HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD DATE: September 10, 2019 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: AN APPLICATION BY DIANE BUDMAN BALD ON BEHALF OF THE DIANE BUDMAN BALD FAMILY TRUST, OWNER, REQUESTING CLASS 1 HISTORIC RESOURCE DESIGNATION OF “THE KIRK DOUGLAS RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 515 WEST VIA LOLA DRIVE, (APN# 505-252-032), CASE HSPB #118. (KL). FROM: Department of Planning Services SUMMARY The Diane Budman Bald Family Trust, owner, is seeking Class 1 historic resource designation for “The Kirk Douglas Residence”. The Kirk Douglas Residence (built in 19531), qualifies as a Class 1 historic site because possesses a fair degree of historic integrity, it is associated with Kirk Douglas, a person of significance at a local and international level, it exemplifies a particularly important period in local history, and possesses design characteristics of the post-and-beam architectural style. If designated as a Class 1 resource, the property would be subject to the regulations outlined in Section 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code. In addition, as a Class 1 historic resource, the property owner may apply for a historic property preservation agreement, commonly referred to as a Mills Act Contract. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Open the public hearing and receive public testimony. 2. Close the public hearing and adopt Resolution HSPB #118, “A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC SITE PRESERVATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL 1 The historic resources report lists both 1953 and 1954 as the date of construction; City building permits show 1953 as the year of construction. Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: September 10, 2019 HSPB-118 – Kirk Douglas Residence Page 2 of 11 DESIGNATE “THE KIRK DOUGLAS RESIDENCE” LOCATED AT 515 WEST VIA LOLA AS CLASS 1 HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #118, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. (APN 505-252-032).” BACKGROUND AND SETTING: A historic resource report (“the report”) prepared by Susan Secoy Jensen, Architect / Preservation Consultant, for the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, dated February 2019 is the basis of the analysis in this staff report. BELOW AERIAL VIEW OF THE KIRK DOUGLAS RESIDENCE. Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: September 10, 2019 HSPB-118 – Kirk Douglas Residence Page 3 of 11 Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc… August, 2019 I Site inspection by members of the HSPB and City Staff. Ownership Status 2016 I Purchase by the current owner. ANALYSIS: Historic Preservation activities in Palm Springs are regulated under Municipal Code Section 8.05 (“Historic Preservation”). The purpose of the Historic Preservation Ordinance is: “…to stabilize and improve buildings, structures or areas which are considered to be of historical, architectural, archaeological or ecological value, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy and to promote the use of historic resources for the education and welfare of the citizens.” Standard Conditions that apply to Class 1 Historic Sites or Resources The following shall apply to a Class 1 Historic Site or Resource: 1. It shall meet the definition of a Class 1 historic resource as outlined in Municipal Code Section 8.05.020 including the findings outlined in Section 8.05.070 (C). 2. An archival file shall be maintained on the property by the City. 3. It may be qualified as ‘historic’ at the federal, state, and/or county level. 4. A marker explaining the historic nature of the site may be installed at the site in a location viewable from the public way. 5. Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Resources and Historic Districts under Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code. 6. If designated, the findings in support of designation shall be stated in a resolution of the City Council that shall be recorded with the County Recorders’ office within 90 days of the effective date of the Council’s resolution. Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,1,a), the HSPB shall evaluate the application and make findings in conformance with the following criteria: Criteria for the Designation of Class 1 Historic Resources. A site, structure, building or object may be designated as a Class 1 historic resource, provided both of the following findings (“a” and “b”) are met: a. The site, structure, building or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below: Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: September 10, 2019 HSPB-118 – Kirk Douglas Residence Page 4 of 11 The Kirk Douglas Residence exhibits historic significance because of its association with a person of significance (actor Kirk Douglas). (Criterion 1) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; The report does not identify any significant events associated with the Kirk Douglas Residence. It does not qualify as a historic resource under Criterion 1. (Criterion 2) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; The report notes that 515 Via Lola is associated with actor Kirk Douglas. Douglas and his family owned and occupied the home for roughly four (4) decades. Beginning on page 25, the report describes the significance and contributions that the Douglas’ made to civic life in Palm Springs as well as his significance as an internationally known actor. The site thus qualifies as a historic resource under Criterion 2. (Criterion 3) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state or local history; The Douglas Residence exemplifies the post WWII Modern Period in the development of Palm Springs (1945 – 1969) because it is an example of the type of modernist-styled, custom-built residences of post and beam construction that were popular during the post-war period. The period of significance of the home is also related to the time during which the Douglas’ owned and occupied the home, which the report states was from 1959 through 1999. Thus the Douglas Residence qualifies under Criterion 3. (Criterion 4) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; On Page 27, the report asserts that the Douglas Residence possesses numerous characteristics common to the “mid-century modern” architectural style. These characteristics include an expansive use of glass, strong horizontality expressed in the overall structure, a visible expression of the structure which is evident in the exposed beams and wood structure of the roof and other elements of the home, and a minimal amount of ornament, and simplicity of form and overall design. The additions to the home in 1964 and 1976 obscure some of the clean lines and simplicity of form for which Wexler and Harrison’s work is recognized. As such the Douglas Residence exhibits many characteristics of the mid-century method of construction, but is not an outstanding example of this typology. (Criterion 5) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: September 10, 2019 HSPB-118 – Kirk Douglas Residence Page 5 of 11 that possesses high artistic value; The Douglas Residence was designed by master architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison. The two business partners formed their architectural firm in 1952, thus the Douglas Residence was one of their earlier commissions. The home reflects many of the design tenets that Wexler and Harrison refined throughout the early part of their careers: minimal use of materials, post and beam construction, and responsiveness to the harsh desert environment through the use of generous roof eaves that protect the large expanses of glass from the sun. The report notes that in 1964 a series of additions and alterations were made to the Douglas residence that were designed by Michael H. Morrison. The report provides little information about Morrison. The Morrison additions substantially altered the Wexler / Harrison design, obscuring or diminishing the simplicity and clean lines of their design such that staff would assert that the Douglas Residence no longer stands as a noteworthy example of the work of Wexler / Harrison. The extent of the Morrison additions, which are identified on page 41 of the report and discussed further in this staff report under Integrity materially impair the Wexler / Harrison design. Thus staff would assert that the Douglas Residence does not possess high artistic value, is not an outstanding example of the work of these master architects, and thus does not qualify as a historic resource under Criterion 5. (Criterion 6) The resource represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction, as used in evaluating applications for designation of historic districts, for parcels on which more than one entity exists; or The report does not assert the Douglas Residence qualify under Criterion 6. (Criterion 7) The resource has yielded or may be likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory. No information has been provided in the historic resources report on any pre-historic significance of the site. Analysis of Integrity. (PSMC 8.05.070 (C,1,b). The site, structure, building or object retains one or more of the following aspects of integrity, as established in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards: integrity of design, materials, workmanship, location, setting, feeling, or association. The application includes an evaluation of the site relative to the seven aspects or qualities of integrity, as recognized by the National Park Services’ Secretary of the Interior Standards. The seven aspects or qualities include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The application concludes that the Historic Site Preservation Board Staff Report: September 10, 2019 HSPB-118 – Kirk Douglas Residence Page 6 of 11 Kramer Residence retain a high degree of integrity.