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DATE: April 18, 2018 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF THE NOMINATION OF THE PALM
SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING TO THE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY:
This action is to approve the inclusion of the Palm Springs International Airport terminal
building in the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for selected works
of Donald Wexler. Peter Moruzzi, of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, is preparing
the nomination application.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the submittal of the nomination of the Palm Springs International Airport terminal
building to the Nation Register of Historic Places.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites,
buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture,
archaeology, engineering, and culture. The register is administered by the National Park
Service under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and was established in 1966
under the National Historic Preservation Act. The purpose of the program is to coordinate
and support efforts to identify, evaluate and protect historic and archeological resources.
Approximately 15 properties in Palm Springs are currently listed on the National Register,
including the Palm Springs City Hall, Fire Station #1, and the Tramway Gas Station.
In order to qualify for the register, a property must meet the following criteria for evaluation
as listed below:
• The property must be at least 50 years old (with certain exceptions);
• Must still look much the way it did in the past;
Must have a quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology,
ITEM NO. I -K_
City Council Staff Report
April 18, 2018-- Page 2
National Register of Historic Places Nomination
engineering, or culture;
• Must possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling,
and association; and
• Must meet one of the following:
o Associated with historical events;
o Associated with the lives of persons significant in history;
o Embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high
artistic values; or
o Yielded information important in history or prehistory.
The application is being prepared privately, without the assistance of City funding. The
application will include other significant works of Donald Wexler, and is being prepared
as a Multiple Property Submittal (MPS) to the National Register. The structure will not be
included in the nomination if the City of Palm Springs objects to the listing of the airport
building on the National Register.
The west fagade of the Palm Springs International Airport terminal building was
designated as a Class 1 historic structure by the City Council on May 13, 2009. The west
fagade of the building was given a Class 1 designation based upon findings that the
characteristics Criterion 4 and is the work
structure possesses distinctive architectural ( )
of master architect Donald Wexler (Criterion 5).
ANALYSIS:
Benefits of National Register Listinq: There are numerous benefits associated with a
listing on the register. Some of the benefits include the following:
• Eligibility for Federal and State preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation
(subject to funding availability);
• Formal recognition of architectural significance of the structure based on national
standards;
• Listing in the National Register Archives;
• Technical assistance with rehabilitation issues; and
• Promotion of historical tourism through listing on the National Register website and
database.
Restrictions Associated with a National Register Listing: A listing on the National Register
does not place any restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of the
property. Listed properties do not need to offer public tours or provide any additional
accommodation for public access. However, properties that participate in the Federal
preservation tax incentive program or utilize any Federal funds for construction or
reconstruction must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of
Historic Properties for any improvements or rehabilitation work to the structure. Qualifying
02
City Council Staff Report
April 18, 2018 -- Page 3
National Register of Historic Places Nomination
improvements are reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
As Federal funds are generally used for expansion and renovation work at the airport
terminal, any improvements or modifications to the terminal building may require review
by SHPO in addition to review by HSPB. This review is accomplished through a Section
106 review, which is required as part of the environmental review process for any
Federally-funded projects (pursuant to 36 CFR 800).
The improvements that are currently in process at the airport terminal would not be
subject to any additional reviews if the building is nominated to the National Register. The
current expansion plans, which were included in the Airport Master Plan, have already
been evaluated under Section 106 as part of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy
Act) review process, and it was determined that the expansion would not result in any
significant impacts to the historic building.
Regardless of the National Register listing, any future improvements that were not
contemplated under the Airport Master Plan would require a Section 106 review under
NEPA, as the process requires consideration of impacts to cultural resources that are
eligible for listing in addition to those that are already listed.
Process for Submittal: The Airport Commission considered this issue at its meeting of
April 11, 2018, and approved the nomination. If the City Council approves the submittal
of the nomination, the application will be finalized and submitted to SHPO for processing.
The applications will then be reviewed by SHPO and the state's National Register Review
Board. If recommended for listing, the state then submits the applications to the National
Park Service for final review and listing by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic
Places. The National Park Service typically makes a listing decision within 45 days upon
receipt of the recommendation.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION:
The proposed nomination 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
Guidelines California
activityis not a project as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA ,
p 1 )
Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in
physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City directly associated with the submittal of the
nomination. If the nomination is awarded, the City would be responsible for the purchase
and installation of a bronze plaque identifying the building as being listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
03
City Council Staff Report
April 18, 2018-- Page 4
National Register of Historic Places Nomination
Flinn Fagg, AICP Marcus L. Fuller, MPA, P.E., P.L.S.
Director of Planning Services Assistant City Manager
David H. Ready, Esq., P
City Manager
Attachments:
1. Letter from Peter Moruzzi
2. National Register fact sheet
City of Palm Springs January 25, 2018
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Dear Dr. Ready and Mr. Nolan,
As you know, Donald Wexler was one of the most important architects ever to have lived and
worked in the Coachella Valley. It is because of Wexler's importance that the concept of formally
honoring his work at the national level arose.
This year, a committee of local residents and organizations initiated the process of including the
best examples of Wexler's work in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register
is the highest honor the federal government can bestow on America's architectural treasures.
As the founder of the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom) and an architectural
historian by profession, I have been hired to write the nomination on behalf of financial contributors
consisting of individuals, owners of Wexler-designed properties, and others who believe that
Wexler should receive such national recognition based upon his design achievements in Palm
Springs and the Southern California region. Just last year, through the same process, 12 buildings
by local architect E. Stewart Williams were added to the National Register to great acclaim,
including Palm Springs City Hall, Fire Station #1, the Palm Springs Unified School District
Headquarters, the Upper Tramway Station, and the Visitor's Center.
Under the umbrella of the National Register's Multiple Property Submission (MPS) process, we are
requesting that the Palm Springs International Airport be included as part of the nomination.
I would be glad to fully explain the nomination process, which includes photographing the airport
and documenting its history.
Donald Wexler is among the Coachella Valley's highest profile regional modernists. Including the
best examples of his work in the National Register will invariably draw significant statewide and
national attention to our area and all of our important modern resources. Our Wexler-designed
properties deserve recognition amongst the greatest and most significant modern buildings in the
state and across the nation.
Please contact me with any questions that you might have.
Sincerely,
Peter Moruzzi
Architectural Historian
PO Box 5659
Palm Springs, CA 92263
petermoruzzi@gmail.com 213-706-0151
05
STATE OF CALIFORNIA-THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY EDMUND G.BROWN,
Governor
OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ` '
1725 23"Street,Suite 100 s
SACRAMENTO,CA 9581 6-7100
(916)445-7000 fax:(916)445-7053
cals h po@parks.ca.gov
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
FACT SHEET
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of buildings, structures,
objects, sites, and districts worthy of preservation. The National Register was established by the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The purposes of the Act are: to insure that properties
significant in national, state, and local history are considered in the planning of federal
undertakings; and to encourage historic preservation initiatives by state and local governments
and the private sector.
The following benefits are associated with National Register listing:
1. Listed properties may use the State Historic Building Code, a more flexible alternative to the
Uniform Building Code. The use of this code may save owners money when repairing or
rehabilitating their properties.
2. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, a privately owned building that is listed in the National
Register or is a contributing building in a National Register historic district may be eligible for
a 20%federal income investment tax credit based on the costs of a qualified rehabilitation of
the building. These credits apply only to income-producing, depreciable properties, including
residential rental properties. The credits do not apply to owner-occupied residential
properties. Plans for the rehabilitation are reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office
and the National Park Service, and work on the building must meet federal rehabilitation
standards.
3. The Tax Treatment Extension Act of 1980 provides federal tax deductions for preservation
easements that result in a decline of fair market value, when conservation restrictions are
placed on the property by the owner.
4. All properties and districts listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register are
considered in the planning of federal undertakings such as highway construction and
Community Development Block Grant projects. "Federal undertakings" also include
activities sponsored by state or local governments or private entities if they are licensed or
partially funded by the federal government. "Federal undertakings" do not include loans
made by banks insured by the FDIC or federal farm subsidies. National Register listing does
not provide absolute protection from federal actions that may affect the property. It means
that if a federal undertaking is in conflict with the preservation of a National Register
property, the California Office of Historic Preservation will negotiate with the responsible
federal agency in an effort to eliminate, minimize, or otherwise take into account the
undertaking's effect on the historic property. This review procedure applies to properties that
are determined eligible for the National Register in the day-to-day environmental review
process, as well as those actually listed in the National Register.
5. In California, a local tax assessor may enter into contracts with property owners for property
tax reductions through the Mills Act.
6. Qualification for grants when funds are available.
Revised January 24,2011 06
7. Listed properties are recognized for their architectural or historic worth, an intangible benefit
that is nonetheless valuable. Listing in the Register is primarily an honor, meaning that a
property has been researched and evaluated according to established procedures and
determined to be worthy of preservation.
8. Properties listed in, or officially determined eligible for listing in the National Register are
automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.
The following may sometimes be regarded as restrictions on National Register listed
properties:
1. A project receiving federal assistance such as Community Development Block Grant funds
must be reviewed by the Office of Historic Preservation to determine and hopefully avoid or
lessen any potentially adverse effects on National Register properties. Any work undertaken
using federal funds must generally use the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for
Rehabilitation Projects. Please note, however, that if a property is not listed, but is eligible
for listing, the same requirements apply. In other words, actual listing does not increase the
owner's responsibility under the law.
2. If a project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), then the National
Register designation of a property (or the determination of its eligibility)would indicate its
significance and the need to take into account any effects of the project on the property.
Note -this is not necessarily a drawback, depending on the point of view of the owner/local
agency. Note also that significance can also be evidenced by other state or local
designation, surveys, or other professional evaluation.
3. A local agency may tie listing in the National Register to restrictions imposed locally, such
as design review. This does not come automatically with listing, however, but must come
about as a result of separate local action. Check with your local government.
4. If a property is listed in the National Register, either individually or as a contributor in a
National Register district, the owner may not take the 10% federal investment tax credit
available for rehabilitation projects on commercial buildings constructed prior to 1936. By
following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, however, the owner may take the 20%
tax credit.
5. Proposals to demolish or significantly alter a National Register property damaged in an
earthquake or other natural disaster may be subject to review by the Office of Historic
Preservation. (See Section 5028 of the Public Resources Code.)
There are some common misconceptions about the implications of listing:
1. It is not true that the federal, state, or local government assumes any property rights in the
building as a result of listing. Owners are not required to open their homes to the public. If a
project is not subject to CEQA, to local preservation ordinances, or to the other
environmental regulations outlined above, owners are free to make changes to their
property. It is possible that the property could be so altered, however, that it would be
removed from the Register.
2. Unfortunately, it is also not true that there are large sums of money available to assist
owners and local agencies in rehabilitating National Register properties. Funds are very
limited, with the federal tax credits being the most generally available financial assistance.
Revised January 24,2011 07
4/12/2018 National Register of Historic Places Fact Sheet
SHPO FACT SHEET #1
(January 1996)
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
WHAT THE NATIONAL REGISTER DOES:
1. Provides recognition of a property's significance in history, architecture, archaeology, or engineering.
2. Provides limited protection when a property is endangered by a federally funded or licensed action.
3. Provides the owner of income-producing property (commercial or rental residential) the opportunity to
receive investment tax credits for "certified rehabilitation."
4. Provides the owner the opportunity to apply for matching grant-in-aid for restorationlrehabilitation(when
funding is available).
WHAT THE NATIONAL REGISTER DOES NOT DO:
1. Does not restrict the use of the property. (For example, an owner can continue to live in a listed house,
convert a listed property to another use, continue to farm ground where a listed archaeological site may be
located, conduct new construction on the site, etc.)
2. Does not restrict the sale of private property.
3. Does not require continued maintenance of private property.
4. Does not require that any specific guidelines be following in a rehabilitation (unless the owner is using
federal funds or receiving an investment tax credit).
5. Does not require the owner to give tours of the property or open it to the public.
6. Does not guarantee funds for restoration.
7. Does not guarantee perpetual maintenance of the property.
8. Does not provide a tax credit for a private residential structure.
9. Does not provide a historic marker for the property.
THE NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION PROCESS:
1. Any person or organization can submit a nomination for any property.
2. To nominate a propert to the National Register, a "National Register of Historic Places Registration
Form," and, if appropriate, a "National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation
-Form" must be completed and submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive,
Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
3. The State Historic Preservation Office staff reviews each nomination received. If the nomination is
complete and in acceptable format, it will be scheduled for presentation at the earliest possible Historic
Preservation Review Committee meeting. Unacceptable nominations will be returned to the preparer with
written comments.
4. The Historic Preservation Review Committee meets at 10:00 a.m. on the third Thursday of January, April,
July, and October in the Oklahoma Historical Society Boardroom, unless otherwise announced.
5. If the Historic Preservation Review Committee approves the nomination, it will be sent of the Keeper of
the Register, Washington, D.C.; written comments received before or during the committee meeting will
be transmitted with the nomination to the Keeper of the Register.
6. The Keeper of the Register has forty-five (45) days from date of receipt of nomination to act. The Keeper
can list the property in the National Register, issue a determination of eligibility (in special
circumstances), reject the property for listing, or return the nomination for additional information or
clarification. O g
7. The Keeper notifies the State Historic Preservation Office of the listing of the property in the National
Register of Historic Places, and the SHPO then notifies all property owners ane elected state and local
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4/12/2018 National Register of Historic Places Fact Sheet
officials of the designation. The SHPO shall also inform the owner(and nomination preparer, if not the
owner)when a property is rejected for listing or returned for additional information.
8. If an owner requests in writing, a certificate denoting listing in the National Register will be issued by the
SHPO.
HOW NOMINATIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE REVIEW COMMITTEE:
Acceptable nominations received by the State Historic Preservation Officer are scheduled for the first possible
meeting of the Historic Preservation Review Committee. Generally, acceptable nominations received sixty (60)
days prior to a meeting of the committee will be presented. However, if more nominations are received than can
be processed in accordance with federal regulations, the nominations will be scheduled in accordance with the
priorities listed below.
1. Properties considered to be endangered.
2. Properties that are examples of a rare type or that are surviving examples of a once common type.
3. Properties that are candidates for the special tax incentives or grants programs.
4. Properties considered eligible for nomination to the National Register by a Certified Local Government.
5. Properties for which there is a demonstrated public concern.
6. Other properties for which sufficient documentation exists to warrant nomination to the National Register
of Historic Places.
Back to Menu National Register Criteria
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