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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2022-007RESOLUTION NO. 2022-07 ' A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA APPROVING A HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION FOR SANDPIPER CONDOMINIUMS CIRCLE 2 LOCATED ON EL PASEO - CASE NO. CRPC 21-01 WHEREAS, on November 30, 2021, the Cultural Resource Preservation Committee conducted a public hearing to consider initiation of Historic District Designation for Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2 located on El Paseo, Assessor's Parcel No's. 640- 250-020, 640-250-019,640-250-021, 640-250-024, 640-250-022, 640-250-023, 640-500- 018, 640-250-016, 640-250-017, 640-250-012, 640-250-011, 640-250-010, 640-250-004, 640-250-005, 640-250-006, 640-250-001, 640-250-003, 640-250-002, 640-250-008, 640- 250-009, 640-250-007, 640-250-013, 640-250-015, 640-250-014, 640-250-025, as a historic district pursuant to Section 29.50 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC); and WHEREAS, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee has considered all of the evidence submitted into the administrative record which includes, but not limited to: 1. Agenda reports were prepared by the Building and Safety Division. 2. Staff provided a presentation at a workshop held on September 28, 2021, before the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee. ' 3. Staff presentation at a meeting and subsequent public hearing held on August 31, 2021, before the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee. 4. The City of Palm Desert, Cultural Resources Ordinance No. 1168, and all other applicable regulations and codes. 5. Public comments, both written and oral, received and/or submitted at or prior to the meeting, supporting and/or opposing the applicant's request. 6. Testimony and/or comments from the applicant and its representatives submitted to the City in both written and oral form at or prior to the meeting. 7. All related documents received and/or submitted at or prior to the meeting. WHEREAS, based on the forgoing evidence, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee finds that: 1. A request for Historic District Designation for the Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2 located on El Paseo was made on June 4, 2021, to designate the Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2 a Historic District. 2. Notice of the August 31, 2021, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee meeting was posted in The Desert Sun and at City Hall. 3. Notice of the August 31, 2021, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee was provided to the affected property owner as shown on the latest Riverside County assessment role. The owner was notified by first-class mail. 4. Notice of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee meeting included the notice requirements set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). RESOLUTION NO. 2022-07 WHEREAS, based on the Cultural Resources Ordinance 1168, the Cultural ' Resources Preservation Committee concludes the following: 1. Palm Deserts' character and history are reflected in its cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. 2. Palm Deserts' historical foundations should be preserved as living parts of the community life and development in order to foster an understanding of the City's past so that future generations may have a genuine opportunity to appreciate, enjoy, and understand Palm Deserts' heritage. 3. The Cultural Resources Preservation Committee has reviewed this site and determined it to be historically significant and could contribute to the economic and cultural revival of the City. WHEREAS, in view of all the evidence and based on the forgoing designation criterion, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee concluded the following: Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2, completed in 1958 through 1959 by the Los Angeles - based architectural firm of Palmer & Krisel, exhibit numerous stylistic markers that place them directly in the historic context of Palm desert's Modern Period. Furthermore, Circle 2 is an excellent example of a multi -family residential development in Palm Desert. The 24 units and eight (8) buildings that comprise Circle 2 reflect a coherent vision of modernist architecture rarely found anywhere else in the United States. The siting of the buildings in Circle 2, and the landscape architecture further reinforce a coherent modernist architectural vision that successfully created a leisure lifestyle of "carefree desert living." ' The site planning at Sandpiper is a pin -wheel configuration around a central hub (in this case the pool) and its greenbelt concept draws from 19th century British planner Ebenezer Howard's Garden City. Howard's concept envisioned a world where the best of city and rural life is combined to create a utopian environment. He espoused the need for green belts, in an effort to reduce congestion and to create a healthy environment in which to live. Palmer & Krisel expand Howard's tenet by creating an environment free from cars, a popular symbol of urban distress. Their site planning re-examines not only urban but suburban living. Palmer & Krisel deftly sited all vehicular roads and carports on the perimeter of each circle. Their buildings turn their "fronts" away from the street. The "front porch" no longer faces the street but is moved to look onto the green belt. In this, the pool becomes the "new streetscape": the new social gathering place for the complex. Palm Desert, along with neighboring Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, are internationally known as a center of midcentury architecture. Therefore, the buildings and site that constitute Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2 represent an excellent intact example of American Modernist architecture. This midcentury architecture may therefore be viewed as an important component of the historic trend that has come to I define the Coachella Valley and one that exemplifies a particular period of the nation, state, or local history. Page 2 of 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-07 ' The Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 2 located on El Paseo, meets the following designation criterion as contained in the City's Cultural Resources Ordinance, and is hereby worthy of preservation and designation as a Local Historic District. C A. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural, or natural history. B. Reflects distinctive examples of community planning or significant development patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, agricultural, or transportation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT DOES HEREBY DESIGNATE SANDPIPER CONDOMINIUMS CIRCLE 2, LOCATED ON EL PASEO, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT PASSED, APPROVED, AND READOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California at its regular meeting held this 10th day of March 2022, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: JONATHAN, KELLY, NESTANDE, QUINTANILLA, and HARNIK I.[a] zIs] z14 ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ATTEST: V. i e NIAMH M. ORTEGA, DEPUTY CITY CLERK CITY OF PALM DESERT. CALIFORNIA JAN C. HARNIK, MAYOR Page 3 of 3