HomeMy WebLinkAbout24663RESOLUTION NO. 24663
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE
THOMAS O'DONNELL GOLF HOUSE, THE O'DONNELL
GOLF COURSE AND ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS LOCATED
AT 301 NORTH BELARDO ROAD AS CLASS 1 HISTORIC
RESOURCE HSPB #123, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS."
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. At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of June 5, 2019, Mayor Robert
Moon requested staff to initiate HSPB review of the Thomas O'Donnell Golf House for
possible Class 1 historic designation. The Mayor subsequently directed staff and the
HSPB to consider the designation of the golf course and accessory structures in addition
to the Golf House.
C. The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation ("PSPF") submitted a historic
resources report ("the report") analyzing the golf course and related structures dated
August 30, 2019.
C. In October, 2019, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB)
conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource.
D. On October 8, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site
Preservation Board ("HSPB") to consider Case HSPB #123 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 October 23, 2019, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to
consider the HSPB's recommendation on Case HSPB #123 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:
Resolution No. 24663
Page 2
SECTION 1: FINDINGS — PART "A", CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,1,a), the
City Council 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 O'Donnell Golf House, golf course and associated buildings are significant because
of their association with industrialist and philanthropist Thomas O'Donnell. Most of the
buildings are good examples of the Spanish Colonial Revival / Andalusian farm house
building typology. Since purchased by the City in 1969 the O'Donnell Golf House has
served as the clubhouse for the O'Donnell Golf Club, which O'Donnell established in 1944
and which holds a 99-year lease to occupy and operate the golf club.
(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 Golf House that made a
meaningful contribution to history, as such the Golf House and golf course do not qualify
as historic resources 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 O'Donnell Golf House and golf course are associated with Thomas O'Donnell a very
successful industrialist, known at a national level, who made his fortune in the oil industry
and was a very generous philanthropist to the citizens of Palm Springs. Collectively, the
Golf House, golf course and related structures 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 O'Donnell Golf House, golf course and related structures reflect the period during the
twenties and thirties when wealthy businessmen and notable individuals from the movie
industry discovered Palm Springs and built expansive and elaborate homes for
themselves. The Golf House, golf course and related structures are reflective of the
period between World War I and World War II when Palm Springs became a favored
destination for the rich and famous. As such the house, golf course and related structures
Resolution No. 24663
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collectively qualify as a historic site under Criterion 3.
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction;
The O'Donnell Golf House and most of the other significant structures at the O'Donnell
Golf Course were built of conventional frame and masonry construction using durable
high quality materials that have withstood the test of time. The detailing within the house,
including the wood paneled ceilings and fireplace with inglenook reflects the high quality
workmanship used on the construction of the house. Mrs. O'Donnell's physiotherapy
office, the Carriage House, the Gate House, the Golf Shop, and the small restroom
building from the 30's collectively qualify 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;
The Golf House, Dr. Winifred's Office, the Carriage House, the Gate House and the Golf
Shop are all believed to be designed by William Charles Tanner, an accomplished
architectural designer who had developed a thriving career in Los Angeles prior to
obtaining commissions in Palm Springs for Nellie Coffman and Thomas O'Donnell among
others. Tanner's design work is competent, however no information was presented that
would assert that his commissions influenced other designers or architects and while the
detailing of the Golf House and other noted structures are consistent with the Spanish
Colonial Revival / Andalusian hacienda, they do not rise to a level of having artistic value.
Thus it does not qualify 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 Golf House qualifies under Criterion 6, however staff
would assert that the golf course in its entirety represents a significant and distinguishable
entity. Certain components, such as the golf cart storage garages and other utilitarian
maintenance buildings are lacking in individual distinction, but the other structures noted
in this staff report are historically significant as noted, thus the golf course qualifies as a
historic resource 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.
Resolution No. 24663
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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 Interior's Standards: integrity of
design, materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
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 historic resources report concludes that the golf course and associated
buildings retain a high degree of integrity. Below is the City Counicl's evaluation of the
site's integrity.
1. Location:
The Golf House, golf course and related structures remain in the same location since their
time of construction, thus they retain integrity of location.
2. Design:
The Golf House and other noteworthy structures on the golf course were designed in the
simplified Spanish Colonial Revival / Andalusian hacienda style of architecture with terra
cotta clay roof tiles, exposed rafter tails, wrought iron grills on many of the windows,
masonry and stucco construction. However several alterations to the Golf House and
other structures diminish their integrity of design. The alterations include:
• Removal of the south wing of the Golf House in 1969.
• Enclosure of the screened in front veranda with aluminum frame windows.
• The introduction of non -original awnings over the front doors and windows at the
Golf House.
• Remodeling within the Golf House to accommodate a commercial kitchen, offices
and meeting rooms for the restaurant.
• At the Carriage House, removal of the original Moorish -inspired decorative garage
doors.
• At the Gate House, the additions by E. Stewart Williams (1967), Clark & Frey
(1948), and Jim Cioffi (1991).
• At the Golf Shop, the addition of the golf cart storage garages (c. 1955).
• At the restroom building, the replacement of barrel clay tile with flat cementitious
tile.
Resolution No. 24663
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3. Setting:
The setting of the Golf House, golf course and other significant structures have been
impacted by the introduction of the parking lot, the precast pavers in front terrace of the
Golf House, the loss of the cottonwood trees, oleanders, Arizona Cypress and other trees
and shrubs. The setting still retains integrity in terms of the visual and physical connection
of the golf course to the open space and rugged topography of Mount San Jacinto. Overall
the setting of the Golf House has been impaired by alterations imposed by the change of
use from a private residence to a clubhouse.
4. Materials:
The O'Donnell Golf House and the other structures on the site retain most of the same
materials of which they were originally constructed and thus retain most of their material
integrity. The HSPB recommended that any future capital projects at the Golf House
should include stripping the paint off the wood paneled ceilings.
5. Workmanship:
The Golf House and other structures on the golf course are built of durable materials and
convey high quality craftsmanship and thus retain integrity of workmanship.
6. Feeling:
As noted, the Golf House has been converted to the clubhouse for the O'Donnell Golf
Club. With the infill of the screens with glass windows at the front veranda and the candy -
stripe awnings, it feels more like a small commercial / restaurant-caf6 building than a
residence. As such it lacks integrity of Feeling. Other structures retain a generally good
degree of integrity of Feeling since they mostly function and are occupied by the same
use for which they were originally constructed.
7. Association:
The O'Donnell Golf House and related structures collectively retain their close association
with Thomas O'Donnell who commissioned their construction and with the open space of
the golf course that O'Donnell so dearly loved.
SECTION 3: DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NOW
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
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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. O'Donnell Golf House (Page 44 of the historic resources report)
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• The terra cotta barrel roof tiles.
• The enclosure of the
• Steel sash casement windows.
veranda
• The exposed (painted) brick masonry
• The fabric awnings on the
units of the walls of the house.
windows and entry door.
• The wood paneled ceilings.
• The interior modifications
• The fireplace and inglenook.
made after 1969 to convert
• The bay window and ornamental iron on
the use to a clubhouse.
the north elevation.
• The ficus trees.
• The pre -cast concrete
pavers on the east side
terrace and parking lot.
2. Carriage House (Page 32)
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• Simplified Spanish Colonial architectural style
• Garage doors
• Gabled roof with barrel roof tiles
• Stucco exterior
• Wood -framed casement windows with divided
lights
• Balcony rail detail
• Wrou ht-iron lanterns
Missing features (consider for replacement): Double garage doors with Moorish -star
detailing
3. Gate House (Page 34)
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• 1926 Gate House (William Charles Tanner)
• Later additions by Clark & Frey
• Spanish Colonial/Andalusian architectural style
(1948) and E. Stewart Williams
• Stucco exterior
(1967)
• Gabled roof with barrel roof tiles
*Addition by Jim Cioffi (1991)
• Wood -framed casement windows with plank
• Infill windows on the veranda.
shutters
• Veranda with rusticated wooden posts and
beams
Resolution No. 24663
Page 7
4. Restroom Structure (Page 37
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• Simple single -story gabled structure
• (None)
• Brick exterior walls
• Tile roof (originally terra cotta barrel tiles
Missing features consider for replacement): Terra cotta barrel roof tiles
5. Golf Shop (Page 38)
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• Original Golf Shop and restroom structure, and
• Electric golf cart storage garages
additions through 1945
built in 1955 and later
• Simplified Spanish Colonial architectural style
• Stucco exterior
• Variegated barrel roof tiles
• Wood -framed divided -light windows
6. O'Donnell Golf Course and Landscape (Page 28)
Character -Defining Features
Non -Contributing Features
• Historic configuration of holes, greens, tees and
• Lake Burnett
fairways
• Palo verde trees planted between
• Putting green
each
• Elevated Fourth Hole tee
Mexican fan palm along the
• Long rows of single species trees defining the
O'Donnell
fairways (Mexican fan palm, California fan palm,
driveway (which replaced the
Arizona cypress)
oleander)
• Perimeter planted with tamarisk windbreak'
• Ficus trees shading the clubhouse
• Bermuda grass fairways'
patio
• Date palm clusters, and groupings of palms and
cypress2
• Rock with O'Donnell's memorial marker.
• Existing remnants of O'Donnell's driveway
• Native stone retaining walls
• Missing Features (consider for replacement): See page 30 of the historic resource
report.
' Tamarisk trees are non-native and are not recommended as part of drought -tolerant landscapes; however,
the pattern of perimeter windbreak plantings should be retained. Turf grass is also limited under the City's
water -efficient landscape ordinance (PSMC Chapter 8.60).
21f designated, it is recommended that a landscape survey be commissioned to identify the placement of
existing tree clusters and landscape features.
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
Resolution No. 24663
Page 8
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 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 designates the O'Donnell Golf Course,
landscape, and associated structures as identified herein a Class 1 Historic Resource
(Case HSPB #123).
ADOPTED THIS 23rd DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019.
David H. Ready, Es
City Manager
ATTEST:
Av�, t��
ArWony J. M i MMC
City Clerk
Resolution No. 24663
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. 24663 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 23rd day of October, 2019,
by the following vote:
AYES:
Councilmembers Holstege,
Mayor Moon
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Middleton, Roberts, Mayor Pro Tern Kors, and
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Springs, California, this 5 W- day of C)c..kpv e-✓ , Zo E q
nthony J. I ia,
City Clerk