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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 2014-32RESOLUTION NO. 2014- 32 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT APPROVING LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR 74-135 LARREA STREET, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK CASE No. CRPC 14-01 WHEREAS, on March 25, 2014, the Cultural Resource Preservation Committee conducted a public hearing to consider initiation of Landmark Designation for property located at 74-135 Larrea Street, Assessor's Parcel No. 625-132-022, as a historic landmark pursuant to Section 29.40 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code; 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 Department of Building and Safety. 2. Staff presentation at the meeting held on March 25, 2014 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 Landmark Designation for 74-135 Larrea Street, was made on February 18, 2014 to designate as an historical landmark. 2. Notice of the March 25, 2014, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee meeting was posted in the Desert Sun and at City Hall. 3. Notice of the March 25, 2014 Cultural Resources Preservation Committee was provided to the affected property owner as shown on the latest Riverside County assessment role. Owner was notified by telephone and by first class mail. 4. Notice of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee meeting included the notice requirements set forth in Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 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, and 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, and 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. Resolution No. 2014-32 Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, in view of all the evidence and based on the forgoing designation criterion, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee concludes as follows: The residence at 74-135 Larrea Street is significant as it was as the home of Randall Henderson, founder of Desert Magazine and early pioneer in the city of Palm Desert. It is further significant for its contribution to the development of the south side of Highway 111. The residence is eligible for designation as a City Landmark in accordance with the following Criteria: B. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in the past; F. Reflects distinctive examples of community planning or significant development patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, agriculture, or transportation. Randall Henderson was born in Iowa and came to California to attend college at USC where he was student body president and captain of the basketball team. Following World War I Henderson applied his writing skills as a reporter for various papers in the southwest. During this time he enjoyed exploring the desert and eventually decided to found a magazine dedicated to introducing people to the desert he loved. The first issue of Desert Magazine was released in November 1937, and was published in El Centro. The magazine was popular for its eclectic articles ranging from rock hounding, to ghost town exploration to featured artists. After 10 years, Randall was concerned El Centro was becoming too busy for him and sought out a more isolated desert area from which to publish his magazine. At the same time his brother Cliff was interested in developing a new desert community to provide recreational activities for not only southern California residents, but nationwide. The site chosen for this new desert community was just south of the small town of Palm Village, located between Palm Springs and Indio. Palm Village was evolving from early agricultural ranches to a small community of both full time and seasonal residents. Randall also contributed to the many of the street names south of Highway 111. While his brother Cliff and brother-in-law Tommy Tomson were involved in the laying out of the streets, it was Randall that provided the names of desert trees, plants and bushes that could be used as names. In fact his home is on Larrea, more commonly known as the creosote bush. It is the scent of the creosote bush that any desert resident would recognize to be the scent of the desert after rain. Construction on the home began in approximately 1950 and was completed in 1952. Henry Colglazier from Cathedral City was the contractor on the home and his son Walter also helped. A three foot wall, which remains today, was built south of the home to protect it from floods. Randall wrote an article documenting the thought that went in to his home that was published in the July 1954 edition of Desert Magazine. Additionally wife Cyria, a sculptress, had her art studio and kiln at the house. It was Resolution No. 2014- 32 Page3of3 Cyria that did the bust of former president Dwight Eisenhower that can be seen outside the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church on Highway 74. The home Randall designed specifically for desert living was one of the early homes built south of Highway 111, as much of the earlier construction had been related to the Shadow Mountain Club, Desert Magazine building, early commercial buildings, and simple motels. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT DOES HEREBY DESIGNATE 74-135 LARREA STREET, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK CASE NO. CRPC 14-01 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, Califomia at its regular meeting held this 24th day of April , 2014, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: NONE BENSON, HARNIK, SPIEGEL, WEBER, and TANNER NONE NONE f VAN G. TANNER, MAYOR ATTEST: C bp u RAO ELLE D. KLASSE". CITY CLER CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA