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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24537 RESOLUTION NO. 24537 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE PARCEL AT 1577 SOUTH CALLE MARCUS APN NO. 508-444-006, 'THE JOHN AND BESSIE MACY RESIDENCE" A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, HSPB 113. THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS: A. Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of historic sites and districts. B. Peter Loforte and Sally Julian, owners and applicant, filed an application with the City pursuant to Article III of Section 8.05 (Procedure for Designation of Historic Sites or Historic Districts) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code requesting Class 1 historic site designation for the parcel located at 1577 South Calle Marcus (APN #508-444-006). The application included a historic resources report ("the report") prepared by the applicant. C. In November, 2018, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted site inspections of the proposed historic site, accompanied by City staff. D. On November 13, 2018, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #113 was held by the HSPB in accordance with applicable law. E. 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, and based upon its findings, voted to recommend that the City Council designate the John & Bessie Macy Residence as a Class 1 Historic Site with the condition that the existing paint color be identified as a non- contributingfeature and that the property owner return the structure to its original aint p P yp color and remove the concrete block on top of the front slump stone wall within one year of the date of the City Council public hearing / action. The owner opposes the condition imposed by the HSPB and staff asserts that the home meets the definition of a historic site without the imposition of this condition. F. On December 11, 2018 a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #113 was held by the City Council in accordance with applicable law. G. The City Council carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence presented in connection with the hearing on the project, included but not limited to the staff re P jort P and all written and oral testimony presented. Resolution No. 24537 Page 2 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES: SECTION 1: DEFINITION OF A HISTORIC SITE. The subject parcel meets the definition of a historic site because it conforms to the following criteria established in Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) Section 8.05.020 ("Definitions') as follows: (a) Historic Site. An historic site is any real property such as:a building,a structure, including but not limited to archways, tiled areas and similar architectural elements; an archaeological excavation or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic effect. The John & Bessie Macy residence meets the definition of a historic site because of its design, method of construction, aesthetic effect and association with a significant architect, Hugh M. Kaptur. The site retains a high degree of integrity. 1. That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; or The analysis by the homeowner found no evidence that the site was associated with significant events. As such, it does not meet the definition of a historic site pursuant to Criterion 1. 2. That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to national, state or local history, or Based upon building permit records, the report notes that the home was a speculative venture by Werner Hogback a local contractor / developer. The applicant found no information relating to Hogback other than it appears he developed various single family homes in various parts of the City. The home was purchased and first occupied by John C. and Bessie Macy in 1961. The Macy's owned the house until 1986, when Mr. Macy died. No notable information has been found relative to the subsequent owners. Therefore the site does not meet Criterion 2, relating to persons of significance. 3. That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history, or The application notes that the home reflects the "mid-century modern" style of architecture that flourished in Palm Springs during the middle part of the last century, however the applicant does not assert Criterion 3 as a basis for possible historic significance. 4. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; Resolution No. 24537 Page 3 The report indicates that the residence possesses distinctive characteristics of Mid- century modern architecture, such as the flat roof and overall horizontality of the massing, use of inexpensive mass-produced materials, minimal amount of decoration or ornament, and an architectural design that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors and its post- and-beam method of construction. Given these characteristics, the Macy Residence meets the definition of a historic site as defined in Criterion 4. 5. That presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age;or that possesses high artistic value; The application notes that 1577 Calle Marcus was designed by notable architect Hugh M. Kaptur. Kaptur has been recognized in recent years for a significant number of architectural commissions throughout the Coachella Valley demonstrating high artistic value and significance related to the Mid Century modern period. Kaptur designed 1577 Calle Marcus with broad cantilevered eaves and overhangs to protect the glass from the intense desert sun. Along the street facade clerestory windows, set high on the east facade between the beams, provide light and afford privacy to the living area from the street. Toward the back yard, and oriented toward views of the mountains, is a long expanse of floor to ceiling fixed glass and sliding glass doors. This wall of glass creates the strong visual connection between interior and exterior, a characteristic often found in homes from this period. As noted in the application, Kaptur came to the desert in 1956 and Calle Marcus represents an early phase in Kaptur's career during which he was experimenting with strong geometric forms, textures and angles. On the east street-facing facade of the garage and at the main entry, he uses six inch by six inch (wood) blocks pulled slightly out from the face of the wall to create a visual pattern of squares. This minimal ornament on a structure is also characteristic of the modern period in architecture when architectural ornament was expressed in abstract, simple geometric forms, often integrated into the structure of the building. Kaptur incorporated angles in a series of leading walls that give the home a dynamic presence as viewed from the street. These angled leading walls can be seen on the east facade of the garage, at the front entry, and at the north end of the east facade. He also gave the home visual interest by using a variety of materials and textures. Kaptur utilized six by four by sixteen inch slumpstone masonry units at the east facade of the living room to create a heavy "rusticated" textured wall. These slumpstone masonry units are exposed on the interior side of this wall also, creating a visual connection between inside and outside. The rustic texture of the slumpstone wall is contrasted with the smooth sand finish stucco walls on the garage and north portion of the east facade. A slumpstone garden wall, with an angled edge that reflects the other angled leading walls of the home is located slightly in front of the front facade of the home at the north end of the facade. This slumpstone wall strengthens the horizontality of Kaptur's design. Further use of Resolution No. 24537 Page 4 angle, textures and squares can be seen in the design of the fireplace in the living room and in the angled cut of the exposed wood beams of the roof. Kaptur's design of the Macy Residence is a notable example of his early architectural work in the desert, incorporating angles and minimalist geometric details as the "decorative ornament" of the home. As such it meets the definition of a historic site under Criterion 5, as an early example of the work of master architect Hugh Kaptur that possesses high artistic value. 6. That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; The subject property does not meet this criterion. 7. That has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory. The subject property does not meet this criterion. SECTION 2. DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NON- CONTRIBUTING FEATURES: The physical character-defining historic features of this site include the following: 1. The exposed post and beam construction and structural systems with multi-level horizontal roof planes with very thin fascias and exposed beams. 2. The expansive cantilevered roof eaves that help protect the glass from direct solar exposure. 3. The exposed tongue and groove ceiling boards. 4. The narrow roof edge fascia detail. The non-contributing features include the following: 1. The site landscaping, swimming pool and hardscape materials; including the "Grass-crete" driveway pavers. 2. The water feature at the front entry door. 3. The garage door/carport/gate enclosure at the southeast corner of the residence; 4. The wall sconce lighting fixtures. 5. The smooth stucco finish on the front wall (this wall was originally slumpstone block with a heavy texture.) 6. The pivoting doors (throughout) and windows added during the 2013 renovation. 7. The exterior barbeque area, site walls, raised planters, firepit, etc. B. The white color of the exterior of the home. Resolution No. 24537 Page 5 SECTION 3: INTEGRITY. The application includes an evaluation of the residence relative to the seven aspects or qualities of 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 application concludes that the residence retains a high degree of integrity despite some modifications. Below is board's evaluation of the site's integrity. 1 . Location: The residence remains on its original site and thus retains integrity of location. 2. Design: The essential characteristics of form, plan, space, structure, and style remain intact. Recent alterations to the home include a new roof, new pool, and windows. The window configuration (size, shape, location) remain as originally designed. The report identifies the angled cut-offs on the beams as a modification. To clarify, the beams originally were designed with an angle cut, but the beams originally extended beyond the vertical plane of the fascia. Currently the beams stop flush with the fascia (likely having been cut off due to dry rot). 3. Setting: Although no evidence was provided in the application on the landscaping or site, the setting—that of a low-density single family residential neighborhood remains intact. 4. Materials: The home retains a high degree of material integrity, however several courses of smooth-faced concrete block were added to the garden wall at the north end of the front fagade. These masonry units do not match in terms of texture, unit size, and workmanship and were not laid with the angled "edge" of the existing slumpstone block wall. The HSPB recommended a condition of approval that the owner shall remove these or replace them with slumpstone block matching the existing wall and resolve the pool barrier requirement through other non-impacting ways. The applicant opposes this condition. There are also other material changes such as non-original exterior light fixtures, landscape, windows, pool, and pool terrace. These elements will be further documented in the "defining characteristics" section of this staff report below. 5. Workmanship: The materials and architectural details of the residence remain largely intact, and reflect the workmanship of the period in which the residence was constructed. 6. Feeling: The siting of the residence relative to its lot and view retains the original integrity of feeling of a custom-designed home in the Mid-Century Modern style, in a predominantly residential neighborhood. Resolution No. 24537 Page 6 7. Association: The residence retains its association with architect Hugh Kaptur as a custom-designed modernist era private residence. In conclusion, the site retains a high degree of historic integrity. SECTION 4: REQUIRED FINDINGS — CITY COUNCIL. Pursuant to PSMC 8.05.160, the City Council must make the finding that the purposes of the Historic Preservation chapter are furthered by designation of such property as a historic site or district. The purpose of the Historic Preservation chapter of the Municipal Code is outlined in PSMC 8.05.010: This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority of(California) Government Code Section 37361 for the purpose of preserving areas and specific buildings of the city which reflect elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, architectural and archaeological history. This chapter is intended to stabilize and improve buildings, structures or areas which are considered to be of historical, architectural, archaeological or ecological value, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy and to promote the use of specific buildings for the education and welfare of the citizens. Granting Class 1 historic site designation to the John & Bessie Macy would further the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance because residence meets the definition of a historic site pursuant to the criteria listed in PSMC Chapter 8.05, and its preservation fosters civic beauty, strengthens the local economy by ensuring long term proper care and maintenance of a unique custom built home from the mid-century era designed by a notable architect and helps educate and inform the citizens about this important period in the development of Palm Springs. 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 Site: 1 . It shall meet the definition of a historic site as outlined in Municipal Code Section 8.05.020. 2. An archival file shall be maintained on the property 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 the approval of the City Council. 5. The use may be limited by the City Council to the extent that it may impair the integrity of the site. 6. A marker explaining the historic nature of the site will be installed at the site in a location viewable from the public way. Resolution No. 24537 Page 7 7. Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Sites and Historic Districts under Article IV of Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code shall be required. 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. The Board recommended that the following additional condition be imposed: 9. The property owner shall remove the concrete block portion of the front slumpstone wall and conduct investigative research to determine the original paint colors for the home and have those colors applied to the structure within one year of the City Council's hearing / action. SECTION 6. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: The City Council finds that the Class 1 historic site 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. Based upon the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates the residence at 1577 South Calle Marcus, The John & Bessie Macy Residence," a Class 1 Historic Site (Case HSPB #113). ADOPTED THIS 19"' DAY OF DECEMBER, 2018. David H. Ready, Esq., Ph City Manager A EST: N Anthony J. ejia, M C City Clerk Resolution No. 24537 Page 8 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. 24537 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 19th day of December, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Holstege, Middleton, Roberts, Mayor Pro Tern Kors, and Mayor Moon 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 11.4,- day of -Sa nQ zt ony J. Me ji , City Clerk