HomeMy WebLinkAbout22479 - RESOLUTIONS - 5/13/2009 RESOLUTION NO. 22479
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING
`LA SERENA VILLAS' LOCATED AT 339 SOUTH
BELARDO ROAD A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE.
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites, and
WHEREAS, the City Council initiated an application to consider the property at 339
North Belardo Drive ("La Serena Villas") for designation as a historic property under
Palm Springs Municipal Code Chapter 8.05; and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Historic Site Preservation Board of the City
of Palm Springs to consider designation of La Serena Villas a historic site was issued in
accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on November 10, 2008, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a
public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of La Serena
Villas as a Class 1 historic site; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Site Preservation Board, following receipt and consideration of
a staff report and written and oral testimony from the public, adopted a
recommendation for Class 1 designation of the property; and
WHEREAS, the designation of La Serena Villas as a historic resource shall further the
purpose and intent of Chapter 8.05 and promote the sensitive preservation of said site;
and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to
consider designation of La Serena Villas a historic site was issued in accordance with
applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2008, the City Council opened a public hearing in
accordance with applicable law to consider designation of La Serena Villas as a historic
site, which hearing was continued to February 2 and April 15, 2009 ; and
WHEREAS, the City Council carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence in
connection with the proposed designation, including but not limited to the staff report,
application and historical research, all written and oral testimony presented.
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 La
Serena Villas at 339 South Belardo Road 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.
Resolution No. 22479
Page 2
SECTION 2: Pursuant to Section 8.05.020.a.3, 4 and 6 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code, the City Council does hereby make the following findings;
1. La Serena Villas reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state
or local history because, according to a Historic Assessment Report completed for the
Orchid Tree Inn, dated April 2005 by PCR Services, smaller hotels in the area initially
included the Estrella Inn, (the subject site), which was constructed in 1933. Further,
large and small hotels thrived following the end of World War II as the growing
popularity of the automobile encouraged the development of tourist courts and
bungalow courts designed with the emphasis on automobile accommodation, with the
central courtyard of the bungalow court as an internal access with parking provided for
each unit. La Serena Villas was an example of the early period of motor-court hotel
development in Palm Springs from the 1930s when the Spanish Eclectic style of
architecture was popular and prevalent in Palm Springs. La Serena Villas was one of
several motor-court hotels that were constructed around the same time, including the
House of Murphy, The Hacienda, the Royal Palms Hotel, Tahquitz Vista Hotel, Monte
Vista Hotel, and the Orchid Tree Inn. (PSMC Sec. 8.05.020.a.3)
2. La Serena Villas embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or
method of construction because the site presents a very good example of Spanish
Eclectic architecture from the 1930s, including the defining characteristics of the typical
asymmetrical facades, stucco, arches over doors and windows, red two-piece clay
barrel tiles and low-pitched roofs, and use of towers known to the Spanish Eclectic
motor court hotels built during the 1930s. Further, the scale of La Serena Villas fits into
both the fabric of the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood and the architectural character
that defines both these sections of Belardo Road and Cahuilla Road. (PSMC
Sec.8.05.020.a.4)
3. La Serena Villas represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction, because the La Serena Villas site is a
collection of small, individual cottages forming a motorcourt hotel plan characteristic of
the late 1930's through late 1950's. (PSMC Sec. 8.05.020.a.6)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the City
Council designate La Serena Villas at 339 South Belardo Road, Palm Springs,
California as HSPB Class 1 Historic Site 69 subject to the following conditions;
1. All future exterior modifications including but not limited to building, site,
landscaping, lighting, walls, and fences shall be subject to Section 94.04.00 of
the Palm Springs Zoning Code (Architectural Review) and Article IV of Chapter
8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (Rules and Regulations for Historic
Sites)
Resolution No. 22479
Page 3
2. No permit for the alteration of the exterior, including any and all of the defining
elements and characteristics, shall be issued without prior review and approval
pursuant Article IV of Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (Rules
and Regulations for Historic Sites).
3. All restoration shall follow the requirements of the Secretary of Interior
Standards.
4. The City Clerk shall submit 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.
ADOPTED this 13th day of May, 2009.
r
David H. Read nager
ATTEST:
es Thompson, City Clerk
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. 22479 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 13th day of May, 2009, by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: Mayor Pro Tern Mills and Councilmember Weigel.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
mes Thompson, City Clerk
ity of Palm Springs, California