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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-03 - HSPB 159_RESO - Burnham-WellsRESOLUTION NO. HSPB #159 A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATE THE BURNHAM-WELLS RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1850 SMOKE TREE LANE, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, (HSPB #159), APN #510-172-001. 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 Burnham -Wells Residence" located at 1850 Smoke Tree Lane. The application included a historic resources report ("the report"). C. WHEREAS, on August 22 and August 29, 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 September 3, 2024, Historic Site Preservation Board ("HSPB") accordance with applicable law; and a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs to consider Case HSPB #159 was held in E. 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: 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 "Y) are met. Resolution No HSPB #159 — The Burnham -Wells Residence Page 2 of 6 September 3, 2024 a. The site, structure, building, or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below: The Burnham -Wells Residence is an example of a rustic ranch home in a development that started out as a "dude ranch" resort. This style of architecture and living started to gain popularity in the 1930s based on a renewed interest of the old west and outdoor living. The home retains a low-pitched roof, wood shake shingles, board -and -batten siding and L-shaped plan. 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, Based on the historic resources report, there are no events of significance 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 first owner, Ralph French Burnham, owned the property from 1936 to 1944 and Gertrude Alice Wells was the second and fifth owner of the home. According to the research provided in the report, none of the people associated with the home are individuals whose activities/achievements rise to the level of significance within the local, state of national context, therefore, Criterion ii is not met. (Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history; A home on a working ranch would typically be a one-story structure constructed with cost efficient materials using simple methods of construction. In Southern California, ranch style homes are closely related to the southwestern adobe, hacienda, or wood vernacular styles. The "rustic style" ranch home is one that harkens back to simplicity and harmony with the natural outdoor setting. Smoke Tree Ranch was a "dude ranch" that catered to this trend and the residential design standards were based on this rustic aesthetic. The Burnham -Wells residence embodies many of these characteristics. It is a one-story home with a L-shaped plan that has a low-pitched roof that is a combination of gable and lean-to roofs forms. The exterior materials consist of wood shake shingles and board -and -batten siding. Covered porches are found on the front and rear elevations of the home. This home not only exemplifies the renewed interest in the rustic ranch -style, but it also reflects the tourism trends of that period and the development of "dude ranches". The Burnham -Wells home qualifies under Criterion iii. (Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; Resolution No. HSPB #159 — The Burnham -Wells Residence Page 3 of 6 September 3, 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. While the applicant develops finds that Criterion 4 is met through the use of board -and -batten construction, this was not considered a technique, method, or material that was unique or distinctive to that period, thus does not qualify for this criterion. (Criterion v) The resource presents the work of master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that possesses high artistic value; According to the research presented in this application, the Burnham -Wells Residence was designed by master architect John Porter Clark. Considered one of the founders of "Desert Modern" architecture, Clark is recognized locally and internationally for his projects and contributions to the field. In Palm Springs some of his most celebrated projects include the Palm Springs Woman's Club and the Welwood Murray Library. During his successful career as an architect, he also collaborated with other significant practitioners like Albert Frey and Robson Chambers on a variety of projects. The design of the Burnham -Wells residence adheres to the aesthetic requirements of Smoke Tree Ranch that includes attention to scale, materials, and site planning. The architectural detailing is consistent throughout the home and the home that is sited harmoniously in the natural desert landscape. Research shows that Albert Frey also worked on changes to the home dating to the early 1990s; however, unlike the Blankenhorn/Gilmore Residence where he was in charge of a consistent evolution of the home over a prolonged period of time, Frey was hired to add a small porch along the north side of the home and propose maintenance related upgrades. The alterations were done in character with the existing home and does not impair the integrity of the original design, but the alterations are not recognized as historic. The Burnham -Wells Residence is an intact example of a rustic style ranch home thoughtfully executed by John Porter Clark, an architect of significance, early in his prolific career. 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. Resolution No. HSPB #159 — The Burnham -Wells Residence Page 4 of 6 September 3, 2024 SECTION 2: PART "B" ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC INTEGRITY. Analysis of Integrity. (PSMC 8.05.070 (C, 9,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 Burnham -Wells Residence 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. Design. The home has an L-shaped floor plan that is asymmetrical but the forms and overall features of the home like the roofline and the locations of the entry and the porches appear consistent with the original design. The rustic simplicity and harmony with the surroundings were key design features, as well as the indoor -outdoor living which remain intact. The bedroom addition from 2016 is consistent with the architectural language of the existing home but the massing of the addition extends vertically behind the shed -roof massing of the original home. The exterior materials and the fenestration patterns match the original design but during one of the remodels, the direction of the siding panels was altered, and the louver style shutters were replaced with board -style shutter design. The addition of a swimming pool and hardscape around the pool is towards the rear of the home. The changes made to the home do not compromise or overshadow the design elements by Clark; therefore, the overall integrity of the design remains intact. Setting. The setting within the Smoke Tree Ranch development maintains the natural desert setting and development density. The home remains harmoniously placed on the site and the indoor -outdoor relationship remains a prominent feature, thus integrity remains intact. Materials. The home has wooden shake shingles and board -and -batten siding. Windows and doors appear to match the original appearance but have been replaced with modern materials that match in kind. The exterior materials are in conformance with the rustic characteristics of the home. The integrity of materials remains intact. Workmanship. Conventional construction methods were used to build this home, and it appears that the board -and -batten siding was replaced along with the fenestration. Due to recent alterations, the integrity of the original workmanship may be limited. Feeling. The existing home is preserved in the rural desert setting and reflects the original design intent of the ranch home. While hardscaping around the new swimming pool was added, Resolution No. HSPB #159 —The Burnham -Wells Residence Page 5 of 6 September 3, 2024 it is restricted to an area with little visibility. The integrity of feeling is met. Association. The rustic, ranch -style home captures the image of the original dude ranch established in the 1930s. The rustic atmosphere and the original design concepts for the home by John Porter Clark are clearly maintained and recognizable. 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. Character -defining features of the resource are as follows: • Site placement in the desert landscape. • One-story rustic, ranch -style home. • Simple low pitched hipped, gable and shed roof with open overhanging eaves and wood shake shingles. • Sprawling L-shaped plan. • Covered and open rear porch on the south elevation with three prong wooden posts. • Board -and -batten siding and louver -style wooden shutters. • Divided sash windows. • Original hitching post. • Original light post. Non-contributing elements: • Bedroom addition on the west elevation (2016). • Porch extension on the north (front) elevation (1993). • Wide sliding door and fixed picture window on the south elevation. • Main entrance door with side lites. • Modern exterior light fixtures. • Perimeter wall and equipment enclosure wall. • Swimming pool and spa. • Hardscaped walkways, patios and driveway. 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) Resolution No. HSPB #159 —The Burnham -Wells Residence Page 6 of 6 September 3, 2024 (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: 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 Burnham -Wells Residence located at 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, a Class 1 Historic Resource (HSPB #159). ADOPTED THIS THIRD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. AYES: Nelson, Hansen, Bachman, Herr, Moruzzi. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rosenow, Maschka Hitchcock. ABSTAIN: None. ATTEST: ristopher Hadwin Director of Planning Services CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA