HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2022-029RESOLUTION NO. 2022-29
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA APPROVING A HISTORIC DISTRICT
DESIGNATION FOR SANDPIPER CONDOMINIUMS CIRCLE 1
LOCATED ON EL PASEO - CASE NO. CRPC 22-01
WHEREAS, on February 22, 2022, the Cultural Resource Preservation Committee
conducted a public hearing to consider initiation of Historic District Designation for
Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 1 located on El Paseo, Assessor's Parcel No's. 640-
240-021, 640-240-020, 640-240-022, 640-240-014, 640-240-015, 640-240-016, 640-240-
009, 60-240-010, 640-240-008, 640-240-002, 640-240-004, 640-240-003, 640-240-005,
640-240-006, 640-240-007, 640-240-013, 640-240-012, 640-240-011, 640-240-018, 640-
240-017, 640-240-019, 640-240-025, 640-240-023, and 640-240-024 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 meeting and subsequent public hearing held on February 22, 2022,
before the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee.
3. The City of Palm Desert, Cultural Resources Ordinance No. 1168, and all other
applicable regulations and codes.
4. Public comments, both written and oral, received and/or submitted at or prior to the
meeting, supporting and/or opposing the applicant's request.
5. 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.
6. 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 1
located on El Paseo was made on February 6, 2022, to designate the Sandpiper
Condominiums Circle 1
2. Notice of the February 22, 2022, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee
meeting was posted in The Desert Sun and at City Hall.
3. Notice of the February 22, 2022, 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. 2022-29
WHEREAS, based on the Cultural Resources Ordinance 1168, the Cultural '
Resources Preservation Committee concluded 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 1, completed in 1958 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 1 is
an excellent example of a multi -family residential development in Palm Desert. Circle 1
consists of a cluster grouping of eight (8) detached single -story buildings. Circle 1 reflect
a coherent vision of modernist architecture rarely found anywhere else in the United
States. The siting of the buildings in Circle 1, 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, 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 1 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 ,
define the Coachella Valley and one that exemplifies a particular period of the nation,
Page 2 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-29
7—
state, or local history.
The Sandpiper Condominiums Circle 1 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.
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
1 LOCATED ON EL PASEO, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California at its regular meeting held this 14th day of April 2022, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: KELLY, NESTANDE, QUINTANILLA, and HARNIK
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: JONATHAN
ABSTAIN: NONE
0
r 0 Y4ta12._
ANTHONY J. E'J CLERK
CITY OF PA M DESEIRT. CALIFORNIA
Page 3 of 3
JAN C. HARNIK, MAYOR