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2001 10 18 HPCF YS CF`y OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA The Regular Meeting to be held in the Session Room at La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California October 18, 2001 3:00 P.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2001-016 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 September 20, 2001. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Point Happy Ranch Project Area: a request for approval of the Phase I Cultural Resources investigation of a 43 acre parcel of property located on the west side of Washington Street, approximately 300 feet south of Highway 111. Applicant: Point Happy Ranch, LLC Archaeological Consultant: McKenna Et Al (Jeanette A. McKenna, Principal) P:\CAROLYN\hpc Agenda.wpd B. C-u-Itural Resources Assessment For Tentative Tr= 30331: a request for approval of the Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, a vacant rectangular 4.18 acre parcel located on the north side of Avenue 50, west of Jefferson Street. Applicants: Santa Properties and Development LLC Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock) C. Historical Archaeological and PaleontoloaiicReoor� a request for approval of the Historical, Archaeological, and Paleontological Resources Report for a 15 acre parcel of vacant land located on the north side of Avenue 58, approximately midway between Jefferson Street and Madison Street. Applicant: Coachella Valley Engineers (For La Quinta Construction) Archaeological and Paleontological Consultant: CRM Tech (Bruce Love, Principal) VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Vill. ADJOURNMENT P:\CAROLYN\hpc Agenda.wpd * 0 0 2 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 20, 2001 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Maria Puente at 3:00 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Irwin, Mitchell, Sharp, Wright, and Chairman Puente. Unanimously approved. Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn Walker. ll. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/ Mitchell to approve the Minutes of July 19, 2001. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of a 15 + Acre Parcel a request for approval of an assessment including a records search and field reconnaissance of the property, along with archival research for the property located at the southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52. Applicant: RLF Development - Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Associates. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department, with the following change in Recommendation 1. 003 P:\CAR0LYN\HPC9-20-01.wpd - I - Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 20, 2001 The report currently recommends "That a report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval prior to issuance of the first occupancy permit, or final inspection in the study area." The recommendation should read "The monitoring report shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission prior to issuance of the first building permit." 2. Commissioner Sharp asked if the house on the subject property would remain. Principal Planner Sawa answered no, it would be removed. Planning Manager di lorio commented the whole property would be graded, including removal of the dune area. 3. Commissioner Sharp asked if this property was in the area that is currently planned for a Ralphs grocery store. Principal Planner Sawa answered no. This property is located on Avenue 52, and the Ralphs property is located on Avenue 50, approximately a mile away. 4. Commissioner Wright stated the property was the triangular parcel not included in the Country Club of the Desert project. 5. Commissioner Sharp asked if staff knew what the developer was proposing to build. Planning Manager di lorio stated it could possibly be a drug store, market and a bank, but project tenants are not known at this time. 6. Commissioners Mitchell, Wright, and Sharp stated they supported staff's recommendations. 7. Commissioner Irwin also supported staff's recommendations, and asked that the monitoring continue on the project. 8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-013 recommending approval of the Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of a 15± Acre Parcel, located at the southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52. Unanimously approved. P:ACAROLYN\HPC9-20-Ol.wpd -2- 004 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 20, 2001 B. Archaeological Monitoring Report for the Miles Avenue BorrowSite; a request for approval of soil removal operations and leveling report at the project borrow site. Applicant: City of La Quinta - Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love). 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioners Mitchell and Wright supported staff's recommendations. 3. Commissioner Irwin supported staff's recommendation but requested monitoring when development begins on the property. 4. Commissioner Sharp asked a question about this parcel being a portion of a larger parcel. Principal Planner Sawa answered yes, it was. Planning Manager di lorio commented Phase II had been completed on the whole property, but this particular area was of concern because of sand blowing from the dune onto the neighbors' property. Once development begins the rest of the monitoring will be completed. 5. Commissioner Sharp stated he supported staff's recommendations. 6. Chairman Puente asked a question about the location of curation facilities. 7. Commissioner Irwin answered artifacts are currently stored at the La Quinta Historical Museum until the new museum is complete. There was general discussion about storage and preservation practices. Planning Manager di lorio stated all items were boxed and kept up to museum and curation standards. S. Chairman Puente asked how the human remains were handled. Planning Manager di lorio answered there are Federal Laws prescribing how these items are handled. 9. Chairman Puente asked when the new museum was going to be completed. P:\CAR0LYN\HPC9-20-01.wpd -3- 005 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 20, 2001 10. Commissioner Irwin answered the current time frame is projected to be within two years. In the meantime, all artifacts are being kept in a secured, air conditioned room with all items in an acid - free environment, p,operly labeled, with all the catalogs and reports per Commission direction. 11. Chairman Puente stated she supported staff's recommendations. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-014 recommending approval of the Archaeological Monitoring Report for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site; a request for approval of soil removal operations and leveling report at the project borrow site. C. Phase II Archaeological Testing. Mitig to ion, and Monitoring of a Ten Ace Commercial Site; a request for review of a final report on the testing and monitoring of the grading at the site. Applicant: Madison Development (Ed Alderson) - Historic Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love) 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioners Mitchell and Wright stated they supported staff's recommendations. 3. Commissioner Irwin had a question regarding one of the restaurants having a basement. Planning Manager di lorio answered that had been an issue but it had not been determined whether a basement could be included. 4. Commissioner Irwin asked that a condition be added that if a basement is added monitoring be required if there was excavation below the normal grade. She cited the proximity to the Whitewater area. Planning Manager di lorio stated that condition could be added. 5. Commissioner Sharp stated he accepted staff's recommendations. 6. Chairman Puente stated she supported staff's recommendations. P:\CAROLWHPC9-20-01.wpd -4 1.. 006 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 20, 2001 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-015 recommending approval of the Archaeological Monitoring Report for the Miles Avenue Borrow Site; a request for approval of soil removal operations and leveling report at the project borrow site, with the addition of the following recommendation: A. Monitoring shall be required during excavation, if a basement is approved for any of the buildings. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Relay for life memo from Community Services Director, Dodie Horvitz. B. Cultural Commission Symposium on November 3 from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. C. Question about Museum Conference in October to fulfill CLG (Certified Local Government) eligibility requirements for Chairman Puente, Vill. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp/Mitchell to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on October 18, 2001. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:22 p.m., October 18, 2001. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: Carolyn Walker Secretary P:\CAROLYN\HPC9-20-01.wpd -5- 007 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2001 ITEM: PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCES INVESTIGATION OF THE POINT HAPPY RANCH PROJECT AREA LOCATION: WEST SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET, APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 111 APPLICANT: POINT HAPPY RANCH, LLC ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: MC KENNA ET AL (JEANETTE A. MC KENNA, PRINCIPAL) BACKGROUND: The study area is a irregularly shaped property, consisting of approximately 43 acres of land, 19 acres of which are steep mountain terrain. A mixed use project consisting of a mixture of senior housing types and related commercial has been proposed for the flat portions of the property. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources assessment has been completed for the property. This assessment is part of the Environmental Impact Report 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 study area had not been previously surveyed for cultural resources and no archaeological sites have been recorded within the study area. Within a one mile radius of the property 85 studies have been completed. As a result of these studies, 46 prehistoric archaeological sites, three historic properties and 17 isolated artifact locations have been recorded. Of the three historic properties, two are within the study area. The intensive on -foot field survey of the surface of the study area did not result in any prehistoric sites or features being found. However, the general region around the study area is considered highly sensitive for buried prehistoric resources. Gu8 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 the pointe @ pt happy.wpd Historical background research was conducted at the Bureau of Land Management Office in Riverside, County of Riverside Assessor's Office, County of Riverside Hall of Records, City of La Quinta Building and Community Development Departments, and La Quinta Historical Society. The search resulted in an historic chronology of the properties development beginning in 1922-23 with early improvements and the naming of the property as "Point Happy Date Gardens." The report documents the various stages of use and improvements on the property over the years. The evaluation of the historic resources within the point Happy Date Farm property were based on the basic requirements of The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The results yielded evidence of two resources - an historic road alignment and the date farm. The historic road alignment which ran along the base of the hillsides apparently connected the Indian Wells areas with the area to the southeast (towards the Salton Sea). The road to the north and south has been demolished due to development. The road is identifiable but lacks integrity due to re -grading and other impacts, cannot be associated with any specific individual or event and cannot provide any data of architectural value. In conclusion, the road should be considered a historic resource, but not a significant resource. Therefore, no further studies are warranted. The date ranch and orchard use of the property is concluded to be a significant historic resource because it meets or has the potential to meet the following CEQA Criteria: Criteria 1. The development of orchards and date farms in the deserts of Southern California has been identified as a significant event in California. The Point Happy Ranch was one of the top ranches in the Valley and its products were recognized regionally. Criteria 2. Mrs. Clarke established The Point Happy Date arm of the farm. The Clarke's have been recognized in Southern California history for the contributions to the development of the Coachella Valley, Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego County), and in the City of Los Angeles. Criteria 4. The property is in an area considered sensitive for buried prehistoric remains. As such, it has the potential to yield information important to the historic or prehistoric record. Architecturally, there is no evidence of significant remains. Some structures dating to the historic period have been removed or modified, while other newer structures (Post 1948) have been added. Elements of the historic property reflect no unique architectural elements and, for the most part, are not in good condition. Furthermore, there is no evidence to associate these structures with any known or recognized 009 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 the pointe @ pt happy.wpd artisan. As such, the complex does not meet the State requirements for significance, but should be considered a local resource. Overall, the Point Happy Ranch should be considered a significant historic resource and adverse impacts (demolition and new construction) to the resource will require some level of mitigation. The report recommends that an oral history program be completed as a mitigation measure. The report states that although no potential prehistoric resources were encountered, the region near the study area has been found to contain prehistoric remains. Therefore, the report recommends tree removal, demolition, grading, grubbing, and other earth -moving activities in the study area be monitored by a qualified archaeologist. With these measures, potential impacts will be mitigated to a less than significant level. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting "A Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Point Happy Ranch Project Area in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County. California", as prepared by McKenna et al, subject to the following condition: 1. That a report on the monitoring and oral history program shall be submitted to the HPC for approval prior to issuance of the first building permit in the study area. Attachment: 1. A Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Point Happy Ranch Project Area in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Submitted By: '�=5 M- Pp - Sa A ws Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Christine di lorio, Planni kg Manager 010 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 the pointe @ pt happy.wpd ATTACHMENT 1 34 iw A, AMU. 1" 0 R R F S M A R I IN K Z LOCATION MAP .- - oll DATE: ITEM: LOCATION: APPLICANT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: BACKGROUND: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT OCTOBER 18, 2001 CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT FOR TENTATIVE TRACT 30331 NORTH SIDE OF 50TH AVENUE, WEST OF JEFFERSON STREET SANTA PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPMENT, LLC ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (JAMES BROCK) The property is a vacant rectangular 4.18 acre parcel on the north side of 5OTH Avenue, west of Jefferson Street. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources assessment has been completed for an application for a tentative tract map to create seven residential lots. This assessment will be part of the Environmental Assessment required by the California Environmental Quality Act for the project application. The cultural resources assessment includes a archaeological records search and field reconnaissance of the property, along with limited archival research. DISCUSSION: An archaeological records search for the property was conducted at the Eastern Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) at UC Riverside. The records search indicated that the study area had not been previously surveyed for cultural resources. Approximately 80 % of the area within a one-half mile radius of the property, including all properties within the City limits, has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. Thirty archaeological sites have been recorded within one-half of the study area. Of particular interest for this project is site CA-RIV-6146, (Primary No. 33-8427) a major intact deposit previously recorded directly adjacent to the east boundary of the study area. An archival search was conducted at the Science Library Map Room at UC Riverside and on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land patent web site. The study area falls within an area that was once part of a 160 acre homestead granted to Carlton pl\stan\hpc rpt ph 1tt 30331.wpd 012 Woodhouse. It is unclear where Mr. Woodhouse's home was located. A residence on the study area apparently constructed between 1941 and 1959 was present on a 1959 USGS Palm Desert map near 50"' Avenue, but was apparently demolished some time ago. It was apparently not Mr. Woodhouse's home which would have had to be present in 1917. The on foot field reconnaissance of the study area resulted in a moderate scatter of prehistoric sherds and thermally affected clay fragments in the central eastern part of the study area. Mr. Brock determined the artifacts form a continuous deposit with CA-RIV-6146 and, as a result, updated the site record form to reflect the expansion of the deposit from this adjacent property. Due to a mixture of modern debris (glass, concrete, plastic, metal) with the prehistoric artifacts, it probably indicates this area has been disturbed. There are areas on the study area that have been excavated for lakes or ponds with the fill material distributed over parts of the site. Therefore, there is potential for buried, intact archaeological deposits to be present below the recorded archaeological deposit or on other portions of the property. Further testing of the study area is needed in order to identify, or evaluate the potential for buried archaeological deposits. The report recommends approximately ten backhoe test excavations be conducted primarily on the recorded site area, but also in other areas that appear to have potential for resource preservation. A report detailing the results of the Phase 2 testing will be submitted, along with future recommendations, as necessary (e.g. monitoring). RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, Avenue50 Wet of Jefferson Street, La Quinta California", as prepared by Archaeological Advisory Group, subject to the following conditions: 1. A report on the testing shall be prepared and submitted for HPC approval prior to approval of the project by the City Council. 2. Collected cultural/paleontological resources shall be properly packaged for long term curation, in polyethylene sel-seal bags, vials, or film cans as appropriate, all within acid -free, standard size, comprehensively labeled archive boxes and delivered to the City prior to issuance of first building permit for the property. Materials will be accompanied by descriptive catalogue, field notes and records, primary research data, and the original graphics. 013 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1tt 30331.wpd Attachment: 1. Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, Avenue 50 West of Jefferson Street, La Quinta, California (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Submitted By: 2� Christine di lori ,Planning Manager 014 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 30331.wpd E31 #C HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2001 ITEM: HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES REPORT LOCATION: NORTH SIDE OF 58T" AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY MIDWAY BETWEEN JEFFERSON STREET AND MADISON STREET APPLICANT: COACHELLA VALLEY ENGINEERS (FOR LA QUINTA CONSTRUCTION) ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL) BACKGROUND: The study area is a 15 acre parcel of vacant land on the north side of 581" Avenue, between Jefferson Street and Madison Street. A Phase I (survey level) cultural and paleontological resources assessment has been completed for a tentative tract application ITT 29963) for construction of a single family development. The assessment includes an archaeological, historical, and paleontological 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: Archaeological and Historical: 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 14 area -specific cultural resources studies have been conducted, including on the properties immediately to the north and south and along 58T" Avenue (linear study). As a result of these studies, four prehistoric archaeological sites and one historic -era site have been recorded. The prehistoric sites consist primarily of scatters of lithic and ceramic scatters, although a fire p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 29963.wpd 015 hearth/roasting fire pit feature was noted at one of the sites. None of these previously recorded sites was located in the vicinity of the project 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 did not indicate any use of the property to the present day. 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 cans, broken glass, pieces of lumber, and plastic. CRM TECH states that none of the items appear to be more than 50 years of age. Paleontological: The project area is at an elevation of approximately 30 feet below sea level. Holocene or ancient Lake Cahuilla has at least seven times in the past covered much of the project and surrounding area. The last high water elevation of the lake was at 42 feet above sea level. Therefore, the project area has been under water in the past. The records search indicated that the project area had not been previously surveyed for paleontological resources. Based on previous discoveries reported nearby, the San Bernardino County Museum considers the project area to have a "high paleontological sensitivity" which has a high potential to impact significant nonrenewable fossil resources, primarily invertebrate fossils. During the field survey scatters of fresh water shells and shell fragments were observed on the surface of the project area. Fresh water mullusks remains were also noted on the ground. However, no fish bone or other vertebrate fossil remains were found. CONCLUSIONS: The archaeological resources report notes the records search, the historical research, and archaeological field survey produced negative results and no resources more than fifty years old. Therefore, approval of the project will have no effect on any "historical resources" as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The report states that no further investigation is recommended unless the project area is expanded or buried cultural materials are discovered during construction. The paleontological resources report concludes the project area has a moderate potential for Holocene vertebrate fossils and high potential for Holocene invertebrate remains. As such, impacts created by the proposed project need to be mitigated 11 V p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 29963.wpd pursuant to CEQA requirements. Paleontological monitoring during earth -moving activities and preparation of a final report on the monitoring are included in the recommendation of the report. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Coral Mountain Estates Tentative Tract 29963", as prepared by CRM TECH. 2. Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Paleontological Resources Assessment Regort - Coral Mountain Estates, Tentative Tract 299-U", as prepared by CRM TECH, subject to the following conditions: A. The final report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Community Development Department prior to the issuance of the first building permit for the project. B. Collected paleontological resources are to be delivered to the City of La Quinta for curation per City requirements. Attachments: 1. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Coral Mountain Estates (Commissioners only) 2. Paleontological Resources Assessment Report - Coral Mountain Estates (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Submitted By: t, ayTn. Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Christine di lori , Planning Manager 017 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 29963.wpd