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2001 02 15 HPCFy OF TNEO HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA The Regular Meeting to be held in the Session Room at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California February 15, 2001 3:00 P.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2001-005 CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call II. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Historic Preservation Commission on matters relating to historic resources within the City of La Quinta which are not Agenda items. When addressing the Historic Preservation Commission, please state your name and address and when discussing matters pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for their protection. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Approval of the regular Minutes for the meeting of January 18, 2001 V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report Palm Desert National Bank Site; located at the southeast corner of Washington Street and 4.7"' Avenue. Applicant: Mc Dermott Enterprises Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love) VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Vill. ADJOURNMENT HPC/AGENDA MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA January 18, 2001 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Wright at 3:00 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Mike Mitchell, Maria Puente, Archie Sharp, and Chairman Robert Wright. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Wright to excuse Commissioner Irwin. Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, and Principal Planner Stan Sawa. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Chairman Wright asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of December 21, 2000. There being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Mitchell/Sharp to approve the Minutes of November 9, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Limited Archaeological Testing on Parcel Map 29909 for Specific Plan 2000-050, located north of Calle Tampico, between Avenida Bermudas and Desert Club Drive by CRM Tech for Santa Rosa Plaza, Inc. 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 concurred with staff's recommendations. 002 GA W PDOCS\HPC\HPC I-18-01. wpd -1- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 18, 2001 3. Commissioner Sharp asked for clarification regarding a statement that was made in the report that this was the site of the airport at La Quinta. Staff stated that was true. Commissioner Sharp asked what constitutes an historical discovery? Is it a date? Commissioner Mitchell stated 50 years old or older. 4. Commissioners Puente asked if any further studies would be required around this area. Staff stated it was not being required. This is why the trenching was done to determine if there; was a need for further study. 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-001 accepting the Limited Archaeological Testing on Parcel Map 29909 for Specific Plan 2000-050, as recommended. Unanimously approved. B. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey and Testing Report - Vista Montana: located at the northwest corner of Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico for KSL Development Corporation. 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. Commissioner Mitchell stated he was surprised that the Bureau of Land Management did not have survey or homestead records that would talk about this residence. He wonders if someone has mislocated the records and whether or not it was really there. He has seen the maps at UC Riverside and they have records back to the late 19`h Century and on and they show residences. CRM Tech should look at the Riverside County tax records and insurance records to see if there is any information there:. They should also check the resources of the Historical Society and say something in the report if in fact, it was on this parcel. He is not recommending they write the whole history for this report, but they should summarize it, and refer to other publications regarding the residences. 3. Chairman Wright stated the Commission looked at this property before 1992 and there was a foundation of some sort there, and the Commission discussed that this was the original site where all the adobe bricks were made for the La Quinta Hotel. Staff stated G:\WPDOCS\HPC\HPC1-18-01.wpd -2- 003 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 18, 2001 they did not recall this; however, Commissioner Irwin had stated that the Historical Society did have extensive information on the site. 4. Chairman Wright asked if this project was going to be apartments. Planning Manager Christine di lorio stated they were to be condominiums which will probably be fractional ownership. There are three different planning areas; residential units with three stories, an area designated for employee parking for the La Quinta Hotel, KSL corporate offices, distribution center, and an area for retail. 5. Commissioner Sharp asked staff to identify the location of this project. Staff explained and showed the location on the map. 6. Dr. Michael Hogan, CRM Tech, stated he is uncertain as to the history of the site, but they had conducted their research and the research showed nothing had been on the site. Commissioner Mitchell asked if he had contacted LIC Riverside. Dr. Hogan stated yes, and nothing was found. Discussion followed regarding research procedures and the site. Staff stated the City had completed its survey, but had not recorded the landmarks at the local level. Dr. Hogan stated they wanted to have access to check the City's records. Chairman Wright stated the City had cataloged several of the historical sites, but were still in the process. The problem with this site was that there was nothing there except a slab. Staff stated CRM Tech was working with staff on updating of the General Plan Cultural Resource Element. The Context Statement is a part of this document as well and the date grove is significant as far as the Context Statement is concerned. Dr. Hogan stated their concern was that in their standard methods of research, this site was not found. 7. Commissioner Mitchell asked if Dr. Hogan had looked at the historical index cards as it was not referred to in the report. Dr. Hogin stated they only do this when they see some structure on the property. Commissioner Mitchell stated that sites are homesteaded and sometimes structures are never built and they fall out of the records, so this is another area that should be researched. G:AWPDOCS\HPC\lIPCI-18-0I.wpd -3- 004 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 18, 2001 2. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-002 accepting the Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey and Testing Report - Vista Montana, as recommended. Unanimously approved. C. Cultural Resources Assessment for APN 649-040-013; located at the east side of Dune Palms Road, approximately 500 feet south of Westward Ho Drive. Applicant: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. 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 stated he concurs with the report and staff's recommendations. 3. Commissioner Sharp and Puente stated he too concurs. 4. Chairman Wright stated he concurs with the report and staff's recommendation. 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-003 recommending approval of the Cultural Resources Assessment for APN 649-040-013, as conditioned. Unanimously approved. D. Report on Archaeological Monitoring for the La Quinta Court Project; to be located on the southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway 111. Applicant: G. J. Murphy Construction. 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 stated he concurs with staff's recommendation. 3. Commissioners Sharp and Puente also concurred with staff's recommendation. 005 G:\WPDOCS\HPC\HPC1-18-01.wpd -4- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 18, 2001 4. Chairman Wright stated he too agreed with staff's recommendation. 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-004 recommending approval of the Report on Archaeological Monitoring for the La Quinta Court Project, as conditioned. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Puente to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission on February 15, 2001. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:43 p.m. January 18, 2000. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: Betty J. Sawyer Executive Secretary 006 G:\WPDOCS\HPC\HPC 1-18-0l.wpd -5- DATE: ITEM: LOCATION: APPLICANT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: BACKGROUND: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT FEBRUARY 15, 2001 HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES REPORT - PALM DESERT NATIONAL BANK SITE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND 47T" AVENUE MC DERMOTT ENTERPRISES CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL) The study area is a 4.8 acre parcel on Washington Street immediately west of Lake La Quinta. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources assessment has been completed for the vacant property in anticipation of a future application for construction of a commercial development. The assessment includes an archaeological and historical resources record search and field reconnaissance of the property. This assessment will be part of the environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act for the project application. DISCUSSION: An archaeological records search for the property was conducted at the Eastern Information Center located at UC Riverside. The records search indicated that the study area had not been previously surveyed for cultural resources and no archaeological sites have been recorded within or adjacent to the project area. Within a one-half mile radius of the property 20 area -specific cultural resources studies have been conducted. As a result of these studies, 21 prehistoric archaeological sites, six historic -era structures, and one site with both prehistoric and historic -era components have been identified and recorded within the one-half mile radius of the study area. Historical background research was conducted at the Science Library Map Room at UC Riverside and at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office in Riverside. The search indicated that during the 1940-1950's period two structures existed but disappeared during the ensuing decades. They were replaced by several new structures near the southern boundary which showed up on the 1980 United States Geological Survey (USGS) map. These structures are no longer existing. 007 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 sp 2000-049.wpd The intensive -level on -foot field survey of the study area did not result in any prehistoric sites, features, isolates, or evidence of objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years old. There was a scattering of concrete, broken glass, pipe, irrigation lines, the cutoff ends of a pipe corral, a pile of cultivator rowing blades, an old style generator, and well with associated electrical poles and boxes. CRM TECH states that none of the features appear to be more than 50 years of age. Based on the negative findings of the study, CRM TECH concludes that no historical resources exist within or adjacent to the project area. Therefore, approval of the project will have no effect on any "historical resources" as defined by CEQA. The report states that no further investigation is recommended unless the project area is expanded or buried cultural materials are discovered during construction. STAFF COMMENTS: The "Historical Context Statement" prepared by Staff in April, 1996, identified the study site as property which at the time contained one of the original homesteads originally occupied by Manning Burkett. Five generations of Burkett's have lived on this homestead till the 1990's when the main house was damaged by fire and later demolished along most of the other improvements on the property. The date of these improvements dates back to more than 50 years ago. This report does not: include discussion on the historic significance of the residence and original owners. Furthermore, there is no discussion on any homesteading history of the property. Further research to answer the above questions is needed. The La Quinta Historic Society should be consulted for this issue. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Palm Desert National Bank", as prepared by CRM TECH, subject to the following condition: 1. Prior to issuance of a building permit for the first building on the study area the report shall be revised to include historic significance of the homestead, the original owners, and historical ownership of the property. Attachments: 1 . Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Palm Desert National Bank (Commissioners only) 2. Excerpt from the City of La Quinta Historic Context Statement Prepared by: 2. S Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Submitted By: Christine di lorio, Planning Manager 008 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 sp 2000-049.wpd ATTACHMENT #1 jAN 1 , 20a1 J! CITY OF LAQUINTA PLANNING DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT PALM DESERT NATIONAL BANK SITE City of La Quinta Riverside County, California Submitted to: Colin McDermott McDermott Enterprises P. O. Box 163 Palm Desert, CA 92261 Submitted by: Bruce Love, Principal Bai "Tom" Tang, Historian Mariam Dandul, Report Writer Harry M. Quinn, Lead Archaeological Surveyor CRM TECH 2411 Sunset Drive Riverside, CA 92506 December 5, 2000 CRM TECH Contract #599 Approximate lyy 4.8 Acres La Quinta, Calif., N' Quadrangle Section 30, T5S R7E, San Bernardino Base Meridian 009 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY In November, 2000, at the request of McDermott Enterprises, CRM TECH performed a cultural resources study on approximately 4.8 acres of vacant land in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The subject property of the study, located on the southeast corner of Avenue 47 and Washington Street, is the site of a proposed branch of the Palm Desert National Bank. It consists of a portion of the east half of Section 30, T5S R7E, San Bernardino Base Meridian, as depicted in the USGS La Quinta, Calif., 7.5' quadrangle. The purpose of the study is to provide the City of La Quinta, Lead Agency for the project, with the necessary information and analysis to determine whether the proposed construction would cause substantial adverse changes to any historical/archaeological resources that may exist in or around the project area, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance. In order to identify and evaluate such resources, CRM TECH conducted a historical/ archaeological resources records search, historical background research, and an intensive -level field survey of the project area. Through the various avenues of research, this study did not encounter any "historical resources," as defined by CEQA, within cr adjacent to the project area. Therefore, CRM TECH recommends that the City of La Quinta may reach a finding of No Impact regarding cultural resources. No further cultural resources investigation is recommended for the proposed project unless project plans undergo such changes as to include areas not covered by this study. However, if buried cultural materials are encountered during construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds. O10 TABLE OF CONTENTS MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ......................................... INTRODUCTION............................................................ SETTING........................................................................... Current Natural Setting ............................................... CulturalSetting............................................................ Prehistoric Context ................................................... Historic Context........................................................ METHODS..................................................................................................................................... RecordsSearch...................................................................................... Historical Research.............................................................................. FieldSurvey......................................................................................... RESULTSAND FINDINGS.................................................................... RecordsSearch Results....................................................................... Historical Research Results................................................................ Field Survey Results........................................................................... DISCUSSION........................................................................................... RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................... CONCLUSION........................................................................................ REFERENCES.......................................................................................... APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS ............................. LIST OF FIGURES ..........................................5 ........................................1.5 ..........................................5 ........................ I .................6 ..........................................6 ..........................................7 ..........................................8 ..........................................9 ...................................10 .........................................10 ............I............................11 .........................................12 Figure 1. Project vicinity """""""'-'"*"*'1 Figure2. Figure 3. Project area..................................................................................... Overview of a portion of the project area......................................................................3 Figure 4. Previous cultural resources studies................................................................................6 Figure 5. The project area and vicinity in 1855-1856.....................................................................7 Figure 6. The project area and vicinity in 1901..............................................................................7 Figure 7. The project area and vicinity in 1941..............................................................................8 - -------8 Figure 8. The project area and vicinity in 1954-1959..................................................... Oil ii INTRODUCTION In November, 2000, at the request of McDermott Enterprises, CRM TECH performed a cultural resources study on approximately 4.8 acres of vacant land in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Fig. 1). The subject property of the study, located on the southeast corner of Avenue 47 and Washington Street, is the site of a proposed branch of the Palm Desert National Bank. It consists of a portion of the east half of Section 30, T5S R7E, San Bernardino Base Meridian, as depicted in the USGS La Quinta, Calif., 7.5' quadrangle (Fig. 2). The study is a part of the environmental review process for the proposed project, as required by the City of La Quinta, Lead Agency for the project, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; PRC §21000 et seq.) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Title 7, La Quinta Municipal Code). CRM TECH performed the present study to provide the City of La Quinta with the necessary information and analysis to determine whether the proposed construction would cause substantial adverse changes to any historical/archaeological resources that may exist in or around the project area. In order to identify and evaluate such resources, CRM TECH conducted a historical/archaeological resources records search, historical background research, and an intensive -level field survey of the project area. The following report is a complete account of the methods, results, and final conclusion of the study. ,r ti Project location �z�ui n :� "M1AY Ylsrn i i�A N�11' 1 tN _ 1N n rowArAm .r , IL , SCALE 1:250,000 0 5 tOmiles ` cs_ 7 r„ 4 8 _m - r M1etz3 ; t 3 ;. t �IhU NFS coochelia _ - 9 l H � ►..�1,tN . i �� lc t.�. 1 nr, zc. . . Figure 1. Project vicinity. (Based on USGS Santa Ana, Calif., 1:250,000 quadrangle [USGS 19791) 012 1 wt I { y ,.,Point i .. Project area r __. 5 i iii •r. y �`, SCALE 1:24,000 _ 0 m 1 mile 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 feet ,r Figure 2. Project area. (Based on USGS La Quinta, Calif., 1:24,000 quadrangle [USGS 19801) 0113 2 SETTING CURRENT NATURAL SETTING The project area is located in the Coachella Valley, on the western edge of the Colorado Desert, which encompasses the eastern portion of Riverside County. Dictated by this geographic setting, the project area and its environs are marked by extremes in temperature and aridity. Temperatures in the region reach over 120 degrees in summer, and dip to near freezing in winter. Average annual precipitation is less than five inches. The project area is bounded by Washington Street on the west, Avenue 47 on the north, Caleo Bay on the east, and graded pads to the south. Elevations in the project area range around 60 feet above mean sea level. Most of the project area is well exposed, with only a few trees, including fan palms, eucalyptus, and tamarisk, and bushes present (Fig. 3). The property has been highly disturbed in the past by construction and agriculture. Situated in an old sand dune area that was probably formed as a series of mesquite dune complexes, the project area is close enough to the ancestral Whitewater River channel to have been periodically covered by water during flooding. At depth, it probably contains past Whitewater River Delta/Dune Complex sediments overlying and interfingering with older (Holocene) Lake Cahuilla sediments. CULTURAL SETTING Prehistoric Context The Coachella Valley is a historical center of Native American settlement, where a large number of Indian villages and rancherfas, occupied by the Cahuilla people, were observed a s�' '"""...yr� _ � .—.max ' � . ••� . Figure 3. Overview of a portion of the project area, showing typical landform, soils, and plants. 014 in the mid-19th century. The Cahuilla, a Takic-speaking people of hunters and gatherers, are generally divided by anthropologists into three groups, according to their geographic setting: the Pass Cahuilla in the San Gorgonio Pass -Palm Springs area, the Mountain Cahuilla in the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the Cahuilla Valley, and the Desert Cahuilla in the eastern Coachella Valley. The Cahuilla did not have a single name that referred to an all-inclusive tribal affiliation. Instead, membership was in terms of lineages or clans. Each lineage or clan belonged to one of two main divisions of the people, known as moieties. Members of clans in one moiety had to marry into clans from the other moiety. Individual clans had villages, or central places, and territories they called their own, for purposes of hunting game, gathering food, or utilizing other necessary resources. They interacted with other clans through trade, intermarriage, and ceremonies. Population data prior to European contact are almost impossible to obtain, but estimates range from 3,600 to as high as 10,000 persons. During the 19th century, however, the Cahuilla population was decimated as a result of European diseases, most notably smallpox, for which the Native peoples had no immunity. Today, Native Americans of Desert Cahuilla heritage are mostly affiliated with one or more of the Indian reservations in the Coachella Valley, including Torres Martinez, Augustine, Agua Caliente, Cab.azon, and Moron5w. Historic Context In 1823-1825, Jose Romero, Jose Maria Estudillo, and Romualdo Pacheco, leading; an expedition in search of a route to Yuma, became the first noted European explorers to travel through the Coachella Valley. However, due to its harsh environment, few non - Indians ventured into the desert valley during the Mexican and early American periods, except those who traveled across it along the established trails. The most important among these trails was the Cocomaricopa Trail, an ancient Indian trading route that was "discovered" in 1862 by William David Bradshaw and became known after that as the Bradshaw Trail. In the Coachella Valley, this historic wagon road traversed a course that is very similar to today's Highway 111. During the 1860s-1870s, the Bradshaw Trail served as the main thoroughfare between coastal southern California and the Colorado River, until the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876-1877 brought an end to its heyday. Non -Indian settlement in the Coachella Valley began in the 1870s, with the establishment of railroad stations along the Southern Pacific Railroad, and spread further in the 1880s, after public land was opened for claims under the Homestead Act, the Desert Land Act, and other federal land laws. Farming became the dominant economic activity in the valley, thanks to the development of underground water sources, often in the form of artesian wells. But it was not until the completion of the Coachella Canal in 1948-1949 that farmers in the arid region obtained an adequate and reliable water supply. The main agricultural staple in the Coachella Valley, the date palm, was first introduced around the turn of the century. By the late 1910s, the date palm industry had firmly established itself, giving the region its celebrated image of "the Arabia of America." Starting in the 1920s, a new industry, featuring equestrian camps, resort hotels, and eventually country clubs, gradually 015 spread throughout the Coachella Valley, and since then transformed it into southern California's leading winter retreat. In the City of La Quinta, the earliest settlement and land development activities did not occur until the turn of the century. In 1926, with the construction of the La Quinta Hotel, the development of La Quinta took on the character of a winter resort, typical of the desert communities along Highway 111. Beginning in the early 1930s, the subdivision of the larger cove area of La Quinta and the marketing of "weekend homes" further emphasized this new direction of development. On May 1,1982, La Quinta was incorporated as the 19th city in Riverside County. METHODS RECORDSSEARCH CRM TECH archaeologist Mariam Dandul (see App. 1 for qualifications) conducted the historical/archaeological resources records search at the Eastern Information Center (EIC), located at the University of California, Riverside. During the records search, Dandul examined maps and records on file at the EIC for previously identified cultural resources inside or within a half -mile radius of the project area, and existing cultural resources reports pertaining to the vicinity. Previously identified cultural resources include properties designated as California Historical Landmarks, Points of Historical Interest, or Riverside County Landmarks, as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the California Historical Resource Information System. HISTORICAL RESEARCH Historical background research for this study was conducted by CRM TECH historian Bai "Tom" Tang (see App. 1 for qualifications) on the basis of published literature in local and regional history and historic maps depicting the La Quinta area. Among maps consulted for this study were the U.S. General Land Office's (GLO) township plat maps dated 1856, and the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) topographic maps dated 1904, 1941,1959, and 1972. These maps are collected at the Science Library of the University of California, Riverside, and/or the California Desert District of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, also located in Riverside. FIELD SURVEY On November 28, 2000, Harry M. Quinn, CRM TECH archaeologist (see App. 1 for qualifications), carried out the intensive -level field survey of the project area. During the survey, Quinn inspected the entire project area systematically by walking east -west parallel transects spaced 10 meters (ca. 33 feet) apart, closely examining the ground surface for any evidence of human activities dating to the prehistoric or historic periods (i.e., 50 years ago or older). Areas with high concentrations of recent materials were examined more closely after the initial survey. Wo RESULTS AND FINDINGS RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS According to records on file at the Eastern Information Center, the project area has not been covered by any previous cultural resources surveys. Outside the project boundaries but within a half -mile radius, a total of 20 previous studies were conducted on various parcels of land (Fig. 4). These and other studies have resulted in the identification and recordation of 21 prehistoric sites, 6 historic -era sites, and 1 site with both prehistoric and historic -era components. The 21 prehistoric sites include various lithic and ceramic scatters, habitation debris, hearths and a cremation. The site with both prehistoric and historic -era components consist of a rock shelter as well as structural remains and a well. Historic -era buildings built in the 1920s and 1930s account for four of the historic -era sites. The remaining two historic -era sites were identified as a water conveyance system and a ranch built in the early 1900s. None of these previously recorded sites are situated within or adjacent to the project area; therefore, none of them needs further consideration during this study. li n '- Scope of 2615 -- . .... records - .. t ... 2614 - 24- , 2 r `eku search z . ` �Ey. • � "t ttq le — ,, Project 2a21 1 5 .• , 353 j %. 4660 area a� ;2'` = x -4- 4826 2 t� �1�as s ti ., ' t j - ,_ k• 1260 '°off 3738 4 63 ) .- 272flaf487. 47 ... ...... 451 JAreas previously surveyed SCALE 1:24,000 ..... 1000 0 1000 2000feet : t t Figure 4. Previous cultural resources studies in the vicinity of the project area, listed by EIC manuscript file number. Locations of previously recorded cultural resources are not shown as a protective measure. 01-1 6 HISTORICAL RESEARCH RESULTS As Figures 5-8 show, evidence of human activities has been recorded in the vicinity of the project area throughout the 150 years since the Lid-1850s, when the earliest detailed maps were compiled. At that time and again around the turn of the century, sources indicate a road traversing through or in close proximity to the project area (Figs. 5, 6). Judging from its course,.this road was undoubtedly a part of the historic Cocomaricopa- Bradshaw Trail. Despite the presence this early transportation thoroughfare, no other man-made features or any other indication of settlement and land development activities were noted in or near the project area in the 19th and early 20th centuries (Figs. 5, 6). By 1941, a lone building, presumably a ranch house, had appeared just outside the southeastern boundary of the project area, from which a foot trail passed through the project area (Fig. 7). Also by that time, what is now Washington Street had come into being as Marshall Street, the main access to the budding community of La Quinta, along the western boundary of the project area (Figs. 7, 8). During the 1940s and especially the 1950s, the La Quinta area experienced a period of rapid expansion, thanks to the completion of the Coachella Canal in 1948-1949. In the project area. this expansion period ushered in two buildings just off Marshall Street, the earliest standing structures known to have existed within the project boundaries (Fig. 8). During the ensuing decades, both of these buildings disappeared, and were replaced by several LU 0 b 6,0 I 00 r; - _ L Project area_ , r ii I C� \\ "i ®mile Figure 5. The project area and vicinity in 1855-1856. (Source: GLO 1856a; 1856b) �. Ya & M t i .., =. Project \ area I.i tr a ao j �.S 1 S. SCALE 1:125 000 012miles Figure 6. The project area and vicinity in 1901. (Source: USGS 1904) 018 24 -9 9 I 1` �. , " 120 Project I ,. e wells area ----- �_ P9 _- i 32-. l -� it �l I SCALE 1:62,500 0 1 mile f 1 Figure 7. The project area and vicinity in 1941. (Source: USGS 1941) Figure 8. The project area and vicinity in 1954-1959. (Source: USGS 1959) new buildings clustered around the southern boundary of the project area (Fig. 2). None of these, however, has survived to the present time, as noted during the field survey for this study (see below). FIELD SURVEY RESULTS The results of the field survey are negative. The ground was closely inspected with special attention paid to all areas likely to contain any evidence of past human activities, but no evidence of any buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years old were found during the walkover field inspection. A scattering of concrete, broken glass, wood, plastic baling twine, plastic pipe, and metal pipe was observed throughout the project area, while a concentration of broken concrete, asphalt, and gravel was noted along the northern boundary. But no identifiable structural remains were found in the project area. A pile of cultivator rowing blades and an old-style generator were observed in the southeast corner of the project area. Other evidence of construction and agricultural activities on the property included a driveway entrance on Washington Street, a water meter, and a well with associated electrical poles and boxes, all in the southern part of the project area. A pipe hitching rail, the cutoff ends of a pipe corral system, a number of plastic drip irrigation lines, and several 1/2-inch galvanized water lines are also present. A large hole has been excavated and left open in the southwest corner. None of these features appear to be more than 50 years of age, and thus none of them was recorded during this study. 019 0 DISCUSSION The purpose of this study is to identify any cultural resources within or adjacent to the project area, and to assist the City of Riverside in determining whether such resources meet the official definitions of "historical resources," as provided in the California Public Resources Code, in particular CEQA. According to PRC §5020.1(j), "'historical resource' includes, but is not limited to, any object, building, site, area, place, record, or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically significant, or is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California." More specifically, CEQA guidelines state that the term "historical resources" applies to any such resources listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, included in a local register of historical resources, or determined to be historically significant by the Lead Agency (Title 14 CCR §15064.5(a)(1)-(3)). Regarding the proper criteria for the evaluation of historical significance, CEQA guidelines mandate that "a resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be 'historically significant' if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources" (Title 14 CCR §15064.5(a)(3)). A resource may be listed in the California Register if it meets any of the following criteria: (1) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California's history and cultural heritage. (2) Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past. (3) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values. (4) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (PRC §5024.1(c)) A local register of historical resources, as defined by PRC §5020.1(k), "means a list of properties officially designated or recognized as historically significant by a local government pursuant to a local ordinance or resolution." For properties within the City of La Quinta, the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Title 7, La Quinta Municipal Code) provides for the establishment of a historic resources inventory as the official local register. A historic resource may be considered for inclusion in the historic resources inventory based on one of more of the following: A. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history; or B. It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history; or C. It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, is a valuable example of the use of the indigenous materials or craftsmanship or is representative of a notable work of an acclaimed builder, designer or architect; or D. It is an archaeological, paleontological, botanical, geological, topographical, ecological or geographical site which has the potential of yielding information of scientific value; or 9 020 E. It is a geographically definable area possessing concentration of sites, buildings, structures, improvements or objects linked historically through location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and/or association, in which the collective value of the improvements may be greater than the value of each individual improvement. (LQMC §7.06.020) As stated above, none of the man-made features observed in the project area appears to be more than 50 years old, and the buildings that once occupied a portion of the project area, of which no identifiable remains were found during this study, apparently date only to the post -WWII period. No buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more than 50 years of age were encountered on the property. Based on these findings, and in light of the criteria listed above, this study concludes that no historical resources exist within or adjacent to the project area. RECOMMENDATIONS CEQA establishes that "a project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment" (PRC §21084.1). "Substantial adverse change," according to PRC §5020.1(q), "means demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of an historical resource would be impaired." Since no historical resources were encountered during the course of this study, CRM TECH offers the following recommendations to the City of La Quinta: • No historical resources exist within or adjacent to the project area, and therefore no substantial adverse change to a historical resource will be caused by the project as currently proposed. • No further cultural resources investigation is necessary for the proposed project unless project plans undergo such changes as to include unstudied areas. • If buried cultural materials are discovered during construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds. CONCLUSION The foregoing report has provided background information on the project area, outlined the methods used in the current study, and presented the results of the various avenues of research. Throughout the course of the study, no historical resources, as defined by CEQA, were encountered within or adjacent to the project area. Therefore, CRM TECH[ recommends that the City of La Quinta may reach a finding of No Impact regarding cultural resources. No further cultural resources investigation is recommended for the proposed project unless project plans undergo such changes as to include areas not covered by this study. However, if buried cultural materials are encountered during construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds. 1321 10 REFERENCES GLO (General Land Office, U.S. Department of the Interior) 1856a Plat Map: Township No. 5 South Range No. 6 East, San Bernardino Meridian; surveyed in 1855-1856. Microfiche on file, Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District, Riverside. 1856b Plat Map: Township No. 5 South Range No. 7 East, San Bernardino Meridian; surveyed in 1855-1856. Microfiche on file, Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District, Riverside. USGS (United States Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior) 1904 Map: Indio, Calif. (30', 1:125,000); surveyed in 1901. 1941 Map: Toro Peak, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1941. 1959 Map: Palm Desert, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1954, field - checked in 1957 and 1959. 1979 Map: Santa Ana, Calif. (1:250,000); 1959 edition revised. 1980 Map: La Quinta, Calif. (75, 1:24,000); 1959 edition photo -revised in 1978. 11 APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Bruce Love, Ph.D., RPA (Register of Professional Archaeologists) Education 1986 Ph. D., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles. 1981 M.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles. 1976 B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles. 1996 "CEQA 101," presented by the Association of Environmental Professionals. 1995 "CEQA Workshop," presented by Association of Environmental Professionals 1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites," presented by the Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno. 1994 "CEQA 1994: Issues, Trends, and Advanced Topics," presented by UCLA Extension. 1990 "Introduction to Federal Projects and Historic Preservation Law," presented by U.S. General Services Administration Training Center. Professional Experience 1993- Owner and Principal, CRM TECH, Riverside. 1990-1993 Director, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside; Coordinator, Archaeological Information Center, UC Riverside. 1989-1990 Coordinator, Archaeological Information Center, UCLA. 1987-1990 Owner and Principal, Pyramid Archaeology, Palmdale, California. 1986-1987 Junior Fellow, Dumbarton Oaks Center for Pre -Columbian Research, Washington, D.C. 1981-1986 Part-time cultural resources management consultant; doctoral student at UCLA. Memberships Register of Professional Archaeologists. Association of Environmental Professionals. American Planning Association. Society for American Archaeology. Society for California Archaeology. Coachella Valley Archaeological Society. ,_. 0213 12 PROJECT HISTORIAN Bai '"Tom" Tang, M.A. Education 1988-1993 Graduate Program in Public History/Historic Preservation, UC Riverside. 1987 M.A., American History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. 1982 B.A., History, Northwestern University, Van, China. 2000 "Introduction to Section 106 Review," presented by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the University of Nevada, Reno. 1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites," presented by the Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno. Professional Experience 1993- Project Historian, CRM TECH, Riverside, California. 1993-1997 Project Historian, Greenwood and Associates, Pacific Palisades, California. 1991-1993 Project Historian, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside. 1990 Intern Researcher, California State Office of Historic Preservation, Sacramento. 1990-1992 Teaching Assistant, History of Modem World, UC Riverside. 1988-1993 Research Assistant, American Social History, UC Riverside. 1985-1988 Research Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University. 1985-1986 Teaching Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University. 1982-1985 Lecturer, History, Xi'an Foreign Languages Institute, Xi'an, China. Honors and Awards 1988-1990 University of California Graduate Fellowship, UC Riverside. 1985-1987 Yale University Fellowship, Yale University Graduate School. 1980, 1981 President's Honor List, Northwestern University, Xi'an, China. Cultural Resources Management Reports Preliminary Analyses and Recommendations Regarding California's Cultural Resources Inventory System (With Special Reference to Condition 14 of NPS 1990 Program Review Report). California State Office of Historic Preservation working paper, Sacramento, September 1990. Approximately 350 cultural resources management reports with the Archaeological Research Unit, Greenwood and Associates, and CRM TECH, since October 1991. Membership California Preservation Foundation. 024 13 LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR Harry M. Quinn, M.S. BLM Cultural Resources Use Permit No. CA 99-01-013 Education 1978 Certificate in Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles. 1968 M.S., Geology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 1964 B.S., Geology, Long Beach State College, Long Beach. 1962 A.A., Los Angeles Harbor College, Wilmington. 1996 "Cultural Resources and CEQA: Your Responsibility," presented by the Association of Environmental Professionals, Hemet. 1991 "Ceramic Workshop," presented by Jerry Schaefer, Palm Springs. 1990 "Introduction to Coachella Valley Archaeology," presented by Anne Duffield, Palm Desert. 1989 'Prehistoric Rock Art and Archaeology of the Southern California Deserts," presented by Anne Duffield, UC Riverside Extension (Course No. ANT X434.15), Palm Springs. Professional Experience 1998- Project Archaeologist/Field Director, CRM TECH, Riverside. 1994-1996 Environmental Geologist, E.C.E.S., Inc., Redlands. 1992-1998 Independent Geological/Archaeological/Environmental Consultant, Pinvon Pines. 1988-1992 Project Geologist/Director of Environmental Services, STE Associates/Soil and Testing Engineers, San Bernardino. 1987-1988 Senior Geologist, Jirsa Environmental Services, Norco. 1986 Consulting Petroleum Geologist, Loco Exploration, Inc., Aurora, Colorado. 1978-1986 Senior Exploration Geologist, Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production, Englewood, Colorado. 1966-1978 Exploration and Development Geologist, Texaco, Inc., Los Angeles. Memberships Coachella Valley Archaeological Society (President,1993-1994; Vice President,l'992,1995- 1999; Basic Archaeology Training Course Instructor, 1996-1998; Environmental Assessment Committee Chair, 1997-1999); Coachella Valley Historical Society; Malki Museum; Southwest Museum; El Paso Archaeological Society; Ohio Archaeological Society; Museum of Fur Trade. Publications in Archaeology and History Approximately fifty articles in the publications of the Southwest Museum, the American Rock Art Research Association, the Colorado Archaeological Society, the Utah Rock Art Research Association, the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society, and the Coachella Valley Historical Society. 14 025 REPORT WRITER Mariam Dandul, B.A. Education 2001 (Exp.) M.A., Anthropology (specializing in Archaeology), California State University, Fullerton. 1993 B. A., Geography, California State University, Fullerton. Professional Experience 2000- Project Archaeologist, CRM TECH, Riverside. Laboratory and Field Experience 1999-2000 Assisted in the catalogue and analysis of artifacts at the CSU, Fullerton archaeology laboratory. 1999 Field survey course under the direction of Phyllisia Eisentraut; surveyed and mapped prehistoric site in the Mojave Desert. 026 15 ATTACHMENT #2 house still exist. The Riverside County Architectural Survey Form Number is 16-10-06-06, dated April 24, 1981. In 19_ Manning Burkett homesteaded an area located approximately one mile south of the present day Highway 111, adjacent to Washington Street. Five generations of Burketts have lived on this homestead Lremince that time. In 1995, the main house suffered a kitchen fire and was demolished. In March of 1996 the aining structures were demolished. Horse corrals still exist on the ranch. The ranch has not been ecorded by a historian or surveyed by an historic archaeologist. T Point Happy Ranch was homesteaded by Norman "Happy" Lundbeck at the turn of the century. The rand included the one -room Point Happy School, which served the area between Palm Springs and two miles a st of Washington Street until 1916, when the structure was relocated to Indian Wells. The school district b undaries included over 190 square miles and included present-day Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta, s well as a swath eight miles wide that extended across the Santa Rosa Mountains to the southern cou ty line ( after Fulmor 1916: 119). On July 1, 1929, the Point Happy School merged with the Indio Scho District(Coachella Valley Water District 1978:31). The Point Happy Ranch had a stable and a small store where the Santa Rosa mountain spur reaches out into the desert. The ranch was in the path of the Bradsh'' w Stage road. Only a few hundred yards to the west of the ranch was a stage stop and watering hole (La\Quinta Historical Society n.d.)- The ranch was purchase' in 1922 by Chauncy D. Clarke, a famous philanthropist. He also acquired several adjoining parcels totalir 115 acres. Mr. Clarke named the property the Point Happy Date Gardens. Mr. Clarke planted a large porti`�of his initial 134-acre property in Deglet Noor date palms. His ranch became a great success, known not only for it dates but for prized Arabian horses and lavish gardens. Mr. Clarke died on August 22, 1926. Prioi\�o his death, Mr. Clarke sold his Arabian horses to the Kellogg Ranch in Pomona, now the site of the California State Polytechinic University, Pomona. Marie Clarke, Chauncy's wife, was instrumental in founding and financially underwriting the Indio Women's Club. Mrs. Clarke died on October 30, 1948 (La Quinta Historical Society n.d.l. The Point Happy Date Garden was laterNsold to Mr. William DuPont, Jr., a member of the famous DuPont family. He built a home astride a mountain saddle in the Santa Rosa mountain spur that overlooked the Point Happy Ranch. Below, in the date garden, he built a Spanish style home, in 1965, for Miss Alice Marble, a tennis celebrity in the 1930's, with pool and tennis court. There are several workers houses on the ranch as well as equipment sheds and carports. Mr. DuPont died on December 29, 1965. Portions of the ranch were sold off to subdividers. The rant is owned today by Dr. Earl R. Kiernan, from Tustin, California. (La Quinta Historic Society n.d.l. 2.4 AGRICULTURE In 1849, Or. Oliver M. Wozencraft, an Indian Agent for the government noted that the Indians in the desert were successfully cultivating plots around springs and water holes (Coachella Valley Water District 1978: 110-111)- In 1888, Stephen Bowers traveled through the Coachella Valley and observed that the Indians raised alfalfa, wheat, barley, corn, tomatoes, melons, and other crops. The White settlers were grooving 027 21