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RESOLUTION NO. 25159
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF.THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING • "THE KOERNER
RESIDENCE" LOCATED AT 1275 SOUTH CALLE DE MARIA, A
CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPl;I #150), APN# 508-403-003.
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES As FOLLOWS: ••
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A. WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation
of historic sites and districts; and
B. WHEREAS, David and Katherine Wright, Represented by the Palm Springs Preservation
Foundation, submitted an application seeking historic site designation of the Koerner Residence
located at 1275 South Calle de Maria; and
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C. WHEREAS, in August, 2023, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB)
and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on September 5, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic
Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #150 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 Koerner Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on November 9, 2023, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City
Council to consider Case HSPB #150 was held in accordance with applicable law; an_d
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 anc;l oral te_stimony. • • . . . '
THE CITY COUNCIL~~ TH_E Cl~ OF PALM SPRIN~S RESOLVES: __ .
SECTION 1: FINDINGS -PART "A", CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
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Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C, 1,a), the 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: . . . . • • • • .
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a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
The restored Koerner residence•is brought back to its period of significance and is an outstanding
example of Modern architecture from the mid-twentieth century that demonstrates exceptional
historic significance because of its association with master architect E. Stewart Williams and
landscape designer Garrett Eckbo and Francis H. Dean.
(Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful
contribution to the nation; state or community; •
No information was provided irdicating a_ny significant event was directly associated with this
site. The site does not qualify under Criterion i. •
(Criterion 2) The resource is associated with the Jives of persons who made a
meaningful contribution to na{ional, state or local history;
The report provides a robust history of the first ovvners, Leah and Thea Koerner, and lists their
important contributions to British Columbia. The Koerners are recognized as a "Person of
National historic Significance", bi.It the report does not expand on their contributions to local,
state or national history of the United States: Unlike the applicant, the City Council finds the site
does not qualify for Criterion ii.
(Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national,
state or local history;· • • • •
The home was constructed during the context of "Post-World War II Palm Springs." The rise in
wealthy tourists and seasonal residents during this time was a clear indicator of the growing
prosperity following the wars. Modernist ideals ar,d a newfound concern for landscape design
became important for designers. Although E. Stewart Williams was not formally trained in
Modernism, he was. highly influenced by Scandinavian Modern design and the principals of using
"organic forms" and "natural materials." The Koerner residence integrates natural materials with
Modernist ideas regarding light, fenestration ·and form. E. Steward Williams uses building details
and materials.to extend the interior space to the exte'rior. Additiona.lly, the site placement of the
home places an emphasis on .the landscape design. The restored earth mounds and the different
fountain features are a few of the qualities identified as significant to the landscape design. 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 construption;
Unlike the National Register criterion concerning construction, the Palm Springs
evaluation of construction addresses the type (of construction), the period (of
, construction) and the method (of construction). The post-and-beam construction was a
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conventional method of construction; however, the structural _use of "slumpstone", which I
was a relatively new building material at that time, was innovative. It was used in such a
way that the material transitioned from an interior wall to an exterior garden wall. The
surface texture of the "slumpstone" gave the appearance of a more natural material like
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adobe, yet it was lightweight and cost efficient. The City Council concurs with the
applicant's analysis and finds that Criterion iv is met. .
(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 site planning and the design of the home was by.master architect E. Stewart Williams and
the landscape design was by Garrett Eckbo and Francis H. Dean. Architect E. Stewart Williams,
one of the most influential architects from that time period, designed ·other notable buildings such
as the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Edris House. His work is based on the notion that the
site generates the form of the building and that all aspects of design must be compatible with
the surrounding landscape. Garrett Eckbo and Francis H. Dean created a lush landscape design
around the home utilizing large natural stone retaining walls, planters, fountains and earthen
mounds. Both the architect and the landscape architects were highly influential, and their work
at the Koerner Residence possesses high artistic value, thus the City Council finds Criterion. v is
met.
(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 I No information has been provided that the resource qualifies under Criterion vi.
(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 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 37 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: I The resource remains in its original location of construction, thus, retains integrity of location.
2. Design:
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The layout of the building on an 8x8 foot grid dictates the spatial layout of the home. The post-I
and-beam construction is clad with vertical board-and-batten wood siding that was sandblasted
to better reveal the natural wood grain and textures. This treated wood siding transitions
seamlessly from the inside of the home to the exterior. The "slumpstone" walls also extend from
the interior to the exterior. The home incorporates design queues found in ranch homes, such
as a low-slung roof and wood siding, giving it a modest appearance; however, the use of
expansive glass doors/windows, clerestory windows, and asymmetrical rooflines clearly
demonstrate Modernist design principals. The recent remodel removed all non-historic additions
made in 1973 and brought it back to the original 1955 floor plan.
• 3. Setting:
The setting of the property was maintained by preserving the landscape design surrounding the
home. Since the original construction of the home in 1955, the Deepwell subdivision has been
developed, however, the ·setting immediately surround the property has been maintained and
virtually unchanged. The integrity of setting remains intact.
4. Materials:
The restoration included replacement of original materials that were deteriorated and/or altered.
This work was done using historic documentation and existing original material. The existing
vertical wood siding was sandblasted and painted as part of the restoration, and areas with
missing or damaged siding was matched to the original material. The "slumpstone" walls were 1.
re-painted and the fenestration remains a single pane glass.
5. Workmanship:
The construction of the building appears to use conventional construction methods but the
attention to detail, particularly the seamless transition of materials from the interior to the exterior,
demonstrates high-quality workmanship. The City Council finds the integrity of workmanship is
clearly visible.
6. Feeling:.
The 'property remains a -single-family home designed with Modernist design principals that
remain the focal point. The site placement of the home remains unchanged in a landscape
design that includes two gardens and a recreational area. The overall expression, design
aesthetic and setting are maintained allowing the feeling of the site to remain intact.
7. Association:
The property is associated with the renowned architect E. Stewart Williams and landscape
architects Garrett Eckbo and Francis Dean. Both groups are highly respected designers that
have contributed in a meaningful way to their respective professions. Their notable design 1 ·
traits/features associate the designers to the site.
SECTION 3: DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS
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In considering a recommendation for historic resource designation it is important to distinguish
those physical elements that are original or from the perioc:! 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
City Council when it is tasked with evaluating future alterations to the historic resource.
Page 34 of the report identifies the physical character-defining historic features of this site. The
following is a list of character-defining features identified by the City Council:
Character-defining features of the resource are as follows:
• Overall site design
• Low slung contemporary ranch-style home designed on a modular eight-foot grid
• Open carport design with deep overhangs
• Indoor/outdoor atrium space adjacent to primary bedroom
• Thin steel-framed sliding glass doors, windows, and casement doors
• Large expanses of glazing and clerestory windows
• Sandblasted board-and-batten vertical wood details
• Formica-covered front door
• Original "slumpstone" block walls that extend beyond the interior of the home becoming
the exterior walls
• Open beam terrace on the rear of the house
• Swimming pool
• Flagstone paving and white concrete exposed aggregate paving around the slatted bench
feature under the trellis
• Trellis and sl~tted curved bench and planter box
• Landscape/outdoor .d~sfgnJeatures that include the following details:
o. Sculpted earth mounds in rear garden
o Native stone retaining walls in rear garden
o Planting beds on three sides of the house
o Shallow steel tank ends used for planters and fountains
Non-contributing elements:
• Photovoltaic Panels on the roof
• Mechanical and pool equipment
• Hedge blocking the front elevation
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.
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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.
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 Koerner Residence" located
at 1275 South Calle de Maria , a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #150).
ADOPTED THIS 9TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023 .
Sc6tt C. Stiles, City Manager
ATTEST:
Brend~73re;tfitycierk
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Resolution No. 25159 ,
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE )
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
CERTIFICATION
ss.
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk _of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution
No. 25159 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly ad(?pted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Palm Springs on November 9, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
RECUSED:
CC>uncilmembers deHarte, Holstege, Middleton; Mayor Pro Tern Bernstein; and Mayor
Garner
None
None
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official ,seal of the City
of Palm Springs, California, this ?o'"11{ day of November 2023. .
Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California