HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/7/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 2E Page 1 of 1
Cindy Berardi
From: Karen Pirozzi [kpirozzi@dc.rr.com] R E C E I'd E D
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 2:20 PM P"L M S"'_
To: CityClerk 2012 MAR -6 PM 5: 57
Cc: Craig Ewing
JAHIt5 li'iUt-;P
Subject: Initiation of amendments to Resolution 18907-Albert Frey structures CIT Y .CL ER X
Attachments: Letter regarding proposed amendment to Resolution 18907.doc
Hi Jay,
Attached is the memo which I would like you to include in the Mayor and City Council members packets
for the meeting tomorrow evening, March 71h, 2012.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
3/6/2012
To: James Thompson, City Clerk
From: Karen Pirozzi
CC: Craig Ewing, Mayor Steve Pougnet,
City Council Members: Ginny Foat, Rick Hutcheson, Paul Lewin, Chris Mills
I see in the City Council Staff Report from the March 7, 2012 City Council meeting that
there is a staff recommendation to City Council to initiate by motion amendments to
Resolution 18907, which was adopted in 1996 to designate as historic/Class 1 five
buildings associated with the architect Albert Frey.
I was on the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board in 1996 when said Board
made the recommendation to designate the 5 buildings. Our purpose and intent was to
recognize the excellence of Frey's architectural designs and designate the structures only.
There was no discussion regarding the surrounding property of each site.
My husband Vince and I are the proud owners of the Carey-Pirozzi house, one of the
designated sites. As such, we do not feel there should be any amendments made to
Resolution 18907.
I am requesting that this memo be included in the Council packets for review at the
Wednesday, March 7"' Council Meeting.
Thank you,
Karen Pirozzi
760-567-4521
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�`'f°Ra, CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MARCH 7, 2012 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: CASE HSPB #33: INITIATION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CLASS 1
HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS FOR FOUR HISTORIC SITES
ASSOCIATED WITH ALBERT FREY: THE FREY HOUSE II (686
PALISADES DR.) THE VALLEY STATION OF THE PALM SPRINGS
AERIAL TRAMWAY (WESTERLY TERMINUS OF TRAM WAY) THE
LOEWY HOUSE (600 PANORAMA ROAD) AND THE CAREY-PIROZZI
HOUSE (651 W. VIA ESCUELA), CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITES
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: The Planning Department
SUMMARY
On February 15, 2012, the City Council, after conducting a public hearing on the historic
designation of Palm Springs City Hall, directed staff to return with information on the
other four properties included in Council Resolution 18907. (Resolution 18907 was
adopted in 1996 to designate as historic / Class 1 five properties associated with
architect Albert Frey.) Staff has prepared a brief description of each property for
Council review and direction.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Initiate by motion amendments to the historic designations for the Frey House II (686
Palisades Dr.) the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (westerly terminus
of Tram Way) the Loewy House (600 Panorama Road) and the Carey-Pirozzi House
(651 W. Via Escuela) and direct the HSPB to conduct a public hearing to consider
appropriate recommendations.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In 1996, five properties designed by Albert Frey were designated historic Class 1. The
Council's resolution (No. 18907) designating these sites does not specifically state what
portions of the properties are designated historic, except that exterior alterations must
be approved by the HSPB or City Council and must maintain the architectural integrity
of the buildings. In response to staffs conclusion that only the buildings are subject to
ITEM NO.
City Council Staff Report March 7,2012
Case: HSPB No.33/Four Properties Designed by Albert Frey Page 2 of 3
the historic classification, the City Council on February 15, 2012 requested additional
study to determine the appropriateness of a revised designation for these for properties.
Since any amendment of a historic designation must be reviewed first by the Historic
Site Preservation Board, staff is seeking Council action to initiate the process.
PRIOR ACTIONS
On October 2, 1996, the City Council conducted a public hearing and unanimously
approved the Frey House Il, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the
Loewy House, the Palm Springs City Hall and the Carey-Pirozzi House as historic Class
1 sites.
ANALYSIS
On a separate agenda item, the Council is considering how to address the historic
designation of the Palm Springs City Hall, so it will not be covered in this memo. The
remaining four properties — Frey House ll, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial
Tramway, the Loewy House and the Carey-Pirozzi House — are briefly described from
excerpts from Joseph Rosa's Albert Frey, Architect (published 1990). Should the City
Council conclude that amendments are appropriate, the Council may initiate the
amendments and direct them to the HSPB for public hearing and recommendation.
The Frey House II
"The Frey House II is located on a steep hill with natural rock outcroppings. A platform,
which is parallel to the road, projects beyond the house and acts as a deck for the pool
and as a roof for the carport below. The house, which is three steps higher than the
deck, is on an east-west axis. The platform is placed in relationship to the natural
contours of the mountain, and the teardrop shape of the pool is the result of the
interaction of these two different orders. ...Although the house seems at first to have no
relationship to the site, it is actually firmly rooted in the mountain and interacts literally
with the landscape. The elevation of the floor changes with the natural grade, and a
large boulder penetrates the plane of the glass wall anchoring the house to the site."
The Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
"One of the best examples of Frey's work in which architecture and structure are
thoroughly integrated is the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (1949-
1963). ...To adapt to the awkward site chosen for the Valley Station, Frey designed the
building to rest on two plateaus which span a shallow stream flowing down Chino
Canyon. This status was thus conceived as a covered bridge, its walls are actually
structural trusses spanning the two sides of the valley, and the windows reveal the
structure of the trusses. The roof plane of the Valley stations is parallel to the slope of
the land, which allows one to look up to the mountain and moving cable cars."
It should also be noted that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is operated by the Mount
San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, a State-created agency. As a state agency, the tram
and its facilities are not subject to local ordinance. Therefore, while the City may
designate the Valley Station as historic, it does not have authority to require HSPB
review of alterations or new construction.
02
City Council Staff Report March 7,2012
Case: HSPB No.33/Four Properties Designed by Albert Frey Page 3 of 3
The Loewy House
"...Frey designed a house in 1946 (600 Panorama Road, currently being restored) for
the industrial designer Raymond Loewy in which the walls become planes that define
the points of entry. The Loewy House consists of two long, narrow rectangles at right
angles to each other which surround a pool that passes under one of the sides of the
house. The only strong vertical element is the back of the fireplace, which denotes the
entry, located at the intersection of the two rectangles. ...the roof projects into the
desert to claim part of the landscape as private space."
The Carey-Pirozzi House
"In the Carey House (1956, 651 W. Via Escuela, 1983 Frey alteration), Frey gave the
client the "average suburban house" that she had requested, yet still respected the
unique natural formation of the land. This interaction between two seemingly dissimilar
concerns created an unusual building. The house is built at various levels above the
ground plane, which provides a carport below and exposes the rocks and boulders that
cover most of the site. ...The exterior walls are sheathed with asbestos cemebt board
fastened with exposed screws. The windows are steel sash casement and the window
zone is differentiated from the wall zone by the use of colored asbestos cememt board.
...The only visual connection between the house and the ground other than the angled
steel columns is a large exterior stair."
NOTIFICATION
All owners of the subject properties have been notified of this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
Ing, A10 I Thomas J. vvHF9n
Dirictof of Plannin S rvices Assistant City Manager, Dev't Svcs
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David H. Ready
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Maps
2. City Council Resolution 18907
03
Page 1 of 1
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Frey House II, 686 Palisades Drive
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Valley Station / Palm Springs Aerial Tram, Terminus of Tram Way
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The Loewy House, 600 Panorama Road
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• • • . . • .• . LWITAKI 11 • . • 1
RESOLUTION NO. 18907
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF'rHE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE FREY HOUSE II, THE
VALLEY STATION OF THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL ,
TRAMWAY, THE LOEWY HOUSE, PALM SPRINGS CITY
HALL, AND THE CARF.Y-PIROZZI HOUSE AS CLASS 1
HISTORIC SITES.
4 ffi � W 4
WHEREAS the Frey House H, the valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the
Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey House have contributed substantially
to the historic architectural diversity of the City of Pahn Springs; and
WHEREAS the Prey House II, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the
Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House have long been
landmarks or the City of Palm Springs for residents, architectural students and visitors; and
WHEREAS the Frey House 1I, the Valley Station of the Pahn Springs Aerial Tramway, the
Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House together constitute a
significant portion of a body of work designed by the architect Albert Frey, FAIA, along
with various partners; and
WHEREAS the life and work of Albert Prey, FAiA, has been well-documented, and his
work is recognized world-wide as significant toward the development of the International ,
style and other modern movements of architecture, especially as lie adapted such styles and
movements to the local environment; and
WHEREAS the Pahn Springs General Plan provides for the long-term Preservation of
significaut architectural and historic buildings; and
WHEREAS Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code provides for the designation
of sites with architectural and historic significance; and
WHEREAS on September 10, 1996, the Historic Site Preservation Board held a public
!tearing to recommend.the designation of the Frey House II, the Valley Station of the Palm
Springs Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Pahn Springs City Hall, and the Carey-Firomi
House as historic sites and unanimously recommends to the City Council designation of said
properties as Class 1 Historic Sites; and
WHERLAS the City Council concurs is the recommendation of the Historic Site Preservation
Board regarding the architectural and historic value of the Frey House H; the Valley Station
of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the
Carey-Pirozzi House; and
WHEREAS the designation of the Frey House H, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House
shall further the purposes and intent of the General PIan and Chapter 8.05 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS the designation of the Frey House H, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Palm,Springs City Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House
shall promote the sensitive preservation and restoration of said sites.
fl$
R18907
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California, as follows:
Section 1. The Fray House 1I, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway,
the Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey House were
constructed during the period 1946-1965 and have since contributed to the
' historic architectural diversity of the City of Palm Springs.
Section 2. The Frey House 11, the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway,
the Loewy House, Palm Springs City Hall, and the Carey House are excellent
examples of the Modern architectural movement in the City of Palm Springs as
designed and adapted by the renowned architect Albert Frey, FAIR.
Section 3. a.The Frey House II, owned by Albert Frey ("Owner"), and located at 686
Palisades Dr., shall be designated as a Class 1 Historic Site pursuant to
Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. The site is located on Lot
10, and a portion of Jot 8, of Palm Springs Palisades, M/B 19123, Riverside
County, California; APN 513-110-020.
b.The Valley Station of the Pahn Springs Aerial Tramway, owned by Mount
San Jacinto Winter Park("Owner"), and located at the westerly terminus of
Tram Way, shall be designated as a Class 1 Historic Site pursuant to Chapter
8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. The site is located on a portion of
Sec, 7, TAS„ RA.E., Riverside County, California; APN 505-020-012,
c.The Loewy House, owned by James Gaudineer ("Owner"), and located at
600 Panorama Rd., shall be designated as a Class l Historic Site pursuant to
' Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. The site is located on a
portion of the SWl/4 SE1/4 of Section 3, TAS., RAE., Riverside County,
California; APN 504-292-014.
d.Patn Springs City Hall, owned by the City of Palm Springs ("Owner"), and
located at 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, shall be designated as a Class I
Historic Site pursuant to Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
The site is located on Lot 16 of Palm Valley Colony Lands, MB 14/652, San
Diego County, California; APN 502-150-005.
e.The Carey-Phozzi House, owned by Vincent&Karen Piromi ("Owners"),
and located at 651 W. Via Escuela, shall be designated as a Class 1 Historic
Site pursuant to Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. The site is
located on Parcel 1, RIS 27175, Riverside County, California; APN
504-193-002.
Section 4. No permits for the exterior alteration to the Frey House II, the Valley Station
of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Palm Springs City
Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House shall be granted without the prior approval
of the Historic Site Preservation Board and/or the City Council, pursuant to
Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code; approved alterations shall
maintain the historic architectural integrity of the building.
Section 5_ The Owners shall permit the City to demark the Frey House II, the Valley
Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Loewy House, Palm Springs
City Hall, and the Carey-Pirozzi House as historic sites with a plaque of the
City's choosing.
Section 6. This resolution, and the historic designation put in place by it, shall not affect
title to the subject properties.
00
R18907
Page 3
Section 7. The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to submit this resolution to the
county recorder for recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this
resolution.
ADOPTED this 2nd _day of October, 1996. '
AYES: Members Barnes, Hodges, Oden, Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None
ATTEST: CITY OF PA SPRINGS NIA
B� Clerk L City anager
REVIEWED &APPROVED: 71aY�
10