HomeMy WebLinkAbout25112RESOLUTION NO. 25112
' A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING "THE
SECURITY FIRST NATIONAL BANK" LOCATED AT 500
SOUTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC
SITE, (HSPB #137), APN# 508-121-001.
THE CITY COUNCIL 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, The City of Palm Springs, submitted an application seeking historic
site designation of the Security First National Bank located at 500 South Indian Canyon
Drive; and
C. WHEREAS, in November; 2022, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board
(HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on January 3, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs
Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #137 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 Security First National Bank a Class 1
(Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on February 9, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs
City Council to consider Case HSPB #137 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 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 shall evaluate the application and make findings in conformance with the following
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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 Security First National Bank exhibits exceptional historic significance because it
embodies modernist design principles prevalent in the mid -twentieth century of simple
geometric planes and volumes. It demonstrates a responsiveness to the desert climate
with the generous eaves and overhangs that became characteristic of the "Desert
Modern" architecture in Palm Springs. It is a noteworthy example of the evolution in
banking in the mid -twentieth century in which architecture of financial institutions
abandoned the old classical architectural forms for a more open, glassy and community -
oriented design. It also reflects a trend that began as early as the 1930's when public art,
specifically murals and wall sculpture was specifically commissioned and incorporated
into the design of commercial buildings.
(Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a
meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community;
The reports do not list any events associated with the resource that contributed to the
nation, state or community. Thus, it does not qualify under Criterion i.
(Criterion 2) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who
made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
This resource was commissioned by the Security First National Bank in response to the
local influx of wealthy tourists and residents in Palm Springs. The report identifies Herbert
Samson as the first branch manager who was involved with the design and functionality
of the bank. While his contributions to the construction and management of this site were
instrumental, his involvement does not rise to the level of being a meaningful contribution
to local, state or national history. The report also asserts that Lawrence Tenney Stevens,
the artist of the bas-relief panels on the building was significant internationally as an artist
whose work focused on depicting the romantic character of the American Southwest.
Stevens made a meaningful contribution to the overall genre of American art and
therefore the property qualifies as a historic site under Criterion ii.
(Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of
national, state or local history;
The Security First National Bank exemplifies the post -World War II period in local history
when both commercial and residential building designs in Palm Springs were embracing
the tenets of Modernism and shifting away from traditional "revival" forms of architecture
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popular in the pre -World War II period. It is also a noteworthy example of the evolution
' in bank design in the post-war period, again, moving away from neo-classical styles and
toward more modernist styles. Lastly, it exemplifies the cultural shift from the pedestrian -
oriented commerce and activity of a traditional downtown toward the growing
convenience and popularity of doing business from the comfort of one's own car. For
these reasons, the City Council finds the site qualifies as a historic resource under
Criterion iii.
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction,
The historic resource report asserts that the steel frame construction of the Security First
National Bank building is characteristic of the mid-century modern period, however, that
steel frame construction technology existed since the latter part of the 19th century and
is not historically significant to the mid -twentieth century period. As such, the City Council
finds the building's type, period and method of construction method are not distinctive
and thus the building does not qualify under Criterion iv.
(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 in the reports, Joseph Bing Wong, was a competent architect of the mid -
twentieth century period whose work included both revivalist styles as well as modernist
architecture. His projects often featured a strong integration of the building with its site.
This can be seen in the subject site in which Wong carefully brings the rugged rocks and
desert plant palette onto the site. The PSPF report asserts the site is historically significant
because of its association with Wong. Wong's design of Security First National Bank
demonstrates his creativity as an architect and ability to work in the Modernist style,
however, to be eligible under this criterion it must be found that the architect was a master
in his profession and that his work influenced his age (i.e. his peers, successors or the
profession in general). The reports do not make a compelling case that Wong's talent and
commissions are significant enough to label him a master, nor that his design talent
influenced others. Thus, the site is not historically significant because of its association
with Joseph Wong.
Lawrence Tenney Stevens is the artist who created the terra cotta bas-relief panels
specifically commissioned to portray the local history of Palm Springs. These panels are
a key element in the design of the building. They were installed at the northwest corner
of the building to draw pedestrian -oriented patrons to the building from the walkable
central business district. As noted in the reports, Stevens was significant as an artist
whose work captured and promoted the romantic notion of the American Southwest. His
work was recognized internationally in the art world. The panels he created possess a
high level of artistic value and purpose. Considering these factors, the City Council finds
' the site qualifies as a historic site under Criterion v because of its association with
Stevens.
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(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
No information has been provided that the resource qualifies under Criterion vi.
(Criterion 7) The resource has yielded ormaybe likely to yield information
important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
No information has been provided 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 46 of the North Wind 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, I
workmanship, feeling, and association. The report concludes that the site retains a high
degree of integrity and is further analyzed below:
1. Location:
The Security First National Bank remains in its original location of construction, therefore,
retains its integrity of location.
2. Design:
The original asymmetrical massing and veneers of native stone and precast masonry
panels and glass curtainwalls remain in place, although some of the glass curtainwall was
modified in the 1980's and a mesh screen to conceal roof -mounted mechanical
equipment was added. Elements of the landscape at the northwest corner of the site has
also been slightly altered to accommodate an accessible ramp, however the lush quality
of the landscape remails sufficiently intact and the building in general retains good
integrity of design.
3. Setting:
The building is located at the southern end of the downtown commercial core along two
of the City's major thoroughfares in an area that developed with a number of financial '
institutions in the 50's and 60's. Its setting is decidedly urban. This area of town was
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already well developed at the time the building was constructed. Although many of the
' nearby banks and savings and loans have been repurposed with other uses, the area
retains its setting as the City's primary urban commercial core.
4. Materials:
The original massing of the building, the glass curtainwall around the entry, the precast
masonry veneer panels, and the native rock wall all remain. The canopy over the original
drive -through, although altered, remains in place and the landscape design has a strong
presence on site. The alterations that have occurred have minimal impact and appear to
be reversible. The integrity of materials is intact.
5. Workmanship:
Although the Security First National Bank generally exhibits a level of workmanship typical
of a commercial building, it integrates locally quarried, hand -laid stone on portions of the
facade which give it a higher level of quality of workmanship that most other commercial
buildings. The bas-relief panels located on the northwest corner of the building also
convey a level of hand-crafted workmanship not often found on commercial buildings.
6. Feeling:
' The building retains its feeling as a mid-century modern commercial building through its
form, site orientation and use of materials.
7. Association:
The resource retains its integrity of association with the mid-century modern period of
design through its simple use of materials and architectural detailing including the
generous use of cantilevered eaves and the abstract angularity of the east facade.
SECTION 3: DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS
In considering a recommendation for historic resource designation it is important to
distinguish those physical elements that are original orfrom 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.
Page 31 of the North Wind report identifies the physical character -defining historic
features of this site as follows:
' Character -defining features of the resource are as follows:
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• Flat roof and cantilevered canopies. '
• Asymmetrical fagade projections/recessions.
• Geometric form and massing with no extraneous ornamentation.'
• Irregular plan and site placement.
• Exterior veneers of native stone and exposed aggregate concrete panels.
• Large expanse of glass at the main entrance facing the parking lot.
• Terra cotta bas-relief panels depicting historic milestones of Palm Springs.
• The rugged landscape beds? -
Non-contributing elements:
• Projecting utility room on the southeast corner from 1964.
• Extended portion of the canopy from 1986.
• Rooftop screening for mechanical equipment installed in1972.
• Exterior ATM installed in1981.
• The parking lot.
Future alterations to the exterior of a Class 1 historic site, including but not limited to the
addition of new fenestration, to accommodate for future uses may be proposed. through
the submittal of a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to the historic preservation
ordinance Section 8.05.110.
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 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 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.
' The report characterizes the geometry of the building as "simple", however, there is a complexity and
sophistication juxtaposition in the blending of the orthogonal box -like quality of the west fagade with the
irregular, free -form floor plan and projecting eaves and angles of the east fagade. I
2 The -rugged landscape beds are character -defining features but the plantings in this area may be
modified in accordance with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance pursuant to a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
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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 hereby designates "The Security First
National Bank" located at 500 South Indian Canyon Drive, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic
Resource (Case HSPB #137).
ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF MAY 2023.
ATTEST:
X:�" 61�
Brenda Pree, City Clerk
L
All-
Sc tt C. Stiles, City Manager
Resolution No. 25112
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CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) I
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, BRENDA FREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 25112 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 May 25, 2023, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers deHarte, Holstege, Middleton, Mayor Pro Tern Bernstein and
Mayor Garner
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSED: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Springs, California, this ,011�— day of d (.,( Kj:E
A- 4=-:�
Brenda ree, MMC, CERA, City Clerk ,
City of Palm Springs, California