Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 29.30 Historic Preservation Committee

A historic preservation committee ("committee") is hereby established for the city of Palm Desert ("city"). The provisions set forth in Chapter 2.34 of this code shall apply to this committee, except as otherwise required by state law. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and those in Chapter 2.34, the provisions of this chapter will control.

(Ord. 1390 § 15, 2023; Ord. 1433, 9/11/2025)

The historic preservation committee shall be comprised of seven community members and no less than four members are encouraged to be appointed from individuals that have knowledge in the fields or disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, pre-historic or historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curator, conservation, and landscape architecture, or related disciplines, such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, or cultural geography to the extent that such professionals are available in the community.

(Ord. 1390 § 15, 2023; Ord. 1433, 9/11/2025)

The historic preservation committee may hold meetings every other month at such day, time, and place as set by committee resolution or minute order.

(Ord. 1390 § 15, 2023; Ord. 1428, 3/13/2025; Ord. 1433, 9/11/2025)

A. The responsibilities of the administrator are in addition to those of the historic preservation committee and are subject to Section 29.30.040(C) as follows:

1. Conduct or cause to be conducted a comprehensive survey to identify cultural resources;

2. Compile, maintain and publish an up-to-date inventory of all cultural resources with certified survey findings;

3. Compile, maintain and publish a register to include designated and register eligible cultural resources;

4. Approve, conditionally approve, or deny certificate of appropriateness applications pursuant to Chapter 29.60;

5. Make recommendations to the city council regarding the adoption of cultural resources preservation incentives including, but not limited to, economic and tax incentives, conservation easements, preservation easements, acquisition or sale of property, development rights, fee adjustments and land use, zoning, development restrictions;

6. Make recommendations to the city council for enforcement and penalties concerning matters covered in this title; and

7. Ensure that cultural resources preservation is coordinated with other city departments and agencies.

B. The responsibilities of the committee are subject to Section 29.30.040(C) as follows:

1. Certify survey findings at an agendized public meeting or authorize the administrator to certify survey findings administratively through a specific findings process designated by the city council;

2. Adopt and make available designation applications and review procedures by which cultural resources may be designated as landmarks or historic districts;

3. Recommend to the city council the inclusion or deletion of landmarks and historic districts in the register pursuant to the regulations of this title;

4. Encourage and foster public participation in the cultural resources survey and designation processes;

5. Seek means and resources to appropriately identify landmarks and historic districts with permanent city approved plaques and signs;

6. Initiate and prepare nominations of eligible city-owned cultural resources to local, state and national registers;

7. Adopt standards including design guidelines to be used by the committee and the administrator in reviewing certificate of appropriateness applications;

8. Encourage cooperation between public and private cultural resources preservation organizations and groups including the historical society of Palm Desert, the California Historical Resources Information System Eastern Information Center at the University of California, Riverside, and other organizations in Coachella Valley communities;

9. Make recommendations to the city council regarding the adoption of cultural resources preservation incentives, including, but not limited to, economic and tax incentives, conservation easements, preservation easements, acquisition or sale of property, development rights, fee adjustments and land use, zoning, and development restrictions;

10. Review and make recommendations to city council on applications to participate in local cultural resources preservation incentives programs established to effectuate the purposes of this title;

11. Seek out information and advise city council on the use of various local, state, federal or private sources and mechanisms available to promote cultural resources preservation;

12. As part of the city's CEQA review procedures if referred by city, identify and advise appropriate city departments and governmental entities of known cultural resources; assess and advise the city council whether any proposed project would have an adverse effect on the significance of such cultural resources; and recommend to the city council appropriate action in compliance with the city's adopted CEQA procedures;

13. Evaluate and comment on proposals and environmental reviews that affect cultural resources in the city and are pending before public agencies other than the city of Palm Desert;

14. Prepare and adopt plans including design guidelines for the preservation of cultural resources;

15. Review and make recommendations on zoning and general plan amendments for the purpose of preserving cultural resources;

16. Develop and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to cultural resources preservation and provide for public participation in all aspects of the city's cultural resources preservation program;

17. Assume whatever responsibilities and duties may be assigned to the committee by the city council under the certified local government provisions, of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended;

18. Perform any other functions that may be designated by resolution or motion of the city council.

C. Any designation or certified survey of property shall require written consent of the owner of the property.

(Ord. 1390 § 15, 2023; Ord. 1433, 9/11/2025)