ATTACHMENT B
(Draft Resolution)
RESOLUTION NO._____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE LAURENCE
HARVEY RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 300 WEST MERITO PLACE,
AS A CLASS 1 (LANDMARK) HISTORIC RESOURCE HSPB #180,
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS (APN 505-293-005).
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 representative, Chris Keller, submitted an application seeking historic site designation of the Laurence Harvey Residence located at 300 W. Merito Place; and
C. WHEREAS, on June 1, 2026, members of the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) and City staff conducted site inspections of the proposed historic resource; and
D. WHEREAS, on June 2, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs Historic S ite Preservation Board to consider Case HSPB #180 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 4-0 to recommend that the Council designate the Laurence Harvey Residence a Class 1 (Landmark) historic resource; and
F. WHEREAS, on July 8, 2026, a noticed public hearing of the Palm Springs City Council to consider Case HSPB #180 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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(Criterion i) The resource is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state, or community;
No information was found in the report indicating any significant events occurred on this site.
The site does not qualify under Criterion i.
(Criterion ii) The resource is associated with the lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history;
The design and construction of the 300 W. Merito Place are directly associated with actor Laurence Harvey, whose acting career spanned approximately from 1946 to 1973. During this period, Harvey achieved international recognition through his work in film and television. As an influential actor who made contributions to his field of work, the residence was designed and constructed during the height of his prominence in the entertainment industry. The report demonstrates Harvey’s active involvement in the design of the home and his decision to build a home in Palm Springs further contributes to the historic context of the entertainment industry’s influence on the city during the postwar era. Based on the findings in the report, Criterion ii is met.
(Criterion iii) The resource reflects or exemplifies a particular period of national, state, or local history;
The Harvey Residence exemplifies a period during which architects and designers experimented with new materials and Modernist design concepts. Specifically designed in the Late Modern/Mid-century Modern aesthetic, 300 W. Merito Place incorporates character -defining features such as flat roofs, simple forms, exposed and exaggerated post-and-beam construction, expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing, deep overhangs, and a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living.
The integration and design response to the desert envi ronment makes the residence an excellent example of Desert Modernism specific to the Palm Springs region. This home is an important example of the architectural trends and residential development patterns that defined the city during this period. Criterion iii is met.
(Criterion iv) The resource embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction;
Palm Springs evaluates criterion iv as a distinctive characteristic associated with construction type, construction period, and construction methods. The construction of the home appears to utilize conventional methods and materials. Criterion iv is not met.
(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;
Architects Conrad Buff III and Donald C. Hensman began their practice in 1952 and were later known as Buff Hensman and Associates when they received this commission to design the Laurence Harvey Residence in Palm Springs around 1964. According to the repor t, this architectural firm received over 30 awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is credited for the design of Case Study House #20 in Altadena (1958). This firm was nationally Resolution No.____
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recognized for innovative residential design and completed numerous projects during the postwar period in the Southern California region. Their signature design feature includes the exposed and exaggerated post-and-beam construction with low slung roof forms that accentuate the horizontality of the structures. Their design influence is recognized through their many projects throughout California, and 300 W. Merito Place is an intact example of their design aesthetic with high artistic value. Criterion v 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 location of the structures and amenities on the site have not changed from the original design; therefore, the integrity of location is met.
2. Design:
The design of 300 W. Merito Place exhibits character-defining features of both the Late Modern and Mid-century Modern architecture, as described in the Citywide Historic Context Statement.
The residence is composed of one-story structures with flat roofs, simple rectilinear forms, and exaggerated post -and-beam construction. The primary elevation as viewed from the street incorporates a uniform use of masonry cladding, while the deep roof overhangs and expansive glazing further emphasize the Modernist characteristics of the design.
The site design integrates the natural desert landscape, and the structures are arranged in reverse squared C -shape creating a central courtyard containing the cruciform -shaped swimming pool. The structures on the site consist of the main house, guest house and loggia Resolution No.____
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feature connected to the original pool house. All structures utilize a post-and-beam construction with deep overhangs and large expansive glazing of fixed and sliding doors. The alignment of the posts and beams establish a cohesive architectural composition that creates a strong indoor- outdoor connection.
The original cruciform-shaped swimming pool remains a focal point of the courtyard and visually connects the surrounding structures. Desert landscaping and strategically placed planters help soften the hard lines and reinforce the integration of the design with the natural setting.
The permit records show that a major restoration project was completed in 2017 and included mechanical upgrades, replacement paving materials, and replacement fenestration. These exterior alterations were completed in a manner that complemented the original design and preserves character-defining features. Modifications to the form and layout were limited to areas with limited visibility or impact on the overall composition of the site. Based on these findings, City Council finds the integrity design is intact.
3. Setting:
The home remains situated within its original setting, surrounded by low -density residential development. The structures, pool and tennis court retain their historic spatial relationship on the parcel in the surrounding desert landscape. The integrity of setting is intact.
4. Materials:
The residence is constructed using building materials that include field stone, exposed post-and- beam structures, expansive floor -to-ceiling glazing and glulam beams throughout the home.
Although some original materials, such as the original pavers, have b een replaced with new material, a majority of the character-defining primary building materials appear to remain intact, and the fenestration appears to have been replaced in kind. The property retains integrity of materials.
5. Workmanship:
The field stone walls throughout the residence exhibit a high degree of precision in its execution, and the detailing around each post and beam reflects a strong level of craftsmanship and intentional design. The simple layout of the buildings, the unadorned walls, and clean lines created by the exposed post -and-beam construction highlight the advanced level of workmanship.
6. Feeling:
The integrity of feeling is retained on the site because the design, setting, and materials convey the characteristics of the Late Modern style of architecture. The site design and the materials reinforce the design intent, and no major deviations or inappropriate alterations draw attention away from the original design.
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7. Association:
The design of the home reflects the original vision of architects Conrad Buff III and Donald C.
Hensman and remains associated with the original owner Laurence Harvey. The integrity of association is met.
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:
Character-defining features of the resource are as follows:
• Site design and placement of structures on the site
• Open front yard planter delineated with a stone retaining wall that abuts the guest house • A reverse squared C-shaped building footprint organized around a central courtyard and pool area
• Loggia feature connecting the main house to the original pool house (now the guest suite and cabana)
• Post-and-beam structure with carefully detailed column wraps and restored beam trim detail
• Long, linear field stone veneer walls supporting thin roof overhang profiles are layered to provide a private, human-scale face to the street along with low field stone planter wall • Flat, deep roof shielding the long runs of operable glazing from the strong sunlight • Deep overhangs create numerous protected/covered outdoor living spaces • Large expanse of exterior glazing and limited interior partitions providing strong indoor - outdoor connection
• Cruciform-shaped swimming pool
• Placement of boulders around the pool
• Original planters shown on the original site plan throughout the exterior locations
Non-contributing elements:
• Front hedging
• Courtyard fence walls
• East-facing northeastern façade
• Rear elevation that faces the tennis/pickleball court • Roof-mounted PV panels
• Terrazzo flooring that extends from the interior to the exterior spaces • Additional spa abutting the north elevation near the guest suite Resolution No.____
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• Minor additions to the east elevation of the home that filled areas of the overhang • Mechanical room and storage addition to the north side of the guest suite and cabana structure added in 2024
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 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 Laurence Harvey Residence located at 300 W. Merito Place, a Class 1 (Landmark) Historic Resource (Case HSPB #180).
ADOPTED THIS EIGHTH DAY OF JULY, 2026.
SCOTT STILES
CITY MANAGER
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Resolution No.____
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ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE, MMC
CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Resolution No.____
July 8, 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