HomeMy WebLinkAbout24001 RESOLUTION NO. 24001
A RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE
TOWN & COUNTRY CENTER LOCATED AT 146-174 N.
PALM CANYON DRIVE AND 167-181 N. INDIAN CANYON
DRIVE AS CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE AND NOTICE OF
EXEMPTION FROM CEQA AS A CLASS 1 HISTORIC
SITE, ZONE CBD, MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC
PLAN (BLOCK "K") (HSPB 51).
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. On October 13, 2015, the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) voted 6-0-1
(Dixon absent) to forward to City Council a recommendation to reconsider the Museum
Market Plaza Specific Plan (MMPSP) with regard to preserving the Town & Country
Center ('The Center") as a Class 1 historic site.
B. On February 8, 2016 the HSPB voted 7-0 to receive the historic resources report
for The Center provided by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, dated January
2016 (the "Historic Resources Report"), and directed staff to schedule inspection of the
site by board members and to schedule a noticed public hearing of the HSPB to
consider a recommendation to City Council for Class 1 historic designation of The
Center (Case HSPB #51).
C. On March 8, 2016 the HSPB held a noticed public hearing to consider a
recommendation to the City Council for Class 1 historic designation of The Center. At
said hearing the HSPB voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council
designate The Center as a Class 1 historic site.
D. 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.
E. A notice of public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California to consider Case HSPB #51 was given in accordance with applicable law.
F. On April 20, 2016, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #51 was held
by the City Council in accordance with applicable law and at said hearing the City
Council 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, the Historic
Resources Report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
Resolution No. 24001
Page 2
THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY AS A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE. The Center is
eligible for consideration as a historic site because it conforms to certain criteria
established in Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) Section 8.05.020 ("Definitions'):
(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 and:
(1) That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution
to the nation, state or community; or
(2) That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution
to national, state or local history; or
(3) That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or
local history; or
(4) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction; or
(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; or
(6) That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction; or
(7) That has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national,
state or local history or prehistory.
The City Council analyzed The Center against the criteria above, informed by the
Historic Resources Report and all the information received at the public hearing. The
City Council finds that The Center meets the definition of a historic site pursuant to
Criterion 1 (Significant Events), Criterion 3 (Significant Period), Criterion 4 (Distinctive
Characteristics) and Criterion 5 (Work of master architect(s)) as follows.
The Center with its modern architectural styling comprised of commercial and retail
spaces with wide cantilevered horizontal shading elements oriented toward a central
courtyard is a modern, and highly stylistic re-interpretation of the traditional Spanish
hacienda, which typically featured a central courtyard, surrounded by broad, covered
porches or passageways with access to the individual rooms that surround the
courtyard. In this regard, it is significant for its design, setting, and aesthetic effect.
Criterion 1: Significant Series of Events.
The Center conveys the significance of the gradual rise of Palm Springs' prominence in
midcentury architectural excellence. The Center is also significant in its ability to
convey the rather rapid series of events in which Palm Springs evolved from a simple
Resolution No. 24001
Page 3
desert village to a world-renowned resort destination drawing sophisticated and wealthy
visitors and residents with its high-end boutiques, shops and restaurants.
Criterion 3: Significant Period in Local History.
The Center also reflects the period in local history, beginning in the 1930's and
continuing after World War II as the town grew in notoriety as a favored destination of
wealthy vacationers, who soon also became part-time and full-time residents. The
Center, with its stylish modern architecture appealed to the growing number of affluent
visitors to Palm Springs.
Criterion 4: Embodies Distinctive Characteristics of a Type Period or Method of
Construction.
The Center, with its minimalist Modern architectural style reflects a building typology
that was relatively quick to construct, economic in its materials, and simple in its
detailing. The ease of construction of the simple Modernist buildings, in comparison to
the more complex, highly-detailed Spanish Colonial Revival styles was important at the
time, given how quickly the town was growing and expanding. Property owners and
developers found not only a construction type that was fast and easy to build, but
stylistically it appealed to the growing number of visitors to the town.
Criterion 5: The Work of Master Architects possessing High Artistic Value
The following architects of local, national and international prominence were involved
with the design of various components of The Center: Paul R. Williams, A. Quincy
Jones, Donald Wexler, Albert Frey, and John Porter Clark. While A. Quincy Jones and
Paul R. Williams are credited primarily with the design of the Center. Architects Clark &
Frey collaborated with Williams & Jones on development of the commercial spaces in
the 156-166 and 170-174 North Palm Canyon Drive buildings and Donald Wexler is
credited with the design of the E.F. Hutton building at 168 North Palm Canyon Drive.
SECTION 2: CONTRIBUTING AND DEFINING HISTORIC
CHARACTERISTICS. The Center is comprised of several parcels and multiple
buildings described as follows:
Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN's: 513-092-010, a 0.6-acre parcel and 513-092-009; a
1.34-acre parcel) on which are located buildings addressed as follows: 146-150 North
Palm Canyon Drive, 156-166 North Palm Canyon Drive, 168 North Palm Canyon Drive,
170-174 North Palm Canyon Drive, 167 North Indian Canyon Drive, 171 North Indian
Canyon Drive, and 181 North Indian Canyon Drive.
The following components are to be identified as "contributing" elements on the site:
1. The facade of 146-150 North Palm Canyon Drive ("The Bank of America
Building")
Resolution No. 24001
Page 4
Exception:
The first floor storefronts below the cantilevered shade element due to
material alterations that do not reflect the original materials.
2. The facades of 156-166 and 170-174 North Palm Canyon Drive, including those
fronting the courtyard, which includes the semi-circular element on the back of
the 174 Building.
Exception:
The painted corrugated metal panels at the second floor that replaced the
original cement-fiber panels in the 1980's. The material however should
not be removed from the site unless a restoration effort is undertaken to
replace it with material similar in appearance to the original cement-fiber
panels.
The storefront materials at the first floor level because they have been
altered from the original materials. Note: At the 174 Building, if a
restoration is contemplated in which the breezeway is re-established, it is
recommended that the storefronts that originally fronted that breezeway
be re-established by referencing the original architectural drawings,
photographs and other historic materials.
3. The facades of the 168 North Palm Canyon Drive Building.
Exception:
Aluminum awning frames.
4. The facades of the 167 North Indian Canyon Drive Building.
Exception:
The low masonry wall along the Indian Canyon Drive frontage.
The masonry planters that are not shown in the original photos of the
courtyard adjacent to the stairs to the second level.
5. The south and east facades of the 171 North Indian Canyon Drive Building.
6. The open courtyard in the center of the complex and all the connecting paseos
connecting this open space to both street frontages including the landscape
(hardscape/softscape) plan in this courtyard.
Exception: Miscellaneous plantings, benches and trash receptacles that
are not part of the original features of the courtyard.
SECTION 3: NON-CONTRIBUTING ELEMENTS. The following are identified
as "non-contributing" to the historic significance of the Center:
1. The north and south parking lots.
2. The aluminum and canvas canopies and awnings affixed to several of the
buildings.
3. The wall sconce light fixtures on the 156-166 and 170-174 Buildings.
Resolution No. 24001
Page 5
4. The corrugated metal panels on the Palm Canyon fagade (note: these panels
shall not be removed unless it is part of an initiative to restore the fagade with
panels replicated to the appearance of the original cementitious panels).
5. The miscellaneous plantings benches and furniture that are not part of the
original features of the courtyard.
6. The low masonry wall along the Indian Canyon frontage.
7. The 181 North Indian Canyon Drive Building.
SECTION 4: 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:
"If 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 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."
The designation of The Center as a Class 1 historic furthers the purpose of the Historic
Preservation Ordinance because:
• The Center possesses unique architectural characteristics from the Modern era
and from an important period in Palm Springs history when the community
embraced the application of Modern architecture to new structures of all kinds.
• It presents a unique and sophisticated interpretation of the classic "Spanish
hacienda", building typology, applied to a commercial development in which
functional spaces were built around a common open courtyard.
• It is reflective of the work of several significant architects whose body of work
including The Center is considered to be of high artistic and creative value.
• It will contribute to the stabilization and improvement of the site by making it
eligible for the property owner to seek financial incentives such as the Mills Act
and other federal and state historic property tax incentives.
• The Center, with its open courtyard and low density development, provides a
valuable open space component in a key commercial and tourist-oriented part of
Resolution No. 24001
Page 6
the City that is becoming denser with the redevelopment of the Fashion Plaza
site across the street.
• The Center's paseos and breezeways provide mid-block pedestrian connectivity
between the main commercial activity along Palm Canyon and new
development to the west and the future development of Section 14.
SECTION 5: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The City Council finds that the Class 1 Historic Site Designation of the Center 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.
SECTION 6: CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.
1. The site shall be subject to regulation under Municipal Code Section 8.05.00
(Historic Preservation), including Article IV "Rules and Regulations for Historic
Sites and Districts".
2. The property owner shall permit the City to place a historic marker of the City's
choosing at the site. The marker shall be placed in a location visible from the
public right-of-way. The owner shall maintain the marker in the location installed
and pay for the replacement cost if the plaque is lost, stolen, or otherwise
removed from the property.
3. All future modifications of the existing structures, as well as, any new buildings
proposed on the site shall require HSPB review pursuant Municipal Code
Ordinance 8.05.180.
4. All requirements of the Palm Springs Zoning Code shall be met.
5. That the City Clerk submits the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
6. A comprehensive security plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the
Fire Department and the City Council within two weeks of the designation of the
property.
Resolution No. 24001
Page 7
ADOPTED THIS 20T" DAY OF APRIL, 2016.
ATTEST: ana
DAVID H. READY ger
dS THOMPSON, City Clerk
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. 24001 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on 20th of April, 2016, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Kors, Councilmember Roberts,
Mayor Pro Tern Mills, and Mayor Moon.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ES THOMPSON, City Clerk
ity of Palm Springs, California
0��e.�1 Por