HomeMy WebLinkAbout24942RESOLUTION NO. 24942
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE
ROBERT ALEXANDER RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 1350
LADERA CIRCLE AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC
RESOURCE HSPB #136, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN
505-082-026).
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FINDS AND
DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites and districts; and
B. WHEREAS, on May 4, 2021 the Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB")
considered Case 3.0917 proposing alterations to the Class 3 site located at 1350 Ladera
Circle. At that meeting the HSPB voted unanimously to deny the application, impose a
120-day stay of demolition / alteration, and directed staff to initiate an application for
possible historic designation of the site; and
C. WHEREAS, in August 2021, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board
(HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on August 26, 2021, the HSPB held a noticed public meeting, at which
time it voted unanimously to extend the stay of demolition on Case 3.0917 by 60 days
pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.130 (C,4,d,i), and
E. WHEREAS, on August 26, 2021, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs
Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #136 was held in accordance
with applicable law; and
F. WHEREAS, at the said hearing, 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 and voted unanimously to
recommend Class 1 (Landmark) status to the City Council; and
G. WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021, a noticed public hearing of the City Council
to consider Case HSPB #134 was held in accordance with applicable law, and
H. WHEREAS, at the 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.
Resolution No. 24942
Page 2
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein
by this reference.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS — PART "A", CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,1,a), the
HSPB shall evaluate the application and make findings in 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 ("a" and "b') are met:
a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
The Alexander residence exhibits exceptional historic significance because of its
association with architect William Krisel, its association with Robert Alexander, a person
of local significance, as a unique example of architecture from the mid twentieth century
period, and because it reflects unique construction characteristics.
(Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a
meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community, -
On page 45 the report notes that although singer and actor Elvis Presley and his wife
Priscilla rented the home for a brief period in 1967 and had their honeymoon at the home,
that event itself does not constitute a meaningful contribution under this criterion. The
report does not identify any other noteworthy events associated with the site; thus the
City Council finds it 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 notes on page 45 that the home is historically significant for its association
with the lives of Robert and Helene Alexander. Robert Alexander and his father George
ran the Alexander Development Company which is credited for transforming Palm
Springs from an enclave of wealthy industrialists and notables from the movie industry to
a vacation and retirement community accessible to the middle class. Both Robert and
Helene were active in community affairs and philanthropy. For these reasons, the City
Council finds that the site qualifies as a historic resource under Criterion 2.
(Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of
national, state or local history;
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On page 46, the report explains that the Alexander Residence reflects the post -World
War II period in terms of innovative design principles. The report notes that the home
cleverly blends design characteristics of three different styles: (1) elements of Organic
architecture with the fieldstone walls and integration of the structure with the topography
of the site, (2) the mid-century period with its open floor plan, expansive use of floor -to -
ceiling glass and integrated carport, and (3) the Google style, with its space-age aesthetic
characterized by the wing -shape of the roofline and the "spaceship -like" quality of the
master bedroom hovering over the front lawn and the "saucer -like" form of the suspended
fireplace in the living room. For these reasons, the City Council finds that the site qualifies
as a historic resource under Criterion 3.
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction;
The form of the Alexander residence with its long, column -free rooflines and expansive
cantilevered roofs providing shade and shelter from the desert sun at the front and rear
terrace reflect the extensive amount of steel used in the construction of the house.
Although a common characteristic of mid -twentieth century design is to expose the
structure as part of the aesthetic, the Alexander residence conceals the steel elements,
belying the source of the structural stability of the long, open roof spans. The method of
construction contributes to the dramatic visual effect of the structure. As such, the City
Council finds that the home qualifies as a historic site 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 design of the Alexander Residence is credited to the architectural firm of Palmer &
Krisel. (Dan Saxon Palmer (1920 — 2007) and William Krisel (1924 — 2017). The business
partnership between Palmer & Krisel lasted from 1949 through 1966. Although the report
briefly mentions Palmer, it credits the primary design of the Alexander residence to Krisel.
Beginning on page 39, the report documents Krisel's architectural career, noting that the
Alexander residence was perhaps Krisel's "most adventurous and high-spirited" custom
home design. Early in their partnership, Palmer & Krisel decided to focus on the mass-
produced tract housing industry, putting into practice modern construction methods and
materials to demonstrate how Modernist design could cut costs and deliver value while
also producing attractive and livable dwellings.
Along with his contemporaries such as Donald Wexler and William Cody, Palmer &
Krisel's work helped define what has become known as "Desert Modern architecture" and
Krisel in particular continues to be recognized for his contribution in the post-war
transformation and expansion of Palm Springs. Lastly, the exuberant "space-age"
aesthetic of the Alexander residence, together with the one -of a kind floor plan using a
series of circular pavilions at each corner of the diamond -shaped roof form create a
unique structure that possesses high artistic value. Based on this, the City Council finds
Resolution No. 24942
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that the Alexander residence qualifies as a historic site 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 Alexander 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 been provided in the historic resources report on any pre -historic
significance of the site.
SECTION 3. 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 Interior's Standards: integrity of design,
materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
Beginning on page 48 of the report is an evaluation of the site relative to the seven
aspects or qualities of historic 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 report concludes that despite certain
unpermitted additions and demolition of the pool and associated terrazzo terrace, the site
retains a high degree of integrity and is further analyzed below:
1. Location:
The Alexander residence remains in the same location that it was constructed, thus it
retains integrity of location.
2. Design. -
As noted in the report, although the subject property reflects much of the original unique
design characteristics, recent work has destroyed or altered some character -defining
features. These include the terrazzo pool deck and exterior steps that extended outward
from steps inside the home between the dining room and the living room, the swimming
pool tile, edge coping and plaster. Most of the original landscape material has also been
removed. Replacing the terrazzo pool terrace and steps with an appropriate exterior -
grade terrazzo would restore the design integrity of this part of the site.
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A room addition off the northwest corner of the home visually impairs the symmetry of the
west elevation facing the rear yard. Removal of this unpermitted addition would
strengthen the design integrity of the rear facade. Similarly, the stucco wall and garage
doors that converted the original carport to a garage diminishes the defining characteristic
of the carport. Open carports allowed ventilation and were common features in post -
World War II mid-century modern residential design.
Despite the adverse impact of these changes, (many of which are reversable) the home
possesses good design integrity.
3. Setting:
The report analyzes the quality of Setting on page 49. Encroaching development, loss of
views and privacy, and removal of the landscape have diminished the integrity of the
setting of the Alexander residence. However, the overall context of the setting; that of a
custom single-family dwelling on a hillside lot with direct "face -on" views at the end of a
short cul de sac within a tract of other modern era homes remains.
4. Materials. -
As noted on page 49 of the report, the rear yard is an important space for entertainment
and recreation that emphasized the indoor -outdoor relationship characteristic of so many
homes in Palm Springs. The complete demolition of the pool, tile, coping terrazzo terrace,
steps and landscape diminishes the integrity of materials. Despite these losses, the rest
of the home retains a good degree of material integrity with the fieldstone rock walls,
stucco, glass, interior terrazzo and the washed aggregate circular stepping stones at the
front entry.
5. Workmanship. -
The property reflects a high level of quality in workmanship as evidenced in the hand -laid
fieldstone -clad walls, careful method of integrating the frameless clerestory windows and
precise detailing of the aluminum strips in the terrazzo; for example, in the family room
where the aluminum strips converge in a spoke -like pattern at the fireplace. The attention
to detail, many irregular angles, canted walls and circular form of the various parts of the
home combine to reflect a substantial quality level of workmanship typical for a custom
designed home for a high -profile client. Thus the home retains integrity of workmanship.
6. Feeling:
The design of the Alexander residence creates a unique, exuberant architectural
expression that feels very much from the period of the late 1950's and early 1960's when
America's fascination with space travel, jet -powered airplanes, flying saucers and modern
styling were at their zenith. Furthermore, the feeling of casual contemporary living is still
evident at the Alexander residence.
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7. Association:
The dwelling at 1350 Ladera Circle retains its association with owner / developer Robert
Alexander, architect William Krisel and the post-war period of innovative forward -minded
modern design. Its space-age aesthetic is associated with the mid -twentieth century
period. For these reasons, the City Council concurs that the site retains integrity of
Association.
In conclusion, the City Council finds that the Alexander residence retains a high degree
of historic integrity.
SECTION 4. DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS
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.
On page 18 the report identifies the physical character -defining historic features of this
site as follows:
Overall Visual Aspects
• One -and -a -half story massing with spaceship quality in composition.
• Location on sloped lot at terminus of cul-de-sac.
• Multiple levels that change in elevation using stairs and conform to the slope of
site.
• Relationship between indoors and outdoors, expressed via floor -to -ceiling
windows and continuation of terrazzo steps from living room and dining room to
rear yard.
• Generally symmetrical composition on both the front and rear elevations.
• Exterior use of fieldstone, stucco, glass, and aluminum.
• Diamond -shaped plan with integral circular pavilions at each corner.
• Vast shed roof configuration, including striking point centered over front facade,
rounded corners, expansive eaves, and triangular cutouts.
• Upper -level master bedroom projection over inset fieldstone -clad wall.
• Offset entrance courtyard hidden from street view by fieldstone -clad wall and iron
gate.
• Flush -mounted and metal -framed floor -to -ceiling windows, bands of windows,
and clerestory windows and glass sliding doors.
• Pentagonal gunite swimming pool at rear yard.
Resolution No. 24942
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Original open carport (enclosed at some point with a stucco -clad wood frame wall
and metal overhead garage doors)
Visual Character at Close Range
• Spoke -like shape of beams that join or converge just above the fieldstone -clad
wall underneath upper -level master bedroom projection.
• Decorative iron gate enclosing entrance courtyard.
• Circular, seeded aggregate steppingstones and rectangular landing set over a
water feature clad in fieldstone.
• Pentagon -shaped terrazzo -clad projecting stoop with apex facing southeast.
• Dramatic, full height, highly decorative multi -paneled wood double -door entry.
• Oversized bronze doorknobs featuring densely textured patterns.
• Oversized sconce light fixture placed asymmetrically to the west of the entry
door.
• Clerestory glass that is frameless at the head, visually linking interior and exterior
ceiling plane.
SECTION 5. NON-CONTRIBUTING ELEMENTS.
The City Council determines that the following elements do not contribute to the historic
significance of the site:
• The stucco -clad wall and garage doors enclosing the carport.
• The room addition off the northwest corner of the home adjacent to the fieldstone
wall.
• The landscape.
• Non -original windows on the north and west elevation.
• The door from the master bedroom suite onto the carport / garage roof and the
iron security gate at the roof level over the open stairway.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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
Resolution No. 24942
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Historic Resource:
1. It shall meet the definition of a Class 1 historic site as outlined in Municipal Code
Section 8.05.020.
2. An archival file on the property shall be maintained 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 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 Council's resolution.
Based on the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates "The Robert Alexander
Residence" (aka "The House of Tomorrow") located at 1350 Ladera Circle, a Class 1
historic resource (Case HSPB #136).
ADOPTED THIS 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2021.
V,VXV_ cAnt6^—
JUSTIN LIFTON, CI ANAGER
ATTEST:
t
ONY J. M A, ITY ERK
Resolution No. 24942
Page 9
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. 24942 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 September 30, 2021, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garner, Kors, Woods, Mayor Pro Tern Middleton, and
Mayor Holstege
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 �')c . 7_c&-x A
thony J. , City Clerk
City of Palm/Springs, California
I