HomeMy WebLinkAbout24324 RESOLUTION NO. 24324
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE
CROCKER-CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK, LOCATED AT
1711 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE , AS A CLASS 1
HISTORIC SITE, HSPB 109.
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. Chapter 8.05 125 identifies the criteria that all structures built before 1969 are
automatically designated as Class 3 historic sites.
C. On May 9, 2017, at a regularly scheduled public meeting, the City's Historic Site
Preservation Board ("HSPB") considered Case 3.4022: an application to
demolish the structure at 1711 East Palm Canyon Drive, known as "The Crocker-
Citizens National Bank". At said meeting the HSPB voted to deny the demolition
application, to place up to a 120-day stay of demolition on the building and to
initiate study pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code ("PSMC") Section
8.05.135 to inform itself of possible historic significance of the site.
D. A historic resource assessment report ("the report") dated August 14, 2017 was
prepared for the City by Historic Resources Group, Inc. of Pasadena and
provided to members of the HSPB.
E. A noticed public hearing of the HSPB was held on September 12, 2017 in
accordance with applicable law. At said hearing, the HSPB carefully considered
all the evidence associated with the hearing, including but not limited to the
historic resource assessment report, the staff report, and all other written and
oral testimony and voted to recommend that the City Council designate the
Crocker-Citizens National Bank as Class 1 historic site HSPB #109.
F. A noticed public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California
was held on November 1, 2017 in accordance with applicable law. At said
hearing, the City Council carefully considered all the evidence associated with
the hearing, including but not limited to the historic resource assessment report,
the staff report, and all other written and oral testimony.
Resolution No. 24324
Page 2
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1 FINDINGS. The subject parcel meets the definition of a historic
site as established in Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) Section 8.05.020
("Definitions'). The HSPB made the following findings in support of this determination:
Definition of an Historic Site
Section 8.05.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code ("PSMC") provides the definition
of a historic site. The historic resources report provides an evaluation of the subject
property in accordance with this definition which is summarized below.
(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 City Council determined that although the building's integrity has been
compromised by additions and alterations, the Crocker—Citizens National Bank Building
meets the definition of a historic site because it contributes to the cultural landscape and
its form and massing remains a vital component of the overall campus of the Smoketree
Village Shopping Center.
Evaluating the site against the seven criteria found in PSMC 8.05.020, the City Council
further finds:
1. That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution
to the nation, state or community,
Based on review of the development history, the City Council found no evidence that
the property is associated with events that made a meaningful contribution to the nation,
state or community. Thus the building does not qualify as a historic site under this
criterion.
2. That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution
to national, state or local history;
The City Council determined that the Crocker-Citizens National Bank is associated with
Howard Lapham, a local designer who was credited with the design of the bank. The
Council found that Lapham's many architectural commissions throughout Palm Springs
and the Coachella Valley made a meaningful contribution to the local history.
Resolution No. 24324
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Therefore, the City Council found the subject property meets the definition of a historic
site as outlined in Criterion 2.
3. That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or
local history;
The City Council evaluated the building relative to the post World War II period of
commercial development in Palm Springs and within the context of the Smoketree
Village Shopping Center. It concluded that although the building was a product of
1960's development, it is reflective of the early period of Palm Springs' history when
western ranch-themed developments such as Smoketree Ranch, Deepwell Ranch and
other "dude ranch" type developments were popular. The City Council therefore
concluded that it meets the definition of a historic site as defined under Criterion 3.
4. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction;
The City Council notes that the Crocker—Citizens National Bank possesses the
distinctive characteristics of Late Modern commercial bank architecture. Its construction
— that of a steel frame structure with infill panels of concrete masonry units and fixed
anodized aluminum storefront glazing was common in Palm Springs in the post-World
War II era. Thus, the City Council concluded that it meets the definition of a historic site
as defined under 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 City Council examined the building within the context of the 40-year career of
Howard Lapham, who arrived in Palm Springs in 1954 in the height of the City's post
World War II development boom. Lapham's list of completed projects in the Coachella
Valley is extensive, and includes several notable works such as the Desert Star
Apartments, (1956), renovation of the Chi Chi Club Starlite Room (1959, now
demolished), and many upscale homes including the Kiewit Residence (1960), the
Morrow Residence (1961), and most notably the Cook Residence (1970), (also known
as "Ichpa Mayapan").
The Council concluded that although significantly modified, the Crocker—Citizens
National Bank is historically significant because of its association with architectural
designer Howard Lapham. Thus, the City Council determined the property meets the
definition of a historic site as characterized by Criterion 5.
6. That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components
may lack individual distinction; or
The City Council, in viewing the Crocker-Citizens National Bank within the larger context
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of the Smoketree Village Shopping Center, believes the shopping center represents a
significant entity that reflects the early "western style" popular in Palm Springs in the
1920's. It concluded however, that since the evaluation and study was limited to the
bank building only, the City Council did not make findings in support of Criterion 6.
7. That has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national,
state or local history or prehistory.
The City Council did not evaluate the significance of the site on the basis of
archaeological or subterranean resources. This criterion does not apply.
SECTION 2: INTEGRITY.
The City Council considered the integrity of the site relative to the seven aspects or
qualities of integrity, as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places' as
follows.
The Council concluded that the site retains integrity of "location", (it has not been
moved), "setting", (a free-standing structure surrounded by a parking lot in a suburban-
style shopping center), "feeling", (it conveys the sense of a 1960's-era commercial
building) and "association", (its roofline visually associates it aesthetically with similar
roof forms on the Smoke Tree Village shopping center) which was designed in a
"western ranch" style.
The sites' design, workmanship, and material integrity have been compromised by the
additions, alterations, demolition of the original east fagade, application of surface
veneers that obscure the original exposed structure and the exterior wall materials
characteristic of Lapham's original design. The City Council determined that despite
these modifications, the original aesthetic of Lapham's design retains sufficient integrity
to support Class 1 historic site designation.
SECTION 3. DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS.
The City Council determined that the form and massing of the building were its primary
defining historic characteristics.
SECTION 4: 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:
'The seven aspects of Integrity include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,feeling, and
association.
Resolution No. 24324
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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.
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.
SECTION 5: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
The proposed 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 determines that the Crocker-Citizens Bank
Building located at 1711 East Palm Canyon Drive meets the definition of a historic site,
furthers the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance and therefore hereby
designates the property a Class 1 historic site (RSPB #109).
ADOPTED THIS 15t DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2017.
David H. Ready,
City Manager
ATTEST:
Mi ony J. e ' , MC
City Clerk
Resolution No. 24324
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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. 24324 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 15t day of November,
2017, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Kors, Roberts, Mayor Pro Tem Foat, and
Mayor Moon
NOES: Councilmember Mills
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 day of Zo
ony J. ejia C
City Clerk