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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24364RESOLUTION NO. 24364 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE ABE AND MARION SCHWARTZ RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 1999 SOUTH JOSHUA TREE PLACE, AS A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE (HSPB #104). 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. The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, applicant, on behalf of Mark and Jane Garrison, owners, has filed an application with the City pursuant to Article III of Section 8.05 (Procedure for Designation of Historic Sites or Historic Districts) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code requesting Class 1 historic site designation for the parcel located at 1999 S. Joshua Tree Place (APN #511141-014). The application included a historic resource report prepared by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, dated October 2016. C. A historic resource report ("Report"), dated October 2016, was prepared by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation and provided to the members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB). D. A noticed public hearing of the HSPB was held on November 14, 2017, in accordance with applicable law. At the hearing, the HSPB carefully considered all the evidence associated with the hearing, including but not limited to the historic resource report, the staff report, and all other written and oral testimony and voted to recommend that the City Council designate the Abe and Marion Schwartz residence as a Class 1 historic site (HSPB #104). E. A noticed public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was held on January 24, 2018, in accordance with applicable law. The City Council carefully considered all evidence associated with the hearing, including but not limited to the historic resource report, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the foregoing Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference. Resolution No. 24364 Page 2 SECTION 2 - FINDINGS. The subject parcel meets the definition of a historic site as established in Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) Section 8.05.020 ("Definitions"). The HSPB made the following findings in support of this determination: Definition of an Historic Site Section 8.05.020 of the Municipal Code provides the definition of a historic site; the nomination report provides an evaluation of the subject property in accordance with this definition. The following analysis identifies conformance to the criteria for consideration for Class 1 designation: (a) Historic Site. An historic site is any real property such as: a building, a structure, including but not limited to archways, tiled areas and similar architectural elements, an archaeological excavation or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic effect and: 9. That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community, or While the report states that the residence qualifies for listing under Criterion 1, in that it exemplifies the modern period of national/state/local history, the report does not identify that the property is directly associated with specific events of local or national importance. Consequently, the site does not qualify for designation under Criterion 1. 2. That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to national, state or local history, or The report indicates that although Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz were involved in the local community, they do not rise to the level identified in the criteria, and the site does not qualify for designation under Criterion 2. 3. That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history, or The report states that the residence exhibits many stylistic markers that place it directly in the historic context of Palm Springs' Modern Period, and that the residence may be viewed as an important component of the historic trends that have come to define Palm Springs' image as a center of important midcentury architecture. Based on these factors, the residence qualifies for designation under Criterion 3 based on the architectural details and period of construction of the residence. Resolution No. 24364 Page 3 4. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; The report indicates that the residence possesses distinctive characteristics of modern architecture, such as the flat roof and overall horizontality of the massing, use of inexpensive mass-produced materials like concrete block, use of man-made and natural materials suitable to the harsh desert environment, and an architectural design that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. As the residence incorporates these key characteristics, it qualifies for designation under Criterion 4. 5. That presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value; The report notes that the connection to architect Harold "Hal" Levitt cannot be substantiated by primary source documentation, although the residence includes many details that characterize his designs. However, the residence does possess high artistic value, as characterized by the iconic trapezoid piers at the exterior of the residence, the repetition of the trapezoid theme in the other details of the dwelling, the continuation of materials from indoor spaces to outdoor spaces, and other design details which elevate the residence above standard custom houses of the era. Based on the artistic character of these details, the residence qualifies for designation under Criterion 5. 6. That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; The subject property does not meet this criterion. 7. That has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory. The subject property does not meet this criterion. SECTION 3 - INTEGRITY. The City Council considered the integrity of the site relative to the seven aspects or qualities of integrity, as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as follows: 1. Location: The residence remains on its original site. 2. Design: The essential characteristics of form, plan, space, structure, detail, fenestration and style have survived largely intact. 3. Setting: The setting of the residence continues to reflect the architect's Resolution No. 24364 Page 4 original design relationship of site and structure. 4. Materials: The exterior materials of the residence remain largely intact; any repainting or repairs of the exterior structure have not resulted in significant modifications to the original materials. 5. Workmanship: The materials and architectural details of the residence remain largely intact, and reflect the workmanship of the period in which the residence was constructed. 6. Feeling: The siting of the residence relative to its lot and view retains the original integrity of feeling. 7. Association: The residence retains its association as a custom -designed modernist private residence that is evocative of the era. Based on these factors, the residence retains the degree of integrity necessary for designation as a Class 1 historic site. SECTION 4 - DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS. The City Council determined the following to be the defining characteristics that contribute to the site's historic significance: The physical character -defining historic features of this site include the following: 1. The residence structure with the following features and finishes: • The coffered "isosceles trapezoid" stone piers with stacked white quartzite rock veneer; • The fenestration pattern relative to the coffered stone piers; • The flat roof, fascia detail, and projecting eaves; • The stucco exterior finishes and 4"x4" glazed tile details at the exterior openings; • The solid entry doors, door pulls, and entry lights; • The rose -tinted windows; • The aluminum -framed patio doors; and • The exterior terrazzo floor surfaces. 2. The exterior masonry walls, including the "Sprite" and "Venetian" breezeblock patterns. The non-contributing features include the following: 1. The site landscaping and non -terrazzo hardscape materials; 2. The garage door/carport enclosure at the southeast corner of the residence; 3. The attached casita with bath at the southwest corner of the residence (enclosed garage circa 1968); Resolution No. 24364 Page 5 4. The swimming pool and surrounding deck. SECTION 5 — ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. The proposed historic site designation is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 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 not potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly. SECTION 6 — DESIGNATION. Based upon the foregoing, the City Council determines that the Abe and Marion Schwartz residence, located at 1999 S. Joshua Tree Place, meets the definition of a historic site and furthers the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance, and therefore hereby designates the property as a Class 1 historic site (RSPB #104). ADOPTED THIS 24T" DAY OF JANUARY, 2018. ATTEST: J ,AMhony J. M jia, City Clerk Da —Aid H. Ready, Esq., Ph. City Manager Resolution No. 24364 Page 6 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS) I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. 24364 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 24th day of January, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Holstege, Kors, Mayor Pro Tem Roberts, and Mayor Moon NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Middleton ABSTAIN: None IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this � day of 4 rr , ��_i is Mhony J. , City Clerk