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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2A (2) OCR71 Appendix I Owner's Notarized Letter of Support July 31, 2020 City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Dear Honorable Board: As the current owner of the Sutter Residence at 1207 S . Calle de Maria in Palm Springs, I enthusiastically support the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of my property by the City of Palm Springs. I have asked the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation to assist me in the preparation of the required nomination paperwork. If you have any questions, please contact me at srose44@gma j1 com . ~ · Stephen Rose See Attached California All-Purpose Acknowl9d9me1nt 47 72 CALIFORNIA ACKNOWLEDGMENT CIVIL CODE § 1189 -----'1'~~~-~---$!J A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the ident ityol the individ ual who signed the document to wh ich this certificate Is attached, and not the truthfu lness. accuracy, or val idity of tha t document. State of California } County of '211100 ilt On A11qr,si / , '20'2 (> before me, Mollo n;115./,b0 5e./4w-' ,,.,1-.,7 .,,1,J/, i., Dote Here Insert Name and Title of the Officer ' personally appeared __ s_~-~-P-~-"~~i-u~~~.(.~----,-----,,------------ Nom er/f of Signer/if who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the personjt) whose name¢) is/~ subsc ri bed to the within instrumen~ and acknowledged to me that he!s;{el t~y executed the same in his/~rttleir authorized capaclty(i~. and that by histhq/tti,(;ir signature~ on the instrument the person~. or the entity upon behalf of which the person(i acted, executed the in strument. nocnncooooeef ADO LFO FAUSTINO SALAZAR I. NotaryPublK-Cal,fomia f i c.!1:~ ~~';°Jm · I MyComm.ExplrtsMa~S.,!02,!, l Place Notary Seo/ and/or Stomp Above I c ert ify under PENAL TY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of Cahforn la that the foregorng paragraph ,s true and correct. OPTIONAL Com{llPtino thic; informntinn rnn rl~t~r nlt~rntinn of tht.> docu nt or fraudulent reattachment of this fo rm to on unintended do ment Description of Attached Document Title or Type of Document: __________________________ _ DocumentDate: _____________________ Number of Pages: ___ _ Signer(s) Other Th an Nam ed Above: ______________________ _ Capacity(ies) Claimed by Signer(s) Signer's Name: ___________ _ Signer's N ame : ___________ _ o Corporate Officer -Title(s): ______ _ o Corpo ra te Office r -Title(s ): ______ _ o Partner - o Limited o General o Partn er -o Lim ited o General D Individual o Attorney In Fact O Individual D Attorney in Fa ct o Trustee o Guard ian or Conservato r o Trust ee O Guardian or Cons ervator •Other: D Other: Signer Is Representing: _________ _ Signer is Representing: _________ _ l:•2018 National Notary Associat ion Ml304-09 (09/19) 48 73 Appendix II Assessor's Map Pl"ov..,ti,- ~ -- PARCELOUESf 'CC.A.110, FORNl/2 SE//4,SEr:. 23T4S.R4£. ~ , ©i --...... ···----1 . I . ®.. i a • ©' , i'®-· , @) -...... • I!! " ~ --__ ... ._ __ ~ t ©i if I , ~· 'Ii -- 49 . . 0' -J -· . ©') r :s • ,, @). ,, ® l ~ ___ ,._..All.....,JUIIORSCIUll:'ualn' •-v:m.,o,111•aca-11111111. ___,..l,DCll&aNM'CI.._ __ SEP07200S ® ,, 74 ® Appendix III Site Plan .... . :.•: 50 Site Plan for the Theodore & Marguerite Sutter Residence E. Stewart Williams 1960 1960 -1991-1992 Remodel 1. Enclosure of carport Into garage 2. Breakfast room addition 3. Removal of original Maltese concrete block wall to expand pool terrace. New east wall built using same style of vertically ribbed aluminum as used In other parts of the facade • 75 Appendix IV Google Earth Image 51 76 Appendix V Theodore Sutter Theodore Sutter (1894-1982) was a prominent member of the California petroleum industry. For nearly a half century he was associated with Baker Oil Tools, Inc., a pioneering drilling equipment company, which continues today (2020) as Baker Hughes. Sutter started as a bookkeeper with the company and by the time he built his Palm Springs retreat he had risen to president. Sutter was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 8, 1894 to Bartholeman "Barthel" and Mary Fischl Sutter. His parents were both German immigrants with Barthel plying his trade as a brewer. Sutter was the oldest of three children and would be followed by Maxmillan in 1896 and Amelia in 1898. By 1910, the family had relocated to Helena, Montana where Barthel became involved in the burgeoning mining industry. Little is known of Sutter's early years, but records show he served in the U.S. Army during World War I. By 1920 he was working in the office of a construction camp in Seneca, California. Sutter first appears associated with Baker in 1924 when he is listed as bookkeeper for the Baker Shoe Casing Co. in Huntington Park. The company had been founded in 1907, by noted petroleum pioneer Reuben "Carl" Baker (1872-1957). Although he never got past the third grade, Baker managed to register more than 150 patents on oil drilling tools during his lifetime, some which not only made him wealthy, they helped to transform the industry. Baker was impressed by Sutter and promoted him time and again until by the early 1930s he was the company's number two man, holding the position of executive vice president and general manager. Over the next twenty years, the company prospered, opening up a division in Houston, Texas, right in the home turf of Baker's biggest rival, Howard Hughes. In 1957, at the age of 85, Baker decided to at last retire and turn his beloved company over to Sutter. Under his skillful leadership, Baker Oil Tools rose to become one of California's top 100 publicly traded companies. Sutter remained at the helm at Baker until 1965 when he was made chairman of the company's board, a position he held until his retirement in 1969. Although the head of an important firm, Sutter and his wife Marguerite (1898-1995), maintained a quiet lifestyle, residing first in Huntington Park before moving to a comfortable but unprepossessing home on South Larchmont Boulevard. Together, they had a daughter, Mary Louise. Sutter may not have been well known outside of his profession, but he was an important figure in the petroleum industry, active in numerous related organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute, Petroleum Production Pioneers, Merchants & Manufacturers Association, and the National Petroleum Council. In his later years he 52 77 was active in the Retired Oil Men's Club. Outside of the industry, he was involved in the annual fund drive for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, serving on the Philharmonic business committee throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. Theodore Sutter died on February 19, 1982 in Los Angeles at age 87. 53 78 Appendix VI E. Stewart Williams E. Stewart Williams posing at the newly completed Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan Association building, which he had designed in 1961. (J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004 R.10)) 54 79 (The following biography, written by Andy Sotta, is excerpted from the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation's 2005 tribute journal -E. Stewart Williams: A Tribute to His Work and Life.) Emerson Stewart Williams was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 15, 1909 to Harry and Una Williams. At the time, his father was partner in an extremely successful architecture firm, Schenk and Williams. At its peak, the firm employed 120 people with a focus on large commercial buildings for corporate clients such as Delco, Frigidaire and National Cash Register Corporation. The occasional house project included one designed for the Wright brothers of flying fame. By all accounts, Stewart was an extremely bright and charming young man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed athletics, his studies, socializing and the arts -traits which stayed with him throughout his life. Knowing since age 5 that he desired to follow in his father's footsteps to become an architect, Stewart entered Cornell University in 1928 and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1932. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned his Master's Degree in architecture in 1933 and was awarded the prestigious Theophilus Parsons Chandler Fellowship. By this time, the Great Depression had swept across America, bringing with it major change. The Williams family's affluent lifestyle was not spared. Architectural commissions evaporated. Schenk and Williams' once thriving firm was reduced to just two partners scrounging for whatever work they could find. Undoubtedly this reversal of fortune had a profound effect on the young Stewart Williams (he resisted expanding his firm throughout 50 years in practice), steering him at times away from a career in architecture and towards a career in art and design. Fortunately, Williams found a position at Bard College (then part of Columbia University) teaching art and design from 1934-1938. While there, he supplemented his teaching salary by selling his etchings and paintings. Upon entering one of his artworks in the American Watercolor Society Exhibition in New York, he was awarded the Zabriskie Prize, the top purchase award. In 1938, Williams departed on a long-delayed grand tour of Europe to study architecture and art. His travels took him to Stuttgart, Germany where he was profoundly influenced by the Werkbund (a modernist workingman's housing complex designed by a collaborative of some of Europe's greatest modernist architects). Williams recalled in a 2000 interview for Palm Springs Life magazine: "I once went to a Seidling in Germany done by Gropius, Mendelsohn, Behrens, Mies van der Rohe and others where there were tract houses nearby. The little inexpensive houses were full of people while the elegant structures done by those world famous architects were empty. So I asked one of the guards why these houses were empty and he said people didn't like living in boxes. This was early in the modern movement and people had not changed their thinking about being closer to the earth. The use of materials like beautiful wood, native stone and glass, to a certain extent, were mixed with colorful interiors. They loved fabrics that were patterned and they loved flowers and had vines growing in the house. There was a feeling of simplicity and warmth that made me feel this was the way I would like to work." 55 80 While visiting the south of Sweden, Williams met the love of his life, Mari Schlytern, a young and beautiful art student at Stockholm's Kunsthalle. After six months touring Europe, Williams returned home with hopes of making Mari his bride as well as with a profound appreciation of the Swedish design philosophy, significantly their use of natural materials. In 1940, after a brief stint working in his father's architectural firm Williams took a job with famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy of New York, were Stewart and Mari eventually married in Woodstock. By 1942 Williams felt he would inevitably be drafted into World War II service. Wanting to determine which branch he would serve in, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the Mare Island Naval Yard in San Francisco. While there, he supervised the design and construction of the dry docks serving the U.S. Navy fleet. Meanwhile, Harry Williams had decided to move to Palm Springs for semi-retirement and to a climate that would help alleviate the symptoms of his wife's debilitating arthritis. After designing a home and a commercial building in Palm Springs for Julia Carnell, Harry was commissioned by Carnell to design The Plaza Shopping Center, now Class 1 Site No. 22, on Palm Canyon Drive in 1936. It was a mixed-use project combining retail/office and residential components - a novel concept at the time. It was the senior Williams' first significant commission in almost 8 years after suffering the collapse of Schenk and Williams. With World War 11 over, in 1946 Stewart decided to join his father and brother Roger in establishing an architectural practice in Palm Springs. From 1946 to 1956, the three Williams's worked in partnership. During this time Harry taught his sons about specifications, building codes, zoning, and the ups and downs of working with clients. He also taught them how to run an architectural practice; there was little money to be made in a residential practice , so Harry encouraged his sons to pursue commercial work for banks, office buildings and schools. While Stewart continued designing an occasional house during his career (usually with spectacular results), the bulk of his work was in the commercial arena. He acted as lead designer, Roger as engineer and Harry as facilitator. The years 1946 to 1948 were busy for Williams. Besides the Sinatra Residence, he would design The Colony, Temple Isaiah, the Bissonte Lodge and a modern addition to the 1924 Pepper Tree Inn. All but the Sinatra Residence have either been altered beyond recognition or demolished. Southern California proved an especially fertile ground for modernist architecture due to a climate which encouraged indoor/outdoor living. Palm Springs, a playground for wealthy movie stars and industrialists, not only provided perfect climate and scenic beauty as the backdrop for modern designs, but also the financial resources to take those designs from drafting table to reality. This is evident when one looks at the concentration of modern architects and projects built or under construction in Palm Springs during E. Stewart Williams' first year in practice, 1946 to 1947. In that year alone, significant modernist projects included the Edward Kaufmann Residence by Richard Neutra; the Clark & Frey-designed Raymond Loewy Residence; and the Del Marcos Hotel by desert newcomer William F. Cody. Williams commented about his own early expertise in a 1997 Palm Springs Life interview; "I didn't know anything about architecture really when I came out here in 1946. I had only sort of bits 56 81 of experience, I didn't know about zoning, about building codes, didn't know anything about construction. I didn't know how to mix concrete. I detailed a lot of things in my Dad's office but I didn't know how to build." A common thread running through Williams' designs is that the site generated the form. Williams is often quoted as saying, "buildings must be compatible with the land where they sit, compatible with the colors of materials and shape and form of the site. I don't design something that looks as if some alien spaceship set down onto the landscape." Unlike some of his contemporaries, he also lauded the craftsmen who built his projects. "They are responsible [for the work] as much I am. That's the way architecture is. It's a team effort ... we dream them up and design them but it's a collaborative effort." These philosophies guided Williams throughout his entire career. During the 1950s, Williams' work consisted of both commercial and residential commissions, however, most of his notable residential work was done during this period. These include Kiner, Bligh, Edris, and Sutter houses, and, in 1955, a home for his growing family. Notable commercial projects of this period included the original Desert Hospital, the first Palm Springs Desert Museum, the interior of Florsheim shoe store on Palm Canyon Drive, the Oasis Hotel and Oasis Office Building where he housed his offices, and the first Coachella Valley Savings & Loan bank building in 1956. Heeding the advice of his father, Williams pursued commercial work which comprised the majority of his projects from the mid-fifties through his retirement in 1990. In addition to the aforementioned projects, Williams work included: the Palm Springs High School gym, 1947; Palm Springs baseball stadium, 1949; the original Desert Hospital, 1950; Palm Springs City Hall (with Clark & Frey), 1955; Palm Springs High School auditorium, 1956; both the Palm Springs High School library and the College of the Desert gymnasium and pool, 1958. From the late fifties until the early seventies, Williams practiced with his brother Roger, later joining forces with fellow desert architect, neighbor and friend, John Porter Clark, in 1972. The outstanding and impressive body of work from this period in Williams' career includes: Santa Fe Federal Savings building on Palm Canyon Drive; a second bank building for Coachella Valley Savings and Loan;, was completed in 1961 at the corner of Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive; the design of the Aerial Tramway mountain station; Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa and the new Palm Springs Desert Museum. Although an avowed modernist heavily influenced by the International Style, Stewart Williams always charted his own course. Through his interpretation, he eschewed its rigid tenets and approached architecture with an open mind. Williams had great respect for Mies van der Rohe's work and appreciated the graceful lines of his houses and the way in which he invited the outdoors inside. Williams labored with each design to make the building appear to grow out of its site. The beauty of the materials used in his buildings always predominated. When asked about the essence of his style, Williams said over and over again, "Let the natural beauty of the materials be the thing you see." 57 82 ADDENDUM SHEET FOR HISTORIC NOMINATION APPLICATION FOR THE THEODORE & MARGUERITE SUTTER RESIDENCE December 1 , 2020 This sheet has been prepared to include new information gleaned from an additional group of building permits that surfaced after the original nomination application had been completed and after the Errata Sheet of November 4, 2020. This is new information clarifies and amends what is written on p. 14 of the City Staff Report. A review of the new documentation reveals it to be almost exclusively related to a 2010- 2011 remodel of the home's interior undertaken by owners Richard "Rick" Lord and Brian Joel "Skip" Schipper. This work was stated to be exclusively an interior remodel involving "new walk-in closets, new doors, windows, turning the laundry room into a powder room, remodel kitchen and master bath, new skylight." Additionally, work included the placement of 30 photovoltaic panels on the roof as well as adding tanning platforms to the swimming pool. The reference to "new doors" appears to be referring exclusively to interior doors. The "new" windows reference appears to be glass swap-outs only. The relevant permits are as follows: June 8, 2010 -Permit No. C-26747 (Replace kitchen and bath cabinets and counter tops. Kitchen and bath GFl's.) Owner: Lord/Schipper. Contractor: DBL Builders, Inc. Cost: $50,000.00. September 29, 2010 -Permit No. C-27496 (Swimming pool remodel, adding tanning shelves, add new equipment, replumbing pool, split drains.) Owner: Slipper (sic) (Schipper). Contractor: Rammell Construction. Engineer: Flying Buttress. Cost: $10,500.00. September 30, 2010 -Permit No. C-27502 (Interior remodel including creation of new walk-in closets, new doors, new windows, turn laundry room into powder room, remodel kitchen and master bath, new skylight.) -Owner: Lord/Schipper. Contractor: RBC Builders. Not listed on permit -Designer: Mike Mendoza. Cost: $30,000. November 9, 2011 -Permit No. C30660 (30 panel roof-top photovoltaic system) - Owner: Brian Schipper. Contractor: RBL Building Inc. Cost: $30,000 83 ATTACHMENT 4 HSPB Resolution and Minute Excerpt 84 RESOLUTION NO. 133 A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE "THE SUTTER RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 1207 SOUTH CALLE DE MARIA, A CLASS 2 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #133), APN# 508- 403-002. THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD 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, Stephen Rose, owner, submitted an application to the City seeking historic site designation of the Sutter Residence located at 1207 South Calle de Maria; and C. WHEREAS, in November, 2020, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and D. WHEREAS, on December 1, 2020, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #133 was held in accordance with applicable law; and E. 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 presented and voted unanimously to recommend Class 2 (Historic Merit) status to the City Council with conditions. THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES: 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 Historic Site Preservation Board ("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 Sutter residence exhibits exceptional historic significance because of its association with master architect E. Stewart Williams and because of its unique original inward-focused 85 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 2 of 7 December 1, 2020 architectural design. (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 site, thus the site 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 does not identify any significant persons associated with the Sutter residence, thus the site does not qualify under Criterion 2. (Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history; On page 40, the report asserts that the Sutter residence exemplifies the Post World War II period in the development of Palm Springs when the Modern architectural style grew in popularity in Palm Springs. The report notes the Brutalist style of the home --exhibited in the solid-looking concrete block volume of the living room -was an architectural style that emerged in the 60's and 70's, thus reflecting the mid-century period. Although the unfinished raw character of the concrete block living room volume does exhibit Brutalist characteristics, the delicate-looking screenblock wall that was on the east fagade (now removed) and the thin plane of milky-white glass screen wall on the north fagade (now clear glass) were perhaps common in mid-century design, but are not Brutalist in their character. As such the Sutter residence has characteristics of mid-century design and Brutalist elements, but contrary to the report, the home as modified does not stand as an outstanding example of the style or the period. (Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; The Sutter residence employs concrete, glass and steel in a restrained, modern composition. The original screenblock wall on the eastern fagade provided a lace-like screen which offered a sense of privacy, yet permeability in contrast to the solid Brutalist quality of the concrete block volume of the living room. Screenblock was frequently used in the construction of homes from the mid-century period. On the north elevation, the translucent glass screen wall (now replaced with tinted clear glass) provided a sense of light, enclosure and privacy and blurred the lines between inside and outside - a characteristic also commonly found in homes from the mid-century period. This delicate contrast of solid and void, of strength and lightness were character-defining features of the home which have been diminished due to the removal of the screenblock wall and the milky-white translucent glass. Thus, although the report asserts that the Sutter Residence qualifies under Criterion 4 as embodying unique and innovative construction methods, the removal of critically important original construction components and materials disqualify it from meeting this criterion. 86 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 3 of 7 December 1 , 2020 (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 Sutter Residence was designed by E. Stewart Williams and constructed by Arthur J. Coffey. Beginning on page 14, the report details the interesting design characteristics of the Sutter residence. The design of the home was a masterful combination of materials that provided rich texture, shadows and light. Despite the open nature of the corner lot on which it is located, the design achieved privacy by the translucent glass that was on the north fagade and the screenblock on the east. The report notes Williams's preference for using concrete in his designs. In the Sutter residence, he employed two types of concrete block to produce both a light, lace-like quality through the concrete screenblock wall on the east fagade and to achieve the solid, heavy impenetrable quality of the concrete "cube" that comprised the corner living room. The report also documents the career of E. Stewart Williams in appendix VI, beginning on page 54. Although the subtle use of materials has been lost due to recent renovations, the home retains its association with architect E. Stewart Williams and hence justifies its qualification 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 Sutter 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 -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 application concludes that the site retains a high degree of integrity. Below is the HSPB's evaluation of the site's integrity which differs from the opinion expressed in the report. 87 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 4 of 7 December 1, 2020 1. Location: The Sutter residence remains in the same location that it was constructed, thus it retains integrity of location. 2. Design: There have been a number of recent modifications to the home that have substantially altered the design. First, the milky-white translucent glass wall along the north elevation of the home has been changed to clear, tinted glass. This material change eliminated the feeling of enclosure of the courtyard and eliminated the sense of privacy from within the home. Second, removal of the screenblock wall along the east wall of the swimming pool destroyed the sense of the swimming pool being an integral "room" of the home. The screenblock wall visually created a sense of enclosure to the pool area while still maintaining visual connection to the front yard beyond. From the outside, removal of the screenblock wall resulted in the steel columns and open-web joist roof plane feeling barren. The interplay of shadow and scale created by the joists and beams overhanging the screenblock wall has also been lost. From the street, although the vertical corrugated steel panel material on the. new privacy wall along the east elevation is similar to metal panels found on the back and sides of the home, Williams masterful use of concrete to express both a light, lace-like quality through the use of concrete screenblock and the impenetrable feeling of the solid concrete walls of the living room has been compromised. On page 15, the report explains that Williams designed the home in the form of a square, incorporating the swimming pool within that square form. With the addition of the breakfast nook on the north elevation, removal of the screenblock wall and pushing the new metal privacy wall further to the east, the purity of form and square proportions that Williams conceived for the home was weakened and it has taken on a bunker-like appearance. For these reasons, the HSPB asserts that the home's design integrity has been significantly compromised. 3. Setting: The report explains on page 15 that because the setting of the Sutter residence is a corner lot and that extra care was taken to ensure a harmonious interrelation between the eastern and northern (street-facing) facades. From the 1961 photos, this can be seen in the rhythm and modulation created by the black columns between which the lighter-colored concrete screenblock was placed on the eastern fa9ade and the black mullions between which was placed the milky-white frosted-glass screen wall on the north. Williams created a sense of privacy through light and airy screens without walling off the home from its setting. The clear tinted glass on the north fa9ade caused a loss of privacy and the heavy corrugated steel wall extending out into the street-fronting yard creates a hard barrier that separates the house from its setting. The alterations on both street-fronting sides diminish the home's relationship to its setting and the · rhythm or "cadence" that was created by the original high- 88 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 5 of 7 December 1, 2020 contrast black columns and mullions. Thus, contrary to the assertion in the report, the home's relationship to its setting no longer reflects the architect's original design intent. 4. Materials: The materials on the primary facades of the Sutter residence, most notably the concrete screenblock on the east facade have been demolished and replaced with corrugated steel panels and the milky frosted glass on the north fagade has been replaced with clear tinted glass. These material changes have substantially altered the appearance of the home. Although the report asserts that the corrugated metal reflects original materials found elsewhere on the home, what has been lost is the contrast between the use of concrete block as a light and airy screen and concrete block as the solid corner volume. Also the square grid module scored into the concrete volume on the corner of the house which related to the square module of the screenblock wall and the square of the floor plan, no longer exists. On the north street-facing fagade, Williams' use of a thin plane of frosted glass to create visual privacy has also been lost. The expression of materials on the primary facades no longer reflect the choices made by Williams in his design intent for the home. Thus contrary to the assertion in the report, the home has lost material integrity on the primary elevations. 5. Workmanship: The workmanship in the Sutter residence reflects high quality craftsmanship typical of a custom designed and built residence from the mid-century period. Thus the home retains integrity of workmanship. 6. Feeling: Williams' original design for the Sutter residence achieved a sense of visual privacy from both street-fronts without creating a bunker-like quality. The concrete screenblock offered both privacy and a sense of permeability. The alignment of the screenblock wall with the living room wall also created a feeling that the swimming pool was very much an integral part of the home -an extension of the interior. Removal of this screenblock wall and expanding the pool enclosure beyond the square of the house by locating the corrugated steel wall well into the front yard diminished the integrated feeling. The original feeling that the home related to the adjacent streets with a sense of permeability while still affording privacy has been lost. The steel wall feels like a hardened barrier, as though the house is turning its back to the street. Thus, again, contrary to the report, the home no longer has the same feeling on its primary elevations as seen in the vintage photos. 7. Association: Concrete screenblock is commonly associated with the mid-century modern period. That association has been severed by the removal of the screenblock from the Sutter residence. Similarly exposing a buildings' structural system to establish pattern, modularity and scale was also a tenet of the Modern movement in architecture. With the placement of the corrugated steel wall in the front yard, the structural columns on the east fagade have been obscured and 89 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 6 of 7 December 1, 2020 the structural module is no longer evident from the street. For these reasons, the association or relationship of the Sutter residence with the mid-century Modern period has been diminished. In summary, contrary to the assertions in the report, there has been a considerable loss of integrity of design, setting, materials, feeling and association. As viewed from the public streets, the home no longer reflects the design as envisioned by E. Stewart Williams with the contrast between screenblock and solid concrete block and the light feel of the milky-white glass panels. 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 site include the following: 1. The post and beam structural system. 2. Expansive walls of floor to ceiling glass blurring the line between indoor and outdoor. 3. The structural open-web joists spanning over the swimming pool. 4. The solid concrete block volume of the living room expressing a Brutalist architectural style. 5. The grid-like score lines in the corner concrete block walls of the living room with emphasis on the vertical lines. 6. The wide roof covering on the west and south sides of the pool terrace. 7. The black steel frame of the glass garden wall on the north fagade. 8. The ornamental metal gate into the north side courtyard. The non-contributing features include the following: 1. The corrugated steel garden wall on the east side of the home. 2. The clear tinted glass in the screen wall on the north side of the home. 3. The breakfast nook addition. 4. The saucer-shaped firepit. 5. The rooftop metal screenwalls concealing the solar panels. 6. The landscape. 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 90 Resolution No. HSPB 133 -The Sutter Residence -1207 S Calle de Maria Page 7 of 7 December 1, 2020 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 2 HISTORIC SITES. According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, the following shall apply to a Class 2 Historic Resource: 1. It shall meet the definition of a Class 2 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 upon the foregoing, the HSPB hereby recommends that the City Council designate "The Sutter residence" located at 1207 South Calle de Maria, a Class 2 Historic Resource (Case HSPB #133). ADOPTED THIS FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020. AYES: Burkett, Dixon, Nelson, Kiser, Hough. NOES: (none) ABSENT: Rosenow. ABSTAIN: ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Flinn Fagg, AICP Development Services Director 91 EXCERPTS OF MINUTES At the Historic Site Preservation Board meeting of the City of Palm Springs, held December 1, 2020, the Historic Site Preservation Board took the following action: 2.A. STEPHEN ROSE, OWNER, REQUESTING HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF "THE SUTTER RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 1207 CALLE DE MARIA (APN 508-403-002) CASE HSPB #133 (KL). Staff member Lyon summarized the staff report. Member Hough provided clarification on the mention in the historic resources report about Sidney Williams' involvement in consulting on one of the previous renovations. The chair opened the public hearing. TRACY CONRAD read a comment from the property owner STEPHEN ROSE asserting the residence qualifies as a Class 1 site. She spoke on her own behalf in support of the nomination. STEVEN VAUGHT, author of the historic resource report, spoke in support of the home's qualifications as a Class 1 historic site. BARBARA MARSHALL, of Palm Springs Preservation Foundation ("PSPF") spoke in support of the nomination and made the assertion that the home qualifies as a Class 1 historic site. Seeing no further speakers, the chair closed the public hearing. Member Hough asked if there was any evidence that the past owners who did the renovations consulted with the original architect E. Stewart Williams? (Steven Vaught stated he did not know for certain if Williams was consulted, but it did appear from notes on the renovation project drawings that the owners had referred to the original drawings as they planned their project.) Member Kiser opined that this is a prime example as a Class 2 property. He asserted that Class 2 is no less contributory than a Class 1 site. Member Nelson opined the property deserves Class 1 status regardless of the integrity findings. Member Dixon opined that the property has had minor, not major alterations, and the changes shouldn't disqualify it from Class 1 designation. Chair Burkett noted the black steel frame along the north elevation survives and that the owner has considered removing the black tinted glass and restoring the milky white translucent glass. He noted the home provides better ability to accommodate large gatherings around the pool area with the alterations that have been made in the recent past. Member Hough noted the board is striving to hold a high degree of quality as it considers the criteria for nominating sites, compared to that which was done in the past. She noted the change in glass screen wall had quite a negative impact on the home's integrity. She expressed regret that the screenblock wall was removed. Also the change from clear to 92 HSPB Minute Excerpt -Meeting of December 1, 2020 Page 2 of 3 frosted glass at the narrow vertical window on the living room was an unfortunate change that hopefully could be restored to its original condition. Member Nelson asked whether the previous owner had any photos of the home showing it prior to the removal of the screenblock wall and the renovations in 1991? (Steven Vaught could not ascertain this.) Member Dixon asked whether the board could require that any renovation to the house on the outside be required to re-instate the milky glass or if they wanted to replace the steel wall that the replacement would have to be a screenblock wall? (Lyon noted the board could recommend but not require the replacement with the original materials.) She asked if the Board recommended Class 1 status could they require the materials to be restored. (Again, Lyon stated first the board would need to make affirmative findings in the factors of Integrity to justify a Class 1 recommendation and then it could recommend but not require restoration of the original materials.) She asked if the 3 palm trees could be part of the contributing or defining characteristics of the site? (Lyon replied yes if the board feels the trees contribute to the historic significance of the site.) Staff member Lyon reminded the board that if it chooses to make a recommendation of Class 1, that it must make affirmative findings of integrity and that for historic integrity to be affirmed most if not all aspects of integrity must be present according to the National Register Bulletin on evaluating Integrity. Member Nelson compared a recent past nomination (the Liberace Residence) to this nomination in terms of which qualifies as Class 1 and Class 2. He noted the expansion of the pool area by the removal of the screenblock wall made the home more conducive for large group entertaining. Staff Lyon reminded the board that its findings and recommendations must be made based upon the criteria in the ordinance, not on what the owner or the preservation community thinks it should be. Member Hough expressed that the frosted glass would need to be restored for her to consider Class 1 for this nomination. She stated she doesn't feel Class 2 is any less distinctive. Motion by Nelson seconded by Dixon to accept the findings in the staff report and recommend that the City Council designate the Sutter residence as a Class 2 (Historic Merit) historic site with the following conditions: 1. If the owner replaces the milky translucent glass on the north fagade he would automatically trigger Class 1 designation. 2. The three palm trees shall be included as character-defining features. Chair Burkett reminded the board that both Class 1 and Class 2 (Historic Merit) resources are eligible for Mills Act contracts. Staff Lyon stated he would confer with the City Attorney on whether there are any issues with the proposed automatic re-classification to Class 1 . 93 HSPB Minute Excerpt -Meeting of December 1, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Member Hough expressed confidence that the current owner will initiate replacement of the milky glass . I, JOANNE BRUGGEMANS, Administrative Secretary for the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that the above action was taken by Historic Site Preservation Board of the City of Palm Springs on the First day of December, 2020, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Kiser, Nelson, Hough, Burkett, Dixon. None. Rosenow. Joanne Bruggemans, Administrative Secretary 94 City Council Staff Report February 25, 2021--Page 13 of 13 Case HSPB #133 -1207 Calle de Maria -The Sutter Residence David H. Ready, Esq., Ph.D. City Manager Attachments: 1. Vicinity Map. 2. Draft Resolution. 3. Application / historic resource report, owner consent letter. 4. Excerpt of HSPB meeting minutes, December 1, 2020.