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Home My WebLink About22141 - RESOLUTIONS - 2/6/2008 RESOLUTION N0. 22141 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS "INVERNADA" LOCATED AT 657 VIA MIRALESTE 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 January 9, 2007, the Historic Site Preservation Board initiated an application for historic site designation of 657 Via Miraleste; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Historic Site Preservation Board of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of 657 Via Miraleste as a Class 1 historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on August 21, 2007, the Historic Site Preservation Board conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of 657 Via Miraleste as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, at said hearing, the HSPB adopted Resolution #56 to recommend to City Council designation of 657 Via Miraleste as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to consider designation of 657 Via Miraleste, as a Class 1 historic site was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on February 6, 2008, the City Council conducted a public hearing in accordance with applicable law to consider designation of 657 Via Miraleste as a Class 1 historic site; and WHEREAS, the designation of 657 Via Miraleste shall further the purpose and intent of Chapter 8.05; and WHEREAS, the designation of 657 Via Miraleste 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! Resolution No. 22141 Page 2 1. In 1930, Mr. George Heigho of Detroit, Michigan had the home at 675 Via Miraleste in Palm Springs constructed for his use. The second owners of "Invernada", Mrs. Meyer Lewis was a successful businesswoman and was credited with popularizing the Pear Tomato through the United States. 2. "Invernada" reflects the first "golden era" (from the 1920's through the 1940's), of Palm Springs growth and development as a world renowned desert resort community. "Invernada" is historically significant because it exemplifies the typical large vacation / retirement homes built by wealthy individuals and celebrities during this period. 3. This site presents an example of a period of architectural history because it is one of the finest examples of the Spanish Revival style in Palm Springs. 4. The setting, which defines the site's historical integrity, relates to the structure, its features and open space with the existing fountain, the surrounding gardens, and the entryway gate. THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: SECTION 1:Pursuant to CEQA, the City Council finds that the designation of 675 Via Miraleste as a Class 1 historic site is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15331 whereby this designation is for the preservation of a historical resource. SECTION 2: The Council does hereby make the following findings; "Invernada" at 675 Via Miraleste reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history; "Invernada" reflects the first "golden era" of Palm Springs growth and development as a world renowned desert resort community. From the 1920's through the 1940's, celebrities and prominent individuals built vacation homes, retirement homes and developed social and community institutions in Palm Springs. "Invernada" is historically significant because it exemplifies the typical large vacation / retirement homes built by wealthy individuals and celebrities during this period. "Invernada" is associated with lives of persons who made meaningful contribution to national, state or local history as follows: The property at 675 Via Miraleste is historically significant because it was associated with several people who made meaningful contributions to national, state and local history. Mr. George Heigho, for whom "Invernada" was built, was a successful businessman, owning one of the largest lithography companies in the country in Detroit. Michigan. Mr. Heigho also made meaningful contributions at the local level because he was instrumental in the formation and establishment of the Palm Springs Episcopal Church. Resolution No. 22141 Page 3 The second owners of"Invernada", Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Lewis also were significant. Mrs. Myrtle "Tillie" Lewis, was a successful businesswoman and was credited with popularizing the Pear Tomato through the United States. Her company, Flotill Foods, was the largest supplier of military food supplies during the Korean War. Mrs. Lewis was a person who made a meaningful contribution to national history. "Invernada" at 675 Via Miraleste embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; This site presents an example of a period of architectural history and the defining historic characteristics and elements are: It is one of the finest examples of the Spanish Revival style in Palm Springs. • The defining historic characteristics of this building and site are a low, sweeping east-facing portico with a massive arched entrance portico supported by a pair of short squat columns at the base of the deep low arch wing that serves as the main entryway and separates the fagade into two wings. • The roofs are side gabled with a low pitch and covered by arched red clay tile. The eaves are slightly projected over exposed rafter beams. Two chimneys pierce the side gabled rooflines and the east chimney contains scrolled ironwork ornamentation. Windows are flanked by board and batten shutters painted blue. • The exterior walls are covered with stucco and painted white. • The fountain on the site is part of the setting of the historic property and recommended by the HSPB as a defining historic characteristic. • The iron entry gate at the sidewalk is set between two tall piers and bears the name "Invernada". SECTION 3: Based upon the foregoing, the City Council does hereby designate "Invernada" at 657 Via Miraleste, Palm Springs, California as a Class 1 Historic Site subject to the following conditions; 1. The property owner shall permit the City to demark the building 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 future exterior modifications including but not limited to buildings, fountain, signage and the entry gate, shall require a Certificate of Approval by the Historic Site Preservation Board pursuant Municipal Code Section 8.05.180, Resolution No. 22141 Page 4 3. No permit for the alteration of the exterior, including signage and any and all of the defining elements and characteristics shall be issued without prior approval by the Historic Site Preservation Board. 4. That the City Clerk submits the Council Resolution to the County recorder for recordation within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution. 5. All existing or previously approved alterations shall be considered acceptable. ADOPTED THIS 6#h day of February, 2008 David H. Ready, C Hager 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. 22141 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 6t' day of February, 2008, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember Weigel, Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Pougnet. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. J &eshompson, City Clerk o31�2�Zb7�� City of Palm Springs, California