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Home My WebLink AboutHIST PRESV CMTE - 05/29/07 .�,�„ , � � �� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT . INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk From: Suzan� icchini, Administrative Secretary Date: June 27, 2007 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Historic Preservation Committee Meeting May 29, 2007 Attached is a copy of May 29, 2007 Minutes of the Historic Preservation Committee approved by the Committee on June 26, 2007. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment : .�. . . �_ �<<i:�..,�.� ��..�ai'�t�P�x ��,:� � ��r��; ,._ _ �:�N,I�'sa� �€xt �i�,� ,> � , �;�"�'lE�lll�� , � __. _ ��.�° r,,r, - _� . _..._�- (a _ � _._ ._ _�.._ __ ._.... _ �� . . �j['.� _ . � ___ � -- -.. --__ � e��a�c�nr _i neF-�-yt.�p��e�Q�t�� t�C � Nc�rl 1 � __.__ .:��E°r,?"; .�� _ .`��'I"�, �t? ._..N QC_1�.. _ ��'�°c��' � �� 9 �f�l' — __ __ �� .r� ,_ y_ ___._ . - -- ---J"-� j` .y. �' .'1..J �%t.� �.�� '1...� i.'�� b � ��".1�, .. `�)� 7 ��" } G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Historic Preservation Committee\Mertro-City Clerk-Minutes.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT i^�—� � � HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 29, 2007 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kim Housken called the meeting of the Historic Preservation Committee to order at 10:04 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Gale Broeker Bonnie Bowie Kim Housken Vera Handley Jan Holmlund Bob Pitchford Kent Routh Don Graybill, Alternate Also Present: Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safery Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary K Kaufman, Reporter, The Desert Sun III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee Member Kent Routh moved to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2007, if the spelling of Steve Wynn's last name is corrected. It was incorrectly spelled "Winn", when it should have been "Wynn". Committee Chair Kim Housken seconded the motion. It received unanimous approval 6-0. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. CHAIR REPORT 1. Chair Kim Housken announced that Committee Member Vera Handley appreciated all the flowers, thoughts and prayers going her way. 2. Chair Kim Housken noted The Historic Preservation Committee was well represented at the Founder's Day Celebration in Palm Desert. 3. Chair Kim Housken announced The Scholl Home in Palm Springs may receive Historic Designation. The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board is considering revising their ordinance to make it stronger. G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord Files\Historic Preservation Committee\Minutes052907.doc 1 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes May 29, 2007 4. Chair Kim Housken reminded the committee that there are a number of excellent publications located in the library in the Building and Safety Department for their use. Some of the publications are The Economics of Historic Preservation and The Self Assessment Guide for Communiry Preservation Organization. National Trust information is there also. Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary can assist you with these. The items can be checked out. B. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS None C. INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS 1. Colleqe of the Desert Campus Changes Update - Chair Kim Housken attended the College of the Desert Meeting and provided an update. Discussion commenced about the Velma Dawson house being vacated at a future date. Chair Kim Housken will follow up once it is vacated. Committee Member Kent Routh expressed concern that it could be demolished if they don't have a rebuilding plan. Chair Kim Housken and Amir Hamizadeh, Director of Building and Safety noted that it wasn't in their Master Plan, so hopefully the building would not be demolished. Committee Member Jan Holmlund suggested that the building be recognized for its importance. The next meeting at College of the Desert will be on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 1:00 pm., in the north annex. 2. Cove Communities Update - Committee Member Jan Holmlund compiled an update for committee member review. Topics of special interest in Rancho Mirage were City tours would be on a scheduled basis. Conditions of about 4-6 homes would be noted prior to designation or plaque placement. It would be determined at that time whether the houses had changed and if the designations still fit. The commission approves more than one type of plaque. They are Important Architecture, Historic Properties and Celebrity. A discussion commenced regarding the need to set a standard, yet allow for revision and various circumstances. Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety would like to have a uniform plaque and make the process a little simpler, perhaps differentiate the plaques with color. More investigation is needed to find information on pricing and manufacturers. Committee Member Jan Holmlund indicated that a workshop would be needed to discuss this subject. Discussion commenced on the possibility of considering a Palm Desert Historic Preservation book. A Coachella Valley book could be considered as well. Committee Member Jan Holmlund announced the former home of Harpo Marx at 71111 La Paz in Rancho Mirage, received a historical landmark designation at the meeting she attended. G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord Files\Historic Preservation Committee\Minutes052907.doc. 2 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes May 29, 2007 Committee Member Jan Holmlund provided a handout of maps and overviews of Palm Village. One is an aerial and will need to be laid over in sections. She called attention to the picture of the pool and said it was important during the war years. It was used to collect water. She also noted there was a brochure and a group of papers on Silver Spur included. Committee Member Jan Holmlund mentioned an article in the Desert Sun Newspaper dated May 29, 2007 about misinformation on historic sites. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Ordinance/Mills Act — Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety informed the committee members that there was no new information regarding the progress of the ordinance, and that The City Attorney is still reviewing it. B. Bus Tour Recap — Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety noted that everyone did a fantastic job. He'd like to do it once a year. Committee Member Kent Routh inquired about the cost of a bus tour. It could be done for under $1,000.00. Chair Kim Housken suggested offering these to the community sometime in the future. Committee Member Jan Holmlund suggested utilizing a small van with some refreshments in the back, perhaps stopping at a park for a break. Committee Member Gale Broeker would have preferred a Sun Bus rype of bus with better visibility for the passengers. Committee Member Jan Holmund commented that the City of Palm Desert Dates were a nice touch. Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, arranged to provide the dates for the Bus Tour. He was introduced to the committee and they were able to thank him personally. Chair Kim Housken also sent him a thank you note for the dates. Committee Member Jan Holmlund enjoyed the visibility of she had on the bus tour. Her seat was located up high. It enabled her to appreciate the Miles Bates House with the curved roof that Committee Member Bob Pitchford described. She believes this property is worthy of historic preservation. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Commendations for First Bus Tour - Committee Member Jan Holmiund requested that Kim Housken, Chair, Gale Broeker, Vice Chair, Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety, and Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative and Recording Secretary are to be commended for the successful first educational bus tour of historic sites in Palm Desert, California, given on April 27, 3007. Chair Kim Housken requested that she abstain from this vote. Committee Member Jan Holmlund believes that this was an exceptional first step. It was an action undertaken by the committee and she wanted it noted appropriately. A discussion commenced. Director G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord Files\Historic Preservation Committee\Minutes052907.doc. 3 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes May 29, 2007 of Building and Safety, Amir Hamidzadeh was appreciative of the suggestion, but would like all committee members recognized, since it was a group effort. In addition, Committee Member Jan Holmlund wanted to recognize Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, for his contribution of the City of Palm Desert Dates that were provided on the bus tour. Committee Member Kent Routh believed that the ordinance should be in place first. He indicated he believed silence is golden in this case and was leary of being self-congratulatory. He would rather the council suggest it to us rather than the other way around. Committee Member Bob Pitchford suggested that the committee thank the people at The City. Further discussion commenced. Motion: Committee Member Jan Holmlund moved that all committee members, the Building and Safety Department, along with Jay Niemczak are to be commended for a successful first educational bus tour. Committee Member Kent Routh seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Chair Kim Housken abstained. B. Cultural Resources Aspect of the General Plan 1. Booklet and Book Creation - Committee Member Jan Holmlund requested that the Palm Desert Historic Committee will select as a goal to prepare a brochure, a booklet and a book. There will be no timeline on this preparation. A timeline can be established once a committee starts working on this. These would build on the information handouts prepared for the April 27, 2007 bus tour. Discussion commenced about the request for the motion. Chair Kim Housken noted that the committee is directed by the General Plan on this, as it falls under the education portion of it. Committee Member Jan Holmlund suggested preparation of information for the website so that access to local, state and federal incentive benefits associated with the reuse of historic buildings and the identification of local and national home and commercial styles will be available. Further discussion commenced about the sryle of booklets, and different ways the committee might go about producing them. Motion: Committee Member Jan Holmlund moved that the Palm Desert Historic Committee will select as one goal for the year beginning July 1, 2007, to undertake as an educational effort the preparation of a brochure, a booklet and a book. There will be no timeline on this preparation. A formal landmark book about historic sites, areas, gardens and structures, both commercial and residential in Palm Desert, California will build on the information handouts prepared for the April 27, 2007 bus tour. The motion was seconded by Chair Kim Housken and passed unanimously 6-0. G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord FilesiHistoric Preservation Committee\Minutes052907.doc. 4 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes May 29, 2007 2. Professional Survev - Committee Member Jan Holmlund commented that a professional is needed for the Historic Preservation Committee to guide them and answer questions and to help resolve the matters that will come up through the ordinance. She commented that Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety cannot do this alone. The latest update of the potential historic sites list was 04/24/06. If anyone has anything to add to the list, please let Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary know. Director of Building and Safery, Amir Hamidzadeh acknowledged that a staff person is needed, especially one who can conduct the surveys. However, it is unlikely that a staff person will be hired from July 1, 2007 — June 30, 2008. CDBG funds may not be available until then anyway. Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety forsees going to City Council to request a consultant once the ordinance has passed. A discussion commenced regarding the the surveys. Committee Member Jan Holmlund emphasized the importance that any surveys be done correctly. She expressed her concern that important information can be missed if conducted by volunteers. Chair Kim Housken commented that perhaps if a consultant is hired the need to hire a staff person will become apparent. A knowledgable person is a necessity. Committee Member Kent Routh pointed out that the task of conducting these surveys will be expensive. Committee Member Gale Broeker speculated that the survey in Palm Springs must have cost a lot. Chair Kim Housken inquired whether the surveys in Palm Desert would be more inclusive than those conducted in Patm Springs. Committee Member Jan Holmlund believes that this would be the case. 3. CDBG Funds - A discussion commenced regarding the possibility that funds could be obtained and how they might be used. Chair Kim Housken was under the impression that these funds could be used for the surveys. Amir Hamidzadeh, Director of Building and Safety will look into the application process for CDBG funds so that further information will be available to the committee. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None VII1. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS A. Committee Member Gale Broeker had a meeting with Laurie Aylaian, Director of Planning to discuss the General Plan. She was concerned about some planning issues relevant to The Palm Desert Historic Preservation Committee. A discussion commenced about some of Committee Member Gale Broeker's concerns about possible deficiencies G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord Files\Historic Preservation Commitlee\Minutes052907.doc. 5 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes May 29, 2007 Developers are responsible for the Environmental Assessments and one is ordered on each project. Lauri Aylaian is new to the position of Director of Planning, and she needs to do some research to find answers to the pertinent questions. She agreed to get back to Committee Member Gale Broeker in six weeks. Director of Building and Safety, Amir Hamidzadeh noted that he has had meetings with Director of Planning, Laurie Aylaian and she is trying to do things that are good for the community and The City of Palm Desert. Committee Member Gale Broeker indicated that it was a productive meeting and she will followup early in July. Director of Building and Safety Amir Hamidzadeh will follow up with Director of Planning Laurie Aylaian as well. B. Committee Member Jan Holmlund asked if a response was heard regarding her letter to City Council. One of her greatest concerns is the lack of storage space for historically significant items. Committee Member pon Graybill was at Cliff Henderson's property and a place is needed to sort through and store some of those items. Two tables would be needed and possibly a space that is about 20' x 20' with air conditioning. A discussion commenced on the various items that need to be stored. Amir Hamidzadeh will look into a storage space, possibly located at The City of Palm Desert Corporation Yard. He will contact Committee Member pon Graybill with his findings. C. Committee Member Gale Broeker announced that The Dos Palmas Rancho in North Shore, an Adobe under BLM jurisdiction was scheduled for demolition. No specific date was indicated for the demolition. She had done the original Environmental Assessment for this. There are people who are trying to save it. D. Committee Member Jan Holmlund suggested that Director of Planning, Lauri Aylaian and the person that handles the archives attend their workshop on June 15, 2007. E. Chair Kim Housken announced that Hopalong Cassidy's house would be auctioned this weekend and the memorabilia would be auctioned on Sunday, June 3, 2007. IX. CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATES AND ADJOURN Workshop — Friday, July 20, 2007, 10:00 a.m. — Council Chambers Conference Room. Regular Meeting —Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 10:00 a.m. — Administrative Conference Room. Chair Kim Housken adjourned the meeting at 12:08 p.m. G:1BIdgSfty\Suzanne CicchinlWord Files\Historic Preservation Committee\Minutes052907.doc. 6