HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-21 STAFF REPORTS 1A Falb Springs
Economic Development Corpmmfion
A Non-poliI Pu0[1c Inlett'sf Coryomton
June 21, 2006
Mayor Ron Oden
City Council Members
City Staff
Palm Springs Residents
Re: One Palm Canyon Project— Lawrence Rael
Dear Mayor Oden, City Council Members, Staff and Palm Springs Residents
The Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors
continues its concerns about responsible economic growth for the City of Palm
Springs.
This Board of Directors believes the Rae] Development Project is good for the
City of Palm Springs and is in agreement with the original assessment by the
Historic Site Preservation Board. The corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and
,Alejo is direneed of redevelopment.
Mr. Rael has proven himself to be sensitive to the concerns of the citizens of
Palm Springs. PSEDC's "Project Review Committee" has agreed that this is an
excellent, well thought out project for downtown.
In conclusion, the Palm Springs Economic Development Board of Directors urges
the City Council to stay on course and allow this project to move forward.
(Respectfully,
(Edward Torres
President, PSEDC
9
�1�
City Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 5 of 6
scope and inappropriately subjective conflicting with both the City's General Plan
and the HSPB vote.
The cultural resources survey was conducted by CRM TECH, an independent
professional consultant team hired on behalf of the city by its contract planning firm,
Terra Nova Planning and Research, Inc. The consultant used nationally recognized
methods for historic research that included review of historic records, field inspections,
and consultation with local historic preservation groups and individuals. The criteria for
findings were taken from CEQA's requirements for historic resources and the criteria for
listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. The CRM TECH report
measured the site conditions and findings against required findings of these guiding
agencies and their conclusions are carefully noted.
Staff concludes that the consultant used reasonable methodology and objectively made
its findings based on recognized criteria.
5. The Boards actions will trigger cumulative negative impacts, establish precedent
for a deleterious domino effect laying groundwork for eradication of some of Palm
Springs most significant, long-established attributes.
The Boards' action preserves the significant architectural, sociological, cultural, and
familial history of the site:
A. Through incorporation into the proposed new project of existing
architectural elements deemed significant,
B. Through photographic and narrative documentation of present and
past buildings, events, activities, businesses, and families associated
with the site and
C. Through permanent on-site public presentation and display of these
materials.
Staff believes the board's action upholds the values that the City of Palm Springs places
on architecture and the preservation of its history. The public display of these materials
will further strengthen the public understanding and awareness of:
A. Architecture and prominent architects
B. Patterns of development,
C. Individuals who contributed to its heritage,
D. Events and businesses that used to exist on the site, and
E. Aspects of the City's history that relate to this particular site.
Rather than being deleterious, staff believes the Boards' action will be an attribute to the
surrounding character of the neighborhood, nearby significant buildings, and other
historic resources in the City and have the effect of educating and bringing awareness
and appreciation to the heritage of the City. /Tlae�a4�
June 20, 2006
To: Ron Oden, Mayor �� 4�o i g P "I
From: John Abner, Palm Springs Koffi
Dear Ron, t IT '� C.i.l::f''�A
I am writing about concerns I have over the proposed development at Alejo and Palm
Canyon and how it will affect the current on street parking,traffic patterns and
neighborhood congestion. I have heard about but have not seen the plans or had the
opportunity to speak to any one about them. As I understand,the underground parking
garage will empty out on to Alejo. I would like to know if this is true and if it will affect
any of the existing on street parking on Palm Canyon or Alejo or make any changes to
the current traffic pattern. I personally feel that Indian Canyon Drive,being the large
through of fare that it is,would be a better option for handling the traffic than Alejo. I
would like very much if you would respond to this concern. The street parking in
question is vital not only to my business which depends on quick in and out accessibility
but to all of the businesses in The Corridor. The Palm Canyon Theatre across the street
and events in the park rely on this parking as well.
I know this proposed development is controversial. I personally feel, although it is a
beautiful development and that it will undoubtedly help my business even with a
potential competitor across the street,that it will forever change the"village fabric" and
will not really feel like it belongs in the neighborhood. But putting all that aside, it should
at the very least be a"good neighbor" and not disrupt the healthy business already going
on in the block north of Alejo by negatively affecting parking and traffic flow. Therefore,
I would ask that in considering this new development you look closely at not just how it
will affect downtown but also how it will affect the immediate neighborhood.
1. This development should not cause the loss of any on street parking currently on
Alejo or Palm Canyon Drive which the businesses north of Alejo depend on.
2. This development should not cause the alteration of current traffic patterns which
were changed and improved four years ago.
3. Access in and out of this development's underground garage should not cause
excessive congestion for the patrons of existing businesses.
Thank you for taking the time to let me share with you my thoughts and concerns with
this development. I would greatly appreciate hearing from you regarding them and will
depend on you to protect the interests of the existing and thriving businesses.
Sincerely,
r%
U�
John Abner, Owner
Palm Springs Koffi
515 North Palm Canyon Drive
John Abner Cell Phone (760) 567-9065 � 1 0AW /Y1RT2/sFLS
d1Ol2ll Zva4,
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�aQ?ABM$p4
FOR CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 21, 2006
SUBJECT: Consideration of an Appeal of the Historic Site Preservation Board actions
of May 23, 2006 regarding the site known as the 400 block of North Palm
Canyon Drive and North Indian Canyon Drive (Case 5.1091-PD 324)
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: The Planning Department
SUMMARY
An appeal filed on June 7, 2006 by Jeannine Raymond et al, requesting reconsideration
of an HSPB action of May 23, 2006 not to initiate reclassification of certain buildings.
The Board's action would allow demolition of the properties and establish an archival
program for the structures,
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. , "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA TO UPHOLD THE ACTION OF THE HISTORIC
SITE PRESERVATION BOARD TAKEN ON MAY 23, 2006 TO ALLOW DEMOLITION
OF CERTAIN STRUCTURES AND PRESENTATION OF HISTORIC MATERIAL FOR
PERMANENT PUBLIC RECORD AND DISPLAY ON THE SITE, INTEGRAL WITH THE
PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT."
ACTIONS TAKEN TO DATE
On March 14, 2006 the HSPB discussed the proposed mixed use project at the south
side of Alejo between North Palm Canyon and North Indian Canyon ("The Rae[ Project")
noting possible demolition of several structures on the site including the Strebe Building
and Monte Vista Hotel. The Board noted there had been meetings between the public
and the developer in the recent past to discuss the scope of the project.
On April 11, 2006 the HSPB received the cultural resources survey for the project that
was commissioned on behalf of the City by planning consultant Terra Nova Planning
and Research, Inc. The Board heard a presentation by Lawrence Rael, developer for Item No. I .A.
City Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 2 of 6
the project on the subject site including his intentions to demolish several structures on
the: site and to reconstruct elements of the Strebe Building including the canopy shade
structure and second story belvedere. Mr. Thomas Tang, author of the cultural
resources report discussed his process and findings on the existing structures on the
site. The Board heard public comment and moved to receive and file the CRM report
and to meet on the site and invite the public. (M/S/C 7 yes-0 no-0 absent-0 Abstention).
On May 9, 2006 the HSPB heard public comment on "The Rael Project". Staff was
directed to arrange a special meeting of the full board at the site on May 23, 2006 so it
could observe the project site and better understand the nature and condition of the site
and existing buildings.
On May 23, 2006 the HSPB met at the 400 North Palm Canyon Drive site and toured it
with staff, representatives of the developer, the project architect, the cultural resources
consultant and the public. A Board subcommittee comprised of Mr. Williams, Ms.
Williams and Mr. Nelson conducted an additional site inspection in areas not open to
the public. The Board reconvened at City Hall, heard public comment and discussed
the project. The subcommittee reported their findings and observations. The action
available to the Board under authority granted to it by Municipal Code Section 8.05 was
to initiate a process of reclassifying the structures to a higher and more protective
classification or take no action and allow the buildings to be demolished. The Board
moved that the project be allowed to proceed — no reclassification -- with the
understanding that significant elements of the Strebe Building would be incorporated as
shown on the elevation drawings of the new development (the canopy and belvedere).
The Board asked that if the canopy cannot be saved and reused, that it be replicated in
its exact form in the new project. Complete blueprints, photographs, and all aspects of
the historical significance of the Monte Vista Hotel, The Strebe Building and the 1936
bungalow building be displayed for public viewing in a permanent on-site exhibit.
(M/S/C 4 yes-2 no-1 absent-0 abstentions).
On June 7, 2006 the City Clerk received an appeal on the actions taken on May 23,
2006,
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Staff has reviewed the appellant's letter of June 7, 2006 and identified the following
reasons stated in the appeal for reconsideration and resumption of HSPB review.
Staff's response to each is provided immediately following each statement.
1. The HSPB vote did not consider fully the sociological, cultural, and familial
resources of the site, particularly regarding potential eligibility for historic
designation.
The Board read and discussed the Cultural Resources Survey and hdard public
comment regarding the historic nature of the site, including the families who owned the
City Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 3 of 6
sites, their significance in the history and development of Palm Springs, the architects
involved in the buildings on the site, and the significance of the style of architecture of
the buildings that exist on the site. It also reviewed the historical activities and events
which had taken place on the site including the significance of the businesses operated
there. It toured the site and appointed a subcommittee to evaluate portions of the site
not: publicly accessible. Board members spoke with the professional consultant
responsible for the cultural resources evaluation, the developer, and the architect.
Staff has concluded that the Board adequately considered the information necessary to
assess the buildings' eligibility for historic designation.
2. The HSPB vote did not consider fully sections of the Palm Springs General Plan
that relate to historic preservation including:
Objective 5. 10: Preservation of the physical evidence of Palm Springs' heritage
to enhance the quality of life in Palm Springs by adaptive reuse of buildings of
architectural, historical, and/or cultural significance.
The Board made significant effort to consider preservation of the physical evidence that
exists on the site by conducting a special meeting to tour the site as a whole body, and
by appointing a subcommittee to tour and visually observe those portions of the site not
accessible to the public. It considered the physical condition of the structures that exist
(much of which is seriously deteriorated, decayed and in disrepair) and questioned the
developer about adaptive reuse of the structures. It discussed the historical events and
features of the site which no longer exist. It discussed ways of preserving the heritage
and history through a permanent on-site display of photographs, blueprints, and
narrative text.
Policy 5b/11: Encourage public agencies to preserve and rehabilitate historic
resources and as design theme in the community redevelopment process_
There are no community redevelopment activities presently involved nor anticipated in
the vicinity of the subject site, thus public agency involvement would not be applicable.
Policy 5.10.2: Encourage developers of sites containing significant architectural,
historical, or cultural structures to adaptively reuse and expand it in lieu of
demolition and replacement.
The; analysis in the cultural resources survey suggests that although the site contained
structures from an early period of development in Palm Springs, none were deemed of
a level of importance, condition or significance that would merit preservation and/or
adaptive reuse.
Section 11-29: The atmosphere of Palm Springs is at once an historic asset, an
aesthetic asset, and an economic asset to the City. It bespeaks theT heritage of
OUO3
Cite Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 4 of 6
Palm Springs. It is worth protecting and enhancing. Historic preservation is the
means of doing so.
The Board evaluated the site and determined its current condition did not represent an
asset to the city; rather, it concluded that the vacant storefronts, deteriorated structures,
and blighted condition are detrimental to the aesthetic and economic value of the city. It
concluded the most appropriate means of protecting and preserving the heritage and
history of the site was through reconstruction of significant architectural elements of the
site; that do exist and photographic and narrative presentation of those elements and
persons which no longer exist.
Staff believes that the Board reasonably addressed issues raised in the General Plan as
it relates to Historic Preservation.
3. The property in question meets all seven of the specific criteria defining an
historic site according to Municipal Code 8.05.020.
A 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 this is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship or aesthetic effect and meets any of the seven criteria in the
Municipal Code that define a historic site as follows;
A. Significant events took place there,
B. Significant individuals are associated with the site,
C. It is representative of a particular period in history,
D. It is a notable example of an architectural style,
E. It is the work of a notable architect,
F. Represents a significant entity whose components may lack individual
distinction
G. Has yielded or may yield important historic or prehistoric information.
The Board gave balanced consideration to the historic significance of the site while
acknowledging that the architectural significance of the structures has been
compromised by additions, renovations and lack of maintenance over time The cultural
resources report addressed the events and uses of the site, the individuals associated
with it, the nature of Palm Springs at the time each building was constructed, the style of
architecture of each of the buildings, and the architects (where known) who were
associated with design of the buildings. The Board discussed these findings and
listened to public comment related to these issues.
It is staff's belief that the board gave serious consideration to the qualities and history
related to the site.
4. Numerous conclusions in the "Historic-Period Building Survey" appear limited in
City Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 5 of 6
scope and inappropriately subjective conflicting with both the City's General Plan
and the HSPB vote.
The cultural resources survey was conducted by CRM TECH, an independent
professional consultant team hired on behalf of the city by its contract planning firm,
Terra Nova Planning and Research, Inc. The consultant used nationally recognized
methods for historic research that included review of historic records, field inspections,
and consultation with local historic preservation groups and individuals. The criteria for
findings were taken from CEQA's requirements for historic resources and the criteria for
listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. The CRM TECH report
measured the site conditions and findings against required findings of these guiding
agencies and their conclusions are carefully noted.
Staff concludes that the consultant used reasonable methodology and objectively made
its findings based on recognized criteria.
5. The Boards actions will trigger cumulative negative impacts, establish precedent
for a deleterious domino effect laying groundwork for eradication of some of Palm
Springs most significant, long-established attributes.
The Boards' action preserves the significant architectural, sociological, cultural, and
familial history of the site:
A. Through incorporation into the proposed new project of existing
architectural elements deemed significant,
B. Through photographic and narrative documentation of present and
past buildings, events, activities, businesses, and families associated
with the site and
C. Through permanent on-site public presentation and display of these
materials.
Staff believes the board's action upholds the values that the City of Palm Springs places
on architecture and the preservation of its history. The public display of these materials
will further strengthen the public understanding and awareness of:
A. Architecture and prominent architects
B. Patterns of development,
C. Individuals who contributed to its heritage,
D. Events and businesses that used to exist on the site, and
E. Aspects of the City's history that relate to this particular site.
Rather than being deleterious, staff believes the Boards' action will be an attribute to the
surrounding character of the neighborhood, nearby significant buildings, and other
historic resources in the City and have the effect of educating and bringing awareness
and appreciation to the heritage of the City.
City Council Staff Report June 21, 2006
Case5.1091-PD 324 Page 6 of 6
6. Elimination of valuable historic elements in this block would be inconsistent with
the National Trust for Historic Preservation's recent selection of Palm Springs as
one of twelve cities in the United states listed this year as a Cultural Tourism
destination for its architecture.
The Boards' actions will allow the demolition of the existing deteriorated buildings and
blighted conditions, as well as to allow the redevelopment of the site with new
structures, new retail attractions, new housing and other new amenities.
It is staff's belief that this action will further the promotion of Palm Springs as a
"Distinctive Destination" as noted in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's
selection of the City as one it its twelve such designated cities.
In conclusion, staff believes the actions taken by the HSPB up to and including the May
23, 2006 action were well-thought, thorough, reasonable and appropriate and no new
evidence has been presented that would cause staff to recommend that Council should
overturn the Board's action or initiate protective status for the Strebe Building, the
Monte Vista Hotel nor the 1936 bungalow.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council uphold the actions taken by the Historic Site
Preservation Board on May 23, 2006 related to the demolition of certain structures and
direction to the developer to provide permanent presentation for pubic view of the
historic significance of the site.
FISCAL IMPACT: Finance Director Review:
Jfiscal
ng, AI P orb as�. Wils�r
Direc or of Plannil g ervices As tint Cit Ma ager, Dev't Svcs
David H. Ready .—
City Manager
Attachments:
1. Minutes of HSPB Board meetings of March14, April 11 , May 9, and May 23, 2066
2. Appeal letter dated June 7, 2006
3. Cultural Resources Survey dated March 20, 2006
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
CORRECTED -Minutes of Regular Meeting -Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 8:15 a.m.
Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
FY 2005-2006
Present Present Excused Absences
ROLL CALL This Meeting Year-to-Date To-Date
James Hayton, Chair X 8 0
Sidney Williams, Vice Chair X 7 1
William "Bill"Scott X • 8 0
,John Williams X 8 0
,Jim Isermann X 4 4
,lade Nelson X 8 0
Harold "Bud" Riley X 3 0
STAFF PRESENT:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
Chairman Hayton called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
REPORT O STING OF AGENDA: The Revised Agenda was available and posted in accordance with state
and local procedures ublic access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning Services
counter by 4:00 p,m.,Thurs March 9,2006.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs o B Meetings are-available for review, Cassettes will be kept for six months
only. DVDs of the meetings will be kept indefingely. Minutes format is more action related than verbatim except where
special interest or special meetings are involved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes) N O N E
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
M/ti/c (Scott/Riley - 6 Yes - 0 Absent - 1 Abstention) to prove the February 14, 2006
Minutes as presented,
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: NONE
PUBLIC HEARING: NONE
ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL: NONE
.
AGERMA91M#1: HSPB WORK PROGRAM 2006/2007 - DRAFT
Staff presented vised Work Program for the coming year. The budget request is being
prepared and staff wiill repo k after City Council review.
AGENDA #2: BOARD LETTER TO CI DU
RE IMMEDIATE CON7RNS - 'BOARD
MEMBERS S. WILLIAMS AND J. NELSON
Sub-Committee members drafted letter based on discd9gknis at February meeting, Various'
verbiage and aspects were discussed with revisions suggested and staff will
finalize letter, get all signatures of Board members, and present to Mayor ouncil members
before tomorrow's meeting.
i �Jdv
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
Tuesday, March 14,2006
MIS/C (Iserman Williams - 7- Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions) to accept the Board's
letter to City Coun ' ith all revisions so outlined for delivery to City Council before
tomorrow's (March 15) Co mil meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS #3. POTTER CLINIC --TOQQ NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE -ARCHITECTURAL
ASSESSMENT- LISTED ON SURVEY- BILLT AND STAFF
Board concem was voiced about demolition of adjaa ent-properties if this a permit to demo this
property also had been issued. There has been a historic assessment done on the property and one
member heard the owner was interested in relocating the building. ���
Staff reported receiving a copy of this assessment and circulated the report,'st ing that it basically
contains the background normally included in historic preservation reviews. Nothin "in`e regarding
demolition or activity on the building. Relocation of the building has not been brought-IQ staffs
attention. \\
AGENDA ITEM #4: STREBE BUILDING, 400 BLOCK OF NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE - BILL
SCOTT&STAFF
There has been a historic assessment done on this property. This building is part of a large parcel
of property purchased by Lawrence Rael, a developer who wants to raze it and build a large urban
style shopping center. Seems sympathetic to the historic value of the properties and ordered the
assessment. Staff will update the Board at a future meeting.
GENDA ITEM #5: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE - BOARD MEMBER JOHN
LIAMS. i
No rbport. Commented that media coverage will be needed when the Workshop /Study Session is `
finalize&
AGENDA ITEIGI ff: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUE SURVEY UPDATE -STAFF& BOARD
Board Member Bud Riley volunteered for this project. Chairman Hayton is still discussing the
plaaquing of the Cork"N Bottle with the new owner. One member asked if the Indianoya building, a
Class 2 site, is eligible fo�laquing and wanted this added to next month's agenda for discussion.
AGENDA ITEM#7; DISCUS ON-CITY'S HISTORIC PRES. ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 8.05 PSMC,
DUTIES, ACTIVITIES -STAFF \\,,
Staff provided a copy of the Historic Pf\esservation Ordinance Chapter 8.05 in the Board Packet.
Corrected for clarification:
Board desires to develop procedures in a revised Or"
price that would enable it to review those
building permit applications involving exterior modifrcatio for any of the 53 buildings identified in
the 2004 Architectural Resources Survey as being eligible fo ocal designation or higher.
AGENDA ITEM#8: PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FNDTN -VICE CHAIR SIDNEY,WILLIAMS
Foundation is reviewing a successful Modernism Week and will start m ing plans for next year...
AGENDA ITEM#9: PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY- Chairman J. YTO
Chairman Hayton commented that the Society has a lot of Palm Springs history an are ah excellent
source for,those who are interested.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
A ENDA ITEM#10: PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE- MEMBER J. WILLIAMS
Pell r Moruzzi, Chairman of ModCom and ModCom fully support the RSPB letter drafted for the City
Coun il. Mod
C0m will be presenting a plaque to the City Council tomorrow honoring Palm Springs
as bein chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the nation's dozen
distinctiv destinations.
AGENDA ITEM#11. ARCH. & DESIGN COUNCIL-P.S. ART MUSEUM- MEMBER J. ISERMANN
The next lectur is Saturday, March 18 at 6 p.m. and Architect Leo Marmol will be speaking about
Pre-Fab Archite re. $5 for ADC members and $10 for general public. There will be another
screening of"Dese Utopia" on March 23, a 90-minute film profiling the architects who contributed to
nnid-century modern re in the desert. Time is 7 p.m. at the Palm Springs Art Museum, tickets are
available through the b office.
AGENDA ITEM#12: ON OING PROJECTS UPDATES -STAFF & SUB-COMMITTEES
(A) COLONY PALM HOTEL- Case 3,0619 at 572 North Indian Canyon Drive: Went before
Planning Commission February 8, and was approved subject to "the mural in the
reconstructed spa buildin is to be protected throughout the construction phase and is to
remain preserved in the babqment of the building." Board asked that this project be watched
carefully because of actions.Mng taken by the project management without permits.
(B) HORIZON HOTEL: 1050 Est Pal Canyon Drive: No update.
(C:) GTE BUILDING: 360 North Palm Guyon Drive (Class 1 Historic Designation#26): Staff
reported the building is still a sandy beige color. The approved color was off-white. Owner
had agreed to re-paint the building. Boar asked for an update at the April meeting.
(D) SEEBURG BUILDING 1081 North Pal Can o Drive: Sub-committee: Bill Scott reported that
it is almost complete. There are aluminum eyebNrows being added over the upper windows
and that is the final aspect of the exterior renovati Suggested this be removed from the
Agenda.
(E) VISITORS CENTER AMPHITHEATER 2901 North Pal Can on Drive Class 1 Historic
Designation #33): Staff reported that the Amphitheater is c plete with the exception of
back-ordered Bougainvillea and installation of the Rotary pla e. It was submitted to City
Council a couple weeks ago and there was no objection or co ent. Board asked about the
plaque proposed by the Rotary Club. A copy of the plaque will b resented at the next
meeting.
(F) ATM SHELTER AT WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK 499 South P\almanvon Drive: 6tb-
' JwGI 2/.23-LII3GpiQ1�R11 WOCfIq-L�lri QQII
Mutual head office and a letter has been sent to the President of t e -han.""d4q.--., .-t
\ / ATM to the side 0. Lple W116rig, 'it was Install�-� about'Len years ago an-1 newe, deaign,� M
CORRECTED FOR CLARITY:
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Verbatim from Tape: ATM Shelter at Washington Mutual Bank, 499 South Palm Canyon
Drive. Sub-committee Jade Nelson and Sidney Williams met with regional manager, George
anson, and tried to relay the significance of the building and that the ATM shade shelter
W not sensitive to the architecture. Swanson indicated that it is a design used at other
banks and they wanted to keep it. They felt the only change necessary would be to repaint
the b k upright steel 2x2s to a color that would be sympathetic to the building's metal
treatme /t has been done. The Board's sub committee indicated several architects who
might be ' g to make suggestions that would be more sensitive and how the ATM and
shade struc a could be handled in a different way. Mr. Swanson indicated he would accept
them and intr uce them to other people in the bank's administration. Lance O'Donnell and
Donald Wexler ere contacted. During the discussion Mr. Wexler was told that the bank
would not accept ,any alterations, there is no money to do if, and it was suggested that
maintenance issue would not be done. Another contact within the community was made
with someone who is miliar with the Washington Mutual head office and a letter has been
sent to the President the bank indicating that WMB should be more sensitive to the
community, that this is historic building, and that other options should be entertained.
There has been no respo a as yet. A member of the community called March 13 and
reported that the railing is ing painted at WMB, but don't know if the black is being
repainted white or the white being repainted black. Maintenance is very poor. Sub-
committee asked about moving a ATM to the side of the building, it was installed about ten
years ago and newer designs wou be bettered suited. Will report back.
(G) OASIS HOTEL/TOWER 121 South P m Canyon Drive Tower is Class 1 Historic Site#10 :
Staff reported this went to Planning Co is
on February 8, presented to City Council on
March 1, Resolution 15424 was adopted, nd the project was approved. Staff received a
final report on the demo of the two buildings n March 9 and is in process of reviewing the
report. No comment on the report at this time.
(H) PALM SPRINGS RACQUET CLUB 2743 North I Ian Canyon Drive: Staff reported it was
approved by Council on February 8, no further reviely staff until applicant submits the
working drawings.
(1) SPANISH INN- CASE 5.1019-CUP/TTM 31104 Conditional Use Permit to allow the
conversion of hotel to condominiums and construction of n condos at 640 North Indian
Canyon Drive. (Survey listed property). Staff reported it has ceived approvals with the
conditions for milestone compliance. There is a schedule asso iated with that approval and
does not begin until the final tract map is recorded. Building per 'ts have been issued,
inspections have occurred, and work is being done on the site tow d completion and
compliance. More building has been taken down than originally indi led, but they are
building in accordance with plans so they Eire within the approvals.
j. TYLER'S HAMBURGERS 149 South Indian Canyon Drive Part of La PI they
Class 1
Site#22. Sub-committee: Bud Riley and James Hayton looked at latest de ' ns that are
sympathetic to surrounding structures. Board approved at an earlier meeting. Staff reported
they will now apply for the building permit.
Board was concerned that other businesses within that historic site have installed
canopies/awnings in front of their business, but no other application has come before is
Board.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5
Tuesday, March 14,2006
K. CATHERINE MEYLER-Case 3.2098 convert garage to living space and construct 440 s.f.
rport at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive (Class 1 Historic Site#45-Grace Lew Miller
(Neea) Home. Staff advised the Ms. Meyler appeared before the AAC on March 6, they
voted un`arrimously to approve with recommendations. Applicant will be presenting a letter
to staff dispubn he recommendations. Staff has not received that letter.
E30ARD AND SUB-COMM[ E REPORTS: N O N E
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDATES:
Staff asked for a sub-committee to assist sta the review of the Hamrick House, a 1941-42 John
Porter Clark and Albert Frey designed home at 8 West Chino Canyon Road. Staff and the sub-
Committee will do a walk-thru with the homeowners, view, and determine if it is worthy of
proceeding with a recommendation for a Class 1 design 'on. Sidney Williams and Jade Nelson
volunteered. Staff will contact all parties and arrange for k-thru with the owners.
There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:3 m. The next regularly
scheduled meeting will be April 11, 2006 in the Large Conference Roo at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Lyon,Associate Planner
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of Regular Meeting-Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 8:15 a.m.
Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
FY 2005-2006
Present Present Excused Absences
ROLL CALL This Meeting Year-to-Date To-Date
James Hayton, Chair X 9 0
Sidney Williams, Vice Chair X 8 1
William "Bill"Scott X 9 0
John Williams X 9 0
Jim Isermann X 5 4
Jade Nelson X 9 0
Harold "Bud"Riley` X 4 0
STAFF PRESENT:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
Chairman Hayton called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.Tuesday, April 11, 2006
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The Revised Agenda was available and posted in accordance with state and
local procedures for public access at City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning Services counter
by 4::00 p.m.,Thursday,April 6,2006.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs of HSPB Meetings are available for review. Cassettes will be kept for six months
only. DVDs of the meetings will be kept indefinitely^_Minutes format is more action related than verbatim except where
special interest or special meetings are involved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes) N O N E
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Item 7 and Item #12 (ATM Shelter) need clarification irr the March
Minutes. Minutes carried forward to May meeting.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: NONE
PUBLIC HEARING- NONE
'A�ITECTURAL APPROVAL:
GTE Bu ' Sign Permit 06-025 at 369 North Palm Canyon drive - Proposal for installation of (1)
exterior canvas y sign; and (1) illuminated exterior wall sign.
Staff reported two application r signage on the GTE Building, Class 1 Historic Site #26 -one from
Best Signs ,and the other from Sign- ama.
Presentation board depicting an exterior or
s shown. Surface mounted electric conduit is
proposed will painted the same color as the building will require drilling of one 7/8-inch hole.
Board concerns:
�l (1) Sign not in keeping with the historic nature of the building
L (2) Surface mounted conduit
(3) Neon lighting re the new Downtown Guidelines that call for "no illuminated sighs does not
meet the criteria of the Downtown Guidelines - neon would not be allowed in these GO-I-lines.
(4) There appears to be two signs: Alibi and Azul -only Azul is being presented at this time
ail
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8
uesday,April 11, 2006
(5) Asked ap 'cant to consider following the Downtown Guidelines and have a lighted sign as
opposed to an minated.
Staff explained that those rim Guidelines had not been adopted as policy as yet. The City
recently approved by AAC expo eQ neon signs (Dale's Lost Highway) at the center of town, so
exposed neon has been allowed. T'}'t=passed
has the latitude to approve the sign the Board
believes to be well-designed.
Color renderings of the awning-sign we t4nd — that awning faces North Palm Canyon.
Applicant's sign company explained that it will be m for applicant's business have the sign
illuminated rather than an overhead light, which would re ire it
holes drilled, running
additional electrical raceways, overflow lights onto other structures, tc.
Staff suggested rather than close the application that this item be contin allow the applicant to
work with staff and AAC on design issue and then come back. If the Boar nies the project, it
could move quickly to appeal to City Council. It makes better sense to keep the app ' tion open.
M/S/C (Scott(Nelson) moved that the Board approve the sign proposed for the aw and
request a re-submittal for the sign on the building. 6 Yes, 1 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions.
AGENDA ITEM #1: DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS IN 400 BLOCK OF NORTH PALM CANYON
DRIVE AND INDIAN CANYON
Raael Development presented the project and discussed findings of cultural resources survey. Mr.
Doug Hudson, Architect, discussed the computer-generated drawings and display new structures
and restoration of parts of the Strebe building. The new Downtown Design Guidelines have to do
with building heights. This project takes in many of these suggestions and guidelines. The other
element of the existing building being recreated (referred to as the "belvedere") has never been a
significant gathering space although it provides access to the upper level office suites. There will be
a new mid-block street connecting Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives. The Strebe building is a
very heavy masonry building and many features are not of prime quality. Pressures on the site
make retention of the building very difficult. The success of the building is one of scale and
proportions and that can be recreated - -the wood canopy is detVdorating, roof is leaking, etc. The
rebuilding of this in finer details respecting the original building is the appropriate way to go on this
project. It will be rebuilt in the same location. There will be 135 residential condo units ranging in
size: from 700 to 1500 sq. ft., retail space along Palm Canyon will range from 25,000 to 30,000 sq.
ft., heights will be two-story with inner building between four and five-stories. The parking is
underground.
Mr. Bai Tang, Principal Investigator for CRM, summarized historical information regarding the
existing buildings detailed in his report. The present study concludes that none of the buildings in
the ,project area meet CEQA's definition of a "historical resource"; however, the Strebe Building and
the Monte Vista Hotel complex retain a community level of historical interest and it is suggested that
(1) their local historic value should be recognized through on-site commemorative displays within the
project; and (2) since the Strebe Building retains some basic characteristics of Frey and Clark's
original design, selected features of the building should be incorporated into the architectural design
of the proposed project. No further procedures are recommended.
i
CRM Tech was formed in 1993, based is Riverside, and have conducted 1600 or more historic,
cultural and archeological surveys and studies. Have completed several surveys in Palm Springs,
among those being the Potter Clinic at 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive, a late 1950's commercial
building at 600 South Palm Canyon Drive, the Spanish Inn, and many other archeological stu i s-.13
RSPB Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8
Tuesday,April 11, 2006
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(1) Ms. Emily Williams, representing the estate of John W. Williams (a 1919 settler and a primary
founder of Palm Springs), advised that the small building that sits in front of the Monte Vista
Hotel was the Grand Studios - a well-known artist. President Eisenhower took art lessons
there, and that should make the building historical. The Strebe Building was a farmers
market for many years and was remodeled after a fire.
(2) Ms.`Sheryl Hamlin spoke in agreement of the report for the Rael project historic report, but
disagrees with the conclusions. That report listed "historical superlatives" - the oldest single-
family residence in Palm Springs, first open-air market, first architects who lived in Palm
Springs (Clark and Frey), and oldest continual operating'hotel in Palm Springs. This is a
historical compound- it's difficult, but not impossible to re-hab these buildings. Tourist do not
come to historic Palm Springs to see plaques, emulations, and recreations.
(3) Mr. Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla Road, commended Mr. Rael in going back to the
drawing board after the large community meeting last October. He has no problem with in-
fill, as long as it protects the historic "Village" fabric. Pleased to see recognition for the
Strebe building, but disappointed that the eclectic character Palm Springs may not survive if
the project follows presentation made today. Concerned about the loss of Monte Vista
Inn...the oldest in Palm Springs. Palm Springs is losing hotel space, has lost about 406 hotel
rooms, in the last 18 months. Tourists come to Palm Springs for it's historical value and
climate, some of the best looking storefronts are in this block and interesting stores that have
character. Palm Springs is losing its old Spanish buildings more rapidly than most people
realize. Hate to see this block become a "nice homogenized block."
(4) Mr. Peter Moruzzi, 1066 San Lorenzo Road, President of Palm Springs Modern Committee,
stressed that the significance of the Strebe Building and Monte Vista Hotel is its historic
associations with personages within the City. The Strebe Building's use as a farmers market
needs to be recognized, its association with Earl Strebe cannot be minimized because he
was a mid-century pioneer in Palm Springs. The association with Albert Frey and John
Porter Clark needs high recognition. The Monte Vista Hotel is the last remaining old hotel in
the downtown area. Recreations and reconstructions do not substitute for original historic
fabric. Adaptive re-use is the way many cities are approaching historic buildings, but the true
possibilities of adaptive re-use in this project is not being fully considered. The Strebe
Building and Monte Vista Hotel are highly reflective of the economic development of Palm
Springs during a very important period in its history and need greater consideration.
(5) Mr. Charles Sachs, 335 West Mariscal Road, explained that there are remnants of Palm
Springs' historic past that have survived and these elements must be treasured -- it's very
important to preserve what can be preserved in this City and in this complex so the real
remnants are there. Let's incorporate parts of the past into the present so some of the "real
thing" is preserved.
(6) Mr. Robert Imber, Tour Owner/Operator, commented that people come' in quadrupling
numbers each year for the primary purpose of visiting, viewing, appreciating, and, buying the
architecture of Palm Springs. Urges consideration and recommends retention of our historic
properties, values, archeological, and cultural history.
Staff explained that there is no action for this Board today since no demolition application has been
submitted on this project. Staff recommends that this report be 'received and filed' and at such time
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
an application is submitted to the City, staff will advise what actions are available for the Board to
consider.
Board member Bill Scott stated that this is such an important property that the entire Board should
schedule a meeting to walk the property and site with Mr. Tang, the historical consultant, and the
owner, Mr. Rael. The public would be invited.
Chairman Hayton commented that this Board would not be "preserving" if it approves a complete
Year-down and recreation. Feels this has to go back to the drawing board.
Staff advised the Board that their authority on a Class 3 is limited by the Ordinance and the Board
rnay issue a "stay of any demolition" - which would be effective for no more than six months and is
intended to afford time for necessary studies, hearings, and determinations whether such site should
be designated as a historic site - Class 1 or 2.
Board member Jim Isermann asked if a "stay of demolition" was needed if there was no demolition
application submitted.
Board Member Bud Riley restated his motion..."that this Board receive and file the CRM report,
the Board to meet on site, and invite the public as quickly as possible.
NI/S/C/(Riley/J.Williams) 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent, 0 Abstentions to approve motion as restated.
A, NDA#2: REVIEW & DISCUSS POTENTIAL HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS OF 53 PROPERTIES
LISTE19,AS "SIGNIFICANT" IN THE 20-04 HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY
The Boar as been struggling what to do - as a Board - with that Survey. The Board does not
suggest maknv them all Class 1 Historic Sites. The Ordinance needs to be changed so that when
one of the 53 sig ' icant properties in the Survey comes into the Planning or Building department for
modification or revie -then it would come before this Board.
Board Member Bill Scott rcected the following: Property #8 at 150 South Belardo Road has
already been demolished (Oa ' Building); #14 at 1995 South Camino Monte was designated Class
1 Historic Site (Ship of the Dese • #21 at 572 North Indian Canyon Drive (Colony Palms Hotel) has
already gone through this, Board's cedures and is under re-construction; and #30 at 1050 East
Palm Canyon Drive has also been re-co tructed (Horizon Hotel).
Staff reported that the land use agreement be een the City and the Tribe stipulates that the Tribe
processes its own projects. The City does not ex e wise land-use control on Tribal owned properties.
a
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(7) Ms. Laura Ramsteead, representing 1350 Ladera Cir %� 'House of Tomorrow" and "Elvis'
Honeymoon Hideaway" and in behalf of the owners, nee`tl- to know what they have to do to
have this property designated. Thought everyone was a to vote on it today, so
misunderstood the information. Dennis Roberts and Laura Ra stead invited everyone to
come to the Honeymoon Weekend on May 6 & 7. Palm Springs wo very wise to promote
Elvis's Honeymoon Hideaway. �-
t
(8) Mr. Charles Stumpf, 252 East Ocotillo Avenue, #26 on list, emphasized the i ortance of
historical designations. He found out the historic value os his property several rs ago
when he learned that it had been published in the Architectural Guide of Southern Califo 'a.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8
Tuesday,April 11, 2006
(9) Ms. Christie Eugenia, 370 West Arenas Road, #4 on list of 53, "Hideaway" formerly the Town
nd Desert Hotel indicated her appreciate of the intent and the process and feels this is
i ortant. She asked about the Class 1 and Class 2 designation process.
(110) Mr. rty Newman, representing Dr. Jane Smith, 928 Avenida Palmas (Cary Grant Estate).
Dr. Sm wanted entered into the record as an attachment a more accurate accounting of
the specs I architectural details and references associated with the structure and grounds.
Board mem rs encouraged Mr. Stumpf and Dr. Smith to apply for Class 1 Historic Site
Designations.
(11) Mr. Peter Moruzz President of Palm Springs Modern Committee, and stated that what the
HSP Board is atte pting is admirable. Discussion of a clarification letter to the property
owners is extremely portant for those who couldn't attend today's meeting, for those who
called, and for those o sent letters — they need to know what the Board is trying to
accomplish. Encourage that the Board request staff obtain other city's ordinances and
procedures to review and e if they would work for this Board's needs. Mod Corn will assist
if needed.
Board members asked staff to obtain t se copies for the next HSPB meeting in May, and to contact
the: Architectural Resources Group sine they have done surveys in Pasadena and may have
recommended ordinances.
(12) Mr. Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla, asa Cody, indicated that Los Angeles has 19 Historic
Districts. The LA Conservatory has freq ent tours and suggested the Board and others take
one of those tours. He is pleased that sa Cody is on this list and supports the Survey.
Very concerned to hear that Palm Mountain is considering tearing down and replacing with a
six-story condo project, especially when they ve several Wexler structures on the property.
One issue that needs clarification is that prop values have now outpaced hotel values
and the only realistic way to may a transfer f a property is to add something to it.
Example...one small.hotel owner has vacant land in he back of the property and if six condo
could be built on that vacant land, buildings that woul fit in with current architecture he could
then make the place valuable without giving up any o he historic buildings. If the Board
could address that concern, there may be more prope owners interested in applying for
historic designations.
(13) Mr. Richard Begay, Agua Caliente Historic Preservation Officer, wanted to be sure the Board
had received the letter about the Spa Hotel, 100 North Indian C nyon Drive, and also to let
everyone know that they are willing to work with RSPB on any bus ing preservation issues.
Mentioned using the Section 1.06 process under the National Historic reservation Act.
Board was very encouraged by comments and a sub-committee was recommen ed to work with the
staff for an informational packet to send all owners on the 53 property list. Board ould like a cover
letter to accompany this information. John Williams and Jim Isermann offered t draft the letter.
Board asked that the Planning Department suggest procedures for this Board to estab' h.
rl AGENDA ITEM #3: :HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF HAMRICK HOUSE, 875 CHIN CANYON
ROAD - SUB-COMMITTEE/STAFF
Staff reported that the owners want to have their home (a 1941 Clark & Frey design) consid ed for
a Class 1 Historic Site. Sub-committee members Jade Nelson and Sidney Williams an Staff
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8
Tuesday,April 11, 2006
me ber Ken Lyon met with the owners, toured the home, and have documented historic research
that as been done on the property.
Board ember Bud Riley pointed out that this Board does not designate interiors and the Board is
not to co tern itself about interiors. Another Board member explained that there are no interiors
currently d ignated; however, if the property owner had an important interior and wanted to have it
listed in the signation, the Board could approve that.
Property owner, ark Puopolo, discussed aspects of their renovations and interest in having this
property designate a Class 1 Historic Site.
Staff reported that pubic hearing notices will go out to surrounding property owners as the process
moves along. There is action requested from this Board today, but once an application has been
flied the process will move\tremoved-
ought back to the Board for action.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
(14) Peter Moruai exping to notice the neighbors is a bureaucratic element of the
Ordinance that neved. Suggest staff review and streamline the application
and process to maproperty owners.
AGENDA ITEM#4: HSPBRAM 2006/2007 FINAL
Staff reported that this will go forward as p rt of the budget review for Council.
AGENDA ITEM#5: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-COMTE UPDATE - BOARD MEMBER J. WILLIAMS
No report.
AGENDA ITEM #6: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUES VEY UPDATE - BOARD MEMBER BUD RILEY
-STAFF
No report. Chairman Hayton reported he has not bee able to contact the Cork `N Bottle owners re
their plaque. Will keep trying and report back when there ' information.
(A) Plaquing Indianoya Building - Board suggested a roaching the owner about having it
plagued as well as replacing the canopy that was dama d by a car and then removed.
AGENDA ITEM #7: DISCUSSION-CITY'S HISTORIC PRES. OR ANCE (CHAPTER 8.05 PSMC,
DUTIES, ACTIVITIES -STAFF
Staff read from Section 8.05.195 that speaks to Board actions restricts to exterior features.."Historic
Site Preservation Board shall consider and pass upon only the exterior eatures of a structure and
may not consider the interior arrangement of the structure except in the c e of public buildings." If
Board members have suggestions or issues that come up outside the eettng, ideas for the
Workshop, etc. please email to Ken Lyon who will keep a running list on wh h to base the topics
and work plan for the Workshop.
Board reiterated that the Ordinance needs revision. During the Workshop, the Boar needs to get a
handle on the Ordinance, how to develop procedures for the designated sites listed i the Survey,
and incorporate the procedures recommended by ModCom's attorney. Board would ' staff to _.
request copies from SHPO or other cities that have good ordinances. Based on comments rom the
Board letter to the Council, it appears the Council does have interest in clarifying the Sury and
how it is to be used. Board requested the Workshop be coordinated as quickly as possible.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8
Tuesday,April 11, 2006
A ENDA ITEM #8: PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION - VICE CHAIR SIDNEY
WkLIAMS
No, ort.
AGEN ITEM#9: PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY-Chairman J. HAYTON
No report.
AGENDA ITTM#10: PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE- MEMBER J. WILLIAMS
No report.
AGENDA ITEM r, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN COUNCIL-P.S. ART MUSEUM - MEMBER J.
ISERMANN
No report.
AGENDA ITEM#12: ON OING PROJECTS UPDATES -STAFF &SUB-COMMITTEES
(A) Colony Palm Hote - Case 3.0619 a1 972 North Indian Canyon Drive: Construction is
continuing per the ap oved project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
(15) Peter Moruai, ModCom, a\�ked about the preservation of the mural.
Staff will investigate the building progrt ss and mural protection and report back at the May meeting.
1
(B) HORIZON HOTEL: 1050 Est Pal Canyon Drive: No report, project is essentially complete.
Recommend this be removed from t Agenda. 'Board approved.
(C) GTE BUILDING: 360 North Palm Canon Drive (Class 1 Historic Designation #26): Staff
reported meeting with George Hessingeron March 30 and sub-committee members John
Williams and Bill Scott to review the color of the building. A MOU is included here resolving
this issue.
(D) VISITORS CENTER AMPHITHEATER - CASE NO, 5.0942, Landscaping, mini-amphitheater,
and signage at the Palm Springs Visitors Center a 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive. (HSPB
Designation #33). Board is concerned about the nu ber of plaques at this site. A copy of
the Rotary Club Plaque was handed out before the nieeting. Board asked what kind of
material this Rotary plaque is made of - staff will find out. Board suggested a specific area
for all plaques. Sub-committee of James Hayton and Jim Is mann to work with installers for
appropriate placement of all plaques. Staff suggested Plaquin standards be included in the
revised Ordinance.
(E) ATM Shelter at Washington Mutual Bank, 499 South Palm Canyon rive: Sub-committee of
Sidney Williams and Jade Nelson reported a meeting scheduled f April 18 with WMB
facilities, Don Wexler, and Phillip Smith on site to discuss potential optior�. Will report at the
May meeting. \\a
(F) OASIS HOTEL/TOWER, 121 South Palm Canyon Drive (Tower is Class 1 Historic Site#1A):
Staff reported that the demolition of the two west buildings has occurred and permit to
construct a temporary parking lot has been issued.
(G) PALM SPRINGS RACQUET CLUB, 2743 North Indian Canyon Drive: Staff had nor rt,
recommended removal from Agenda. The renovation to the restaurant "Bamboo Rogm"
J 10,,, q
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8
Tuesday,April 11, 2006
:which is one of the main historic features should come before the Board. This is one of the
5 ignificant properties from the Survey.
(H) Spanish - Case 5.1019-CUP / TTM 31104 - Nejat Kohan of the Spanish Inn for a
Conditional Permit to allow the conversion of hotel to condominiums and construction of
new condos at% North Indian Canyon Drive. (Survey listed property). Mr. Kohan filed an
application for desig ling this properly to a Class 1 Historic Site and want to mention that a
full report has been corn eted.
(I) Tyler'S Hamburgers, 149 Sou ndian Canyon Drive, Part of La Plaza Historic Class 1 Site
#22. This project went before the chitectural Advisory Committee April 10 and the changes
in the canopy design have been to an-up, clarify, streamline the structural clutter of the
previous design. AAC approved the re ittal.
(J) Catherine Meyler- Case 3.2098 convert garage living space and construct 440 s.f. carport
at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive (Class 1 Histo ' Site #45 - Grace Lew Miller (Neutra)
Home. AAC reviewed the carport applications an they recommended some design
improvements. Ms. Meyler and her architect are preparin a response, they did not agree
with some of the AAC recommendations.
BOARD AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS: N O N E
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDATES: N O N E
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m. The n e17
scheduled meeting will be May 09, 2006 in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of Regular Meeting-Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 8:15 a.m.
Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
FY 2005-2006
Present Present Excused Absences
ROLL CALL This Meeting Year-to-Date To-Date
James Hayton, Chair X 10 0
Sidney Williams, Vice Chair X 8 2
William "Bill"Scott X 10 0
John Williams X 10 0
Jim Isermann X 5 5
Jade Nelson X 10 0
Harold"Bud" Riley* X 5 0
13TAFF PRESENT:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
Chairman Hayton called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m.Tuesday, May 09, 2006
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The Revised Agenda was available and posted in accordance with state and
local procedures for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning Services counter
by 4:00 p.m.,Thursday, May 4,2006.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs of HSPB Meetings are available for review. Cassettes will be kept for six months
only. DVDs of the meetings will be kept indefinitely. Minutes format is more action related than verbatim except where
special interest or special meetings are involved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes)
Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla Rd, Palm Springs, talked about the Rael "One Palm Canyon"
project and preserving the Strebe Building, Monte Vista Hotel, the little house which will be a
restaurant, and all the 50+ year old buildings in Palm Springs that are not designated or registered
as Class 1 or 2 buildings. Suggested an emergency declaration from this Board that all old buildings
need to be protected because the historic texture of the City is being lost.
"�S_66 fEeau , Palm Springs Mod Com, presented two written items to the Board from ModCom's
attorney, Chatten rsen: (1) The Potter Clinic at 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive - urging
P.S. to comply with the mandates o hE-GatifQi nL Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and prepare a
full EIR prior to consideration of the demolition permit-to—adequately evaluate the significant impacts
of the project at the site. (2) Use of Historic Surveys in other ju'risdistio�s.__ ModCom previously
requested that the City of Palm Springs revise its procedures regarding historlca urces and to
provide adequate protection of resources determined to be historically significant in the 20 ric
Survey and preserve Palm Springs' cultural heritage. (Items attached for review).
Roxann Ploss stated that there are many buildings worth saving that are not in the Survey. The
Survey needs to be re-visited, refined, and additional properties added. The re-design of the Rael
project is much better, but still looks too large, too massive, and too dense. Spoke in behalf of saving
what is here now. Core and essence of downtown is vital to preserve.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 14, 2006 Item 7 and Item #12 (ATM Shelter) were corrected and
re-stated.
M/SHC (Scott/Riley - 5 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstention) to approve the March 14, 2006
Minutes as corrected.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
April 11, 2006 Minutes: M/S/C (Riley/J.Williams - 5 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstention) to
pprove the April 11, 2006 Minutes are presented.
C IRMAN'S REPORT: NONE
PU IC HEARING:. NONE
ARC TECTURAL APPROVAL: NONE
AGENDA TEM #1: PLACEMENT OF ARTWORK "LAWN CHAIR" AT THE PALM SPRINGS VISITORS
CENTER MWAY GAS STATION, CLASS 1 #33 HISTORIC SITE - MICHAEL STERN, PUBLIC ARTS
VICE COMMI SIONER/JENNIFER HENNING, COMM. & EC. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
Michael Stern p sented information relative to the placement of artist Blue Wright's "Lawn Chair"
sculpture is prop ed to be placed in a "desert' area between the walkway and back wall facing
back to the Visitors enter, but set-off from the building. .
Board Concerns:
(1) Maintenance an care of the piece - artificial grass may have to be replaced, the steel may
have to be oiled, p ' ted, etc. (Maintained by the Public Art Fund)
(2) Will more sculptures a located at the Visitors Center? (Public Arts Commission has not
addressed this, but the are vacancies at the location.)
(3) This site is the premiere rchne, al element in Palm Springs and it is getting "plaqued" a
lot, Board would not like see the site become a "sculpture garden" which would detract
from the building. Will ther%site
que and where? (Adjacent to the sculpture on a small
post)
(4) Could piece be relocated? (
(5) Roofline is the signature of td nothing should draw away from the historic nature of
the site.
(13) Interesting_piece of art and the fact tha it can be moved will not have a permanent effect on
the building.
(7) Preference is to see the site left empty an \�uggested locating this piece at the Convention
Center or someplace else.
(Et) Felt the staff at the Visitors Center should have viewed this before presenting to this Board
for their consideration and objectives.
(9) Questions this particular piece of art because the for is such a bright green and is very
much in contrast to the building and desert landscape. This piece may become a focal point
when the building should be the focal point.
(10) Prefers the Art Commission reconsider this, select a differ t piece of art, and come back to
the Board.
Staff explained that it is brought to the Board for information and w�opuld be helpful to the Art
Commission if this Board would offer their comments and recommendat'\ns. There is no actual
required action.
Staff advised that the Board could take action by resolution or motion to on to the ArtCommission who could take that into consideration. Ordinance 8. urpose and.Authority...looking at this for the architectural worthiness of the building, i look at the "
site and building as two different things. It's reasonable for the Board to express an o inion as to
what's happening on that site. In reviewing Ordinance 8.05.180 - Discussion of what m be done _
to .a Class 1 site. This is a piece that has footings and exists as an element on a site. If t Board
wishes to look at it in that approach, the procedures to follow would be to make an application the
Planning Department with a series of factors for granting the approval. The application wouldo en
come before the Board. ,q p
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
%umm,,ary of the Board:
otinfavor of this sculpture;
be4here is another sculpture that is more appropriate;
- the ulpture is too bright, too strong for that location
- not su the Board likes the idea of a sculpture at all;
Board f\Cultural
at the open space should be kept open; and
Board iortable with the Art Commission bringing back a different piece more sympathetic to
the site uilding.
IN/S/C (J. /Scott - 5 Yes, 0 No, 2 Absent, 0 Abstentions) moved that the Board advise
the Art Cssi that it does not support this sculpture at the Visitors Center, but invites
the Art Csion o bring back an alternative suggestion.
AGENDA #2: Cas 5.1086 CUP TTM 34019 an application by Pali-Palm Springs LLC. to sub-
divide oner develop ent of 34 residential condo units, one commercial condo unit comprised
of a nine- hotel, and o commercial condo unit comprised of a bar for accessory use to hotel,
The propocludes some molition and renovation to a Class 3 Historic Site, formally known as
The Orchie Inn, Cultural dy completed, 261 South Belardo Road, listed in the 2004 Historic
Surve . oll brou ht before SPB June 14, 2005
DELETED FROM THIS MONTHS'AGENDA
AND WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE BOARD
LD JOT
A NEXT MONTH. APPLICANT COU .TTEND TODAY.
/- P'ublic Comment:
Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla Road, sta d that this is a very sensitive issue for the Tennis Club
neighborhood. Asked for better and broad notifications. There have been three community
meetings with the developer. There are seve I buildings on this property that do not necessarily
have a historic history, but they are part of the fa 'c of Palm Springs - - funky, fun, unusual. There
are buildings that could be moved and saved i a 1915 bungalow. The design for this project
is industrial-looking. Neighborhood feels there should b continuity to other structures in the area.
Sub-committee for this property (James Hayton and Bill Sc feels this property is so important that
a public meeting should be held at the site, but need to hea the developer's revised presentation
first. Minutes of the meeting where it was originally presente re in the Board packet for review.
Board reviewed for information purposes and gave the developer f dback.
AGENDA ITEM#3: MEDIA OUTREACH SUB-COMTE UPDATE - BO D MEMBER J. WILLIAMS
No report.
AGENDA ITEM#4: HISTORIC SITE PLAQUE SURVEY UPDATE - BOARD MBER BUD RILEY
No report in general.
A. Plaquing Indianoya Building -Jade Nelson - no report
B. Cork `N Bottle - Left two message for the new owner-no response - will c ntinue
AGENDA ITEM 10 - ON-GOING
J: Potter Clinic Building, 1000 North Palm Canyon Drive. Issue: potential demoliti
Steve Tappan, owner, had a historic evaluation prepared, wants Board and staff know
( l that he really is not a developer, family is primarily investors, buy properties tha eed
`. .J TLC, turn them around. There are six parcels in this project, Sorrentino's restaurant, the
old apartments behind, and two or three vacant parking lots. Some buildings were r -
tagged, those have been demolished. The only structure left on the contiguous part i
U 0023 �,
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
the Potter Clinic, it has not been designated historic.. It was originally designed by the
Williams family, but it's an open question as to the value of preserving and restoring since
i has been significantly modified since being built. It's on the edge of the parcels, so it
ca be self-sustaining or can be incorporated into the grand plan as an added attraction.
Req sts Board's help and recommendations if the path forward is to restore this
buildin
Mr. Tappa showed a primary plan that conforms to the height, parking, etc. standards
and codes. welve units would face North Palm Canyon with the bottom being retail and
the upper floo being residential. Units on North Palm Canyon would be three-stories,
and those on In 'an Canyon Drive would be residential on both floors. This plan includes
the demolition of 000 North Palm Canyon Drive. The first economic analysis without
changing the zonin the density, requesting variances, etc. has been done with the
Potter Clinic being de olished. The lower northen portion of the property was occupied
by an art studio and is s okay, the remainder of the building is truly shot.
Board member Jade Nelson reported at-th otter Clinic was built in 1946 by E Stuart illiams.
The true upper floor was inhabited by tewart nd wife Mari Williams and the lower as lived
in by Dr. Potter and his wife. The entire r rtY is fully documented by original black and white
photos taken by Julius Shulman, that could b used to re-recreate to its original condition.
Board Concerns:
(1) The building is significant enough that it was laced on the Historic Survey
(2) The architect is well-known
(3) Suggests from an economic view is to preser the building, incorporate it into the project, t
Board will be happy to work with project owner top pare some adaptive re-use plans.
(4) Board feels it is important to try to save the building a all costs
(5) Suggested there are some tax advantages to restoring he Potter Clinic thru the Mills Act
(i5) Restored building could be the "focal" point of entire proj\needs
Staff explained that this property owner has done exactly be done in contacting
Planning, coming before this Board, etc.
NO ACTION TAKEN.
AGENDA ITEM #5: DISCUSSION-CITYS HISTORIC PRES. CHAPTER 8.05 PSMC,
DUTIES, ACTIVITIES -STAFF
Staff gave quick intro and referred to a "pink" form called "Futures List for rkshop" in the Board
packet to capture items that need to be revised, improved, fixed, etc. This i a start to address
issues of the Ordinance. In the packet included a memo regarding other ities' ordinances,
examples of Long Beach, Pasadena, and some Los Angeles are included. Boar sked to review
carefully—this may help to organize the list for the Workshop.
Board member Bud Riley volunteered to help re-write the revised Ordinance. X, h
ers
offered several suggestions for the list and asked staff to get a copy of Santa Crce.
There will be changes on the Board at the end of June, so perhaps the Workshop s ,in
June. Might be better to start the new year with this Workshop.
Staff requested that the Board read the full Ordinance carefully and see if any portits,
revisions, and ask "what is the purpose and intent" of this section or that section, etc. Worth keep g
in mind is understanding th importance of preservation within the context of the Council's decision
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
ma 'ng and needs. There is always a concern of how Council views preservation so the Board can
work gether with them and understand where they can or cannot support this Board.
Staff su ested the next meeting Agenda include "Discussion of Priorities" for the Workshop and
Ordinance evision. Key for staff is to know the Board's priorities and from there staff and Board can
determine ich is the best way to proceed.
AGENDA IT
P. S. PRESERVATION FOUNDATION -VICE CHAIR SIDNEY WILLIAMS
Board member ab ent-no report.
AGENDA ITEM#7: LM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY-Chairman J. HAYTON
No report.
AGENDA ITEM#8: PALM PRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE- MEMBER J. WILLIAMS
Modern Committee has bee 1 very active, submitted two letters today to this Board. Slide Show
"Desert Holiday", a one-hour resentation of photographs of postcards was held at the Camelot
Theatre, very well done, a ilable on DVD and can be ordered on the web site
www.psmodoom.com. There is newly formed organization called Friends of the Town and
Country, web site is www.Friendso .com
AGENDA ITEM #9: ARCHITECTUR & DESIGN COUNCIL-P.S. ART MUSEUM - MEMBER J.
ISERMANN
Board Member Scott reported that the final lecture will be May 20 by artist, Pae White, 6:30 p.m. at
„l the Annenberg Theater.
AGENDA ITEM#10: ON-GOING PROJECTS UPD TES -STAFF & SUB-COMMITTEES
(A,) Colony Palm Hotel - Case 3.0619 at 572 Nort Indian Canyon Drive: Staff has not had time
to visit the site for mural status. Board me ber Scott reported that the construction
continues on the existing building.
(B) GTE BUILDING: 360 North Palm Canyon Drive (Ca 1 Historic Designation #26): Staff
reported the sub-committee, staff, and the owner need to,�select the paint colors appropriate
for the building, keep them in file for the next time the builq:iing is painted. If there are any
buildings in Palm Springs that are now painted the appropna color, that could be a starting
point. Board member Scott suggested the Santa Barbara Offs of Preservation (building or
planning department) currently has recommended colors for Spa 'sh Revival buildings. The
sign permit for the sign on the side of the building was continued fox re-study, but the awning
sign on the front was approved. The applicant informed staff they a\abandoning the sign
on the building and will work with the awning sign which is complete.
(C) VISITORS CENTER AMPHITHEATER - CASE NO. 5.0942, Landscapitheater,
and signage at the Palm Springs Visitors Center at 2901 North Palm . (HSPB
Designation #33). The material of the Rotary plaque is bronze aned in the
seating area of the amphitheater.
(D) ATM Shelter at Washington Mutual Bank, 499 South Palm Canyon D ittee of
Sidney Williams (absent) and Jade Nelson reported meeting April 18 with two 'r ional
managers for Washington Mutual, Phillip Smith, Chairman of the Architecture D�sign
Council, and Don Wexler, Architect. Discussed two or three alternatives. The Bank as d
for the most cost-effective solution that would meet everyone's standards and criteria. Thh
Bank would then review and advise if workable for the Bank.
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
\Spanish
HOTEUTOWER, 121 South Palm Canyon Drive (Tower is Class 1 Historic Site #10):
rt.
SPRINGS RACQUET CLUB, 2743 North Indian Canyon Drive: Staff had no report,
ended removal from Agenda. Board pointed out that the renovation to the restaurant
o Room" is one of the main historic features and should come before the Board.
ne of the 53 significant properties from the Survey.
I - Case 5.1019-CUP / TTM 3'1104 - Nejat Kohan of the Spanish Inn for a
onal se Permit to allow the conversion of hotel to condominiums and construction of
ndos a 40 North Indian Canyon Drive. (Survey listed property). Mr. Kohan filed an
application ford ignating this property a Class 1 Historic Site. Staff has begun work on the
application. Appli tion is on hold until a response has been received from the owner that
the permitted work i in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards. There are
neighborhood conce of no activity on the site. Owner does have a period of time
stipulated by Council ap ovals. The key is the recording of the final map and until that map
is approved, none of the deadlines are effective. The deadline is September 2006 for
recording the final map.
Board member John William\ased Assuming the applicant produces the final map and it
is approved, the project mo . Assuming they don't submit the final map, then it is
no longer an approved projese assumptions correct? Then if this does become a
Class 1 Site, (1) does it affeready approved; and (2)would it affect what would be
approved in the absence of that final ma ?
Staff responded that the designation of Clas 1 has requirements as contained in the City's
Historic Preservation Ordinance. If it become a Class 1 Site, it should not affect what was
previously approved. The project schedule cou be given an extension if Council believes
applicant is showing good faith efforts to move the oject forward.
(H) Tyler's Hamburgers, 149 South Indian Canyon Drive, rt of La Plaza Historic Class 1 Site
#22. This project went before the Architectural Advisory \111ne
April 10 and the changes
in the canopy design have been to clean-up, clarify, ste structural clutter of the
previous design. AAC approved the re-submittal. Sub-cember Bud Riley passed
around a new design, Board felt this final design wasprovement over the first
presentation.
(1) Catherine Meyler - Case 3.2098 convert garage to living space and c\ome
0 s.f. carport
at 2311 North Indian Canyon Drive (Class 1 Historic Site #45 - Grailler (Neutra)
Home. AAC reviewed the carport applications and they reco design
improvements. Ms. Meyler and her architect did not agree wof the AAC
recommendations for adding more columns to the carport, locatimns on the
outside of the wall carrying them down to the ground plane. Applicant agaiq submitted
photos to staff of Neutra's other projects from the 30s and 40s that depicted c siderable
spacing between colum han
ns with less spacing between window mullions, basically ar g that
the AAC suggestions was not as appropriate. Staff reviewed those photos, agre6q with
applicant, and approved the carport with the original four columns, but with 'the modifidation ,
that the columns would carry down to the ground and set-apart from the wall plane. (Qerr
interesting compromise that should yield a building that is consistent with original home aricj
Neutra's work thereby allowing the project to move forward.
1
HSPB Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
(J) Potter Clinic Building, U0"ortb-F'al. an on Drive — reviewed and discussed earlier in
this meeting.
(K) Rael "One Palm Canyon" project - 400 block of North Palm Canyon Drive / North Indian
Canyon Drive. Staff will schedule a special meeting for May 23 at the site and reconvene at
City Hall. Noticing will be coordinated so that persons who prepared the historic assessment
can be present.
`11. Work Shop Topics -covered earlier in meeting,
BOAR,"ND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS: Board member Jade Nelson reported that he attended
the California Preservation Conference "Finding Common Ground." Offered copies of informational
Niterature obtains The conference stressed "Heritage Corridors and Tourism" and indicated that
43% of travel is dedi tc historic sites.
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDArtESe
Staff pointed out two articles that we in the Board packet (1) P.S. designated as one of the top
dozen destination cities in the USA; and NArticle on Windmills.
One Board position will become vacant due to Ji ermann's term expiring. There are applications
and informational sheets available at the City Clerks o e and handed out to each of you at today's
meeting.
I. Sign-In for Public Speakers-Staff introduced Sign-In Sheet for ure speakers.
l/ 2.. Agenda Format Revisions - Staff suggested a new format that uld include an Old Business
section followed by a New Business Section. Board wants to keep on oing projects on Agenda
for status, and updates and agreed to review the suggested new for and report back at
another meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m. The n'N,7
scheduled \meeting will be June 13, 2006 in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
NJ�
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
Minutes of SPECIAL Meeting-Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 8:15 a.m.
414 North Palm Canyon Drive and Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
FY 2005-2006
Present Present Excused Absences
ROLL CALL This Meeting Year-to-Date To-Date
James Hayton, Chair X 11 0
Sidney Williams, Vice Chair X 9 2
William "Bill"Scott X 11 0
John Williams X 11 0
Jim Isermann -OP 5 6
Jade Nelson X 11 0
Harold "Bud" Riley` X 6 0
STAFF PRESENT:
Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Loretta Moffett, Senior Secretary
Ken Lyon,Associate Planner
r
The board met with staff and representatives from the Rael Development team, toured the site
(specifically viewing the Monte Vista Hotel, the Strebe Building, and the small 1936 cottage), and asked
questions of the Cultural Resources Consultant, Mr. Tang. Many members of the public were present
and also asked questions. Because of the difficulty of viewing the site from the parking lots and public
way, (a restriction placed on the site visit by Mr. Rael for liability reasons), a subcommittee comprised of
Mr. Williams, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Nelson was formed. The subcommittee and staff (with
representatives of the Rael team) were allowed access into the courtyard of the Monte Vista Hotel for
further understanding of the elements and conditions of the site. The tour concluded at 9:10 am and the
board meeting reconvened at City Hall at 9:20 a.m.
trtRfikR
ROLL CALL: Present: James Hayton, Bill Scott, Sidney Williams, Bud Riley, John Williams, Jade
Nelson. Absent: Jim Isermann
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The Revised Agenda was available and posted in accordance with state and local
procedures for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning Services counter by 4:00
p.m.,Thursday, May 18,2006.
NOTE: Audio Cassettes and DVDs of HSPB Meetings are available for review. Cassettes will be kept for six months only.
DVDs of the meetings will be kept indefinitely. Minutes format is more action related than verbatim except where special interest
or special meetings are involved.
AGENDA ITEM:
1. Case 5.1091-PD-324: Application by Palm Springs, LLC, owner of"One Palm Canyon" for
a planned development project proposing 116 residential condominiums and 16 work/live
condominiums together with 25,000 square feet of retail condominium space on
approximately 3.93 acres in the 400 block of North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD,
Section 15. This project entails potential demolition and/or restoration of the Strebe
Building, 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive, and the Monte Vista Hotel, 414 North Palm
Canyon Drive, two structures that are 50+ years old.
Staff explained that this was a Special Meeting to enable everyone to observe and discuss the project
site in person. The sub-committee was established so observation could be made beyond the fence line.
The Board may or may not choose to take any action today.
1 'ilir" '20
HSPB Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (3 minutes)
Sheryl Hamlin spoke in behalf of saving the Strebe building and the small house in an adaptive re-use
project.
Roxann Ploss spoke in behalf of saving the buildings in question. Suggested "thinking out of the box"
and exploring avenues other than tearing it down.
John Abner, a business owner and resident of Palm Springs, spoke about preserving the"village fabric".
He used the "Corridor" (retail center at Alejo and North Palm Canyon Drive) as an example of what can
be done in restoring an old, dilapidated building.
Dana Stewart, Palm Springs Public Council and Palm Springs Conservancy Coalition, pointed out that
the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines are unofficial, have no force of law, are not accurate, and do not
report the visioning sessions.
Steve: Nichols, resident of Palm Springs, feels there is an opportunity here to do something even better.,
with the property than what is on it now. The history of Palm Springs is a dynamic history.
Chairman Hayton asked Mr. Nichols if he was in favor of having the Monte Vista Hotel and the Hair of the
Dog buildings tom down without consideration?
Mr. Nichols responded that the Strebe building was built for a specific purpose which is now outlived. It
has been looked at over the years and attempts have been made for re-use, but the point has been
reached where master-planning that entire area makes more sense.
Frank Tysen, 175 South Cahuilla Road, explained that he talks with hundreds of tourist each year and
people: come to Palm Springs because they like it the way it is. He spoke in behalf of preserving the
"fabric" of Palm Springs. Feels the project is well designed, but is not right for Palm Springs. The size
and scale is too large and it's all uniform architecture. The existing eclectic architecture is what Palm
Springs is all about. This project must be adaptive re-use.
John Rameriz, 611 Anton Blvd. Costa Mesa, consultant for Rael Development. Explained that Mr. Rate
has been working with a variety of interest groups over the past year, has involved himself in the
community, and has really sought a wide array of public. It is important that this process not linger
indefinitely and he requests that this Board recommend now that this project move forward so that other
boards and commissions are informed prior to their meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED.
A sub-committee of John Williams, Sidney Williams, and Jade Nelson was formed at the site, and
member John Williams reported that they toured the Monte Vista Hotel portion of the project. The
buildings are in very poor condition. The bungalows have been altered significantly. Does not mean
they are not significant, but they have been altered.
Member Sidney Williams felt there are two issues — (1) preservation issue, and (2) the development
issue involving height, design — those two issues need to be kept separate. The Board needs to focus
only on the value of preserving the buildings as viewed today.
♦J 0 2.9
HSP13 Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Member Jade Nelson expressed concern for the wealth of history on the site, the buildings may not be
Class 1, not in perfect condition, but there are two pioneering families involved. This Board needs to
remember this-history is vital to the community and parts of it need to be incorporated into this project.
Staff explained that some buildings on the site are Class 3 because of age. Others on the site (Monte
Vista, Strebe building) do not have any historic classification since they are post 1945 construction. Staff
suggested that the Board look at the buildings that are worthy of discussion and consideration and either
make a decision to take no action, or based on the Ordinance, initiate a process to designate those
Class 3 buildings to a higher level. Their condition would probably not qualify them for Class 1
designation. The Board can look at them as a whole or individually for further classification.
Board member Bill Scott asked about a photo (figure 14 in the report) and if the arches, stone, and
fireplace still exist and how many of the four structures remain? (Two structures and the arches remain,
the stone chimney does not.) Asked about clarification of CEQA — page 19 of the report says... "a
resource may be listed in the California Register if it meets any of the following criteria....significant
contribution to California's History, cultural heritage, association with persons lives, important person,
distinctive architectural characters, type of construction, etc°. Mr. Scott also asked to see the drawings of
the proposed Strebe building as incorporated into the new project.
Mr. Tang, provider of the project Cultural Resources Assessment, explained that the report and
recommendations were based on a professional opinion from reading the architectural history and on the
consensus of the sources reviewed during the research. There are seven considerations for integrity—a
building could be eligible for listing in the California Register if it is closely associated with the productive
period of an important person's life...IF it retains the appearance, authoritarian, location, etc. directly
related to that particular period. There is a period of significance for each building — the Strebe building
would Ibe from, 1946 to the end of the 50s; the Monte Vista's time would be pre-WWII as one of the
earliest hotels in Palm Springs. Most of the existing buildings reflect the 50s and 60s — not closely
associated with the period of significance, to the Miller family, or to important events. A lot of the Strebe
building now reflects alternations. The Hair of the Dog has been altered so much that it could be
mistaken for a modern building.
Chairman Hayton commented that the Board needs to elevate the status of the Monte Vista and the Hair
of the Dog so there is some chance of an adaptive re-use project.
Douglas Hudson, project architect, displayed the street level view of the project with the linear canopy
and explained the features, such as the depth, height, the long cut-outs, the circular cut-out in the center,
the circular planter, the step-back of the second story, the incorporation of the Strebe canopy, certain
characteristics of Frey's work, etc. Some of the qualities of Frey's work were selected, but they did not
try to copy Frey or other portions of the project.
Board member Bill Scott moved that the project be allowed to proceed with the understanding that the
Strebe building elements as shown on the elevation are to be respected and that the Strebe canopy, if it
can't be saved, be replicated in its exact form, (except for the color) in the new project.
Board member Bud Riley seconded the motion.
Discussion: John Williams commented about adaptive re-use and asked the Board' if 'they were
comfortable with this motion.
Chairman Hayton stated that the Board needs to incorporate and upgrade the status of the Monte Vista
and Hair of the Dog to a Class 2 and favors a six month stay of demolition on those two buildings.
00.79
HSPB Special Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Board member Jade Nelson feels there is too much pressure here, does not feel a motion is in order
today. He is not in favor of this motion and will not agree with it as stated. This issue deserves more
discussion, more attention, and more time. He does not feel the Board as a whole has done enough
research or identification of the historic value of this property.
Board member John Williams asked for clarification of the motion...he understands the motion as stated,
is that the Board is taking no action to preserve the Monte Vista Hotel, the Strebe building, or the small
house (Hair of the dog) either now or in the future.
It was pointed out that the Board has had the cultural resources assessment for several months, the
developer gave a presentation some time ago, and the history of the site will not be lost even though the
building(s) are gone — the history of Mr. Strebe, the people who have visited the Monte Vista —there are
better examples of that quality of architecture through-out Palm Springs, such as the Colony Palms,
which has been saved.
Board member Bud Riley amended the motion to say...complete blueprints, photographs, all the history
obtainable, for the Monte Vista Hotel, Strebe building, and Hair of the Dog to be displayed for public
Viewing to commemorate the history.
Board member John Williams commented that this is a very difficult decision for this Board to make.
Board members are all in favor of preservation of buildings whenever and wherever possible; however, in
looking at the history of the buildings, in particular the Monte Vista Hotel, the significant part of that
building (which is not on the main street), has not been a successful enterprise for some time. The ;
cottage is the more significant building, but because of its location and the difficulty in incorporating into
the project, the Board needs to look at the bigger picture for the future of Palm Springs and how the City
can move ahead. The Board is here today to talk about stopping the project or derailing the project
because of the two Class 3 structures. Mr. Williams stated he was not comfortable in doing that and
stated that he will support the motion.
Motion read back.... "Board member Bill Scott moved that the project be allowed to proceed with the
understanding that the Strebe building elements as shown on the elevation are to be respected and that
the Strebe canopy, if it can't be saved, be replicated in its exact form (except for the color) into the new
project and complete blueprints, documentation, photographs, all the history obtainable, for the Monte
Vista Hotel, Strebe building, and Hair of the Dog to be incorporated and displayed for public viewing to
commemorate the history."
M/S/C (Scott/Riley) 4 Yes, 2 No, 1 Absent, 0 Abstentions) that the project be allowed to proceed
with the understanding that the Strebe building elements as shown on the elevations are to be
respected and that the Strebe canopy, if it can't be saved, be replicated in its exact form (except
for the color) into the new project, and complete blueprints, documentation, photographs, all the
history obtainable, for the Monte Vlsta Hotel, Strebe building, and Hair of the Dog to be
incorporated and displayed for public viewing to commemorate their history.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m. The next regularly scheduled
meeting will be June 13, 2006 at 8:15 a.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
0 1 '
r
RECEIVED
CITY Or PP+LM SPR.€NC',
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 2006 JUN -7 PH 3. 52
To: Palm Springs City Clerk >A IES TH0111P'z ON
cl7v CEERN
We, the undersigned, submit this appeal for the Palm Springs Historic
Site Preservation Board(HSPB)to immediately reconsider their vote of Tuesday, .
May 23, 2006 regarding the site known as the 400 block of North Palm
Canyon Drive and North Indian Drive (Case 5.1091-PD324). After substantial
review and professional consultation, we submit there is ample evidence to
resume HSPB review of the property. The HSPB vote, endorsing the demolition
of the properties, did not fully consider the sociological, cultural, and familial
resources of the site particularly regarding potential eligibility for historic
designation. Nor did it sufficiently consider Section/page 11-31 through 11-34 of
the Palm Springs General Plan regarding historic preservation, including
Objective 5.10,
Preservation of the physical evidence of Palm Springs heritage to enhance
the quality of life in Palm Springs by the retention and adaptive reuse of
buildings of architectural, historical and/or cultural significance.
and Policy 5b/11:
Encourage public agencies to preserve and rehabilitate historic resources
as a design theme in the community redevelopment process.
and Policy 5.10.2:
Encourage developers of sites containing significant architectural,
historical, or cultural structures to adaptively reuse and expand it in lieu
of demolition and replacement.
and Section II-29 which cites:
The atmosphere of Palm Springs is at once an historic asset, an aesthetic 1
asset, and an economic asset to the City. It bespeaks the heritage of Palm
Springs. It is worth protecting and enhancing. Historic preservation is the
means of doing so.
Also, the property in question meets all seven of the specific criteria defining an
historic site as outlined in the Palm Springs Municlpal Code General Provisions,
(Chapter 8.05.020/Definitions).
page one of three
Under the California Environmental QualityAct(CEQA), an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) is required whenever it can be "fairly argued" on the basis of
"substantial evidence" that the project may have significant environmental
impacts. CEQA's low threshold for initial preparation of an EIR reflects a
preference for resolving doubts in favor of environmental review. Consequently,
additional environmental review is required to adequately assess project impacts
and'to consider alternatives to demolition at this location.
Numerous conclusions in the "Historic-Period Building Survey Report" submitted
by the property owner appear limited in scope and inappropriately subjective
conflicting with both the City's General Plan and the HSPB vote, Obliteration of
historic elements at this site would constitute a negative cumulative impacton
the community and establish precedent for a deleterious domino effect laying
groundwork for eradication of some of Palm Springs most significant, long-
established attributes: familial and personal heritage, scale, and atmosphere.
The CEQA definition of cumulative impacts comes from the State of California
Office of Planning and Research (OPR), Section 15255, which includes,
i
Cumulative impacts refer to two or more individual effects which, when
considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase
environmental impacts. The individual effects may be changes resulting
from a single project or a number of separate projects. The cumulative
impact from several projects is the change in the environment which
results from the incremental impact of the project when added to other
closely related past, present and reasonably foreseeable probable future
projects.
As further cumulative impact, the character of adjacent or nearby buildings,
sites, and groups of buildings would be adversely affected or compromised by
demolition of one entire side of the 400 block of North Palm Canyon Drive. This
includes the nearby Frances S. Stevens School, which is listed on the California
Register of Historical Resources Elimination of valuable historic elements in this
block would be inconsistent with the National Trust for HistoricPreservation's
(NTHP)recent selection of Palm Springs as one of twelve cities in the United
States listed as a Cultural Tourism destination for its architecture. This part of
Palm Canyon Drive constitutes much of the northernmost entryway to Palm
Springs historic downtown business district and is replete with pioneer and
subsequent family histories, cultural heritage, events, natural cycles of commerce
and tourism and architecture essential to Palm Springs'character.
I
I
page two of three
i
I
1
i
f
Accordingly, this appeal is submitted for immediate reconsideration of the
aforementioned HSPB vote, for further review of the matter.
ectfully�submitted,
Jeannine Raymond
Palm Springs, CA
Dorothy Lynch Manthey,
Rancho Mirage, CA
Mrs Manthey's father, Palm Springs Pioneer businessman and Rlvemlde County
Deputy Sheriff Carroll Lynch, developed the properties at 400 North Palm Canyon
where the family lived start/ng In 1916, owning it until sold to John and Frieda
Miller in 1922.
Peggy Bell, Jim Noble,
Palm Springs Palm Springs j
Tom Bell, Christy Eugenis, '
Palm Springs Portland, OR and Palm Springs
Nancy Bentinck, Marlene Blackwell,
Palm Springs Los Angeles and Palm Springs i
Carole Butzen, Stan Amy,
Palm Springs Portland, OR and Palm Springs
Marilyn Carson, Jack Moore,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Marcia DeLano, Anita Blair Martin,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Michael Martin, Marilyn Hirshleifer,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
James McKinley, James Irwin,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Alden Godfrey,
Palm Springs
page three of three
AO BFI
FUYII Mi, 0 0 i 2 817 6
DAM,'
_________.A _
P.O..
"::E"!, NO; 'IDI6
U?S.
HISTORIC-PERIOD BUILDING SURVEY REPORT
ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBERS 513-081-002 TO -006 AND -023
400 Block of N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive
City of Palm Springs,Riverside County, California
Submitted to:
Nicole Sauviat Criste
Terra Nova Planning and Research,Inc.
400 South Farrell Drive,Suite B-205
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Submitted by:
Bai Tang, Principal Investigator
Michael Hogan, Principal Investigator
Terri Jacquemain,Historian/Report Writer
Kelli Olgren-Leblond,Architectural Historian
CRM TECH
4472 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
.......;,`,. March 20, 2006
CRM TECH Contract#1776
� 4
uAp 2 9 &GS Palm Springs,Calif.,7.5'Quadrangle
IIYN
i,
R
edw ion 15,T45 R4E,San Bernardino Base Meridian MAR 2 9 2006
71-
0�n6
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Between January and March 2006, at the request of Terra Nova Planning and Research,
Inc., CRM TECH performed a historic-period building survey in the City of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California. The survey included six parcels of developed urban land
(Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023) in the downtown area of the city,
known historically as "the Village." These parcels are located on the 400 block of North
Palm Canyon Drive and North Indian Canyon Drive, in the northeast quarter of the
northeast quarter of Section 15,T4S R4E, San Bernardino Base Meridian.
The survey is a part of the environmental review process for a proposed redevelopment
project involving the subject properties. The City of Palm Springs, as the lead agency for
the project, required the study in compliance with the California Environmental Quality
Act(CEQA) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance. The purpose of the study is to
provide the City with the necessary information and analysis to determine whether any of
the buildings within the project area constitute a "historical resource," as defined by CEQA,
and thereby further determine whether the proposed project would cause "a substantial
adverse change in the significance of a historical resource."
In order to facilitate the historic significance evaluation of the buildings and to document
their characteristics and conditions, CRM TECH conducted a historical resources records
search, pursued historical background research, carried out a field inspection of the
buildings, and consulted with local historic preservation groups. As a result of these
research procedures, a total of five historic-period buildings, all of them commercial
buildings, and one historic-period hotel complex were identified within the project area.
These buildings are located at 155 and 179 East Alejo Road, 497 North Indian Canyon
Drive, and 414,428-456, and 476 North Palm Canyon Drive.
One of these buildings, a converted 1936 residence located at 476 North Palm Canyon
Drive, was previously recorded into the California Historical Resources Information
System as Site 33-7555 by virtue of its potential significance as an unaltered early residence.
However, the building has been extensively modified since its initial recordation in 1983,
and no longer retains sufficient historic integrity to qualify as a "historical resource."
The two buildings at 155 and 179 East Alejo Road were built around 1955 and 1960,
respectively, and neither of them exhibits any particular architectural, historical, or
aesthetic merits. The building at 497 North Indian Canyon Drive, built around 1958, is a
typical example of Modernist architecture that became prevalent in Palm Springs during
the post-WWII era, but is not an important example of the style. The present study has not
identified any important persons or historical events in association with this building, and
recent alterations have compromised its historic integrity. These three buildings do not
meet CEQA's definition of"historical resources," and require no further consideration.
The Monte Vista Hotel complex at 414 North Palm Canyon Drive and the Strebe Building
at 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive, in contrast, were both well-known local landmarks in
that portion of the Village. The Strebe Building, constructed in 1946, was designed,by
famed Palm Springs architects Albert Frey and John Porter Clark under commission from
Earle C. Strebe, a prominent local businessman and movie theater developer, although it is
i
not known to be an important example of the architects' large body of work in the area.
The Monte Vista Hotel, first opened in the 1920s as the Monte Vista Apartments, was a part
of the pre-WWII tourist boom that transformed Palm Springs into a favored desert resort
and, until its closure in 2005, had been the oldest business in continuous operation in Palm
Springs. If they had survived intact from the historic period, both of these properties
would have the potential of being eligible for designation by the City of Palm Springs as
"historic sites," as provided in the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance.
At the present time, however, both the Monte Vista Hotel complex and the Strebe Building
have been significantly altered. At the Monte Vista Hotel, in particular, all that remains of
the pre-WWII Monte Vista Apartments are three small bungalows that have been
remodeled and are now overshadowed by a 1940s-1950s two-story hotel building and a
modern entrance and lobby. As a result, neither the Monte Vista Hotel nor the Strebe
Building, in their current condition, retains sufficient historic integrity to relate to their
period of potential significance. Therefore, this study concludes that the Monte Vista Hotel
and the Strebe Building do not meet the criteria for listing in the California Register of
Historical Resources or for local designation, and thus neither of them qualifies as a
"historical resource."
Nevertheless, the results of this study indicate that the Monte Vista Hotel and the Strebe
Building continue to hold a certain level of historical interest in the community, as
ascertained through consultation with the local historic preservation groups. Since the
level of significance falls short of meeting CEQA's requirement for "historical resources," no
additional cultural resources management procedures are mandated for these properties
under the statutory and regulatory guidelines. However, in the interest of preserving as
much of the commurtity's historical heritage as possible, CRM TECH recommends that the
local historic value of the Strebe Building and the Monte Vista Hotel be recognized through
on-site commemorative displays to be included in the proposed project. Additionally,
since the Strebe Building still retains some of the basic characteristics of Prey and Clark's
original design, CRM TECH further recommends that selected features of the building be
incorporated into the architectural design of the proposed project. No further procedures
are recommended for the other buildings now present within the project area.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANAGEMENTSUMMARY..........................................................................................................i
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 1
HISTORICALCONTEXT................................................................................................................. 4
RESEARCHMETHODS.................................................................................................................... 5
RecordsSearch................................................................................................................................5
FieldInspection.............................................................................................................................. 5
HistoricalResearch........................................................................................................................ 6
Consultation with Local Historic Preservation Groups........................................................... 6
RESULTS AND FINDINGS.............................................................................................................. 6
Previous Cultural Resources Studies.......................................................................................... 6
Potential Historical Resources in the Project Area.................................................................... 8
Input from Local Historical Groups.......................................................................................... 12
Historical Overview of the Project Area................................................................................... 13
DISCUSSION.................................................................................................................................... 19
Definition....................................................................................................................................... 19
Evaluation..................................................................................................................................... 20
155 and 179 East Alejo Road and 497 North Indian Canyon Drive..................................20
476 North Palm Canyon Drive............................................................................................... 20
The Strebe Building (428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive).................................................21
The Monte Vista Hotel(414 North Palm Canyon Drive)...................................................21
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................22
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................23
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS......................................................................25
APPENDIX 2: SITE RECORD FORMS..........................................................................................29
iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1. Project vicinity................................................................................................................... 1
Figure2. Project area........................................................................................................................ 2
Figure 3. Subject parcels within the project area.......................................................................... 3
Figure 4. Previous cultural resources studies............................................................................... 7
Figure 5. The Veracruz Cafe at 494 North Palm Canyon Drive................................................. 8
Figure 6. Main entrance to the Monte Vista Hotel....................................................................... 9
Figure 7. Two-story building at the Monte Vista Hotel............................................................ 10
Figure 8. Surviving bungalow at the Monte Vista Hotel.......................................................... 10
Figure 9. 476 North Palm Canyon Drive..................................................................................... 11
Figure 10. The Strebe Building at 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive.................................... 11
Figure 11. 497 North Indian Canyon Drive................................................................................. 12
Figure 12. 155 East Alejo Road...................................................................................................... 12
Figure 13. 179 East Alejo Road...................................................................................................... 12
Figure 14. The Monte Vista Apartments, ca. 1927...................................................................... 14
Figure 15. The Monte Vista Apartments, ca. 1936...................................................................... 15
Figure 16. The Monte Vista Hotel, ca. 1952................................................................................. 15
Figure 17. 476 North Palm Canyon Drive, ca. 1936 ................................................................... 16
Figure 18. The Strebe Building under construction, ca. 1947................................................... 17
Figure 19. The Farmers Market, ca. 1957..................................................................................... 18
iv
INTRODUCTION
Between January and March 2006, at the request of Terra Nova Planning and Research,
Inc., CRM TECH performed a historic-period building survey in the City of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California (Fig. 1). The survey included six parcels of developed urban
land (Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and-023) in the downtown area of the
city, known historically as "the Village" (Figs. 2, 3). These parcels are located on the 400
block of North Palm Canyon Drive and North Indian Canyon Drive, in the northeast
quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 15, T4S R4E, San Bernardino Base Meridian.
The survey is a part of the environmental review process for a proposed redevelopment
project involving the subject properties. The City of Palm Springs, as the lead agency for
the project, required the study in compliance with the California Environmental Quality
Act(CEQA;PRC §21000, et seq.) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance(Palm
Springs Municipal Code§8.05.020). The purpose of the study is to provide the City with
the necessary information and analysis to determine whether any of the buildings within
the project area constitute a "historical resource," as defined by CEQA, and thereby further
determine whether the proposed project would cause "a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource."
In order to facilitate the historic significance evaluation of the buildings and to document
their characteristics and conditions, CRM TECH conducted a historical resources records
search,pursued historical background research, carried out a field inspection of the
buildings, and consulted with local historic preservation groups. The following report is a
complete account of the methods, results, and final conclusion of the study.
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Figure 2. Project area. (Based on USGS Palm Springs,Calif., 1:24,000 quadrangle[USGS 19961)
2
NUN 15 T.45.,R.4E
CITY OF W SlgOG9
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Figure 3. Subject parcels within the project area. (Based on Riverside County Assessor's parcel map)
3
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In 1823-1825,Jose Romero,Jose Maria Estudillo, and Romualdo Pacheco,leading a series of
expeditions in search of a route to Yuma,became the first noted European explorers to
travel through the Coachella Valley. However, due to its harsh environment, few non-
Indians ventured into the desert valley during the Mexican and early American periods,
except those who traveled across it along the established trails. The most important among
these trails was the Cocomaricopa Trail, an ancient Indian trading route that was
"discovered"in 1862 by William David Bradshaw and became known after that as the
Bradshaw Trail. In much of the Coachella Valley, this historic wagon road traversed a
similar course to that of present-day Highway 111. During the 1860s-1870s, the Bradshaw
Trail served as the main thoroughfare between coastal southern California and the
Colorado River,until the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876-1877 brought
an end to its heyday.
Non-Indian settlement in the Coachella Valley began in the 1870s, with the establishment
of railroad stations along the Southern Pacific Railroad, and spread further in the 1880s,
after public land was opened for claims under the Homestead Act, the Desert Land Act,
and other federal land laws. Farming became the dominant economic activity in the valley,
thanks to the development of underground water sources, often in the form of artesian
wells. But it was not until the completion of the Coachella Canal in 1948-1949 that farmers
in the and region obtained an adequate and reliable water supply. The main agricultural
staple in the Coachella Valley, the date palm,was first introduced around the turn of the
century. By the late 1910s, the date palm industry had firmly established itself, giving the
region its celebrated image of"the Arabia of America." Starting in the 1920s, a new
industry, featuring equestrian camps, resort hotels, and eventually country clubs, gradually
spread throughout the Coachella Valley, and since then transformed it into southern
California's leading winter retreat.
The City of Palm Springs owes its origin to the early development efforts led by John
Guthrie McCallum, who began purchasing land in the area in 1872. The townsite was
surveyed and subdivided in 1884, initially under the name of"Palm City." After a resurvey
in 1887, the new town acquired its present name. The Palm Springs subdivision was an
instant success despite its location in the heart of the southern California desert, thanks to
an eight-mile-long irrigation ditch that McCallum built from the Whitewater River to the
townsite. By 1892, "Dr."Welwood Murray had leased the famed Agua Caliente hot springs
from the local Native Americans to establish a health resort, forecasting the future of
development in the budding community. In the 1920s-1930s, Palm Springs was
"discovered"by the rich and famous of Hollywood, and soon became a favored desert spa,
the forerunner and nucleus of the Coachella Valley's resort industry.
Downtown Palm Springs today reflects an architectural heritage that is clearly influenced
by the prominent role of tourism in the city's history. Spurred by its widespread acclaim as
a health resort and a growing profile among Hollywood celebrities, the city began to
expand rapidly in the 1920s to accommodate the sharp rise in the number of visitors.
Buildings constructed in Palm Springs between 1920 mid the end of WWII were
predominantly Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival in style, inspired by both the
and natural landscape and a romanticized vision of California history. Historic maps and
photographs from the 1920s-1930s indicate that Palm Canyon Drive was at the center of
4
00 1`k
this urban expansion, as newly constructed hotels and retail shops increasingly defined the
downtown cityscape.
In the post-WWII era, a major shift took place in the architectural aesthetic of Palm Springs
as the city sought to accommodate the voguish tastes of wealthy visitors who desired
private vacation homes in the secluded desert. The "old-fashioned" Mission and Spanish
Colonial Revival architecture,rooted firmly in the past,were soon replaced by a locally
"grown" style known as Desert Modernism, which was explicitly"modern" through the
emphasis on flat roofs, large glass windows, and minimalist fagades, as exemplified by the
work of such influential architects as Albert Frey, E. Stewart Williams, and Richard Neutra.
Much of the downtown Palm Springs area today reflects this latter phase of architectural
transformation due to the large number of buildings from this period still extant.
RESEARCH METHODS
RECORDSSEARCH
On January 24, 2006, CRM TECH archaeologist Nina Gallardo (see App. 1 for
qualifications) conducted a historical/archaeological resources records search at the
Eastern Information Center (EIC),University of California, Riverside. During the records
search, Gallardo examined maps and records on file at the EIC for previously identified
cultural resources in of near the project area, and existing cultural resources reports
pertaining to the vicinity. Previously recorded cultural resources include properties
designated as California Historical Landmarks, Points of Historical Interest, or Riverside
County Landmarks, as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the
California Register of Historical Resources, or the California Historical Resource
Information System.
In addition to EIC's files, CRM TECH historian Terri Jacquemain(see App. 1 for
qualifications) consulted the records of the Department of Planning Services, City of Palm
Springs, for information on more recent cultural resources studies conducted in the project
vicinity. Findings from both the EIC records and the City records are presented in the
section below.
FIELD INSPECTION
On January 25, 2006, CRM TECH architectural historian Kelli Olgren-Leblond (see App. 1
for qualifications) carried out the field inspection of all existing buildings within the project
area. During the inspection, Olgren-Leblond made detailed notations and preliminary
photo-recordation of the structural and architectural characteristics, associated features,
and current conditions of the buildings that appeared to be more than 45 years old.
Buildings that appeared to have been constructed after 1961 were noted but excluded from
further study.
Based on the field observations, Olgren-Leblond composed brief descriptions of the
buildings that were determined to be pre-1961 in age through historical research. The
results of these procedures were ultimately compiled into the State of California's standard
5
record forms,popularly known as DPR forms, and submitted to the EIC for inclusion in the
California Historical Resource Information System (see App, 2).
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
In conjunction with the records search and the field inspection, Olgren-Leblond and
Jacquemain pursued historical and architectural historical background research for the
purpose of establishing the recorded buildings' dates of construction, later alterations, roles
and uses over the years, and possible associations with important historic figures and/or
events. Sources consulted during the research include the following:
• Published literature in local and regional history, including architectural history;
• Historic maps of the Palm Springs area;
• Archival records of City of Palm Springs and the County of Riverside, particularly the
City's building safety records and the County's real property tax assessment records;
• Various news reports in local newspapers;
• Historic-period city directories and other materials on file at the local history collection
of the Palm Springs Public Library;
• Oral historical interviews with long-tune residents in the community.
CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION GROUPS
As a part of the research procedures,Jacquemain contacted Sally McManus, director of the
Palm Springs Historical Society,Jeri Vogelsang,Ms.McManus' assistant, and Peter
Moruzzi, chairman of the Palm Springs Modern Committee,for supplementary
information on the history of the buildings and to solicit each organization's input on the
potential significance of the buildings to the local community. Subsequent to these
contacts,Jade Thomas Nelson, a member of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation
Board, also participated in the consultation. Comments and information from these
community representatives are presented below with the results of the other research
procedures conducted during this study.
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
PREVIOUS CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDIES
According to the records of the Eastern Information Center and the City of Palm Springs,
the project area had not been surveyed systematically and intensively for cultural resources
prior to this study, although two reconnaissance-level surveys for historic-period buildings
were previously completed in Palm Springs in 1983 and 2004. As a result of the 1983
survey, one of the buildings in the project area, located at 476 North Palm Canyon Drive,
was recorded into the California Historical Resource Information System as Site 33-7555
(see App. 2). Originally a residence, the building had been converted to a bar by that time,
but remained unaltered and in fair condition (Henderson/Hough 1983). According to the
existing site record, it was built in 1941 and was once occupied by early villagers (ibid.).
Outside the project boundaries but within a one-mile radius, eight other previous cultural
resource studies have been reported to the EIC (Fig. 4). As a result of these and 'other
6
I
Scope ofrecords
« '
f search
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Figure 4. Previous cultural resources studies in the vicinity of the project area,listed by FIC file number.
Locations of historical/archaeological sites are not shown as a protective measure.
7
similar studies, at least 20 archaeological sites and 55 historic-period buildings were
previously identified within the scope of the records search. Five of the archaeological sites
were prehistoric—i.e., Native American—in nature, consisting of surface scatters of
artifacts,bedrock milling features, a habitation site, and a burial site reported on the edge
of downtown Palm Springs. The other 15 sites dated to the historic period, including a
number of structural foundations of demolished buildings on the Agua Caliente Indian
Reservation, the site of the Cornelia White House, the remains of the historic El Mirador
Hotel and its golf course, and the remains of buildings on the O'Donnell Golf Course.
The recorded historic-period buildings were predominantly concentrated in downtown
Palm Springs, many of them within a few blocks of the project location. Among them were
a number of historic-period hotels, including the Spanish Inn, the Estrella Inn, the
Mountain View Inn, the Arenas Lodge, and the Holiday Lodge. Other buildings recorded
within the scope of the records search included Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church, the
Palm Springs Woman's Club, and various commercial buildings and single-family homes
of historical or architectural note.
With the exception of the former residence at 476 North Palm Canyon Drive, none of the
previously recorded historic-period buildings or archaeological sites was located within the
project area. The large number of known historical/archaeological sites in the surrounding
area, however, attests to a high sensitivity for cultural resources in the project vicinity,
especially those from the historic period.
POTENTIAL HISTORICAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT AREA
During the field inspection, a total of six buildings and one hotel complex were noted
within the project area. Of these, the Veracruz Cafe at 494 North Palm Canyon Drive is
known to have been constructed in 1969 (City of Palm Springs 1969) and demonstrates no
exceptional architectural or aesthetic qualities (Fig 5). Therefore, it does not constitute a
potential historical resource and requires no further study.
The other six properties, including the previously recorded building at 476 North Palm
Canyon Drive, four other commercial buildings located at 155 and 179 East Alejo Road, 497
North Indian Canyon Drive, and 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive, and the Monte Vista
Hotel complex at 414 North Palm Canyon
Drive, proved to be pre-1961 in origin. ; ,y
These properties were recorded or updated, l
as appropriate, in the California Historical
Resource Information System during this ''tF
study (see App. 2 for architectural
description and construction history of each
property).
The Monte Vista Hotel,which began
operation in the 1920s (Bogart 2003:133), is
nominally the oldest among these historic-
period buildings. Once a part of the pre- Figure 5. The Veracruz Caf@ at 494 North Palm
WWII tourist boom and, until its closure in Canyon Drive,built in 1969. (Photo taken '
2005, the oldest business in continuous January 25,20067 view to the east)
8
(L»1�
operation in Palm Springs (ibid.),the Monte Vista Hotel has lost much of its original
appearance due to later alterations. Today, the most prominent components of the
complex are a two-story building constructed in 1947-1955 and the main entrance/lobby
that dates to the 1960s (City of Palm Springs 1947-1966; Figs. 6, 7). The only pre-WWII
buildings remaining in the complex are three small bungalows, all of which have been
remodeled (Fig. 8).
The former residence at 476 North Palm Canyon Drive is evidently the second oldest
property in the project area. While the existing site record for 33-7555 identifies its
construction date as 1941 (Henderson/Hough 1983), archival records suggest that the
building may date to as early as 1936 (County Assessor 1933-1938). Between 1993 and
1998, the exterior of the building was completely remodeled, with new architectural
features added (City of Palm Springs 1993-1998). As a result of these alterations, the
building has lost much of its historic feeling and characteristics, and its principal facade
now resembles that of a modern structure (Fig. 9).
The other four historic-period buildings in the project area were all constructed between
1946 and 1960, during the early post-WWII era. One of these, a large commercial building
located at 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive (Fig. 10), is known locally as the Strebe
Building, after its original owner Earle C. Strebe, a prominent businessman and movie
theater developer in Palm Springs at the time. It was designed by local architects Albert
Frey and John Porter Clark, two of the leading voices in the Desert Modernist movement,
and was built in 1946 (City of Palm Springs 1946). Since the 1950s, the building has been
altered numerous times, including the demolition and remodeling of various parts of the
M
Figure 6. Main entrance to the Monte Vista Hotel,414 North Palm Canyon Drive. (Photo taken Janua;y 25,
2006;view to the east)
9
r'
Figure 7. Two-story building at the Monte Vista Hotel. (Photo taken January 25,2006,view to the northwest)
building as well as additions to others (City of Palm Springs 1951-1999). The building at
497 North Indian Canyon Drive,built around 1958 (City of Palm Springs 1958) and
currently housing a consignment shop (Fig. 11),has also been altered in recent years,
according to the shopkeeper.
In terms of architecture, the surviving bungalows in the Monte Vista Hotel complex were
originally designed in the Mission revival style, although the stylistic features have been
greatly compromised during their remodeling in recent years (Fig. 8). The design theme of
the original construction is mimicked in the 1960s-era fagade facing Palm Canyon Drive
(Fig. 6), and somewhat echoed by the
r-'
Spanish/Monterey elements in the 1940s-
1950s two-story hotel building (Fig. 7), but
the complex as a whole no longer exhibits a
coherence in architectural design. The
building at 476 North Palm Canyon Drive
falls into the category of what is often
referred to as the Minimal Traditional style,
which is more an adaptation to the material
77
shortage during the Depression and WWII
era than a particular stylistic expression.
Among the four post-WWII buildings
Figure 8. A surviving bungalow at the Monte Vista recorded during this study, the two
Hotel. (Photo taken January 25,2006,view to the g west) commercial buildin sat 155 and 179 East
Alejo Road (Figs. 12; 13), built in 1955 and
10
}^ f
.F S;
Figure 9. 476 North Palm Canyon Drive. (Photo taken January 25,2006,view to the east)a
4V 51'>k5iary t! Y #t
x �, ke_,a.
Age
f } $yCY
�f 4
1 �
ttu
YF 'S�nK
Figure 10. The Strebe Building at 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive. (Photo taken January 25,2006;view.to
the northeast)
11
1960,respectively, show the basic
characteristics of a Modernistic design in
their simple, modest exterior,but fall far '
short of fully expressing the ideals of the
Desert Modern style. The Strebe Building at
428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive and the
consignment shop at 497 North Indian
Canyon Drive,in comparison, are much
better examples of that style,but neither of
them is considered important landmarks in
the Desert Modernist movement. Nor is the
Strebe Building known to be an important Figure 11. 497 North Indian Canyon Drive. (Photo
specimen among Albert Frey and John taken January 25,2006;view to the south)
Porter Clark's large body of work. In
particular, as one of the most famous practitioners in Desert Modernism, Frey has left a
wealth of well-known landmarks in the Palm Springs area, including the Valley Station of
the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Tramway Gas Station, the Palm Springs City Hall,
the Lowey House, and his own Palm Springs residences,Frey Houses I and II.
The historic-period buildings recorded during this study are located between two of the
busiest thoroughfares in the City of Palm Springs in terms of both traffic and business,
Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, and are surrounded by commercial
development of various vintages. There is not a coherent architectural theme evident
among this group of buildings, or between these buildings and their neighbors. This
architectural diversity reflects an underpinning in the cultural heritage of downtown Palm
Springs from the early and mid-20th century—an eclectic collection of architectural styles
aimed at accommodating both a booming tourist industry and the increasing numbers of
permanent residents.
INPUT FROM LOCAL HISTORICAL GROUPS
As stated above,Sally McManus and Jeri Vogelsang of the Palm Springs Historical Society,
Peter Moruzzi of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, and Jade Thomas Nelson of the
Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board participated in the consultation initiated by
CRM TECH regarding the proposed project. At CRM TECH's request,McManus and
a fit.
o r..
Figure 12. 155 East Alejo Road. (Photo taken January Figure 13. 179 East Alejo Road. (Photo taken January
25,2006;view to the south) 25,2006;view to the south)
12
Vogelsang provided a variety of valuable research materials, including the Palm Springs
Historical Society's extensive collection of historic photographs, newspaper clippings,
letters, and other similar documents,in addition to their personal knowledge about the
history of the project area and that of other society members whom McManus contacted on
behalf of CRM TECH. Neither McManus nor Vogelsang offered specific comments on the
potential historic significance of the buildings in the project or the proposed project's
potential effects on the buildings.
Moruzzi also provided CRM TECH with historic photographs and maps pertaining to the
project area. Additionally,in an electronic dialogue via e-mail with CRM TECH principal
investigator Bai "Tom" Tang, Moruzzi stressed the local historic significance of the Strebe
Building and in particular the Monte Vista Hotel. In an e-mail dated February 6,2006,
Moruzzi stated that the Monte Vista Hotel was highly representative of the early tourist
development in the Village center and one of the few two-story Spanish Eclectic-inspired
hotel buildings remaining in Palm Springs.
Meanwhile, Moruzzi relayed CRM TECH's request for information to other interested
community members, including jade Thomas Nelson. Nelson, via e-mail on February 8,
voiced two main concerns: the historical significance of the Monte Vista Hotel as the
original homesite of Pearl McCallum McManus, daughter of Palm Springs founder John G.
McCallum and a local pioneer in her own right, and the need to carefully evaluate the
Strebe Building for potential historic significance based on its past uses and its association
with Strebe, Frey, and Clark.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT AREA
Historic maps consulted for this study indicate that by the end of the 19th century, the
nucleus of the small town of Palm Springs had gradually taken shape approximately a half-
mile south of the project location,near the Agua Caliente hot springs and along the historic
Bradshaw Trail (USGS 1901). The project area,then a part of the extensive land holdings of
John G. McCallum,was apparently unsettled and undeveloped at that time (ibid.;Bogert
2003:56).
McCallum died in 1897, and his wife Emily died in 1914 (Bogert 2003:61). Sometime prior
to 1917, their daughter Pearl McManus,who had inherited the estate but did not settle at
this location, deeded the land on which the Monte Vista Hotel now stands to C. L. and
Martha Lynch (ibid.;Manthey 2006;McManus and Vogelsang 2006). The Lynches soon
built three houses on the property, one of which was later moved outside the project area
(Manthey 2006). The remaining two were likely incorporated, at least initially, into the inn-
keeping venture begun by John and Freda Miller,who acquired the property around 1922
(County Assessor 1920-1926).
The Monte Vista Hotel, originally called the Monte Vista Apartments, was one of a myriad
of modest inns that opened in and around the Village during the 1920s, at the onset of the
desert town's tourist boom (Bogert 2003:84). Others included the La Palma Hotel, the
Winter Garden Hotel, and the Oasis Hotel, which was built in 1925 and owned by Pearl
McManus (ibid.). The Monte Vista Hotel remained in the Miller family through at least
1986 and, as mentioned above,was reportedly once the oldest continuously operating
business in the city (Bogert 2003:133).
13
The Millers' sons,John and Frank,were active community leaders in Palm Springs for
many years. Frank, a realtor, served eight years as a city councilman and four years as
vice-mayor (Desert Sun 1998). John served more than two decades on the city's planning
commission, as well as several years on various other civic agencies and boards (Bogert
2003:133). Both were avid collectors of guns and western art, with John's art expertise
especially noted (ibid.; Desert Sun 1998). John died in October 1997, and Frank died the
following January (Desert Sun 1997; 1998).
Over the years, the Miller family repeatedly modified and expanded the Monte Vista Hotel
through additions, alterations and demolition (City of Palm Springs 1945-1999). Historic
photographs and property records indicate significant changes took place on the property
immediately after they became owners and then periodically over at least the next four
decades. Photographs taken around 1927 show at least four nearly identical bungalows in
the hotel complex, along with what was probably one of the houses built by the Lynches
(Fig. 14). By the early 1930s, according to another photograph, an additional bungalow had
taken the place of the Lynch house, and the distinctive stucco arch over the entry driveway
was in place. By 1936, the Monte Vista Apartments was fully landscaped, and a decorative
concrete block wall had been installed along the perimeter (Fig. 15).
Among the first of many additions documented in archival records was a 16-foot-high, 285-
square-foot building constructed to house "stores," though it is not clear where this may
have been located on the property (City of Palm Springs n.d.). Around 1945, two single-
story hotel rooms were added (City of Palm Springs 1945). A two-story, six-room building
was constructed in 1947, and this was likely the portion of the hotel that was depicted on a
postcard dating to the early 1950s (City of Palm Springs 1947;Fig. 16). The blurb printed
Ap
At
�a
Figure 14. The Monte Vista Apartments,ca.1927. (Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society)
14
✓ VISTA +jpA4 '
cw
Figure 15. The Monte Vista Apartments,ca.1936. (Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society)
on the back of the postcard indicates the
Hb�eT'E�ib7A'NOT iifP - +�`1.
Monte Vista Hotel consisted of a total of"24
air-cooled hotel rooms,bungalows and
kitchenette apartments with tubs and the _._..
showers." A swimming pool, also featured [
prominently on the postcard (Fig. 16),was 1
added to the hotel's amenities in 1949 (City 'y 4411
of Palm Springs 1949). Y ° -x�
Expansion of the hotel continued in the
1950s with the 1952 construction of another
two-story, six-room hotel building and the
1955 addition of eight hotel rooms (City of Figure 16. The Monte Vista Hotel,ca.1952.
1952; 1955 . A permit was also (Courtesy of the Palm Springs Modern
Palm Springs ) P Committee)
issued in 1955 for the demolition of an
unspecified building, possibly one of the original bungalows that was included in the
postcard rendering (City of Palm Springs 1955;Fig. 16). During the 1960s, the front
entryway was reconstructed, and a 320-square-foot "frame and masonry studio and
canopy" was added (City of Palm Springs 1963; 1966).
Elsewhere in the project area,in circa 1927 Bennie Rizzotto became owner of the northern
80 feet of the northernmost one-acre lot (Coimty Assessor 1927-1932). Around the same
time Luigi Gautiello became owner of the southern 70 feet of the lot (ibid.). Gautiello was a
grocer who specialized in poultry and for a time ran a store on the eastern side of his
property along Indian Avenue (now Indian Canyon Drive;Directory 1938). Around'1934,
15
10 7,5
in an apparent agreement with Bennie
Rizzotto, a part-time Palm Springs resident,
Gautiello built the Casa Bella Vista Hotel one
the northwest corner of the project area,
then a part of Rizzotto's property (Directory _.
1938;Press Enterprise 1985). Neither of these a
buildings exists today.
N
Around 1936, Luigi Gautiello deeded the
western portion of his parcel, designated
today as 476 North Palm Canyon Drive, to M -'
Josephine de Puma, about the same time
archival records indicated the presence of a Figure 17. 476 North Palm Canyon Drive,partially
building,most likely the one in existence at obscured by the Casa Bella Vista Hotel,ca.1936.
(Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical society)
that address today (County Assessor 1933-
1938;Fig. 17). Gautiello re-acquired the property about three years later, and it remained in
the Gautiello family until at least 1955 (County Assessor 1939-1959).
The building apparently was left largely intact for many years, as evidenced by its
description as "unaltered"in 1983 (Henderson/Hough 1983). Correspondingly, archival
records yield no information on any alterations prior to exterior remodeling work in 1993,
when it was occupied by the Hair of the Dog Saloon as it had been ten years before (ibid.;
City of Palm Springs 1993). In 1997, permits were issued to owner Henry Moscatel for a
"major remodel of existing restaurant," including a 78-square-foot addition and the
cons truction of a "roof cover at the service entry, landing and ramp at the north elevation"
(City of Palm Springs 1997). The following year unspecified "exterior openings" were
filled-in and the entire building received a new coat of stucco (City of Palm Springs 1998).
On the northern end of the project area, Bennie Rizzotto's property was deeded to John
"Jack" Williams around 1945 (County Assessor 1945-1959). Williams remained owner
through the rest of the historic period, during which he contracted the construction of the
buildings at 155 and 179 East Alejo Road and 497 North Indian Canyon Drive over a period
of five years,beginning in 1955 (City of Palm Springs 1955-1960). "Jack" Williams was a
well-known local realtor, and was among the city's first councilmen after Palm Springs was
incorporated in 1938 (Bogert 2003:165). He was active in the community from the mid-
1930s until at least the late 1960s, and, along with his wife Helen, was a member of the
Lions Club, the Palm Springs Historical Society, and. the Palm Springs Desert Museum
Foundation (Crawford 1968:n.p.).
Despite exhaustive research, no evidence was found in archival sources of any alterations
to the three buildings at 155 and 179 East Alejo Road and 497 North Indian Canyon Drive.
However, as mentioned above, the tenant at 497 North Indian Canyon Drive states that
alterations were made to the exterior of that building,including the addition of decorative
wood strips on the exterior walls and, more significantly, the relocation of the doors to
their present positions.
The remaining portion of the project area, consisting of two one-acre lots between the
Monte Vista Hotel and the former Gautiello property,was known as the Gray property
when Lucien Gray deeded it to Earle C. Strebe in 1946 (Limelight-News 1945; County
16
L
awn
ar i'
}
3{ q
Figure 18. The Strebe Building under construction,ca. 1947. (Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical
Society)
Assessor 1945-1950). Strebe,who already operated the Village, Plaza, and El Paseo
Theaters in Palm Springs, immediately put into motion plans for restaurants, apartments,
office and retail spaces, and another movie theater on his new property (City of Palm
Springs 1946). As early as 1945,he had tapped Los Angeles architect Harold W. Burton,
known for monumental and church architecture, to conceptualize the project, and had even
released a rendering of the proposed entertainment center to local media (Limelight-News
1945). Historic photographs, however, reveal that Burton's grand design was never
realized. Sometime before the project broke ground, Albert Frey and John Porter Clark
became the lead architects for the new building, and implemented the much more modest
Strebe Building that stands today (City of Palm Springs 1946;Fig. 18).
Earle Strebe came to Palm Springs from Indiana as a 20-year-old in 1926, and found
employment at a popular Palm Springs hotel, the Desert Inn, as a bookkeeper,night clerk,
bellboy, and occasionally movie projectionist(Strebe 1960;Press-Enterprise 2004). Two
years later he opened the town's first movie theater at a local elementary school.
Eventually, Strebe developed a chain of 12 theaters in California and Nevada,including the
ones in Palm Springs (Strebe 1960). In 1931, he married physician Frances Bunker,
daughter of Palm Springs pioneer Zaddie Bunker.
Appointed to the city council in 1949 and re-elected in 1952,Earle Strebe served seven
years as a councilman. By 1960 he was or had been active in nearly two dozen civic and
community organizations, among them the Palm Springs Desert Museum, the Palm
Springs Historical Society, the Desert Riders, the Palm Springs Mounted Police and Police
Reserves, the Boys Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club (Strebe 1960).
17
1177
Popular among Palm Springs' visiting celebrities, Strebe was later inducted along with
many of the stars into a local Walk of Fame tribute in front of the Plaza Theater(Desert Sun
1992). Earle Strebe died in 1994, at the age of 88 (Press-Enterprise 2004).
The Strebe Building at 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive was originally intended to
include a 999-seat movie theater, to be named the Rancho Theater (Limelight-News 1945;
City of Palm Springs 1946). However, there is no evidence that the theater ever opened for
business, and none of the long-time Palm Springs residents interviewed for this study
recalls ever attending a movie there. A close inspection of the building reveals evenly cut
steel rebar protruding from the exterior wall at roof level and anchor bolts that would have
supported structural beams protruding vertically every 14 to 15 feet, all of which indicate
incomplete construction (Cioffi 2006). It is possible that for some reason the portion of the
building for the planned Rancho Theater was never completed.
In any case,by 1949 that portion of the building, called the "north wing" or "north room,"
had been partitioned and converted into office space (City of Palm Springs 1949). Desert
Bank is noted as an early tenant (ibid.). Meanwhile, the Desert Farmers Market occupied
the middle and back portion of the building, facing Indian Avenue, although it could also
be accessed from entryways on Palm Canyon Drive (Nichols 2006). The Desert Farmers
Market was an aggregate of specialty shops,boutiques, and eateries arranged along an
interior courtyard that attracted tourists and locals alike (Fig. 19). It was also reported that
a structure of some sort was erected along Indian Avenue to provide temporary shelter for
the produce sellers and their stands, which were usually made of wooden crates (Nichols
2006).
A postcard mailed in 1957 highlights the sunny interior of the Desert Farmers Market
shortly before a potion of it was enclosed near the end of that year (Fig. 19;City of Palm
Springs 1957). Also in 1957, the portion of the Desert Farmers Market closest to the main
building was covered and incorporated into the Mayfair Market, and a new entryway was
created (City of Palm Springs 1957). It is unclear when the remaining portion of the Desert
Farmers Market was dismantled.
Since its completion,the Strebe Building has suffered fire damages at least twice. The
earlier incident was documented by a permit issued in 1954 for repairs to a frame and
stucco wall damaged by fire (City of Palm
Springs 1954). In April, 1979, a fire forced
the closure of a restaurant on the building's
north side, and that portion of the building
was eventually demolished in 1991, leaving
only a small addition near the rear of the
building (City of Palm Springs 1979; 1991).
Another significant alteration evident today
is the extension of the building on its m
southern end to accommodate additional '
retail space, although no record of thex
addition was found in the archival sources.
Because the Strebe Building is a tenant-
oriented venture, many interior and exterior Figure 19. The Farmers Market,ca. 1957. (Courtesy
modifications were made over the years, of the Palm Springs Modern Committee)
18
0 � c�
including partitions and modifications to windows,doors, and entryways, many of them
documented by the numerous permits issues for this address (City of Palm Springs 1949-
1999).
DISCUSSION
Based on the research results discussed above, the following sections present CRM TECH's
conclusion on whether any of the historic-period buildings within the project area meets
the official definitions of a"historical resource," as provided in the California Public
Resources Code, in particular CEQA.
DEFINITION
According to PRC §5020.1(j), "'historical resource' includes, but is not limited to, any object,
building, site, area,place,record, or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically
significant, or is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic,
agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California." More
specifically, CEQA guidelines state that the term "historical resources" applies to any such
resources listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the California Register of
Historical Resources, included in a local register of historical resources,or determined to be
historically significant by the Lead Agency(Title 14 CCR§15064.5(a)(l)-(3)).
Regarding the proper criteria of historical significance, CEQA guidelines mandate that"a
resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be 'historically significant' if the resource
meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources" (Title 14
CCR§15064.5(a)(3)). A resource may be listed in the California Register if it meets any of
the following criteria:
(1) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of California's history and cultural heritage.
(2) Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.
(3) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type,period,region, or
method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative
individual, or possesses high artistic values.
(4) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory
or history. (PRC§5024.1(c))
A local register of historical resources, as defined by PRC§5020.1(k), "means a list of
properties officially designated or recognized as historically significant by a local
government pursuant to a local ordinance or resolution." For properties within the City of
Patin Springs, the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance provides the designations of
"historic sites" and "historic districts." A "historic site" is defined as:
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:
19
o(YI-79
(1) That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution
to the nation, state or community; or
(2) That is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful
contribution to national, state or local history;or
(3) That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or
local history; or
(4) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction; or
(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; or
(6)That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components
may lack individual distinction, or
(7)That has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to
national, state or local history or prehistory. (PSMC§8.05.020a)
Pursuant to these statutory and regulatory guidelines, the historic-period buildings
recorded in the project area are evaluated under both the California Register criteria and
those for local designations. The results of the evaluation are discussed below.
EVALUATION
155 and 179 East Alejo Road and 497 North Indian Canyon Drive
These three modest commercial buildings were constructed in 1955-1960 for local realtor
John"Jack" Williams. While he is remembered today as one of the civic leaders in the
newly incorporated City of Pahn Springs, Williams does not appear to have attained the
level of historic significance required by the criteria for the California Register or for local
designation. Additionally, in comparison to the many other properties that Williams
developed and owned in Palm Springs, none of these buildings demonstrates a uniquely
close association with his life and career.
In terms of architectural qualities,the two plain-looking buildings at 155 and 179 East Alejo
Road are not notable examples of any established style, type, period, or method of
construction. The building at 497 North Indian Canyon Drive is a typical example of the
Desert Modern style,but is by no means an important example of the style. Based on these
considerations, the present study concludes that none of these three buildings appears to
be eligible for listing in the California Register or for local designation, and thus none of
them qualifies as a"historical resource."
476 North Palm Canyon Drive
This building was previously recorded into the California Historical Resource Information
System as Site 33-7555 by virtue of its potential significance as an unaltered early residence.
Since its recordation in 1983, however, the building has been extensively altered, so much
so that its fagade is now essentially modern in appearance. Other than what is stated in the
1983 site record, this study has discovered no particular architectural, historical, or other
merits for this building. In any event, the significant loss of historic integrity in recent
years have sufficiently compromised its potential for historic significance, and effectively
20
r
precluded it from being considered eligible for listing in the California Register or for local
designation. Consequently, it no longer has the potential to qualify as a "historical
resource."
The Strebe Building(425-456 North Palm Canyon Drive)
Based on the results of the present study, the Strebe Buildings exhibits several different
aspects of potential significance in its history and architecture,but none of them is
sufficient in itself to render the building eligible for listing in the California Register or for
local designation. It is a fairly good example of the Desert Modern style,but certainly not a
particularly important one. It was designed by fanned local architects Albert Frey and John
Porter Clark, but is not known to be an important representative of the architects'large
body of work in the area. It was developed by Earle C. Strebe, who over the years gained
some local prominence as a businessman, civic leader, and movie industry personality. Yet
in comparison with the better-known properties that Strebe developed in Palm Springs,
such as the Plaza Theater, this building does not show an especially close association with
his life and career.
Taking all these factors into account together, the Strebe Building arguably would have the
potential of being eligible for designation by the City of Palm Springs as a "historic site," as
provided in the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance,if it retains good historic integrity.
However, since its completion in 1946, the building has been significantly altered,most
notably through the demolition and remodeling of various parts of the building as well as
additions to others. The Desert Farmers Market, a popular feature in the rear portion of the
building during the 1950s, is no longer extant today. Because of the considerable loss of the
building's historic and architectural integrity in relation to the 1940s-1950s era, this study
concludes that the Strebe Building is no longer eligible for local designation, and thus no
longer qualifies as a "historical resource." Nevertheless, as a well-known local landmark in
that portion of downtown Palm Springs, and because of its various associations, the Strebe
Building continues to hold a certain level of historical interest in the community that
deserves to be recognized.
The Monte Vista Hotel (414 North Palm Canyon Drive)
The history of the Monte Vista Hotel is closely associated with a well-known local family,
the Millers, although that association alone falls short of qualifying the property for listing
in the California Register. More importantly,the hotel began operation in the 1920s, and
played a part in the pre-WWII tourist boom that transformed Palm Springs into a favored
desert resort. The vast majority of the hotels,resorts, guest ranches, motors courts, and
tourists camps that sprang up in Pahn Springs during the early years of the boom are no
longer in existence today, leaving the Monte Vista Hotel as the oldest establishment of its
type to remain in continuous operation until its recent closure. As such, the Monte Vista
Hotel demonstrates sufficient association with Palm Springs' "coming of age"in the 1920s-
1930s era to be considered at least for local designation.
As in the case of the Strebe Building, however, the historic integrity of the Monte Vista
Hotel has been significantly compromised by later alterations to the complex. Today,all
that remains of the pre-WWII Monte Vista Apartments are three small bungalows that have .
been remodeled and are now overshadowed by a 1940s-1950s two-story hotel building and
21
a 1960s entrance and lobby. As a result, the property no longer retains the ability to relate
to the pre-WWII era, its period of potential significance. In its current condition, therefore,
the Monte Vista Hotel does not appear eligible for listing in the California Register or for
local designation, although it, too, holds enough local historical interest to be recognized at
some level.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CEQA establishes that "a project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the
environment" (PRC §21084.1). "Substantial adverse change," according to PRC§5020.1(q),
"means demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of a
historical resource would be impaired."
The present study has concluded that none of the buildings in the project area meets
CEQA's definition of a "historical resource." Therefore, the proposed project's potential
impact on these buildings would not constitute "a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource" under CEQA provisions, and no additional cultural
resources management procedures are mandated for these properties by current statutory
and regulatory guidelines.
However, this study has further concluded that two of the properties, the Monte Vista
Hotel complex at 414 North Palm Canyon Drive and the Strebe Building at 428-456 North
Palm Canyon Drive,retains a certain level of historical interest in the community, as
ascertained through consultation with the local historic preservation groups. In the interest
of preserving as much of the community's historical heritage as possible, CRM TECH
presents the following recommendations to the project proponent and the City of Palm
Springs:
1. The local historic value of the Strebe Building and the Monte Vista Hotel should be
recognized through on-site commemorative displays to be included in the proposed
project.
2. Since the Strebe Building still retains some of the basic characteristics of Frey and
Clark's original design, selected features of the building should be incorporated into the
architectural design of the proposed project.
3. No further procedures are recommended for the other buildings now present within the
project area.
22
REFERENCES
Bogert, Frank M.
2003 Palm Springs:First Hundred Years; 1987 edition revised. Palm Springs Public
Library, Palm Springs.
Cioffi,James
2006 Personal communication, February 27 and March 2.
City of Palm Springs
1945-1999 Building safety records, various addresses. On file, Department of Building
and Safety, City of Palm Springs.
County Assessor, Riverside
1920-1926 Real property tax assessment records, Book 21, Map 53. Microfiches on file,
Riverside County Assessor's Office, Riverside.
1927-1932 Real property tax assessment records, Book 24a,Map 49. Microfiches on file,
Riverside County Assessor's Office, Riverside.
1933-1938 Real property tax assessment records, Book 24a,Map 49a. Microfiches on file,
Riverside County Assessor's Office, Riverside.
1939-1959 Real property tax assessment records, Book 29, Map 31. Microfiches on file,
Riverside County Assessor's Office, Riverside.
Crawford, Hildy (ed.)
1968 Palm Springs Personages. Hildy Crawford, Palm Springs.
Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs)
1992 Stars Come Out during the Day (On Sidewalk at Plaza Theater). February 20:A3.
1997 Hotel Operator Miller Dies at 80. October 30:132.
1998 Obituary: Frank Miller, 90, Former Palm Springs City Councilman. January
30:132.
Directory
1938-1959 Palm Springs city directories. On file, Palm Springs Public Library, Palm
Springs.
GLO (General Land Office, U.S. Department of the Interior)
1886 Plat map: Township No. 4 South Range No. 4 East, San Bernardino Meridian;
surveyed in 1885.
Henderson/Hough
1983 Historic Resources Inventory,Site 33-7555. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
Limelight-News, The Palm Springs
1945 Superb Development Is Planned by Earle Strebe. July 5:1.
Manthey, Dorothy Lynch
2006 Personal communication, February 23.
23
McManus,Sally, and Jeri Vogelsang
2006 Personal communication, February 23.
Nichols, Steve
2006 Personal communication, March 3.
Press-Enterprise, The (Riverside)
1985 Obituary: Frances Gautiello. June 151132.
2004 Hotel Bellboy Made It Big in Palm Springs. March 12. Available at http:
www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_News_L ocal_dhistl3.a21 f5.html.
Strebe, Earle C.
1960 Biography submitted with Statement of Candidacy for Palm Springs City
Council.
USGS (United States Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior)
1901 Map: San Jacinto, Calif. (30', 1:125,000);surveyed in 1897-1898.
1979 Map: Santa Ana, Calif. (1:250,000); 1959 edition revised.
1996 Map: Palm Springs, Calif. (75, 1:24,000); aerial photographs taken 1994.
24
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/HISTORIAN/ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
Bai"Tom"Tang,M.A.
Education
1988-1993 Graduate Program in Public History/Historic Preservation, UC Riverside.
1987 M.A., American History,Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
1982 B.A., History,Northwestern University,Xi an, China.
2000 "Introduction to Section 106 Review,"presented by the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation and the University of Nevada, Reno.
1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites,"presented by the
Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno.
Professional Experience
2002- Principal Investigator,CRM TECH, Riverside, California.
1993-2002 Project Historian/Architectural Historian, CRM TECH, Riverside, California.
1993-1997 Project Historian, Greenwood and Associates, Pacific Palisades, California.
1991-1993 Project Historian, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside.
1990 Intern Researcher, California State Office of Historic Preservation,
Sacramento.
1990-1992 Teaching Assistant, History of Modern World,UC Riverside.
1988-1993 Research Assistant, American Social History,UC Riverside.
1985-1988 Research Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University.
1985-1986 Teaching Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University.
1982-1985 Lecturer, History, Xi an Foreign Languages Institute, Van, China.
Honors and Awards
1988-1990 University of California Graduate Fellowship, UC Riverside.
1985-1987 Yale University Fellowship,Yale University Graduate School.
1980, 1981 President's Honor List, Northwestern University, Xi'an, China.
Cultural Resources Management Reports
Preliminary Analyses and Recommendations Regarding California's Cultural Resources
Inventory System (With Special Reference to Condition 14 of NPS 1990 Program Review
Report). California State Office of Historic Preservation working paper, Sacramento,
September 1990.
Numerous cultural resources management reports with the Archaeological Research Unit,
Greenwood and Associates, and CRM TECH, since October 1991.
Membership
California Preservation Foundation.
25
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/ARCHAEOLOGIST
Michael Hogan,Ph.D.,RPA'
Education
1991 Ph.D., Anthropology,University of California, Riverside.
1981 B.S.,Anthropology, University of California, Riverside;with honors.
1980-1981 Education Abroad Program, Lima, Peru,
2002 Section 106—National Historic Preservation Act: Federal Law at the Local
Level, UCLA Extension Course #888.
2002 'Recognizing Historic Artifacts,"workshop presented by Richard Norwood,
Historical Archaeologist.
2002 "Wending Your Way through the Regulatory Maze,"symposium presented
by the Association of Environmental Professionals.
1992 "Southern California Ceramics Workshop," presented by Jerry Schaefer.
1992 "Historic Artifact Workshop,"presented by Anne Duffield-Stoll.
Professional Experience
2002- Principal Investigator, CRM TECH, Riverside,California.
1999-2002 Project Archaeologist/Field Director, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1996-1998 Project Director and Ethnographer,Statistical Research, Inc., Redlands.
1992-1998 Assistant Research Anthropologist, University of California,Riverside
1992-1995 Project Director, Archaeological Research Unit, U. C. Riverside.
1993-1994 Adjunct Professor,Riverside Commiuuty College, Mt. San Jacinto College,
UC Riverside, Chapman University, and San Bernardino Valley College.
1991-1992 Crew Chief,Archaeological Research Unit, U. C. Riverside.
1984-1998 Archaeological Technician, Field Director, and Project Director for various
southern California cultural resources management firms.
Research Interests
Cultural Resource Management, Southern Californian Archaeology, Settlement and
Exchange Patterns, Specialization and Stratification, Culture Change, Native American
Culture, Cultural Diversity.
Cultural Resources Management Reports
Author and co-author of, contributor to, and principal investigator for numerous cultural
resources management study reports since 1986.
Memberships
*Register of Professional Archaeologists.
Society for American Archaeology.
Society for California Archaeology.
Pacific Coast Archaeological Society.
Coachella Valley Archaeological Society.
26
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
Kelli Olgren-Leblond,M.A.
Education:
2006 Ph.D. (expected), Art History, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Specialization: 19th and 20th century European art and architecture.
2000 M.A., Art History,University of California, Riverside.
Specialization: Modern architecture.
1998 B.A. (with honors),Art History, University of California, Riverside.
Professional Experience:
2005- Architectural Historian, CRM TECH, Riverside, California.
2002-2005 Teaching Assistant, History of Asian Art, University of Southern California.
2001-2002 Teaching Assistant, History of Western Art, University of Southern
California.
2001-2002 Research Assistant, Collection Development Department, Getty Research
Institute for the Arts and the Humanities, Los Angeles, California.
1999-2000 Research Assistant for Dr. Patricia Morton, Professor of Modern Architecture,
UC Riverside.
1999 Teaching Assistant, Western Art: Prehistory to Byzantium, UC Riverside.
1998-1999 Reader, Introduction to Architecture and Urbanism, UC Riverside.
Awards and Honors:
2005-2006 Final Year Dissertation Fellowship, University of Southern California.
2004 Citation of Special Recognition for the Dissertation, Graham Foundation for
Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts (as part of the 2004 Carter Manny Award
competition).
2004 Grant from the United States National Committee for the History of Art to
attend the XXXI International Congress for the History of Art in Montreal,
Canada.
2003-2004 Borchard Foundation Fellowship for Dissertation Research.
2002-2003 University Merit Fellowship in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences,
University of Southern California.
2000-2001 University Merit Fellowship in the College of Letters,Arts, and Sciences,
University of Southern California.
1998-2000 Maxwell Gluck Fellowship in the History of Art, UC Riverside.
Memberships:
Society of Architectural Historians.
College Art Associations.
Historians of German and Central European Art and Architecture.
27
PROJECT HISTORIAN/REPORT WRITER
Terri Jacquemain,M.A.
Education
2004 M.A., Program in Historic Resource Management, University of California,
Riverside.
2002 B.S., Anthropology, University of California, Riverside.
Professional Experience
2003- Project Historian, CRM TECH, Riverside.
2002- Teaching Assistant, Religious Studies Department, University of California,
Riverside.
1997-1999 Reporter, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Ontario, California.
1991-1997 Reporter, The Press-Enterprise, Riverside.
Memberships
California Council for the Promotion of History
Friends of Public History,University of California, Riverside
PROJECT ARCHAEOLOGIST
Nina Gallardo, B.A.
Education
2004 B.A., Anthropology/Law and Society, University of California, Riverside.
Professional Experience
2004- Project Archaeologist, CRM TECH, Riverside.
• Surveys, excavations, mapping, and records searches.
Honors and Awards
2000-2002 Dean's Honors List, University of California, Riverside.
28
APPENDIX 2
SITE RECORD FORMS FOR
HISTORIC-PERIOD BUILDINGS IN THE PROJECT AREA
29
Seas of California—The Resources Agency Ser.No. 33-2Z4o2' 'gT
0 EPARTM ENT OF PARKS AN D RECREATION HAGS_ HAER_ NR 5 SHL _ Loc_
UTM: A _ B
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ' c D
IDENTIFICATION Hair of the Dog Saloon 1 -
1. Common name:
2. Historicname: none
3. Street or rural address: 476 North Palm Canyon Drive
city Palm Springs yip 92262 County Riverside
4. Parcel number: 513-081-003-3
5. Present Owner: Larry J. Bitoni , Dennis C. Rice Address:476 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
City Palm Springszip92262 Ownership is:Public Private x
B. Present Use: bar Original use: residence
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: Bungalow
7b, Briefly describe the present physical description of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its
original condition:
The Hair of the Dog Saloon is a small stucco
bungalow with an overhanging hipped tile roof,
plain walls and two large prominent front windows.
a. Construction date: 1941
Estimated Factual,
`XC
9. Architect--uUka AA
10. Builder lenn1a❑
11. Approx.property size (in feet)
Frontage Depth
orapprox. acreage
1 12 Dafe(s)of enclosed photographs)
January il . 1983
15-95-21-21
113. Condition: Excellent_Good _Fair_ Y Deteriorated No longer in existence
14. Alterations: unaltered
3� _755
C
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land Scattered buildings"sely budbup X
Residential_Industrial_Commercial X_Other:
16, Threats to site: None known_xPrivate development— Zoning_ Vandalism _
Public Works project— Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site?_x— Moved)__ Unknown?
I& Related features:
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and/or architectural importance(Include dates,events,and persons associated with the site.)
Built in 1941 as4Are6idence, this house and two
others were originally occupied by early villagers.
The structure is unaltered and in fair condition.
Locational sketch map(draw and label site and
surrounding streets,roads,and prominent landmarks):
21). Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is NORTH
checked,number in order of Importance.)
Architecture x Arts&Leisure
Economic/Industrial—Exploration/Settlement
Government Military j,L6 To RO# r
Religion .._ Social/Education
21, Sources(List books,documents,surveys,personal interviews IYSr
and their dates). 4 �r
j
County' records m
August 29, 1983
22. Date(naformme) tl
) rfenNerson oug
Or (name)
Organization 1V. 0. 75 Or1Gd Omfll.
Address: P .O.Sox
city 1 v e r s I d a Zip c �
Phone: (7144) 7R7-2S51
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary# 33-7555 (Update)
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder)
P'I. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location:_Not for Publication V Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
and(P2b and Plc or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
"b. USGS7.5'Quad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
74S; R4E; NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 476 North Palm Canyon Drive City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM:(Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542050 mE/ 3743205 mN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel#, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 513-081-003;
on the east side of Palm Canyon Drive between Ale-jo Road and Amado Road.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This former residence has been converted for commercial
use, but is currently vacant. The building is clad with stucco and is set
upon a concrete foundation. The front half of the building is surmounted by
a low-pitched front-gable roof with a hip-roofed extension in the west-facing
primary fagade. The roof has narrow eaves and is sheathed with red ceramic
tiles. The rear portion is flat-roofed with a tall, simple parapet that is
visible behind the front-facing gable. The asymmetrical primary fagade
features two large multi-panel windows with fixed sashes, which have replaced
the double-hung windows seen in historic photographs of the building, and a
recessed porch supported by a single stucco-clad, square post. Within the
porch is the main entrance to the building, with a wood and glass panel door
that faces the north rather than the west. The primary fagade is partially
clad with a brick veneer. Similar brickwork can be seen in a large chimney
on the southern fagade of the building. A stucco-clad, stepped wall with
brick caps extends to the north side of the primary fagade.
It appears that many modifications, including some major alterations,
have been made to this structure over time. The most prominent among them is
the addition of a large covered patio that extends along the entire length of
the north-facing fagade. Supported by four concrete pillars, the cover of
the patio consists of open horizontal wood beams with a shed-style roof. Two
sets of wood-framed French doors, likely also later additions, open onto the
patio from the north-facing wall. The exterior of the entire building
appears to have been recently updated with fresh paint and a new coat of
stucco. The structure is presently in good condition.
*Pi)b. Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: V Building_Structure_ObjectSite_District_Element of District
Other(isolates,etc.)
(Continued on p. 2)
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary# 33-7555 (Update)
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder)
P:ia. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and ob'ects.) accession #) Photo taken on
January 25, 2006; view to the
east.
' *P6. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
Historic_Prehistoric_Both
Ca. 1936 (see Items B6 and B12
for details)
*137. Owner and Address:
Unknown
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and
address)
Kelli Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
4472 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
71 T *P9. Date Recorded: January 25,
2006
*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacquemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) : Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block of
N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive, CitV of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
*Attachments: None Location Map Continuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
Rack Art Record Artifact Record_Photograph RecordOther(List):
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary# 33-7555 (Update)
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6Z
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder)
131. Historic Name: None
B2. Common Name: None
63. Original Use: Residential 134.Present Use: Vacant
115. Architectural Style: Minimal Traditional
*E16. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and dale of alterations) Archival records
indicate Luigi Gautiello became owner of this property and an adjoining lot
around 1927, but temporarily deeded this portion of the land to Josephine de
Puma around 1936. It was also around 1936 that a building, probably the one
present at this address today, was built on the property. Gautiello
reacquired the parcel three years later, and it remained in his family until
at least 1955. Luigi Gautiello was a grocer who specialized in poultry and
for a time operated a store on Indian Canyon Drive. Around 1934, in an
apparent agreement with the owner of the adjacent parcel, Gautiello built the
Casa Bella Vista Hotel directly north of this residence, on the southwest
corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive.
This building was apparently left intact for many years, as evidenced
by its description as "unaltered" in the original 1983 site record.
Correspondingly, archival records yield no information on any alterations
prior to exterior remodeling work in 1993, when it was occupied by the Hair
of the Dog Saloon as it had been ten years before. In 1997, permits were
issued to owner Henry Moscatel for a "major remodel of existing restaurant, "
including a 78-square-foot addition and the construction of a "roof cover at
the service entry, landing and ramp at the north elevation. " The following
year, unspecified "exterior openings" were filled-in and the entire building
received a new coat of stucco.
*E'!7. Moved? 1/ No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B'!8. Related Features: See Item P3a on p. 1.
B9a. Architect: Unknown b.Builder: Unknown
*B19. Significance: Theme Community development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1930s-1940s
Property Type Single-family residence Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) This building was previously recorded into the California
Historical Resource Information System by virtue of its potential
significance as an unaltered early residence. Since the initial recordation
in 1983, however, the building has been extensively altered, so much so that
its fagade is now essentially modern in appearance. Other than what is
stated in the 1983 site record, this building demonstrates no particular
architectural, aesthetic, historical, or other merits. In any event, the
significant loss of historic integrity in recent years have sufficiently
compromised its potential for historic significance, and effectively
precluded it from being considered eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical
Resources.
1311. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP46—wall
*612. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1933-
1959; City of Palm Springs building safety records; Palm Springs local
directory.
(Continued on p. 4)
DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
�c�ao�
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary# 33-7555 (Update)
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder)
B13. Remarks f (sketch Mao with north arrow re .ired.)
*1314. Evaluator: Bai "Tom" Tana
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006
TA
:- thI
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t
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(This space reserved for official conments.) �� �, 11 "" 1 /;`
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+ry : pring w i
SCALE 1:24,000
0 1000 2000 feet j� I(N li NW R E15 R
DPIR 523B(1/95) *Required information
_ State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-iH
P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location: Not for Publication V Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
and(P21b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS7.5'Quad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
14S; R4E; NE 114 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 155 East Alejo Road City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542070 mE/ 3743220 mN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 513-081-023;
on the south side of Alejo Road between Palm Canyon Drive and Indian
Canyon Drive.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This single-story commercial building has a modified
rectangular ground plan and is set upon a concrete foundation. Clad in
stucco, the structure is covered by a flat roof with wide, open eaves and a
fascia that has been painted brown. The front entrance is located on the
north fagade of the building, which faces Alejo Road, and is set within a
recessed porch supported by a wood post. The door is made of wood and has
been painted a bright purple. This primary fagade consists of three tiered
walls, the western most of which has a parapet that extends above the
roofline. The windows are primarily wood-framed fixed and sliding windows,
including several on the east-facing fagade that are covered by protective
security bars. This building is in fair condition, and it appears that no
major alterations have been made to its exterior.
*133b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: 'V Building_Structure_Object_Site_District_Element of District
_Other(isolates,etc.)
(Continued on p. 2)
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
U "J
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-1H
P'5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and objects,) accession #) Photo taken on
January 25, 2006; view to the
south
*136. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
'f Historic_Prehistoric_Both
."y 1955 (see Items B6 and B12 for
details)
*P7. Owner and Address:
Unknown
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and
address)
Kelli Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
4472 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
*P9. Date Recorded: January 25,
-----'--'------------ ------------ -'--� 2006
*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacquemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) : Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block of
N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive, City of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
%ttachments: _None Location Map Continuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other(List):
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
0('����
• y
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6Z
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-111
B'l. Historic Name: None
B2. Common Name: None
8:3. Original Use: Dental office B4.Present Use: Dental office
*EI5. Architectural Style: Modern
*E16. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) Archival records
indicate this building was constructed in 1955, some 10 years after John
"Jack" Williams acquired the property, and was first occupied by a dental
office, as it is today. Williams, who remained the owner throughout the rest
of the historic period, was a well-known Palm Springs realtor, and was among
the city's first councilmen after Palm Springs was incorporated in 1938. He
was active in the community from the mid-1930s until at least the late 1960s,
and, along with his wife Helen, was a member of the Lions Club, the Palm
Springs Historical Society, and the Palm Springs Desert Museum Foundation.
Extensive research in City records yielded no information regarding possible
alterations to this building.
*87. Moved? V No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features: None
B9a. Architect: Unknown b.Builder: Unknown
*810. Significance: Theme Mid-20th century commercial development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1940s-1950s
Property Type Medical/dental office Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) While he is remembered today as one of the early civic
leaders in Palm Springs, John "Jack" Williams does not appear to have
attained the level of historic significance required by the criteria for the
National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical
Resources. Additionally, in comparison to the many other properties that
Williams developed and owned in Palm Springs, this building does not
demonstrate a uniquely close association with his life and career. In terms
of architectural qualities, the plain-looking building is not a notable
example of any established style, type, period, or method of construction,
and there is no evidence that it represents the work of a notable architect,
designer, or builder. Based on these considerations, this building does not
appear eligible for listing in the National Register or the California
Register.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes)
*812. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1939-
1959• City of Palm Springs building safety records; Frank M. Bogert: Palm
Springs: First Hundred Years; revised edition (Palm Springs Public Library,
Palm Springs, 2003) ; Hildy Crawford led. ) : Palm Springs Personages (self-
published, Palm Springs, 1968) .
(Continued on p. 4)
DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
Y .
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 4 'Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-1H
'----------------- - --- --- - --
---
B13. Remarks: •(Sketch Ma with north arrow required.) i
1314. Evaluator: Bai 'Tom" Tana k ,E �•,�, `
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006 - „• xJ
Schs
a,
MY
LL. Y
11 ��
iMMA66
r
(This space reserved for official comments.) '1 L i
n }
obiGUA • CA
vv 1 .; -n• I
1, 14
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ring ..
SCALE 1:24,000 /-- �1 i
0 1000 2000 feet f '
R EST R I
DPIR 523B(1/95) 'Required information
Y
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-2H
P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location:_Not for Publication %I Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
and(P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS7.5'Ouad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
T4S; R4E; NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Asproximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 179 East Aleio Road City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM:(Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542080 mE/ 3743210 mN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 513-081-023;
on the south side of Aleio Road between Palm Canyon Drive and Indian
Canyon Drive.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This single-story commercial building is a rectangular
structure set upon a concrete foundation. Covered by a flat roof with wide,
open eaves and a fascia, this building is clad in stucco that has been
painted white. There are two entrances on the primary, north-facing fagade,
both with wood doors and metal security screens. This fagade also has
several aluminum-framed sliding windows placed asymmetrically along the wall.
The building is currently in fair condition, and no major alterations are
evident in its exterior.
*PEIb. Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*P4I. Resources Present: Building_StructureObject_SiteDistrict_Element of District
_Other(isolates,etc.)
(Continued on p. 2)
DPR 523A(1195) *Required information
(0FF
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-2H
P5a-----------Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings,l P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and objects.) accession #) Photo taken on
January 25, 2006; view to the
south
„ *P6. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
C: :"' V Historic_Prehistoric_Both
1960 (see Items B6 and B12 for
details)
W. Owner and Address:
Unknown
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and
address)
Kelli Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
�,__ 4472 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
*P9. Date Recorded: JanuarV 25,
-----'---- --------------------) 2006
*P110. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*1311. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacquemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) : Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block of
N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Cannon Drive, City of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
*Attachments: None Location Map Continuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
-_Rock Art Record Artifact Record_Photograph Record Other(List):
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
r�_
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6Z
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-2H
131. Historic Name: None
32. Common Name: None
B3. Original Use: office building B4.Present Use: Office building
*135. Architectural Style: Modern
*136. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) Archival records
indicate this building was constructed as an office building in 1960, when
John "Jack" Williams was listed as the property owner. Williams, who
remained the owner throughout the rest of the historic period, was a well-
known Palm Springs realtor, and was among the city's first councilmen after
:Palm Springs was incorporated in 1938. He was active in the community from
the mid-1930s until at least the :Late 1960s, and, along with his wife Helen,
was a member of the Lions Club, the Palm Springs Historical Society, and the
Palm Springs Desert Museum Foundation. Extensive research in City records
yielded no information regarding possible alterations to this building.
*67. Moved? V No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features: None
B9a. Architect: Unknown b.Builder: Unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme Mid-20th century commercial development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1950s-1960s
Property Type office building Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) While he is remembered today as one of the early civic
leaders in Palm Springs, John "Jack" Williams does not appear to have
attained the level of historic significance required by the criteria for the
National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical
Resources. Additionally, in comparison to the many other properties that
Williams developed and owned in Palm Springs, this building does not
demonstrate a uniquely close association with his life and career. in terms
of architectural qualities, the plain-looking building is not a notable
example of any established style, type, period, or method of construction,
and there is no evidence that it represents the work of a notable architect,
designer, or builder. Based on these considerations, this building does not
appear eligible for listing in the National Register or the California
Register.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*812. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1954-
1959; City of Palm Springs building safety records; Frank M. Bogert: Palm
Springs: First Hundred Years; revised edition (Palm Springs Public Library,
Palm Springs, 2003); H_ildy Crawford (ed. ) : Palm Springs Personages (self-
published, Palm Springs, 1968) .
(Continued on p. 4)
DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
State of California—The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-2H
B13. Remarks. Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
*814. Evaluator: Bai 'Tom" Tana
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006
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2000
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DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
09,PD3
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-311
Pt. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location:_Not for Publication V Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
an and(P2b d P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS7.5'Quad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
14S; R4E; NE 114 of NE 114 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 497 North Indian Canyon Drive City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM:(Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542100 mE/ 3743220 mN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 513-081-023;
on the southwest corner of Indian Canyon Drive and Alejo Road.
*P'3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This single-story, rectangular-shaped commercial building,
currently occupied by Palm Springs Consignment, is constructed of concrete
blocks and rests upon a concrete foundation. The structure is partially clad
in stucco and decorated with thin, vertical wood strips and ornamental
concrete squares with a patterned design, most notably on the east-facing
fagade. The roof is flat and has wide eaves with a fascia that has been
painted mint green to match the exterior of the building. The primary
entrance faces north toward Alejo Road, and a secondary entrance is located
on the east-facing fagade, opening to Indian Canyon Drive. Both of these
fagades are asymmetrical and have steel-framed glass doors and large, steel-
framed plate-glass windows. According to the present tenant, major
alterations have been made to the exterior of this building, including the
addition of the decorative wood strips on the exterior walls and, more
significantly, the relocation of the doors to their present positions. The
building is presently in good condition.
*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: 1/ Building_Structure_Object_SiteDistrict_Element of District
Other(isolates,etc.)
(Continued on p. 2)
DPIR 523A(1/95) *Required information
l Ir)�t
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-314
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, 135b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and objects.) accession #) Photo taken on
January 25, 2006; view to the
fy' south
*136. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
Historic_Prehistoric Both
1958 (see Items B6 and B12 for
details)
*P7. Owner and Address:
Unknown
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and
... address)
,. �Kell! Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
14472 Orange Street
_ 1 i Riverside, CA 92501
I*P9. Date Recorded: January 25,
---'---- - ---------------------------- 12006
*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacguemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) : Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block of
N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive, City of Palm Springs,
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
*Attachments: None Location Map Continuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other(List):
DF'R 523A(1/95) *Required information
State of California--The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6Z
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-3H
81. Historic Name: None
B2. Common Name: None
B3. Original Use: Commercial B4.Present Use: Commercial/retail
*I35. Architectural Style: Modern
*136. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) Archival records
indicate that this building was constructed in 1958 by property owner John
"Jack" Williams. Williams, who retained ownership over this building
throughout the rest of the historic period, was a well-known Palm Springs
.realtor, and was among the city's first councilmen after Palm Springs was
incorporated in 1938. He was active in the community from the mid-1930s
until at least the late 1960s, and, along with his wife Helen, was a member
of the Lions Club, the Palm Springs Historical Society, and the Palm Springs
Desert Museum Foundation. Extensive research in City records yielded no
information regarding the reported alterations to this building.
*B7. Moved? No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features: None
B9a. Architect: Unknown b.Builder: Unknown
*1910. Significance: Theme Mid-20th century commercial development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1950s-1960s
Property Type Commercial/retail establishment Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) While he is remembered today as one of the early civic
leaders in Palm Springs, John "Jack" Williams does not appear to have
attained the level of historic significance required by the criteria for the
National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical
Resources. Additionally, in comparison to the many other properties that
Williams developed and owned in Palm Springs, this building does not
demonstrate a uniquely close association with his life and career. In terms
of architectural qualities, this building is a typical example of the Desert
Modern style, but is by no means an important example, and there is no
evidence that it represents the work of a notable architect, designer, or
builder. Based on these considerations, this building does not appear
eligible for listing in the National Register or the California Register.
1311. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes)
*612. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1954-
1959; City of Palm Springs building safety records; Frank M. Bogert: Palm
Springs: First Hundred Years; revised edition (Palm Springs Public Library,
Palm Springs, 2003) ; Hildy Crawford (ed. ) : Palm Springs Personages (self-
published, Palm Springs, 1968).
(Continued on p. 4)
DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-3H
r
613. Remarks: Sketch Ma with north arrow required.)
� a.
*E314. Evaluator: Bai "Tom" Tang .-
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006 I. �
4 5
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(This space reserved for official comments.)
CA
i
� �.l -r i 'q �a Ca/enie■■a _ r,'14. 1
( � PHng :
SCALE 1:24,000
0 1000 2000 feet / I N R EtS%E
DPR 523B(1/95) *Required information
0(�17
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6L
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-4H
P'1. Other ldentifier: Strebe Building
*IP2. Location:_Not for Publication V Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
and(P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS7.5'Quad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
T4S; RU; SE 114 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 428-456 North Palm Canyon Drive City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542060 mE/ 3743115 MN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel#, directions to resource, etc, as appropriate) APN 513-081-005;
on the east side of Palm Canyon Drive between A1e'io Road and Amado Road.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This two-story commercial building is a painted brick
masonry structure clad on the front fagade with crbme-colored stucco and
decorated with a vibrant purple trim. The front portion of the building is
one story in height and is covered by a flat roof with a parapet, while the
rear portion extends to two stories in height and is covered by a slightly
curved roof. The majority of the businesses housed in this building are
located on the ground floor and along the primary fagade, which faces west
toward Palm Canyon Drive. The exterior of this fagade consists mainly of
large plate-glass panels that are shielded from the sunlight by a flat
overhang projecting from the building and extending along the entire width of
the fagade. This overhang is supported by a large number of metal poles that
have been painted purple to match the building's trim.
The doors to the individual commercial spaces are predominantly steel-
framed glass doors, some of which do not face Palm Canyon Drive directly.
The plan of the ground floor is asymmetrical and uneven, with some business
spaces projecting out further than others. As a result, certain spaces are
considerably larger than others, and the doorways may face north, south, or
west. In the center of the primary fagade is a recessed area. The parapet
over this section of the fagade is unusual in that its linearity is broken by
a semi-circular curve. This semi-circle motif is carried over into the
fagade itself as the doorway to one of the businesses, located directly
beneath the curved parapet, is framed by semi-circles cut into the wall. A
circle has also been cut into the overhang in this area, which allows some
natural light to filter in.
The exterior of the second story has a large belvedere in the center,
supported by two painted brick piers and some fifteen slender metal poles
that have been painted purple. These poles appear to have more of a
decorative function rather than a true supportive function. The linearity of
this decorative lookout contrasts with the slight curve of the second-story
roof. The north-facing fagade of the second story also curves into a semi-
circular shape, which can only be viewed from the rear of the building.
Significant alterations are evident in the exterior of the building,
especially to a portion of the building that once housed the Desert Farmers
Market, an aggregate of specialty shops, boutiques, and eateries arranged
along an interior courtyard. Located mainly on the east (rear) side of the
(Continued on p. 2) ,
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
State of California--The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
FrRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-4H
building, the Desert Farmers Market sported a very different architectural
style from the main building, characterized by an open courtyard featuring
wood cladding, wood-framed multi-panel windows, and wide eaves with exposed
rafters, according to historic photographs. This portion of the building is
no longer in existence today.
Additionally, the southern end of the building appears to have been
extended with a neoclassical-themed addition, as exemplified by a portico
supported by a Doric column. The addition disrupts the stylistic coherency
of the building as a whole, and creates a division between the older and
newer portions of the building. The addition also physically connects the
south wall of the Strebe building to the northern side of the adjacent Monte
Vista Hotel, which was not part of the original design for this building.
*P3b. Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP6-1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: 1� Building_Struclure Object Site_District Element of District
Other(isolates,etc.)
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and objects.) accession #) Photo taken on
a January 25, 2006; view to the
� ,. a ' + northeast
;fix *P6. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
%I Historic_Prehistoric_Both
A. 1946_ (see Items B6 and B12 for
details)
*P7. Owner and Address:
Unknown
+�►*. *138. Recorded b Name, affiliation, and
RA
address)
. , Kelli Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
*139. Date Recorded: January 25,
2006
*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Hai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacguemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) ; Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block N.
of Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive, City of Palm Springs
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
*Attachments: —None- Location Map Continuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
_Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other(List):
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
OPT 93
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6z
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-4H
Bt. Historic Name: Strobe Building
B2. Common Name: Strebe Building
B3. Original Use: Commercial/retail B4.Present Use: Commercial/retail
*135. Architectural Style: Modern
*136. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) The site of this
building was known as the Gray property in 1946, when Lucien Gray deeded it
to prominent Palm Springs businessman and theater developer, Earle C. Strebe.
Strebe promptly commissioned famed local architects Albert Frey and John
Porter Clark to design this building and applied for a building permit the
same year. According to archival records, Strebe originally intended for the
building to house a 999-seat theater, to be named the Rancho Theater, along
with restaurants, apartments, and office/retail spaces. However, there is no
evidence that the theater ever opened for business. A close inspection of
the building reveals indications that the portion of the building earmarked
for the theater may have never been completed.
By 1949, the building was clearly not used as a movie theater, and
instead had begun to thrive as the Desert Farmers Market. Local residents
recall the Farmers Market as occupying the middle and back portion of the
building, facing Indian Avenue (now Indian Canyon Drive) . According to city
records, in 1957 a portion of the Desert Farmers Market closest to the main
building was covered and incorporated into the Mayfair Market, a Strebe
tenant, and a new entryway was created. It is unclear when the remaining
portion was dismantled.
In another major modification, in 1991 a portion of the building on the
north side was demolished after suffering fire damage in 1979. Over the
years, the City of Palm Springs issued dozens of permits for minor and major
interior remodeling as well as some significant additions and exterior work,
including partitions and modifications to windows, doors, and entryways. An
addition is noted on the south end of the building to create additional
retail space, but no record of the addition was found in the archival
sources.
*87. Moved? N( No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*138. Related Features: None
69a. Architect: Albert Frey and John Porter Clark b.Builder: Unknown
*1310. Significance: Theme Mid-20th century commercial development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1940s-1950s
Property Type Commercial/retail/office building Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) The Strebe Building exhibits several different aspects of
potential significance in its history and architecture, but none of them is
sufficient in itself to render the building eligible for listing in the
National Register, the California Register or for local designation. It is a
fairly good example of Palm Springs' "home-grown" Desert Modern style, but
certainly not a particularly important one. It was designed by influential
architects Albert Frey and John Porter Clark, two of the leading voices in
the Desert Modernist movement, but is not known to be an important
representative of the architects' large body of work in the area. It was
developed by Earle C. Strebe, who over the years gained some local prominence
as a businessman, civic leader, and movie industry personality. Yet in
comparison with the better-known properties that Strebe developed in Palm
(Continued on p. 4)
DF'R 523B(1/95) *Required information
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 6L
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-4H
Springs, such as the Plaza Theater, this building does not show an especially
close association with his life and career.
Taking all these factors into account together, the Strebe Building
arguably would have the potential of being eligible for designation by the
City of Palm Springs as a "historic site, " as provided in the City's Historic
Preservation Ordinance, if it retains good historic integrity. However,
since its completion in 1946, the building has been significantly altered,
most notably through the demolition and remodeling of various parts of the
building as well as additions to others. The Desert Farmers Market, a
popular feature in the rear portion of the building during the 1950s, is no
longer extant today. Because of the considerable loss of the building's
historic and architectural integrity in relation to the 1940s-1950s era, the
Strebe Building is no longer eligible for local designation, nor for listing
in the National Register or the California Register. Nevertheless, as a
well-known local landmark in that portion of downtown Palm Springs, and
because of its various associations, the Strebe Building continues to hold a
certain level of historical interest in the community that deserves to be
recognized.
13I1. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes)
*EI12. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1939-
1959; City of Palm Springs building safety records; Earle C. Strebe:
Biography submitted with Statement of Candidacy for Palm Springs City
Council, 1960; personal communication with Steve Nichols, March 3 2006•
various newspaper reports.
B13. Remarks: sketch Map with north arrow required.)
*E114. Evaluator: Bai "Tom" Tang
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006ho
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SCALE 1:24,000
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DF'R 523E(1/95) *Required information
0c�,1
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6L
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-5H
P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location:_Not for Publication '� Unrestricted *a.County Riverside
and(P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
"b. USGS7.5'Quad Palm Springs, Calif. Date 1996
T4S; R4E; SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 15 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 500 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 414 North Palm Canyon Drive City Palm Springs Zip 92262
d. UTM:(Give more than one for large and/or linear resources)Zone 11; 542080 mE/ 3743080 mN
UTM Derivation: V USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel#, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 513-081-006;
on the east side of Palm Canyon Drive between Aleio Road and Amado Road.
*P'3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) The Monte Vista Hotel, originally known as the Monte Vista
Apartments, is one of the many modest inns that opened in and around the
"village" of Palm Springs during a pre-WWII tourist boom. Today, the complex
consists of several individual buildings. The most visible among these is
the hotel's main entrance and lobby, which fronts Palm Canyon Drive. It is a
modern (1960s) structure that was built in the Mission Revival style, in an
apparent attempt to conform to the design of older buildings on the hotel
grounds. The stucco-clad one- and two-story building features curvilinear
parapets, arches, red tile accent, and few other ornamental details, typical
of buildings emulating the Mission style.
Perpendicular to the rear of the entrance/lobby is a two-story building
housing most of the hotel rooms. Built in the 1940s-1950s in a Spanish
Colonial Revival style, this south-facing building is surmounted by a low-
pitched side-gable roof with narrow eaves and exposed rafters. The gabled
ends of the roof, as well as the ridge along the roof's peak, are capped with
red terracotta roof tiles. Sheathed with composite sheets, the roof extends
further on its southern side to cover a cantilevered balcony. This section
of the roof is supported by a large number of slender wood posts and also has
exposed rafters. The balcony, accessed through a staircase on the west end
of the building, has a wood balustrade with a diamond-patterned design. The
hotel rooms in the two-story building are accessed via wood doors that open
onto the balcony on the second floor or directly beneath it on the first
floor. Windows were placed on all sides of the building and are
predominantly aluminum-framed, multi-paned casement windows. Directly in
front of the building is a swimming pool.
On the south side of the pool, across from the two-story hotel
building, stand three small bungalows connected by a covered walkway, which
are evidently the only remaining pre-WWII buildings within the Monte Vista
Hotel complex. The three flat-roofed bungalows, built in the 1920s, have all
been extensively remodeled, as evidenced by the modern stucco coating and the
aluminum-framed sliding windows, although some of the original architectural
features, such as the Mission-style curvilinear parapets and at least one
stone chimney, are still extant.
Like these surviving bungalows, the Monte Vista Hotel complex as whole
has been significantly altered from its pre-WWII appearance. Based on
(Continued on p. 2)
DFIR 523A(1/95) *Required information
State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
PRIMARY RECORD Continued Trinomial
Page 2 of 5 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-5H
historical photographs, the Monte Vista Apartments originally consisted of a
group of at least five Mission Revival-style bungalows arranged on either
side of a landscaped walkway, with a stuccoed arch and a decorative wall
marking the entrance on Palm Canyon Drive. Today, the original layout of the
complex is no longer evident, and the three surviving bungalows, the only
pre-WWII elements still extant, are now overshadowed by the 1940s-1950s two-
story hotel building and the 1960s entrance and lobby.
*133b. Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP5—Hotel
*P4. Resources Present: N( Building_Structure Object Site_District Element of District
Other(isolates,etc.)
rP5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for bwldings, P51J. Description of Photo: (view, date,
structures,and objects.) accession #) Photo taken on
(January 25, 2006; view to the
t � = c northeast
' _ *P6. Date Constructed/Age of Sources:
Historic_PrehistoricBoth
_ - - - 1920s-1960s (see Items B6 and
B12 for details)
*P7. Owner and Address:
Unknown
I
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and
address)
Kelli Olgren-Leblond, CRM TECH
4472 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
1*P9. Date Recorded: January 25,
2006
*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-level CEQA-compliance survey
*P'11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai Tang, Michael Hogan,
Terri Jacguemain, and Kelli Olgren-Leblond (2006) : Historic-Period Building
Survey: Assessor's Parcel Numbers 513-081-002 to -006 and -023, 400 Block of
N. Palm Canyon Drive and N. Indian Canyon Drive, City of Palm Springs
Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
Attachments: NoneLocation MapContinuation Sheet V Building,Structure,and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
Rock Art Record_Artifact Record Photograph RecordOther(List):
DPR 523A(1/95) *Required information
fitate of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
LIEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 6L
*Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-5H
81. Historic Name: Monte Vista Apartments
132. Common Name: Monte Vista Hotel
B3. Original Use: Hotel B4.Present Use: Vacant
*135. Architectural Style: Mission Revival/Spanish Eclectic
*136. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) According to archival
records, John and Freda Miller acquired the present site of the Monte Vista
Hotel around 1923, and constructed the first set of accommodations soon
afterwards. Photographs taken around 1927 show at least four nearly
identical bungalows on the hotel grounds, and by the early 1930s at least one
more had been added. By 1936, the distinctive stucco arch over the entrance
was in place, along with the decorative concrete-block perimeter wall, and
the grounds were fully landscaped.
John and Freda Miller's sons, John Jr. and Frank, would later become
active community leaders in Palm Springs for many years. Frank Miller, a
realtor, served eight years as a city councilman and four years as vice-
mayor. John Miller, Jr., served more than two decades on the city planning
commission, as well as several years on various other civic agencies and
boards. Both were avid collectors of guns and western art, with John's art
expertise especially noted.
Among the first of many later additions documented in archival records
was a 16-foot-high, 285-square-foot building constructed to house "stores, "
although it is not clear where this may have been located on the property.
Around 1945, two single-story hotel rooms were added. A two-story, six-room
building was constructed in 1947, and the swimming pool was added to the
hotel's amenities in 1949.
Expansion of the hotel continued in the 1950s with the 1952
construction of another two-story, six-room hotel building and the 1955
addition of eight hotel rooms. A permit was also issued in 1955 for the
demolition of an unspecified building, possibly one of the original
bungalows. During the 1960s, the front entryway was reconstructed, and a
320-square-foot "frame and masonry studio and canopy" was added.
*B7. Moved? V No _Yes _Unknown Date: Original Location:
*1218. Related Features: See Item P3a on p. 1.
B9a. Architect: Unknown b.Builder: Unknown
*1310. Significance: Theme Early 20th century commercial development
Area Palm Springs Period of Significance 1920s-1930s
Property Type Hotel Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period,and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) The history of the Monte Vista Hotel is closely associated
with a well-known local family, the Millers, although that association alone
falls short of qualifying the property for listing in the National Register
or the California Register. More importantly, the hotel began operation in
the 1920s, and played a part in the pre-WWII tourist boom that transformed
Palm Springs into a favored desert resort. The vast majority of the hotels,
resorts, guest ranches, motors courts, and tourists camps that sprang up in
Palm Springs during the early years of the boom are no longer in existence
today, leaving the Monte Vista Hotel as the oldest establishment of its type .
to remain in continuous operation until its recent closure. As such, the
(Continued on p. 4)
DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information
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State of California-The Resources Agency Primary#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Continued
Page 4 of 5 *Resource Name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-5H
Monte Vista Hotel demonstrates sufficient association with Palm Springs '
"coming of age" in the 1920s-1930s era to be considered at least for local
designation.
Unfortunately, the historic integrity of the Monte Vista Hotel has been
significantly compromised by later alterations to the complex. Today, all
that remains of the pre-WWII Monte Vista Apartments are three small bungalows
that have been extensively remodeled, and the most prominent components of
the complex are the two-story hotel building constructed in 1947-1955 and the
main entrance/lobby that dates to the 1960s. As a result, the property no
longer retains the ability to relate to the pre-WWII era, its period of
potential significance. In its current condition, therefore, the Monte Vista
Hotel does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register, the
California Register, or for local designation, although it continues to hold
a certain level of historical interest in the community that deserves to be
recognized.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes:(List attributes and codes) HP4—ancillary buildings; HP46—wall
*E112. References: County of Riverside real property tax assessment records, 1920-
1959; City of Palm Springs building safety records; Frank M. Bogert: Palm
Springs: First Hundred Years; revised edition (Palm Springs Public Library,
Palm Springs, 2003) ; personal communication with Dorothy Lynch Manthey,
February 23, 2006; various newspaper reports; Palm Springs Historical
Society.
B13. Remarks: `Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
*814. Evaluator: Bai ' Tom" Tang
*Date of Evaluation: March 2006
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
I:ONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 5 of 5 Resource name or#(Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1776-5H
Recorded by Kelli Olgren-Leblond *Date January 25, 2006 Continuation _Update
Additional Photographs:
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A surviving bungalow (altered) . Main entrance.
(View to the west) (View to the east)
DPR 523L(1/95) *Required information
�pALM 9
-1 Ali
F°RN`P NOTICE OF APPEAL HEARING
TO: APPELLANT TO: RESPONDENT
Jeannine Raymond Lawrence Rael
1577 South Indian Trail Palm Springs, LLC
Palm Springs, CA 92264 2415 Campus Drive, Ste. 140
Irvine, CA 92612
Pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code Section 2.05.050(b) Notice of Appeal Hearing
to the Palm Springs City Council appealing the decision of the Palm Springs Historic
Site Preservation Board decision of May 23, 2006, for Case No. 5.1090, PD324, 400
block of North Palm Canyon Drive and North Indian Canyon is hereby scheduled for:
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
6:00 PM or as soon thereafter as possible
City Council Chamber
Palm Springs City Hall
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
An opportunity will be given at said hearing for all interested persons to be heard.
Response to this notice may be made verbally at the Public Hearing and/or in writing
before the hearing. Written testimony may be made to the City Council by mail or by
hand delivery to:
James Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING
I, James Thompson, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify that the
Notice of Appeal Hearing was mailed to the Applicant and the Respondent on the 9'h day of June, 2006,
in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid, and depositing same in the U.S. Mail at Palm Springs,
California.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct this 9"'day of June, 2006.
ILL
la�es Thompson, City Clerk
C fy of Palm Springs, California
I
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>>� City of Palm Springs
* Co'Popalco� j Office of the City Cleric
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, FO�RN\� TEL (760)323-8204 • FAX 060)322-8332 •TDD:(760)364-9527
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June 9, 2006
Lawrence Rael
Palm Springs, LLC
2415 Campus Drive, Ste. 140
Irvine, CA 92612
RE: NOTIFICATION OF APPEAL FILED
Dear Mr. Rael:
Pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code Section 2.05.040, this is notification that an
appeal to the Palm Springs City Council has been timely filed with the City Clerk, with
respect to the decision of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board on May 23,
2006 for Case No. 5.1091, PD324, 400 block of North Palm Canyon Drive and North
Indian Drive.
The appeal was filed by Jeannine Raymond, which is enclosed for your reference.
You will be notified of the time and place of the hearing before the City Council, at least
10•-days prior to the hearing, pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code Section
2.05.050(b).
Sincerely,
CFFY OF PALM SPRINGS
(James Thompson
City Clerk
cc: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
City of Palm Springs
Jeannie Raymond
1577 South Indian Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Post Office Box 2743 0 Palm Springs, California 92263-2743 ( (�
s.F
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 260G SiN - 1' 1"N J*- 52
To: Palm Springs City Clerk S I i" �� ''`
C:I T 1 CL 4as•
We, the undersigned, submit this appeal for the Palm Springs Historic
Site Preservation Board(HSPB)to immediately reconsider their vote of Tuesday,
May 23, 2006 regarding the site known as the 400 block of North Palm
Canyon Drive and North Indian Drive (Case 5.1091-PD324). After substantial
review and professional consultation, we submit there is ample evidence to
resume HSPB review of the property. The HSPB vote, endorsing the demolition
of the properties, did not fully consider the sociological, cultural, and familial
resources of the site particularly regarding potential eligibility for historic
designation. Nor did it sufficiently consider Section/page 11-31 through 11-34 of
the Palm Springs General Plan regarding historic preservation, including
Objective 5.10,
Preservation of the physical evidence of Palm Springs heritage to enhance
the quality of life in Palm Springs by the retention and adaptive reuse of
buildings of architectural, historical and/or cultural significance.
and Policy 5b/11:
Encourage public agencies to preserve and rehabilitate historic resources
as a design theme in the community redevelopment process.
and Policy 5.10.2:
Encourage developers of sites containing significant architectural,
historical, or cultural structures to adaptively reuse and expand it in lieu
of demolition and replacement.
and Section II-29 which cites:
The atmosphere of Palm Springs is at once an historic asset, an aesthetic
asset, and an economic asset to the City. It bespeaks the heritage of Palm
Springs. It is worth protecting and enhancing. Historic preservation is the
means of doing so.
Also, the property in question meets all seven of the specific criteria defining an
historic site as outlined in the Palm Springs Municipal Code General Provisions,
(Chapter 8.05.020/Definitions).
Page one of three
Under the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA), an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) is required whenever it can be "fairly argued" on the basis of
"substantial evidence" that the project may have significant environmental
impacts. CEQA's low threshold for initial preparation of an EIR reflects a
preference for resolving doubts in favor of environmental review. Consequently,
additional environmental review is required to adequately assess project impacts
and to consider alternatives to demolition at this location.
Numerous conclusions in the "Historic-Period Building Survey Report" submitted
by the property owner appear limited in scope and inappropriately subjective
conflicting with both the City's General Plan and the HSPB vote. Obliteration of
historic elements at this site would constitute a negative cumulative impacton
the community and establish precedent for a deleterious domino effect laying
groundwork for eradication of some of Palm Springs most significant, long-
established attributes: familial and personal heritage, scale, and atmosphere.
The CEQA definition of cumulative impacts comes from the State of California
Office of Planning and Research (OPR), Section 15255, which includes,
Cumulative impacts refer to two or, more individual effects which, when
considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase
environmental impacts. The individual effects may be changes resulting
from a single project or a number of separate projects. The cumulative
impact from several projects is the change in the environment which
results from the incremental impact of the project when added to other
closely related past, present and reasonably foreseeable probable future
projects.
,As further cumulative impact, the character of adjacent or nearby buildings,
sites, and groups of buildings would be adversely affected or compromised by
demolition of one entire side of the 400 block of North Palm Canyon Drive. This
includes the nearby Frances S. Stevens School, which is listed on the California
Register of Historical Resources Elimination of valuable historic elements in this
block would be inconsistent with the National Trust for Historic Preservation's
(NTHP)recent selection of Palm Springs as one of twelve cities in the United
;States listed as a Cultural Tourism destination for its architecture. This part of
Palm Canyon Drive constitutes much of the northernmost entryway to Palm
Springs historic downtown business district and is replete with pioneer and
subsequent family histories, cultural heritage, events, natural cycles of commerce
and tourism and architecture essential to Palm Springs' character.
,page two of three
1
Accordingly, this appeal is submitted for immediate reconsideration of the
aforementioned HSPB vote, for further review of the matter.
CRes))pectfully,submitted, (`�\
.Jeannine Raymond
Palm Springs, CA
(Dorothy Lynch Manthey,
Rancho Mirage, CA
,Mrs Manthey'F father, Palm Springs Pioneer businessman and Riverside County
,Deputy Sheriff Carroll Lynch, developed the properties at 400 North Palm Canyon
where the family lived starting in 1916, owning it until sold to John and Frieda
,Miller in 1922.
Peggy Bell, Jim Noble,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Tom Bell, Christy Eugenis,
Palm Springs Portland, OR and Palm Springs
Nancy Bentinck, Marlene Blackwell,
Palm Springs Los Angeles and Palm Springs
Carole Butzen, Stan Amy,
Palm Springs Portland, OR and Palm Springs
Marilyn Carson, Jack Moore,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Marcia Delano, Anita Blair Martin,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Michael Martin, Marilyn Hirshleifer,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
James McKinley, James Irwin,
Palm Springs Palm Springs
Alden Godfrey,
Palm Springs
page three of three
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