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2001 04 19 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 APRIL 19, 2001 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Wright 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 Irwin, Mitchell, Puente, Sharp, and Chairman Wright. 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 March 22, 2001, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Archaeological/Historical & Paleontological Resources Assessments for Tentative Tract 30092. adjacent to the City of La Quinta. Riverside CQJ.!nty. California, located at the northwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 58. Applicant: Barton Properties - Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock RPA) and Paleontological Consultant: CRM Tech (Harry Quinn). 1. Planning Manager di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. P:\CAROL YN\HPC4-19-01.wpd -1- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 19,2001 2. Commissioner Sharp asked if the location of the project was close to the Torres-Martinez land and had the Tribe been notified of the project. 3. Planning Manager di Iorio replied that the project was not close to their property. 4. Chairman Wright stated he thought this area was formerly under 80 feet of water. 5. Commissioner Irwin added it was, as well as the reservation. 6. Commissioners Mitchell, Irwin, Sharp and Puente all concurred with staff's recommendation. 7. Chairman Wright also agreed with staff's recommendations. 8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Mitchell/Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2001-008 recommending approval of the 1). Archaeological/Historical and 2). Paleontological Resources Assessments for Tentative Tract 30092, adjacent to the City of La Quinta, located at the northwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 58. Unanimously approved. B. Report on Archaeological Monitoring for Aliso I (Tract 27519 and Aliso II (Tract 29563) projects located northwest of the intersection of Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive. Applicant: Century-Crowell Communities - Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock RPA). 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 findings. 3. Commissioner Irwin asked if the effect of the Whitewater River was reflected anywhere in the report. 4. Planning Manager di Iorio questioned whether she was referring to the first report. P:\CAROL YNlHPC4-19-Q I. wpd -2- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Apri119,2001 5. Commissioner Irwin replied, yes and added, at one time, the Whitewater River was as wide as the Colorado River. She wondered, since so little had been found in this highly sensitive area, if it was due to the height of the project area. 6. Planning Manager di Iorio replied she would review the initial report and get back to the Commission. 7. Chairman Wright asked if the archaeologist was recommending monitoring. 8. Commissioner Puente, as well as Chairman Wright, asked if there would be a final report, or if this was the final report. 9. Planning Manager di Iorio answered this was the final report because there was a Negative Declaration determination with no monitoring recommended. 10. Commissioner Irwin and Chairman Wright commented on the clarity of Mr. Brock's reports and thanked him for including the colored photos and maps, which gives the Commissioners a better visualization of the project. 11. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-009 accepting the report on Archaeological Monitoring for Aliso I and Aliso II projects, located northwest of the intersection of Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive. Unanimously approved. C. Revised Historical/Archaeological Resources Report - Palm Desert National Bank Site, located at the southeast corner of Washington Street and Avenue 47. 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 recommendation. 3. Commissioner Irwin also agreed, and questioned Page 10 where it states ... "A local register of historical resources..." "...means a list of properties officially designated or recognized as historically significant by a local government...". She wanted to know if now P:\CAROL YN\HPC4-19-0 l.wpd -3- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 19, 2001 was the time to bring up the subject of historic plaques. The Burkett Ranch and Point Happy were being dev.eloped and she thought the Commission should discuss the inclusion of plaques to designate these historic areas. 4. Planning Manager di Iorio informed the Commission that on April 17'h, the City Council approved the Specific Plan, Parcel Map and the Site Development Permit for a bank that was being built on the corner of the old Burkett Ranch property. At that time, Council Member Henderson requested adding a condition that the developer provide a historic plaque under the following time frame: 1) The language of the plaque shall be done prior to issuance of the grading permit; 2) The placement and design of the plaque shall be done prior to issuance of building permit; and 3) The plaque shall be installed prior to final occupancy of the bank building. 5. Commissioner Irwin asked if those conditions would only apply to that property, or to all historic properties being developed, 6. Planning Manager di Iorio stated it would refer to this property only, but the Commission could consider putting a program together for plaques for other historic properties in the future. 7. Commissioner Irwin also asked if a plaque would be included on different types of sites, such as, a homestead, or an Indian village, since they are still very significant regardless of what is found on the property. The site is still historic. 8. Commissioner Sharp stated there should be some consistency in the design of these plaques. 9. Planning Manager di Iorio thought it might be better to bring this subject up when Debbie Powell, Management Assistant presented her Grant Proposal to the Commission. 10. Chairman Wright added it was an important point the Commission needed to address. 11. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2001-010 accepting the Revised Historical/Archaeological Resources Report for the Palm Desert National Bank site. Unanimously approved. P:\CAROL YNlHPC4-19-Q I. wpd -4- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Apri119,2001 D. Review of a Grant Proposal to the State Office of Historic Preservation for Historic/Archaeological Preservation Plan. Historic Context Statement, aDd Revised Historic PresJ;lrvation Ordinance. Applicant: City of La Ouinta, 1. Debbie Powell, Management Assistant, presented the report on the Grant Proposal and asked for any comments from the Commissioners. 2. Commissioner Irwin asked about the time frame for the Grant, 3. Management Assistant Powell explained how the grant had been structured to allow time to complete the work within the time frame. 4. Commissioner Mitchell thought this was a wonderful idea and was very pleased the City of La Ouinta was doing this. 5. Commissioner Irwin agreed it was a fantastic idea and was pleased to be going forward with the plans. 6, Planning Manager di Iorio stated part of the Grant project would be to expand identification of historic structures from the previous Historic Resources Survey. 7. Commissioner Irwin thought there were 52 original home sites in the Cove area, with about 37 that had not been significantly altered. 8. Planning Manager di Iorio stated the homeowners of the structures that had already been altered, might also benefit from the survey and the historic information it would provide. It would be nice to have the resources available if they are interested in preserving the design and architectural integrity of their homes. 9. Commissioner Sharp asked if any of these homeowners would be interested in restoration. 10. Planning Manager di Iorio replied she had received several inquiries from interested homeowners P:\CAROL YN\HPC4-19-01.wpd -5- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Apri119,2001 11 . Chairman Wright stated most of the people he talked with who owned historic homes, wanted to fix them up. He then asked Commissioner Sharp if he had received the previous Historic Structure Survey which included pictures and descriptions of the properties already listed. 12. Commissioner Sharp replied he had not. 13. Planning Manager di Iorio stated copies of the previous Historic Structure Survey would be given to Commissioners Sharp and Mitchell. 14. Commissioner Sharp was concerned the historic preservation program could have a negative affect on local development. 15. Planning Manager di Iorio stated the program would enable the City to work with the homeowners to provide guidelines to ensure compatibility with historic structures. 16. Commissioner Sharp asked if it was the Spirit of historic preservation rather than a rigid archaeological reconstruction program. 17. Planning Manager di Iorio replied the Commission would not get involved in minor remodeling issues such as paint colors. The Commission would only be involved when there would be irreparable damage to the structure. If a homeowner was planning an addition, the City would like to talk to them about the possibility of putting any additions in the rear, as opposed to being visible from the front. An exception would be the old style garages. 18. Commissioner Sharp stated if it is more generic in nature and more accommodating to the homeowners preferences, he was in favor of the program. 19. Commissioner Puente stated the Grant was needed to update the previous report and add more details that may have been missed on the previous report. 20. Commissioner Sharp asked if the plaques would be included in this program. P:ICAROL YNIHPC4-19-0 l.wpd -6- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 19, 2001 21 . Planning Manager di Iorio replied it might be. 22. Chairman Wright commented on how far the Commission had come since 1994. 23. Commissioner Sharp stated he had seen a report that the City's population had increased 111 %. 24. Management Assistant Powell answered that was correct as stated in the current census. 25. Chairman Wright and Commissioner Puente remarked on how much the City had grown in the eight years the Commission has been functioning. 26. There being no further discussion, the report was accepted as presented. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. There was a general accommodations for the Conferences in May. discussion upcoming about transportation and Millenium and Preservation B. Telecommunications Towers Materials. 1 . Chairman Wright asked if telecommunications equipment was going to be installed at the La Ouinta Hotel. Planning Manager di Iorio replied there would not be a telecommunications antenna in the La Ouinta Hotel tower. It would be placed further back adjacent to one of the larger buildings on the east side of the service road. a. Commissioner Irwin asked what type of tower would be used. b. Commissioner Sharp stated the tower would resemble a palm tree, but was unsure of the technical name. P:\CAROL YN\HPC4-19-0 l.wpd -7- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 19, 2001 c. Commissioner Irwin stated it would be a "monopalm". d. Planning Manager di Iorio stated she had recently met with Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint and all three companies were interested in installing antennas in the La Quinta Cove Resort. e. Commissioner Irwin stated there had been plans for an antenna to be installed in the clock tower of the ballroom. f. Planning Manager di Iorio stated those plans were no longer being pursued. AT&T was now looking at moving one of their towers closer to Eisenhower Drive. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Mitchell to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to a special meeting to be held on May 24, 2001. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:29 p.m., April 19, 2001. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: c~er!U~ Secretary P:\CAROL YNlHPC4-19-0 I.wpd -8-