HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM #4B - 2774 N Via Miraleste_HDEMO 2024-0008_DEMO
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 4, 2024 NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: A REQUEST BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR APPROVAL TO
DEMOLISH A CLASS 4 SITE LOCATED AT 2774 NORTH VIA
MIRALESTE (VICTORIA PARK) AND ASSOCIATED REVIEW FOR
POTENTIAL RE-DESIGNATION OF A CLASS 4 SITE TO A CLASS 1 OR
2 HISTORIC RESOURCE (APN 501-590-009) HDEMO 2024-0008 (SY).
FROM: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY
The City of Palm Springs requests approval to demolish the existing bathroom structure
at Victoria Park. The structure was built in 1975 and considered a Class 4 site by virtue
of its construction date.
Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.130 (Demolition or Alteration to Class 3 and 4
sites), the HSPB will consider whether the site possesses sufficient historic significance
to warrant possible re-designation to Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource and in doing so
may issue a stay on demolition or alteration on the buildings.
The City is not seeking historic designation of the site or existing bathroom structure.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the HSPB take no action and allow the processing of a demolition permit.
BACKGROUND AND SETTING:
The existing bathroom structure in Victoria Park is located at 2774 N. Via Miraleste. The
dedication and construction of Victoria Park, originally known as Vista Del Monte Park,
occurred in 1964.1 This City-owned park is mostly open green space with a new
playground that is currently under construction. The bathroom structure, completed in
1975, services the entire park and is currently not up to accessibility standards. The
original building permit describes the structure as a metal public restroom building that is
12’ x 24’ with an approximate area of 288 sq. ft. of floor area.
1 Desert Sun, Volume 42, Number 96, 23 November 1968.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: June 4, 2024
HDEMO 2024-0008 – Demolition of a Class 4 Site – 2774 N. Via Miraleste
Page 2 of 6
AERIAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT PARCEL.
STREET VIEW OF THE EXISTING BATHROOM STRUCTURE, MAY 2024.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: June 4, 2024
HDEMO 2024-0008 – Demolition of a Class 4 Site – 2774 N. Via Miraleste
Page 3 of 6
Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc…
May 2024 Site inspection by HSPB accompanied by City Staff.
ANALYSIS:
Staff analysis is based on the application material and the site visit conducted on May 24,
2024. The public restroom structure has a thin metal roof and masonry walls with two
separate entrances that face west. The structure is easily seen from N. Via Miraleste. The
exterior of the structure is in fair condition; however, the width and clearances do not
appear adequate for accessibility needs. In addition, the City’s Facilities Department
identified safety concerns that need to be addressed.
Requests for demolition of Class 4 sites are processed according to Municipal Code
Section 8.05.130.
Criteria and Findings for Possible Re-designation of a Class 4 Building.
If the HSPB finds that the site warrants possible re-designation, it may direct and
authorize the processing of an application to re-designate the site as a Class 1 or Class
2 historic resource, which will then be considered by the HSPB and the City Council as
provided in Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code. Any demolition/alteration permit shall be
automatically stayed for a period of up to one-hundred twenty (120) days pending a re-
designation decision. In making its review, the HSPB must make the following findings:
1. That the Class 3 or Class 4 building possesses exceptional historic,
architectural, archaeological, cultural or aesthetic significance to
warrant redesignation as a Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource in
accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 8.05.070 above; and
2. That the Class 3 or Class 4 building retains sufficient historical
integrity relative to its original configuration, architectural features, or
character.
If the HSPB cannot affirmatively make these findings, then it shall take no action and refer
the permit to the Director of Planning who shall thereafter approve the application for
submittal to the Building Department for appropriate building permits.
Staff analyzed the site relative to the criteria in 8.05.070 as follows:
a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
This modest bathroom structure has served the community since 1975 with no major
upgrades since its completion. Based on the application and permit information, the
bathroom structure itself is not associated with any historically significant events, persons
or architectural style that would merit its reclassification as a historic site. Further
evaluation is listed below:
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: June 4, 2024
HDEMO 2024-0008 – Demolition of a Class 4 Site – 2774 N. Via Miraleste
Page 4 of 6
(i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful
contribution to the nation, state or community; or
No information was provided indicating a significant event with meaningful contribution to
the nation, state, or community occurred at this site.
(ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a
meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; or
Based on the application material and the permit information, the structure is not
associated with the lives of persons who have made a meaningful contribution at the
national or local level. This criterion is not met.
(iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national,
state or local history; or
The period beyond 1969 is not covered by the Citywide Historic Context Statement but
as a class 4 site constructed prior to 1978, the design of the building does not exemplify
that period or have any distinctive design features. Criterion iii is not met.
(iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period or method of construction; or
According to the public notice and minute order from 1975, the bathroom structure is
described as a modular metal building with an added veneer. The structure does not
display any distinctive construction methods or characteristics, therefore, does not qualify
under Criterion iv.
(v) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist,
or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age, or that
possesses high artistic value; or
The permit records and the minute order indicates the bathroom structure was not the
work or a master builder or designer but rather a modular form of construction, thus does
not qualify under this 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 property does not qualify under Criterion vi.
(vii) The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information
important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: June 4, 2024
HDEMO 2024-0008 – Demolition of a Class 4 Site – 2774 N. Via Miraleste
Page 5 of 6
There is no known information relative to the pre-historic period for this property.
Evaluation of Historic Integrity.
Historic Integrity is evaluated based on seven qualities: location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling and association in accordance with guidelines of the
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service’s National Register
Bulletin titled: “How to apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation” as revised from
time to time.
Staff evaluated the property’s integrity as follows:
Location.
The bathroom structure appears to be in its original location, thus retains its integrity of
location.
Design.
The site placement and design of the bathroom structure remains the same with no
evidence of any major changes to the original design outside of general maintenance.
The integrity of the original design remains intact.
Setting.
The setting of the park as an open green space remains consistent with the original design
of the park. The integrity of setting is preserved and intact.
Materials.
The metal structure has masonry walls and a metal roof. Openings between the roof and
the walls are covered with a metal mesh to allow for ventilation and security, and the
exterior surfaces have all been painted. The original elevations were not found but the
existing materials look consistent with its period of construction.
Workmanship.
The workmanship of the modular structure does not demonstrate any period specific
techniques or stands out as noteworthy.
Feeling.
Based on the original dimensions, site placement, and use of the structure, there are no
changes to the overall feeling from when it was completed in 1975.
Association.
The bathroom facility is a utilitarian structure that was carefully budgeted to meet the
needs of the community. Records do not indicate a designer, style or significant persons
associated to the building itself; therefore, the integrity of association is not applicable.
Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: June 4, 2024
HDEMO 2024-0008 – Demolition of a Class 4 Site – 2774 N. Via Miraleste
Page 6 of 6
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Although the proposed demolition is considered a project pursuant to the guidelines of
the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), the possible action of the HSPB to
initiate a re-designation application and to place a stay of demolition/alteration on the
property is not subject to review under 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 Section 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
CONCLUSION:
The existing bathroom structure at Victoria Park does not appear noteworthy from a
historic perspective and does not meet the criteria demonstrating exceptional significance
to be eligible as a Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource. Staff recommends that the HSPB
take no action and direct staff to administratively process the permit to demolish the
existing structure.
PREPARED BY: Sarah Yoon, Associate Planner/Historic Preservation Officer
REVIEWED BY: David Newell, Assistant Director of Planning Services
Attachments:
A. Vicinity Map
B. Application and related material
ATTACHMENT A
Department of Planning Services
Vicinity Map
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Victoria Park – 2744 N. Via Miraleste
APN# 501-590-009
ATTACHMENT B
Aerial View of the Bathroom Structure at Victoria Park, 2024.
EXISTING WEST ELEVATION, 2024
EXISTING NORTHEAST CORNER, 2024
EXISTING SOUTHEAST CORNER, 2024
ROOF AND METAL MESH DETAIL, 2024
EXISTING ENTRANCE - WOMEN, 2024 EXISTING ENTRANCE – MEN, 2024
Desert Sun, Volume 42, Number 96, 23 November 1968
Desert Sun, 20 May 1975
Desert Sun, 7 October 1975