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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 02/28/2017 .. NN. CITY OF PALM DESERT 0 111 - h BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk te' From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: February 28, 2017 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on February 28, 2017 Attached is a copy of the January 31, 2017 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on February 28, 2017. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment G\BldgStty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteetMeeting items'Memo-City Clerk-Minutes 2-28-17 doc • T��•...• CITY OF PALM DESERT • CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes January 31, 2017 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 9:01 a.m. New Committee Member Paul Clark was sworn in before the beginning of the meeting by Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk. II. ROLL CALL Present: Paul Clark Don Graybill Kim Housken Thomas Mortensen K. Gary Olesen Bob Pitchford (Absent: Pamela Williams) Also Present: Susan Marie Weber, Council Member Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 New Committee Member Paul Clark noted for the record that while he was not at the 9/27/16 meeting, he read the Preliminary Minutes and understood that he can vote on the Minutes of 9/27/16. Mr. Clark was sworn in before the meeting and can vote on all motions for this meeting. Thomas Mortensen, Vice-Chair welcomed Mr. Clark. Motion was made by Committee Member K. Gary Olesen to accept the Minutes. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0, all accepted with Clark, Housken, Pitchford, Graybill, Olesen and Mortensen voting AYE; none dissenting. CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2017 V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Updates: Progress of Potential Designations Committee Member Don Graybill reported that he received permission from Holly Hoffman, on a landmark designation application dated 10/21/16, granting permission to list her home as a historical landmark. Mr. Graybill stopped by yesterday to remind her of the meeting today. He was hoping that she might be able to attend the meeting. He presented the application to the Committee. Mr. Graybill noted that it was not filled out quite as much as it could be, but at least her permission was received. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reminded that any additions to the application can be done at the next work shop. Committee Member Don Graybill thanked Ms. Hoffman very much for approving it. It was Cliff Henderson's house and if it wasn't for Cliff Henderson and his family, we would not have a Palm Desert. It would be a quite different place. Mr. Graybill remarked that this was something the Committee has been concerned about for quite some time. IX. PUBLIC HEARING — SANDPIPER CONDOMINIUMS CIRCLES 5 THROUGH 10 Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen read a prepared statement about Sandpiper Condominiums Circles 5 through 10. Sandpiper Condominiums Circles 5 through 10, completed in 1961 through 1964 by the Los Angeles-based architectural firm of Palmer & Krisel, exhibit numerous stylistic markers that place them directly in the historic context of Palm Desert's Modern Period. Further, Circles 5 through 10 are an excellent example of multi-family residential development in Palm Desert in the mid- 1960s. The 96 units and 48 buildings that comprise Circles 5 through 10 reflect a coherent vision of modernist architecture rarely found anywhere else in the United States. The siting of the buildings in Circles 5 through 10, and the landscape architecture further reinforce a coherent modernist architectural vision that successfully created a leisure lifestyle of "carefree desert living." The site planning at Sandpiper is a pin-wheel G\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 01 31 Minutes docx Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2017 configuration around a central hub (in this case the pool) and its greenbelt concept draws from 19th century British planner Ebenezer Howard's Garden City. Howard's concept envisioned a world where the best of city and rural life is combined to create a utopian environment. He espoused the need for green belts, in an effort to reduce congestion and to create a healthy environment in which to live. Palmer & Krisel expands Howard's tenet by creating an environment free from cars, a popular symbol of urban distress. Their site planning re-examines not only urban but suburban living. Palmer & Krisel deftly sited all vehicular roads and carports on the perimeter of each circle. Their buildings turn their "fronts" away from the street. The "front porch" no longer faces the street but is moved to look onto the green belt. In this, the pool becomes the "new streetscape": the new social gathering place for the complex. The Sandpiper Condominiums Circles 5 through 10 located on El Paseo, meets the following designation criterion as contained in the City's Cultural Resources Ordinance, and is hereby worthy of preservation and designation as a Local Historic District. A. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history; B. Reflects distinctive examples of community planning or significant development patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, agriculture, or transportation. Circles 11 and 12 are currently designated as a Historic District (#4) which was approved by the City Council on May 23, 2013 by Resolution 2013-28. The proposal for Circles 5-10 would in effect redraw the current Historic District boundaries to include Circles 5-10. Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen also read a statement from Bernie Cain, President, DOAO, President, Sandpiper Presidents Association, delivered to Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary on 1/19/17 via email. Mr. Cain was out of the country and unable to attend the public hearing today. "Dear Members, As you know, I spoke favorably on the Historic Designation for Sandpiper 5-10, at your last work session. Since I am unable to attend your hearing in person, I would like to make to following statement: As President of Sandpiper DOAO, Circles 11 & 12, we, the board, wholeheartedly support the historic designation for Sandpiper Circles 5-10. We are most pleased to see more of The Sandpipers gain rightful designation. Thank you." G\BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicch,ni\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 01 31 Minutes docx Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2017 Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen opened the Public Hearing for discussion, but there were no comments. Mr. Mortensen closed the public comments portion of the meeting and opened the Committee Member discussion portion of the Public Hearing. Committee Member Paul Clark inquired if the statement Mr. Mortensen just read was a Staff Report, or a report that was written by the Committee? He was curious of where it came from. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance explained that the comments came from Staff. These were the same comments brought before the Committee at a recent Work Shop. Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen noted that he had never seen such a presentation that was so specific and direct and thought that the work done by the Sandpiper representatives was marvelous. Committee Member Kim Housken agreed that it was marvelous and that it was great that we were able to extend the district. Ms. Housken was happy with the outcome. X. CONSIDER HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN SANDPIPER CONDOMINIMUMS CIRCLES 5 THROUGH 10 AS A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL Motion was made by Committee Member Kim Housken for recommendation of Staffs recommendation to designate Circles 5-10 into the historic neighborhood and pass it on to our City Council. Committee Member Don Graybill seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0, all accepted with Clark, Housken, Pitchford, Graybill, Olesen and Mortensen voting AYE; none dissenting. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS Committee Member Bob Pitchford inquired if all the Circles will receive a plaque. Director Russell Grance explained that since we are expanding in an existing district, the City will provide one plaque, as we did for Sandpiper Circles 11 and 12. The site for the plaque will be based on meetings with representatives of Circles 5-10. If they choose to get a plaque for each circle, as Circles 11 and 12 did, more can be purchased from the plaque vendor. It will be for Historic District Site No. 4. All we are doing is redrawing the boundaries. It will remain Site No. 4. Committee Member Don Graybill thought it was a great idea. Mr. Grance explained that it didn't make sense to assign it a different number. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired about the Election of Officers. Will that be done at the next meeting on February 28, 2016? Ms. Housken noted that Committee Chair Pam Williams was absent, so it's just as well we wait. Mr. Grance concurred and noted that we have time for that. Committee Member Don Gray noted that Election of Officers usually occurs at the first meeting for the year. Mr. Grance stated that we will have a meeting in February for the Election of Officers. Committee Member Paul Clark looked at the ordinance and it has to be done in the first quarter of the year. Director of Building and Safety G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 01 31 Minutes.docx Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2017 Russell Grance confirmed that it should have been done, but we were focused on the Public Hearing. It will be done in time to comply with the ordinance. Committee Member Don Graybill wanted to know how long the representatives of Sandpiper Circles 5-10 spent putting the application together. Jim West, representative of Sandpiper Circles 5-10 informed that it took about two years. This was a growing and a learning process that a lot of you, (the people in the room) actually helped on. It took a lot of time and patience to hewn the information. This was much like the material he previously sent out on the overall architectural history of Palm Desert. He had to be the engineer as well, and has a wife that supports all the effort involved. Mr. Graybill asked if Mr. West had to work with each homeowner. Mr. West credited Cimberly Castellon as the lead person working with the Board. It has been an educational process over the years and ultimately the Board decided the time was right to move forward. It's been a very positive experience. It was a daunting experience at the beginning, but a good experience in the end. We're very proud of the Sandpiper. Committee Member Don Graybill observed that the remaining homeowner associations are kind of outnumbered now. Mr. West explained that the associations are similar to a family. They all have different personalities. They developed in their own way. The fact that we have proceeded with this (designation) of 5-10, is going to have a pretty dramatic impact on the rest because, as you said, it represents with 11 and 12, a large number of properties, so I'm sure there will be interest. It is not a guaranteed thing; each one is different. Mr. West continued that he believes they will see the advantages because a lot of what they are trying to accomplish they are already doing. They are just not taking advantage of the benefits of recognition. A couple from Sandpiper who chose not to be identified mentioned that they received the letter about this meeting, but did not know what the benefits are, and why they should do this other than "there's a plaque." Jim West, Sandpiper representative jokingly said "that he didn't know why he keeps saying yes to these kinds of things," but mentioned that if they provided him with their name and address, he would come over to talk with them about it. Mr. West noted that it will have impact because it's out there. The couple thanked Mr. West. Mr. Grance reported, as an update to what the benefits are, we received 15 applications from Circles 11 and 12 for the Mills Act. Staff has spent a lot of time and we finally got them back from the City Attorney. There were minor corrections and we got them completed with exhibits. Mr. Grance was hoping that the applications would be on the City Council Agenda the second meeting of February or the first meeting of March, however March 23, 2017, will be the date for Council's consideration of the 15 property owner applications for the Mills Act. One of the benefits is a tax incentive, property tax savings. A property has to be designated first in order to receive that. Mr. Grance explained that City of Palm Desert will usually only take 7 a year, but in this case, an exception was made. It's a little more work on Staff, but we are working through it. City Council Member, Susan Marie Weber commented that, "It's very nice. They work very hard." Committee Member Don Graybill asked how long the process takes to complete. Mr. Grance mentioned that if there is a single application we can get through it in about 30-60 days. He asked that they consider 15 G\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 01 31 Minutes docx Page 5 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2017 applications. Everything was assimilated and nicely packaged. It was then sent to the City Attorney. Minor corrections were made and exhibits were done. It was finished yesterday. Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen asked if there were any other comments. Mr. Graybill commented that it was quite exciting. All the Committee Members are very pleased that this is proceeding so nicely. Mr. Graybill toured Sandpiper and noted they are redoing the Common Areas between Circles 8 and 9. There is a little less grass, but there is a lot of grass around the pool area. Mr. Graybill noted that it's interesting (about the statement) referring to the concept of a green area. They are not taking all the grass out. Mr. Mortensen thought that was good. Mr. Grance clarified that was probably similar to what Sandpiper Circles 11 and 12 did, embracing desert landscape, reducing turf. The City is more open to look at that and approve those kinds of improvements. Mr. Graybill understood that the water district had input and combines motivation for the changes. There were no other remarks, Committee Vice-Chair Thomas Mortensen adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. XII. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2017. The Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m. Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 01 31 Minutes docx Page 6