HomeMy WebLinkAbout22820 RESOLUTION NO. 22820
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 645 E. MORONGO ROAD
(RESIDENCE HUGH STEPHENS RESIDENCE) AS A
HISTORIC SITE, CLASS 1 (HSPB 76).
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, the current property owners, Robert C. Metcalf and David R.
Skousen, filed an application for Historic Site Designation; and
WHEREAS, on August 10, 2010, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted
a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the Hugh
Stephens Residence as a historic site; and
WHEREAS, at said hearing, the HSPB adopted Resolution #76 to recommend to
City Council designation of the property located at 645 E. Morongo Road ("Hugh
Stephens Residence") as a Historic Site, Class 1; and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs to consider designation of the property located at 645 E. Morongo Road ("Hugh
Stephens Residence") as a Historic Site, Class 1 was issued in accordance with
applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2010 the City Council conducted a public hearing in
accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the property located at 645 E.
Morongo Road ("Hugh Stephens Residence") as a Historic Site, Class 1; and
WHEREAS, the designation of the property located at 645 E. Morongo Road
("Hugh Stephens Residence") as a Historic Site, Class 1 shall further the purpose and
intent of Chapter 8.05 and promotes the sensitive preservation of said site; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
the designation of a historic site is categorically exempt from environmental review
pursuant to Section 15331 for the preservation of historical resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
in connection with the designation, including but not limited to the staff report, application
and historical research, all written and oral testimony presented and notes the following:
1. In 1949, Dr. Hugh Stephens commissioned the architectural firm of Clark and
Frey to design a single family dwelling at 645 E. Morongo Road, and the building,
including garage was completed in 1951; and
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Page 2 of 4
2. The defining characteristics of this home include:
• Low-pitched roof with extended eaves,
• Rambling one-story floor plan,
• Simple planar building lines (including occasional use of obtuse angles),
• Stacked-bond concrete block walls,
• Repetitive rectilinear patterns using glass blocks, wall openings, and
masonry block protrusions, and
• Metal-framed casement windows.
Further, an entry cover and planter were added in 1986 and introduce new
materials — metal pole and flagstone - but these materials can also be
considered modern and do not compromise the basic architectural integrity of
the dwelling; and
3. The structure's design was the product of the firm of Clark and Frey, which
practiced in Palm Springs from 1939 to 1952; John Porter Clark checked the
drawings prepared by Robson Chambers; and Clark, Chambers and Frey are
names associated with many mid-century modern buildings in the Palm Springs
area, and were among the most prolific local architects during the advance of
mid-century modern desert architecture; and
THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE:
SECTION 1: Pursuant to CEQA, the City Council finds that the designation of portions of
the Orchid Tree Inn as a Class 1 and Class 2 historic sites is categorically exempt from
environmental review pursuant to Section 15331 whereby this designation is for the
preservation of a historical resource.
SECTION 2: Pursuant to Section 8.05.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, the City
Council does hereby make the following findings regarding the property at 845 E.
Morongo Road ("Hugh Stephens Residence") to support designation as a Class One
historic site:
A. The property reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or
local history, because the architectural style of the dwelling reflects the mid-
century modern era for which Palm Springs is widely known. While not the
earliest example of a "desert modern" dwelling, the structure's 1951 completion
pre-dates many of the modern-style homes built in the late 1950's and early
'60's. Consequently, the dwelling can be considered one of the important
precursors to the wave of modernism that would bring acclaim to the community.
The grounds have been altered by the addition of a pool, spa and block wall, and
therefore do not possess the historical integrity of the dwelling.
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B. The property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction, because it possesses important architectural characteristics that
typify the modern idiom:
• Low-pitched roof with extended eaves,
• Rambling one-story floor plan,
• Simple planar building lines (including occasional use of obtuse angles),
• Stacked-bond concrete block walls,
• Repetitive rectilinear patterns using glass blocks, wall openings, and
masonry block protrusions, and
• Metal-framed casement windows.
The added entry cover and planter introduce new materials, but these materials
can also be considered modern and do not compromise the basic architectural
integrity of the dwelling. Further, these additions could be removed without
adversely affecting the original structure.
C. The property presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect
whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value,
because the structure's design was the product of the firm of Clark and Frey,
which practiced in Palm Springs from 1939 to 1952. John Porter Clark checked
the drawings prepared by Robson Chambers. Clark, Chambers and Frey are
names associated with many mid-century modern buildings in the Palm Springs
area, and were among the most prolific local architects during the advance of
mid-century modern desert architecture. Though not well-known, the dwelling is
a complete and coherent example of the modern style.
SECTION 5: Based upon the foregoing, the City Council does hereby designate as a
Class 1 Historic Site the property at 645 E. Morongo Road ("Hugh Stephens
Residence"), subject to the following conditions;
1. The property owner shall permit the City to demark the designated sites as a
historic site with a marker of the City's choosing. The historic marker shall be
placed in a location visible from the public right-of-way. The owner shall maintain
the marker in the location installed and pay for the replacement cost if the
marker is lost, stolen, or otherwise removed from the property.
2. All modifications of existing structures, including walls, gates, landscaping
(excluding routine maintenance) and pool, as well as any new structures shall be
subject to HSPB review. pursuant Municipal Code Ordinance 8.05.180.
3. All requirements of the Palm Springs Zoning Code shall be met.
4. That the City Clerk submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
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5. Any alterations or modifications to the exterior approved prior to the designation
of this site by the City Council shall be deemed acceptable.
ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2010.
David H. Ready, Ci ager
ATTEST:
mes Thompson, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 22820 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 3rd day of November,
2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Weigel,
Mayor Pro Tern Hutcheson, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ames Thompson, City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California