HomeMy WebLinkAbout24650RESOLUTION NO. 24650
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING 468 WEST
TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY 'THE ROLAND BISHOP
RESIDENCE" A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #122),
APN 513-220-036.
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of
historic sites and districts.
B. On June 10, 2019, Tracy Conrad and Paul Marut, owners 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 468 West
Tahquitz Canyon Way (APN #513-220-036). The application included a historic
resources report ("the report") prepared by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation,
dated May 2019.
C. In July, 2019, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted
site inspections of the proposed historic resource, accompanied by City staff.
D. On September 10, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site
Preservation Board ("HSPB") to consider Case HSPB #122 was held in accordance with
applicable law.
E. 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 to recommend Class 1 historic
resource designation of the subject site.
F. On September 18, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council
to consider the HSPB's recommendation on Case HSPB #122 was held in accordance
with applicable law.
G. 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 RESOLVES:
SECTION 1: FINDINGS -PART "A". CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
Resolution No. 24650
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 Bishop Residence exhibits exceptional historic significance as a notable example of
the type of large custom-designed homes that were being built in Palm Springs in the
1920 and 30's by Hollywood notables and wealthy business magnates like Roland
Bishop. The home was designed by architect William Dodd in a highly detailed Spanish
Colonial Revival style.
(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 Bishop Residence.
(Criterion 2) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who
made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
According to the report, Roland Porter Bishop (1856 -1950) was a person of significance
who was known at an international level during the period of significance of the Bishop
Residence as the head of the largest confectionary and baked goods enterprise on the
west coast with a worldwide distribution network. In 1930 Bishop's firm merged with the
National Biscuit Company (now "Nabisco").
The document "How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation", page 15 notes
the following:
"Properlies eligible under Criterion "B" (Persons of significance) are usually
those associated with a person's productive life, reflecting the time period
when he or she achieved significance. Properlies that pre-or post-date an
individual's significant accomplishments are usually not eligible." And
"Length of association is an imporlant factor when assessing several
properlies with similar associations."
Bishop and his long time friend William Mead were important figures in Southern
California society, both highly successful business men. The Meads and the
Bishops often socialized together and built their winter homes in Palm Springs next
to each other. Bishops' highly successful enterprises in the candy and
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confectionary production and distribution business brought him international
significance. His noteworthiness as a highly successful and well-known
businessman occurred during the time he owned and enjoyed his Palm Springs
residence, thus the Bishop 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;
As described in the report beginning on page 27, the Bishop and Mead residences are
particularly noteworthy as two of the earliest examples of the large estate-style homes
that were constructed by wealthy business magnates and industrialists in the 1920's and
continued through the 1930's. As such, the Bishop Residence exemplifies the period
between the wars (1919 -1941) in local history when Palm Springs' reputation as a
favored winter resort for wealthy families and notable individuals was cemented. As such
the Bishop Residence qualifies as a historic resource under Criterion 3.
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction;
Beginning on page 16, the report provides a thorough description of the architecture and
details of the Bishop Residence. Although early structures in Palm Springs during the
1910's and 20's were mostly simple wood structures, following the 1915 Panama-Pacific
International Exposition in San Francisco, the picturesque Spanish and Mediterranean
Revival styles became popular throughout California. The period of the 1920's and 30's
saw numerous revival style buildings being erected in Palm Springs including the Desert
Inn, the O'Donnell House, the Bishop and Mead homes, the Birge Residence, The El
Mirador Hotel and others. The picturesque Spanish and Mediterranean Revival styles
began to be used not only for houses, but commercial, civic, and ecclesiastical buildings
as well. As more substantial buildings began to be built, the small village of Palm Springs
was transformed from a ramshackle frontier town into a sophisticated resort.
The Bishop Residence thus embodies the distinctive characteristics of the period when
Palm Springs emerged as a sophisticated resort, with many structures designed by some
of the most prestigious architects of the time. It qualifies as a historic resource 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;
By the 1920's architect William Dodd along with his engineer partner William Richards
had developed a reputation as one of the most prominent and skillful architectural firms
in Southern California. Both the Bishop and Mead Residences were masterfully
integrated into the steep hillside parcels on which they were located with a minimal
disruption to the natural topography of the site. Furthermore, Dodd's choice of using the
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Spanish / Mediterranean Revival style for the homes demonstrated his understanding of
the harsh climate of the desert and the homes' thick walls, double roof I ceiling assembli.es
with decorative gable vents to help dissipate heat, deep-set windows and covered outdoor
terraces made the homes comfortable in the era before mechanical air conditioning
became commonplace. Dodd's mastery of the revival styles is demonstrated in the many
fine details found throughout the Bishop Residence. As such, the Bishop 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 Bishop Residence does not qualify as a historic site under this criterion.
(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 been provided in the historic resources report on any pre-historic
significance of the site.
SECTION 2: FINDINGS -PART "B" -ANALYSIS OF INTEGRITY.
b. The site, structure, building or object retains one or more of the following aspects
of integrity, as established in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards: integrity of design,
materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
The application includes an evaluation of the residence 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 residence retains a high degree of
integrity despite some modifications. The City Council made the following findings of the
site's historic Integrity:
1. Location:
The Bishop Residence remains on its original parcel and thus has integrity of location.
2. Design:
The design of the Bishop Residence is mostly intact, although years of neglect, some
unsympathetic alterations through the decades, and fire damage in the 1980's diminished
some of its original design characteristics. A careful two-year restoration carried out by
the home's current owners has strengthened the home's design integrity.
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3. Setting:
The setting of the Bishop Residence, that of a large luxurious custom-built home on a
rocky and steep hillside lot is mostly intact. Among the noteworthy features of the Bishop
and Mead Residences is the connection the two homes had through gardens and terraces
that reflected the strong friendship between the two families. Although walled off and
separated from one another during a past renovation, the two homesites have been joined
again through common gardens and terraces. Thus the home's setting has been re-
established and strengthened with its close ties with the adjacent Mead residence.
4. Materials:
The Bishop Residence was constructed of conventional frame and stucco construction.
The finishes and materials are consistent with large custom-built homes designed in the
revival style that were popular in the 1920's. Of particular note is the use of decorative
glazed ceramic tile which contributes to the home's overall ambiance including a tile
fountain designed with Persian style tile.
The Bishop Residence was built of the best materials available at the time: heavy cement
plaster corbels at the second floor balconies, two-piece clay roof tiles, wrought iron
railings, original oak flooring, mahogany bookcases, and massive wood doors with
intricate Moorish-inspired geometry. Many of the original light fixtures remain, and two
bathrooms retain the original Gladding McBean & Company tilework. The home retains
a high degree of material integrity
5. Workmanship:
The Bishop Residence exhibits a high quality of workmanship that typically would be
found in a large custom-built home from the era. Thus the resource retains integrity of
workmanship.
6. Feeling:
Because of the careful siting of the Bishop Residence -nestling it into the steep rocky
hillside -and its exclusive location at the western terminus of Tahquitz Canyon Way, the
home retains integrity of feeling -that of a highly articulated private residence that evokes
the luxury and wealth of its original owners.
7. Association:
The residence retains its association with the highly accomplished architectural /
engineering firm of Dodd & Richards and its notable first owner, Roland P. Bishop.
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
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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. The steps leading from the drive to the small terrace at grade level.
2. The heavy masonry corbels supporting the upper balcony.
3. The ornamental vents at the gables and elsewhere. (example above the new door
at what is referred to as "The Orchid Tree room".
4. Most of the clay roof tiles are original, although a small number were replaced
during the 2018 restoration.
5. The rock wall at the perimeter of the property, except the block wall added along
the west property line.
6. The expansive and lushly planted gardens, patios and terraces. (Landscaping was
not surveyed or documented as to what plantings or trees survive from the period
of significance, however the importance of open space contributes to the site's
historic integrity, including the open yards, and vistas.)
7. All portions of the original structure that currently exist (stucco clad exterior walls,
two-piece clay barrel roof tiles, windows (where it can be verified that they are
original or from the period of significance).
8. The wall sconce / lantern at the entry porch to the living room.
The non-contributing features include the following:
1. The garage (now referred to as "The Casita") built in 1953 and converted to
staff/guest quarters (date unknown)
2. The small terrace running at ground level along the south fac;:ade of the home, (the
steps leading from street/ driveway level to this terrace are original).
3. The doors and windows at The Orchid Tree room.
4. The kitchen door at the north elevation.
5. The wood fence adjacent to the kitchen and air conditioning units.
6. The small elevated concrete patio space off the north / back of the house.
7.
8. The enclosed rear terrace ~nd sliding glass doors.
9. Some windows have been closed / filled in and others have been added (refer to
the historic resources report page 37 for specifics on the west fac;:ade.
10. The masonry wall that encloses and connects the gardens of the Mead and Bishop
residences.
11. The parking lot along the south frontage of the site and related private garden
terrace.
12. The doors and windows at the Orchid Tree room.
13. The doors and windows at the Terrace room.
14. The attic window at the west fac;:ade.
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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.
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 historic site as outlined in Municipal 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/o r county leve l.
4 . The structure/site may not be modified nor objects removed without following 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 required .
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 Counci l's resolution .
Based upon the foregoing , the City Council designates the residence at 468 West
Tahquitz Canyon Way "The Roland P. Bishop Residence a Class 1 Historic Resource
(Case HSPB #122 ).
ADOPTED THIS 18 th DAY OF SEPTEMBER , 2019 .
Dav id H. Ready, Esq ., P
City Manager
Resolution No. 24650
Page 8
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
CERTIFICATION
I , ANTHONY J . MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs , hereby certify that
Resolution No . 24650 is a full , true and correct copy , and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 18th day of Septembe r,
2019 , by the following vote :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN :
Councilmembers Holstege , Middleton , Roberts , Mayor Pro Tern Kors , and
Mayor Moon
None
None
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affi xed t he official sea l of the
City of Palm Springs , California , th is 3 6 "-' day of 6e rkro\os--1 , 7cuS-
~ City Clerk