Draft:Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board

  1. Home
  2. Wiki


Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board
Agency overview
Formed1981
TypeMunicipal historic preservation board
JurisdictionCity of Palm Springs, California, U.S.
HeadquartersPalm Springs, California
Agency executives
  • Janet Hansen, Chair
  • Kurt Philip Bachman, Vice Chair
  • Jeffrey Herr, Board Member
  • Peter Moruzz, Board Member
  • Katherine Maschka-Hitchcock, Board Member
  • Eric McCready, Board Member
  • Michael Paonessa, Board Member
  • Sarah Yoon, Historic Preservation Officer
Parent departmentCity of Palm Springs Planning Department
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) is a board of the City of Palm Springs in California. Formed in 1981, HSPB identifies and evaluates potential historic sites and districts for designation, and advises the City Council on historic preservation matters.[1][2]

The board also reviews proposed alterations or demolitions of designated historic districts and sites[3] and sponsors educational programs such as the annual Preservation Matters Symposium.[4][5]

History

[edit]

Efforts to create a historic preservation board began in the late 1970s after the demolition of the ticket booth of the downtown Plaza Theatre.[6] In 1978, Council member Bill Foster proposed a committee to review significant buildings before permits were issued.[6] In 1981, Palm Springs City Council formally established the Historic Site Preservation Board within the city's Planning Department through an amendment to Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code.[6][7]

In 1984, Palm Springs adopted its first Historic Preservation Ordinance, providing the HSPB with legal authority to designate local landmarks.[8] Early designations included the Plaza Theatre[9] and the El Mirador Hotel Tower.[10]

In the 2020s, the board considered several high-profile matters, including the removal of a statue of former Mayor Frank Bogert from the grounds of City Hall,[11] stalled rehabilitation projects at the Town & Country Center and Orchid Tree Inn,[12] and the redevelopment of Class 3 properties such as the El Morocco Hotel and Palm Highlands Inn.[13]

Roles and responsibilities

[edit]

The board consists of seven members appointed by the City Council for staggered terms, supported by a Historic Preservation Officer.[14]

Designation process

[edit]

The HSPB reviews nominations for Class 1 (landmark) and Class 2 (historic merit) resources, which are then forwarded to the City Council for final approval.[2] Class 3 and 4 properties (undesignated but older structures) also fall under review when demolition or alterations are proposed.[13][15]

Certificate of Appropriateness

[edit]

Owners of designated historic resources must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HSPB before making major exterior changes, additions, or demolitions.[3][16]

Advisory and educational role

[edit]

The board advises the City Council and Planning Commission on historic preservation issues and sponsors educational programs.[17]

Programs and events

[edit]

The board organizes the annual Preservation Matters Symposium, launched in 2014, featuring lectures, tours, and awards recognizing preservation achievements.[18][19] As part of the symposium, HSPB launched the Preservation Matters Award and Certificate of Recognition in 2015. Recipients include:

  • 2017 – May Sung (Certificate of Recognition)[20]
  • 2019 – Gary Johns (Preservation Matters Award), Hugh Kaptur (Certificate of Recognition)[21]
  • 2022 – Dick Burkett (Preservation Matters Award), Steven Keylon (Certificate of Recognition)[22]
  • 2023 – Barbara and Ron Marshall (Preservation Matters Award)[23], Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation (Certificate of Recognition)[24]
  • 2025 – Todd Hays (Preservation Matters Award)[25]

Relationship to other organizations

[edit]

Palm Springs has multiple preservation groups distinct from the HSPB:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code: Historic Preservation". City of Palm Springs. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  2. ^ a b "Preservation Corner: Palm Springs 5 Preservation Foundations". Atomic Ranch. 2017-07-01. Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  3. ^ a b "Chapter 8.05 of the City of Palm Springs Municipal Code: § 8.05.120Demolition, Alteration or New Construction within a Historic District—Certificate of Appropriateness". City of Palm Springs. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  4. ^ "Preservation Month | City of Palm Springs". www.palmspringsca.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-03-03. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  5. ^ Harding, Cindy (2022-04-14). "Preservation Symposium Focuses on Historical and Architectural Diversity". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  6. ^ a b c Brown, Renee (2019-01-18). "Explore Palm Springs: Historic Site Preservation Board". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  7. ^ "60 sites in PS 'historic'". Desert Sun. 1980-08-04. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  8. ^ "Area historic sites checked". Desert Sun. 1984-04-10. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  9. ^ "Notice of Historic Site Preservation Board Hearing". Desert Sun. 1987-09-04. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  10. ^ "Restoration of El Mirador eyed Plan to rebuild historic PS hotel considered". Desert Sun. 1987-03-11. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  11. ^ "Palm Springs historic board authorizes removal of Bogert statue". The Desert Sun. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  12. ^ "City's historic board wants updates on trio of stalled landmark projects". The Palm Springs Post. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  13. ^ a b "Demolition of former El Morocco Hotel, redevelopment of Palm Highlands Inn site approved". The Palm Springs Post. 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  14. ^ "Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. § 8.05.030 Historic Site Preservation Board—Established". City of Palm Springs. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  15. ^ Albani-Burgio, Paul. "SoHo House owner cancels Palm Springs project over 'bureaucratic challenges'". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  16. ^ Talkington, Mark (2025-05-07). "Preservation board delays decision on development near historic cabin ruins ⋆ The Palm Springs Post". The Palm Springs Post. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  17. ^ "City's historic board wants updates on trio of stalled landmark projects". The Palm Springs Post. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  18. ^ "The City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board Presents 9th Annual Preservation Matters Symposium". KESQ. 2023. Archived from the original on 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  19. ^ "Preservation Matters 2022: Historical and Architectural Diversity". The Desert Sun. 2019-04-05. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  20. ^ Hart, Lisa Marie (2017-11-03). "La Serena Villas Offers Outdoor Bathing". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  21. ^ Burkett, Dick. "Historic preservation matters in Palm Springs and our Coachella Valley". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  22. ^ Harding, Cindy (2022-04-14). "Preservation Symposium Focuses on Historical and Architectural Diversity". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  23. ^ "Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to receive award from Historic Site Preservation Board". Save the Plaza Theatre. 2023. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  24. ^ "Historic Site Preservation Board to present two important awards at 9th Annual Preservation Matters Symposium, April 30". City of Palm Springs. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  25. ^ a b "About – Palm Springs Preservation Foundation". Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  26. ^ "About the Historical Society". Palm Springs Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  27. ^ "About PS ModCom". PS ModCom. Archived from the original on 2025-03-14. Retrieved 2025-09-01.