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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
September 20, 2001
3:00 P.M.
Beginning Minute Motion 2001-013
I. 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: sitels) for
their protection.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approval of the regular Minutes for the meeting of July 19, 2001 .
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 an archival research for the
property located at the southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52.
Applicant: RLF Development
Historic Consultant: Archaeological Associates
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HPC/AGENDA
B. Archaeological Monitorin~c Report for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site:; a request
for approval of a soil removal operations and leveling report at the project
borrow site.
Applicant: City of La Quinta
Historic Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
C. Phase II Archaeological Testier Mitigation and Monitorina of a Ten Acre
Commercial Site; a request for review of a final report on the 1:esting and
monitoring of the grading at the site.
Applicant: Madison Development (Ed Alderson)
Historic Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
VIII. 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
July 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.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call.
Present: Commissioners Irwin, Mitchell, Puente, Sharp, and
Chairman Wright. Unanimously approved.
Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Principal Planner
Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn Walker.
C. Election of Chair and Vice Chair.
It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin & Chairman Wright
to nominate Maria Puente as Chair. There being no other nominations,
the nominations were closed and Maria Puente was unanimously elected
Chair.
It was moved and seconded by Chairman Wright and Comrrlissioner
Mitchell to nominate Barbara Irwin as Vice Chair. There being no other
nominations, the nominations were closed and Barbara Irv/in was
unanimously elected Vice Chair.
IV
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Mitchell/Pue;nte to
approve the Minutes of June 21, 2001 be corrected on Page 1, Business
Item A.1. to read "Stan Sawa". Unanimously approved.
P:\CAROLYIV\HPC7-19-Ol.wpd -1- ~- •- 3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT OF A 15±
ACRE PARCEL
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND 52ND
AVENUE
RLF DEVELOPMENT
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES
The study area is a rectangular shaped property, consisting of approximately 15 acres
of land. A shopping center has been proposed for the property. A Phase I (survey
level) cultural resources assessment has been completed for the property as required
for the project. This assessment is part of the Environmental Assessment required
by the California Environmental Quality Act for the project applications. The
assessment includes a records search and field reconnaissance of the property, along
with archival research.
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
northern half of the study area had been previously surveyed for cultural resources
with three isolates consisting of four potsherds found. No archaeological sites have
been recorded within the study area. Most of the region surrounding the study area
has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. As a result of these studies,
within one mile, one prehistoric archaeological site has been recorded.
The on-foot field survey of the surface of the study area did not resuht in any
prehistoric sites or features being found. However, the general area around the study
area is considered highly sensitive for buried prehistoric resources.
Historical background research was conducted at the Bureau of Land Management
Office in Riverside, and at the Physical Science Library at UC Riverside. The search
did not show any use of the property until 1959 when it showed the now abandoned
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residence at 52250 Jefferson Street and the adjacent Coachella Canal to the south.
The single story Ranch style residence was constructed in 1954, and is ubiquitous
in design, and exhibits no noteworthy architectural elements or construction
techniques. Consequently, it does not constitute an historic resource.
A second still occupied residence at 80-111 52ND Avenue was constructed in 1983,
is modern, and does not warrant consideration as a historic resource.
The report states that although no potential cultural resources were encountered
during the on-foot survey, the region near the study area has been found to contain
prehistoric remains. Therefore, the report recommends grading, grubbing, and other
earth-moving activities in the study area be monitored by a qualified archaeological
monitor.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- ,accepting "A Cultural Resources Asses<sment of
a 15± Acre Parcel Located Southea t of th intersection of Jeff rson Street an
Avenue 52. Citv of La Quinta River ide County", as prepared by Archaeological
Associates, subject to the following condition:
1. That a report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the HPC for approval
prior to issuance of the first occupancy permit or final inspection in the study
area.
Attachment:
1. A Cultural Resources Assessment of a 15± Acre Parcel Located Southeast of
the intersection of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52, City of La Quinta,
Riverside CountylCommissioners only)
Prepared by: Submitted By:
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Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
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Christine di lorio, tanning Manager
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT/
OWNER:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT - MILES
AVENUE BORROW SITE
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND
MILES AVENUE
CITY OF LA QUINTA
CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL)
A Phase I archaeological assessment completed by Archaeological Assessment Group
was reviewed and accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission on August 19,
1999, with three archaeological sites identified. The sites (CA-RIV-6275, CA-RIV-
6276, AND CA-RIV-62771 were deemed to require further testing.
CRM TECH completed a Phase II archaeological testing and site evaluation of 1:he sites
and balance of the study area, which the HPC accepted on November 9, 2.000. A
Native American cremation site was found on CA-RIV-6484 (a combination of CA-
RIV-6275 and CA-RIV-6277) along with a total of approximately 6,000 eirtifacts,
many of which were deemed to be likely related to the cremation. On March 15,
2001 ,the HPC accepted a final report on the findings from the cremation site.
CRM TECH has now submitted a monitoring report on soil removal operations and
leveling at the projects borrow site. Additionally, a limited field inspection, surface
collection, and two surface scrapes of the previously identified cremation site was
conducted.
DISCUSSION:
The monitoring of the soil removal and leveling resulted in the recovery of one
groundstone artifact. Although the removal area included a corner of the cremation
feature, it did not disturb the feature.
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In the last report on the findings of the cremation feature, it was noted the results of
the bone analysis by the UCLA Zooarchaeology Laboratory was pending. The: results
indicate that approximately 24% of the bone fragments from the cremation feature
were identified as definite or possible human bone. Due to the fragmentatioin of the
bones a determination of the age, sex, and the number of individuals vas not
possible.
The subsequent surface collection of the cremation feature resulted in a small number
of artifacts being found. These were probably exposed as a result of recent wind
erosion. The surface scrapes resulted in the recovery of 26 pieces of bone and one
piece of chipped stone. 13 of the pieces were identified as human or possible human
bone.
CRM TECH concludes that since no earth moving activities occurred at the cremation
site and no other potential historical resources were discovered, the soil removal
operations monitored at the borrow site had no effect on any "historical resources."
No further archaeological work is necessary at the project site other than monitoring
during earth moving activities. Final mitigation of the project effects of the cremation
feature will not complete until remains have been repatriated and reinterred according
to Native American recommendations. This may need to wait until development of
the property occurs.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- ,accepting:
1. The report titled, "Archaeological Monitoring Report Miles Avenue Borrow
Site", as prepared by CRM TECH, subject to the following conditions:
A. A final report on future archaeological monitoring be submitted to the
City.
B. Collected cultural resources, other than those associated evith the
cremation site are delivered to the City of La Quinta for curation per City
requirements.
Attachment:
1. Archaeological Monitoring Report Miles Avenue Borrow Site (Commissioners
only -Confidential)
Prepared by: Submitted By:
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Christine di to io, Planning Manager
s:\stan\hpc rpt pm 26860 borrow site monitoring rpt.wpd ,..
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
HISTORIC AND
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
PHASE 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING, MITIGATION, AND
MONITORING OF 10 ACRE COMMERCIAL SITE
NORTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 111 AND
WASHINGTON STREET
MADISON DEVELOPMENT (ED ALDERSON)
CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL)
A commercial shopping center has been approved and is under construction on
approximately 10 acres at the northwest corner of Highway 111 and Washington
Street. A Phase I historiclarchaeological assessment for this property was accepted
by the HPC at the meeting of January 6, 2000. The assessment concluded that
further testing and monitoring was needed. CRM TECH has submitted a final report
on the testing and monitoring of the grading at the site.
DISCUSSION:
The testing procedures were conducted on two archaeological sites - CA-RIV-3659/H
and CA-RIV-6385, both of which were identified in the Phase I assessment. Testing
consisted of surface collection, surface scrapes, excavation test units and backhoe
trenches for each site.
Cultural artifacts found included ceramic sherds, chipped stone, groundstone, fire-
affected clay, shell, rock, and a large number of bone fragments. On Site CA-RIV-
3659/H up to possibly three human cremations were found. A total of 18 pieces of
definite or possible human bone were identified. The Torres-Martinez has been
consulted and are advising on reinterment of the human remains somewhere on the
site, with appropriate recognition. Historic-era artifacts found include can fragments,
bottle glass fragments, and glassware, none of which were determined significant.
p\stan\:hpc rpt ph 2 & monit madison dev.wpd '"" 1 7
During a walk of the dunes during monitoring, a quartz flake and two mano fragments
were recovered. The grading activities did not reveal any buried cultural artifacts.
Site CA-RIV-6385 contained few artifacts, all of which are typical of sites in the La
Quinta area. As such, it does not qualify as a "historic resource" under CEQA
definitions. The report concludes that Site CA-RIV-3659/H meets the criteria to be
considered a "historical resource" under CEQA definitions, in that the testing provides
information on the use of the site as an important camp or semi-permanent to
permanent village. Through the archaeological testing procedures conducteri during
this study, the projects effects have been reduced to levels less than significant.
Therefore, no further cultural procedures are necessary.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- ,accepting
1. The report titled "Final Report on Archaeological Testing. Mitigation, and
Monitoring Sites CA-RI-3659/H and -6385", as prepared and recommended by
CRM TECH with the following conditions:
Attachment:
1. Confidential historic/archaeological resources report titled, "Final Report on
Archaeological Testing, Mitigation, and Monitoring Sites CA-RI-3659/H and -
6385" (Commissioners only)
Prepared by:
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Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
Submitted By:
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istine di lorio, PlarZning Manager
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