HomeMy WebLinkAbout24114RESOLUTION NO. 24114
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE PARK
IMPERIAL SOUTH CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX LOCATED
AT 1750 — 1844 SOUTH ARABY DRIVE AS HISTORIC
DISTRICT 6 (COMMON AREA APN 510-070-031) AND
APPROVING A DETERMINATION THAT THE ACTION IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
(HSPB103/HD 6).
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) allows for the
designation of historic sites and districts.
B. Peter Dixon, on behalf of the Park Imperial South Homeowners Association, filed
an application with the City for historic district designation of the Park Imperial South
condominium complex pursuant to PSMC Chapter 8.05. The application included a
historic resources report, prepared by Peter Dixon, dated February 2016, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
C. In July 2016, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted
guided site inspections of the proposed historic district accompanied by City staff.
D. A significant number of unit owners with the Park Imperial South condominium
complex have indicated support of the proposed historic district designation.
E. A notice of a public hearing of the HSPB of the City of Palm Springs to consider
designation of the Park Imperial South condominium complex was issued in accordance
with applicable law.
F. On September 13, 2016, the HSPB conducted a public hearing in accordance
with applicable law to consider designation of the Park Imperial South condominium
complex as a historic district, and at the hearing, voted to recommend that the City
Council designate the complex as Historic District #HD-6 (Case HSPB #103).
G. A notice of public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California to consider designation of the Park Imperial South Condominium complex
was issued in accordance with applicable law.
H. On October 5, 2016, the City Council conducted a public hearing in accordance
with applicable law to consider designation of the Park Imperial South condominium
complex as a historic district, and at the hearing, voted to designate the Park Imperial
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South condominium complex as Historic District #HD-6 (Case HSPB #103).
I. The proposed historic district 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.
J. Pursuant to PSMC Section 8.05.160, the City Council, in evaluating a historic
district application, must find that the designation of the site or district supports or
furthers the purpose of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. As stated in Section
8.05.010, "Purpose and Authority," the Historic Preservation Ordinance is:
...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.
Designation of the Park Imperial South condominium complex as a historic district
furthers the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance, in that it preserves a
condominium development that is exemplary of Mid -Century Modern style, represents a
distinctive method of construction through the use of stressed -skin panels for the folded -
plate roof, and preserves the early work of architect Barry Berkus. Based on findings,
the complex qualifies for historic district designation pursuant to the criteria listed in
PSMC Chapter 8.05.
K. Pursuant to PSMC Section 8.05.020 ("Definitions"), in order for an area within the
City to be considered for possible historic district designation, it must contain a number
of structures, natural features or sites that possess "...historic, architectural,
archaeological, cultural or aesthetic significance."
Criterion #4: That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or
method of construction;
The report notes that the development is exemplary of Mid -Century Modernism,
through its folded -plate roof system, strong horizontal massing, extensive use of
glass walls, and use of decorative concrete block. Of particular interest is the
folded -plate roof system, which is constructed of prefabricated stressed -skin
panels, rather than having been stick -built on site. The Report compares the
difference between this method of construction and the method employed by
Donald Wexler for the roofs of his Steel House designs.
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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 complex was designed by architect Barry Berkus, who apprenticed with
architect William F. Cody, FAIA, as a student. The Park Imperial South
condominium complex was designed by Mr. Berkus early in his career; the
Report indicates that Mr. Berkus' other Palm Springs designs include Park
Imperial North Riviera and Merito Manor. Mr. Berkus would later go on to
produce over 10,000 residential designs for developments across the U.S., in
addition to doing urban design work in the U.S. and abroad. The Park Imperial
South condominium complex would be the first local historic designation of his
Palm Springs work.
L. The boundaries of the proposed historic district are coterminous with the
boundaries of the condominium complex, identified as 1750 to 1844 South Araby Drive.
M. The period of significance for the Park Imperial South condominium complex is
approximately late 1950's to early 1960's.
N. The defining characteristics, contributing structures, and non-contributing
structures are listed as follows:
Contributing Structures.
1. All residential structures within the Park Imperial South condominium complex
are recommended to be designated as Contributing Structures in the historic
district and individually treated as Class 1 historic structures pursuant to
PSMC Section 8.05.125.
2. The carport structures shall also be treated as Contributing Structures.
3. The swimming pool and pool deck shall be treated as Contributing Structures.
Defining Characteristics. The physical character -defining features of the complex
include the following:
1. Folded -plate roof structures (utilizing prefabricated stressed -skin panels) with
clerestory windows;
2. Flat roofs with deep, horizontal soffits (for the portion of the structure without
the folded -plate roof);
3. Aluminum -clad windows and sliding doors;
4. Jalousie windows (where remaining);
5. Decorative concrete block walls along the kitchen/garden dining court fagade
(the Report notes that standards for conversion of the garden dining court to
habitable space have been adopted by the HOA and have minimal impact on
the original design of the structure);
6. Smooth stucco and vertical groove siding;
7. Carport structures; and
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8. Pool area.
Non -Contributing Structures.
include the following:
1. Patio walls;
2. Patio gates;
3. Storeroom/pool supply shed;
4. Pool fence;
5. Common area landscaping.
The non-contributing features and structures
O. The specific parcels proposed for inclusion in the Park Imperial South Historic
District are as follows:
Assessor Parcel Numbers 510-070-001 through 510-070-030, and the common
area parcel 510-070-031.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HEREBY RESOLVES:
Based upon the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates the Park Imperial South
condominiym complex located at 1750 to 1844 South Araby Drive as HSPB #103,
Historic District #HD-6.
ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2016.
DAVID H. READY, CITY
ATTEST:
445 S THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
Resolution No. 24114
Page 5
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do
hereby certify that Resolution No. 24114 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 5ch day of October, 2016,
by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Kors, Councilmember Roberts, and
Mayor Moon.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Mills.
ABSTAIN: None.
ME�PSON, CITY CLERK
City of Palm Springs, California r l�pflPo r (o