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1999 01 20 HPC Minutes MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Ha\1 Session Room 78-495 Ca\1e Tampico, La Quinta, CA JANUARY 20,1999 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairman DeMersman at 3 :32 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the ro\1 call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Present: Commissioners Irwin, Puente, Wright and Vice-Chairman DeMersman. B. Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand and Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Staff requested that Business Item F be taken after Item B as both reports were done by Dr. Bruce Love. Also, the Item VI., Presentation, be taken last. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners WrightlIrwin to approve the Minutes of December 17,1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Final Report on Archaeological Testing and Mitigation for the Rancho La Ouinta proiect 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand advised the Commission that staff had reviewed the Report and concurred with the results and conclusions recommending monitoring of earth-disturbing activities as a condition of approval attached to the grading permit. P:\CAROL YN\HPCI-20-99. wpd -1- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Janual)' 20, 1999 3. Associate Planner Mouriquand then introduced Project Archaeologist, Bruce Love, Ph.D., who offered to answer any questions. He told the Commission there were currently two full-time monitors on the project and they were finding quite a few features; such as ashy areas, areas with burned rock, etc. 4. Associate Planner Mouriquand commented on the find of a potential cremation made earlier in the month, including the media attention it received. 5. Commissioner Barbara Irwin asked about disposition of the human remains. 6. Dr. Love replied there was an agreement with the developer, elders from the Torres-Martinez Indian Reservation, and Mr. Tony Andreas (Agua Caliente Consultant). The agreement was that the remains would be removed. A 100% retrieval of the cremation remains would be done by screening the sand. The remains would be sent to UCLA to be identified according to gender, age and if possible, number of individuals. The remains would then be returned to him to be held until the final landscaping plans were made. Then the representatives from Torres-Martinez and Sparks Construction and he would agree on a place to re-inter them in the ground as close as possible to the original location, but safe from future disturbance. 7. Commissioner Irwin complimented Dr. Love on the report. She compared it to a report given at the last Commission meeting and the world of difference between the two. She was joined in her compliments by Vice Chairman DeMersman who thanked Dr. Love. The Commissioners agreed to send a letter of commendation to Dr. Love complimenting him on the quality of his reports. 8. Commissioner Robert Wright noted the approval process "flows" faster when a report like this is submitted versus reports oflesser quality. 9. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners PuentelWright to approve Minute Motion 99-001 accepting the report with a provision of on-going monitoring. Unanimously approved. B. Cultural Resources Report for Proposed Borrow Area within the Rancho La Ouinta proiect Archaeological Testing and Proiect Impact Mitigation I. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand said nothing of significance had been found at this site. P:\CAROL YNIHPC 1-20-99. "1Jd -2- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Janwuy 20, 1999 3. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to approve Minute Motion 99-002 accepting the report. Unanimously approved. C. Interim Cultural Re<ources RE:POrt - Testin~ and Evaluation of CA-Riv-2936 - Hotel III Project Site Highwav III and Adams Street. 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand stated there were a number of subsurface artifacts found and asked Dr. Love to comment on them. 3. Dr. Love told the Commission virtually the entire piece of property lies within an archaeological site whose boundaries extend from the west of Adams Street to the east of the property. Recorded on Page 10 (of the staff report) are the locations of various concentrations of artifacts on the property. Extensive testing was done and they came across one area which was considered to be potentially significant. This area contained large pieces of fired clay or partially-fired clay as shown on Page 7, Figures 3 and 4. Some people have interpreted these as parts of old clay floors or as daub, clay that had been packed into old granaries or structures of some kind, but the use of this hardened, fired clay is still a question of debate for archaeologists. So this was quite a find because of the large pieces found that were 3,4, and 5 inches across and 2 or 3 inches thick. An innovative approach was used in clearing the area where the artifacts were located. The brooms, and the whisk brooms previously used were just disturbing them too much. A leaf blower was used and was more successful in exposing and mapping the artifacts. Sketch maps were created of the area (on Page IS) showing more exposed pieces ofthese clay items. What was eventually found out (as shown on Page 16) was these were part ofa fire pit. They were not part ofa floor. None of them showed any signs of having been pressed or formed or shaped when they were wet, but instead they had been picked up from perhaps a lakebed or pond area as raw clay, brought to the site and used the same way that the native peoples used rocks in their firepits. In other words, as liners of the pit to keep the pots up off the sand to allow the fire and the oxygen and the heat to pass underneath the pots. This is the working hypothesis now as to what these large chunks of clay were used for. None of them had any indication that they had been pressed into stick structures or granaries; in other words there were no impressions of sticks or anything else on the clay. The were examined and various hypotheses of what this clay was used for was eliminated. The working hypothesis now is that they were used as fire features. The same way P:\CAROL YN\HPC 1-20-99. wpd -3- Historic PreselVation Commission Minutes JanU3l)' 20, 1999 as they used fire affected rocks to line their fire pits with. They are considered a fairly significant find as far as CEQA criteria for significance is concerned. That criteria is: if you have something that can answer a research question, then it becomes significant or important, but at the same time you basically destroyed the site while you are evaluating it. In other words, the site was dismantled and taken apart. So, in a sense, all the information there is to be gotten from it has been coUected and therefore, you could say mitigation has already been completed on that feature because there would be no more feature left. So, the recommendation would be that even though these fire pit features (and we found two of them side-by-side) do meet CEQA criteria for importance, mitigation has already been performed on those by the retrieval of the data. So, no further action needs to be taken other than monitoring, during grading, as a final recommendation. 4. Commissioner Irwin asked if there was evidence ofa mesquite bum. 5. Dr. Love answered there was one charcoal feature found in one of the backhoe trenches. It appeared to be natural (shown in Figure 6 on Page 13). It appeared to be an area where there had been a fire and possibly a rainstorm had washed the charcoal down into a low area and then the rainwater swirled around and settled into a little basin. There's no evidence there was cultural materials with it; no pottery, no chip stone, and no rocks. It appeared to be natural charcoal that had accumulated in the area. 6. Commissioner Irwin commented she was curious because on Adams near 48'" there was a midden site. There was also evidence of a mesquite bum off and she had heard others say they felt the whole area was covered by mesquite. She wondered about the relationship of this dig compared to the 48'" and Adams dig. 7. Dr. Love replied they were finding mesquite bums in the monitoring at Rancho La Quinta.Some were found during the monitoring of the borrow area. The difference was there were no artifacts associated with it and no fire affected rock associated with it. It's just heated, or ashy soil and chunks of charcoal. 8. Vice Chairman De Mersman asked if there were any other questions or comments. There being none, the it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wrightllrwin to approve Minute Motion 99-003 accepting the report with the condition that all earth-disturbing activities be monitored by a qualified archaeological monitor and a final report be submitted prior to issuance of any grading permits. Unanimously approved. P:\CAROL YNIHPC 1.20-99. wpd -4- Historic Preservation Conunission Minules January 20, 1999 D. Phase I ArchaeololPcal Resources Survey for the Revised Tentative Tract MlIP 26855 Brookfield Homes. 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand stated this was a Phase 1 survey and evaluation. This is a ten-acre parcel that had been included in an existing subdivision archaeological survey previously brought before the Commission. This ten-acre parcel was added to the project. It had not been previously surveyed and the City now required it. This work was done by Dr. Paul Chace with the Keith Companies, who found nothing. He looked at the mound where a home had been previously bulldozed, and inspected all of that. All of his archival research lead him to the conclusion that this was not a historic house by the criteria that we use and he is not recommending any further investigations or mitigation. The remaining area around it had the same conclusions. The first report was done by Dr. Love and he didn't find anything and his recommendation was the same. So, the two recommendations and results coincide. 3. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners lrwinIWright to approve Minute Motion 99-004 accepting the report. Unanimously approved. E. PaleontoloiPcaI Resource Assessment - Washington Street Bridie Wideninll Proiect 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand told the Commission this report was of a Paleontological investigation for a City capital improvement project for the Washington Street Bridge widening near Avenue 50. The consultant was LSA. They did not find anything in the course of their field survey. Their archival work did indicate what kinds of lakebed sediments that would typically contain fossil resources are present. Staff has reviewed the Assessment and had a comment not previously included in the report; the piling and bridge supports that would be driven down in deep would definitely be within the lakebed sediment areas and these ought to be monitored. Staff is requesting that a condition be placed on this project for monitoring of those piling excavation areas. P:\CAROL YN\HPC 1-20-99. wpd -5- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 20, 1999 3. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Wright to approve Minute Motion 99-005 accepting the report with the condition that excavation for pilings and bridge supports that reach into the lakebed sediments be monitored by a qualified paleontologist and a report be submitted to this Commission prior to completion of the project. Unanimously approved. F. Cultural Resources Report for Washin~on Street Bridl1e Wideninl1 Proiect 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand said this was for the same project as Item E, but this is the archaeological report that was submitted. Staff did review it. There were no cultural resources identified during their survey. Staff does have two comments as indicated on Page 2 of your staff report. First, and foremost, the report was submitted in letter fashion and we don't accept them in this format. Staff has been in communication with this consultant and they are going to be revising it into the proper format. An additional comment that their report needs to include is a discussion that the historic Lake Marshall, at Marshall Road, which is now Washington Street, and a stratigraphic profile be done on Washington Street much as was done on Old Avenue 52 and what is being proposed for the Jefferson Street widening project as well. 3. Commissioner Puente had a question on recordation of Washington Street as a historic roadway. 4. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio replied it was just a documentation of the road. 52"" Avenue was actually re-Iocated but Washington will remain as is, so it's just documenting its history. 5. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puentel1rwin to approve Minute Motion 99-006 accepting the report with the two conditions listed below. Unanimously approved. a. All archaeology reports must follow the ARMR format. No letter reports will be accepted. b. Washington Street, formerly Marshall Road, should be recorded as a historic roadway and a stratigraphic profile be done in the same manner that the City required 52ad Avenue be recorded for the Tradition Club project, and for Jefferson Street be recorded fn-, . Jefferson Street widening project. P:\CAROL YNlHPCI-20-99. wpd Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 20, 1999 G. Cultural Resources Regulations and Procedures - Oualifications. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 6. Commissioner Maria Puente referred to the section on Lead Archaeolo~caI S urvc:yor and asked who appointed this position. 7. Associate Planner Mouriquand stated the developer hires his or her own archaeologist, or consulting firm, and then it is the responsibility of the principal investigator, the lead archaeologist, to make sure he ( or she) has a qualified crew. 8. Commissioner Puente stated she was concerned about the developer hiring the archaeologist and questioned if that removed their impartiality on the project. She asked if the City could appoint a second archaeologist to monitor future projects. 9. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio replied the policy has to be discussed with Council. Having our own list of archaeologists isn't something that we've actually pursued, because we have a Commission certified by the State Historic Preservation Office to assure these qualifications are met. 10. Vice Chairman DeMersman commented that the adoption of these qualification guidelines would take care of some of the problems we've had previously. He also said this spel1s out the sort of things a developer should be looking for when he (or she) is going to be hiring a firm; who's going to be the principal investigator and their responsibility in hiring the rest of the people to make up their team. It sets it out what qualifications the City requires. 11. Associate Planner Mouriquand gave the example of Riverside County's system which was set up a few years ago because they perceived a problem with objectivity between the developer and the consulting firm. The way they chose to resolve it was to establish a third-party contract system whereby the County contracted with an archaeologist or archaeology firm. The developer paid the bill, but the County made the selection and oversaw things in order to separate the consultant from the developer. It became an arduous process. It involved hiring a person just to manage the contracts and it became a very burdensome thing to do. I don't think it is necessary, at this time, in our City. P:ICAROL YN\HPC 1-20-99. wpd -7- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 20, 1999 12. Commissioner Wright commented it was the word "qualifY' that was a problem to define. There's certainly a lot of qualified archaeologists we've worked with in the past. 13. Vice Chairman DeMersman pointed out these Guide]ines were an important step because it gives the developers something to look at and say this is what you need to look for when you're hiring a firm. 14. Commissioner Irwin said she thought the developer would be helped by the definition of what is expected. 16. Vice Chairman DeMersman asked if there were any other questions or comments. There being none, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Puente to approve Minute Motion 99-007 recommending to the City Council the adoption of the document entitled "Cultural Resources Guidelines, Appendix B: Cultural Resources Consultant Qualifications". Unanimously approved VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL I. Associate Planner Mouriquand went over the Preservation Advocate News, as well as another mailer, the Community Heritage Partner. Apparently it's a firm that goes to communities to develop a customized program. She also commented on Commissioner DeMersman's letter ofresignation. 2. Planning Manager di Iorio discussed the action of the Planning Commission on Tentative Tract 28964 that went to the Planning Commission and will be going to the City Council on February 2. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended Conditions of Approval were included for the Tract with some modifications. Those being use of hand or mechanized excavation, subject to qualified archaeologists peer review. Also, the consultant wanted the ability to continue defining the significant areas as they do excavation that goes into a smaller area and that was something that was considered and is subject to Community Development approval for the ability to re-define those significant areas. So, everything else requested as Conditions of Approval including the zoo-archaeologist, the definition of the Native American boundaries, and excavation procedure were accepted by the applicant and recommended to the Council by the Planning Commission. VII. PRESENTATION I. Christine di Iorio introduced the presentation of a commemorative plaque to outgoing Vice Chairman DeMersman and thanked him for his help and expertise. P:\CAROL YNlHPCI-20-99.wpd -8- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Janwuy 20, 1999 2. Associate Planner Mouriquand read the Resolution to Vice Chairman after explaining that a historical postcard had been scanned and enlarged on the top portion of his framed document. The Resolution read: Resolution of the Historic Preservation Commission City of La Quinta, California Commending James R. DeMersman for his three years of service as a Historic Preservation Commissioner WHEREAS James R DeMersman has served as a professional member of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, a Certified Local Government per the State Historic Preservation Office since his appointment in February 1996 by dedicating his time and devotion to historic preservation and cultural resource management, and, WHEREAS during Mr. DeMersman's term some of the major preservation decisions of the Commission have included the rehabilitation and National Register Assessment of the Hacienda del Gato and the preservation in place of prehistoric archaeological site CA-RIV-1l79 at the Tradition Club development, the Catellus affordable housing subdivision, the seismic retrofit and rehabilitation of the Fisher Building in La Quinta Village, the National Register assessments of the La Quinto Hotel, Walter Morgan House, Cyrus Pierce House, and La Sala, and the Phase III dOta recovery of two archaeological sites determined to be potentially significant according to National Register criteria within Tentative Tract Map 28964, and, WHEREAS during Mr. DeMersman 's term the major preservation planning accomplishment of the Commission consisted of adopting the first citywide historic resources survey, conducted in 1997, and supported by a grant awarded by the Certified Local Government Program, and the President's AWlUd bestowed by the California Preservation Foundation for exceptional service in preserving California's cultural and architectural heritage, and, WHEREAS Mr, DeMersman has honorably served the Commission by presenting a Commission training session on house museums, serving as Vice Chair of the Commission, serving as representative of the City of La Quinta at the California Preservation Foundation Conference in 1996, and participoting in severalpreservation training workshops. P:\CAROL YN\HPC 1-20-99. wpd -9- Historic preselVlltion Commission Minutes January 20, 1999 NOW, lliEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, that James R DeMersman se/fless/y assisted stqff and citizens by sharing his expertise for the benefit for the City of La Quinta, and that this Resolution shall be recorded as part of the official minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission for this meeting. PASSED, APPROVED, ADOPTED, at a regular meeting of the Commission the 2lf' day of January, 1999. 3. Vice Chairman DeMersman thanked the Commission for the plaque and told them it had been a real pleasure to be a part of this Commission and to work with the Commission members and City staff. It's amazing what we've accomplished in three years. Thank you for the pleasure of serving. It's been a wonderful three years. Keep up the good work. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: None ill. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners IrwinlPuente to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next scheduled meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:22 P.M. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: ~1~MJwv Secretary P:\CAROL YN\HPC 1-20-99. wpd -10-