HomeMy WebLinkAbout24716RESOLUTION NO. 24716
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE
LAWRENCE WELK RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 730
PASEO EL MIRADOR, AS HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB
#126, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 507-082-020).
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites and districts, and
WHEREAS, on October 17, 2019, J.R Roberts, owner and applicant, filed an
application with the City pursuant to Article Ill, Section 8.05.070 (Procedure for
Designation of Historic Sites and Historic Districts) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code
requesting Class 1 historic resource designation for the parcel located at 730 East Paseo
El Mirador #507-082-020). The application included a historic resources report ("the
report") prepared by Melissa Riche, dated September, 2019, and
WHEREAS, in November, 2019, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board
(HSPB) conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource, accompanied by
City staff, and
WHEREAS, on December 10, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs
Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB") to consider Case HSPB #126 was held in
accordance with applicable law, and
WHEREAS, the HSPB carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including, but not limited to, the
staff report and all written and oral testimony presented and voted unanimously to
recommend that the City Council designate the property a Class 1 historic resource, and
WHEREAS, On January 30, 2020, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs
City Council to consider Case HSPB #126 was held in accordance with applicable law,
and
WHEREAS at said hearing, the City Council carefully reviewed and considered all
of the evidence presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including but not
limited to the staff report and all written and oral testimony presented.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1: FINDINGS -PART "A". CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
Resolution No. 24716
Page2
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C), in
considering a recommendation to designate the site as a Class 1 or 2 historic resource
the City Council shall evaluate the application and make findings for conformance with
the following criteria:
Criteria for the Designation of Class 1 Historic Resources. A site, structure, building or
object may be designated as a Class 1 historic resource, provided both of the following
findings are met: ·
a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
The Lawrence Welk residence exhibits exceptional historic significance because of its
association with well-known bandleader and entertainer Lawrence Welk and as a notable
example of a modern interpretation of the California Ranch style home popularized by
architect Cliff May.
(Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a
meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community;
The report does not identify any events associated with the site, thus the site does not
qualify under Criterion 1.
(Criterion 2) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who
made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
The report identifies Lawrence Welk (1903 -1992) as a person who made a meaningful
contribution to national history as a bandleader, entertainer and 1V personality. Welk's
ballroom band music became popular in the 1930's and culminated with a nationally
syndicated 1V show on the ABC television network from 1955 until 1971, making it one
of the longest running 1V shows in U.S. history. Welk released 139 musical albums
during his career and wrote five books about his life and work. Welk bought the Paseo
El Mirador residence in 1961 at the height of his musical career. Thus the Wells
Residence qualifies as a historic resource under Criterion 2.
(Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of
national, state or local history;
The Wells Residence reflects the Post World War II period in the development of Palm
Springs when many businesses and homeowners embraced the Modern architectural
style for the design of their businesses and homes. The home's design exemplifies the
relaxed lifestyle of the post-World War II era. As such the Welk Residence qualifies as a
historic site under Criterion 3.
Resolution No. 24716
Page3
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction;
The Welk Residence is a noteworthy example of a modern interpretation of the California
Ranch style home, first popularized in the twenties and thirties by architect Cliff May. The
characteristics of the California Ranch style found in the Welk residence include its
asymmetrical floor plan in the form of a wide "V", an emphasis on casual indoor I outdoor
living, large expanses of glass use of natural materials such as exposed beams and
tongue and groove Douglas Fir ceiling and the cut stone fireplace. For these reasons the
Welk Residence qualifies under Criterion 4.
(Criterion 5) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer,
artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that
possesses high artistic value;
The Welk Residence was designed and built by Joseph S. Pawling. Pawling designed
and built approximately 400 homes in and around Palm Springs in the 1950's and 60's.
Later in his career, he also affiliated with notable architects such as Wexler & Harrison
and Hugh M. Kaptur. As noted in the report, Pawling's projects were frequently
recognized in local media in the 1950's. Kaptur is quoted on Pawling, "He always wanted
to have exceptional architecture, making sure of that on the things he built." Pawling
justifiably can be recognized as a master builder whose work has been widely recognized
at a local level. As such the Welk Residence qualifies as a historic resource under
Criterion 5.
(Criterion 6) The resource represents a significant and distinguishable
entity whose components may lack individual distinction, as used in
evaluating applications for designation of historic districts, for parcels on
which more than one entity exists; or
The report does not assert that the Welk Residence qualifies under Criterion 6.
(Criterion 7) The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information
important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
No information has beeh provided in the historic resources report on any pre-historic
significance of the site.
SECTION 2: FINDINGS -PART "B" -ANALYSIS OF INTEGRITY.
Analysis of Integrity. (PSMC 8.05.070 (C, 1,b). The site, structure,
building or object retains one or more of the following aspects of integrity,
as established in the Secretary of the Interiors Standards: integrity of
design, materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
Resolution No. 24716
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The application includes an evaluation of the site relative to the seven aspects or qualities
of integrity, as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The seven aspects
or qualities include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association. The application concludes that the site retains a high degree of integrity.
Below is staff's evaluation of the site's integrity.
1. Location:
The Welk Residence remains in the same location that it was constructed, thus it retains
integrity of location.
2. Design:
Although there have been some modifications to the Pawling-designed home, notably
removal of the louvered panels beneath some of the windows and modification of some
of the windows and doors, the Welk Residence possesses a high degree of design
integrity and has been well maintained.
3. Setting:
The setting of the Welk Residence, within a tract of custom-designed homes, remains as
it was from the time of its construction; it thus retains integrity of Setting.
4. Materials:
The Welk Residence is a wood frame and stucco structure. The material composition of
the home remains intact with only a few modifications or alterations. Thus the home
exhibits a good degree of material integrity.
5. Workmanship:
The workmanship in the Welk Residence reflects high quality craftsmanship typical of a
custom residence built by a master builder and thus retains integrity of workmanship.
6. Feeling:
The casual informal living style expressed in the Welk Residence with its large expanses
of glass that create a strong visual connection between the inside and outside of the home
is still intact as is the open floor plan. The home continues to exude a comfortable sense
of casual "indoor/ outdoor" living and thus retains integrity of feeling.
7. Association:
The association with Lawrence Welk is well documented in the report and the home also
retains its association with master builder Joseph Pawling; thus integrity of Association
remains strong.
Resolution No. 24716
Page 5
SECTION 3: DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NON-
CONTRIBUTING FEATURES.
In considering a recommendation for historic resource designation it is important to
distinguish those physical elements that are original or from the period of significance that
contribute to the resource's historic significance from alterations, additions or features
that were added at a later time that may be sympathetic to the original character, but
which may create a false sense of historicity. Distinguishing original character-defining
features from non-original elements aids the HSPB when it is tasked with evaluating
future alterations to the historic resource.
The physical character-defining historic features of this resource include the following:
1. Its Modern interpretation of a California Ranch style home.
2. The low-profile roofline with cantilevered eaves, thin fascia detail, and sloped roof
section over the living room area.
3. The entry porch "cut out" detail and sloping wall on the left side.
4. The planter wall by the bedroom wing.
5. Original doors and windows found in the master bedroom, kitchen, door adjacent
to the master bedroom window, and the living room windows facing the pool.
6. Sand finish stucco exterior walls.
The non-contributing features include the following:
1. The front door knob hardware.
2. Outside lighting.
3. Aluminum frame picture window in the living room (NE side) w/adjacent glass door.
4. Glass sliding doors, guest bedroom / office.
5. Glass sliding doors, garage,
6. Landscape and swimming pool.
7. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment and associated screening.
8. Concrete block screen wall adjacent to garage.
SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The proposed historic resource designation is not subject to the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct
or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3)
(the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for
resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Resolutio n No. 24 7 16
Pag e 6
SECTION 5 : CONDITIONS THAT APPLY TO CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITES .
According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code , the following shall apply to a Class 1
Historic Resource :
1. It shall meet the definition of a histori c site as outlined in Mun icipal Code Section
8 .05 .020 .
2 . An archival file shall be maintained on the property by the City.
3. It may be qualified as 'historic' at the federal , state , and /or county level.
4. The structure/site may not be modified nor objects removed without follow i ng the
procedures outlined in Municipal Code Section 8.05 .110 "Demolition or Alteration
of Class 1 and Class 2 Historic Resources -Certificate of Appropriateness".
5 . A marker explaining the historic nature of the site may be installed at the site in a
location viewable from the public way .
6. Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Sites and Historic Districts
under Chapter 8 .05 of the Municipal Code shall be requ ired .
7 . The site shall not be further subdivided .
8. The City Clerk shall submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of the Council 's resolution.
Based upon the foregoing , the City Council hereby designates "The Lawrence Welk
Residence" located at 730 East Paseo El Mirador, a Class 1 Historic Resource (Case
HSPB #126).
ADOPTED THIS 30 th DAY OF JANUARY, 2020 .
<.:.:
David H. Ready , City Man
ATTEST:
Resolutio n No . 24716
Pa ge 7
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss .
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
CERTIFICATION
I, ANTHONY J . MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Sp ri ngs, hereby c ertify th at
Resolution No . 24716 is a f ull , true and correct co py , and was du ly adopte d at a reg u la r
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 30th day of January, 2 020 ,
by the following vote:
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN :
Councilmembers Garner, Middleton , Woods , Mayor Pro Tern Holstege , and
Mayor Kors
None
None
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affi xed the official seal of th e
City of Palm Springs, California , this l°t+-day of -klo~ '-'2 '=> , C-PZID .
)