2001 09 20 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 20, 2001
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman
Maria Puente at 3:00 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, Mitchell, Sharp, Wright, and Chairman
Puente. Unanimously approved.
Staff Present:
Planning Manager Christine di lorio, 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 Irwin/ Mitchell to approve
the Minutes of July 19, 2001. Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of a 15 + Acre Parcel: a request
for approval of an assessment including a records search and field
reconnaissance of the property, along with archival research for the
property located at the southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue
52. Applicant: RLF Development - Archaeological Consultant:
Archaeological Associates.
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, with the following change in
Recommendation 1.
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The report currently recommends "That a report on the monitoring
shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for
approval prior to issuance of the first occupancy permit, or final
inspection in the study area." The recommendation should read
"The monitoring report shall be submitted to the Historic
Preservation Commission prior to issuance of the first building
permit."
2. Commissioner Sharp asked if th~ house on the subject property
would remain. Principal Planner Sawa answered no, it would be
removed. Planning Manager di Iorio commented the whole
property would be graded, including removal of the dune area.
3. Commissioner Sharp asked if this property was in the area that is
currently planned for a Ralphs grocery store. Principal Planner
Sawa answered no. This property is located on Avenue 52, and
the Ralphs property is located on Avenue 50, approximately a mile
away.
4. Commissioner Wright stated the property was the triangular
parcel not included in the Country Club of the Desert project.
5. Commissioner Sharp asked if staff knew what the developer was
proposing to build. Planning Manager di Iorio stated it could
possibly be a drug store, market and a bank, but project tenants
are not known at this time.
6. Commissioners Mitchell, Wright, and Sharp stated they supported
staff's recommendations.
7. Commissioner Irwin also supported staff's recommendations, and
asked that the monitoring continue on the project.
8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-013
recommending approval of the Phase I Cultural Resources
Assessment of a 15:t Acre Parcel, located at the southeast corner
of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52. Unanimously approved.
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September 20, 2001
B. Archaeological Monitoring Report for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site; a
request for approval of soil removal operations and leveling report at the
project borrow site. Applicant: City of La Ouinta - Archaeological
Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love).
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. Commissioners Mitchell and Wright supported staff's
recommendations.
3. Commissioner Irwin supported staff's recommendation but
requested monitoring when development begins on the property.
4. Commissioner Sharp asked a question about this parcel being a
portion of a larger parcel. Principal Planner Sawa answered yes,
it was. Planning Manager di Iorio commented Phase II had been
completed on the whole property, but this particular area was of
concern because of sand blowing from the dune onto the
neighbors' property. Once development begins the rest of the
monitoring will be completed.
5.
Commissioner Sharp
recommendations.
stated
he
supported
staff's
6. Chairman Puente asked a question about the location of curation
facilities.
7. Commissioner Irwin answered artifacts are currently stored at the
La Ouinta Historical Museum until the new museum is complete.
There was general discussion about storage and preservation
practices. Planning Manager di Iorio stated all items were boxed
and kept up to museum and curation standards.
8. Chairman Puente asked how the human remains were handled.
Planning Manager di Iorio answered there are Federal Laws
prescribing how these items are handled.
9. Chairman Puente asked when the new museum was going to be
completed.
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10. Commissioner Irwin answered the current time frame is projected
to be within two years. In the meantime, all artifacts are being
kept in a secured, air conditioned room with all items in an acid-
free environment, properly labeled, with all the catalogs and
reports per Commission direction.
11. Chairman Puente stated she supported staff's recommendations.
12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Irwin/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-014
recommending approval of the Archaeological Monitoring Report
for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site; a request for approval of soil
removal operations and leveling report at the project borrow site.
C. Phase II Archaeological Testing. Mitigation. and Monitoring of a Ten Acre
Commercial Site; a request for review of a final report on the testing and
monitoring of the grading at the site. Applicant: Madison Development
(Ed Alderson) - Historic Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
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. Commissioners Mitchell and Wright stated they supported staff's
recommendations.
3. Commissioner Irwin had a question regarding one of the
restaurants having a basement. Planning Manager di Iorio
answered that had been an issue but it had not been determined
whether a basement could be included.
4. Commissioner Irwin asked that a condition be added that if a
basement is added monitoring be required if there was excavation
below the normal grade. She cited the proximity to the
Whitewater area. Planning Manager di Iorio stated that condition
could be added.
5. Commissioner Sharp stated he accepted staff's recommendations.
6. Chairman Puente stated she supported staff's recommendations.
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7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Sharp/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-015
recommending approval of the Archaeological Monitoring Report
for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site; a request for approval of soil
removal operations and leveling report at the project borrow site,
with the addition of the following recommendation:
A. Monitoring shall be required during excavation, if a
basement is approved for any of the buildings.
Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTF.N MATERIAL
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
A. Relay for life memo from Community Services Director, Dodie Horvitz.
B. Cultural Commission Symposium on November 3 from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
C. Question about Museum Conference in October to fulfill CLG (Certified
Local Government) eligibility requirements for Chairman Puente.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Sharp/Mitchell to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the
next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on October 18, 2001. This meeting of the
Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:22 p.m., September 20, 2001.
Unanimously approved.
Submitted by:
~~~ft.;..~v
Secretary
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