HomeMy WebLinkAbout23538 RESOLUTION NO. 23538
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE PAUL
DOUGHERTY RESIDENCE AT 1860 VISTA DRIVE A
CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE AND APPROVING A
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2014, Michael F. Fleming and Luis A. Lavin, owners,
submitted an application pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.00 seeking Class 1
Historic designation for the single family residence known as The Paul Dougherty
Residence, located at 1860 Vista Drive; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites; and
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WHEREAS, the subject single family residence is located on a hillside lot of
roughly 16,117 square feet. The lot is at the southeast corner of Vista Drive and Chino
Canyon Road. The wood frame and stucco home was constructed in 1942; and
WHEREAS, the. architecture of the home is best termed a "transitional" style
because it incorporates many traditiona! elements and materials common to Spanish
Colonial architecture (rounded clay roof tiles, exposed rafter tails, stucco, etc.) but also
the simplicity of its form, simple massing, and extensive use of glass reflect the
characteristics of Mid Century Modern architecture; and
WHEREAS, the architect, John Porter Clark was a significant local / regional
architect whose commissions included both custom homes and commercial and
institutional buildings. He designed several homes in the Little Tuscany neighborhood,
the Palm Springs City Hall (in collaboration with other architects), the Welwood Murray
Memorial Library and other notable local buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Dougherty residence is located in the Little Tuscany subdivision,
which was platted in the 1930's by Alvah Hicks, a local real estate speculator and
master builder; who is credited as having worked on the construction of the Desert Inn,
the Thomas O'Donnell Residence, the George Roberson Residence, and numerous
other high-end homes in the Las Palmas-Merito Vista tract including the home he built
for his own family at 501 North Belardo, better known as the Liberace Estate; and
WHEREAS, several of the past owners of the home are individuals recognized
as significant at a local, state, and/or national level. These include Paul Dougherty, who
appears to be the first owner of the home. Dougherty is internationally recognized as a
notable artist and painter of seascapes. William Edris (and wife Marjorie) Edris, who
owned the house from roughly 1950 until 1953, was a prominent business man in
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Seattle, Washington, and a well-known socialite in Palm Springs. Lastly, United States
Senator Warren Magnuson, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the
Senate, purchased the house in 1964; and
WHEREAS, the physical character-defining historic features of this site include
the following:
1. Rounded terra cotta clay roof tiles.
2. The exposed rafter tails.
3. Fieldstone fireplace, stem wall, and retaining wail in the back yard.
4. Expansive use of glass across the rear of the home, including a large (roughly 6
foot by 10 foot) "picture window".
5. Low-slung uninterrupted hip roof form.
6. Steel casement corner window frames.
7. Planter"pockets" along the back side of the home, and
WHEREAS, the Non-contributing elements of the site include the following:
1. The garage constructed in 2010.
2. The conversion of the original garage to living space.
3. A small kitchen addition over a planting pocket, a semi-enclosed outdoor space
near the laundry room.
4. Pool equipment shed.
5. Landscaping.
6. Steel and fabric rear yard patio awning.
7. Swimming pool and fieldstone fireplace, and
WHEREAS, a notice of a public hearing notice of the Historic Site Preservation
Board to consider a recommendation for Class 1 historic designation of the Paul
Dougherty Residence was issued in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on April, 8, 2014, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a
public hearing on the subject application 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 unanimously to recommend that the City Council
designate the Paul Dougherty Residence as a Class 1 historic site; and
WHEREAS, a notice of a public hearing notice of the City Council of the City of
Palm Springs, California to consider a recommendation for Class 1 historic designation
of the Paul Dougherty Residence was issued in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the
subject application in accordance with applicable law; and
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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: REQUIRED FINDINGS
In considering a recommendation for Class 1 historic designation, pursuant to Municipal
Code Section 8.05.160, the purposes of the Historic Preservation chapter are furthered
by designation of such property as a historic site or district. The purpose of the Historic
Preservation chapter of the Municipal Code is outlined in PSMC 8.05.010:
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority of (California)
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. (Ord. 140 §
Class 1 designation of The Paul Dougherty Residence at 1860 Vista Drive would further
the purpose of the historic preservation ordinance because it reflects elements of the
City's architectural, social, and cultural history as follows:
1. That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to
national, state or local history
The subject site is associated with Paul Dougherty, a notable and accomplished
seascape painter. The site is also associated with William Edris, a successful
businessman from Seattle, who, along with his wife Marjorie were very active in the
local social scene in Palm Springs. The site is also associated with U. S. Senator
Warren Magnuson, whose career serving as representative from Washington state is
well documented.
2. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction; or
The Dougherty Residence reflects the early modern period in Palm Springs, specifically
post World War II, when many local architects were exploring the design aesthetic of
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the Modem movement and blendingthis "new" style with more familiar traditional styles
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of architecture. The home, upon first glance, appears to be a typical post-war ranch
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style home, however upon closer scrutiny, the use of very large expanses of glass, a
minimal amount of ornamentation, and simplicity in its overall form and massing make
this building a "forerunner" to the minimalist Modern style for which Clark later would
become known.
3. 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 Dougherty Residence presents the work of architect John Porter Clark, an architect
of regional significance whose work in Palm Springs included such well known buildings
as the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, the Palm Springs City Hall, and several
"transitional" homes in the Little Tuscany neighborhood that reflected the evolution of
his work from traditional "Spanish Colonial" styles to Mid-Century Modem.
SECTION 2: 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).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the City
Council does hereby designate the entire property located at 1860 Vista Drive as a
Class 1 Historic Site, 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. That the City Clerk submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
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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.
ADOPTED THIS 7T" DAY OF MAY, 2014
DAVID H. READY, ANAGER
ATTEST:
YAMES 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, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 23538 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 7th day of May, 2014, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Lewin, Councilmember Mills, Mayor Pro Tem Hutcheson,
and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Foat.
ABSTAIN: None.
i MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
City of Palm Springs, California
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