HomeMy WebLinkAbout22819 RESOLUTION NO. 22819
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING PORTIONS
OF THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE ORCHID TREE INN
AS CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 HISTORIC SITES (HSPB 72).
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2009, the City of Palm Springs Historic Site
Preservation Board (HSPB) initiated a study and directed staff to set a public hearing in
accordance with applicable law to consider designation of the Orchid Tree Inn as a
historic site; and
WHEREAS, on January 12, April 13, and June 8, 2010, the Historic Site
Preservation Board conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to
consider the designation of the Orchid Tree Inn as a historic site; and
WHEREAS, at said hearing, the HSPB adopted Resolution #72 to recommend to
City Council designation of certain portions of the Orchid Tree Inn as Class 1 and Class
2 historic sites; and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs to consider designation of portions of the Orchid Tree Inn, as Class 1 and
Class 2 historic sites 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 portions of the Orchid Tree
Inn, as Class 1 and Class 2 historic sites; and
WHEREAS, the designation of portions of the Orchid Tree Inn, as Class 1 and
Class 2 historic sites 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. The property located at 226 West Baristo Road was built in the unique bungalow
motor court style and has been determined to meet the standards for Class 1
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historic site designation. The defining historic characteristics of the Bungalow Court
Motel cottages are:
a. The grouping of the cottages around a central courtyard.
b. The presence of 10 lodging units.
c. One-story with wide overhanging eaves.
d. Projecting rafters and an informal floor plan opening to the common area.
e. Clay barrel tile roof, wooden doors, and casement windows.
2. The stone archway at 262 S. Cahuilla Road meets the standards for Class 1 historic
site designation. The defining historic characteristics of the stone archway are:
a. Hand cut stone
b. Hand-built mortared and stone archway
c. Remaining example of early 20th century rural development
3. The fire-destroyed Craftsman bungalow built in 1915 at 262 S. Cahuilla Road did
possess special design elements unique to Palm Springs and would meet the
standards for Class 2 designation. The defining historic characteristics of this
building were:
a. The one-story bungalow was of wood-frame construction and was clad in stucco.
b. A complex gable roof with overhanging eaves and exposed rafter tails capped
the dwelling.
c. An open porch area sheltered by a shed roof was supported by square wood
posts.
d. The center entry door was flanked by two wood-framed, multi pane casement
windows.
e. A massive river rock chimney was located along the buildings south elevation.
f. An enclosed porch screen sitting area was located at the northwest end of the
bungalow along with an enclosed porch at the rear of the building.
4. The Premiere Apartments designed by well known architect Albert Frey located at
292 S. Belardo Road and razed after a damaging fire meets the criteria of a Class 2
designation. The defining historic characteristics of this site are:
a. The modern style resort hotel apartment building was built in 1957.
b. Architectural features such as low curved fiberglass panels which enclosed each
of the ground floor unit's private decks.
c. The use of concrete block, corrugated metal, and grooved plywood.
d. Vertical dividers separated each of the balconies and outdoor porch areas and
large round windows were placed and either end of the second floor wings.
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
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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 Bungalow Court
Cottages at 226 W. Baristo Road to support designation as a Class One historic site:
A. The cottages reflect or exemplify a particular period of the national, state or local
history, because the Bungalow Court motels are a particular style of lodging
unique to the early 20t" century and were an important forerunner to the motel
industry. The bungalow motel consisted of detached cottages surrounded by a
common area in a "U" formation. They were one-story with wide overhanging
eaves, projecting rafters and an informal floor plan that opened to a common
area. They typically contained a kitchenette, a bedroom, and a front room with
bedding and kitchen utensils. Bungalow motels reflected a particular period in
the history of Palm Springs by providing affordable lodging for the growing
transient business.
B. The cottages embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction, because the bungalow motel consisted of simple detached units
usually wood framed one-story cottages in a Mediterranean/ Spanish style.
Wide overhanging eaves, barrel the roofs and projecting rafters gave the
bungalow distinctive characteristics. Entries to the units included wood doors, or
glass sliders, all protected by extended porch roofs within small recessed
verandas. Fenestration included large fixed paned glass windows, double hung
sash windows with gable peaks punctuated by canales drainage holes.
SECTION 3: Pursuant to Section 8.05.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, the
City Council does hereby make the following findings regarding the stone archway at
262 S. Cahuilla Road to support designation as a Class One historic site:
A. The stone archway is the sole remaining element of the early development of the
site. The structure is hand-cut and hand assembled, and is a reminder of the rustic,
rural conditions that existed prior to Palm Springs' development as a getaway for
Hollywood celebrities.
SECTION 4: Pursuant to Section 8.05,020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, the
City Council does hereby make the following findings regarding the former Craftsman
Bungalow Cottage at 262 S. Cahuilla Road to support designation as a Class Two
historic site:
A. The structure reflected or exemplified a particular period of the national, state or
local history, because the Craftsman Cottage was built around 1915, and owned
and occupied by Genevieve Reilly, a Christian Science practitioner. It was later
acquired and incorporated as part of the Orchid Tree Inn Property and converted to
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transient lodging as part of the motel. The presence of the uncommon building type
like a Craftsman Cottage in the early 20th century village of Palm Springs was a
good example of an earlier period.
B. The Craftsman Bungalow Cottage embodied the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period or method of construction, because the one-story bungalow Craftsman
Cottage was a rare house design in the desert, constructed of wood-frame, clad in
stucco, with a complex gable roof, overhanging eaves and exposed rafter tails.
Design elements included an open porch area sheltered by a shed roof supported by
square wood posts. The center entry door was flanked by two wood-framed, multi
pane casement windows. A massive river rock chimney was located along the
buildings south elevation. An enclosed porch screen sitting area was located at the
northwest end of the bungalow along with an enclosed porch at the rear of the
building.
SECTION 4: Pursuant to Section 8.05.020 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, the
City Council does hereby make the following findings regarding the former Frey
Apartment Building at 292 S. Belardo Road to support designation as a Class Two
historic site:
A. The building embodied the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction, because as the Premier Apartments the building was built as a modern
style resort hotel apartment in 1957 and the original complex included guest rooms,
enclosed garages, shuffleboard court, and a swimming pool all for the use by the
long-term tenants or tourists. The original structure contained architectural features
such as low curved fiberglass panels which enclosed each of the ground floor unit's
private decks; the use of concrete block, corrugated metal, and grooved plywood.
Vertical dividers separated each of the balconies and outdoor porch areas and large
round windows were placed and either end of the second floor wings.
B. The building presented the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect
whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value,
because the former Premiere Apartments was designed by of one of Palm Springs'
(and the Coachella Valley's) most prolific and accomplished architect, Albert Frey.
The building was designed to take advantage of the mountain views to the west and
the arid landscape. The building expressed key signature aspects or features of
Frey's craft, including modern design, and the large round windows at either end of
the second floor wings. It also reflected an experimental period in his architectural
career whereby he adapted his design and use of materials for functional purposes.
By utilizing extensive overhangs and material such as metal to reflect the heat of the
sun, the building did not originally require air conditioning.
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SECTION 5: Based upon the foregoing, the City Council does hereby designate as
Class 1 Historic Site the buildings of the Bungalow Court Cottages at 226 W. Baristo
Road and the
stone archway at 262 S. Cahuilla Road as Class One historic sites, and the Craftsman
Cottage site at 262 S. Cahuilla Road and the Frey Apartment Building site at 292 S.
Belardo Road as Class Two historic sites, subject to the following conditions;
1. The property owner shall permit the City to demark the designated sites as
historic sites 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 future exterior modifications of the features designated Class 1 shall require
Architectural Approval pursuant to Section 94.04.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning
Ordinance and Historic Site Preservation Board review pursuant Municipal Code
Ordinance 8.05.180.
3. That the City Clerk submits the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
4. All existing or previously approved alterations shall be considered acceptable.
ADOPTED THIS 3RD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2010.
David H. Ready, C' ager
ATTEST:
mes Thompson, City Clerk
Resolution No. 22819
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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. 22819 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.
mes Thompson, City Clerk
ity of Palm Springs, California