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Palm Springs board allows demolition of Class 4 house at 1481 San Jacinto Way
Summary
Staff recommended and the board voted 5–2 to take no action on reclassification for 1481 San Jacinto Way (Class 4), allowing the owners to proceed with demolition; the applicant said she is seeking reuse options for original steel windows.
On March 3 the Historic Site Preservation Board considered an owner request to demolish a single‑family home at 1481 San Jacinto Way (Class 4, Movie Colony East). Staff concluded the property does not meet the criteria for exceptional significance and recommended the board take no action to initiate designation proceedings.
Staff’s report described exterior alterations and a casita that appears to have been detached at some point but noted surviving original steel windows. Applicant/architect Jill Lewis (online) said she submitted a letter and a contractor’s letter supporting the application, said the owners are exploring salvage or reuse options for the steel windows and offered to answer questions.
Board members discussed vernacular significance and integrity; one member said the house did not present a strong vernacular example warranting designation, while others acknowledged the applicant’s careful approach. The board moved, seconded and voted 5–2 to follow staff’s recommendation to take no action and allow demolition processing; they also determined under CEQA that the action is not a project.
The decision removes the property from further designation review unless future new evidence emerges; the applicant indicated she is pursuing salvage options for the steel windows but had not yet identified a reuse recipient at the time of the meeting.
