HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Historic Preservation Committee 04/25/2005CITY OF PALM DESERT
BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk
From: Mary Clark, Administrative Secretary
Date: May 24, 2005
Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Historic Preservation
Committee Meeting of April 25, 2005
Attached is a copy of the April 25, 2005 minutes of the Historic Preservation Committee
approved by the Committee on May 23, 2005. Please include on the next City Council
agenda.
Thank you
Attachment
Documen[1
CITY OF PALM DESERT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES
APRIL 25, 2005
Administrative Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chair Kent Routh called the meeting of the Historic Preservation Committee
to order at 10:05 a.m.
Rachelle Klassen, Clerk and Recorder, swore in new Committee Member Bonnie
Bowie.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Bonnie Bowie Jan Holmlund
Kim Housken
Bob Pitchford
Kent Routh
Rhonda Rockwell
Jim West
Also Present:
Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety
Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager
Hal Rover, President Historical Society
Mary Clark, Recording Secretary
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee Member Jim West moved to approve the minutes of the March 28,
2005 meeting as written. It was seconded by Committee Member Rhonda
Rockwell and unanimously approved 6-0.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. CHAIR REPORT
1. Vice -Chair Kent Routh presented an orchid plant to Mary Clark,
Recording Secretary, from the Historic Preservation Committee for
Administrative Professionals Week.
2. Vice -Chair Kent Routh welcomed new Committee Member Bonnie Bowie
to the Historic Preservation Committee.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Minutes APRIL 25, 2005
B. Guest Speaker -- Vice -Chair Kent Routh introduced Dan Callahan, Indian
Wells Historic Preservation Foundation, who presented a slide presentation of
Palm Desert homesteads and other historic sites in the Coachella Valley.
(This portion of the meeting was not recorded.)
C. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS — Jim West
1. Committee Member Jim West provided a map to Committee Members of
the Walter White homes that Bob Pitchford has been researching. He
stressed that these properties have not been confirmed as Walter White
homes so more research needs to be done. Mr. West encouraged the
Committee Members to take a drive and become familiar with the
addresses and neighborhoods.
2. Committee Member Jim West indicated that the architectural forms have
been copied and members need to pick some up at the end of the
meeting.
3. Committee Member Jim West presented a storyboard of the Shadow
Mountain Club that includes the Sandpiper, in addition to 1958 and 1962
brochures. Mr. West said that he owns two units in Sandpiper, and a few
weeks ago a New York film company expressing interest in Bill Krisel,
Architect and Landscape Architect contacted him. The company filmed Mr.
West's units and others in Sandpiper to include the grounds that will be
included in the film. Three architects are being featured: William Krisel,
Stewart E. Williams, and Don Wexler. The production will be called
"Visions of Utopia" and there will be a short screening in New York in May.
It may be brought to Palm Desert in November.
D. INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Committee Member Kent Routh said that he found the Edgar Bergan
house that is located down a 50' drive off Portola and is really hidden
away between Hovley and Fred Waring. He spoke to the current owner
who purchased it 17 years ago, and it is unchanged except for a new roof
that is just like the original roof. Mr. Routh also visited the Olsen and
Johnson house (House That Laughs Built) located on Grapevine that is
located behind a large fence. He took some pictures but it appeared that
no one was in residence at that home. Mr. Routh also visited Mr.
Walgren's house on Pinyon but no one was home.
2. Committee Member Kim Housken indicated that she is still researching
the Shumway house and have narrowed it down to two lots and Hal Rover
is going to help her with more information. She indicated she would have
the information by the next meeting.
3. Committee Member Rhonda Rockwell said she had a conversation with
Barbara Keedy and is willing to help with her research.
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Minutes APRIL 25, 2005
4. Committee Member Bob Pitchford said that he was involved in the Crosby
house in 1977 because of a fire that took place in the center of the house.
He said he has a set of plans dated April 1977 and was rebuilt in 1978.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Report on City's Internal Review Process — Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of
Building and Safety, indicated that he provided the Planning Department and
Redevelopment Agency the "grandfathered" list of historic sites in memo
format and asked for written comments. In addition, the City Attorney has
reviewed the internal review process but modifications need to be made. He
said that the Planning Department indicated they were not interested in being
involved in the historic preservation review process. By the next meeting he
will have a process ready and will email Committee members requesting their
comments.
Hal Rover, President, Palm Desert Historical Society, expressed concern
regarding the fagade enhancements that are taking place in the City. He is
worried that every building in Palm Desert will end up looking like every other
building in Palm Desert.
Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety, indicated that he is
working with the Redevelopment Agency on this matter, and requested that if
any work is going to be done on the "grandfathered" list that he be notified.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee Member Jim West said that Chair Jan Holmlund has asked him
to remind the Committee about the conference in Riverside, and has a copy
of the schedule. Three members will be attending: Kim Housken, Jim West,
and Jan Holmlund.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
A. Hal Rover, President Palm Desert Historical Society, commented that
everyone on the Historic Preservation Committee is imminently qualified and
are doing a great job. He thanked the Committee, on behalf of the Historical
Society, for being willing to do all of the work and that they are doing a
fantastic job.
VIII. CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURN
The Historic Preservation Committee's next meeting is Monday, May 23, 2005,
10.00 a.m. in the City of Palm Desert Administrative Conference Room.
Committee Member Bonnie Bowie moved to adjourn the meeting and Kim
Housken seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously 6-0. The meeting
adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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