HomeMy WebLinkAbout22496 - RESOLUTIONS - 6/17/2009 RESOLUTION NO. 22496
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING 590 S.
INDIAN TRAIL, THE "CASABLANCA ADOBE", A CLASS
ONE HISTORIC SITE
WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the
designation of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2008, the property owners, Jeff Trachta and Al
Sophianopoulos, filed an application for Historic Site Designation of the "Casablanca
Adobe"; and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Board of the City of Palm Springs to
consider designation of the "Casablanca Adobe" as a Class 1 historic site was issued in
accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on January 13, 2009, the Board conducted a public hearing in accordance
with applicable law, following which hearing the Board adopted a recommendation to
the City Council that the "Casablanca Adobe" be designated a Class 1 Historic Site, and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2009, the City Council conducted a public hearing, following
notification in the manner prescribed by law, at which hearing the Council received a
staff report, associated exhibits and historical research, and written and oral testimony;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered all of the evidence in
connection with the proposed designation, including but not limited to the staff report,
application and historical research, and all written and oral testimony presented.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the proposed designation is Categorically Exempt from
environmental review, in accordance with Section 15331 (Historical Resources
Restoration/Rehabilitation) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as the
proposed designation meets the conditions outlined for preservation of a historic
resource.
SECTION 2. That the proposed designation conforms to the criteria for Class 1 historic
designation, as contained in Section 8.05.020.a of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, as
follows:
(2) It is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contributions to national,
state or local history as follows:
Resolution No. 22496
Page 2
The property at 590 South Indian Trail is historically significant because it was
associated with two people who made meaningful contributions to national, state and
local history. Pearl McCallum McManus was the daughter of John G. McCallum, the
first non-Indian to settle here permanently. She is greatly responsible for shaping Palm
Springs architecture. She hired well renowned architects to build hotels in town,
including Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, to build The Oasis Hotel in 1923.
She also hired Paul Williams to design the Tennis Club in the 1930's and Stewart
Williams to build the Oasis Commercial building in 1952. She is recognized for her
aforementioned local contributions and for building the "Casablanca Adobe".
In 1946, legendary screenwriter and Oscar winner, Howard E. Koch, purchased the
house. Mr. Koch's noteworthy accomplishments on both the state and local levels
include writing significant screenplays for successful films while in Hollywood. While
living in "Casablanca Adobe", Koch wrote two classics, one, which was designated a
cultural treasure by The Library of Congress, and one selected for preservation by the
United States National Film Registry.
During his residence at "Casablanca Adobe", Koch was subpoenaed to appear before
the House Un-American Activities Committee in Washington D.C. He was
subsequently blacklisted from the American film industry. He and his wife Anne turned
"Casablanca Adobe" into a respite and rallying point for blacklisted artists as a place to
organize, discuss, and relax.
(4) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction; or
"Casablanca Adobe" is determined to be historically significant because it embodies the
distinctive characteristics of the Vernacular Adobe style of architecture similar to the
original adobe homes. The house contains an attention to detail, proportion, setting,
method of construction, quality of materials, and the almost pristine condition of the
house creates a select example of Vernacular Adobe style of architecture.
"Casablanca Adobe" is determined to be historically significant because of these
qualities.
SECTION 4. That the "Casablanca Adobe" at 590 South Indian Trail, Palm Springs,
California is hereby designated a Class 1 Historic Site subject to the following
conditions:
1. The property owner shall permit the City to place a historic marker on the Oasis
Commercial Building of the City's choosing. The marker shall be placed in a
location visible from the public right-of-way. The owner shall maintain the marker
Resolution No. 22496
Page 3
in the location installed and pay for the replacement cost if the plaque is lost,
stolen, or otherwise removed from the property.
2. All future exterior modifications including but not limited to building, site,
landscaping, lighting, walls, and fences shall require Architectural Approval
pursuant to Section 94.04.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Ordinance and HSPB
review pursuant Municipal Code Ordinance 8.05.180.
3. No permit shall be issued for the alteration of the exterior, including any and all
of the defining elements and characteristics without prior approval by the Historic
Site Preservation Board.
4. That the City Clerk shall submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for
recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution.
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 17T" day of June, Year.
David H. Ready, City ager
ATTEST:
Ymes Thompson, City�Clerk
Resolution No. 22496
Page 4
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 22496 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 June 17, 2000, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember
Weigel, Mayor Pro Tem Mills, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ames Thompson, City Clerk
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