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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25287RESOLUTION NO.25287 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE DR. HARRY AND BETTY GARBER RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 2455 SOUTHRIDGE DRIVE, AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #162, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 510-260-024). THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of historic sites and districts, and WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs initiated an application, Case HSPB #162, seeking historic site designation of The Dr. Harry and Betty Garber Residence located at 2455 Southridge Drive; and WHEREAS, on January 22 and 23, 2025, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and WHEREAS, on February 4, 2025, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #162 was held in accordance with applicable law; and 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 Dr. Harry and Betty Garber Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and WHEREAS, on March 27, 2025, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #162 was held in accordance with applicable law; and 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: Ll Resolution No. 25287 Page 2 SECTION 1: FINDINGS — PART "A" CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES. 0 Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,l,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. a. The site, structure, building, or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below. 2455 Southridge Drive is a single-family home constructed in the spirit of the Modem Movement. The interiors of privately owned properties are not subject to historic review; however, the application highlights the original interior layout and details which are extremely well -maintained and intended to be preserved. The following is an analysis of the criterion and integrity findings for historic designation. (Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state, or community; 0 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 home was built for Dr. Harry and Betty Garber and the current owners purchased the property from the family. Based on the information provided in the historic resources report, the site is not associated with individuals that meet this criterion. (Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history, The post -World War II in Palms Springs is described as a period of substantial growth and wealth. A tourist town that focused on part-time residents was now building for full- time residents like the Garbers. As large tracts of developable land quickly transform into residential development, the desire for more privacy and security created a market to develop hillside areas. The architectural movement during this time focused on Modernist 11 Resolution No. 25287 Page 3 principles that utilized simple materials like stucco and post -and -beam construction to create privacy and frame views. This custom-built residence demonstrates a refined use of simple forms and materials to create a home nestled within the dramatic landscape. The architecture responds to the surrounding site context by orienting the building towards the mountain vistas but screening harsh conditions like the desert sun using deep overhangs and canopies. Not only does this home reflect the residential development patterns of this period, it is an exceptional representation of the Mid-century Modern style of architecture that embraces the desert landscape. 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). The home was constructed using conventional methods and no new building materials or technology was specifically identified. Criterion iv is not met. (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, - Architect Richard Harrison is a notable figure that has influenced the field of design and architecture at the local level and at the international level through his contribution to the Palm Springs School of Architecture. With many noteworthy projects throughout the Coachella Valley, Harrison was best known for his residential commissions. His formal architecture training at the University of Southern California introduced him to the trends exemplified through the Case Study Houses. He also worked for influential architects and designers like William Cody, E. Steward Williams and John Porter Clark. The design of the Garber Residence reflects the individual genius that Harrison possessed when it came to site design, and the home itself possesses high artistic value as an excellent representation of post -and -beam construction. Based on the association of Harrison and high artistic value of the home, Criterion v for historic significance 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. Resolution No. 25287 Page 4 (Criterion vii) The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory. 0 No information has been provided on any pre -historic significance of the site. SECTION 2: PART "B" ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC INTEGRITY. Analysis of Inte rit . (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. 2. Design: This is a custom -designed home by Richard Harrison that places a strong emphasis on living in the natural landscape. The form and materials are harmonious with the site and have a minimal presence from the street. In fact, the only element seen from Southridge Drive is the low -slung design of the carport and masonry walls. The descent into the sunken garden atrium reveals the simple building shape but the mountain vista through the home reads as the building's elevation, and the sunken placement of the home allows for maximum privacy. The design focuses on spatial experiences and ornamentation is limited to the door hardware, light fixtures, and paving material. From the garden atrium to the edge of the pool patio there is a clear and unobstructed view of the city and surrounding natural landscape. The carport overhang extends over the sunken atrium on wooden beams which also provides a layering of roof forms that adds articulation to the site. The gable roof with red clay tiles departs from the overall aesthetic that consist of rectilinear forms; however, the heavy texture of the stucco walls and glazed floor tiles reflect design queues representative of the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture. The post -and -beam architecture and the stone fireplace are strong visual markers that connect the interior of the home to the exterior spaces in a seamless transition. Little to I Resolution No. 25287 Page 5 no change has been made to the original design of the home; therefore, the design integrity remains intact. 3. Setting: The layout and design of the residential tract in Southridge is maintained by adhering to design guidelines that protect the surrounding setting and views. The home remains in a setting that is consistent with when it was first built, thus the integrity of site remains intact. 4. Materials: The home was built with building materials that were commonly used during this period but of higher quality. The large expansive floor to ceiling glazing in bronze -tinted aluminum framing defines the general form of the home and the hand -troweled stucco walls and large aggregate terrazzo give the home texture. The roof is mostly flat with a pitched gabled roof over the living room area covered in red clay tile. The specified building materials appear consistent with the original design and appear in excellent condition; thus the integrity of material is met. 5. Workmanship. - The Garber residence was constructed using conventional construction methods and materials such as stucco, stone veneer and glass; however, the execution of the design highlights the cohesion of the different materials and the architect's attention to detail. Consistent hand -troweled patterns of the stucco and the seamless integration of architectural features like the stone fireplace and the extruded beams transcend the barriers between interior and exterior space. A high level of workmanship is detected on this site. City Council finds the integrity of workmanship is intact. 6. Feeling: The feeling associated with the Modern Movement of the post -World War II period is conveyed through the simple design of the home. The level of workmanship and preserved setting contributes to the feeling remaining intact. 7. Association: The property is associated with architect Richard Harrison and his design aesthetics are prominently displayed with this home. The pattern and layout of the neighborhood also Resolution No. 25287 Page 6 remains intact. The integrity of association with an influential figure and a significant period is apparent. 0 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 and building footprint of the home angled within the mountain landscape. • Sunken garden atrium with direct access from the carport using the exterior staircase attached to the southeast section of the retaining wall. • Extended carport overhang across the sunken atrium supported by wooden beams. • Unobstructed views from the living area looking north. • Continuous extension of the rafter beams from the interior to the exterior of the space and deeper overhangs on the west side of the home. • Fixed floor to ceiling glazing with vertical separations between the panes that form walls of glass dissolving the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces. • Double door entry and associated hardware. • Window hardware. • Wrought iron handrails on the staircase leading into the courtyard/atrium. • Entry light fixture. • Triangular clerestory windows on the gable ends of the roof. • Exterior location and design of the masonry fireplace and chimney. • Simple grey concrete hardscape and single concrete landing at the base of the sliding glass doors on the north elevation. • Contemporary post -and -beam flat -roofed residence with a pitched roof volume over the living/dining room. This volume is covered in terra-cotta barrel tile. • Off-white split -face concrete brick walls and planters. • Open carport. • Heavily trowelled off-white stucco. I Resolution No. 25287 Page 7 • Kool Deck patio with swimming pool. • Anodized bronze aluminum sliding glass doors and windows. • Dolomite stone veneer. • Off-white large aggregate terrazzo tile. • Decorative mural of tiles with circular patterns of marble chips in gold with white. Non-contributing elements: Metal and cable perimeter fence. 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 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 Dr. Harry and Betty Garber Residence located at 2455 Southridge Drive, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #162). L Resolution No. 25287 Page 8 ADOPTED THIS 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. Scott Stiles, City Manager ATTEST: ' - 1�4 Brenda Prer6,MC, CERA City Clerk �l I I Resolution No. 25287 Page 9 I 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. 25287 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 the 27th day of March, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ready, Garner, Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem Soto, and Mayor deHarte 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 c fh day of April, 2025. Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA City Clerk L I n