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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRP Cmte - 11/25/08 ...-----�► �"'�'� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT . INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk ynu�nr� C���`�i�:. From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: January 9, 2009 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on November 25, 2008. Attached is a copy of the November 25, 2008 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on December 30, 2008. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment Ci�CO�CILACTION APPROVED .�..__DENiED RECENED � ' � .,,.,,�.,,,,OTHER_...__._, ,_,"_,_ MEETING DATE `�- AYES: NOE3s-�p ABSEIM'h-�1 L�t1.� ■II�I�� AB�TAINs VERIFIED HYt Or�ieA10�F�fe w�it�r Ct�jr *,�p�q G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Meeting Items\Memo-City Clerk-Minutes.doc �-�---� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes November 25, 2008 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Gale Broeker called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 10:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Gale Broeker Jan Holmlund Vera Handley Kim Housken Bob Pitchford Kent Routh Don Graybill Also Present: Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager, Development Services Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst Renee Schrader, Associate Planner Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary Alan Cohen, Community Member Kay McCune, Community Member Hal Rover, Riverside County Historical Commissioner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Alan Cohen of 45775 Quailbrush Avenue learned about the Cultural Resources Ordinance and wants to include his home on the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee's Unofficial List. His home was built in 1952 and was located in Palm Desert Unit Four, north of Fairway Drive. He presented photos of the home for the Committee to look at. He described the home's attributes and noted that it was influenced by the Cliff May style of architecture, but could not confirm the name of the architect of his home. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance reported that the draft application is still in the process of being formalized but will provide a starting point for individuals wishing to consider designation of their homes as a landmark. During the Reports and Remarks: Community Member Alan Cohen added how important Cultural Resources are to the economy. More website information would be a good tool. He noted that other cities such as Riverside and Los Angeles, California and Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 have a lot of information on their websites. Committee Member Kim Housken concurred. She suggested that once the forms are approved that would be a great place to start. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance added that the ordinance and documents and other pages could be added to the website also. Kay McCune of 74134 Larrea Street attended the meeting to learn if there was any news on the City of Palm Desert adopting the Mills Act. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety noted that this is the first meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, formerly known as the Historic Preservation Committee. The City of Palm Desert has a new Cultural Resources Ordinance and there is information in it that allows the City to entertain the Mills Act. If we have interested parties, we'll proceed with the City Council to obtain direction on how we initiate that. Kay McCune stated that she is very interested. She lives in Randall Henderson's house. Her hope is that this works out for the City because she believes it would benefit a lot of people. Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager for Community Services made a presentation to the Committee on behalf of Mayor Jean Benson. The Cultural Resources Preservation Committee received gift certificates to The McCallum Theater. She emphasized that the City wished to thank the Committee members, for their wisdom, expertise, concern and love for the City and the help they provide. She noted that these certificates were just a token of the City's appreciation for everything the Committee has done all year long. Arrangements will be made so that Jan Holmlund will receive her certificate. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES — OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2008. MOTION was made by Committee Member Kim Housken requesting that page 17 reflect that Arcadia (referencing a book at the Historical Society) begins with a capital letter A. Committee Member Kent Routh moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety noted that from this meeting forward the Minutes will be in the regular format (not verbatim.) G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWlinutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.2 CULTURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 V. NEW BUSINESS A. PROVIDE COPY OF NEW CULTURAL RESOURCES ORDINANCE Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety provided the Committee members with a copy of the new ordinance. B. DISCUSSION - FORM LETTER FOR PROPERTY OWNERS A form letter is to be developed to have available to property owners of the top 13 properties of possible historic sites outlining possible landmark designation inclusion. Committee Member Kent Routh noted he would provide Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance the information he had so that he could work on the letter. Chair Gale Broeker reported that Jan Holmlund had a lot of information also. C. DISCUSSION — DRAFT CULTURAL RESOURCES DESIGNATION APPLICATION Discussion commenced about the Draft Cultural Resources Designation Application. Chair Gale Broeker questioned the necessity of having a City of Palm Desert form when there is a national form available. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance emphasized that it was for local inclusion, not for State or Federal inclusion. He drafted a comprehensive form after extensive research of various application processes from cities throughout the State of California. He requested that the committee review the finro documents thoroughly by the next meeting and provide comments so a packet will be available for consideration of local inclusion of a landmark or historic district. Historic districts will require a lot more cooperation and collective effort in order to more those forward. Action on this item deferred until the next meeting. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION - OF EXISTING UNOFFICIAL LIST OF HISTORICAL PROPERTIES Discussion commenced about the Cultural Resources existing Unofficial list of historical properties. These were gleaned from the list created by the Historic Preservation Committee, not the 1981 County survey. At the subcommittee level, 13 top properties were selected to receive a letter about G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.3 CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 their property and Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety placed these on a new spreadsheet. This list corresponded with a map displayed at the meeting. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired about the last house on the new Unofficial Site listing, the Greco House and whether it was still significant. It has been remodeled extensively. She wanted to know if the committee needed to confirm historical significance in advance of the property owner receiving a letter about their property. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety explained that the letter deems their property of historical significance and it inquires whether the property owner would like to participate. The homeowner is under no obligation to participate. If so, we have an application process for them. The property owner will have to provide a lot of information for this body in order to be considered for designation and the data will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration. The list of homes is a survey, but not a certified survey. B. DISCUSSION - EXISTING 1981 SURVEY CONDUCTED BY RIVERSIDE COUNTY The committee discussed the 1981 County Survey and Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety acknowledged the effort the Committee did on the City of Palm Desert Unofficial list and recommended keeping that as a fall back document. Chair Gale Broeker noted that in 1981 there was no ordinance and some of the homes may have already been nominated by the Historical Society without action. Research needs to be conducted to obtain paper work and prioritize them. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety conducted a search on the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) website and there were no homes for Palm Desert. C. DISCUSSION — DESIGNS FOR SITE PLAQUES Discussion commenced on the plaques. Chair Gale Broeker directed Committee Member Bob Pitchford to provide his designs to Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance. At the next meeting the committee can move to have Russell Grance prepare a Staff Report for City Council approval of the design. D. MEMBERSHIPS/SUBSCRIPTIONS/WORKSHOPS Discussion commenced about memberships, seminars and workshops the committee members would like to attend. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance requested that the Committee provide information to him about these so he can budget for them. Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager for Development Services added that since this Committee has G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWlinutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.4 CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 multiple interests in organizations it is helpful to assign members to those organizations to provide representation for local events reporting information learned and providing recommendations for upcoming classes under the Reports and Remarks comments section. The purpose is to define what is important for this group, what involvement and at what level is appropriate and staff will try to adjust the budget to meet the needs of this Committee. Committee Member Kim Housken reported previously there were two membership the Committee had: California Preservation Foundation and National Trust for Historic Preservation. California Preservation Foundation has yearly conferences that alternate from year to year in Southern and Northern California. She suggested that several Committee members could attend the many breakaway sessions that are offered. Chair Gale Broeker was disappointed that Bob Pitchford was not able to be sent to a recent seminar on Modernism. She noted that it's important that Committee members know the Historic Building Codes. She suggested staff provide a report to the Committee on that subject. There was a property that was going to be disqualified because it couldn't be brought up to code. If this were to come up in local buildings that would mean a lot of destruction. Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager, Development Services suggested the Committee request that Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety provide recommendations for the December, 2008 meeting. Development of the local list will provide that if a site is considered historical locally it automatically falls under the historic code without question. The Building Code does not take precedence except for structural issues. Chair Gale Broeker noted that the one she was referring to was a ranch on Federal property but it was not destroyed. E. BOOKLET AND BOOK CREATION Committee Members Kim Housken and Jan Holmlund were working on this project. Committee Member Kim Housken commented that they had several ideas and wanted to keep it simple. They hoped to provide a little background on the City and provide examples of building types in the City. Committee Member Vera Handley wanted to know if the Historical Society had received much interest in the Bus Tour Booklet. Committee Member Kim Housken noted that it was on file at the Historical Society. People enjoyed it and made copies. Committee Member Vera Handley suggested that if a book was done, the Bus Tour should be included. Committee Chair Gale Broeker noted that Booklet and Book Creation should be continued as Old Business when Jan Holmlund is present. G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.5 CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS Committee Member pon Graybill reported that all the photographs he has are in digital form. The Historical Society has everything he took on the Fire House computer. He mentioned that Committee Member Kim Housken has been very active with the Arcadia Book for the Historical Society. Committee Member Vera Handley celebrated her 90th birthday with Committee Member Ken Routh who turned 67. They had a delightful celebration. Committee Member Bob Pitchford noted that he continues to notice homes and apartments with Walter White's influence that he would like to see added to the Unofficial list. There are things he would like to see deleted from the list. Committee Member Kent Routh is hoping that when the ordinance becomes better known that the public will come forward and ask the Committee for decisions about historic sites. The booklet and tours helped the City Council see that there was more interest that they thought. Modernism doesn't only exist in Palm Springs, a lot of it drifted down the valley. The City should be proud of what we have. He enjoyed the Bus tour and the tour of the Kaufmann house. Committee Member Vera Handley requested confirmation of the new name of the committee. It is: Cultural Resources Preservation Committee. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety confirmed it. She also requested new badges. Committee Member Kim Housken agreed with Committee Member Bob Pitchford. She does not believe that everything on their Unofficial list is historical. This was just a way to catalog what they looked at. Some of the things came off the 1981 survey are not there anymore. Her preference would be to keep everything on the list. A notation for items not considered historic at this time could be utilized. She announced that the Arcadia book is at the publisher and showed an example of what it will look like. It's due to be released and able to be sold on February 9, 2009. It's similar to a book Indio put out a year or so ago. It tells the story of history of the City and there are some buildings and trees mentioned in it. There is a home on Las Palmas just off San Pablo, just north of the Circle K that Committee Member Kim Housken believes is a Walter White home. It's for sale now. Also, a Walter White home on Shadow Mountain owned by G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeUVlinutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.6 CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 Harry Cannon seems to be remodeled. It was the one with the round fireplace. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired whether the City of Palm Desert would play a role in the California Preservation Foundation Conference in Palm Springs. It seemed like an ideal time to feature some of the great things in Palm Desert such as Sandpiper and Desert Magazine. Chair Gale Broeker noted that the last time the Modernism Conference was held Sandpiper and Marrakesh were included and another location in Palm Desert. They are expanding beyond Palm Springs. She announced that a Walter White home previously believed to belong to Governor Lehman was not his. She had conducted full chains of title on a number of houses and discovered this. She has a Walter White client list. Names are present, but no addresses. Hal Rover, Riverside County Historical Commissioner noted that the California Preservation Foundation Convention is in Palm Springs this year. It runs from April 16 — 19, 2009. A lot of planning goes into it and it's great! It's a wonderful convention to attend and he believes one person from Palm Desert went last year according to their records. The County of Riverside is Working on cultural heritage and their goal in 2009 is to try to pull all the historic societies and their museums together. The website notes that more is spent by people coming to a city seeking cultural heritage information than is spent on golfing vacations. This trend is big and bears watching. A Cultural Heritage map is available from the County of Riverside. He will bring some for the City of Palm Desert. The map illustrates Cultural Heritage sites from Blythe to Chino. The map is receiving a great reception. Hal Rover announced the Historical Society is putting on an Art Show, March 6-14, 2009. It will feature artists over 90 years old who are still living and contributing to the art world. Sally Ward is 99 years old and still paints. Carl Bray is 91 and Bill Bender is coming into 90 at Christmas. He was a protege of Jimmy Swinnerton. Swinnerton died in 1974. The other three artists are still with us and we hope to have them at an opening reception. Committee Member Kent Routh noted that his niece's Great Aunt is Sally Ward. His niece has about a dozen of her paintings that would be available on loan for the show. Committee Member Vera Handley requested that K Kaufmann of the Desert Sun Newspaper be present at the next Cultural Resources Preservation Meeting on December 30, 2008 to write about the meeting to provide publicity for the committee. They have worked very hard and diligently. Committee Member Kent Routh agreed to call K Kaufmann of the Desert Sun Newspaper. G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWlinutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.7 CULTURALRESOURCE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2008 Committee Chair Gale Broeker was hoping to plaque a site by Founders Day. Committee Member Bob Pitchford wanted to add that he recalled the name of the artist that created the City of Palm Desert seal. His name was Naning San Pedro. He worked in the Planning Department at the City. The next meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee will be Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at The City of Palm Desert. VIII. ADJOURNMENT With Committee Concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m. � �� l�-�� Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G:�BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeUAinutes 2008\112508 Minutes.doc.8