HomeMy WebLinkAbout19112 - RESOLUTIONS - 8/12/1997 RESOLUTION NO. 19112
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TIE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 19047,
DESIGNATING THE TRAMWAY GAS STATION, 2901 NO.
PALM CANYON DR. AT TRAM WAY, AS A CLASS 1
HISTORIC SITE, DETERMINING THAT PROCEEDINGS HAVE
' BEEN INITIATED TO CONSIDER DESIGNATION OF THE
STATION UNDER CHAPTER 8.05 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE,
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DETERMINE ANY
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVES.
WHEREAS Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code was adopted for the purpose of
preserving specific buildings of the City which reflect elements of it cultural, social, economic,
political, architectural and archaeological history; and
WHEREAS the Tramway Gas Station, located at 2901 N. Palm Canyon Dr. @ Tram Way and
designed by master architect Albert Frey was built at its current location during the years 1963-
65; and
WHEREAS the Tramway Gas Station is an excellent and unique example of Albert Frey's work in
the international style of architecture with its exploration of the roof plane as a sculptured element
and of his response to innovative approaches to architecture in Palm Springs as a machine-age
modernist; and
WHEREAS the Historic Site Preservation Board held a public hearing on May 13,1997, for the
' purpose of making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the potential designation of
the Tramway Gas Station as a City historic site and at an adjourned meeting on May 16, 1997
unanimously adopted Resolution No. 33 recommending that the City Council designate the
Tramway Gas Station as a Class 1 Historic Site, preserved at its existing setting; and
WI-JEREAS Resolution No. 33 was forwarded to the City Council on May 27, 1997; and
WHEREAS the City Council held a public hearing on June 18, 1997, for the purpose of
considering the recommendation of the Historic Site Preservation Board regarding the potential
designation of the Tramway Gas Station as a City historic site; and
WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, pursuant to Chapter 8.05 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code, designated the Tramway Gas Station as a Class I Historic Site; and
WI4EREAS the City Council of the City of Palm Springs has since been presented with
information that the designation of the Tramway Gas Station as a Class 1 Historic Site, and its
preservation in its present, and original location, may be a deterrent to a major development
project which substantially benefits the City, and
WHEREAS the use for which the structure was originally designed and built, an automobile
' service station, has not been a successful use at this location; and
WHEREAS the configuration of the Tramway Gas Station is nonconforming in regard to today's
ordinance requirements for automobile service stations.
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the Tramway Gas Station is unique and significant because of its design,
materials, workmanship and aesthetic effect.
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Section 2. That the Tramway Gas Station exemplifies a post-World-War-II period of history
in Palm Springs embodying the distinctive characteristics of the International style of architecture
as practiced by the master architect Albert Frey, FAIA.
Section 3. That the designation of the Tramway Gas Station as a Class 1 Historic Site, and its
Preservation in its present, and original location, however, may be a deterrent to a major ,
development project which substantially benefits the City.
Section 4. That the use for which the structure was originally designed and built, a gas
station, has not been a successful use at this location Furthermore, the configuration of this gas
station is nonconforming in regard to today's ordinance requirements for gas stations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
rescinds Resolution No. 19047 designating the Tramway Gas Station at 2901 N. Palm Canyon
Dr. @ Tram Way as a Class 1 Historic Site; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Springs deems that
proceedings have been initiated for designation of the Tramway Gas Station as an historic site and
directs that these proceedings be continued by the historic Site Preservation Board (RSPB) to
consider alternatives, and that the HSPB be authorized to issue an order staying any threatened
demolition or alteration under Section 8.05.170 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, if necessary,
while such proceedings are pending; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Springs directs the City
Manager to determine any acceptable alternatives, including, but not limited to, mewing the
structure to another site, and ,
BE IT FtJRTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, in the
development of such alternatives, expects that the property owner and the Historic Site
Preservation Board (HSPB), or any other party acting in cooperation with the HSPB, act in good
faith to cooperatively seek appropriate alternatives, including, but not limited to, moving the
stricture to another site.
ADOPTED this 12th day of August 1997.
AYES: Members Barnes, Oden and Spurgin
NOES: None
ABSENT: Member Hodges and Mayor Kleindienst
ATTEST: CITY OF (PALM SPRINGS, 3P, 'i�hNIA
City Cleric City Manage
REVIEWED BY:_
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