HomeMy WebLinkAbout25253' RESOLUTION NO. 25253
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE RATNER
RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 1633 VIA ROBERTO MIGUEL, AS A
CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #161,
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 677-233-003).
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 #161, seeking
historic site designation of The Ratner Residence located at 1633 Via Roberto Miguel; and
C. WHEREAS, on September 19, 23, 24 and 30, 2024, members of the Historic Site
Preservation Board (RSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic
resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on October 1, 2024, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic
Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #161 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 Ratner Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on October 24, 2024, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City
Council to consider Case HSPB #161 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
may be designated as a Class 1 historic resource, provided both of the following findings ("a"
and "b') are met.
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October 24, 2024
a. The site, structure, building, or object exhibits exceptional historic I
significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
1633 Via Roberto Miguel is a single-family home constructed in the Mid-century Modern
architectural style with much of the exterior features intact. While interiors of privately owned
properties are not subject to historic review, much of the original floor plan, including the kitchen
area, remains. The following is a detailed analysis of the criterion and integrity findings.
(Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful
contribution to the nation, state, or community,
No meaningful event is associated with this site, thus does not qualify under Criterion i.
(Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a
meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
The first residents, Benjamin and Lee Ratner, owned the home for two years before they sold to
Ronald and Jessie Knox. Based on the research in the Historic Resources Report (HRR), the
Knox family provided valuable photographic documentation of the home showing its original
conditions; however, none of the past owners qualify for this criterion.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, '
state, or local history;
Palm Spring in the Post -World War II was a period of substantial growth in population,
and a time of prosperity and design experimentation. Developers turned to large
residential tract development and often collaborated with designers and architects to give
the homes a design identity and seamlessly integrate and promote new amenities. This
home specifically embodies the concept of design experimentation by embracing the Mid-
century. Modern style of architecture to promote the desert lifestyle of that period. The
'Barbara Tract' also reflects the planning and development patterns for mass-produced
residential development for this period. Criterion iii is met.
(Criterion iv) 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
construction) and the method (of construction). According to the report, the concrete
masonry unit (C.M.U) was invented in the 1900s but in 1950s, "Shadowal" and "Hi-Lite"
was introduced and trademarked as a decorative building material. The revised design of
this building material allowed designers to create a variety of distinctive patterns within a
reasonable budget. This home retains the decorative block wall on the front fagade and
the use of this building material gives the home a sculptural accent. Based on the use of '
this distinctive material for construction, City Council finds Criterion iv is met under this
analysis.
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October 24, 2024
(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;
Both Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison are well -respected, notable architects that
continue to influence the field of design and architecture through their work at the local
and international level. The Wexler & Harrison partnership lasted from 1953-1962 and the
practice designed many custom homes and.residential tracts in Palm Springs. When
designing the El Rancho Vista Estates, their first single-family subdivision project, it was
an example of how to design a mass-produced residential development while providing
a unique sense of style for each home. This specific residence is an example of that
streamlined design process in a residential subdivision. Wexler later experiments with
materials like steel for residential projects and gradually shifts to larger civic and
commercial projects while Harrison becomes more involved in housing development
projects. Developers like Roy Fey and the Alexanders challenged the industry and
designers to think at this suburban scale that eventually permeated throughout Palm
Springs. City Council finds the home reflects the genius of the two architects and the
developer and meets Criterion v for historic significance.
(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 IntegritD. (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:
The home is in its original location on the lot and the building footprint remains intact; therefore,
the integrity of location is met.
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October 24, 2024
2. Design:
The "mass-produced" approach to housing resulted in a unique design approach where the
architects designed three floor plans and varied the appearance for each home by selecting
different rooflines, decorative block wall designs, and site orientation. The Ratner Residence is
a modest single-family home utilizing the 'Bermuda" floor plan with a gabled roofline. All
mechanical equipment and ductwork are internalized, allowing for the roof to remain clutter
free. The site placement of the home created a generous front lawn which was later reduced
with the addition of the swimming pool. The roof is a low-pitched gable with an extruded eave
and downturned flaps on either end along the primary front facade. The clerestory windows
and floor to ceiling fenestration bring light and air into the living space, and the decorative
block wall consists of alternating reliefs on each masonry unit creating a simple pattern on the
primary fagade of the home. The fenestration openings appear original, and the sliding doors
and windows on the front fagade appear original. The integrity of design is intact with minor
alterations.
3. Setting:
This residential tract was completed in phases and the names and layout of the streets are still
extant. The overall neighborhood is still bounded by Vista Chino to the north and undeveloped
Tribal land to the west. The setting around the home demonstrates the same conditions as when I
it was first built. City Council finds the integrity of setting remains.
4. Materials:
The building consists of wood -frame construction, stucco walls, floor to ceiling glazing and
decorative CMU walls. The exterior is painted white with a dark trim color and the clerestory
windows and sliding doors on the front fagade appear original. The wooden facia and extruded
rafter beams on the exterior have been repaired and maintained. The non -original decorative
glazed block columns added under the extruded eave is reversible. While some fenestration at
the rear of the residence has been replaced, City Council finds a majority of the existing materials
are intact and in good condition.
5. Workmanship:
The homes within this development were constructed using conventional methods and materials
with special attention to the decorative masonry walls. Each home is a combination of different
plans and roof forms. Where some homes have underdone significant exterior changes, the
Ratner Residence retains the original floor plan and exterior details with signs of repairs and
minor alterations that are sensitive to the original design. City Council finds the integrity of
workmanship is intact.
6. Feeling: I
The feelings associated with a residential neighborhood and the aesthetic of the Mid-century
Modern style remains unchanged. By retaining the materials, design, and setting from its period
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October 24, 2024
of significance, the building and the site retains its integrity of feeling.
7. Association:
The (property is associated with architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison and developer
Roy Fey. The original neighborhood pattern and location of the tract, down to the street names
have not changed. 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:
Site design of the property.
' Location within the "Barbara Tract".
"Bermuda" floor plan with a gabled roofline.
• Floor -to -ceiling fixed pane and aluminum -framed sliding glass doors with original
hardware.
• Clerestory windows.
• Decorative "Shadowal" concrete block wall and stucco -finished walls.
• Low-pitched gabled roof with turn -down flaps over the primary entrance of the home, with
another volume with a gently sloping roofline to meet the gabled roof.
• Open carport with adjacent storage closet and laundry room.
• Enclosed, open-air patio between the carport and residence.
Non-contributing elements:
Non -original vinyl -framed windows `at the rear of the structure.
•' Swimming pool and pool decking in the front yard of the home.
• Concrete block walls enclosing the front -loaded pool.
Hanging light fixture near the front entrance.
• Decorative glazed clay block column with biomorphic cutouts.
Glass -block bump out on the west elevation of the home.
• Walls installed between the columns supporting the carport.
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
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October 24, 2024
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:
It shall meet the definition of a Class 1 historic site as outlined in Municipal Code Section
8.05.020.
An archival file on the property shall be maintained by the City.
It may be qualified as `historic' at the federal, state, and/or county level.
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".
A marker explaining the historic nature of the site may be installed at the site in a location
viewable from the public way.
Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Sites and Historic Districts under
Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code shall be required.
The site shall not be further subdivided.
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 Ratner Residence located at
1633 Via Roberto Miguel, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #161).
ADOPTED THIS 24TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2024.
Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
ATTEST:
I / �4 -��
Bre da Pree, dity Clerk
H
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Resolution No. 25253
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October 24, 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. 25253 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 October 24, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
Councilmembers Gamer, Middleton, and Mayor Pro Tern deHarte
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Mayor Bernstein
ABSTAIN:
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereun_ tg set m`hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm
Springs, California, this ,� day of �tp 2024.
A L��
Brenda P ee, MMC, CERA, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs