ATTACHMENT B
(Draft Resolution)
RESOLUTION NO._____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE HAL FORREST
RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 608 SOUTH INDIAN TRAIL , AS A
CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #1 75,
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 508-152-001).
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. WHEREAS, Chapter 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code allows for the designation of historic sites and districts; and
B. WHEREAS, The City of Palm Springs submitted an application seeking historic site designation of the Hal Forrest Residence located at 608 S. Indian Trail; and
C. WHEREAS, on November 3, 2025, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on February 3, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #175 was held in accordance with applicable law; and
E. WHEREAS, at said hearing, the HSPB carefully reviewed and considered all the evidence presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including, but not limited to, the staff report and all written and oral testimony and voted 6-0 to recommend that the Council designate The Hal Forrest Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on March 11, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #175 was held in accordance with applicable law; and
G. WHEREAS, at the said hearing, the City Council carefully reviewed and considered all the evidence presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including, but not limited to the staff report and all written and oral testimony.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS RESOLVES:
SECTION 1: FINDINGS – PART “A”, CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES.
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.070 (C,1,a), the City Council 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:
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608 S. Indian Trail is a single- family residential property in the Indian Trail Tract which was subdivided in 1933 during the Depression- era. While the building is on a single parcel, the property is made up of three individual lots. The following is an analysis of the criteria and integrity findings to determine if the site meets the qualifications for historic site designation.
(Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state, or community;
Based on the research provided in the report, no meaningful or significant events that made a contribution to the nation, state or local community occurred at this site, thus, this criterion is not met.
(Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
Harry Paul Forrest, also known as Hal Forrest, was an influential and well -known American comic strip artist who was best known for Tailspin Tommy (1928- 1942). The aviation- themed comic strip was first published in 1928 and soon featured in the Sunday news paper. Due to its popularity, this comic series inspired books, radio series and feature- length films. His home on Indian Trail was the family vacation home during his active years as an artist. In fact, the report reveals a second- story studio was specifi cally designed for his use when staying at this residence. As an individual whose career left a meaningful contribution to his field of work, this criterion is met.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history;
Completed in 1937, this home is an example of residential development in the Depression- era of Palm Springs. The wealthy and Hollywood elite came to the desert as a vacation destination despite the national economic downturn. 608 S. Indian Trail represents the design style that was favored during this period. Spanish Colonial Revival had distinct characteristics when applied to residential development, particularly in the desert region. The plan and elevations for these homes were often irregular and asymmetrical, and site planning was a major focus. The Hal Forrest Residence exemplifies residential development patterns, architectural style before the rise of Mid-century Modernism, and the influence of the entertainment industry in Palm Springs during the 1930s. Criterion iii is met.
(Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction;
Unlike the National Register criterion concerning construction, the Palm Springs evaluation of construction addresses the type (of construction), the period (of construction) and the method (of construction). The structures on the site were constructed using conventional methods of construction and materials that were available during the period. Criterion iv is not met.
(Criterion v) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, Resolution No.____
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or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that possesses high artistic value;
The firm Brewster & Benedict was locally recognized for their commercial and residential projects that were typically designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Hal Forrest commissioned this firm to design his home in 1936. This Brewster & Benedict partnership only lasted three years but during this time, the firm completed several high-profile projects within the city such as the Pacific Building (HSPB #13), the Cork ‘n Bottle Building (HSPB #31) and an exhibition house for the Bullocks Department Store (1752 N. Tuscan Road). The influence of their work as master architects is represented through a variety of projects and 608 S. Indian Trail embodies their design aesthetic and influence, therefore, Criterion v for historic significance is met.
(Criterion vi) 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 resource is not within a historic district and does not qualify under Criterion vi.
(Criterion vii) 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 on any pre-historic significance of the site.
SECTION 2: PART “B” ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC INTEGRITY.
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 report provides an evaluation of the site relative to the seven aspects or qualities of historic integrity, as recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The seven aspects or qualities include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The report concludes that the site retains a high degree of integrity and is further analyzed below:
1. Location:
The single-family home is sited on the lot in its original location; therefore, the integrity of location is met.
2. Design:
The home has an irregular floor plan with the main entry feature facing the northwest corner of the lot. The layout of the home creates a protective alcove around the main courtyard and swimming pool area preserving privacy on the lot. The varying heights create articulation of Resolution No.____
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building mass and the distinctive rock wall around the perimeter of the property is a character - defining feature from that period. The deep overhangs, exposed rafter tails, and low-slung roofs are design elements associated with the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The design integrity remains intact.
3. Setting:
The surrounding area maintains residential zoning but most of the open space has been infilled with new development. The original center median lined with palm trees along street remains in place, and the four homes at the corner of East Camino Parocela and South Indian Trail maintain their respective orientations on the site as seen in the 1939 aerial photograph in the report. Some changes to the setting are observed.
4. Materials:
The home is constructed with conventional materials from that period. Adobe/stucco finished walls, steel casement windows, wood framed fenestration, terra cotta tiles on the roof, exposed wooden beams and rafters and the stone perimeter walls remain consis tent throughout the home. Although replacement of some exterior materials may have taken place, there is a consistency to the design, and many original elements appear intact.
5. Workmanship:
Exterior maintenance and general upkeep of the site reveal the design details of the home. The stone walls and the intricate wood details and overhangs appear to be in good condition and demonstrate skilled workmanship from that period.
6. Feeling:
The layout and orientation of the home, the openness of the site, and the retention of original building materials contribute to the overall feeling of the site remaining intact. The integrity of feeling is met.
7. Association:
The design of the home maintains its original association with the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture and reflects the residential development patterns of the 1930s. The integrity of association with the period of style is intact.
SECTION 3: DEFINING HISTORIC CHARACTERISTICS
In considering a recommendation for historic resource designation it is important to distinguish those physical elements that are original or from the period of significance that contribute to the resource’s historic significance from alterations, additions or features that were added at a later time that may be sympathetic to the original character, but which may create a false sense of historicity. Distinguishing original character-defining features from non-original elements aids the HSPB when it is tasked with evaluating future alterations to the historic resource.
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The following is a list of character-defining features identified by the City Council:
Character-defining features of the resource are as follows:
• Site design and building orientation to the northwest corner • Irregular-shaped plan
• One-story building layout with two-story sections on the north and south side of the home • Horizontal massing
• Circular towers with conical roofs
• Low-pitched, hipped and cross-gable roofs
• Open eaves with exposed rafter tails
• Asymmetrically arranged elevations
• Front and rear porch colonnades
• Hand-troweled, lightly textured stucco cladding
• Red terra cotta barrel roofing tiles
• Rock-faced fireplace and brick chimney under the rear porch • Second-floor balconies and roof decks
• Wood rafter tails, post and beam construction, and wooden trim • Original window and door openings
• Multi-light steel casement windows
• Wood plank main entrance door
• Single and multi-light wood doors
• Stone walls around the property and wrought iron pedestrian entrance gate
Non-contributing elements:
• Single-light wood windows
• Scored concrete front porch flooring
• Concrete slab (hardscape) driveway and rear patio
• Concrete walkways
• Exterior light fixtures
• In-ground swimming pool and concrete pool decking
• Iron-fencing above the perimeter stone walls
• Enclosed garage area for additional living space on the west elevation of the home where the curb cut exists
SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The proposed historic resource designation is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly.
SECTION 5: CONDITIONS THAT APPLY TO HISTORIC SITES:
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According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, the following shall apply to a Class 1 Historic Resource:
1. It shall meet the definition of a Class 1 historic site as outlined in Municipal Code Section
8.05.020.
2. An archival file on the property shall be maintained by the City.
3. It may be qualified as ‘historic’ at the federal, state, and/or county level.
4. The structure/site may not be modified, nor objects removed without following the procedures outlined in Municipal Code Section 8.05.110 “Demolition or Alteration of Class 1 and Class 2 Historic Resources – Certificate of Appropriateness”.
5. A marker explaining the historic nature of the site may be installed at the site in a location viewable from the public way.
6. Compliance with all rules and regulations for Historic Sites and Historic Districts under Chapter 8.05 of the Municipal Code shall be required.
7. The site shall not be further subdivided.
8. The City Clerk shall submit the Council Resolution to the County recorder for recordation within 90 days of the effective date of the Council’s resolution.
Based upon the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates The Hal Forrest Residence located at 608 S. Indian Trail, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #175).
ADOPTED THIS ELEVENTH DAY OF MARCH, 2026.
SCOTT STILES
CITY MANAGER
ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE, MMC
CITY CLERK
Resolution No.____
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CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. ____ 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 _______________________, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
BRENDA PREE, MMC
CITY CLERK