscape is intended. The palm trees probably were not original. They will try to have some shade for the cars and people. Christian Stayner noted that they found from their pseudo architectural history of the past of the house that Miles C. Bates was a bit of a moneyed playboy. He didn't have to work and made artof dubious quality. He had girlfriends and fast race cars. He inherited his.wealth. His grandfather had a bag that ready mix cement could be put into. The company that made the bags was in the Midwest. There seems to be an interest in concrete as a construction material, so in keeping with that they would return to that concrete use of the material rather match the original building. They will pick up the height of it, horizontal lines in terms of how the original architect dealt with horizontal and vertical lines of the block in, order to make the shadow lines. They are trying to find clues within the history of the building. One of the challenges they found as a family of more than two people is the original Bates house is quite small. It has one bedroom. It does have two bathrooms. One for visitors use. The 2"d bath had a shower. In order to accommodate their family and to be more usable their intent is to add additional buildings well behind the original Bates house. The size and proportion of the current for units are not conforming. They will be demolishing the triplex that is sort of up against the original house and building two more units,as far back as possible onto the back of the lot. These will not be touching the original construction. Part of the challenge of the Bates house is that the amount of infrastructure that buildings have now compared to back in 1955. It's just not accommodated, easily within the original Bates House. They are looking for a place to centralize all the HVAC units, water heating, electrical panels and internet routers, and things like that. Christian Stayner noted that the wall on the left side is on City property. The City property wall will remain. Gilbert Stayner remarked that they will build a wall across the back. For hotels you see a lot of walls everywhere, but this house will be seen as'much as possible. Christian Stayner noted that the main wall of the house was to demarcate between the front yard which is supposed to be natural desert landscape and the backyard which was to be more lush, almost tropical landscape. There were two houses designed before this one -and landscapes were designed elements of those original house designs.. These were scaled down due to the budget. This is what ended up getting built. There were much more expansive, grand proposals for both. Committee Member Don Graybill remarked that before it was just a grapefruit grove. Gilbert Stayner commented that in keeping with the glass and wall repair, they will strip it down until they find the right color, which took a lot of effort! Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety called attention to the wave on the right side of the door. It has glass. He suggested visualizing on the west side, it would be the same, but without the glass. Christian Stayner commented that the openings will be in to the bedroom. Gilbert Stayner noted that it was really low, there would be no privacy in the bedrooms. Committee Vice Chair Paul Clark commented that there is more comfort in knowing, and sometimes being too obsessed with going backwards G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne' Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 201 BX2018 10 30 Minutes.docx Page 6 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30, 2018 is almost impossible. You have to compromise some, especially on the inside. Committee Member Don Graybill recalled that the sink in the bathroom with the shower is original. During a discussion about the wood and their attempt to match paint colors, Committee Member Kim Housken added that former Committee Member and architect, Bob Pitchford knew the architect of the house. She also recalled that there was a lumber yard in Palm Desert that was also a Walter White Building. It was called Houston. Lumber and it had a little wood area in the back. Gilbert Stayner invited the Committee Members to come over. The contractor is on the job every day. Committee Member Kim Housken reminded that during Modernism Week we need to have a follow up of the progress that has been made. We want to celebrate what you are doing. Gilbert Stayner remarked it gives us a few months; let's see where we are. We want to get to the roof first, if there is a rain. As soon as you give us your blessing on it we can proceed with the plan check. Committee Member Don Graybill remarked that wasn't it amazing those beams were connected to make one beam. Ms. Housken exclaimed, "like a puzzle piece, joined together!" Gilbert Stayner informed that he was very talented. According to Gilbert Stayner, Walter White studied with Frank Lloyd Wright and was one of the only architectural students who was admitted to architectural school without paying. He was recognized for his unusual talent. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned when people see what the Stayner's are doing they might- end up with more projects out here. She is aware of a couple, -of Walter White homeowners that could probably use your help. We are delighted Gilbert and Christian Stayner were the winning bidders. After the Committee had a chance to view posted plans away from the microphones, Committee Chair Tom Mortenson noted that the Committee was back in order. Committee Vice Chair asked, "What kind of motion do you need today?" Russell Grance, .Director of Building & Safety pointed out that the Certificate of Appropriateness is basically the binder detailing all the requirements hence, more detailed drawings and what was submitted as conceptual a couple of months ago. Combined, that's the building permit application and the Certificate of Appropriateness, and ultimately, the presentation of their case of what their ambitions are and what their final goal is. We will make sure that they comply with the historical code and any deviations out in the field, and he hit on those a bit. Any that deviate from these approved plans.once they are reviewed, would be submitted as an addendum and based upon those changes, would trigger whether it comes back before the Committee for your interjection. Committee Member Don Graybill mentioned that some of which would not be necessary because you could approve it yourself. Mr. Grance described that a lot of the conversations he had about a week ago when they sat down and submitted, were worked out. A lot of those final details for the windows, what was originally on the plans versus what was really installed. What may or may not have been changed over the years, even down to the doweling system on the roof, which showed two by twos and Mr. Grance showed 2 x 4's, so there were some inconsistencies on G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 7 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 30, 2018 the original drawings versus what was actually built' Little inconsistencies that may be found will have to be dealt with for the duration of the project. The motion today is based upon the documents. If in favor of moving forward, and Mr. Grance thought they covered those with what was submitted, mimicked and mirrored in the construction drawings in addition to further details of what they are proposing to do. Committee Chair Tom Mortensen inquired if they were ready to make the motion. Motion was made by Committee Vice Chair Paul Clark to approve as submitted: Motion was seconded by Committee Member Kim Housken and carried by a 6-0 vote with Graybill, Mireles, Clark Mortensen, Olesen, and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. Gilbert Stayner thanked the Committee and Mayor Pro Tern Susan Marie Weber requested a picture. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS — None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATES: PROGRESS OF POTENTIAL DESIGNATIONS Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported that the Staff Report for the next City Council meeting and Public Hearing will. be for a proposed historic designation for Gary Bindman's residence at 47869 Sun Corral Trail. Mr. Grance accepted the application for the Mills Act for the Miles C. Bates House. Once he approves the application, the contract is submitted and reviewed by the City Attorney. It will probably appear on the December City Council Agenda for consideration. Committee Member Donald Graybill mentioned that Cliff Henderson's house at 73597 Pinyon Street is up for sale now. The designation application was not completed, so it's up to another owner to continue if they wish to have it recognized as a historic designation. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS The next meeting will be held on November 27, 2018. Susan Marie Weber, Mayor Pro, Tern acknowledged and appreciates it that time is taken to meet with the Committee for workshops. Some committees/commissions don't meet if they do not have a quorum. They miss the camaraderie that this group has which is so valuable because you exchange ideas and keep the momentum and excitement going on your projects. She realizes, it takes a lot of time, and expressed her thanks for it and - mentioned that it really matters very much today. She inquired about the progress of the smallest park and tallest tree. Russell Grance Director of Building and Safety mentioned that he was waiting to hear from the new Public Works Director. She might want to have a chat with him about it. G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 8 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES X. ADJOURNMENT OCTOBER 30, 2018 Motion was made by Committee Member Juan Mireles to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Don Graybill and carried by a 6-0 vote with Graybill, Mireles, Clark Mortensen, Olesen, and- Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m. c� Suzanne. Cicchini, Recording Secretary G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2018\201810 30 Minutes.docx Page 9