HomeMy WebLinkAbout25111RESOLUTION NO.25111
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING 'THE
TAHQUITZ RESORT GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE"
LOCATED AT 1885 LAWRENCE CROSSLEY ROAD, A
CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #149),
APN# 681-250-012.
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 Tahquitz Resort Golf Course Clubhouse located at 1885 Lawrence
Crossley Road; and
C. WHEREAS, in March, 2023, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board
(HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on April 4, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic
' Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #149 was held in accordance with
applicable law; and
E. WHEREAS, at the said hearing, the HSPB carefully review6&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 Tahquitz Resort Golf Course Clubhouse a
Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on May 25, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City
Council to consider Case HSPB #149 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
criteria:
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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 'V) are met.
a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below.
The use of simple yet exaggerated forms, unadorned building surfaces, and the
horizontality of the building on the site embodies Modernist principles. Alterations to the
site have been made in a way that does not diminish the overall design intent, and the
integrity of the building has been carefully maintained. City Council finds the clubhouse
structure has exceptional historic significance that qualifies for Class 1 (Landmark)
historic status.
(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 i.
(Criterion 2) The resource is associated with'the lives of. persons who
made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
As referenced in the report, prominent professional golfers like Arnold Palmer played at ,
this golf course but -do -not have a direct association with the clubhouse structure that rises
to a meaningful level of contribution to national, state or local history. City Council finds
the site does not qualify as a historic resource under this Criterion.
(Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of
national, state or local history; '
The promotion of tourism played a pivotal role in the economic development of Palm
Springs. The Municipal Golf Course was opened during a time when the City was
promoting itself as a world class golf destination. The design of the clubhouse exemplifies
Mid-century Modern and Late Modern design principles through the building's massing,
site configuration, exterior treatment of materials, and bold geometric expression. City
Council finds that criterion iii is met because the resource clearly reflects the local history
of tourism and is an exceptional and unique example of Modernist design principles that
were widely accepted during the post -World War II period in Palm Springs.
(Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction;
Unlike the
National Register criterion
concerning construction, the
Palm Springs
evaluation
of construction addresses
the type (of construction),
the -period (of
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construction) and the method (of construction). Standard framing methods and post and
beam construction was used for much of the building but the structural use of glu-lam to
create the expansive covered breezeway is distinctive for its time. The report identifies
glu-lam construction as a "technology driven -material" that allowed the long span and
subtle curve of the roofline over the covered breezeway possible. City Council finds the
use of this material during the post -World War II period distinctive and representative of
the period, thus meeting 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;
The clubhouse building was designed by master architect Hugh Kaptur when he was with
Ricciardi-Kaptur & Associates. Hugh Kaptur designed many significant projects in Palm
Springs and is an architect that continues to influence the field. His designs are celebrated
and cited as notable examples of "Desert Modernism" architecture. As reflected in the
report, the clubhouse was stated as one of his favorite projects because of the creative
freedom he was able to convey. City Council finds the resource qualifies under Criterion
v due to the high artistic value that is` associated with the design of the clubhouse and
Hugh Kaptur's direct association with the design of the resource during a highly
productive period in his career.
(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 or maybe 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 Interiors Standards: integrity of design,
materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association.
Beginning on page 33 of the Chattel 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:
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1. Location:
The resource remains in its original location of construction, therefore, retains its integrity
of location.
2. Design:
The single -story building has a "sweeping" roofline which extends on a north -south axis
giving it a strong horizontal presence on the site. The building mass in the center has a
roughly textured stucco finish applied to the exterior walls and the rectilinear forms that
extend on either ends of this massing are clad in a rock veneer. The building has
unadorned walls, deeply recessed windows laid out in an atypical pattern on the east
facade, and an inset foundation detail. Clerestory windows align directly below the
wooden• eave and extended beams that fallow the "sweeping" roofline and vertical
windows are arranged .in a regular pattern on the upper walls of the west elevation.
Additions have been constructed over time but areln areas that do not impact the overall
appearance of the original design because they are concentrated on non -primary
elevations and recessed back from the original building footprint. In addition, many of the
alterations appear reversible in nature, therefore, the design integrity of the structure
remains intact.
3. Setting:
The original setting of the golf course remains unchanged. The clubhouse structure
serves as the connection point between the parking lot and the golf course, as was
originally designed. The integrity of setting remains.
4. Materials:
The exterior walls include a roughly textured stucco finish and rock wall veneer which all
remain. The primary facade shows heavy timber beams extending beyond the walls and
the added wood entry feature is completely detached from the walls of the resource.
Although the original drawings indicate the loss of certain architectural details such as the
replacement of fenestration and the removal of the memorial fountain and a decorative
wood screen on the north elevation, much of the character -defining features remain in
place, thus the integrity of materials is intact.
5. Workmanship:
The unique shape and structure of the building requires a higher level of workmanship to
execute. The organic curve of the roofline is a simple shape yet complex to construct.
The cutout skylights in the breezeway are expansive, and the stucco application on the
walls and the rock veneers are precise and distinct. A high level of knowledge and skill
was required during construction and is clearly evident in the resource today. Staff finds
the integrity of workmanship is still intact.
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6. Feeling:
Despite the additions that have been made to the building, the feeling evoked by the
simple yet bold form of the structure and the use of materials remains unaltered. The
integrity of feeling remains.
7. Association:
The exterior changes and additions to accommodate growing functions for the golf course
have
been done in a way that is respectful to the original design by making sure the additions
are subordinate to the original design using the same architectural language of mass,
scale, low horizontality, and materials. Thus, integrity of association with the Mid-century
Modern and Late Modern ideals have been protected and retained.
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.
Page 15 of the Chattel report identifies the physical character -defining historic features of
this site as follows:
Character -defining features of the resource are as follows:
• "Sweeping" curved roofline
• "Sweeping" wooden eave that follows the roofline with exposed wood beams on the
east and west elevations
• Asymmetrical composition and one-story configuration
• Parabolic arch entrances for the exterior breezeway (east and west elevations)
• Exterior covered breezeway with elliptical skylights divided by glu-lam beams
• Battered exterior walls clad in textured stucco with inset foundation detailing
• Rock wall veneer
• Unadorned exterior wall surfaces
• Deeply inset windows in an atypical pattern on the primary fagade
• Clerestory windows under the "sweeping" wood eave of the east and west elevations
• Vertical slot windows on the south elevation
• Ground to roofline stretch of glazing (windows and doors) on the west elevation
Three -stepped design of the rafter beam tails on the east elevation
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Non-contributing elements:
• Main entry feature with canopies leading to the covered breezeway
• Building additions to the north and west side of the building that are currently used for
golf cart storage, offices, and the pro shop
• Patio area and wood trellis for outdoor restaurant seating on the west elevation
• Rooftop mechanical equipment and satellite dish
• Ceramic tiles applied to the building surface near the restrooms in the covered
breezeway
• Accessible sloped pathway adjacent to a low retaining wall along the east (front)
elevation
• Parking lot, surrounding landscape and golf course.'
The City Council supports the removal of the non-contributing timber and canvas entry
feature and the rehabilitation/restoration of the landscape design around the main entry.
This item will be further investigated by City Staff based on this direction.
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.
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.
I The surrounding site context is original to the design; however, these features were not identified as
significant character -defining features for this designation. The findings are based on the analysis of the
clubhouse structure.
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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 Tahquitz Resort Golf
Course Clubhouse" located at 1885 Lawrence Crossley Road, a Class 1 (Landmark)
Historic Resource (Case HSPB #149).
ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF MAY 2023.
Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
ATTEST:
Brenda Pree, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 25111 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 ?01N day of al& /� , .
Z�K�L
rends Pree, MIMIC, CERA, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California