1999 11 17 HPC Minutes
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room
78-495 Calle Tarnpico, La Quinta, CA
November 17, 1999
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert
Wright at 3:00 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call.
Present: Commissioners Barbara Irwin, Mike Mitchell, Maria Puente, and Chairman
Robert Wright.
Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and
Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Chairman Wright asked ifthere were any corrections to the Minutes of October 21,
1999. Commissioner Irwin asked that reference to "The Tradition" be changed to
"Tradition" under Commissioner Items Item #C There being no further corrections,
it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Irwin to approve the Minutes
of October 21,1999, as corrected. Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Interim Archae I ical Testin and Miti ation Re ort for Tentativ Tact 28 4.
located on the I;lorth side of 50 A venue and Jefferson Street. Applicant: Affiliated
Construction. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
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2. Commissioner Mitchell asked how the burial cremation remains would be
handled. Mr. Bruce Love stated they would contact the Indian Tribes to see
what they wanted. They had been in contact with Mark Benitiz regarding
the remains, but at this point they are not sure the Coroner's Office had any
of the remains. It needs to be clarified and once it is they will make
arrangements to have them interned and prepare a final report for the
Commilision.
3. Commissioner Irwin asked if this was the same property as reviewed before
and if the boundaries were the same. The previous concerns were the
"human- like" remains and whether they had been sent to Riverside for
analysis. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated it was a requirement that
they be sent to a Zooarchaeologist. Mr. Love stated that at this point they
have not been sent to UCLA for analysis, but they have done an extensive
survey. Mr. Oliphant stated the previous archaeologist on the project had
stated the remains were so fine they were assumed to be human.
Commissioner Irwin stated they were reported as being "human-like" and the
Commission was very concerned about the disposition of the bones. She was
pleased with the report and her only concern is the disposition of the remains.
4. Commissioner Puente stated the area where the remains were found was very
large and should be taken seriously. The City needs to know what has
happened with the bones that were collected. Mr. Love stated that everything
collected by L&L Archaeology had been turned over to them and they had
cataloged all the material. The bones will be sent to UCLA and analyzed.
Staff stated the analysis would be a part of the fmalreport as the project is
conditioned to do so before the first building permit can be issued.
5. Chairman Wright stated this appears to be a very rich artifact area and he is
confident with Mr. Love's work. He asked if Mr. Love believed any area
should have additional studies. Mr. Love stated that all the areas had been
surveyed and material collected, but more artifacts will be found during the
grading.
6. Commissioner Puente asked what the Native American's preference has
been. Mr. Love stated they traditionally wanted the artifacts collected and
analyzed and any remains turned over to them for reburial.
7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Mitchell/Irwin to adopt Minute Motion 99-027 accepting the
Interim Archaeological Testing and Mitigation Report for Tentative Tract
28964, subject to conditions. Unanimously approved.
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B. Archaeolo ical Testin and Site Evaluation Re ort for Tentative Tract 2 436;
located on the north side of Eisenhower Drive, east of Coachella Drive. Applicant:
US Home Corporation. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH.
L Principal Planner Stan Sawa stated staff was recommending this report be
continued to the next meeting.
2. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Irwin/Puente to continue this to the next meeting.
Unanimously approved.
C.
1. Commi~sioner Irwin withdrew due to a possible conflict of interest.
2. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in
the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
3. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 99-028 recommending to the City
Council financial and other participation in the Tradition plaque, with the
dollar amount not to exceed $500.00. Unanimously approved.
Commissioner Irwin rejoined the Commission.
D.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
2. Commissioner Mitchell stated, based on the report, this project would not
have any impact on cultural resources.
3. Commissioner Irwin agreed and stated the area had been subjected to so
many floods over the years that the likelihood of anything being found was
unlikely.
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4. Chairman Wright stated this was a good project and he supported it. He
agreed that a lot of excavation work has been done in this area and the
probability of anything being found was minimal.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Mitchell/Puente to adopt Minute Motion 99-029 accepting
the Phase I Archaeological Assessment for the Proposed Palm Oasis
Trailhead project.
E. Review and Comment on the possible acquisition. use. location and expansion of
the Historical Society Museum; located at the southeast comer of A venida
Montezuma and A venida Mendoza. Applicant: City of La Quinta.
I. Commissioner Irwin withdrew due to a possible conflict of interest.
2. Assistant City Manager Mark Weiss presented the information contained in
the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
3. Mr. Joe Irwin, representing the La Quinta Historical Society, stated the
Society has planned a public meeting on December Z'" to seek input. As of
now the Society has no position regarding the issues mentioned as they had
not had time to formulate any ideas. There current vision has been to pay
off the mortgage, but have come to realize the City has both the financial
and human resources to bring more things to pass than they would be able
to. After the public meeting the Board will meet and make a decision.
4. Commissioner Mitchell stated one of the biggest issues has been what to do
with the artifacts collected from of the surveys being required. Is the
Society going to be a curation facility? Mr. Irwin stated it is part of their
vision. Should the plans with the City go forth, they would want to transfer
title of the Museum to the City and lease it back from the City.
Commissioner Mitchell asked if they would want to work with College of
the Desert or the new four year college. Mr. Irwin stated they had given no
thought to the matter. Commissioner Mitchell stated he was looking for
partners to help out financially.
5. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked the Commission to review the
staff report and go over each issue.
a. PublicaIly owned facility - Commissioner Mitchell stated the
Museum should be governed by a government facility as there are
State and Federal guidelines to follow in regard to curation. He
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would want to get away from private individuals having any control
over the artifacts. Mr. Irwin stated the Board had been talking with
the City about an operating agreement to set out guidelines.
Commissioner Mitchell suggested a Memorandum of
Understanding.
Commissioner Puente stated she agrees with Commissioner Mitchell
as it is a good idea.
Chairman Wright stated the Historical Society has been a great asset
to the City. Every fund raiser they have had has been to pay the
mortgage and in his opinion it would be better to have a lease back
agreement with the City so the Society could concentrate on more
important things.
b. Moving the Building - Commissioner Puente stated it would require
a different and larger building and she would not agree to moving
the existing building. Mr. Irwin stated that he recognizes that if the
building was moved it would put it at risk.
Chairman Wright stated that as to moving the building he would be
against it. He suggested that if the Museum were left in its current
location the City should consider closing the street. Mr. Irwin
stated they are not in favor of moving the building, but if they were
to expand the current building, parking becomes a big issue. If the
street were closed off and the City could acquire the property next
door, it would be of a help.
c. Paleontolo!!ical and Archaeolo!!ical Finds - Commissioner Mitchell
stated he had no comment or concerns. His only concern is in regard
to the curation so that the artifacts could be left in the Valley.
6. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated an analysis had been done
regarding the parking that would be needed. The City requirement would be
one space per 300 square feet.
7. Mrs. Barbara Irwin stated the building was built in 1934 and does not predate
the La Quinta Hotel. It had been the administration building for the housing
development for the Cove. The two story building next door was the lumber
yard for that project.
commissioner Irwin rejoined the Commission.
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VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITIEN MATERIAL:
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Puente to
adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission on December 16, 1999. This meeting of the
Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:44 p.m. November 17,1999. Unanimously
approved.
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Exci:ri'ti ve Secretary
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