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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 01-26-2010 �''�'� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT . INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk � From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: April 27, 2010 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on January 26, 2010. Attached is a copy of the January 26, 2010 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on April 27, 2010. Please include on the ne� City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment CITYCOt)NCILACTION APYROVED r r��:�8�'4)_.�_�_.__-- RFCI:IVED � �r��� ;�"i'��2��_���_,_.___------- MF:F,Ti�G DATC 5_ ��3-�C�/G -�-._____.____. AYF,S: � 75en ��a/'4�.rSoi� ��//u.�.4'/���c��,�lt�/' c NOES: n1 a��e ��y���� AI3SF,NT: �f �f��. —_-- A13STAIN: `�� VERIFIF.D I3Y: �' Original on File with Ciiy Clerk's ffice G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Meeting Items\Memo-City Clerk-Minutes 04-27-10.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT �---�--� � � CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE Minutes January 26, 2010 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Gale Broeker called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 10:02 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Ricki Brodie Vera Handley Gale Broeker Don Graybill Kim Housken Bob Pitchford Kent Routh Also Present: Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Jan Holmlund, Former Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Member Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary III. SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER Ricki Brodie was sworn in by Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Jan Holmlund, former Committee Member announced the Wildflower Festival will be held March 6, 2010 between 8:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountain National Monument Visitors Center. February 27, 2010, La Quinta Community Services is hosting "The Salton Sea and William Blake." He was the first person to make a geologic map of the area. The City of Rancho Mirage Historic Preservation Commission presents, "A Salute to William F. Cody," February 10, 2010 from 7:00 — 8:30 p.m. at the Rancho Mirage Library. Ms. Holmlund suggested that the inspiring Cliff May book that Suzanne Cicchini obtained be read. She emphasized the importance of educating people about historic preservation starting with 3�d and 4t" grade teachers. They teach local history. Consider every grade level, even college. Conduct a tour of historic homes, or perhaps a single home tour. City of Palm Desert could present a salute to Cliff May or Walter White, a showing of Visions of Utopia or an evening at the library for those interested in a particular architect or artist. The author of the Cliff May book could be invited to sign his book. A successful program could be CULTURALRESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 26, 2010 designed and drawings and information could be presented. Share ideas with other commissions; networks take time and attention. The Coachella Valley Historic Alliance hopes to draw the county into the picture of historic preservation. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Committee Member Kent Routh moved that the Minutes be approved as written. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. All were in favor and the Motion passed unanimously. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2010 Committee Member Kim Housken nominated Committee Vice Chair, Kent Routh for Chair. Mr. Routh declined, but offered to continue as Vice Chair and nominated himself. Committee Chair Gale Broeker suggested Committee Member pon Graybill for the Chair position. Discussion commenced, and Ms. Housken noted that since no one had seconded her motion to nominate Mr. Routh for Chair, she nominates Mr. Graybill for Chair. Ms. Broeker seconded the motion. Ms. Housken seconded the motion to nominate Mr. Routh for Vice Chair. The Committee unanimously approved Don Graybill, for Chair and Kent Routh, for Vice Chair. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. DISCUSS STATUS OF PROPERTY OWNER LETTERS Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported that there were no responses and no completed applications were returned. The Sandpiper condos may be difficult due to the numerous homeowner association pods. Staff has the names of the homeowners, but the contact information for the associations is needed for consideration of a historic district designation. Jim West, former Chair of the City of Palm Desert Historic Preservation Committee was suggested as a contact at Sandpiper. Discussion commenced about a potential district designation. Committee Member pon Graybill noted that one of the Sandpiper associations offered to sell the Palm Desert Historical Society a green belt next door to the Fire House. He suggested that it could be offered to City of Palm Desert for sale. That land might be useful for historical purposes. G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2010\1-26-10 Minutes.docx Page 2 CULTURALRESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 26, 2010 B. DISCUSS WEB PAGE SUGGESTIONS Mr. Grance noted that the suggestions received from Committee Member Kim Housken have been addressed. He asked them to please look at web page. If they want anything added or deleted he will do those modifications for them. C. DISCUSS POTENTIAL BUS TOUR FOR RESIDENTS Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety presented the idea of the tour as a topic at an Executive Management meeting. Due to economics, a bus tour cannot be considered at this time. Additional budget cuts were requested this fiscal year. Committee Member Kim Housken asked if it was possible to charge a nominal amount to cover the cost of the bus. Mr. Grance mentioned that he offered that, but it was decided that if we were going to sponsor a tour to help promote conservation, it would be free of charge. Committee Member pon Graybill suggested a car tour. Mr. Grance offered that too, but it's a matter of liability. Mr. Grance reiterated that he would put the tour in his budget with the other wish list items. Hopefully, it will make it through the series of budget meetings where a final budget for next fiscal year is approved. Committee Member Gale Broeker asked if a City tour could piggy back with the Historical Society's tour in April, but that's not a possibility this time. The Committee discussed alternatives, but no action was taken at this meeting. IX. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON CITY/RDA OWNED PROPERTIES FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported that the three properties under consideration were the subject of a Staff Report that was presented to Council during closed session. Council is willing to move forward with two of the three properties. The RDA property known as the Bates house will not be considered. The Fire Station and the Community Center (former Library) will be considered. Mr. Grance discussed the application process. This Committee will set the example for other applicants. The Committee will then consider a recommendation for approval. Once recommendation for approval is made, these items can then be placed on Council's Agenda. The Fire Station will be the first application the Committee completes. Further discussion commenced. Work Shops will be scheduled to work on the applications. This will be a good training operation to note any difficulties with the applications. If difficulties are noticed, the Committee will have the opportunity to modify the applications, while keeping the integrity of the program intact. Committee Member pon Graybill inquired about the denial of consideration for the Bates house. Mr. Grance mentioned that RDA did not want to be constricted in their choice to utilize the building in the future. They G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeVvlinutes 2010\1-26-10 Minutes.docx Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 26, 2010 want to keep the Main House intact, which is a good thing, but removal of the apartments in back is anticipated. They did not want to move forward with a designation at this time and Council agreed with their representative on that decision. The Committee was enthusiastic about the applications and believes it is a great start. Mr. Grance suggested putting information on the web page to help stir interest. Committee Member Gale Broeker thought it would nice if both designations could be accomplished by Founder's Day. Mr. Grance suggested they focus their energy on the Fire Station and get that application done first. A short history of the Fire Station was completed by former Committee Member Jan Holmlund about seven years ago. She offered the Committee the use of it. Ms. Holmlund mentioned that there was a photograph of the old Fire Station. Committee Member Kim Housken noted that it was before the second part was added. Ms. Housken recalled that they had renderings and other items for the library from the architect, John Outcault. These items would make a beautiful display. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS Committee Member pon Graybill reported on the sustainability symposium he attended. He provided information and notes from the event. Committee Member Kim Housken attended the same symposium and had provided her comments at an earlier meeting. The afternoon portion dealt with funding and the nuts and bolts of sustainability. Mr. Graybill was surprised that almost everything discussed in the afternoon related to federal rather than local government. People came from other cities to discuss their particular situations. The best thing about the event was the knowledgeable, experienced people who attended. They work on committees or for companies that work with cities. Committee Member Ricki Brodie commented that she came away from the conference with the idea that no matter what a person was working on, you could find an expert in the field who had experience and was willing to help. She suggested they could turn to these experts for help with the Fire Station. She was amazed at the amount of community feeling there. She was really pleased with it. Committee Member Kent Routh shared the financial details of the New Canaan, Connecticut preservation tour mentioned at the last meeting. The tickets sold for $35.00 each. They netted just over $100,000.00 including $40,000 of corporate support. $60,000.00 was individual participation. It was a lot of work and Mr. Routh was unsure whether the concept would be applicable to the desert. The New Canaan home tour showcased the latest and greatest in home furnishings. The tendency here is to display a historic home without "up-do glitz." He mentioned that his niece, Kendall Sneddon, would be glad to come out and provide advice. Committee Member Kim Housken inquired whether a home on Fiddleneck Lane was on the potential list. It was a William Krisel home and she had some information she received from Jim West, former member of the Historic Preservation Committee about it. She would like the information added to the G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne CicchinilWord Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2010\1-26-10 Minutes.docx Page 4 CULTURALRESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 26, 2010 archives. Ms. Housken offered to drive by on her way home to confirm the address. She confirmed it to be 73140 Fiddleneck Lane. Director of Building and Safety, Russell Grance, received an email from Ray Villacete requesting that some committee members attend Palm Desert Country Club's Homeowners Association Meeting. They are still interested in a historic district designation. Mr. Villacete would like the Committee Members to discuss some of the incentives, such as the Mills Act, which we don't have yet. Suzanne Cicchini will contact those interested with the exact time of the meeting on February 9t". Committee Chair Gale Broeker, Committee Members Kim Housken and Ricki Brodie expressed interest in attending. Mr. Grance emphasized that three members could go, as long as there wasn't a quorum. Ms. Broeker noted that if they have questions they could be invited to attend this Committee's next meeting. Mr. Grance advised that if they did not have answers for them research could be conducted to provide answers for them at a later date. Committee Chair Gale Broeker brought up the subject of a Public Forum. Committee Member Kent Routh noted that it will be more helpful after their application is finished. Committee Member pon Graybill inquired whether there were any historic districts within the Coachella Valley. Committee Member Kim Housken reminded the Committee that there was one in Palm Springs that was rediscovered recently. Committee Member Kent Routh recalled it was in the news recently. Discussion commenced on districts around the area. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that community meetings are part of the process and that will provide another opportunity to answer questions regarding a historic district. She noted that good information was received from the California Preservation Foundation Conference and the other conference hosted by City of Riverside. A comparison was done between two neighborhoods. Similar demographics were considered. One had a historic overlay and one did not. The values were higher for the one with the overlay. The overlay could provide some protection from neighbors who might do something unappealing, such as erect a McMansion in the neighborhood. The next meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee will be Tuesday, February 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at The City of Palm Desert. XI. ADJOURNMENT Committee Chair Gale Broeker adjourned the meeting at 10:59 a.m. ��1.( /�-�- ��.0 I'�-��-e-,..-..� � Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation CommitteeWlinutes 2010\1-26-10 Minutes.docx Page 5