Palm Springs preservation board declines to halt planned Swim Center office demolition

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board voted 6-0 on July 21 to take no action on the city's request to demolish the office building at the Swim Center, 405 South Pavilion Way, effectively allowing the project to proceed through standard permitting.

Staff told the board the one-story office structure, built in 1975 as part of a larger recreational complex at Sunrise Park, has been significantly reduced from original plans and shows alterations and deferred maintenance that, in staff's analysis, mean it does not meet the criteria for elevation to a Class 1 or 2 historic resource. "Staff finds that the swim center falls short of all of these criteria," the city planner said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the board only reviews sites elevated to higher historic classifications; because staff concluded the office does not demonstrate the exceptional architectural integrity or association needed for such designation, the board's non-action removes that local barrier to demolition while other city reviews—design review and permitting—remain on separate tracks.

During the roughly 35-minute meeting, board members pressed staff on specific changes to the building, the status of the design renderings, and whether the original designer had been consulted. One member noted additions such as corrugated covers over changing rooms and other later expansions. A board member referenced a letter describing the project's design process; staff said those renderings were part of an ongoing design-review track and that HSPB's role was limited to the historic-status question.

Several board members argued the existing office no longer reflects the architects' original intent and is functionally inadequate for current community needs. "The integrity of this design was compromised long before the first foundation stone was laid," Member Amber Herr said, urging the board to allow replacement that improves accessibility and space.

A separate line of discussion asked whether landscape features such as large shade trees around the pool might be treated as historic landscape elements; staff said such a designation would require additional evidence that the trees were part of an integral historic landscape design and was not part of the current demolition-trigger review.

Members also raised whether the original architect had been contacted. Staff replied that the team had not reached out to the architect for comment on the demolition trigger and that there was no documentation in the staff report showing the architect had formally disassociated from the project.

After an initial motion that was withdrawn for clarity, Member Herr moved that the board "vote to take no action and refer applicant to proceed with next steps and standard building permit procedures." The motion was seconded and passed 6-0, with one member absent. The board recorded the vote and the chair declared the motion passed.

What happens next: the city may continue with its separate design-review process and building permits. The board noted it will resume regular business after an August recess and expects site visits in advance of the September meeting.

Board members and staff present included Chair Boffman; Member Hair; Member McCready (noted in roll call); Member Yarchovic; Member Hayams; and Member Amber Herr. One member (Mosca Hitchcock) was absent.

The board entered the record one emailed public comment submitted before the meeting; no public speakers signed up for comment during the session.