The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About24028 RESOLUTION NO. 24028 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE RESIDENCE AT 1164 NORTH CALLE ROLPH `THE BEL VISTA RESIDENCE" A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, ZONE R-1-C, APN 507-124-012 (CASE HSPB 100), THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS 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 residence located at 1164 North Calle Rolph (APN #507-124-012). The application included a historic resources report prepared by Mr. Hays, dated 21 January 2016. C. In March 2016, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) conducted separate guided site inspections of the proposed historic site, accompanied by City staff. D. On March 8, 2016, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #100 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 Bel Vista Residence as a Class 1 Historic Site. F. On May 18, 2016, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB #100 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 haring on the project, including, but not limited to, the staff report and all written and oral testimony presented. F. 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. Resolution No. 24028 Page 2 THE CITY COUNCIL 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'): (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: The Bel Vista residence is significant because of its design and aesthetic effect. 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 first owners of the residence were Sallie Stevens and Culver Nichols, who were also part of the team responsible for the development of the Bel Vista subdivision. Sallie Stevens 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. The simple, horizontal lines of the residences in the subdivision served as a precursor to the later Meiselman and Alexander developments of the 1950's. 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. 24028 Page 3 • Frey House I — 1940 • Frey House 11 — 1963 • Loewy House — 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: 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 plaster exterior finishes; • The wood casement windows; and • Any original remaining exterior doors. 2. The curved masonry wall adjacent to the laundry room at the rear of the residence. The following elements are not included as part of the designation: 1. The site landscaping and hardscape; 2. The garage door/carport enclosure on the west fagade of the residence; 3. The swimming pool and pool equipment enclosure. SECTION 3. FINDINGS. Pursuant to PSMC 8.05.160 ("Findings and Decisions — Resolution'), the HSPB and 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." Class 1 historic site designation of the Bel Vista Residence would further the purpose of Resolution No. 24028 Page 4 the historic preservation ordinance because it reflects elements of the City's architectural, social, and cultural history as follows: Criterion 2: It is associated with individuals that made meaningful contributions to local history, in that it was the residence of Culver Nichols and Sallie Stevens Nichols, who were influential in the early development of Palm Springs. Criterion 3: It reflects the Modern period in architecture and design that was popular in the post-war period in Palm Springs and elsewhere in the nation, and was part of one of the first subdivisions in Palm Springs to feature modernist architecture. Criterion 5: It presents the work of Albert Frey, an architect of both local and national significance, whose work possesses high artistic value. SECTION 4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. The City Council finds that the Class 1 Historic Site Designation of the residence 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 1164 North Calle Rolph (APN #507-124-012), "The Bel Vista Residence," a Class 1 Historic Site (Case HSPB #100). ADOPTED THIS 18T" DAY OF MAY, 2016. David H. Ready, City Man ATTEST: a�mes Thompson, City Clerk Resolution No. 24028 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, hereby certify that Resolution No. 24028 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 18th day of May, 2016, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Kors, Councilmember Roberts, Mayor Pro Tem Mills, and Mayor Moon. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. I es Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California o�f�sfZolL