HomeMy WebLinkAbout23950RESOLUTION NO. 23950
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING 1197
ABRIGO ROAD 'THE THEODORE & CLAIRE MORSE
RESIDENCE" AS A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, AND
DETERMINE THE PROJECT AS EXEMPT FROM CEQA
AS A CLASS 31 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION (HSPB 94).
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. Gary & Joan Gand, ("Applicant and owner") in collaboration with the Palm
Springs Preservation Foundation (PSPF) have 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 1197 Abrigo Road (APN 505-092-007). The
application included a historic resources report prepared by the Palm Springs
Preservation Foundation (PSPF) dated March 3, 2015.
B. On May 26 & 28, 2015, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB)
and city staff conducted site inspections to familiarize themselves with the subject site.
C. On June 9, 2015, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB 94 was held
by the HSPB in accordance with applicable law.
D. The proposed historic site designation is considered a "project' pursuant to the
terms of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), and has been determined
to be Categorically Exempt as a Class 31 exemption ("historic resources restoration /
rehabilitation) pursuant to Section 15331 of the CEQA Guidelines.
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 7-0 to recommend Class 1
historic site designation for the Theodore & Claire Morse Residence at 1197 Abrigo
Road to the City Council.
F. On January 13, 2016, a noticed public hearing to consider Case HSPB 94 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, including, but not limited to, the staff
report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
Resolution No. 23950
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 Theodore & Claire Morse Residence is significant because of its design and
aesthetic effect.
Criterion 3: That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national,
state or local history; or
The Theodore & Claire Morse Residence (TCMR) possesses many of the distinctive
characteristics, detailing, and styling reflective of the post-war period of development in
Palm Springs. During this period, many local developers, hoteliers, homeowners and
merchants embraced Modern architecture, adapting it to the desert climate and casual
lifestyle. The Morse Residence exemplifies the post-war period in architecture in two
ways: (1) it began life as a conventional post-war modernist tract house, constructed of
inexpensive mass-produced materials using post and beam construction, and (2) the
Levitt -designed addition and reconfiguration gave the home a custom-built quality,
making use of higher quality materials and infusing it with "Hollywood Regency" -like
architectural details, a style that reached its zenith of popularity in the post-war sixties.
Criterion 4: That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction;
The original structure of the TCMR was built using inexpensive mass-produced
materials and conventional "post and beam" construction, which was common in the
50's and 60's in most of the Alexander Construction Company tract homes built in Palm
Springs, as well as the many Eichler homes found throughout California. The Levitt -
designed addition appears to be of conventional "stick built" frame and stucco
construction with stone veneer. Certain aspects of the design of the home are unique
and distinctive (such as the sunken living room, the large sliding glass pocket doors,
and the integration of the swimming pool with the living room), and the method of
construction allowing a thin roof profile with significantly long spans between columns is
significant.
Resolution No. 23950
Page 3
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 home presents the talent of architect Hal Levitt. Levitt was an architect of regional
significance, having designed many residential commissions for celebrities in the movie
industry in Los Angeles, the R;vie a Hotel In Los Vegas and most notably, many ;Jones
in Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills. Levitt's work, while solidly grounded in the
Modern period of architecture, exhibits characteristics of the Regency style which was
popular during the sixties especially in Los Angles.
Levitt's work can often be distinguished from that of other architects practicing in that
period by his grandly -scaled exuberant spatial sequences, eclectic "Regency styled"
decorative interiors, and a masterful interplay between indoor and outdoor living. Levitt
had the good fortune of receiving many commissions from wealthy patrons, which
allowed him greater opportunities to experiment with high quality materials, custom
millwork and finishes, and expansive covered terraces and loggias with over -sized
sliding glass pocket doors, and interesting angles. The Morse residence possesses
these characteristics.
SECTION 2. DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS: The physical
character -defining historic features of this site include the following:
1. The concrete "Empress' screenblock wall on the front fagade of the home.
2. The oversized glass sliding pocket doors on the west fagade between the living
room and the swimming pool.
3. The angular swimming pool that abuts the exterior living room wall, including the
"island column".
4. The fieldstone walls on the exterior and interior of the home.'
5. The extended roofline spanning over the swimming pool.
6. The terrazzo walkways at the front of the house (excluding the "Fritztile" terrazzo -
looking tiles on the driveway).
7. The "Shadowal" concrete block perimeter wall along the north property line.
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."
' Although the interior of privately owned sites are not subject to Class 1 designation, the interior rock
walls that match the exterior rock walls are integral in creating the visual seamlessness between inside
and outside areas around the pool.
Resolution No 23950
Page 4
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 37369 for the purpose of preserving areas and specific buildings
of the city which reflect Ple,-ncrts of its raftuml, social, eroaom ,�, 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 Morse Residence would further the purpose of
the historic preservation ordinance because it reflects elements of the City's
architectural, social, and cultural history as denoted in Criterion 3 (reflecting the Modern
period in architecture and design) and Criterion 5 (It presents the work of Hal Levitt, an
architect of regional significance whose work possesses high artistic value.)
SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
In accordance with Section 15331 (Historical Resources Restoration/Rehabilitation) of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the proposed designation is
categorically exempt from environmental review as the proposed designation meets the
conditions outlined for preservation of a historic resource (Class 31 Categorical
Exemption).
SECTION 5. The City Council hereby designates the parcel at 1197 Abrigo
Road (APN 505-092-007) "The Theodore & Claire Morse Residence" Class 1 Historic
Site #HSPB 94, subject to the following conditions:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. All requirements of the Palm Springs Zoning Code shall be met.
4. Any alterations or modifications to the exterior approved prior to the designation
Resolution No. 23950
Page 5
of this site by the City Council shall be considered legal, non -conforming only as
to Section 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk is directed to submit the Resolution to the County
recorder for recordation within 90 days.
ADOPTED THIS 13T" DAY OF JANUARY, 2016.
ATTEST:
j /James Thompson, City Clerk
David H. Ready, City M
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. 23950 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was
adopted at an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council held on the 13th day of
January, 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 a 21D8 Il a I
ity of Palm Springs, California