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2004 04 22 HPC Minutes MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A Regular meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA April 22, 2004 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Leslie Mouriquand at 3:03 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Puente, Sharp, Wilbur, Wright, and Chairperson Mouriquand Staff Present: Planning Manager Oscar Orci, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Sharp to approve minutes of the March 25, 2004, Historic Preservation Commission as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract Map 32201 Applicant: Choice Enterprise Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group Location: Northwest corner of Madison Street and Avenue 60 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. P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 4-22-04.doc Last printed 5/21/049:56 AM Historic Preservation Commission April 22, 2004 2. Commissioner Sharp said he appreciated the fact the report included acknowledgement of the Torres Martinez and Augustine Tribes. He asked if the project was within their territory or historical boundaries. 3. Chairperson Mouriquand replied the report recognized the traditional tribal boundaries, but not the current reservation boundaries. The new tribal policies were acknowledged in this report including the inclusion of a Native American as part of the monitoring crew. 4. Commissioner Wright recommended staff provide a reminder to the Tribes when it is appropriate to monitor. 5. Chairperson Mouriquand added the need for a tribal representative could be included in the Conditions of Approval for a grading permit. 6. Applicant's representative, Dave Saccullo, 74-923 Highway 111, Suite 114, Indian Wells, California, was introduced and gave an overview of how the project would be handled. He asked if he could submit an interim Phase II report, at a later date, to enable him to begin clearing and grubbing the property. 7. Commissioner Sharp asked at what point during the Phase II report did Mr. Saccullo want to begin grubbing. 8. Chairperson Mouriquand replied they would have to complete the Phase II work and present an interim letter report of the findings before this could be considered. Mr. Saccullo replied he would like to pursue this so he could go ahead with the clearing and grubbing of the land. 9. Chairperson Mouriquand asked what staff's position was on accepting interim reports. Staff replied this was not a standard procedure. The applicant would have to provide adequate information to justify the granting of a clearing and grubbing permit. This type of request is usually done on a case-by-case basis and is not commonly accepted. Staff added the Phase I report makes it clear a Phase II is needed as well as monitoring of the grading. 2 Historic Preservation Commission April 22, 2004 10. Commissioner Wright commented on the Rancho La Quinta (Coral Option) clearing and grubbing permit process and expressed his concern on the need for monitoring. 11. Mr. Saccullo explained his main concern was with removal of a row of Tamarisks and he did not wish to move, or disturb, any other areas during that procedure. He emphasized there would be no rough grading. 12. Chairperson Mouriquand commented Tamarisks leave large holes when removed. She suggested it would be a good idea to have a monitor to spot check the tree removal. It would be a great opportunity to do some inspections. Mr. Saccullo agreed. 13. Commissioner Wright said it would be great to have a Native American on-site in case any burial items were found. 14. Mr. Saccullo asked if there was anything he needed to do to facilitate the Native American monitoring. Chairperson Mouriquand replied he could check with his project archaeologist who would coordinate with the Tribe's Cultural Resource Representative (Gary Resvoloso). 15. Chairperson Mouriquand suggested the applicant have the Tribe sign off on the interim report. Staff replied they would not authorize grubbing if there was anything questionable in the report. If there is nothing of substance, staff will then check with any other parties involved. 16. Commissioner Wilbur said the Page 16, what is possible. correct. report states very clearly, on Staff acknowledged this was 17. Chairperson Mouriquand said the area surrounding this project has had a lot of archaeological work recently and has proven to be a hot spot for research. The research is helping to make connections to the old Toro Village site and it is important to continue monitoring. 18. Commissioner Puente mentioned Page 14 stated some of the specimens were not collected and asked why. 3 Historic Preservation Commission April 22, 2004 19. Chairperson Mouriquand replied artifacts were usually left until Phase II is completed unless they were in imminent danger. Normally artifacts would be left until mitigation is completed. The specimens will then be collected and a detailed map will be done. 20. Mr. Saccullo commented he was documenting the progress of the development through photos. 21 . Commissioner Sharp asked how large the development was. Mr. Saccullo replied it was a seven acre development, which would include homes in the price range of $700,000 to $1,000,000. 22. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2004-006 accepting the Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract Map 32201, subject to conditions. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Commissioner Mouriquand distributed the cover sheet to staff on the "Inventory, Analysis and National Register Evaluation of two rock art sites at Coral Mountain" which was submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation by Daniel F. McCarthy and Leslie J. Mouriquand. B. Commissioner Sharp asked if Gary Resvoloso's presentation had been rescheduled. Staff replied they were working on it. C. Commissioner Puente asked if the Tour Meeting of Sunday, May 16th was still going to be held. Chairperson Mouriquand replied she had clearance from the Bureau of Reclamation, but was waiting for further approvals. Staff noted the meeting would have to be noticed. D. Commissioner Wright stated the Historic Preservation Commission has been in existence for 10 years this May. He expressed his thanks to Leslie Mouriquand, Ned Millis, Terry Henderson, Maria Puente, and Drew Pallette, who attended the first meeting. Chairperson Mouriquand was originally an Associate Planner and staff member assigned to the Commission. Commissioner Wright commended her 4 Historic Preservation Commission April 22, 2004 on all the hard work she had done to get the Commission going in the right direction. He commented on some of the Commission's accomplishments and mentioned it would be nice to have some recognition, such as a plaque somewhere in the City. Chairperson Mouriquand said May was "Historic Preservation Month" and thought it would be a good time to recognize the Commission's accomplishments and commend the City for leading the Valley in Historic Preservation. She suggested a ten-year retrospective, and a press release that focused on the Commission's achievements. Commissioner Sharp asked if all the Valley cities had Preservation Commissions. Chairperson Mouriquand replied no other city has the designation of a Certified Local Government. This means the Commission is certified by the National Parks Service and the State Historic Preservation Office. It is a special certification the Commission worked very hard to get. Commissioner Wright confirmed it took a lot of hard work to get the designation and commended Chairperson Mouriquand for her past contribution to attain that goal. Commissioner Wright pointed out that in the last ten years a lot of artifacts and buildings have been saved by the intervention of the Historic Preservation Commission. Staff summarized the Commissioners' requests as: 1) check into commemoration by plaque, 2) discuss a Press Release with the City Administrative Offices, and 3) prepare a list of achievements of the Commission. E. Chairperson Mouriquand stated she is part of a movement lobbying the County to fill the Archaeologist position that has been vacant for 20 years. Many artifacts and historic buildings have been lost in that time. Her group will be meeting with the Board of Supervisors to get them to consider filling this vacancy. Listing the accomplishments of the City of La Guinta would be a good example of what a small group can do to help save the history of the Valley. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioners Wright and Wilbur to it was moved and seconded by adjourn this Regular Meeting of the 5 Historic Preservation Commission April 22, 2004 Historic Preservation Commission to the next Meeting to be held on May 20, 2004. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: (l;J1Jli ;/0 Carolyn \4alker Secretary , \ (J tLfU!i:L<-, 6