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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 03/25/2014CITY OF PALM DESERT BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk �E4f-, From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: February 24, 2015 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on March 25, 2014 Attached is a copy of the March 25, 2014 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on February 24, 2015. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment G \BldgSfty\Suzanne CicchinilWord FileslCuttural Resources Preservation CommitteeWeeting ItemsUemo-City Clerk -Minutes 2-24-15 Uoc CITY OF PALM DESERT CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes March 25, 2014 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Kim Housken called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 10:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Don Graybill Kim Housken K. Gary Olesen Bob Pitchford Leslie Deane Roth Also Present: Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Kay McCune, Palm Desert Resident Fred Montano, Palm Desert Resident Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10/29/13 Absent: Ricki Brodie Committee Chair Kim Housken requested that the record reflect that the Committee has met for study sessions (Work Shops) since October 29, 2013, but no Minutes are taken for those sessions. The Committee has been busy since October 29, 2013. Motion was made by Committee Member Leslie Deane Roth to accept the Minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Don Graybill. Motion carried by 5-0 vote with Roth, Olesen, Graybill, Pitchford and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2014 Committee Chair Kim Housken inquired if there are any nominations for Committee Chair. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen nominated current Committee Chair, Kim Housken. Committee Chair Kim Housken politely declined the kind nomination. Ms. Housken commented that often the Vice Chair ascends to the Chair position, but noted Committee Member Ricki Brodie was not present. There were no other nominations. Motion was made by Committee Member K. Gary Olesen to nominate Committee Member Don Graybill for Committee Chair. Mr. Graybill accepted the nomination. Committee Member Bob Pitchford seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 4-0 with Roth, Olesen, Pitchford and Housken voting AYE; Graybill abstaining, and none dissenting. Committee Chair Kim Housken called for nominations for Vice Chair. Motion was made by Committee Member K. Gary Olesen to nominate Committee Member Leslie Deane Roth for Vice Chair. Ms. Roth accepted the nomination. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 4-0 with Roth abstaining, Olesen, Graybill, Pitchford and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. Committee Chair Kim Housken congratulated Mr. Graybill and Ms. Roth and turned the meeting over to the new Committee Chair, Don Graybill. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE: STATUS OF LETTER OF INTEREST FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS ROTH AND OLESEN Committee Vice Chair Leslee Deane Roth reported that they considered that a letter might not be as effective as a personal contact. Discussion commenced. K. Gary Olesen remembered that they were to write a letter and he apologized to the Committee that the letter was not ready yet. The letter should describe benefits of a designation with bullet points, simple and easy to read; not too lengthy. Committee Chair Don Graybill has had good success with his personal contacts with people. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety clarified G 1BIdgS"Suzanne Q=mMord Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeMnLaes 2014QO14 03 25 Minutes docx Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 that we have a letter now. It was general consensus when we developed the letter. The Committee Members gave their input and that letter is what came out of it. We were going to look at the letter again to see how it could be improved. The assignment was given to Committee Members Roth and Olesen. We need the letter because it provides the consent of the property owner for us to legally move forward with a landmark designation. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen requested a copy of past letters and Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary will provide those. Committee Chair Don Graybill was impressed and expressed his gratitude to Mr. Grance for updating the City of Palm Desert web page for Cultural Resource designations. There is a page for each of the six landmark designations. Mr. Graybill suggested that this information could be printed from the web site and shown to potential designation contacts. Mr. Grance recommended that a link to the site might be included in the letter. All the documents can then be viewed so that a person could see all the properties that are listed and learn about the benefits of a Cultural Resource designation. Committee Chair Don Graybill requested that discussion about the letter be continued to the next work shop. IX. PUBLIC HEARING — 74135 Larrea Street Committee Chair Don Graybill opened the Public Hearing for 74135 Larrea Street. Committee Vice Chair Leslie Deane Roth is pleased about the designation. Kay McCune, property owner of 74135 Larrea Street mentioned that the property is in a great location for people interested in knowing a little more about historical markers in Palm Desert. It's a wonderful opportunity. She has always been a history buff and has been with the Historical Society of Palm Desert for a long time. She came to the Desert in 1962 and Palm Desert had a lot of the historical elements she loved. A & W Root Beer and Keedy's were here back then. Her children grew up here. At one point in her life, she moved to La Quinta and bought a 10 acre ranch. The house was built by the people who built the La Quinta Hotel. Bob Pitchford designed the kitchen. It was very historical. She purchased the house on Larrea Street close to 20 years ago. The day she found the house she was going to the Post Office on Martin Luther King Day. Her sister was with her and she suggested they turn around and drive down Larrea Street. She noticed the bushes and a little handmade For Sale sign. She suggested stopping to take a look at the house; her sister said, "Oh Gosh! What a mess!" There was a dirt road, the Greek Orthodox Church was not there back then. She took the liberty of looking in the windows and saw the heavy hand hewn beams and the rock fireplace. She did not care what the rest of the house looked like. It was pretty bad. She learned from the reluctant seller that the church wanted to tear it down for parking and a neighbor who had a triplex next door wanted to turn it into more units. She told him that she appreciated the art work of the building and wanted to know more about it. Ms. McCune's husband was one of the first dentists in Palm Desert. The seller and she were talking about the history of the desert and his wife mentioned that Ms. McCune's husband was her dentist. That cinched it! Committee Member Kim Housken showed her a book that showed her property and the Desert Magazine article that was published about it. Committee Chair Don Graybill inquired if she purchased the home from Randall Henderson. She did not purchase the home G OdpSftylSuzanne Cicchmi\Word Fdes\Cultural Resources Preservation CommmeeNinutes 2014QO14 03 25 Minutes docx Pape 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 from Randall Henderson, it was an older gentleman from Indian Wells. The house had the elements she wanted. The only thing that was modified was the kitchen. It was very small. Committee Chair Don Graybill wanted to know when Ms. McCune discovered her house used to belong to Randall Henderson. Ms. McCune noted that it was 5-6 years after she was in the home. She found out through conversations at the Palm Desert Historical Society. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen commented that Ms. McCune had remodeled it completely several years ago. Ms. McCune clarified that she kept the living rooms, the bedrooms and the main bathroom all the same. She added a Master Bedroom and a bathroom. She did not disrupt the old tile in the bathroom area. She added a new kitchen and turned the old kitchen into a pass through and a bar area that leads to the new kitchen. Everything else is the same. The porches and patios are the same. Mr. Olesen inquired if the footprint of the house was changed at all. Ms. McCune responded, "not at all." Ms. McCune got permits for the extensive add on. Fred Montano commented that one of the things he noticed in reading through the information, whether it is germane or not, is that there is no home of anyone who was instrumental in the development of Palm Desert designated, and he thought that was a very important factor. This is a place where someone who was important lived —it's a first! Ms. McCune mentioned that when she lived on Joshua Tree she lived next door to Carl Henderson and indicated that it would be great to have that house (as a designated landmark.) Committee Chair Don Graybill mentioned to Ms. McCune that there was room on this Committee for additional members. Committee Member Kim Housken remarked that it was true and it was a good thought and idea. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen asked if the Committee would have an opportunity to look at the house. Committee Member Kim Housken replied that it is up to the homeowner; it is not a requirement. Ms. McCune has been very gracious about opening her home. Ms. McCune mentioned that when she proceeded with this landmark process she thought she might have a little open house. She noted when viewing the house that it doesn't occur to the viewer that this or that was the remodeled part. The home has kept the early California theme. Committee Vice Chair Leslie Roth inquired if it has the original bathtub. Ms. McCune mentioned that it did and it was long and beautiful. It has a rose colored sink and the tile is pink and green. The porcelain is still in good condition. Fred Montano noted that there is a storage room in the back where Randall's wife, Cyria Henderson, a sculptress used to work. The bust of President Eisenhower on Highway 74 was one of her projects. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen asked about the square footage of the home. Ms. McCune responded that it was about 1,300 square feet and then she added about 800 square feet, maybe a little more. Committee Vice Chair Leslie Deane Roth asked if she added a bathroom. She added a bedroom and bathroom and described how wonderful the bedroom was. It has French doors that open up to the back yard. About two years ago she and her family opened their home for dinner for 6 for a fundraiser drawing held by Palm Desert Historical Society. Discussion commenced. They had a wonderful evening. She was hoping to do it again, and still may. Committee Chair Don Graybill expressed his appreciation to Ms. McCune that she took a peek at what was inside that dirty window, and sought to preserve a home and realizing years later what significance it had to the history of Palm Desert! Ms. Housken commented that it is a wonderful location, close to the Post Office, up Portola G \BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committe8ftnutes 2014\2014 03 25 Minutes docz Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 Avenue. She noted that it was reflected in the application and acknowledges several reasons why the designation is important. It did belong to a founding father of the community, and it's unique. Randall Henderson was years ahead of his time with all the thought he put into the home. He made everyone aware of what a special place the desert was and the idea that you don't have to fight with nature; you can live in harmony with it. He was not an architect, yet he incorporated many features in the home to make living there more comfortable and practical. Windows were positioned at a certain height to take advantage of the breeze coming through the windows at night. The home is a wonderful piece of Palm Desert history. Ms. McCune added that colored concrete floors were in the home. Construction began on the home in 1949 and it was finished about 1952. Ms. Housken mentioned that so many people think because Palm Desert was incorporated in 1973 that we have no history, and they do not realize there was a lot here before 1973. She is thrilled with Ms. McCune's interest in the landmark designation. Ms. McCune thanked the Committee and mentioned she would love to share her home with the community. Committee Member Bob Pitchford noted that he was in agreement. Committee Chair Don Graybill inquired if there were any other comments; there were none. The public hearing was closed. X. CONSIDER HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR 74135 LARREA STREET AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. Motion was made by Committee Member Kim Housken that staff be authorized to prepare the resolution approving historic landmark designation for 74135 Larrea Street for City Council consideration. K. Gary Olesen seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 5-0 with Roth, Olesen, Graybill, Pitchford and Housken voting AYE; none dissenting. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that the Committee has been getting positive press lately. Thanks in part go to Leslie Deane Roth for working with the Desert Sun and thanks to the Desert Sun for that nice article that they published with photos of the Schindler house. Thanks to Brett Romer at the Historical Society for contacting the Desert Sun about the Plaque ceremony at Sandpiper Circles 11 and 12, held on March 2, 2014. They were there and it was a really nice event. Bernie Cain thanked Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety and Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary. Some units were open. They were very happy about the designation. Each circle had its own plaque. The homeowners association paid for the second plaque. Committee Chair Don Graybill noted the plaques were mounted on two huge boulders. It was very well done. Committee Chair Don Graybill mentioned the plaque for the First Church. Discussion commenced about when the plaque will be mounted and where. Mr. Grance conducted a field visit at the site. They came to a decision about where they would mount it and when it is mounted they will contact him. He would like to take pictures of it. Committee Chair Don Graybill took photos at the Sandpiper event. G161dgShytSuzanne Cicchmi\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWhnutes 2014UO14 03 25 Minutes docx Page 5 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 Committee Vice Chair Roth thought that a photo of the plaque could be included with the letter to prospective designation candidates. Discussion commenced about the potential for a commercial building landmark designation. The Committee is still hoping for a designation for the Desert Magazine building. Keedy's, Gerry Malone's 76 Station, Twin Palms Lodge at Shadow Mountain, the Shadow Mountain pool, the Stanley Ring Building, the Mojave, the Casuelas Cafe building, and the Patio Shop were suggested also. Each prospect has special challenges such as one being in a Strip Center with more than one business. A stand alone business would be easier to designate. Committee Chair Don Graybill pointed out that there are only three more spots for the top ten and he hopes they will be symbolic. A good representation exists now. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety informed the Committee that he had been out to Shadow Mountain Golf Course to perform an inspection for the Mills Act. The property tax bill had been reduced from about $29,626.20 in 2013 to about $15,281.64 in 2014, a 50% savings! Sandpiper Circles 11 and 12 are getting information and will hopefully move forward with the Mills Act also. Kay McCune inquired if she would be eligible to apply for the Mills Act if her landmark designation goes through. Mr. Grance responded that once her property has been designated she can apply for the Mills Act. The amount of savings is determined by the Riverside County Assessor's Office. The maximum is about 50%. It helps with upkeep of the home. It is up to City of Palm Desert to see to it that the property owner is in compliance with the contract. The calculations are determined by the Assessor's office, not City of Palm Desert. A Mills Act contract is a ten year contract. It does not automatically renew. The property owner has to renew it. It can be cancelled at any time, but there are penalties. There is no fee to renew. Committee Vice Chair Leslie Deane Roth inquired about what Ms. McCune could do or not do with her property. Mr. Grance responded that the determination is based upon her application for certificate of appropriateness based upon her alterations and modifications. It comes before this Committee. This Committee has the opportunity to guide the property owner and consider whether to approve or deny a modification. The whole premise is to maintain the integrity of the original building, but it doesn't prohibit an individual from expanding as long as it has the same character. The Committee has no control over the interior, only the exterior. Committee Chair Don Graybill mentioned the property owner on Shadow Lake is still very interested in a landmark designation. Timing is important because some residents are only here during the season. G \BldgStty\Suzanne Ciochini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWinutes 2014\2014 03 25 Minutes docx Page 6 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 25, 2014 XII. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee Vice Chair Leslie Deane Roth to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member K. Gary Olesen seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 5-0 vote with Roth, Olesen, Graybill, Housken, Pitchford voting AYE; none dissenting. Committee Chair Don Graybill adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m. Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G \B1dgStty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Fdes\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWhnutes 2014\2014 03 25 Minutes docx Page