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2002 09 26 HPC Minutes MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 26, 2002 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Maria Puente at 3:07 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, Mouriquand, Sharp, Wright and Chairman Puente. Staff Present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Lynda Kerney. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Mouriquand to approve the Minutes of August 15, 2002, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Phase I Historical and Archaeological Resources Survey Report for the Realigned Madison Street between Avenue 58 and Avenue 60 Applicant: Coral Option I, LLC/T.D. Desert Development Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love, Principal) 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 Mouriquand asked if off site monitoring had been P:ICAROL YNIHist Pres ComlHPC 9-26-02.wpd -1- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 26, 2002 considered in the recommendation. Dave Twedt of Shea Homes, representing the applicant, pointed out that the project is just a right-of-way alignment, and is entirely located on the subject property and all activities will take place within the boundary. 3. Commissioner Wright asked if the two 1940s - 50s era houses on the site were included in the original survey done of the City. 4. Commissioner Mouriquand said the survey was done before the subject area was part of the City of La Guinta. The survey should be updated. 5. Commissioner Wright indicated he would visit the site to view the houses present on the site. Although the Archaeology Report indicates the houses are of no historical significance, they should at least be documented with photographs before being demolished. 6. Commissioner Mouriquand asked about the history of the houses. She indicated the structures should be fully documented before demolition. Mr. Twedt said he believed the 1940 ranch house had already been torn down. A permit was received from the City's Building and Safety Department. 7. Commissioner Mouriquand pointed out that a demolition permit should never have been issued prior to the presentation to this Commission. A title search should be done. 8. Principal Planner Sawa explained that the Archaeology Report determined the structures had no historical significance. He believed a title search had been performed by CRM Tech. 9. Commissioner Wright said that if a building permit had in fact been issued by the Building and Safety Department, it could jeopardize the Commission's certification on a Federal level and create a liability for the City. He indicated the City could face litigation from the Federal Government, and the City Council should be notified. Commissioner Mouriquand concurred. Mr. Twedt believed that CRM Tech had documented the structure. 10. Commissioner Wright pointed out that the intention of this Commission is to prevent the destruction of valuable historical properties such as what had recently happened with the Neutra P:\CAROL YNIHist Pres ComlHPC 9-26-02.wpd -2- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 26, 2002 House in Indian Wells. If the house is already gone, it is not the fault of the developer who had received a demolition permit, it is the fault of the City. 11 . Commissioner Mouriquand said mitigation cannot be completed if the house has already been destroyed. She recommended a continuance of the issue until the matter can be resolved. 12. Mr. Twedt requested the Commission proceed as quickly as possible due to critical timing of the placement of water lines and delay of construction. 13. Commissioner Irwin reminded the Commission that time had been spent determining the wording for recommendation of off-site monitoring, and it has not been included in this case. She believes it should be included in every case. Staff will modify the condition. 14. Commissioner Wright apologized to the developer for delaying the project. Federal guidelines need to be followed and the issue of the houses should be resolved. This Commission has identified that anything more than 50 years old is historic, and shall be documented. A comprehensive report on the houses should have been submitted as part of the CRM Tech report. 15. Mr. Twedt informed Commissioners that it was not the intention of the developer Shea Homes to circumvent any City procedures. He believes the project is a great benefit to the City and asked that the issue be resolved as quickly as possible to allow the project to proceed. 16. Commissioner Irwin pointed out that this area was recently annexed and the Commission has not yet had a chance to historically review the area. 1 7. Commissioner Mouriquand asked if there was environmental work done for the annexation. Principal Planner Sawa replied that the County of Riverside did an environmental report. 18. The office of CRM Tech was contacted by telephone. In response to Commissioner Mouriquand, CRM Tech Project Historian/Architectural Historian Bai "Tom" Tang indicated that the P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 9-26-02.wpd -3- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 26, 2002 primary report on the houses in question was not yet completed, but should be done in one week. Commissioner Mouriquand requested the report be faxed to staff for review. 19. Commissioner Wright asked that CRM Tech finish the report and deliver it by Monday, September 30 in order for the Commission to complete its recommendation. The structure of most concern is 59-650 Madison Street. 20. Commissioner Irwin requested CRM Tech include the primary record in the report submitted to the Commission. 21 . There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Irwin to continue this item to a meeting to be held Thursday, October 3 at 4 p.m. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Irwin reminded staff to include Commission elections on the next appropriate agenda. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Irwin to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to a special meeting to be held on October 3, 2002. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:29 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: L~f;7 Secretary P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 9-26-02.wpd -4-