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Home My WebLink About24197 RESOLUTION NO. 24197 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE RESIDENCE AT 1520 EAST TACHEVAH DRIVE (APN 507-124-008), "THE ALBERT FREY BEL VISTA HOME," A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, AND DETERMINED THE PROJECT AS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), HSPB 105 (ZONE R-1-C). 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. Todd Hays, owner and applicant, has 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 1520 E. Tachevah Drive (APN #507-124-008). The application included a historic resources report prepared by Mr. Hays, dated 10 December, 2016. C. In January 2017, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted individual guided site inspections of the proposed historic site, accompanied by City staff. D. On February 14, 2017, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #105 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 voted 6 to 0 to recommend that the City Council designate the Albert Frey Be[ Vista Home as a Class 1 Historic Site. F. On March 15, 2017, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #105 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 report and all written and oral testimony presented. H. 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) Resolution No. 24197 Page 2 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. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES: SECTION 1 . The subject parcel is eligible for consideration as a historic site because it conforms to the following criteria established in Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) Section 8.05.020 (`Definitions'): Criterion 2: That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; The nomination report indicates that the subdivision and houses were designed by Albert Frey and developed by Frey in partnership with Sallie Stevens Nichols and Culver Nichols. Sallie and Culver Nichols are also listed as the first owners of the residence at 1520 E. Tachevah Drive, eventually selling the home in 1955. Sallie Stevens Nichols was the daughter of Prescott Stevens, an early community founder and developer; Culver was one of the original members of the committee formed in 1936 to study the incorporation of Palm Springs, and later served as the first president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. Both Sallie and Culver were influential in real estate development in the community, and later donated the land for the Valley Station and parking lots for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Criterion 3: That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history, The report states that the residence (and the Bel Vista Subdivision) holds a significant place in post-war development in Palm Springs, in that it is the first modern-style subdivision to be developed and holds a significant place in Palm Springs' Early Modern Period. The simple, horizontal lines of p the residences in the subdivision served as a precursor to the later Meiselman and Alexander developments of the 1950's. In particular, the residences of the Bel Vista Subdivision possess the distinctive characteristics of the International Style, including the overall horizontality of the structure, the flat roof, open carport, and use of inexpensive mass-produced materials. Criterion 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 residence was designed by Albert Frey, whose body of work has been recognized both locally and nationally. His 1934 design for the Kocher-Samson Building represents the first international-style structure constructed in Palm Springs. Other local notable works include the following: Resolution No. 24197 Page 3 • Frey House I — 1940 • Frey House II — 1963 • Loewy Residence — 1946 • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station — 1949-1963 • Palm Springs City Hall — 1952 • North Shore Beach and Yacht Club — 1958 • Tramway Gas Station - 1961 SECTION 2. DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NON- CONTRIBUTING FEATURES: The physical character-defining historic features of this site include the following: 1. The residence structure with the following features and finishes: • The flat roof and horizontal fascia detail; • The stucco exterior finishes; • The wood casement windows; and • All remaining original exterior doors. 2. The curved masonry wall adjacent to the laundry room at the rear of the residence. The non-contributing features include the following: 1. The site landscaping and hardscape; 2. The garage door/carport enclosure on the south fagade of the residence; 3. The swimming pool and surrounding deck; 4. The French door in the middle bedroom (added later). SECTION 3. FINDINGS: Pursuant to PSMC 8.05.160 ("Findings and Decisions — Resolution'), the City Council must make findings in support of the historic site designation as follows: `7f the city council shall find that the purposes of this chapter are furthered by designation of property as an historic site or district, such findings shall be stated in a resolution designating such property within such historic site or district." The purpose of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is outlined in PSMC Section 8.05.010 as follows: "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 Resolution No. 24197 Page 4 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." Class 1 designation of the Bel Vista Home would further the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance because it reflects elements of the City's architectural, social, and cultural history as follows: Criterion 2: That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to national, state or local history, Criterion 3: That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history; Criterion 5: That resents the work of a master builder, designer, artist p or architect whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value. Based on these findings, the residence qualifies for Class 1 designation pursuant to the criteria listed in PSMC Chapter 8.05. SECTION 4. 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 1520 East Tachevah Drive (APN #507-124-008), "The Albert Frey Bel Vista Home," a Class 1 Historic Site (Case HSPB #105). Resolution No. 24197 Page 5 ADOPTED THIS 15TH DAY OF MARCH, 2017. David H. Ready, Esq., City Manager ATTEST: V Kathleen D. Hart, MMC Interim City Clerk CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, KATHLEEN D. HART, Interim City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. 24197 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 March 15, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Kors, Mills, Roberts, Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Moon NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None LL1 a Kathleen D. Hart, MMC Interim City Clerk