CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 22, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: APPLICATION BY DEZART PERFORMS FOR HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION OF “FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST” LOCATED AT 605 SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE, (APN 508-191-030) CASE: HSPB #170
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY:
The First Church of Christ Scientist at 605 South Riverside Drive was designed in the Mid-century Modern style by the architectural firm Clark, Frey & Chambers in 1956. The simple forms and utilitarian building materials in the desert context exemplifies Desert Modernism and development during the post war period between 1945-1969. This property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. If designated as a local historic resource, the property would be subject to the regulations outlined in Section 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC).
The HSPB and staff evaluated the application in accordance with the historic designation ordinance and applicable state/federal regulations, and determined it qualifies as a Class 1 (Landmark) historic site.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open the public hearing and receive public testimony.
2. Close the public hearing and adopt Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
DESIGNATING FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST, AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #170, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 508-191-030).
BACKGROUND:
The attached historic resources report, prepared by the Palm Springs Modern Committee (“the report”) and site visits are the basis of this staff report.
City Council Staff Report
April 22, 2026 -- Page 2
Historic Designation – First Church of Christ Scientist Related Relevant City Actions by HSPB, Planning, Fire, Building, etc.
March 2, 2026 Site inspection by members of the HSPB and City Staff.
March 3, 2026 HSPB considered the application for designation at a public hearing recommending Class 1 designation.
Ownership Status
December, 2024 Purchased by current owners.
EAST ELEVATION FROM SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE, 2024.
NORTH ELEVATION SHOWING THE FRONT ENTRANCE, 2025.
The new owners of the site proactively engaged with the City to discuss their plans for the adaptive reuse of the site and decided to initiate the designation process as an initial
City Council Staff Report
April 22, 2026 -- Page 3
Historic Designation – First Church of Christ Scientist step. Following the designation process, they intend to pursue minor alterations to the building that would meet the criteria for changes to historic sites. The application for historic designation was reviewed by the HSPB on March 3, 2026. Based on the analysis provided in the report and a site visit, the Board made the findings to recommend Class 1 (Landmark) designation.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The analysis of the application relative to the criteria for the designation of historic resources is detailed in the attached HSPB resolution and staff report dated March 3, 2026. In order to be designated a historic landmark, a resource must exhibit exceptional historic significance and meet one or more of the criteria listed in PSMC Section
8.05.070.C.1.a. The Board made findings in support of Class 1 (Landmark) designation based on the following criteria:
PSMC 8.05.070, (C,1,Part a). The site, structure, building, or object exhibits exceptional historic significance and meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history;
(Criterion v) The resource presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that possesses high artistic value;
Pursuant to PSMC 8.05.070, (5,C,1,Part b); “Historic Integrity” the HSPB made findings that the First Church of Christ Scientist possesses sufficient historic integrity to qualify as a Class 1 (Landmark) historic site.
During the March 3, 2026 HSPB meeting, the Board expressed their support of the application for Class 1 designation based on the criteria and integrity findings with a 4-0 vote.
The First Church of Christ Scientist meets the definition of a historic resource based on Criterion 3 and 5 of the Palm Springs Historic Preservation Ordinance and possesses integrity to qualify as a Class 1 (Landmark) site. The HSPB recommendation to the City Council reflects these findings which are outlined in the attached draft City Council resolution.
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) City Council Staff Report
April 22, 2026 -- Page 4
Historic Designation – First Church of Christ Scientist (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.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Broad Goal: Economic Development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
While this action would have no direct fiscal impact, it would make the property eligible for a Mills Act contract in the future. That could reduce property tax revenue at that time, if authorized by Council.
The Riverside County Tax Assessor has not shared detailed information on the amount of property tax rebate applied to Mills Act properties; however, County staff have said the rebate can range from 40 to 70 % and that amount is based upon several factors including length of ownership, annual income of property, annual operating expenses, capitalization rate, etc. Currently, there are 179 Mills Act properties in the City, and the median residential tax bill is $4,250 per year. Based on these figures, the potential loss in revenue to the City could range from approximately $300,000 to over $530,000 annually. It should be noted that the Mills Act contract is one of few tools available to incentivize reinvestment into restoration and ongoing maintenance of historic resources, and that properly maintained Mills Act properties likely have a net positive effect on surrounding property values that may offset the loss in direct revenue over time. Council would evaluate the merits of any Mills Act contract application at such time that one is sought.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Christopher Hadwin
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Vicinity Map.
B. Draft Resolution.
C. Application, related background materials, photos.
D. HSPB resolution, staff report, minute excerpt.