HomeMy WebLinkAbout24981RESOLUTION NO. 24981
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "EL DUMPO
ADOBE" LOCATED AT 2275 SOUTH ARABY DRIVE, A
CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #128), APN# 510-232-
020.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE 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 July 9, 2019, the Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB")
identified "El Dumpo Adobe" as part of its FY 19/20 work plan; and
C. WHEREAS, on November 2, 2021 the HSPB directed staff to initiate study and
schedule site visits and a public hearing of the board to consider the case; and
D. WHEREAS, a historic resources report (`the report") was prepared by the firm
Architectural Resources Group ("ARG") evaluating the site for eligibility as a historic
resource relative to the criteria outlined in Municipal Code Section 8.05.070, and
E. WHEREAS, in October and November 2021, members of the Historic Site
Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed
historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on January 4, 2021, a noticed public hearing of the HSPB to consider
Case HSPB #128 was held in accordance with applicable law; and
G. 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 City Council designate the property as Class 1 (Landmark) historic
site HSPB 128; and
H. WHEREAS, on February 10, 2022, a noticed public hearing of the City Council to
consider Case HSPB #128 was held in accordance with applicable law; and
I. 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.
Resolution No. 24981
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THE CITY COUNCIL 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
HSPB and 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:
El Dumpo Adobe exhibits exceptional historic significance because it is a rare example
of a dwelling from the period between the wars, (1919 — 1941) and because of its unique
adobe method of construction.
Beginning on page 41, the report evaluates the parcel for eligibility as a historic resource
as defined by the City's historic preservation ordinance.
(Criterion i) 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 i.
(Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who
made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
The report did not identify any historically significant individuals associated with the site,
thus it does not qualify as a historic resource under Criterion ii.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of
national, state or local history;
On page 42, the report explains that El Dumpo Adobe exemplifies the period of
development in Palm Springs between World War I and World War II (1919 —1941) noting
that it was one of the first residences constructed in the Araby tract in the 1920's. The
report notes that the city's growth during this period of time was a precursor to the larger
boom of the postwar period. It also notes that the adobe's simple vernacular idiom is a
relatively rare example of the kind of unpretentious winter home H.W. Otis envisioned for
the Araby tract. For these reasons, the City Council concurs that the site qualifies as a
historic resource under Criterion iii.
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(Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction,
The report explains on page 42 that El Dumpo Adobe is an excellent example of Adobe
Revival residential architecture. The main dwelling and the current casita (believed to
originally be the garage) both retain the majority of their original design, materials, and
workmanship and represent a construction type that is quite rare in Palm Springs. Thus
El Dumpo adobe embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period and method of
construction and as such, the City Council concurs that the home qualifies as a historic
site under Criterion iv.
(Criterion v) 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 architect and builder of El Dumpo Adobe are not known and although quaint, it does
not possess high artistic value. As such it is not eligible as a historic resource under
Criterion v.
(Criterion vi) 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 El Dumpo Adobe qualifies under Criterion vi.
(Criterion vii) 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: 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 43 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:
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El Dumpo Adobe remains at its original location and thus retains integrity of location.
2. Design:
El Dumpo Adobe is configured with a central two-piece barrel clay the gable -roofed living
room with a broad, covered porch across the principal fagade. Two shed -roofed volumes
flank the central part of the house — the west side contains bedrooms and the east side
the kitchen and utility areas. As noted on page 43 the adobe and garage (casita) have
experienced some alterations including: additions to the west and south sides of the main
house, infill of a covered porch on the south elevation, replacement of garage doors with
wood French doors, the addition of a slumpstone wall, arch, trellis, gazebo and
greenhouse at the southwest corner of the home, garden walls along the street front, a
detached carport, brick terraces and a swimming pool. Despite these alterations, the
form, plan, space, structure and style of the property are still clearly legible. The home
still is recognizable as an irregularly shaped adobe structure from the 1920's and as such
retains sufficient integrity of design
3. Setting.
The report notes that the setting of the adobe has changed significantly over time as the
subdivision has been built up and developed with a variety of dwelling styles. It concludes
that the property has lost integrity of setting.
4. Materials:
The dwelling at 2275 S Araby Drive was built primarily of adobe brick, the raw components
of which are locally available. The majority of its original material structure and cladding
remain. Thus the home retains material integrity.
5. Workmanship:
The original workmanship — the hand-crafted adobe brick -- are evident in the exterior
appearance of the home. So too are the original steel casement windows and the clay
tile roof and thus, the site retains integrity of workmanship.
6. Feeling:
The property clearly expresses the aesthetic and historic sense of residential
development in Palm Springs during the 1920's and 30's. It reflects the period in Palm
Springs history during which its image as a rustic village comprised mostly of simple
vernacular buildings was established. The feeling of a relaxed rustic desert village is
imbued in El Dumpo Adobe.
7. Association:
The residence retains its association with the early period in Palm Springs development
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when small hand-crafted structures built mostly of local materials in a rustic vernacular
style was common. It thus retains integrity of association.
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.
Below is a list of character -defining features of El Dumpo Adobe. This includes the listing
on Page 30 of the report.
• Thick masonry walls of adobe brick on both the main dwelling and the accessory
dwelling unit (originally a garage).
• One story in height.
• Simple unadorned exterior walls comprised of adobe brick, typically with cement
plaster veneer.
• Wood and steel casement and sash windows with muntins.
• Exposed wood timber lintels and rafter tails.
• Two-piece clay tile gable roofs.
• Covered veranda or porch.
Non-contributing elements at El Dumpo (2350 S Araby):
• The landscape.
• The additions on the south and west sides of the dwelling including the porch infill,
the brick wall and arch, the covered patio / carport, gazebo and greenhouse.
• The "wainscot" of dimension brick on the south elevation.
• The Saltillo tile front porch, brick patios, swimming pool and walkways.
• The replacement doors on the casita.
• The carport on the northeast corner of the parcel.
SECTION 4: CONDITIONS THAT APPLY TO CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITES.
According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, the following shall apply to Class 1
Historic Resources.-
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.
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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.
SECTION 5: 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 HSPB hereby recommends that the City Council designate
"El Dumpo Adobe" located at 2275 South Araby Drive, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic
Resource (Case HSPB #128).
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY
COUNCIL THIS loth DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022.
Just Clifton, Cit anager
ATTEST:
Resolution No. 24981
Page 7
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, ANTHONY MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution
No. 24981 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 this loth day of February 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 t14 day of 17t 0"0. r ,
A
Mthony Meji�, City
City of Palm prings, Cal fornia
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