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2004 09 16 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 September 16, 2004 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Allan Wilbur at 3:06 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. B. Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Mouriquand, Wright, and Chairman Wilbur Puente, Sharp, Staff Present: Interim Community Development Department Director Oscar Orci. Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Commissioner Wright requested the reading and approval of the minutes be postponed until the end of the meeting. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Puente to discuss and approve the minutes of August 19, 2004 under Commissioner Items C. Unanimously approved. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation for Tentative Tract Map 31874; and PaleontoloQical Assessment Report for a 40-acre site for Tentative Tract Map 31874. Applicant: Stonefield Development Consultants: San Bernardino County Museum, Division of Geological Sciences and The Keith Companies Location: Northwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 53. P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 9-16-04.doc Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 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. Interim Community Development Department Director Oscar Orci asked that it be stated for the record that Commissioner Mouriquand was present, will be absent from this item due to a conflict of interest, as she had participated in the preparation of this report. 3. Commissioner Sharp asked in what city the property was currently located. Staff replied the property is currently in an unincorporated County area, in La Quinta's Sphere of Influence, and is in the process of being annexed. The project is scheduled to be heard by LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) next week. Commissioner Sharp also asked about the survey in 1999 and the comments about the property being inaccessible. Staff replied the report didn't state why the property was inaccessible but the consultant may have been unable to survey the property because it was a working vineyard at the time. 4. Commissioner Puente commented she thought the report was very complete, put together well, and interesting to read. She questioned whether the Native American contact list was the most current list available. Staff replied it should be the most up-to-date list. Commissioner Puente added she concurred with staff conditions. 5. Commissioner Wright said he thought this was a good report and liked the fact that the original deeding was put in the report. He agreed with staff recommendations on monitoring. 6. Commissioner Puente commented this was one of the most complete reports the Commission had ever received and it was a very good reference. 7. Chairman Wilbur said he could only echo everyone else's comments as well as to state this was a very well documented report and had all the pertinent correspondence with the proper parties contacted. 2 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 8, It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2004-027 approving the Cultural Resources Report as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Puente, Sharp, Wright and Chairman Wilbur. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Mouriquand. ABSTAIN: None. 9. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report regarding the Paleontological Assessment Report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 10. Interim Community Development Department Director Oscar Orci asked that it be stated for the record that Commissioner Mouriquand was present, but is absent for this item due to a conflict of interest, since she had participated in the preparation of this report. 11. Commissioner Puente asked if Paleontological findings are brought back to the Commission in the form of a list, or other form of follow-up report. Staff replied the Consultant does a record survey and the information is collected, but is not brought back to the Commission for review. The artifacts are either kept for future use by the City, or taken to a designated Museum. The City maintains an inventory of what was found. 12. Commissioner Sharp stated Commissioner Puente may have been asking about the completion (conclusion) of the reports. The reply she was given referred to the listing and collection of artifacts in a report. 13. Commissioner Puente replied she was referring to both the written report and the artifacts. She wanted to know if the monitoring report ever came back to the Commission. Staff replied, after monitoring, the consultant is supposed to prepare a'report for the City which does have what was found during the monitoring. This report isn't usually brought back to the Commission. Occasionally, a project such as the Point Happy Ranch, which was specifically designated to be reviewed by the Commission, will be brought back. The City keeps all the monitoring information and artifact inventory in the project files. Commissioner Puente commented that unless there was a major 3 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 discovery, such as human remains, the report would not be brought back to the Commission. Staff replied that was correct. 14. Commissioner Wright said the Commissioners could always contact staff to find out the results of the surveys. He added when the City's Museum was built everything would be filed, according to report, in the Museum. Staff commented that human remains are handled by the Coroner's Office and they determine whether or not they are historical and take the necessary measures to contact the local tribes, if appropriate. Staff gave examples of some of the artifacts which were previously presented to the Commission. 15. Commissioner Puente said it would be nice to find out what happened on a project. Staff replied if anything of significance was found, they would notify the Commission. 16. Chairman Wright asked if the staff recommendations encompassed all the recommendations made by the consultant. Staff replied they did include all the recommended conditions and may have even overlapped the consultant's recommendations. 17. Commissioner Wright complimented staff on the addition of proof of retention of monitors prior to earth moving. He also agreed with staff's recommendations for on- and off-site monitoring. 18. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente and Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2004-028 approving the Paleontological Assessment Report as submitted. A YES: Commissioners Puente, Sharp, Wright and Chairman Wilbur. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Mouriquand. ABSTAIN: None. B. Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of a 17,883 square foot piece of lot. Applicant: James F. Kelly Archaeological Consultant: The Keith Companies (Leslie Mouriquandl Location: Southwest corner of Desert Club Drive and Calle Barcelona 4 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented contained in the staff report, a copy of which Community Development Department, the information is on file in the 2. Interim Community Development Department Director Oscar Orci asked that it be stated on the record that Commissioner Mouriquand was present for the meeting, but will be absent from this item due to a potential conflict of interest as she had participated in the preparation of this report. 3. Commissioner Sharp had a question about the definition of Old Town and the Village Area. Staff replied Old Town La Quinta was the name of a commercially-developed project in the designated Village Area. 4. Commissioner Puente had a question about the contact list dated May 2004. The contacts were not the same as the contacts in the previous report. She asked if this list was the newest one. Staff replied it should be the most current. 5. Commissioner Wright stated he agreed with the staff's recommendations. 6. Commissioner Puente commented this report was very complete and a good reference. 7. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente and Wright to adopt Minute Motion 2004-029 accepting the Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Puente, Sharp, Wright and Chairman Wilbur. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Mouriquand. ABSTAIN: None. 8. Commissioner Mouriquand rejoined the meeting. 5 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 VI. . CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: A. Commissioner Wright brought in several newspaper articles which were distributed to the Commission. Copies are on file in the Community Development Department. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Discussion of Native-American Heritage Commission and Local Tribes for Cultural Resources Assessments (Notification Protocol). 1. Interim Community Development Department Director Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the memo, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Wright asked if staff wanted the Commissioners to vote on the Notification Protocol. Staff replied the Commissioners could review the recommendations and if they concurred, make a motion to recommend a policy to the City Council. The Commission could also review the information and make a recommendation at a later meeting. The policy requires the applicant, or his agent, to notify the Native American Historical Commission and local Native American Tribes. The City would keep an up-to-date contact list for preparation of Cultural Resources Assessments. The notice would include the project description, location, and a request for comments from the Tribes. The proof of mailing and any comments could be incorporated in the Cultural Assessment Report. Staff added there could be a notation that any failure to comply with the notice could result in a continuance, or rejection of the report. 3. Commissioner Wright agreed and suggested that the Commission recommend approval of the policy to the City Council. 4. Commissioner Mouriquand commented on the mandated S8 18 guidelines and the City's compliance. She stated the guidelines were well written. 6 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 5. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Sharp to recommend adoption of the policy to the City Council, as outlined in the memo. Unanimously approved. B. Staff asked if all Commissioners had received SB 18. The Commissioners replied they had not. Staff said they would provide a copy in the next packet. C. Approval of the Minutes of August 19, 2004. 1. Commissioner Wright was not in attendance for the August 19, 2004 meeting, but in reading the minutes had replies to some of Commissioner Mouriquand's questions on Business Item A. #8 and #15. He stated the Honey Mesquite trees don't transplant well and are thorny, thereby creating a liability for their owners. The trees sprouted well from seed, but they were currently left off all current Architectural Plant Palette lists because they are extremely dirty. Chilean Mesquite was the only variety approved on the Plant Palette List since they don't have the problem with thorns. He said leaving trees on the existing property would be a good idea as well as a good will gesture towards the Native Americans. 2. Commissioner Mouriquand asked if the seeds and pods could be harvested before the trees were removed. She suggested the indigenous seeds could be made available to anyone interested in perpetuating Honey Mesquites in the area. Staff suggested the Commission could add this recommendation to any future projects regarding the collection of seeds, or transplanting of indigenous trees. Staff added the ALRC (Architecture and Landscape Review Committee) did have a concern about the Honey Mesquite trees and their maintenance. 3. Commissioner Mouriquand commented the Mesquite wood was used for a variety of traditional Native American arts and crafts. She suggested the developer might want to contact the local tribes to ask them if they would like have some of the wood, or seeds, from these trees to foster good relations with the local tribes. 7 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 4. Commissioner Wright said this was a good idea as there were a lot of Honey Mesquites being removed. He suggested an article be given to each of the Valley cities suggesting they consider harvesting the seeds or wood. 5. Commissioner Sharp said this would make a wonderful school project. 6. Staff recommended the Commission advise the applicants, on case-by-case basis for each project. Staff made the comment it is within the purview of the Commission, to make this suggestion. 7. Mr. John Goodman, of the Keith Companies, introduced himself and told the Commission there were some Tribal groups going back to their native practice of cremating tribal members and were having a hard time getting the prescribed varieties of wood. He recommended, since they.needed several types of uncommon wood, the project wood could be salvaged and a letter written to the local tribes to collect the wood to stockpile in their Chapter Houses for traditional uses. He commented it would be a very good thing and suggested the Commission consider, or discuss, giving the Native Americans the opportunity to salvage this wood. Staff suggested, when appropriate, the Commission could add a requirement to the Conditions of Approval. 8. Commissioner Mouriquand said the Commission would have to rely on staff to tell them what kinds of plants are on the properties if it is not already presented in the Cultural Resources report. She said Staff needed to make sure the Commission got the information to know those resources were available. 9. Commissioner Wright suggested discussion of Landscape Resources be added to a future agenda. 10. Chairman Wilbur suggested the discussion be agendized fairly soon so it isn't forgotten. Staff asked what information the Commission would propose staff provide. 8 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 11. Commissioner Mouriquand suggested a Historic Landscape Tree Policy. 12. Commissioner Wright suggested adding a Historic Landscape Tree Policy in the standardized recommendations for monitoring and include it in each project. This policy would include the possibility of working with the Native Americans to preserve the wood, seeds, or by-products of the trees. Staff replied they would need to agendize the matter and specifically discuss thresholds on the number of trees. 13. Commissioner Mouriquand suggested including those types of trees traditionally used by the Native Americans which were becoming rare. Staff replied they would agendize this matter as the Commission would have to look at all the issues involved in a standardized recommendation. 14. Chairman Wilbur asked if this recommendation, as opposed to developers to consider. would be added as a a requirement, for the 15. Commissioner Mouriquand said this would give the Commission an opportunity to discuss the potential mitigation issues and the rationale behind them. She suggested it might be beneficial to get some input and advice from the local Native Americans. 16. Mr. John Goodman, of the Keith Companies, said the tribes would probably be happy to review a letter on the subject. The letter could discuss the possibility of native vegetation being removed, including creosote, and other native species, as well as large, viable Mesquite trees. They would then have the opportunity to comment on their disposition. 17. Commissioner Wright suggested staff contact Mr. Jim Cornett as he would be a good resource. 18. Commissioner Sharp commented this whole conversation was about saving Native American Heritage and there was still no representation, from the local tribes, to discuss these important issues. He emphasized it was very necessary for them to attend the meetings since these issues concern them. 9 Historic Preservation Commission September 16, 2004 19. Commissioner Mouriquand suggested the local tribes be invited for the next meeting to advise them of the importance of this agendized item. Staff replied they had been sending letters and agendas to the local tribes without success and suggested a personal invitation from Commissioner Mouriquand might produce more positive results. Commissioner Mouriquand assented to contacting them. 20. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Mouriquand and Sharp to approve the minutes of August 19, 2004 as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Mouriquand, Puente, Sharp, and Chairman Wilbur. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Wright. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Mouriquand to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next Regular Meeting to be held on October 21, 2004. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:52 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: c~f:J~ Secretary 10