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2001 10 18 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 Octocer 18, 2001 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Maria Puente at 3:02 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, Mitchell, Sharp, Wright, and Chairman Puente. Unanimously approved. Staff Present: 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/Mitchell to approve the Minutes of September 20, 2001 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of the Point Haoov Ranch Proiect Area: a request for approval of the Phase I Cultural Resources investigation of a 43 acre parcel of property located on the west side of Washington Street, approximately 300 feet south of Highway 111. Applicant: Point Happy Ranch, LLC - Archaeological Consultant: McKenna Et AI (Jeanette A. McKenna, 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. P:\CAROL YNlHPCI 0-18-0 l.wpd -1- Historic Preservation Connnission Minutes October 18, 200 I 2. Commissioner Mitchell recommendations. concurred with the staff's 3. Commissioner Wright stated he was in favor of staff's recommendations but thought the site should be monitored during any kind of excavation. 4. Commissioner Irwin also supported staff's recommendations but was concerned about monitoring the site and preservation of certain trees that are a part of Point Happy's history. She also pointed out Attachment #1, Page 004, had the wrong map. She added one of the buildings, on that property, was the first air- conditioned building in the Valley and the entrance itself, is historic. 5. Commissioner Wright stated it was in the City of La Quinta's Historic Primary Record. He added most of the buildings were dilapidated but still had historical significance as well as the entry way gates. When the Commission looked at the Tradition project they were very emphatic about every saveable building. As a result the garages near the Hacienda were saved. He suggested the staff report recommend every structure be looked at on its own historic merit. This project should be handled the same way Tradition was handled, including saving historic trees, especially since planting citrus was tried there for the first time, as well as experiments with growing cotton. 6. Commissioner Sharp stated he wasn't as familiar with the property as the other Commissioners but he does know Louise Neeley and he did know Alice Marble. According to the staff report photos there did not appear to be much worth saving. There was some good ironwork and it would be nice if it was incorporated somewhere in the project. 7. Chairman Puente asked if the applicant would like to address the Commissioners' concerns. 8. Archaeological Consultant McKenna pointed out Happy Lunbeck owned a larger parcel than what was included in this project and this portion did not have sugar cane, nor cotton. P:\CAROL YNlHPClO-18-01.wpd -2- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 9. Commissioner Irwin replied the Historical Society had photographs which showed these crops being cultivated on this property. Archaeological Consultant McKenna asked if they were grown in this specific area. Commissioner Irwin answered yes. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated she was not aware of this information while conducting her study. She used what information was provided. The original property was considerably larger, but this portion did not show any physical evidence of that type of activity. 10. Commissioner Irwin stated the road that goes up over the hill was once part of the stage line. 11. Archaeological Consultant McKenna agreed but stated the stage stop itself, was not on the property. 12. Commissioner Irwin stated it was at Indian Wells, across the street. She added the Cultural Report referred to Happy Lunbeck, while the staff report did not. Point Happy Ranch started in 1920 and got its name from Happy Lunbeck. 13. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated Point Happy, as the date farm, assumed the name. It wasn't called Point Happy Date Farm. 14. General discussion followed regarding the reference to Point Happy Ranch versus Point Happy Date Farm and the fact that the project property had become commonly known as Point Happy Ranch. 15. Commissioner Irwin asked who was contacted at the Historical Society. 16. Archaeological Consultant Jeanette A. McKenna stated she had spoken with Mrs. Louise Neeley, who was born and raised on the Point Happy property and she also referred them to another gentlemen who contributed the name of a third individual. That was why a recommendation was made in the report, that an Oral History needed to be prepared on this property. P:\CAROL YNlHPClO-18-01.wpd -3- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 17. Commissioner Wright stated his number one concern was preserving the structures that were deemed historic. They needed to be integrated into the project the same way the Hacienda was integrated into Traditions. 1 B. Principal Planner Sawa introduced the applicant's representative, Mr. Robert Sundstrom. He stated Point Happy LLC started working on the project approximately two-and-a-half years ago at which time they began looking into the history of the Ranch and the historical nature of anything that was still remaining. They went through a private assessment, filed an initial study and started the public process to have the City determine those buildings that potentially had any historical value in the site planning process. He added they did recognize there were a lot of significant trees in the project and did have an arborist do a complete count of every tree, every tree species, the nature of the tree, the condition of every tree, and the type of tree. The instructions given to the arborist were to look at the trees for condition, age, and the possibility of relocation on site and utilization within the project itself. It was the applicant's intent to reconstruct, or recreate, a date garden feel utilizing as many of the taller trees as possible. They would relocate the date palms that were in condition to be relocated. Their original assessment did not find any buildings that were of strict historical nature that could be either preserved or relocated on the property. A lot of the design criteria in this project relates to the Ranch, its history, the utilization of the ironwork throughout the project, and the installation of citrus in keynote areas to create the idea that this was a ranch and an operating citrus and date grove. The current plan does not incorporate any of the existing buildings. The only building that is currently proposed to be retained is "the Dupont House". The bulk of the houses have considerable structural deficiencies. He then offered to answer any questions. 19. Commissioner Sharp asked if the name of the project would be Point Happy, as it was an important landmark to the community. 20. Mr. Sundstrom answered the project was named "The Pointe at Point Happy Ranch". This was done to differentiate this project from the commercial project "Point Happy" on Highway 111. P:\CAROL YN\HPCIO-18-01. wpd -4- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 200 I 21. Commissioner Sharp asked a question about the width of the entrance gate. 22. Mr. Sundstrom replied he had always been intrigued by the ironwork at the entryway gate. However, as the entryway was now it did not meet the current standards for the Fire Department. The new entryway/wall would be designed to emulate the wall and the fencing with the archway while meeting Fire Department standards. 23. Commissioner Sharp asked if there was a drawing of the building and landscape plans available and what type of architecture would be utilized. 24. Mr. Robert Sundstrom apologized that he did not have any large drawings with him. 25. Commissioner Wright asked why the Oral History was to be done by the Morongo Basin Historical Society, not the La Ouinta Historical Society. He commented the Oral History should be done by the La Ouinta Historical Society. 26. Chairman Puente asked if any of the remaining structures were in good condition. 27. Mr. Sundstrom replied no. 28. Chairman Puente asked what the possibility was to save or relocate them. 29. Mr. Sundstrom replied, in their assessment, the remaining buildings served no useful purpose from a historical point and therefore not incorporated into the site plan. There were a series of assessments done, but the only building to be shown of significance was the old school house which is no longer on the property. It has been the applicant's intent to incorporate the history of the Date Gardens, into the landscaping theme and incorporate the feel of the Date Gardens into the project itself. 30. Commissioner Irwin stated the La Ouinta Historical Society had the City of La Ouinta Curation Standards. She stated she was surprised to find an oral history project from the Morongo Basin Historical Society in the report directing all the information and P:\CAROL YN\HPCI O-18-01.wpd -5- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18,2001 photographs to them. She then asked Principal Planner Sawa why this request was in the back of the report since the City already had standards in place. She added the City was building a state- of-the-art facility and would be one of the few cities in Southern California to have such a facility. She wondered why another facility would be involved. 31. Principal Planner Sawa replied this may have been a recommendation in the report, but the City would have changed it to read the La Ouinta Historical Society. 32. Commissioner Wright suggested a condition be added requiring the Oral History to be prepared in cooperation with the La Ouinta Historical Society. 33. Commissioner Irwin stated if somebody else wanted to participate in the Oral History, they could work with the La Ouinta Historical Society . 34. Archaeological Consultant McKenna commented the Oral History needed to be done in a fashion that was consistent with what had already been done. 35. Commissioner Irwin questioned the use of the Morongo Basin Historical Society. 36. Archaeological Consultant McKenna replied she had nothing in her report making that suggestion. 37. Commissioner Irwin directed the Commission to the back of the report. 38. Archaeological Consultant McKenna said it had been appended by someone other than herself. She only stated that the Oral History needed to be done. 39. Principal Planner Sawa thought the attachment was meant only as an example of what an oral history program would look like, and it should have been marked as a sample. 40. Commissioner Wright stated the concern was any material, oral history, photographs, derived from the Oral History, would become the property of the City of La Ouinta. He suggested another P:\CAROLYN\HPCl 0-1 8-01.wpd -6- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 condition be added reqUiring collected materials become the property of the City of La Quinta per the adopted standards of curation. 41. Mr. Sundstrom asked if Oral Histories were privately prepared. 42. Commissioner Irwin answered she didn't know if they were done privately, but several Historical Societies in the Valley were currently working on Oral Histories. 43. Mr. Sundstrom stated he was more concerned with the format of the report meeting with City's standards. 44. Chairman Puente suggested a correction be made to this report stating the Oral History form be identified as an example of an Oral History. 45. Commissioner Irwin asked Mr. Sundstrom to indicate where the ironwork would be placed. 46. Mr. Sundstrom gave a summary of the project and the proposed site of the trees and ironwork. 47. Commissioner Sharp asked how many apartments would be in the development. 48. Mr. Sundstrom replied there were two structures with a total of 310 units. One unit is planned primarily for independent living, and the second independent clubhouse building was intended for use by the 62 villa units as opposed to the component of the independent living facility. 49. Commissioner Sharp asked if the clubhouse would have a dining room. Mr. Sundstrom stated yes. 50. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the condominiums were for seniors. Mr. Sundstrom replied the whole project was for seniors. 51 . Commissioner Mitchell asked if a senior could move from one area to another, as their needs dictated. Mr. Sundstrom answered that was possible. He then went into the physical layout of the site plan, including street and pedestrian access. P:\CAROL YNlHPCl 0-18-0 l.wpd -7- Historic Preservation Conunission Minutes October 18, 2001 52. Commissioner Irwin asked if there was going to be any access to the shopping center. Mr. Sundstrom replied there currently was none. 53. Commissioner Mitchell stated the archway was a very sensitive issues to the citizens of La Quinta. 54. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was also a sensitive issue with the existing property owner. The applicant had discussed the possibility of saving some of the physical features that are on the property including the gates and archway. There was a suggestion of using it in conjunction with a pedestrian pathway, or cart paths, so it would still meet Fire Department requirements. 55. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the scrollwork and any other appropriate historic objects could be placed in a central location to serve as a miniature display of what the Point Happy once was, and include the Oral History in the same locale. 56. Mr. Sundstrom indicated an area that was a water feature and suggested it might be possible to place items in that general area. He also discussed possible areas where these items could be incorporated into the project. He stated they would use as many of the different types of architectural features, as well as flora, to maintain the historic ambiance of the Date Ranch. 57. Commissioner Wright stated the different architectural styles was why it was so unique. 58. Commissioner Irwin stated another thing that makes this place so unique is the fact that the people who lived there were so self sufficient. They did a little of everything. They were finish carpenters and experimented with different crops. Even the Clark's themselves were very unique people. Mrs. Clark was so concerned about the children, who were growing up on that Ranch, that she sent the girls to high school away from there and built an air-conditioned house for them to sleep in. She also took the women to Idyllwild during the summer while the men stayed to work the Ranch. 59. Mr. Sundstrom acknowledged he had read the history of Point Happy Ranch. P:\CAROL YN\HPClO-18-01.wpd -8- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 60. Commissioner Irwin asked if there might be a place to feature the original photographic history of the Ranch, so people would be able to see and understand the history of Point Happy Ranch. 61 . Commissioner Wright commented it could be similar to what was done at the Tradition with their historical montage and items on the walls in the Hacienda. 62. Commissioner Irwin stated the difference was that Hacienda del Gato had been maintained and Point Happy had not. 63. Mr. Sundstrom stated he was not sure how to respond to that question. He had been working with staff to maintain as much ambiance in the project as they could. 64. Commissioner Irwin thanked the applicant for his efforts and reiterated this is a historic site and the Commission is concerned about not losing the history connected with this site. 65. Chairman Puente asked if there were any plans with more specific places where the historical features could be placed. 66. Mr. Sundstrom replied they did not have final construction drawings. He asked if the plans would come back to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval before the building permits were issued. He asked if the Commission had any ideas on what they would like to see, as well as specific locations. He would be happy to accept them because that was their original intent. 67.. Commissioner Mitchell stated he like the project, but was concerned about the old Ranch and how things were going to be incorporated to retain the flavor and integrity of the original Ranch. 68. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was their full intention to build the project with those parameters in mind. He and his brother had drawn the landscape plan and written a good portion of the Specific Plan because they understood the history of this site and wanted to retain as much of it as possible. 69. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the Commission could see the Specific Plan. P:\CAROL YNlHPCIO-18-01.wpd -9- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 70. Principal Planner Sawa stated a copy of the Specific Plan was available. 71. Chairman Puente stated the Commission would like to review the Specific Plan, as well as a list of what items would be included and where. 72. Mr. Sundstrom then briefly went over some items in the Specific Plan with the Commissioners. 73. Chairman Puente asked if the Commissioners could each have a copy of the Specific Plan. Staff would provide copies to the Commission. 74. Mr. Sundstrom explained they were currently going through the Site Plan process. They needed to refine the placement of all the specific features. The buildings are intended to be in the Castillian-Ranch-style with red tile roofs, slate type features on the facades with earth tones. This all lends to a character very similar to what is at Rancho La Ouinta and the original La Ouinta Resort. 75. Commissioner Wright stated he would like to see what was proposed as to where the walls, gates, and the porticos were going to be placed as the Commission would like the opportunity to comment on these plans. 76. Principal Planner Sawa stated a condition could be added stating prior to issuance of a demolition or grading permit, whichever comes first, the developer shall met with the Community Development Department and the Historic Preservation Commission to determine which existing features of the farm are to be incorporated into the proposed project. 77. Commissioner Irwin commented on one of the date trees near the entrance of the property. 78. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was an Indian Red Gum that cannot be moved. It will die if you move, or trim it. He added most of the Date Palms were not salvageable, but the taller trees could be used in conjunction with a building that is relatively tall, which is what is proposed for this project. P:\CAROL YNlHPCl O-18-0I.wpd -10- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 79. Commissioner Wright concurred with his opinion but added it would be even more important if a photographic record was made of the property as it '3xists. 80. Mr. Sundstrom stated maintaining the historic integrity of the property would be a good marketing feature. 81. Commissioner Wright agreed stating the Traditions had found that to be very true. 82. Commissioner Sharp asked if the applicant proposed a museum on the site. Mr. Sundstrom stated they envisioned more of an all- weather outdoor display. 83. Commissioner Irwin suggested the streets or lanes be named after the people who lived and worked there. She also requested monitoring be required during trenching. 84. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated the report requested monitoring during all earth moving. 85. Commissioner Irwin asked if monitoring was needed during all earth moving, as this was not normally required. 86. Archaeological Consultant McKenna replied it was necessary for pre-history. 87. Commissioner Wright asked Commissioner Mitchell what his thoughts were on the necessity of monitoring during all earth moving. 88. Commissioner Mitchell replied monitoring was not necessary if the trenching was comprehensive enough to satisfy everyone in terms of exploration and subsurface. Otherwise, you would just do the major grading. 89. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated that generally the rough grading, tree removal, and things like that are done initially to determine if there is any prehistory. The trenching is usually at the end for finish Vlork where you get a look at the deeper substrata. If you do not do the rough grade monitoring, you may lose your pre-history. P:\CAROL YNlHPCI 0-18-0 l.wpd -11- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October J 8, 200 J 90. Mr. Sundstrom monitoring is done on a daily basis. 91. Commissioners Wright and Irwin concurred it would be a beautiful project. 92. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-016 recommending approval of Phase I Cultural Resources investigation of a 43 acre parcel of property, located on the west side of Washington Street, approximately 300 feet south of Highway 111, subject to the condition as modified: 1. The Oral History Program shall be prepared in cooperation with the La Guinta Historical Society. 2. Collected materials shall become the property of the City of La Guinta per the City's Standards of Curation. 3. Prior to issuance of a demolition or grading permit, whichever comes first, the developer shall meet with the Community Development Department and the Historic Preservation Commission to determine which existing features of the farm are to be incorporated into the proposed project. Unanimously approved. B. Cultural Resources Assessment For Tentative Tract 30331: a request for approval of the cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, a vacant rectangular 4.18 acre parcel located on the north side of Avenue 50, west of Jefferson Street. Applicants: Santa Properties and Development LLC - Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock). 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 concurred with staff's recommendations. 3. Commissioner Wright asked if all the dunes had been tested. 4. Applicant, Nick Santa stated he spent two-and-a-half days on the backhoe with the Archaeological Consultant. They tested the P:\CAROL YNlHPCI O-18-01.wpd -12- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 entire site and although it had been disturbed ten years ago by the construction of a dwelling lake, nothing was found. Due to the size of the report it would be given to staff at a later date. 5. Commissioner Wright recommendations. then concurred with staff's 6. Commissioner Irwin stated she had gone out to the site and asked if the large dune had been tested. Mr. Santa asked if she was referring to the high point, to which she replied yes. He said that was dirt from the digging for the lake. 7. Commissioner Irwin stated there was vegetation growing on the dune and asked if that was all from the lake. Mr. Santa replied it was. 8. Commissioner Sharp accepted the report as written. 9. Chairman Puente agreed with staff recommendations. 10. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Wright to adopt Minute Motion 2001-017 recommending approval of the Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, a vacant rectangular 4.18 acre parcel located on the north side of Avenue 50, west of Jefferson Street. Unanimously approved. C. Historical. Archaeological. and Paleontological Resources ReDort: a request for approval of the Historical, Archaeological, and Paleontological Resources Report for a 1 5 acre parcel of vacant land located on the north side of Avenue 58, approximately midway between Jefferson Street and Madison Street. Applicant: Coachella Valley Engineers (For La Quinta Construction) - Archaeological and Paleontological 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 Mitchell stated he thought there should be someone to monitor the site. They could also identify archaeological resources, and not just paleontological resources. P:\CAROL YNlHPClO-18-01.wpd -13- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 3. Commissioner Wright agreed with staff's recommendation. 4. Commissioner Irwin agreed with Commissioner Mitchell about the monitoring for both archaeological and paleontological. 5. Commissioner Sharp agreed with the monitoring of both. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-018, and Commissioners Wright/Irwin to adopt Minute Motion 2001- 019 recommending approval of the Archaeological and Paleontological ResoJrces Report for a 1 5 acre parcel of vacant land located on the north side of Avenue 58, approximately midway between Jefferson Street and Madison Street with the following recommendation: A. Monitoring shall be done for archaeological resources as well as paleontological resources. All collected archaeological resources should be delivered to the City of La Ouinta Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Sharp stated he received a copy of the La Ouinta City Council/Planning Commission Joint meeting minutes of September 19, 2001. In those minutes, a statement was made by Ben Scoville, representing the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, where he asked that the City of La Ouinta appoint a member of the Torres-Martinez Tribe to the City's Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Sharp thought that as the Commission dealt with so many areas that touched on this relationship, it seemed like a very good idea. B. Commissioner Irwin added she went to a Museum Conference in Palm Springs last weekend and one of the things that was repeated at all the sessions was that we are guests in their land and they should not only be represented, but consulted on regarding projects. She said the meeting included all the museums from the entire western United States and Canada. P:\CAROL YNlHPC10-18-01 .wpd -14- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 18, 2001 Commissioner Mitchell commented it was a wonderful idea because there were a lot of things archaeologists could see on the ground, but a Native American would be knowledgeable about whether the area was sacred or what it was formerly used for since they have learned about it through their oral history. It would bring a different dimension, a different quality to a Commission and it could work very well. C. Chairman Puente commented that she needed additional training for the year as she was unable to attend the Barstow Conference. Staff said they would look into it. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Sharp to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on November 15, 2001. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:43 p.m., October 18, 2001. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: {Jllltlt-/ If)ll;;fMj Carolyn Walker Secretary P:\CAROL YNlHPCI0-18-01.wpd -15-