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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25242RESOLUTION NO. 25242 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE GAS COMPANY BUILDING LOCATED AT 211 NORTH SUNRISE WAY, AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #158, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 508-070-016). 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 initiated an application, Case HSPB #158, seeking historic site designation of the Gas Company Building located at 211 N. Sunrise Way; and C. WHEREAS, on March 1, 2024, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and 'D. WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #158 was held in accordance with applicable law; and E. WHEREAS, at 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 Gas Company Building a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and F. 'WHEREAS, on July 25, 2024, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #158 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 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 Resolution No. 25242 Page 2 of 7 July 25, 2024 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 property at 211 N. Sunrise Way is a significant and rare example of Brutalist architecture as a civic building in the period following World War II in Palm Springs. The building was recognized by the design community for its significance following its completion and has maintained its design and material integrity over the years. As one of Robert H. Ricciardi's important works, the historic significance of the Gas Company Building is apparent. The building was constructed in 1969. The following is a detailed analysis of the criteria and integrity findings. (Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state, or community; While the opening of this facility is an important indicator of the city's transformation, no singular event of significance was directly associated with this site. The site does not qualify under Criterion i. (Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a I meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; The Gas Company Building was a quasi -public building that provided services to the community. The report did not uncover an individual of significance being associated to the site; therefore, Criterion ii is not met. (Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history; The construction of the Southern California Gas Company Building signaled the demand for public services and the empirical evidence that the city was experiencing growth during this time. The building features bold forms, sculptural articulation, exposed cast -in -place concrete cladding, and the integration of raised plazas. Based on these characteristics, the building at 211 N. Sunrise Way is considered a Brutalist building. Although this style of architecture is somewhat of an anomaly in Palm Springs since most of the new construction was considered Mid-century Modern, the rise of Brutalist design, especially for civic and institutional buildings, was on the rise in other cities. This means this structure is a reflection of the period at a national and state level and a rare example of this type of architecture at the local level. The property qualifies under Criterion iii. (Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, I period, or method of construction; Resolution No. 25242 Page 3 of 7 July 25, 2024 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). It appears that the building was constructed using standard construction methods and materials and does not qualify for this criterion. (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, Robert H. Ricciardi, is a notable figure that was active locally and recognized on the list of significant practitioners. His contributions expand beyond the city limits of Palm Springs and the report outlines his work in more detail. Ricciardi moved to Palm Springs in 1959 and worked and trained with the local masters like William Cody and Donald Wexler. He later goes on and partners with architect Hugh Kaptur during the 1960s. His portfolio of work includes many civic and commercial buildings, and the report notes that Ricciardi received an AIA award for the design of the Gas Company Building. Ricciardi's 50+ years in the field has influenced the field and his peers, and the Gas Company Building possesses high artistic value, thus Criterion v is met. ' (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 resource is not within a historic district and does not qualify 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 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. The report provides 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: Resolution No. 25242 Page 4 of 7 July 25, 2024 The resource remains in its original location of construction, therefore, retains its integrity of location. 2. Design: The building has a simple layout of geometric volumes and articulated forms create a unique spatial experience. The vertical concrete elements on the fagade contribute to the vibrancy of the design and the scale, while modest, maintains a presence. There is no frivolous ornamentation applied to the surfaces of the exterior walls and the voids between the volumes are used to insert openings for light and air. While the building has been altered in certain locations like the south fagade to incorporate accessibility upgrades, the overall mass, scale, and materials are uniform and intact. The integrity of the original design has been preserved. 3. Setting: The building remains in its original location at the corner of Sunrise and Andreas but the report aptly points out the changes in development pattern surrounding the area since the 1960s. The infill projects now include a number of residential projects based on the underlying zoning and allowable uses. The continued changes surrounding the site have resulted in the loss of integrity I of setting. 4. Materials: The steel frame building and the cast -in -place concrete exterior with vertical grooves created by the formwork reveal an elegant design that is consistently viewed on the exterior. Windows and openings are minimal and elongated to match the vocabulary of the architectural style. Currently, the broken windows have been boarded up, but the openings remain intact. The integrity of materials is met. 5. Workmanship: While conventional construction methods may have been used to build, the cast -in -place concrete walls use of formwork to create the individual vertical grooves exhibit a specialized level of workmanship and attention to detail. The property as it stands exhibits craft and high - quality workmanship. The integrity of workmanship is met. 6. Feeling: The bold yet small-scale Brutalist structure holds its allure at the corner of Andreas Road and Sunrise Way. The physical features of the building remain virtually unchanged and clearly I demonstrate the feeling associated with civic architecture and how it was expressed during that period. The integrity of feeling is intact. Resolution No. 25242 Page 5 of 7 July 25, 2024 7. Association: The property is associated with the architect Robert H. Ricciardi and this building is considered one of his more significant and well -received projects. The high level of design and material integrity affirms the building's strong association to the architect's vision and the period in which it was constructed. The integrity of association is met. 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. The following is a" list of character -defining features identified by the City Council: Character -defining features of the resource are as follows: ' • Location at northwest corner of N. Sunrise Way and E. Andreas Road • Orientation of primary fagade east toward N. Sunrise Way • Low (one-story) scale • Irregular plan with courtyard space at the west fagade • Blocky geometric massing, with asymmetrical primary fagade • Flat roof with flat parapet • Cast -in -place concrete walls with textured broken edge detail along the vertical grooves • Primary entry fronted by wide, open concrete patio with broad concrete entry steps • Recessed primary entry with floor to ceiling glazed entry assembly with fully glazed metal double doors • Cantilevered steel entry canopy with wood slat underside and open steel frame extension to south • Recessed and narrow floor -to -ceiling metal windows with solar -tinted glazing • Integrated concrete planters along the east and south facades • Integrated concrete box sign base at east fagade • Five free-standing original light fixtures located atone of the east fagade planters Non-contributing elements: • Walkway and accessible curb ramp at the west fagade and accessibility ramp and railings on the south fagade ' • Fall protection hand railings along the roof • Mechanical equipment penthouse with corrugated metal screening on the roof SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Resolution No. 25242 Page 6 of 7 July 25, 2024 0 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. 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 Gas Company Building located at 211 North Sunrise Way, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #158). ADOPTED THIS TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF JULY, 2024. Scott C. Stiles, City Manager ATTEST: vzl� I Brenda Pree, City Clerk Resolution No. 25242 Page 7 of 7 July 25, 2024 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.25242 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 July 25, 2024 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Garner, Holstege, Middleton, Mayor Pro Tern deHarte, and Mayor Bernstein 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 54�1 day of 2024. Brenda Pree, MC, CERA, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California