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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 01/29/2019CITY OF PALM DESERT BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk Jele- From: Suzanne Cicchini, Management Specialist II Date: March 26, 2019 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on January 29, 2019 Attached is a copy of the Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on March 26, 2019. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment CITY OF PALM DESERT CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes January 29, 2019 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 9:05 a.m. Pictures of the Committee were taken by David Hermann, City of Palm Desert Public Information Officer prior to the meeting. Tom Mortensen Committee Chair proceeded ahead to VI. New Business, A. Elections, ahead of IV. Consent Calendar, consideration of the approval of the Minutes of the October 30, 2018 Meeting. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Paul Clark Don Graybill Kim Housken Juan Mireles Thomas Mortensen K. Gary Olesen Also Present: Susan Marie Weber, Mayor Christian Stayner, Successful Bidder -Miles Bates House/Palm Desert Wave House Mark Zimmer, Palm Desert Resident Jason Finley, Supervising Plans Examiner (in for Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety, Absent, on Bereavement Leave) Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary Ill. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 30, 2018 Motion was made by Committee Member Thomas Mortensen to accept the Minutes. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Juan Mireles CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 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. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2019 Motion was made by Thomas Mortensen Committee Chair to nominate current Committee Vice Chair Paul Clark for the 2019 Committee Chair position. Committee Member Juan Mireles seconded the Motion. Motion carried by a 6-0 vote with Graybill, Mireles, Clark, Mortensen, Olesen, and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. Motion was made by Committee Member Thomas Mortensen to nominate Committee Member Juan Mireles for the 2019 Vice Chair position. Committee Member Don Graybill seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0 with Graybill, Mireles, Clark, Mortensen, Olesen, and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. B. DISCUSS AND DETERMINE STATUS OF MILES BATES HOUSE PRECISE PLAN APPLICATION Paul Clark Committee Chair inquired if there were any comments from staff. Jason Finley Supervising Plans Examiner, standing in for Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety had no comments. Christian Stayner, the Successful Bidder -Miles Bates House/Palm Desert Wave House, explained that this was consistent with what was approved, street view. The application made to the Planning Department considers the rest of the property and the development which includes the house and landscaping. The site improvements at the front are consistent with the previous application reviewed by this Committee. This is a more precise version with more details about the intent, as it relates to the Bates House. Committee Chair Paul Clark clarified that by virtue of having applied to the Planning Department, the entire application comes back to this Committee. The development of the property includes the restoration of the original house, which they have been doing for about 3-4 months. They are putting the roofing back on in preparation for the rain on Thursday. Demolition of the non -historical addition that was added to the front over the years is done. They removed the triplex and made considerable headway on the restoration of the interior of the house. This is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's standards for restoration. The intent is that the building will be certified by the SHPO (State of California Historic Preservation Office) upon restoration. They are addressing HVAC, plumbing and electrical repairs to the original house so that it can be made habitable again. Previously, when Mr. Stayner presented before this G \BldgSfty\Suzanne Gcchn Word Ftles\Cultural Resources Preservabon CommitteeMnutes 2019\2019 01 29 Minutes.docu Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 Committee, the house was a one bedroom, two bath home, which is too small for their family to make use of. The by -right development of the zoning allows them to place an additional two dwelling units on the property. These are located as far back away from the Bates House as possible. These are one bedroom, one to two bathroom single story units. They have taken certain guidance from the original Bates House construction in terms of the height of the roof. It is not a curved roof like the Bates House, but rather a more modest flat roof construction. Certain material cues and construction techniques were picked up also. They are not replicating them; solid cast concrete walls, expanses of glass and then the thin roof construction that are in the same language, but not indicative of the original house. There is a small pool house cabana that provides some of the utilities spaces that the original house did not have when constructed in 1955. There are places for trashcans, centralized boiler system for pool equipment, and an additional bathroom. They are also adding a pool to the center of the property. There were plans for a circular pool, very close in size and location to the original pool. They are working on the front landscape. It's consistent with the original intent. Desert arid, set of specimen euphorbia and other cacti are planned. They are working with a specialist for these. The back of the house, behind the original wall, is intended to have more lush, not subtropical, but sort of thicker vegetation than the front. They are addressing controlling site lighting and sound with the Planning Department. They requested through a conditional use permit, certain limited use of the property for events and experiential visits. There is tremendous interest in the house. Two to four people drive by the house every day to take photos and get out and view it. They are very interested in what it's like inside behind the wall. They hope for a way to allow people to experience it and use the house for as much community benefit as possible, rather than a private work of art. They are hopeful that the Planning Commission and Planning Department can come up with a way to make it possible. They wish to be considerate and appropriate for nearby residents. Christian Stayner imagines that once the construction is completed and the City and Federal plaques are placed, that interest is only going to grow. They want a sanctioned and responsible way to allow people to see the house and experience it. It has evolved because of the accumulation over time, but spending full days inside the house, the changes in light quality are noticed and the roof impacts certain views out. Some of the more unique and unusual details are being discovered within the house. The original shower, had a gravel bottom, not a concrete slab. A light box that runs the length of the shower has since rusted out. It originally illuminated the base of the shower. There are a lot of small items, such as how the roof construction of dowels was crafted and certain finishes turned corners. It takes time to discover and experience those details. Paul Clark Committee Chair thanked Mr. Stayner for his presentation. Committee Member Juan Mireles asked how long it will take to complete. Christian Stayner reminded that they have only had possession of the house since October 10, 2018. They made considerable headway. Time was spent removing asbestos, lead, old construction and they were able to reuse wood. GtBldgSfty\Suzanne ClcchmAWord Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Comm tteeNinutes 2019%2019 0129 Minutes.docz Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 They had a rough time trying to find vertical grain, old grove Douglas Fir to match the original roof construction from 1955. The triplex was built a little more than ten years after the original house. They discovered in the course of the demolition of the triplex, that a majority of the old triplex wood could be salvaged and re -milled on site. This wood patched various holes and water damage. They are hoping to have it livable sometime this summer. They are fixing a couple of small areas and you can already start to see what it will look like once it's more restored. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired whether livable meant just the original house. Will any of the new construction be done? Mr. Stayner replied that it will probably just be the original house. Ms. Housken inquired with the elevation from the street, will you be able to see any of the new construction over the east end of the roof of the original house? Mr. Stayner explained that it would not be seen. He suggested that the Committee turn to page A200 of the plans. These are the only items you will see from the street because the new constructed roof is lower than the maximum height of the Bates House. The wall will continue across the width of the property. There was a poorly constructed wood fence that continued at that wall. Their wall has coursing that matches up with the original Bates wall so it's clear where the historic material and the newly added material is. There is a note about a 1" gap between the two constructions. They hope the original structure will be kept intact in the future, but he pointed out that all of the things they are adding can be removed at a later date, for historic content. This will have some level of significance or value, but everything is being done in a way that can be removed in the future, much like the triplex construction. There is a wall with a gate in it. The wall height matches up with the original wall, and then there is a small amount of the roof that would be visible from the pool house. There is a little bit of roof showing on the left hand side of that image. This is also not taking into account projection of perspective. The wall will block quite a bit of that. Committee Member Don Graybill noticed even on the new structures that there aren't many straight lines. The roof structure, has a big curve going over part of the pool just at the ends of each of the buildings. It's nice that all the curves are going on. Committee Member Don Graybill noted that there were hardly any straight lines, except on the pool building. The Committee Members viewed the plans and discussed the walkway. Mr. Stayner explained that the planter shown with the slight curvature was originally there. It is being put back. There are photographs and they found the original foundation of that planter. It was left behind and buried with dirt. Three square stepping stones are original. These were previously removed but they have a photograph showing where these were. Committee Member Don Graybill asked if there was any concrete there. Mr. Stayner mentioned that there was one concrete pad just at the landing of the door. It appears it was resurfaced before. Committee Members Don Graybill and Kim Housken questioned whether they were carrying the same effect of what was around the pool and landscaping in the back. Is it the same construction? Mr. Stayner mentioned that it is the same material. The treatment of it will hopefully be equal throughout. The patio is off to the side, the original patio is still intact. It actually turns out to be terrazzo GABIdgStty\Suzanne CiccNn\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeNinutes 2019\2019 0129 Minutes docx Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 that matches the same material that was used inside. They are thinking of picking the look up, but not matching the terrazzo exactly. They will use a similar type of material. The driveway has a slightly different stabilized material that matches the landscaping plans, so it's not a hard, black, thick asphalt driveway. Mr. Graybill inquired if there were interlocking blocks, or anything like that. Mr. Stayner mentioned that the surface will be ADA compliant. It's not a poured material, but one a wheelchair can go on. There are a couple of gravel based driving materials that they are looking at. Mr. Graybill commented that it looked wonderful. Paul Clark Committee Chair noticed that Mr. Stayner handed out some photos for the Committee to view. Committee Member Kim Housken pointed out that one of the photos showed where that original little wall was. The Committee discussed the plans. Committee Member Juan Mireles noticed that the back unit had two bathrooms, but the other unit only had one bathroom. Mr. Mireles commented that you have to go through the bedroom to go to the bathroom. Mr. Stayner confirmed that he was correct. Mr. Mireles wished that it could be a little longer to accommodate two bathrooms. Mr. Stayner explained that he wished they had two bathrooms too, however, they are trying to keep as much set back as possible from the original house and define the landscaping for that. They wish they could figure out a way to address the internal configurations. Committee Member Juan Mireles inquired if it would be wise to flip the bathroom to be more towards the bedroom in the back. Mr. Stayner responded that they were trying to keep the bedrooms as sound isolated as possible. He agreed that was a good suggestion and noted that they have moved those around so many times. They pushed everything as far away as possible from the original house, utilizing some of the backyard setbacks; there is allowance for staggering. Mr. Mireles explained that the reason he mentioned it was that they do have the kitchen. They could put the bathroom right next to the back of the kitchen. It would make more sense, especially for a guest not to have to go through a bedroom in order to get to a bathroom, which seems like an old idea. Mr. Stayner noted that these are compact units. Paul Clark, Committee Chair asked how big the units are. The square footage for the units is 466 and 589 square feet. Discussion commenced about the roof. Mr. Clark inquired about the overhang on page Al2. Mr. Stayner explained that they share a common roof, but they are individual units. Committee Member Don Graybill commented that there is just a bit of a slope for drainage. Mr. Stayner clarified that effectively, it's a flat roof in its construction. Mr. Clark inquired if it was all one roof structure. Mr. Stayner confirmed that it was. Mr. Stayner indicated that some of what had to be done was in consideration for financing, other items are individual. Joined buildings have some benefits. Paul Clark Committee Chair complimented that the curved roof edge works very well with everything going on. He mentioned that the Conditional Use Permit was filed with Planning. He asked how they going to deal with the Planning Department on parking. Mr. Stayner explained that they are in compliance with the parking requirements for the use of the house for residential purposes, both long term and short term. They have 4 spaces that are located on the property and for special event usage. They identified a G 01dgSity\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Guttural Resources Preservation Committee\MMinutes 2019\2019 0129 Minutes docx Page 5 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 couple of partners to provide offsite parking. The Joslyn Center is one of them. They have been very receptive and interested. The City has quite a bit of parking and said they would be open to parking arrangements. College of the Desert and the McCallum Theater are additional sources. Committee Chair Paul Clark commented that they would have to arrange a shuttle to avoid parking up and down the street. He inquired whether the three parking spaces are covered. Mr. Stayner explained that these are shaded by trees. The zoning code has the option of public parking or tree shaded parking. Committee Member Juan Mireles didn't think that covered parking would do as well because it would take away from the look of the house. Mr. Stayner agreed that it would seem detrimental. Mr. Clark mentioned that during his tenure on the Architectural Review Commission, covered parking with a carport or garage was usually one of the more contentious issues. The Code allowing trees for covered parking was new to Mr. Clark. Mr. Stayner explained that there is a section in the code that allows for trees in lieu. They have a request to be able to utilize that in order to provide covered parking. They are trying to park behind the wall of the house and even that produced some pretty unfortunate outcomes. Mr. Clark served on the Architectural Review Commission earlier and he counseled that Mr. Stayner needs to be quite clear on that and have his bases covered with Staff. Mr. Stayner indicated that he spoke with the Planning Department extensively on what their recommendations were on that specific point. Committee Member Don Graybill questioned whether the large succulent cactus and landscaping in front would be kept. Mr. Stayner confirmed that it would be kept. It says Texas equivalent, it's euphorbia (cacti,) that's up in the corner. One of his projects for today is to go to the City of Palm Desert Engineering Department to hopefully come up with a way to make the sidewalk accessible, while not negatively impacting that. Committee Member Don Graybill indicated that it's about the only original plant or original landscape. It's been there a long, long time. Committee Member Kim Housken questioned if it was an original. Mr. Stayner thinks it is amazing. Mr. Graybill mentioned that he didn't know how original it was, but it's been there a long, long time and he thought it was cool that they were keeping it. Committee Member Juan Mireles wanted to make a motion or a recommendation that they do not have any carports in front of the house. Discussion commenced with Committee Chair Paul Clark suggesting that have a motion made to accept with recommendations or stipulations that will be carried on to the other appropriate departments. Mr. Stayner added that they looked at carports extensively and the required height was well above the original wall height of the original Bates House. They couldn't make it consistent in character. It was going to be a completely alien thing, even as tightly controlled as we could make it architectural. Committee Chair Paul Clark assumed there was never any car garage or carport from the beginning, and thought that Miles Bates just probably parked his hot rod out in front. Mr. Stayner confirmed, there was no carport or garage that he was aware of. There were bedrooms and things attached and at some point; one of those might have been used. Many of those were not permitted or in compliance with the City's code requirements. G 1BIdgStty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWinutes 2019\2019 01 29 Minutes docx Page 6 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019 Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that she appreciates that Mr. Stayner has come back to this Committee, but she almost feels that the Committee is getting out of its purview. She appreciates that Mr. Stayner has considered the aesthetics of the house and is confident that the additions will be sympathetic to the original house. She is happy to be moving forward with this, as presented with Committee Member Juan Mireles' recommendation regarding shading being adequate for parking. Mr. Mireles reiterated that they will be disappointed if they put carports there. Mr. Clark remarked that the Committee has the right to make their comments. Higher authorities can do with it as they see fit, depending upon City ordinances and interpretations and architecture. It will be nice to keep the Committee informed as this moves forward particularly with the conditional use permit and if there are any issues on the carports or other matters affecting the historic design of the structure. We would like to be made aware of any public hearings on the matter. Committee Chair Paul Clark inquired if they were doing anything for Modernism Week at the site. Mr. Stayner responded probably not. Their interest is for the future of the restored house. They were approached by Desert X about a project which addresses the theme of Modernism through art with an installation at the house. The main unveiling will be for Modernism Week 2020. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired if there will be a Desert X project in a couple of weeks. Mr. Stayner responded that they are trying to sort out their needs, and what they will be able to do. It would only be weekends. Given that it's an active construction site, they are trying to figure out what is feasible, and what they can do to help them with their project. Ms. Housken anticipated that with Modernism Week, drive -byes will increase from 4 to 8 and greatly more than that. People will be very interested. Committee Chair Paul Clark asked if the Minutes would be forwarded to the Planning Department. Recording Secretary Suzanne Cicchini responded that they absolutely can be. Mr. Clark recommended that these be a part of the Planning Department records. Mr. Clark thanked Mr. Stayner for coming and wished him good luck. Motion was made by Committee Member Juan Mireles to approve but recommend that there not be any carports built in front of the house. 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. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS — None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATES: PROGRESS OF POTENTIAL DESIGNATIONS Committee Chair Paul Clark inquired if Jason Finley Supervising Plans Examiner, standing in for Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety had any comments to add. He did not have any. Mr. Grance's mother had been G \BldgStty\Suzanne Gcchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation ComrnitteeUAinutes 2019\2019 0129 Minutes docx Page 7 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 29, 2019 ill and passed away this morning. Mr. Grance had to leave suddenly. A condolence card will be sent. Committee Member Don Graybill reported some interest in the Sandpiper this week. People are individually receiving Mills Act applications and that is so good. Some are just not aware of the program. Mr. Clark commented that they do become aware of it over time. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS Paul Clark Committee Chair reported on a flyer he brought for the Riverside County History Symposium. It's going to be in about a month from now in Lake Elsinore. He highly recommends attending. He quipped that somebody by the name of Paul Clark is going to make a fabulous presentation. Everything you wanted to know about wind turbines from the past, including the one built in the 1920's. There will be a series of speakers and a walking tour of Lake Elsinore. There will be a continental breakfast and lunch. He has attended before and they usually have representatives from nearly all the historical societies including Blythe. It's a good place to meet and network. Committee Member Kim Housken reported that the City of Palm Desert City Council approved the Mills Act for the Miles Bates house on December 13, 2018. Committee Member Don Graybill asked if they have a Federal application in for a plaque, and Ms. Housken clarified that he said they did, and a there is a City of Palm Desert plaque. Mr. Clark explained that when you get on the national register you usually get one from a group that makes the plaque and you buy the plaque. They may have a franchise from the Federal government so the plaques all look the same. These are not sent gratis, unless it has changed. Mr. Graybill indicated that if you don't want something like that, it can be clutter too. Ms. Housken suggested that maybe it could be discreet. Sandpiper put their plaque on a big boulder. She thought it was a good solution. Russell Grance Director of Building and Safety goes out for a site visit for placing the plaque. Ms. Housken announced that a week from tomorrow, the Coachella Valley Preservationists Meeting will be held at the Rancho Mirage Library at 11:50 a.m. She will bring symposium flyers to share with the group. Everyone is cordially invited, if you are interested. There are representatives from different cities. Committee Chair Paul Clark asked if this was similar to something that was held in Indio last year. Committee Member Kim Housken, responded no. They meet approximately four times a year. It's informal and held at the Rancho Mirage Library, in the conference room to the right. Discussion commenced about the meeting room and how the organization deals with building preservation challenges. Mr. Clark asked if someone from the Palm Desert Historical Society attends. Ms. Housken responded that she didn't think someone from the Historical Society was usually there. We sympathize with people who are just trying to get an ordinance off the ground. The attendees received a heads up about a group in Palm Springs that has a symposium every year in April or May. The Chairperson of that group reminds them that the events tickets are free, but these are snapped up quickly. Committee Chair Paul Clark inquired about the status of the permits for the Miles Bates House. Jason Finley Supervising Plans Examiner replied that building permits are issued. They are in full swing and up to date on their inspections. Committee Member Don G \81dgStty\Suzanne Occtuni\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation ComrrmtteeNinutes 2019\2019 0129 Minutes.docx Page 8 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 29, 2019. Graybill asked if anyone has been by there and Committee Member Kim Housken remarked that she drives by once a week. It looks great! The roof looks so much thinner now with all the foam out. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee Member K. Gary Oleson to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Thomas Mortensen and carried by a 6-0 vote with Graybill, Mireles, Clark, Mortensen, Olesen, and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary GABIdgSf ylSuzanne Gcchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CornattteeMnutes 2019\2019 01 29 Minutes.docx Page 9