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HomeMy WebLinkAbout23291 RESOLUTION NO. 23291 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES LOCATED AT 611 NORTH PHILLIPS ROAD AS A HISTORIC SITE, CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE (HSPB 86). WHEREAS, in 1962-63, a single family dwelling designed by noted architect William F. Cody was constructed at the northwest corner of N. Phillips Road and Gran Via Valmonte, and with a site address of 611 N. Phillips Road; and WHEREAS, the dwelling has been remodeled and restored, including landscaping, following the design principles of William Cody; and WHEREAS, the defining characteristics of this building include: - Form, proportion, structural grid, and floor plan, represented as a cluster of pavilions that focus on gardens through large expanses of glass. - Stylistic and architectural detailing, including trimless windows and doors, and Sophisticated building materials WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of historic sites; and WHEREAS, the property owner, Eric Ellenbogen, with the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, has submitted an application for Historic Site Designation for the subject property; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Historic Site Preservation Board of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of the property at 611 N. Phillips Road, as a historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on December 11, 2012 and January 8, 2013, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the property at 611 N. Phillips Road as a historic site, and at which meeting 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, all written and oral testimony presented; and following said hearing voted 4 to 0, with one absence and one abstention to recommend Class 1 designation of the site as contained in HSPB Resolution No. 86; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of the property at 611 N. Phillips Road, as a historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on February 6, 2013, the City Council conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the property at 611 N. Phillips Resolution No. 23291 Page 2 Road as a historic site, and at which meeting 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, all written and oral testimony presented THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY FINDS AS FOLLOWS: 1. The property reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history. Midcentury modern residential architecture developed deep roots in Palm Springs beginning in the 1950's and the Abernathy Residence is an excellent example of how William F. Cody developed his approach to defining resort-style living, through a cluster of pavilions that focus on gardens through large expanses of glass. The house and site utilization represent an important phase of the development of Palm Springs' architecture that influenced the development of later custom estates. Subsequent additions have been generally respectful of the original site plan and design. 2. The property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction. The subject is a model for desert or resort residential construction for the wealthy of the mid-century period. The defining characteristics include form, proportion, structural grid, floor plan, stylistic and architectural detailing, and materials among the most sophisticated in the region. The building serves as a reference to ideas of design and construction in plan and form in the ways it combines particular construction materials in a unified whole. The way in which the defining characteristics of this property are related by style, choice and availability of the materials and technology utilized in its construction is emphasized because the home is a perfectly intact and important example of its type, and of the building practices of the 1960s. 3. The property presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value. The building's architect, William F. Cody, was recognized by the AIA with a Fellowship after twenty years of practice in southern California and other warm climates. He is one of the recognized groups of mid-century modern architects who practiced in the Palm Springs area. The Abernathy residence expresses the distinctly midcentury modernist phase in Cody's career for which he continues to be known. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the City Council does hereby adopt the attached Statement of Historic Significance and designate the entire property located at 611 N. Phillips Road as a Historic Site, Class 1 subject to the following conditions and noting that the carport, pavilion and cactus garden do not contribute directly to the property's historic significance, yet should be included to provide for future review of any alterations; Resolution No. 23291 Page 3 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 shall require HSPB review pursuant Municipal Code Ordinance 8.05.180. 3. No review for maintenance of the landscaping shall be required, except that, subject to staff approval, any new landscape materials shall be native or desert- appropriate, including removal of turf, where practical. 4. All requirements of the Palm Springs Zoning Code shall be met. 5. That the City Clerk submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution. 6. 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 6T" DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2013. David H. Ready, Cit ager ATTEST: ?am2es:�Thompson, City Clerk Resolution No. 23291 Page 4 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. 23291 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 February 6, 2013, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Lewin, and Mayor Pougnet. NOES: None. ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Mills. ABSTAIN: None. mes Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, CaliforniaD�L�/Zo�.3 Resolution No. 23291 Page 5 STATEMENT OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE 611 N. PHILLIPS ROAD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Palm Springs is known internationally for its significant concentration of midcentury modern residential and commercial construction. It has been said that no American city is more closely identified with this particular period of American architecture. As a perfect example of the domestic architecture of the period, the James Logan Abernathy Residence truly exemplifies this period of national, State and local history. The Abernathy residence is significant primarily for its architectural quality. Master architect William F. Cody's design for the 1962 home exemplifies Midcentury Modern desert architecture and that period of local architectural history. It embodies the distinctive characteristics and construction methods of a private residential retreat of its era. Furthermore, the home is a unique representation of the high artistic values that may be found in a desert residence. As an embodiment of the distinctive characteristics of the type, period, and methods of custom residential styling, the building displays distinctive characteristics and physical features. These features define resort-style living, expressed in this home as a cluster of pavilions that focus on gardens through large expanses of glass. The exterior spaces were fully developed to promote the year-round use of multiple outdoor amenities such as patios spas and swimming and reflecting pools. This property contains enough of these characteristics to be considered a true representative of its particular type, period, and method of construction. The subject is a model for desert or resort residential construction for the wealthy of the mid-century period. The defining characteristics include form, proportion, structural grid, floor plan, stylistic and architectural detailing, and materials among the most sophisticated in the region. The building serves as a reference to ideas of design and construction in plan and form in the ways it combines particular construction materials in a unified whole. The way in which the defining characteristics of this property are related by style, choice and availability of the materials and technology utilized in its construction is emphasized because the home is a perfectly intact and important example of its type, and of the building practices of the 1960s. The house and site utilization represent an important phase of the development of Palm Springs' architecture that influenced the development of later custom estates. To understand how William F. Cody qualifies as a "master architect" it is necessary to review his background and career. He came to the Coachella Valley when he was commissioned in 1946 to provide design services to the Desert Inn. A native of Ohio, Mr. Cody attended Beverly Hills (CA) High School, Santa Monica Junior College and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Architecture in 1942. During the war years, he worked on industrial, military and educational facilities in northern and southern California, and Arizona. He also worked for Cliff May, a leading southern California building designer, Resolution No. 23291 Page 6 and is credited with work on May's Pace-Setter House — an influential, low-cost California ranch house design. Mr. Cody received National Design Award recognition for several elementary and high school buildings on which he worked while employed at the firm of Marsh, Smith and Powell (Los Angeles, CA). He applied for membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1948 showing an office location in Santa Monica. The Southern California Chapter of the AIA granted one of his first desert commissions, the San Marcos Hotel, an "honorable mention" in its award ceremony in 1949. By 1950, William Cody and his family had relocated to Palm Springs, and he was retained to convert the Thunderbird Dude Ranch into the Thunderbird Country Club. Subsequent commissions in the Coachella Valley followed, including work at the Eldorado Country Club, the Tamarisk Country Club, the Racquet Club and the Tennis Club. He spent nearly a decade beginning in 1960 altering and expanding the Spa Hotel for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Additional commissions in California, Arizona, Texas, Cuba and Mexico continued his specialization in country club / residential developments. Mr. Cody was elevated to Fellowship in the AIA in 1965 and found his last commissions back in Palm Springs where he designed St. Teresa's Catholic Church and Convent (1966-68) and the Palm Springs Public Library (1973). Following a stroke, he died in 1978 at age 62.