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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24968RESOLUTION NO. 24968 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE DONALD WEXLER RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 1272 EAST VERBENA DRIVE, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #139), APN# 507-253-009. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY FIND 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, Joseph Mantello and Paul Marlow, owners, submitted an application to the City seeking historic site designation of the Donald Wexler Residence located at 1272 East Verbena Drivee; and C. WHEREAS, in October 2021, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and D. WHEREAS, on November 2, 2021, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #139 was held in accordance with applicable law; and E. WHEREAS, at the said hearing, the HSPB carefully reviewed and considered all 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 that the Council designate the Donald Wexler Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and F. WHEREAS, on January 13, 2022, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #139 was held in accordance with applicable law; and G. WHEREAS, at the said hearing, the City Council carefully reviewed and considered all 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. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Resolution No 24968 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 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 Wexler residence exhibits exceptional historic significance because of its association with architect Donald Wexler and is a noteworthy example of a custom -home design from the mid -twentieth century period using post -and -beam construction. (Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; The report does not list any events associated with the home that contributed to the nation, state or community. Thus 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 20 that the home is historically significant for its association with the life and career of Donald Wexler. Wexler's fifty years of producing innovative modern architecture in the Coachella Valley helped define what is now known as "Desert Modern" or "The Palm Springs School of Architecture". For these reasons, 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; On page 20, the report explains that the Wexler Residence reflects the post -World War II period in terms of innovative design principles. It was a period when local developers, business owners and residents embraced the bold aesthetic of Modern architecture. Its post -and -beam structural system, expansive use of glass, walls that project out into the landscape, simple volumetric massing, and a low flat roofline with very thin edge fascia all are characteristic of the post-war period in Palm Springs architectural development. For these reasons, the City Council concurs that the site qualifies as a historic resource under Criterion 3. (Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a Resolution No 24968 Page 3 type, period or method of construction, - Although the report discusses the "theme of Modern architecture", the home's architectural "theme" was more aptly discussed under Criterion 3 ("Period"). Criterion 4 addresses distinctive characteristics of a type of construction, a period of construction or a method of construction, not architectural theme. The report however provides substantial information about the home's construction characteristics. It notes that the type of construction — namely wood post and beam using stock lumber sizes contributed to the home's affordability, its open, flexible floor plan and accommodated the extensive use of floor to ceiling glass. As the report notes, post -and - beam construction was used by nearly all the modern architects working in the Coachella Valley in the post -World War II period. Wexler however expressed the simple post -and - beam structure in unique ways, using paired beams attached on either side of the 4 x 4 posts to minimize the warping and splitting that often occurred with typical four -inch -thick wood beams. This detail, while functional, added a unique and pleasing visual detail to the home. The home also is unique in its method of construction because Wexler utilized a new plywood product introduced in 1954 by U.S. Plywood called "Texture-111", or 7- 111 ". As noted on page 33, according to Wexler's son Gary, Wexler liked to experiment with new materials in his designs. In terms of the T-111 product, Wexler "...used a lot of it..." on both outside and inside walls. Thus the Wexler residence embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period and method of construction and as such, staff concurs 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, - As noted on page 21 of the report, the Wexler residence presents the work of a master architect. Wexler's influence on local architects and architecture is still evident in the work of many contemporary architects and designers working in Palm Springs. The proportions, expressed structure, simplicity of details and materials, and livability of Wexler's architecture continues to be celebrated both locally and beyond. The residence reflects an early example of his talent and artistic capabilities as an architect. Therefore, the City Council concurs that the Wexler residence qualifies as a historic site under Criterion 5 both as a notable example of the early work of Donald Wexler -- an architect who continues to influence other architects and also for its artistic value in emphasizing and celebrating the tenets of the Modern period in architecture. (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 Wexler residence qualifies under Criterion 6. (Criterion 7) The resource has yielded or maybe likely to yield information Resolution No 24968 Page 4 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: 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. Beginning on page 22 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 the site retains a high degree of integrity and is further analyzed below: 1. Location: The Wexler residence remains in the same location that it was constructed, thus it retains integrity of location. 2. Design: Wexler designed his family home to be flexible and able to be expanded as his family grew. As a young architect, economics played a factor in the modest "every -day" materials he chose for the design of his home. Although recent renovations have introduced more expensive materials such as terrazzo floors, the original design integrity remains intact. As noted on page 13 of the report, the original color of the home was medium warm grey with deep olive-green colored beams. The home is currently painted in a color palette that is similar to these original colors. 3. Setting: The report analyzes the quality of Setting on page 24. As noted, the home's setting as a modern single-family home in a neighborhood of other modest single-family homes remains. 4. Materials: As noted on page 23 of the report, Wexler used common materials such as plywood, dimension lumber in an uncommon way to create a stylish and timeless home. Nearly all the exterior materials remain as originally designed. Although more lavish materials such as terrazzo floors replaced the original asphalt vinyl tiles as noted above, the home maintains a high degree of material integrity. Resolution No 24968 Page 5 5. Workmanship. - As noted on page 24, "The Wexler residence was designed and built using straightforward materials and modes of workmanship, typical of construction practices in mid-century Palm Springs. The home still exhibits those humble, honest principals..." and thus, retains integrity of workmanship. 6. Feeling: The Wexler residence reflects the casual informal lifestyle of the post-war era in Palm Springs. It has a comfortable "modernity" without feeling cold or impersonal. 7. Association: The residence retains its association with its original owner, master architect Donald Wexler and with the mid -twentieth century modern period in Palm Springs. 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. On page 17 the report identifies the physical character -defining historic features of this site as follows: • Flat -roofed one-story structure. • Interior and exterior walls clad in T-111 plywood. • The 1968 bedroom wing addition. • Post and Beam construction integrated with unique pairs of beams. • Walls of glass; large, fixed panels, original sliding glass doors, frameless clerestory windows. • Spun aluminum can lights on the exterior soffits and ceilings. • Vertical wood decorative treatment on the front door. • Open carport. • Mature palms and Aleppo pines. Non-contributing elements: • Terrazzo floors. • Block perimeter garden wall. • Swimming pool and spa (original location, but not original poo10.. • Storage structure attached to carport. Resolution No 24968 Page 6 • Vertical fluted glass adjacent to front door. • Dual -glazed clear anodized replacement aluminum sliding doors and windows. • Photovoltaic panels. • Driveway hardscape. • Landscape (except trees as noted above.) 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. Based upon the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates "The Donald Wexler residence" located at 1272 East Verbena Drive, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #139). PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 13th DAY OF January, 2022. �n-L (�,� P JUSTIN fOLlFTON, CI MANAGER ATTEST: HONY J. MJIA, L E R K Resolution No 24968 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. 24968 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 January 13, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Holstege, Kors, Woods, Mayor Pro Tern Garner, and Mayor Middleton 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 r A6thony J. MVa1,-MMC�ity Clerk City of Palm Springs, California 1 1'