HomeMy WebLinkAbout23649 RESOLUTION NO. 23649
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 630 EAST TACHEVAH DRIVE,
AS CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
ZONE R-1-13 (HSPB #80).
WHEREAS, on May 8, 2012, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.135, the City of
Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) initiated investigation and study
of "The Charlie Farrell Residence" at 630 East Tachevah Drive (HSPB Case #80) (APN
#507-092-008) and the associated guest house at 1120 North Via Miraleste (HSPB
Case #81) (APN# 507-092-009) for possible historic designation; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, a notice of public hearing of the Historic Site Preservation Board to
consider a recommendation for Class 1 historic designation of The Charlie Farrell
House (HSPB #80) and 'The Guest House (HSPB #81) was issued in accordance with
applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2014, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a public
hearing on the subject applications in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, The Historic Site Preservation Board carefully reviewed and considered all
of the evidence in connection with the designation, including but not limited to the staff
report, application and historical research, and all written and oral testimony presented
and voted 6-1 (Ploss opposed) to recommend that
(a) the City Council designate "The Charlie Farrell House" at 630 East Tachevah
Drive as Class 1 historic site "HSPB #80'; and
(b) the City Council take no action on `The Guest House" at 1120 North Via
Miraleste "HSPB #81", and
(c) only as a condition of approval, the Board would recommend that if the applicant
merges the two parcels on which the Charlie Farrell House (HSPB #80) is
located with the parcel on which 'The Guest House" (HSPB #81) is located, that
the Guest House be included in the Class 1 designation.
WHEREAS, a notice of public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California to consider a recommendation for Class 1 historic designation of 'The Charlie
Farrell House" (HSPB #80) and 'The Guest House" (HSPB 81) was issued in
accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2014, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the
subject application in accordance with applicable law; and
Resolution No. 23649
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WHEREAS, the City Council carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence in
connection with the designation, including but not limited to the staff report, application
and historical research, and all written and oral testimony.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1:
The subject sites are located in the Movie Colony Neighborhood at 630 East Tachevah
Drive (HSPB #80, "The Charlie Farrell House" APN 507-092-008) on a roughly 36,055
square foot lot and at 1120 North Via Miraleste (HSPB #81, "The Guest House" APN
507-092-009) on a roughly 12,497 square foot lot.
SECTION 2:
The Charlie Farrell House at 630 East Tachevah Drive is historically significant because
(a) It is associated with Charlie Farrell, a person of local, state and national
significance. Farrell lived in the home from 1952 until his death in 1990. Farrell
was a person of significance because of (1) his long career as a television and
movie star beginning in the 1920's in the silent movie era, (2) his association as
co-founder and long-time manager of the Palm Springs Racquet Club, an entity
that contributed to Palm Springs' reputation as a playground for celebrities and
movie stars, (3) and his tenure as Mayor of Palm Springs from 1948 until 1952.
(b) It presents an excellent example of the architecture of a large Spanish Colonial
Revival Estate. On this particular parcel can be found the following defining
architectural features and characteristics:
1. A rambling floor plan with various parts of the house connected by open
archways and courtyards,
2. Half-round terra cotta clay roof tiles.
3. Thin, wrought iron window grills.
4. The wrought iron-enclosed "window seat" on the south fagade and its
associated roof.
5. The "CDF" steel emblem welded into the ironwork over the main entry
archway.
6. The smooth stucco exterior walls.
7. The heavy timber rafter tails and projecting eaves.
8. The clay tile chimney caps.
9. The stucco extended sill at the windows.
10.The open archway at the entry separating a guest wing (formerly the garage)
from the main house.
11.The original painted steel sash casement windows.
12.The courtyard/rose garden on the east side of the home.
(c) It presents a particular style or type of development that was prevalent in Palm
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Springs when it emerged in the 1930's and 40's as an exclusive 'get-away'
destination for wealthy industrialists and celebrities from the Hollywood Movie
industry.
(d) It has a minor association with notable architect Albert Frey, who designed
modest additions to the home in the 1940's.
SECTION 3:
Class 1 designation of the Charlie Farrell House at 630 East Tachevah Drive would
further the purpose of the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Municipal Code
Section 8.05), which is:
"...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."
SECTION 4:
Those elements of the site that appear to have been added or modified and are hereby
deemed "non-contributing" include the following:
1. The pavers in the driveway.
2. The new garage.
3. The heavy iron gates at the main pedestrian entry (original photos show this as a
wood gate).
4. The replacement windows and doors with insulating thermalpane glass.
5. Light fixtures in the entry archway cannot be confirmed as original.
6. The courtyard fountain.
7. The wood timbered back porch (north elevation).
8. The swimming pool.
9. The half-height partitions enclosing the outdoor kitchen and grill.
10.The extensive grassy lawn.
11. Infill of several windows (west fagade).
12.The decorative antique wood brackets on the rose garden perimeter walls.
13.The pairs of wood doors with multi-paned windows across the north side of the
home.
SECTION 5:
The "guest house" at 1120 North Via Miraleste (HSPB-81), although of a similar
architectural style and construction date as the main house, was split off from the main
house in 1947 and exists today as a completely separate parcel. As a stand-alone site,
it does not reflect the same estate-like sprawling "hacienda-like" setting and qualities as
the main house nor is it a significant example of a style of architecture or a period of
construction. Only when evaluated as an integral part of the larger estate does it
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contribute to the conveyance of historical significance. Furthermore, although owned
and occupied for around eight years by photographer Gayle Thomson, Thomson does
not rise to the level of a person of local, state or national significance.
The guest house, when considered by itself and on its own merit, would not further the
purposes of the Historic Preservation ordinance. If merged with the same parcel as the
main house, the guest house would then contribute as an accessory structure to the
physical setting and significance as a notable example of the Spanish Colonial Revival
architectural style and the grand hacienda-like quality of the site. As such, the Council
hereby includes a condition of approval that if the parcel on which the guest house is
sited were merged again with the main house, it would contribute to the historic
significance of the entire site and the granting of Class 1 status would be conveyed to
both structures on one contiguous site.
SECTION 6:
The "Guest House" at 1120 North Via Miraleste, although records denote was
constructed at roughly the same time as the main house, has had numerous
modifications over the years. Thus, if the parcels are merged, the guest house physical
characteristics that may be deemed "contributing" are as follows:
1. The half-round terra cotta clay roof tiles.
2. The glazed decorative tile around the main front door.
3. The stucco molding around the windows.
4. The wrought iron window grills.
5. The clay tile chimney caps.
Elements that are "non-contributing":
1. The vinyl "dual-pane"windows and other replacement windows and doors.
2. The aluminum sliding window on the north fagade.
3. The garage.
SECTION 7:
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).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the City
Council does hereby designate the entire site located at 630 East Tachevah Drive, "The
Charlie Farrell House", as Class 1 Historic Site HSPB #80, 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
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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,
damaged or otherwise removed from the property.
2. All future modifications of the existing structures as well as any alterations,
additions or new structures 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. The City Clerk shall submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
5. Any alterations or modifications to the exterior approved prior to the
designation 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.
6. This Class 1 designation applies to 630 East Tachevah Drive. The Class 1
designation does not apply to 1120 North Via Miraleste unless the two parcels
are merged within 60 days of this action and prior to the recordation of this
action with the County Recorder. Written proof of the completion of such
merger shall accompany, and be made a part of the documentation submitted
to the City Clerk for recordation with the County Recorder's Office.
ADOPTED this 3rd day of September, 2014
David H. Ready, Cit er
ATTEST:
� mes Thompson, City Clerk
Resolution No. 23649
Page 6
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. 23649 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 September 3, 2014 by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Lewin, Mayor Pro Tem Hutcheson
and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Mills
ABSTAIN: None.
, es Thompson, City Clerk
ity of Palm Springs, California 017/z`i�z°j