HomeMy WebLinkAbout340 N Palm Canyon_Presentation_20250204340 North Palm Canyon Drive
Case # HDEMO 2024-0022Major Alteration of a Class 3 Site
February 4, 2025
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DEPARTMENT
Project Site & Context
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Proposed Review
•Major Alteration of a Class 3 site (Section 8.05.130)
• Property address: 340 North Palm Canyon Drive (APN #513-081-016)
•Zone District: Central Business District (CBD)
•General Plan: Central Business District (CBD)
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Site Conditions & Historic Context
A. Current conditions of street-facing
(West Elevation), 2025.
A.
B.
C.
D.
B. View from interior of the lot
looking west, 2025.
C. Historic photograph of El Morocco Hotel’s
Street-facing façade, 1946.
Source: Palm Springs Historical Society.
D. Historic postcard of El Morocco Hotel
Street-facing façade, 1947.
Source: Palm Springs Historical Society.
Municipal Code Section 8.05.070.C.1.a
Criteria for the Designation of Class 1 Historic Resources
The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of
the criteria listed below:
Criterion i: The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation,
state or community;
Criterion ii: The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to
national, state or local history;
Criterion iii: The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history;
Criterion iv: The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction;
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;
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
Criterion vii: The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or
local history or prehistory.
Criteria for Historic Designation
• Location
• Design
• Setting
• Materials
• Workmanship
• Feeling
• Association
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Municipal Code Section 8.05.070.C.1.b
Analysis of Integrity
View of South Elevation from the adjacent parking lot, 2025.
Municipal Code Section 8.05.070
Criteria for Possible re-designation of a Class 3 Building
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 (meet criteria for designation)
2. That the Class 3 or Class 4 building retains sufficient historical integrity relative to its
original configuration, architectural features, or character.
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Conclusion
Based on the presented evidence in the application, the property at 340 North Palm Canyon Drive does not meet the criteria for historic designation to be reclassified as a Class 1 or 2 historic site.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the HSPB take no action and allow the applicant to pursue next steps for building permits that include demolition.
Owners’ Position
The property owners are not seeking historic designation.
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