ATTACHMENT B
(Draft Resolution)
RESOLUTION NO._____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING SAGEWOOD
CONDOMINIUMS, LOCATED SOUTH OF NORTH SUNRISE WAY
AND EAST VISTA CHINO, HSPB #1 66, SUBJECT TO
CONDITIONS, APN FOR ALL UNITS : 507-422-001 TO 507- 422- 076, 507-421-001 TO 507-421-032, AND 507-421-033.
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 applicant, Sagewood Homeowners Association, submitted an application seeking district designation of Sagewood Condominiums located south of North Sunrise Way and East Vista Chino; and
C. WHEREAS, on January 5, 2026, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on January 6, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #166 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 7-0 to recommend that the Council designate the Sagewood Condominiums a historic district; and
F. WHEREAS, on May 12, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #166 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 RELATIVE TO THE CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
Evaluation of the Application. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 8.05.0 90.C.1, the City Council shall evaluate the application and make findings in conformance with the following criteria:
1. Criteria and Findings for Designation of Historic Districts. The proposed district and contributing resources located therein exhibit exceptional historic significance and meet one or more of the criteria listed below:
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The report determines that the site conveys exceptional historic significance and maintains enough integrity to be re- classified as a historic district as defined in the PSMC 8.05.020. The site is identified as one of the largest condominium complexes desi gned by Donald Wexler in Palm Springs and reflects housing developed for the emerging middle class during the 1960s and 1970s.
(Criterion a) Is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state, or community;
No information was provided indicating any significant event was directly associated with this site. The site does not qualify under Criterion a.
(Criterion b) Is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state, or local history;
Based on the research conducted in the report, no individuals associated with this site were identified as having made significant contributions to national, state, or local history. Criterion b is not met.
(Criterion c) Reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history;
Low density multi-family residential development with a thoughtfully integrated landscape design is identified as a characteristic of garden apartments. The demand for multi-family residential development catered to the expanding middle class in Palm Springs during the post -war period. Larger sites, such as the location of Sagewood Condominiums, became viable options following amendments to the 1959 Indian Leasing Act. The buildings themselves reflect Desert Modernist characteristics. The site qualifies as a historic resource under criterion c by reflecting the local planning history associated with residential development and the design being characterized as a “garden apartment”.
Sagewood demonstrates design principles associated with this typology where separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and the integration of larger green space are key elements to the site plan. The superblock design, internal drives, and a focus on green space and view corridors are all characteristics seen in this community that is in line with the “garden apartment” typology.
Levitt & Sons, the developers of Levittown and other postwar subdivisions, was identified as the developer for Sagewood Condominiums. Although their reputation is better known on the East Coast, the newly established California branch hired Wexler for the design yet remained involved in the marketing of the development . The report clarifies that this is the only development by Levitt development in the Coachella Valley. Based on these findings, City Council finds that the proposed district meets criterion c.
(Criterion d) 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 Resolution No.____
May 12, 2026
construction) and the method (of construction). Conventional post and beam construction methods were used to construct this development; therefore, City Council does not find the project qualifies for this criterion.
(Criterion e) Presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age, or that possesses high artistic value;
Architect Donald Wexler was an influential local architect whose work advanced the Desert Modernist movement. As a master architect who worked on a variety of projects in the city, his residential work spans all typologies but his goal to integrate moderni st style to desert living is a common trait. The design of Sagewood exemplifies how Wexler used simple forms and inexpensive materials to achieve functional living while maintaining a strong sense of architectural style and setting. Wexler’s other multi -family projects in Palm Springs include the Royal Hawaiian Estates (HSPB #73 / HD -2), Twin Springs and the Rose Garden. Sagewood Condominium was his second major residential condominium project where he went from 40 units and 12 buildings (Royal Hawaiian Estates) to 107 units and 27 buildings.
The report acknowledges landscape architect David Hamilton as the first university - trained and licensed landscape architect to practice in the Coachella Valley. His collaboration with Wexler on this project helped integrate the buildings into the setting.
The report describes the hierarchy of plantings and designated greenbelt areas in more detail as a character -defining feature of the site. Hamilton was also involved in other important landscape projects at the Royal Hawaiian Estates, Palm Springs Airport, Demuth Park to name a few. Based on these findings, City Council finds that the property meets criterion e.
(Criterion f) 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 site consists of 27 detached structures that have four residential units in each building. The placement of the structures on the site needed to first take into account the road that bisects the parcel in half and then arrange them in a manner that creates internalized open space for residents’ use. The individual structures and the design of the landscape on their own would not possess sufficient distinction to merit individual recognition. The spatial configuration of the site as a collective best ref lects the design intent of the architects and the period, therefore, the site as a proposed district meets criterion f.
(Criterion g) 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.
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SECTION 2: PART “C” ANALYSIS OF HISTORIC INTEGRITY.
Analysis of Integrity. (PSMC 8.05.090.C.2). 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.
Beginning on page 46 of the report is 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 location of the 107- unit condominium complex has not been altered from the original site design. Each structure is configured on the site in the same location as represented in the 1972 tract map for the development. The proposed district retains its integrity of location.
2. Design:
The 18-acre parcel includes 27 buildings, each containing four dwelling units. The structures are low-slung, one-story buildings with flat roofs, cantilevered overhangs and a rough stucco finish exterior walls. The entrance to each unit was setback and carports and garages are mostly side loading to reduce the presence of the car along the streetscape. Instead of a series of carports and garages, there is a variety of recessed entries and patio features that demonstrate building articulation on visible elevations. There are two different floor plans: Plan A has three- bedroom units with carports, and Plan B has two- bedroom units and shared garages. The parcel is surrounded by streets on three sides, and a street that runs through the development dividing the lot into a northern section and a southern section.
The southern half is larger with 19 buildings placed around the edges with an open green space in the middle. In the open green space, there are narrow concrete walkways connecting each driveway to the shared common areas with two pools. The northern secti on contains eight buildings, and the green open space is located to the north edge that acts as a buffer to the adjacent commercial area.
The report identified a total of 450 trees and at least 24 different tree species planted throughout the development. The walkways and amenities are located in areas for private use, and individual patios faced the open green space. The design reduced the presence of cars and separated pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the development. Historic photographs show a landscape design with clear hierarchy allowing the views and use of open space to be preserved.
Thoughtful integration of the landscape features with the structures is a characteristic of a Mid- century Garden Apartment typology.
Overall, the design created a meaningful solution for low -density housing in what is defined as Garden Apartment design principles specific to the Southern California region; therefore, City Council finds the design integrity is intact.
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3. Setting:
This residential development is west of the airport and on Tribal fee land. The parcel immediately to the east is Tribal allotted land that is not leased and remains open and undeveloped. Parcels to the north have been developed with a range of community -level commercial services, while additional residential development extend to the south. Since its completion in 1972, infill development has occurred around the site, specifically to the north and west. The setting within the development remains largely intact but the surrounding context has become more significantly developed.
4. Materials:
Conventional and cost-efficient materials were selected for the construction of the complex. The exterior walls have a heavy troweled stucco finish, and the exterior fenestration is a flush- mounted dark bronze finish. Slumpstone walls are seen around patios and rooftop equipment is screened behind customized parapet walls. While there are changes to windows and gates detected throughout the complex, most of the material integrity remains intact.
5. Workmanship:
Conventional construction methods and building materials were used to build this development.
The exterior materials allow for easy maintenance and offer clean, straight lines. Overall, the structures on the site have been well-maintained.
6. Feeling:
Sagewood retains integrity of feeling through the carefully maintained relationship between the single-story structures and the landscape design. The materials, setting and design demonstrate the goals to incorporate individual convenience and privacy with communal living.
7. Association:
This development is associated with the housing trends of the post-war period in Palm Springs.
The design is associated with the local Desert Modernist style, characterized by simplicity of form, horizontal massing, modern materials and integration with th e desert landscape and/or climate.
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.
The following is a list of character-defining features identified by the City Council:
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Character-defining features:
• Overall site design and layout of the twenty-seven individual buildings • Low-slung, single-story post-and-beam buildings with flat rooflines, orthogonal massing and volumes, shade overhangs, extensive glazing, Douglas fir accent timbers, and practical and cost-efficient construction materials (stucco, wood, slumpstone, flush al uminum windows and sliders, recessed entry doors, and large walled patios). • Designed landscape of the property and its openness and park-like features of the shared outdoor space that includes verdant greenbelts, a variety of large and small trees, three original pools/spas, original concrete pedestrian walkways, and smaller plantings closer to residences.
• Twenty-seven separate structures with 107 residences, four to a “pod.” • Original “lollipop” light posts throughout the campus, both along streets (Chia, Sandalwood, and Cerritos) as well as in interior shared drives.
• Original zig-zag slumpstone wall along Sunrise, inset with iron fencing. • Battered slumpstone wall design.
• Original carports and shared garages.
• Original entry courts and solid doors.
• Rooftop enclosures to screen HVAC units.
• Oval shaped island median on Sandalwood Drive.
• Original Sagewood signage.
Non-contributing elements:
• Pool fencing around all three pools/spas were added later. • Individual security gates located in recessed entry doorways installed to enhance security in the ungated community.
• As part of a two-to-one renovation, one unit converted a carport to a garage. • Some original wooden patio gates have been replaced by metal ones. Over time, gates with scrollwork and other non-contributing elements.
• Address numbers are not uniform throughout the complex. Original address numbers are difficult to determine, so the HOA recommends that over time, all numbers be of a simple, modern font of a certain size.
• Shared mailbox depots are not original.
• Some solid front doors have been replaced by doors employing glass or plexiglass panels.
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:
According to Section 8.05 of the Municipal Code, the following General Conditions shall apply to Historic Districts:
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1. It shall meet the definition of a historic district 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 8.05.120 “Demolition or Alteration or New Construction within a Historic District – 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.
The following Specific Conditions of Approval shall apply to the Sagewood Condominiums Historic District:
1. Design Guidelines. The property owners in the proposed historic district shall submit design guidelines as outlined in Section 8.05 for final approval by the City’s HPO.
2. Review of future Certificates of Appropriateness (“C of A”). Alterations to buildings, structure, objects, and other character -defining and contributing resources within the historic district and described in Sections 2 and 3 are to be evaluated pursuant to PSMC Section 8.05.120 (E), including consistency with the Design Guidelines.
Based upon the foregoing, the City Council hereby designates Sagewood Condominiums located south of North Sunrise Way and East Vista Chino (Case HSPB #166 / HD-13).
ADOPTED THIS TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MAY, 2026.
SCOTT STILES
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE, MMC
CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Resolution No.____
May 12, 2026
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
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS