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2002 10 17 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 October 1 7, 2002 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Maria Puente at 4:00 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 Irwin, Wright, and Chairman Puente. Absent: Commissioners Mouriquand and Sharp. Staff Present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa and Secretary Lynda Kerney. A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to excuse Commissioners Sharp and Mouriquand. Unanimously approved. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to approve the Minutes of September 26, 2002 as submitted. Unanimously approved. B. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Irwin to approve the Minutes of October 3, 2002, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Historical/Archaeolo[:lical Resources Survey Report (Phases I and II) Applicant: Dale F. Frank, Jr. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love and Michael Hogan, principals) P:ICAROLYNIHIST PRES COMIHPC 10-17-02.WPD -1- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 17. 2002 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 Wright noted the absence of the Phase II Report and asked when the report would be completed. CRM TECH Representative Michael Hogan replied it would be available in December. 3. Commissioner Wright asked if the applicant was in a hurry to begin the project. Applicant's representative, Hal Hall of HJH Construction answered that Mr. Dale Frank, the owner of the project, was in fact, anxious to start. Commissioner Wright explained that without the Phase II report, the Commission could not approve moving forward with the work. 4. Commissioner Irwin provided some historic information in addition to that presented in the report by CRM TECH. Norman "Happy" Lundbeck had built a house close to Washington Street and Highway 111, between two sand dunes and amid dense mesquite. The house was difficult to see, but was there through the 1920s. Close to Simon Drive, there was a trash dump and an area where date and citrus tree clearings were burned. The Clarks purchased the property in 1921. Commissioner Irwin noted that she had spoken to a descendant of Lundbeck who was very knowledgeable of the site. 5. Commissioner Irwin stated she is pleased with the project and looks forward to its completion. 6. Mr. Hall asked about the location of the Lundbeck dwelling. Commissioner Irwin explained it was close to Washington Street. 7. Mr. Hogan asked if Bai "Tom" Tang of CRM TECH had contacted Commissioner Irwin regarding history of the property. Commissioner Irwin said she had not spoken to Mr. Tang. The information she gave is based on the archival research of the Historical Society. If Mr. Tang would like to speak with the Lundbeck descendant, she would make arrangements for contact. 8. Chair Puente asked for clarification of staff's recommendation. Staff explained that CRM TECH had submitted a report on Phase I, but only a letter summary of Phase II. Staff recommends acceptance of the Phase I report, but not Phase II. Conditions P:ICAROLYNIHIST PRES COMIHPC 10-17-02.WPD "2" Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 17. 2002 require the approval of Phase II by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to City Council approval. 9. Staff confirmed that the project is on the City Council agenda for November 19th. CRM TECH will have to submit the Phase II report in early November in order for the project to proceed. Commissioner Irwin suggested convening a special meeting to approve the report so as not to delay the project. 10. Mr. Hogan pointed out that the field work for Phase II is complete. Commissioner Irwin responded that this Commission requires a full report in thesis form. A letter is not sufficient. Commissioner Wright concurred. 11 . There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to adopt Minute Motion 2002-024 accepting the Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report- "Washington Park Project" (Phase I) subject to conditions. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Irwin questioned reports being submitted by CRM TECH that are not complete. Staff responded that the incompleteness of the report could be due to the developer's pressure to move forward. 1. Commissioner Irwin suggested the reports not be scheduled for Commission review until the reports were complete. Commissioner Wright concurred. 2. Commissioner Wright indicated his displeasure about the demolition of the house at 59-650 Madison Street as discussed last meeting. The CRM TECH Report should have contained stronger language to indicate that it could have been a historical resource. He has drafted a letter to the City Council regarding the issue. It is not the job of CRM TECH to make a determination about the historical value of a building. He suggested sending a letter to each of the firms that usually provide these reports. 3. Commissioner Irwin concurred and requested staff draft a letter, "r P:\CAROLYN\HIST PRES COM\HPC 10-17-02.WPO Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 17. 2002 for Chairwoman Puente's signature, notifying the firms that reports will not be scheduled until complete reports are accepted. 4. Commissioner Irwin reiterated that she would like a letter to the City Council drafted. Commissioner Wright volunteered to draft a letter for Commission consideration. B. Commissioner Wright noted that he had not received his agenda packet in the mail until this morning. Staff will deliver packets instead of mailing them from now on. C. Chairwoman Puente asked what happened to Lauren Weiss, the consultant who previously attended Historic Preservation meetings. Staff explained that the City no longer contracts with her. D. Commissioner Irwin reminded the Commissioners that work on the Context Statement needed to be completed. 1 . Staff stated no direction had been given regarding the continuation of the historical survey. 2. Chairwoman Puente pointed out that funding must be found. 3. Commissioner Wright emphasized the need for the survey. If the survey had been completed the house at 59-650 Madison Street would have been identified and there would at least be a record. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to a special meeting to be determined, or the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on November 21,2002. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: r~r-f~r Lynda J. Kerney Secretary V4V P:ICAROL YNIHIST PRES COMIHPC 10-17-02.WPD