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Home My WebLink About5/13/2009 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.F. CITY COUNCIL CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA a :•- MINUTES EXCERPT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 I.C. WEST FACADE, OF THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DESIGNATION OF A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3400 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY AS A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE (CASE HSBP-70): Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Services, provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated April 15, 2009. Councilmember Hutcheson requested staff address the restoration of the steel tube columns, and to address the Airport Commission recommendation. Councilmember Foat requested staff address the original steel tube columns. Mayor Pougnet opened the public hearing, and the following speaker addressed the City Council. STEVE ROSENBERG, Palm Springs International Airport Commissioner, outlined the discussion of the Airport Commission. CODY STOUGHTON, stated his support for the Class 1 designation. No further speakers coming forward, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Pro Tern Mills recommended administrative modifications to the proposed resolution. ACTION: 1) Designate the West Facade of the Palm Springs International Airport at 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 Historic Site; and 2) Direct staff to prepare a resolution memorializing the record and findings for City Council adoption on May 6, 2009- Motion Mayor Pro Tern Mills, seconded by Councilmember Hutcheson and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. ITEM NO. z � RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING THE WEST FACADE OF THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 3400 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, AS A CLASS ONE HISTORIC SITE. WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of historic sites; and WHEREAS, on October 14, 2008, the Historic Site Preservation Board initiated an application for historic site designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Historic Site Preservation Board of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on March 10, 2009, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, at said hearing, the HSPB adopted Resolution #70 to recommend to City Council designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of the west facade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, as a Class 1 historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on April 15, 2009 the City Council conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, the designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way shall further the purpose and intent of Chapter 8.05; and WHEREAS, the designation of the west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way promotes the sensitive preservation of said site; and E2 Resolution No. Page 2 WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the designation of a historic site is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15331 for the preservation of historical resources; and WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence in connection with the designation, including but not limited to the staff report, application and historical research, all written and oral testimony presented and notes the following: 1. In 1966, the City of Palm Springs commissioned architect Donald Wexler to design the terminal building of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs. 2. The defining historic characteristics of these buildings are the main terminal building and the radiating x-shaped wing concourse buildings which are recognized as a mid-century design with desert focus. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: Pursuant to CEQA, the City Council finds that the designation of the western fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way as a Class 1 historic site is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15331 whereby this designation is for the preservation of a historical resource. SECTION 2: Pursuant to Section $.05.020.a.4 and 5 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, the City Council does hereby make the following findings; 4. That the western fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, because the main terminal of the airport buildings resembles that of other mid-century modern designs of the desert region in that era. Further, the original airport terminal building and x-shaped concourse buildings were constructed with modules, using steel frame construction, and expansive use of glass, flat cantilevered roofs, thin sleek structural supports, and were laid as to be pedestrian friendly. The design uses a combination of materials and architectural elements which are unique to the original airport terminal building and radiating x-shaped concourse structures. The buildings and the layout of the buildings were considered creative and innovative in their design and were a model of efficiency for small hub airports. Resolution No. Page 3 5. That the western facade of the Palm Springs International Airport presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose Individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value, because the Palm Springs Airport terminal building and concourse buildings was designed by Donald Wexler, one of Palm Springs' (and the Coachella Valley's) most prolific and accomplished architects. Further, the west facade reflects a sophisticated approach to modern design, an attention to detail, the innovative use of materials, a careful response to the harsh desert environment through the use of long overhanging roof structures to shelter glass areas from the heat of the sun, the careful orientation of the buildings to maximize the view of the San Jacinto Mountains, the balanced proportion and scale of the building, and the pedestrian friendly design of the exterior and interior spaces. SECTION 3: Based upon the foregoing, the City Council does hereby designate the west facade of the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California as a Class 1 Historic Site subject to the following conditions; 1. The City may demark the west facade as a historic site with a marker of the City's choosing. The historic marker shall be placed in a location visible from the public right-of-way. The City shall maintain the marker in the location installed and pay for the replacement cost if the marker is lost, stolen, or otherwise removed from the property. 2. All future exterior modifications to the west facade, including any appurtenant structures attached thereto, shall require Historic Site Preservation Board review pursuant to Municipal Code Ordinance 8.05, in addition to any other review required by law. 3. No permit for the alteration of the exterior of the west facade, including signage and any of the defining elements and characteristics of the west facade, shall be issued except in compliance with Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, including review by the Historic Site Preservation Board, as required. 4. That the City Clerk submits the Council Resolution to the County recorder for recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution, 5. All existing or previously approved alterations shall be considered acceptable. 6. Any mandated changes by any federal agencies, such as the FAA or TSA, may be reviewed by staff for potential exclusion from HSPB review ADOPTED THIS 15th day of April, 2009. David H. Ready, City Manager Resolution No. Page 4 ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk Resolution No. Page 5 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. _ 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 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California l7;,