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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-02 - HSPB 158_Reso - Gas Company BuildingRESOLUTION NO. HSPB #158 A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE GAS COMPANY BUILDING LOCATED AT 211 NORTH SUNRISE WAY, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #158), APN #508-070-016. THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD ("HSPB") 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 filed an application pursuant to Article III, Section 8.05.070 (Procedure and Criteria for Designation of Historic Resources) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code requesting historic resources designation for "The Gas Company Building" located at 211 N. Sunrise Way. The application included a historic resources report ("the report"). C. WHEREAS, on March 1, 2024, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource, accompanied by City staff; and D. WHEREAS, on March 5, 2024, the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) reviewed an application proposing alterations to a Class 3 Site. At the meeting the HSPB voted unanimously to impose a 120-day stay of alteration, and direct staff to initiate an application for possible historic resource designation of the site; and E. WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB") to consider Case HSPB #158 was held in accordance with applicable law; and F. WHEREAS, The HSPB carefully reviewed and considered all of 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 presented. THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES: SECTION 1: FINDINGS — PART 1" CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES. Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8,05.070 (C,1,a), the HSPB shall evaluate the application and make findings in conformance with the following criteria: Resolution No. HSPB #158 — The Gas Company Building Page 2 of 6 July 2, 2024 1. 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 I) 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 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; 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 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, period or method of construction; Resolution No. RSPB #158 — The Gas Company Building Page 3 of 6 July 2, 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 is available 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 Gas Company Building is evaluated based on the following topics of integrity based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards: Location. The location of the structure is in its original place of construction; therefore, the integrity of location is met. Resolution No. HSPB #158 — The Gas Company Building Page 4 of 6 July 2, 2024 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 overall integrity of the original design has been preserved. 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 of setting. 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. 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 exhibits a specialized level of workmanship and attention to detail. The property as it stands exhibits craft and high -quality workmanship. Staff finds the integrity of workmanship is met. 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 demonstrate the feeling associated with civic architecture and how it was expressed during that period. The integrity of feeling is intact. 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 Resolution No. HSPB #158 -- The Gas Company Building Page 5 of 6 July 2, 2024 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. Character -defining_ features of the resource are as follows: • Location at northwest corner of N. Sunrise Way and E. Andreas Road • Orientation of primary facade east toward N. Sunrise Way • Low (one-story) scale • Irregular plan with courtyard space at the west facade • Blocky geometric massing, with asymmetrical primary facade • 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 facade • Five free-standing original light fixtures located at one of the east facade planters Non-contributin elements: • Walkway and accessible curb ramp at the west facade and accessibility ramp and railings on the south facade • Fall protection hand railings along the roof • Mechanical equipment penthouse with corrugated metal screening on the roof 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. SECTION 5: CONDITIONS THAT APPLY TO CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITES. According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, the following shall apply to a Class 1 Historic Resource: Resolution No. HSPB #158 — The Gas Company Building Page 6 of 6 July 2, 2024 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 Historic Site Preservation Board recommends that the City Council designate The Gas Company Building located at 211 North Sunrise Way, a Class 1 Historic Resource (HSPB #158). ADOPTED THIS SECOND DAY OF JULY 2024. AYES: Nelson, Rosenow, Hansen, Bachman, Moruzzi, Maschka Hitchcock. NOES: None, ABSENT: Herr. ABSTAIN: None. ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Christopher Hadwin Director of Planning Services