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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 02/23/2016CITY OF PALM DESERT BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk JEC- From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: September 27, 2016 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on February 23, 2016 Attached is a copy of the February 23, 2016 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on September 27, 2016. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment G \BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Meeting Items\Memo-City Clerk -Minutes 9-27-16 doc CITY OF PALM DESERT CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes February 23, 2016 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Don Graybill called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 9:01 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Don Graybill Kim Housken K. Gary Olesen Thomas Mortensen Bob Pitchford 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 FEBRUARY 24, 2015 Motion was made by Committee Member Pam Williams to accept the Minutes. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0, all accepted with Mortensen, Williams, Olesen, Graybill, Housken and Pitchford voting AYE; none dissenting. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES VI. NEW BUSINESS FEBRUARY 23, 2016 A. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2016 Motion was made by Committee Member Kim Housken to nominate Committee Member Pam Williams to the Committee Chairperson position. Committee Member Tom Mortensen seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0 with Graybill, Housken, Olesen, Mortensen, Pitchford, and Williams voting AYE; none dissenting. New Committee Chair Pam Williams thanked the Committee. Discussion commenced about the Vice Chair position. Motion was made by Committee Chair Pam Williams to nominate Committee Member Tom Mortensen to the Vice Chair position. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 6-0 with Graybill, Housken, Olesen, Mortensen, Pitchford, and Williams voting AYE; none dissenting. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. Updates: Progress of Potential Designations Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported on the tallest Palm Tree in Palm Desert. The owner of the AM/PM Arco Gas Station, on the northwest corner of Highway 111, also owns the tree. It is located in the public right-of-way, and that is not uncommon. We would have to work with the private property owner before moving the application forward. This is not one of the City's trees. Mr. Grance spoke with Public Works Director, Mark Greenwood. The Committee would not have to do a mini park. We can contact the owner of that parcel to see if they would be interested in designating the tree as a historic landmark. Committee Member Don Graybill inquired if they would have to go through the park process at all. They would not have to. Mr. Graybill observed that this was different than what they first understood. Committee Member Bob Pitchford inquired if the City had any say in how the tree is protected. Mr. Grance replied that the City does not because it it is privately owned. The City of Palm Desert does not maintain the tree. Mr. Graybill commented that the tree is doing quite well. Mr. Grance mentioned that the trees in the median on El Paseo are in the public right of way, and are maintained by City of Palm Desert. Those are totally different because the trees are not attached to private property. It was noted that there are two other trees. City Council Member, Susan Marie Weber commented that it was nice that the owner is maintaining the trees instead of chopping them down. Mr. Grance didn't think there had been any maintenance because the trees are so tall. Committee Member Bob Pitchford inquired if it was worthwhile to proceed. G \BltlgSfty\Suzanne CicchiriMord Files\Cultural Resources Preservabon CommitteeWinutes 2016\2016 02 23 Minutes docx Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2016 Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety informed that the next step would be to send a letter to the property owner. The Committee would make the recommendation to send a letter to see if the property owner is interested. Committee Vice Chair Tom Mortensen inquired if it becomes a historic site, do we maintain it? Mr. Grance informed that the property owner still maintains it. It would receive a historic landmark plaque. Discussion commenced about where a potential historic plaque might be located. Committee Don Graybill thought it could be located on the tree. Mr. Grance mentioned that it would be mounted similar to the Shadow Mountain or Sandpiper plaques, in concrete or a rock monument. Committee Member Kim Housken wondered if the owner of the gas station realizes that those are their trees. Committee Member Don Graybill mentioned that he went over to the Gas Station and chatted with the people running it. The owner was not present at the time. Mr. Graybill would like to hand -carry a letter. Mr. Grance noted that he did not know if the owner would be there at the time Mr. Graybill stopped by. He suggested mailing the letter (Certified Return Receipt) as we normally do, so that we get some sort of response. If we do not, a copy could be hand -carried in during a site visit. Committee Chair Pam Williams inquired if everyone was in favor of sending the letter. Committee Vice Chair Tom Mortensen recommended we send the letter and keep a copy. Mr. Grance suggested the Committee designate a person to make a site visit. Ms. Williams wanted to send the letter first and if no response by next month, then a site visit. Council Member Susan Marie Weber liked Committee Member Bob Pitchford's idea of making it the smallest park, if the owner wanted no part of a historic designation. Mr. Grance noted that it was an option they could entertain, and we would have to see if we could do that. However, this situation is not like the example of the other smallest park, where it was in the center median and the City owns it. Discussion commenced about whether the City might be willing to consider that. Mr. Grance mentioned that we would have to get Public Works and the City Attorney involved and learn what the process would be. Committee Member Don Graybill mentioned that the owners would not have to deal with taking care of that spot and there could be some promotional advantages. Mr. Grance noted that it was not his call; we would want to get everyone weighing in on it. The tree could be surveyed to see how tall the tree actually is, and is it our tallest? Committee Chair Pam Williams thought it would be interesting and liked the idea. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that it seemed that an inventory of publicly owned trees was done years ago. This one may have been excluded from that inventory, because it is not publicly owned. Committee Member Don Graybill remembered when it was first planted. It was hanging on the crane. The tree was not to be planted until it was paid for. The tree was hanging on the crane for a couple of weeks. Council Member Susan Marie inquired about how small was the smallest park in Portland? Mr. Grance replied that it was 4-5 feet. Committee Member Bob Pitchford mentioned that it was 400 or so square inches. Ms. Weber noted that we could have the smallest park and the tallest tree. Committee Chair Pam Williams thought that would generate good press. Mr. Graybill indicated it was planted to be a monument and we should look into that part and include it in the landmark designation comments. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that there G \BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Comm ittee\Minutes 2016\2016 02 23 Minutes docx Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2016 was a restaurant at the site. The owners of Angelo's Restaurant may have planted it. It was not known what year the building was converted to an Arco station. Mr. Grance suggested that a designation associated with a business might drum up gas sales. Committee Chair Pam Williams inquired if it owned by the Chandi Group. It was not known if the owners lease the business or have any relationship with the Chandi Group. The current owners are the Saini Brothers. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported that Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary did a great job creating an article for the Brightside newsletter. Suzanne forwarded it to David Hermann, PIO and it will be published in a future newsletter. Mr. Hermann will let us know when it will be in the newsletter. He's looking for a spot. It's a small article. Committee Chair Pam Williams mentioned that they could use the publicity. Mr. Grance reported that Bernie Cain from Sandpiper was hoping to be here today. He wanted to discuss closing the open carports and see if the Committee would be on board with what they are proposing. He will be attending the work shop on March 29th, because he had a conflict today. This project would be handled during the Certificate of Appropriateness application. Committee Member Kim Housken reported a February 6, 2016, Desert Sun news article noting that the Cork and Bottle Liquor Store Building in Palm Springs was for sale for $350,000. This building was already a designated historic site in Palm Springs, and was tied up in the Redevelopment mess. Ms. Housken noted that Lauri Aylaian, Director, City of Palm Springs Community and Economic Development, and also a former employee of City of Palm Desert, was quoted in the article. The City of Palm Springs is tasked with maximizing the value of these properties that they are required to sell off. There will be requests for proposals from people who want to buy the building. They want to know what the potential buyer's future plans are for the building. Ms. Housken noted that the building will not necessarily be sold to the first person who comes in and wants to tear everything down. Ms. Housken appreciated the City of Palm Springs intent to recognize the historic status of this building. She hopes that City of Palm Desert will do something similar for the Miles Bates house on Santa Rosa by designating it. Committee Member Housken attended a fascinating lecture for Modernism Week. The title of it was "The Circle, the Line and the Setting, William Krisel, Walter S. White, and Richard Neutra." Walter S. White is now noted in the same line, associated with Richard Neutra, Architect of the famous Kaufmann House. Dr. Barbara Lamprecht, M. Arch., PhD, spoke about how circles can soften things. She had some great quotes and a third of her lecture was on Walter S. White, the designer of the Miles Bates House. She said that it had the most amazing roof. She completed an application for a Walter White designed home in Palm Springs. It was accepted, and is now on the elite national register. This will be on the State G OdgSRy\Suzanne CicchiniVWord FdeskCuttural Resources Preservation CommdteetMinutes 201612016 02 23 Minutes docx Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2016 of California register, by default. As special as that home in Palm Springs is, the Miles Bates house is even more special. Walter White's children were possibly interested in purchasing it, but the appraisal came in very high because of the apartments located in the back. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported on the status of the Miles Bates House. Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development was directed to obtain approval from the State of California Department of Finance to use monies to demolish the apartments behind the Miles Bates House. Committee Member Kim Housken suggested that this home might be used for tours or events. She hopes something can be figured out. The price of the house will be reduced when the apartments are gone. However, with the lower price, anyone could buy it and still tear it down. Discussion commenced about the Miles Bates House. Squatters were living there and it had to be secured. Ms. Housken was searching for Minutes of a meeting on the Successor Agency website. It was back in May, 2012, and featured a 45 minute presentation on all the City properties. The presentation was reduced to one sentence in the Minutes. Ms. Housken will check if she can obtain a copy of the presentation. Ms. Housken will also be contacting Ms. Lamprecht to see if she might write a letter to City of Palm Desert City Council about the Miles Bates House. Ms. Housken reminded the Committee that just because something is not officially designated, does not mean that it's not historic. Committee Vice Chair Tom Mortensen wanted to know if new Committee Member recommendations can be made to the City Council. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety informed that any potential member would have to complete a Committee application form. Council Member Susan Marie Weber reported that the cut-off for filing an application is coming up. Mr. Grance reminded the Committee if they know of someone who is interested to please have them fill out an application, and return it to the City Clerk as soon as possible. Committee Member Kim Housken wanted to acknowledge and have the Minutes reflect, despite the fact that our last formal meeting was in February, 2015, the Committee has met and are having work shops and have been very productive during this interim period. X. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2016. Committee Chair Pam Williams was comfortable with having a work shop. The Meeting was adjourned at 9:43 a.m. ,I -��n r,-12 a ci�� Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G \BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommltteeWinutes 2016\2016 02 23 Minutes docx Page 5