Palm Springs council appoints two to Historic Site Preservation Board

The Palm Springs City Council appointed Michael Pano and Eric (recorded in the meeting as McCree/McCready) to the Historic Site Preservation Board on May 21, 2025, filling two open seats with terms expiring in 2028.

The appointments came after short interviews in which both applicants described relevant experience. Michael Pano, an active docent and former chair of the city’s Administrative Appeals Board, said, “I was on the appeals board … for 6 years,” and described giving walking and bike tours and working with property owners on historic-designation questions. Eric (McCree/McCready) emphasized academic and professional background in architectural history and neighborhood studies and said he could contribute research and museum experience to the board.

Council members questioned applicants about recurring preservation issues: how to balance property owners’ opposition with the public interest when a designation is proposed, and how to explain the differences between designation classes. Pano said a common challenge is helping owners understand that a Class 2 designation “still protects their property” while not imposing the most restrictive controls; he said communication and education are part of the board’s work.

The council motion to appoint both candidates passed with no recorded opposition. The council asked new appointees to attend upcoming Historic Site Preservation Board meetings before beginning service to observe procedures and upcoming agenda items.

The council also discussed outreach and chair/liaison feedback used in the rankings; staff noted liaison and chair comments were collected and provided to council members ahead of the vote. The new appointees will replace departing commissioners from District 5 and begin serving toward the commission’s workload this fiscal year.