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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24695RESOLUTION NO. 24695 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE ALLAN KRAMER RESIDENCE", LOCATED AT 800 EAST GRANVIA VALMONTE AS CLASS 1 HISTORIC RESOURCE, HSPB #119, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. (APN 507-202-017) THE PALM SPRINGS 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 March 20, 2019, Martin Lawrence Bullard, owner and applicant, filed an application with the City pursuant to Article III, 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 800 East Granvia Valmonte (APN #507-202-017). The application included a historic resources report ("the report") prepared by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, dated March, 2019. C. In June, 2019, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource, accompanied by City staff. D. On July 9, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB") to consider Case HSPB #119 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 7-0 to recommend that the City Council designate The Kramer Residence a Class 1 historic resource, subject to conditions. F. On January 9, 2020 a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #119 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 Resolution No. 24695 Page 2 THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES: SECTION 1: FINDINGS — PART "A". CRITERIA FOR H4STORIC RESOURCES. 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 HSPB 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 ("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 Kramer Residence exhibits exceptional historic significance because of its unique "New Formalism" architectural characteristics. (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 significant events associated with the Kramer Residence. It does not qualify as a historic resource 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 that although the Kramers were active socially in the Palm Springs community, they do not rise to the level of having made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history and thus it does not qualify as a historic resource under Criterion 2. (Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history, - The Kramer Residence exemplifies the post WWII Modern Period in the development of Palm Springs (1945 — 1969) because it is a significant example of a custom-built residence designed in the "New Formalist" style; a derivative of what is widely referred to as Mid -Century Modern architecture, a style that flourished in Palm Springs after World War II and for which Palm Springs has become internationally known. The Kramer Residence qualifies under Criterion 3. Resolution No. 24695 Page 3 (Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; On Page 34, the Report asserts that the Kramer Residence possesses numerous characteristics common to the "New Formalist" architectural style. These characteristics include symmetry, verticality, buildings set upon a plinth or podium, to evoke monumentality, and use of classical references such as colonnades and repetitive arches, that were used to evoke a sense of wealth and gravitas. New Formalism cast off the modernist mantra of "less is more" and embraced often elaborate forms of ornament applied to otherwise modernist structures. As such the Kramer 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; In the Kramer Residence designer James H. McNaughton merges his formal architectural training with his creativity in television set design, creating as he described it "a dramatic stage set for his clients." Although not listed among the architectural "masters" of New Formalism such as Edward Durell Stone, Morris Lapidus, Welton Becket & Associates, William Pereira, and Minoru Yamasaki, McNaughton's work was well recognized in a number of national architectural publications and as such could be considered to have influenced his age with the high artistic value of his designs. The Kramer Residence thus conforms to Criteria 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 Kramer 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 2: FINDINGS — PART "B", ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC 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. Resolution No. 24695 Page 4 The application includes an evaluation of the site relative to the seven aspects or qualities of integrity, as recognized by the National Park Services' Secretary of the Interior Standards. The seven aspects or qualities include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The application concludes that the Kramer Residence retain a high degree of integrity. Below is the HSPB's evaluation of the site's integrity. 1. Location: The Kramer Residence remains in the same location that it was constructed, thus it retains integrity of location. 2. Design: As the report notes most of the design characteristics of the Kramer residence remain intact. The site continues to convey the significance of the design as an example of New Formalism. 3. Setting: The setting of the Kramer residence, that of a custom home in a neighborhood of custom homes remains intact, thus the site retains the integrity of Setting. 4. Materials. - The Kramer residence was constructed of standard frame and stucco construction, however finer finishes and materials present from the original construction are still evident such as an extensive use of terrazzo, and large expanses of glass. Some alterations have diminished the integrity of materials at the Kramer Residence. Materials, such as patterned ceramic tile covering the otherwise simple scored - face concrete masonry units, loss of original light fixture sconces, front door / gate changes, loss of decorative finials, and infill of louvered doors at the courtyard have diminished the material integrity of the Kramer Residence. Many of these changes could be redone such that the material integrity of the home could be strengthened. The report does not provide any detail as to the original colors of the home, however from the early black and white photos in the report, it appears the body of the home was a tan or grey with doors, trim, and fascia in white. Currently the home is painted entirely white. Although more information is not provided relative to the original color of the home, the HSPB found that the home's historic significance is not materially impaired by its present all -white color palette. 5. Workmanship: The Kramer Residence exhibits typical workmanship and quality levels as found in a custom designed and built home. It retains integrity of workmanship. Resolution No. 24695 Page 5 6. Feeling: The Kramer Residence maintains a feeling of luxury and elegance consistent with its original design concept. 7. Association: The Kramer Residence is associated with the post World War II boom in Palm Springs as many middle class families and wealthy individuals chose Palm Springs for building second homes and establishing the City as a favored vacation destination. SECTION 3: 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. The physical character -defining historic features of this resource include the following: 1. Flat roofed -structures with thin edge fascia. 2. The open, dual arched column colonnade flanking both sides of the outdoor living room and swimming pool. 3. The curved edge of the roof fascia of the outdoor living area which follows the curved steps of the swimming pool. 4. The open covered living area between the colonnades with the round skylights in the roof. 5. The screenwall dividing the pool from the hot tub area (ceramic tile not original.) 6. The full-length segmented "bay window" on axis with the swimming pool adjacent to the sunken seating area in the living room. 7. The terrazzo floor at the pool deck and outdoor covered living area. 8. Scored concrete masonry units at courtyard wall. 9. Narrow frame natural anodized aluminum door and window frames. 10. Clerestory windows. 11. Its New Formalism style. The non-contributing features include the following: 1. The garage and driveway 2. The landscape. 3. The canvas shade awnings. Resolution No. 24695 Page 6 4. Ceramic the clad walls adjacent the pool. 5. Exterior wall sconce light fixtures at entry door / gate. 6. The spa. 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/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 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 residence at 800 East Granvia Valmonte "The Allan & Mildred Kramer Residence" a Class 1 Historic Resource (Case HSPB #119). ADOPTED THIS 9th DAY OF JANUARY, 2020. ATT ST: David H. Ready, City Mangier An ony J ejia, City Clerk Resolution No. 24695 Page 7 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. 24695 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 9th day of January, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Garner, Mayor Kors NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Middleton, Woods, Mayor Pro Tern Garner, and IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this i I *A day of �t nthony . Mejia, City Clerk