2001 11 15 HPCO`c L0jT_ c'G
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
A G E N D A
The Regular Meeting to be held in the Session Room at the
La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
November 15, 2001
3:00 P.M.
Beginning Minute Motion 2001-020
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 October 18, 2001.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Phase II Archaeological Test Program for Tentative Tract Map 30331 ;
a request for approval of a Phase II Archaeological Test Prograrn.
Applicant: Santa Properties and Development, LLC
Historic Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Vill. ADJOURNMENT 001
HPOAGENDA
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
October 18, 2001
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman
Maria Puente at 3:02 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: Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn
Walker.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Mitchell to
approve the Minutes of September 20, 2001 as submitted. Unanimously
approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment 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).
Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
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October 18, 2001
2. Commissioner Mitchell concurred with the staff's
recommendations.
3. Commissioner Wright stated he was in favor of staff's
recommendations but thought the site should be monitored during
any kind of excavation.
4. Commissioner Irwin also supported staff's recommendations but
was concerned about monitoring the site and preservation of
certain trees that are a part of Point Happy's history. She also
pointed out Attachment #1, Page 004, had the wrong map. She
added one of the buildings, on that property, was the first air-
conditioned building in the Valley and the entrance itself, is
historic.
5. Commissioner Wright stated it was in the City of La Quinta's
Historic Primary Record. He added most of the buildings were
dilapidated but still had historical significance as well as the entry
way gates. When the Commission looked at the Tradition project
they were very emphatic about every saveable building. As a
result the garages near the Hacienda were saved. He suggested
the staff report recommend every structure be looked at on its
own historic merit. This project should be handled the same way
Tradition was handled, including saving historic trees, especially
since planting citrus was tried there for the first time, as well as
experiments with growing cotton.
6. Commissioner Sharp stated he wasn't as familiar with the property
as the other Commissioners but he does know Louise Neeley and
he did know Alice Marble. According to the staff report photos
there did not appear to be much worth saving. There was some
good ironwork and it would be nice if it was incorporated
somewhere in the project.
7. Chairman Puente asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commissioners' concerns.
8. Archaeological Consultant McKenna pointed out Happy Lunbeck
owned a larger parcel than what was included in this project and
this portion did not have sugar cane, nor cotton.
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9. Commissioner Irwin replied the Historical Society had photographs
which showed these crops being cultivated on this property.
Archaeological Consultant McKenna asked if they were grown in
this specific area. Commissioner Irwin answered yes.
Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated she was not aware of
this information while conducting her study. She used what
information was provided. The original property was considerably
larger, but this portion did not show any physical evidence of that
type of activity.
10. Commissioner Irwin stated the road that goes up over the hill was
once part of the stage line.
1 1 . Archaeological Consultant McKenna agreed but stated the stage
stop itself, was not on the property.
12. Commissioner Irwin stated it was at Indian Wells, across the
street. She added the Cultural Report referred to Happy Lunbeck,
while the staff report did not. Point Happy Ranch started in 1920
and got its name from Happy Lunbeck.
13. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated Point Happy, as the
date farm, assumed the name. It wasn't called Point Happy Date
Farm.
14. General discussion followed regarding the reference to Point
Happy Ranch versus Point Happy Date Farm and the fact that the
project property had become commonly known as Point. Happy
Ranch.
15. Commissioner Irwin asked who was contacted at the Historical
Society.
16. Archaeological Consultant Jeanette A. McKenna stated she had
spoken with Mrs. Louise Neeley, who was born and raised on the
Point Happy property and she also referred them to another
gentlemen who contributed the name of a third individual. That
was why a recommendation was made in the report, that an Oral
History needed to be prepared on this property.
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October 18, 2001
17. Commissioner Wright stated his number one concern was
preserving the structures that were deemed historic. They needed
to be integrated into the project the same way the Hacienda was
integrated into Traditions.
18. Principal Planner Sawa introduced the applicant's representative,
Mr. Robert Sundstrom. He stated Point Happy LLC started
working on the project approximately two -and -a -half years ago at
which time they began looking into the history of the Ranch and
the historical nature of anything that was still remaining. They
went through a private assessment, filed an initial study and
started the public process to have the City determine those
buildings that potentially had any historical value in the site
planning process. He added they did recognize there were a lot of
significant trees in the project and did have an arborist do a
complete count of every tree, every tree species, the nature of the
tree, the condition of every tree, and the type of tree. The
instructions given to the arborist were to look at the trees for
condition, age, and the possibility of relocation on site and
utilization within the project itself. It was the applicant's intent to
reconstruct, or recreate, a date garden feel utilizing as many of
the taller trees as possible. They would relocate the date palms
that were in condition to be relocated. Their original assessment
did not find any buildings that were of strict historical nature that
could be either preserved or relocated on the property. A lot of
the design criteria in this project relates to the Ranch, its history,
the utilization of the ironwork throughout the project, and the
installation of citrus in keynote areas to create the idea that this
was a ranch and an operating citrus and date grove. The current
plan does not incorporate any of the existing buildings. The only
building that is currently proposed to be retained is "the Dupont
House". The bulk of the houses have considerable structural
deficiencies. He then offered to answer any questions.
19. Commissioner Sharp asked if the name of the project would be
Point Happy, as it was an important landmark to the community.
20. Mr. Sundstrom answered the project was named "The Pointe at
Point Happy Ranch". This was done to differentiate this project
from the commercial project "Point Happy" on Highway 1 1 1 .
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21. Commissioner Sharp asked a question about the width of the
entrance gate.
22. Mr. Sundstrom replied he had always been intrigued by the
ironwork at the entryway gate. However, as the entryway was
now it did not meet the current standards for the Fire Department.
The new entryway/wall would be designed to emulate the wall
and the fencing with the archway while meeting Fire Department
standards.
23. Commissioner Sharp asked if there was a drawing of the building
and landscape plans available and what type of architecture would
be utilized.
24. Mr. Robert Sundstrom apologized that he did not have any large
drawings with him.
25. Commissioner Wright asked why the Oral History was to be done
by the Morongo Basin Historical Society, not the La Quinta
Historical Society. He commented the Oral History should be
done by the La Quinta Historical Society.
26. Chairman Puente asked if any of the remaining structures were in
good condition.
27. Mr. Sundstrom replied no.
28. Chairman Puente asked what the possibility was to :save or
relocate them.
29. Mr. Sundstrom replied, in their assessment, the remaining
buildings served no useful purpose from a historical point and
therefore not incorporated into the site plan. There were a series
of assessments done, but the only building to be shown of
significance was the old school house which is no longer on the
property. It has been the applicant's intent to incorporate the
history of the Date Gardens, into the landscaping theme and
incorporate the feel of the Date Gardens into the project itself.
30. Commissioner Irwin stated the La Quinta Historical Society had
the City of La Quinta Curation Standards. She stated she was
surprised to find an oral history project from the Morongo Basin
Historical Society in the report directing all the information and
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October 18, 2001
photographs to them. She then asked Principal Planner Sawa why
this request was in the back of the report since the City already
had standards in place. She added the City was building a state-
of-the-art facility and would be one of the few cities in Southern
California to have such a facility. She wondered why another
facility would be involved.
31. Principal Planner Sawa replied this may have been a
recommendation in the report, but the City would have changed
it to read the La Quinta Historical Society.
32. Commissioner Wright suggested a condition be added requiring
the Oral History to be prepared in cooperation with the La Quinta
Historical Society.
33. Commissioner Irwin stated if somebody else wanted to participate
in the Oral History, they could work with the La Quinta Historical
Society.
34. Archaeological Consultant McKenna commented the Oral History
needed to be done in a fashion that was consistent with what had
already been done.
35. Commissioner Irwin questioned the use of the Morongo Basin
Historical Society.
36. Archaeological Consultant McKenna replied she had nothing in her
report making that suggestion.
37. Commissioner Irwin directed the Commission to the back of the
report.
38. Archaeological Consultant McKenna said it had been appended by
someone other than herself. She only stated that the Oral History
needed to be done.
39. Principal Planner Sawa thought the attachment was meant only as
an example of what an oral history program would look Bike, and
it should have been marked as a sample.
40. Commissioner Wright stated the concern was any material, oral
history, photographs, derived from the Oral History, would become
the property of the City of La Quinta. He suggested another
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condition be added requiring collected materials become the
property of the City of La Quinta per the adopted standards of
curation.
41. Mr. Sundstrom asked if Oral Histories were privately prepared.
42. Commissioner Irwin answered she didn't know if they were done
privately, but several Historical Societies in the Valley were
currently working on Oral Histories.
43. Mr. Sundstrom stated he was more concerned with the format of
the report meeting with City's standards.
44. Chairman Puente suggested a correction be made to this report
stating the Oral History form be identified as an example of an
Oral History.
45. Commissioner Irwin asked Mr. Sundstrom to indicate where the
ironwork would be placed.
46. Mr. Sundstrom gave a summary of the project and the proposed
site of the trees and ironwork.
47. Commissioner Sharp asked how many apartments would tie in the
development.
48. Mr. Sundstrom replied there were two structures with a total of
310 units.. One unit is planned primarily for independent living, and
the second independent clubhouse building was intended for use
by the 62 villa units as opposed to the component of the
independent living facility.
49. Commissioner Sharp asked if the clubhouse would have a dining
room. Mr. Sundstrom stated yes.
50. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the condominiums were for
seniors. Mr. Sundstrom replied the whole project was for seniors.
51. Commissioner Mitchell asked if a senior could move from one area
to another, as their needs dictated. Mr. Sundstrom answered that
was possible. He then went into the physical layout of the site
plan, including street and pedestrian access.
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October 18, 2001
52. Commissioner Irwin asked if there was going to be any access to
the shopping center. Mr. Sundstrom replied there currently was
none.
53. Commissioner Mitchell stated the archway was a very sensitive
issues to the citizens of La Quinta.
54. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was also a sensitive issue with the
existing property owner. The applicant had discussed the
possibility of saving some of the physical features that are on the
property including the gates and archway. There was a
suggestion of using it in conjunction with a pedestrian pathway,
or cart paths, so it would still meet Fire Department requirements.
55. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the scrollwork and any other
appropriate historic objects could be placed in a central location
to serve as a miniature display of what the Point Happy once was,
and include the Oral History in the same locale.
56. Mr. Sundstrom indicated an area that was a water feature and
suggested it might be possible to place items in that general area.
He also discussed possible areas where these items could be
incorporated into the project. He stated they would use as many
of the different types of architectural features, as well as flora, to
maintain the historic ambiance of the Date Ranch.
57. Commissioner Wright stated the different architectural styles was
why it was so unique.
58. Commissioner Irwin stated another thing that makes this place so
unique is the fact that the people who lived there were so self
sufficient. They did a little of everything. They were finish
carpenters and experimented with different crops. Even the
Clark's themselves were very unique people. Mrs. Clark was so
concerned about the children, who were growing up on that
Ranch, that she sent the girls to high school away from there and
built an air-conditioned house for them to sleep in. She also took
the women to Idyllwild during the summer while the men stayed
to work the Ranch.
59. Mr. Sundstrom acknowledged he had read the history of Point
Happy Ranch.
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October 18, 2001
60. Commissioner Irwin asked if there might be a place to feature the
original photographic history of the Ranch, so people would be
able to see and understand the history of Point Happy Ranch.
61. Commissioner Wright commented it could be similar to what was
done at the Tradition with their historical montage and items on
the walls in the Hacienda.
62. Commissioner Irwin stated the difference was that Hacienda del
Gato had been maintained and Point Happy had not.
63. Mr. Sundstrom stated he was not sure how to respond to that
question. He had been working with staff to maintain as much
ambiance in the project as they could.
64. Commissioner Irwin thanked the applicant for his efforts and
reiterated this is a historic site and the Commission is concerned
about not losing the history connected with this site.
65. Chairman Puente asked if there were any plans with more specific
places where the historical features could be placed.
66. Mr. Sundstrom replied they did not have final construction
drawings. He asked if the plans would come back to the Historic
Preservation Commission for approval before the building permits
were issued. He asked if the Commission had any ideas on what
they would like to see, as well as specific locations. He would be
happy to accept them because that was their original intent.
67. Commissioner Mitchell stated he like the project, but was
concerned about the old Ranch and how things were going to be
incorporated to retain the flavor and integrity of the original Ranch.
68. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was their full intention to build the project
with those parameters in mind. He and his brother had drawn the
landscape plan and written a good portion of the Specific Plan
because they understood the history of this site and wanted to
retain as much of it as possible.
69. Commissioner Mitchell asked if the Commission could see the
Specific Plan.
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October 18, 2001
70. Principal Planner Sawa stated a copy of the Specific Plan was
available.
71. Chairman Puente stated the Commission would like to review the
Specific Plan, as well as a list of what items would be included
and where.
72, Mr. Sundstrom then briefly went over some items in the Specific
Plan with the Commissioners.
73. Chairman Puente asked if the Commissioners could each have a
copy of the Specific Plan. Staff would provide copies to the
Commission.
74. Mr. Sundstrom explained they were currently going through the
Site Plan process. They needed to refine the placement of all the
specific features. The buildings are intended to be in the
Castillian-Ranch-style with red tile roofs, slate type features on the
facades with earth tones. This all lends to a character very similar
to what is at Rancho La Quinta and the original La Quinta Resort.
75. Commissioner Wright stated he would like to see what was
proposed as to where the walls, gates, and the porticos were
going to be placed as the Commission would like the opportunity
to comment on these plans.
76. Principal Planner Sawa stated a condition could be added stating
prior to issuance of a demolition or grading permit, whichever
comes first, the developer shall met with the Community
Development Department and the Historic Preservation
Commission to determine which existing features of the farm are
to be incorporated into the proposed project.
77. Commissioner Irwin commented on one of the date trees near the
entrance of the property.
78. Mr. Sundstrom replied it was an Indian Red Gum that cannot be
moved. It will die if you move, or trim it. He added most of the
Date Palms were not salvageable, but the taller trees could be
used in conjunction with a building that is relatively tall, which is
what is proposed for this project.
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October 18, 2001
79. Commissioner Wright concurred with his opinion but added it
would be even more important if a photographic record was made
of the property as it exists.
80. Mr. Sundstrom stated maintaining the historic integrity of the
property would be a good marketing feature.
81. Commissioner Wright agreed stating the Traditions had found that
to be very true.
82. Commissioner Sharp asked if the applicant proposed a museum on
the site. Mr. Sundstrom stated they envisioned more of an all-
weather outdoor display.
83. Commissioner Irwin suggested the streets or lanes be named after
the people who lived and worked there. She also requested
monitoring be required during trenching.
84. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated the report requested
monitoring during all earth moving.
85. Commissioner Irwin asked if monitoring was needed during all
earth moving, as this was not normally required.
86. Archaeological Consultant McKenna replied it was necessary for
pre -history.
87. Commissioner Wright asked Commissioner Mitchell what his
thoughts were on the necessity of monitoring during all earth
moving.
88. Commissioner Mitchell replied monitoring was not necessary if the
trenching was comprehensive enough to satisfy everyone in terms
of exploration and subsurface. Otherwise, you would just do the
major grading.
89. Archaeological Consultant McKenna stated that generally the
rough grading, tree removal, and things like that are done initially
to determine if there is any prehistory. The trenching is usually at
the end for finish work where you get a look at the deeper
substrata. If you do not do the rough grade monitoring, you may
lose your pre -history.
01q
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October 18, 2001
90. Mr. Sundstrom monitoring is done on a daily basis.
91. Commissioners Wright and Irwin concurred it would be a beautiful
project.
92. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Wright/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2001-016
recommending approval of 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
1 1 1, subject to the condition as modified:
1 . The Oral History Program shall be prepared in cooperation
with the La Quinta Historical Society.
2. Collected materials shall become the property of the City of
La Quinta per the City's Standards of Curation.
3. Prior to issuance of a demolition or grading permit,
whichever comes first, the developer shall meet with the
Community Development Department and the Historic
Preservation Commission to determine which existing
features of the farm are to be incorporated into the
proposed project.
Unanimously approved.
B. Cultural Resources Assessment For Tentative Tract 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).
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Commissioner Mitchell concurred with staff's recommendations.
3. Commissioner Wright asked if all the dunes had been tested.
4. Applicant, Nick Santa stated he spent two -and -a -half days on the
backhoe with the Archaeological Consultant. They tested the
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October 18, 2001
entire site and although it had been disturbed ten years ago by the
construction of a dwelling lake, nothing was found. Due: to the
size of the report it would be given to staff at a later date.
5. Commissioner Wright then concurred with staff's
recommendations.
6. Commissioner Irwin stated she had gone out to the site and asked
if the large dune had been tested. Mr. Santa asked if she was
referring to the high point, to which she replied yes. He said that
was dirt from the digging for the lake.
7. Commissioner Irwin stated there was vegetation growing on the
dune and asked if that was all from the lake. Mr. Santa replied it
was.
8. Commissioner Sharp accepted the report as written.
9. Chairman Puente agreed with staff recommendations.
10. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Irwin/Wright to adopt Minute Motion 2001-017
recommending 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.
Unanimously approved.
C. Historical. Archaeological. and Paleontological Resources Report; 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)
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 thought there should be someone
to monitor the site. They could also identify archaeological
resources, and not just paleontological resources.
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October 18, 2001
3. Commissioner Wright agreed with staff's recommendation.
4. Commissioner Irwin agreed with Commissioner Mitchell about the
monitoring for both archaeological and paleontological.
5. Commissioner Sharp agreed with the monitoring of both.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2001-018,
and Commissioners Wright/Irwin to adopt Minute Motion 2001-
019 recommending approval of the 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 with the
following recommendation:
A. Monitoring shall be done for archaeological resources as
well as paleontological resources. All collected
archaeological resources should be delivered to the City of
La Quinta
Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
A. Commissioner Sharp stated he received some notes on one of the
Council meetings where it was recommended a representative: of the
Native American's be on this Commission. He felt that the Commission
dealt with so many areas that touched on that relationship it seemed like
a very good idea and he would like to see it happen.
Commissioner Irwin added she went to a Museum Conference in Palm
Springs last weekend and one of the things that was repeated at all the
sessions was that we are guests in their land and they should not only
be represented, but consulted on regarding projects. She said the
meeting included all the museums from the entire western United States
and Canada.
Commissioner Mitchell commented it was a wonderful idea because there
were a lot of things archaeologists could see on the ground, but a Native
American would be knowledgeable about whether the area was sacred
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October 18, 2001
or what it was formerly used for since they have learned about it through
their oral history. It would bring a different dimension, a different quality
to a Commission and it could work very well.
B. Chairman Puente commented that she needed additional training for the
year as she was unable to attend the Barstow Conference. Staff said
they would look into it.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Irwin/Sharp to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the
next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on November 15, 2001. This meeting of
the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:43 p.m., October 18,
2001. Unanimously approved.
Submitted by:
Carolyn Walker
Secretary
P:\CAROLYN\HPC 10-18-01. wpd -15016
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DATE:
U:11TJ1
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
NOVEMBER 15, 2001
PHASE II ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST PROGRAM FOR
TENTATIVE TRACT 30331
NORTH SIDE OF 50T" AVENUE, WEST OF JEFF=ERSON
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 5OT"
Avenue, west of Jefferson Street. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources
assessment for an application for a tentative tract map to create seven residential lots
was approved by the Historic Preservation Commission on October 18, 2001. Further
testing of the study area was determined to be needed in order to identify, or
evaluate the potential for buried archaeological deposits due to the high sensitivity of
the site and surrounding areas. A testing program has been completed for the
property.
DISCUSSION:
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. During the Phase I Assessment, it was determined that a moderate
scatter of prehistoric sherds and thermally affected clay fragments in the central
eastern part of the study formed a continuous deposit with CA-RIV-6146 and, as a
result, the site record form was updated to reflect the expansion of the deposit from
the adjacent property.
Ten backhoe test excavations were excavated primarily on the recorded site area.
Surface artifacts noted during the Phase I study, consisting of pottery sherds and
some thermally affected clay, were collected during Phase II. Results of the backhoe
excavations demonstrated, beyond any doubts, that the study area has been
subjected to recent deposition of fill material from off -site areas. Fill depth generally
exceed two meters in all areas of trenching. Modern refuse was present in all
pl\stan\hpc rpt ph 11 it 30331.wpd .. .. 017
trenches, which supports the fill theory. Trenching resulted in the recovery of one
pottery sherd and one fish vertebra.
As a result of the testing and determination that the site is covered with a significant
amount of fill material, the report concludes there is no potential for archaeological
resources to be impacted by the proposed project. Therefore, no further
archaeological work, including monitoring of rough grading and trenching on the
property, is recommended. The report further states that cultural resources or human
remains are discovered during earthmoving, appropriate mitigation should occur.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- accepting the "Phase II Archaeoloaic:al Test
Program for Tentative Tract No. 30331 La Quinta, California," as prepared by
Archaeological Advisory Group.
Attachment:
1 . Phase II Archaeological Test Program for Tentative Tract No. 30331, La Quinta,
California (Commissioners only)
Prepared by:
7�� Pam, �5a rat
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
Submitted by:
f � cSL
Christine di lono, Plan ing Manager
1
pl\stan\hpc rpt ph 11 tt 30331.wpd
Phase II Archaeological
Test Program for
Tentative Tract Map No. 30331,
La Quinta, California
(APNs 649-520-010, —012, & -013)
PMponed for:
Santa Properties and Development LLC
49105 Casa del Rio
1N3� La Quinta, CA 91.653
°O
> N lil
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w Submitted to.
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Prepared by:
James Brock
November 2001
Topographic Quadrangle: La Quinta, California
Acreage: Approx. 5.1
Key Words:1a Quinta, Ancient Lake Cahuilla,
Site CA-RIV-6146 (Primary No. 33.8427)
AAG Job No: 010924
tIWIN 111,
P.O. BOX 491, PION EERTOWN, CA 92268-0491
Tel: (760) 228-1142 . Fax: (760) 369-4002
E-mail: arehadvgrp*,aoLeotn
019
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
This report presents the results of a Phase II archaeological backhoe test
excavation and surface collection for Tentative Tract Map No. 30331 in the City
of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The subject property comprises a
5.1-acre parcel located on the north side of Avenue 50, west of Jefferson Street.
A seven lot residential subdivision is proposed for the property.
A Phase I archaeological/historical assessment of the property (Brock 2001)
indicated that the study area is in a region of high sensitivity for prehistoric
archaeological resources, with 30 archaeological sites having been recorded
within one-half mile. These sites are associated with the shoreline of the ancient
Lake Cahuilla. One site, CA-RIV-6146 (Primary No. 33-8427), had been
previously recorded immediately adjacent to the subject property. The Phase I
study noted a scatter of artifacts on the study area abutting CA-RIV-6146 and
consequently this scatter was included in an extension of the site area.
The purpose of this backhoe test and surface collection was to evaluate the nature
of the portion of CA-RIV-6146 that is present on the study area as well as to
clarify whether the property had any potential for containing buried
archaeological resources.
Test excavation by backhoe was conducted on the subject property by
Archaeological Advisory Group in September 2001. The test did not identify any
potentially significant buried cultural deposits and further demonstrated that the
property had been previously subjected to extensive importation of fill material.
This fill material is so deep (over two meters) that no natural ground surfaces 'mill
be impacted by the proposed development. The artifacts on the property that
comprise a portion of site CA-RIV-6146 are resting on top of fill material and
obviously have been imported to the property and have no research value. No
further archaeological work is recommended.
INTRODUCTION
This report presents the findings of a Phase II (test excavation) cultural resource assessment of
an approximately 5.1-acre property in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California.
Santa Properties & Development, LLC proposes to construct a residential development on the
property. The study area is located on the north side of Avenue 50 west of Jefferson Street
(Figures 1 and 2). The property comprises APNs 649-520-010, -012, and —013.
1
020
Figure 1. General location of the study area plotted on a portion of the USGS 1:250,000 Western
United States Series Santa Ana, California map (1959, revised 1979).
021
0 Feet 2500
p P
0 Meters 1000
Well
MIN
Figure 2. Specific location of the project area plotted on portion of the USGS 7.5' La Quinta,
California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980).
3
022
Fieldwork entailed a systematic test excavation by backhoe and the collection of surface artifacts
by transit. The project was conducted by Archaeological Advisory Group for Santa Properties
& Development, LLC and was undertaken in compliance with the City's cultural. resource
requirements for development projects. These requirements are intended to fulfill those aspects
of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (as amended) which pertain to the
management of cultural resources that may be impacted by development projects sponsored by
state or local government agencies, or by private developments requiring a discretionary permit
or license. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act may also be applicable.
This report was prepared in accordance with the recommended contents and format described in
the California State Preservation Planning Bulletin Number 4(a) (California Department of Parks
and Recreation 1989).
The Principal Investigator and Field Director for this study was James Brock. The field crew
consisted of Mr. Brock and Mary Anne Eason. Qualifications of these individuals are presented
in Appendix 1. All personnel met and exceed the Secretary of the Interior's and the City of La
Quinta's qualifications for their staffing level.
Field notes and other materials pertaining to this study are on file with Archaeological Advisory
Group (AAG Job Number 010924). Artifacts, field notes, and other pertinent data will be
curated by the City of La Quinta.
SETTING
NATURAL SETTING
The study area is located in the City of La Quinta, in the Coachella Valley area of Riverside
County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The 5.1 gross acre, rectangular -shaped property is
bordered on the south by Avenue 50, on the north and west boundaries by concrete block walls,
and by a dirt road on the eastern border.
The study area comprises a portion of the east fifth of the west half of the southeast: quarter of
Section 32 of Township 5 South, Range 7 East, SBBM. This area is located on the USGS 7.5'
La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle (Figure 2).
The study area is located in a vicinity that once comprised low, semi -stable aeolian sand dunes
typical of the floor of the central Coachella Valley. Most of the surrounding area has been
recently mass graded for development. Soil comprises a fine gray -brown aeolian sand that
ranges from loose to well compacted. The property is presently vacant and has clearly
experienced disturbance in the past. There are three large areas that appear to have been
excavated for lakes or ponds, and fill material from these holes, as well as import material from
off -site, is present over much of the unexcavated area.
4 023
The elevation of the study area is approximately 40 feet above mean sea level (amsl). The
nearest natural source of water is the Whitewater River one and one-half miles to the north.
The elevation of the study area is approximately 40 feet above mean sea level (arnsl). The
nearest natural source of water is the Whitewater River one and one-half miles to the north.
The study area would have been on the northwestern shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla (the
remnants of which are now the Salton Sea) during its high stands. The high stands are
estimated to have been at about 42 feet (12.8 meters) amsl. It is believed that Ancient Lake
Cahuilla filled up at least four times in the last two millennia with the final stand of Lake
Cahuilla probably occurring during the AD 1600s (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). Filling of the
ancient lake would have produced a rich marshland environment that could have been exploited
along with the lake and desert resources. Many useful plants grow in this community and were
used by the precontact inhabitants of the area —the ancestors of the Cahuilla as well as the
Patayan peoples. The marshland would have also drawn in many birds, mammals, and herptiles.
The lake itself was home to Colorado River fish species such as the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen
texanus) and bonytail chub (Gila elegans).
The study area is mostly denuded of vegetation. Intrusive vegetation on the lot is dominated by
tamarisk (Tamarix sp.) and sweetbush (Bebbia juncea). Some fairly mature tamarisks are
growing in the excavated areas noted above, indicating that the disturbances occurred a number
of years ago. Nearby vegetation includes indigo bush (Dalea emoryi), encelia (Encelia
farinosa), and creosote.(Larrea tridentata). Animal species typically encountered in the area
include pocket mouse, scorpions, Western Shovel -nosed Snake, Sidewinder, Western Whiptail,
Side -blotched Lizard, Loggerhead Shrike, Mourning Dove, Say's Phoebe, Gambel's Quail,
Common Raven, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel.
The study area falls within the Low Desert climatic zone. This is the driest, warmest, and
sunniest of the state's climates --it generally averages less than 5 inches of precipitation annually
and has a mean maximum temperature in July that exceeds 100' (Bailey 1966:42).
CULTURAL SETTING
While the regional ethnography of the study area is fairly well accounted for, its precontact
history is poorly understood. Archaeologists have struggled for years to put together
comprehensive chronologies for what is referred to as the Prehistoric Period (time: preceding
contact with Europeans) of Native American history. The sequence of prehistoric habitation
presented here is based primarily on the concordance of sequences presented by Warren (1984)
and Warren and Crabtree (1986). Warren's timeframe divisions were based on technological
changes in lithic use (i.e. millingstones and projectile points). His model was originally devised
for the Mojave desert region, but because of basic technological similarities in southern
California Indian cultures it is also applicable to the Colorado desert peoples.
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024
Lake Mojave Period
This period probably represents the earliest phase of human occupation in southern California. It
began by at least 10,000 BC and lasted until around 5000 BC. This period is characterized by
hunting of larger games animals using spears and articulated spear -throwing devices termed
"atlatls." Spear points of this period initially were quite large, lanceolate in shape, and were
oftentimes fluted, having a longitudinal groove along the central portion of the body for
attachment to a spear. Other projectile points such as Lake Mojave, Parman, and SUver Lake
points, were somewhat smaller (though still large in comparison to later arrow points) and foliate
in shape. Crescents, specialized scrapers, leaf -shaped knives, drills, and some choppers/
hammerstones are other tools which have been identified with this period. Millingstones
typically are not present. The artifact assemblage of this period is indicative of a generalized
hunting and gathering subsistence economy.
Archaeological sites from early on in this period were generally associated with Pleistocene lake
shorelines. As the Altithermal (a warmer and drier climatic period that lasted from 6000 BC to
900 BC) set in, sites began to concentrate around desert oases, away from receding lakes that
were becoming too brackish for consumption. This movement likely spawned the technological
change that would lead to the Pinto Basin complex.
Pinto Period
The Pinto Period dates from around 5000 to 2000 BC, corresponding roughly to the Millingstone
Horizon in the coastal areas of California. Although desert and coastal peoples shared cultural
traits during this period, desert peoples probably did not have the same dependence on
millingstones as coastal peoples. Seed grinding does not appear to be an important economic
activity yet to the peoples of this period, but the presence of flat slab and occasionally shallow -
basin metates along with manos, indicates growing importance that plant seed resources were
beginning to have. Presumably these peoples were still maintaining a large and small game
hunting and vegetal gathering economy during this period. Pinto points, as defined by Campbell
and Campbell (1935), are the distinctive lithics of this period. These are usually found in
association with heavy -keeled scrapers, and millingstones.
Pinto Basin complex sites are generally found in association with ephemeral lakes, stream
channels, and springs, which to some suggests a break in the Altithermal warming. Presumably
there was a reoccupation of lakeshore areas around 4500 BC and then a retreat back to desert
oases by 3500 BC. This time period is known as the Little Pluvial.
Gypsum Period
The Gypsum Period is believed to date from around 2000 BC to about AD 500. Again, primary
artifacts indicative of this period are projectile points of various types, including Gypsum Cave,
Humbolt series, and Elko series points. The early Gypsum period is characterized by larger
projectile points when use of the dart and atlatl were still common. Later, with the introduction
6 025
of the bow and arrow, smaller points become prominent. Manus and metates become more
common, and the mortar and pestle come into use --indicating a developing reliance upon fleshier
seed foods such as mesquite pods and acorns. Presence of Haliotis and Olivella shell beads in
sites of this period provide the earliest evidence for contact between desert and coastal peoples.
Saratoga Springs Period/Patayan I
The Saratoga Springs Period lasts from about AD 500 to 1200. The Patayan I Period lasts from
about AD 700 to 1000 (Waters 1982:281). During this period the southern desert region, in
which the Coachella Valley lies, deviates from the rest of the desert region due to heavy cultural
influence by the Patayan, a lower Colorado River group. The Patayan influence brings drastic
technological change to the peoples of this region. Buffware and Brownware pottery, made
using the paddle and anvil technique, are introduced and reliance on the bow and arrow increases
which leads to a new projectile point type called Cottonwood Triangular. Millingstones,
including manos, metates, pestles, and mortars are also present in this time period.
Shoshonean Period/Patayan H and III
The Shoshonean Period spans from AD 1200 to contact with Europeans. The Patayan II Period
lasts from about AD 1000 to 1500. The Patayan III Period lasts from about AD 1500 to
European contact. It is characterized mostly by continuing regional development, which causes
groups to differentiate technologically, ethnographically, and linguistically. In the Coachella
Valley region, Patayan influence continues, with Colorado Buffware and Tizon Brownware still
present. There are a number of changes in the Patayan ceramic traits, such as the disappearance
of the Colorado shoulder, red clay slip, and incised decoration (Waters 1982:287). New ceramic
traits include recurved rims and stucco finish. Desert Side -notched points have become the
dominant point type.
Proto-Historic Period
The Desert Cahuilla are the Native Americans ethnographically associated with the Coachella
Valley region. The Cahuilla influence in the Coachella Valley appears to have increased with
the departure of the Patayan people upon the desiccation of ancient Lake Cahuilla. They are a
Takic speaking people who are more closely culturally tied with coastal and Colorado River
groups than with most California desert peoples. The Cahuilla inherited much of their material
culture from the Patayan people, however, they were linguistically different, being Shoshonean
rather than Yuman, like the Patayan. Where the Patayan end and the Cahuilla begin presents an
interesting research area.
First known contact with the Cahuilla by a European was during the Juan Bautista de Anza
expedition in 1774-1776. They were largely ignored by the Spanish until the establishment of
the Asistencias San Antonio de Pala (1816), Santa Ysabel (1818), and San Bernardino (1830).
Through these mission outposts the Spanish managed to indirectly influence Cahuilla religious
beliefs and culture. During the Mexican occupation of California, the Cahuilla were largely left
alone by intruders. It was not until 1853 when the Southern Pacific Railroad began surveying
7
026
the Coachella Valley for a possible railroad route that the Cahuilla were again bothered. By this
point the lands inhabited by the Cahuilla had become desired by Americans. In response to this,
President Ulysses S. Grant began allotting Cahuilla lands in 1875 to give to American settlers. It
was during this period when the removal of the Cahuilla to government reservations began. Ten
reservations were created that affected the Cahuilla; of these, four are in the Coachella Valley.
Ethnography
Many studies of Cahuilla culture have been conducted over the years. Among the most
informative accounts are Bean (1972, 1978), Strong (1929), Hooper (1920), and Kroeber (1908).
Four excellent ethnobiological studies also exist (Ebeling 1986, Barrows 1900, Kroeber 1925,
and Bean and Saubel 1972), as well as archaeological accounts of prehistoric Cahuilla
adaptations to the desiccation of ancient Lake Cahuilla (e.g. Wilke 1978).
The Cahuilla are divided by anthropologists into three subgroups, the Desert Cahuilla of the
Coachella Valley, the Pass Cahuilla of the San Gorgonio pass area, and the Mountain Cahuilla of
the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. These divisions were based on geographic separation
and dialect differences, but they were not necessarily recognized by the Cahuilla themselves.
Actually, the Cahuilla did not consider themselves to be of one tribe as western anthropologists
have designated them to be. Bean (1972:85) reported that "the maximal level of social
identification among the Cahuilla was the ?ivi?1yu?atum, a linguistically and culturally defined
group ... [which] refers to persons speaking the Cahuilla language and recognizing a commonly
shared cultural heritage ... [but] a more precise membership criterion existed at the next level of
group identity." A person's inclusion in his or her moiety and lineage (or clan) was primary to any
tribal affiliation.
The two moeities, or main divisions, of the Cahuilla were the Istam (coyote) and the Tuktum (wild
cat). Moieties were patrilinear and exogamous, meaning that lineage was followed through the
father and that members of one moiety had to many into the other. Clans were numerous and were
named after or associated with the villages they comprised. Individual clans claimed. ownership
over their village and the territories in which they hunted, gathered, and camped. Territories could
be several square miles in extent and were only for the use of a specific lineage. Mesquite grove
boundaries, for instance, were drawn to include specific trees. Everyone knew who those trees
belong to so that if someone from another lineage was found trespassing, a fight could ensue. But
in times of need, areas were shared with other clans. This allowance occurred regularly with
mesquite because these groves do not produce bountiful crops each year. In the case of crop failure,
a neighboring clan would invite the misfortunate person into their territory to gather.
RECORDS AND LITERATURE RESULTS/PREVIOUS RESEARCH
An archaeological records search conducted for the Phase I study of this property (Brock 2001)
indicated that the study area had not been previously surveyed for cultural resources. However,
it did indicate that it is in an area of high archaeological sensitivity with 30 archaeological sites
having been recorded within one-half mile. One site, CA-RIV-6146 (Primary No. 33-8427), had
been recorded immediately adjacent to the subject property.
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027
The systematic archaeological field reconnaissance conducted for the Phase I study located
cultural material on the study area in a location adjacent to the recorded site CA-RIV-6146. The
site boundaries of CA-RIV-6146 were adjusted to include this area. The portion of the site that
falls within the study area appeared to be disturbed and possibly comprised of surface fill
material. It was unclear if there were intact buried deposits present in the site area or other areas
of the property. Backhoe testing and surface collection were recommended in order to clarify
this issue.
Archival research indicated that the study area had been part of a 160-acre homestead patent
granted to Carlton W. Woodhouse in 1917. A building unrelated to the homestead was present
on the property by 1959. No evidence of the structure was observed during the Phase I study.
RESEARCH DESIGN
INTRODUCTION
A research design is a guide document to organize research and interpret findings. It provides a
structure from which the evaluation of significance can be made. A research design is usually
regional in scope and based on some type of statistically -based sampling program (see
Binford 1964). A research design generallyhas the following elements: (1) a theoretical
orientation, (2) research areas, or domains, under which come (3) specific research hypotheses
or questions which have (4) test implications for interpretation of field data.
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
The theoretical orientation which structures this research design is cultural materialism. Cultural
materialism assumes that decision making by people and groups is based upon economic
considerations. It assumes that behavior, at least in the long term, is rational and therefore
adaptive. It recognizes that people and groups have not and do not always behave in a rational
manner but from the relatively gross temporal perspective of archaeology, such behavior is not
statistically significant.
RESEARCH DOMAINS
The research domains, or topics, which will be considered are chronology, subsistence practices,
settlement systems, exchange systems, and site structure and formative processes. Discussions
of these domains are provided below.
Chronology
Chronology is the backbone of archaeology. Establishing the sequence of cultural change
through time is a fundamental concern in archaeology. Unless a site can be placed in a
temporal context, its ability to address the evolution of a cultural system is seriously limited.
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028
Fortunately, datable material (e.g. charcoal) is relatively abundant on sites in the La Quinta area,
including those investigated during the current project. From this data, it is clear that abundant
Late Period sites are present in the La Quinta area. A major concern in the region's archaeology
is establishing changes in Late Period settlement and subsistence patterns in relation to the
fluctuations in the water level of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Furthermore, since evidence for
temporally earlier sites is lacking, any data helping to establish an Archaic Period chronology
for the area is extremely valuable.
■ Does the site(s) contain sufficient material for absolute or relative dating?
Test implications: presence of carbon in sufficient quantity to provide absolute dates,
presence of temporally -sensitive artifact types (e.g. ceramics, projectile points).
■ Is there any evidence for an archaic period use of the site(s)?
Test implications: absolute (e.g. carbon) date of pre -AD 900 or presence of artifacts (e.g.
projectile points, beads) dated to pre -AD 900.
Can the site(s) be tied in to one or more of the postulated stands of ancient Lake Cahuilla (see
e.g. Waters 1983)?
Test implication: absolute date(s) that corresponds to a postulated stand of Lake Cahuilla.
Is there any evidence for a post -Lake Cahuilla use of the sites?
Test implication: absolute or relative date of post -AD 1.650, presence of historical artifacts.
Settlement Systems
Information on settlement patterns should be present in the data from the site. Data may
present evidence of changing settlement patterns with the different lacustral episodes of ancient
Lake Cahuilla and those caused by the final desiccation of the lake.
■ Can settlement location be related to a particular stand of ancient Lake Cahuilla?
■ Is there evidence of a change in settlement patterns pertaining to the desiccation of Lake
Cahuilla?
Was shoreline occupation at Lake Cahuilla primarily seasonal or year round (Wilke
1978:14)?
Subsistence Practices
Presence of a good-sized faunal assemblage from any of the sites should provide a good range of
evidence for exploitation of faunal resources. Examined with other sites in mind that are located
10
029
in the vicinity, this assemblage also presents a regional look at resource exploitation.
Reconstruction of ceramic vessel forms and the types of ground stone implements present
could provide information on the types of resources being exploited by the site's inhabitants.
■ Is there evidence of a change in subsistence strategies resulting from the desiccation of Lake
Cahuilla?
Test implication: change in frequencies of particular faunal species in stratigzaphically
discrete contexts dating to the last stand and later periods.
■ Are there ceramic forms and ground stone implements present that are indicative of certain
types of resource exploitation activities?
■ Is there evidence of agriculture? If so, does it relate to changing subsistence practices forced
by the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla?
Exchange Systems
Patterns of exchange should be evidenced in artifactual material from the site. Such things as
lithic types, ceramics, and beads present could indicate trade relations with other groups (e.g.
Colorado River or coastal California). The following research questions have been developed to
address this domain:
• Are exotic resources present at the site? Do these represent direct procurement or exchange
mechanisms?
• Is there evolution through time in the types or quantities of non -local resources present?
■ Is the local catchment area sufficiently diverse in natural resources to discourage trade
relations?
■ Is there evidence of the exchange of technologies or ideas, rather than material objects?
Site Structure and Formative Processes
The aeolian sand dune environment is atypical of southern California archaeological contexts.
Some assumptions that are taken for granted in California archaeology may not necessarily apply
to the special environment under consideration. Recent work in the La Quinta area Brock and
Smith 2000) has lead us to put forward the following hypotheses:
■ Because of soil deflation in the aeolian sand environment, sites with the most abundant
surface material will generally be shallow.
Test implication: cultural deposits in such scenarios will generally be less than 10
centimeters in depth.
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030
Surface sites will generally evaluate as non -significant for two primary reasons: (1) relic
seekers will have picked the diagnostic artifacts from the surface and, (2) they will be largely
undateable because surface charcoal will have blown away or will be contaminated and
diagnostic artifacts will be gone.
■ Buried sites will be present in the aeolian sand dune environment and they will have the
greatest research potential. What goes up must come down. Sand accumulation will occur in
the dune environment, particularly in regenerative vegetation contexts (e.g. mesquite dunes).
This will result in cultural deposits being sealed and buried through time. These deposits will
have good integrity.
Test implication: discovery of archaeological sites with no, or minimal, surface indicators.
METHODS
FIELDWORK AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
Test Program Methodology
Fieldwork for the Phase II test excavation was conducted on September 28 and 291, 2001 by
James Brock and Mary Anne Eason. The backhoe was used on the second day with the property
owner, Mick Santa, as the equipment operator.
The test program was conducted as four tasks: (1) the establishment of a systematic grid over
known site areas and areas that appear to have the potential for buried deposits, (2) a systematic
backhoe test excavation over the grid areas to discover and evaluate potential subsurface
deposits, (3) the collection of surface artifacts, and (4) the analysis/write-up of recovered data.
Task 1
A grid of 25 meter intervals was established, by transit, over the known site area and. areas that
appeared to have the potential for buried deposits. This grid was used for locating backhoe
trenches.
Task 2
This consisted of the subsurface evaluation of the areas laid out during Task 1 through the
excavation of a systematic grid of backhoe trenches. This evaluated the overall potential of the
designated areas to yield buried prehistoric resources. Trenches were approximately 60 by 200
centimeters and dug to a minimum of two meters in depth.
It was originally intended that all soil was to be screened through '/<-inch mesh for cultural
material. However, because virtually all of the area tested contained compacted imported fill, it
was necessary to screen samples of the excavated soil rather than 100 percent. A total of 10
12
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trenches were excavated. A map indicating the trench locations is shown as Figure 3 and a view
of the work in progress is shown as Figure 4.
Task 3
Surface artifacts first noted during the Phase I study were collected during Phase IL A transit
was used for bearing measurements and distance was either taped or measured with a "Philly
Rod."
Task 4
Task 4 consisted of artifact/ecofact cataloging and analysis, site evaluation, and the production of
the present report on the project. Analysis was initiated with the completion of the fieldwork.
Artifacts were labeled with the site number, "CA-RIV-6146," and the catalog nurnber. The
catalog number has the prefix of "AAG" so the specimens are not confused with specimens
recovered from portions of the site on other tracts. The artifacts/ecofacts recovered, along with
notes and other pertinent material, will be deposited with the City of La Quinta.
In accordance with State Historic Preservation Office guidelines, all cultural materials over 45
years in age were considered for potential cultural resource value during both phases of the field
research.
FINDINGS
BACKHOE TEST EXCAVATION RESULTS
No potentially significant cultural deposits were located during the backhoe testing. No new
sites were located on the property. Table I presents a breakdown of the data from the various
trenches. Appendix 2 presents the artifact/ecofact catalog of the recovered material.
The backhoe trenches demonstrated, beyond any doubt, that the study area has been subjected to
the recent deposition of fill material largely from off -site areas. This appears to be the case in all
areas investigated by backhoe. Fill depth generally exceeds two meters. As Table 1, indicates,
modern refuse was present in all trenches. This refuse could only have gotten into the ground
through the process of filling on the site.
One prehistoric artifact was recovered during the backhoe trenching. This was an undiagnostic
Tizon Brown pottery sherd recovered near the surface of Trench 2 (N100/E75). This sherd was
in imported fill material.
One fish vertebra (cf razorback sucker) came from Trench 8 (N125/E25). This was also in fill
material.
13
032
=
co2 1 ,III
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o, 9 8, Y o
o Trench 6�um\7' S��=i 6
m n n 41, 0o i6
�•` r' of
eo:g Trench 8 25 `Z6' 1J iti 18
n u. oo A0
c rp c��s
1 ¢1ro No. �3Co1=
0 Feet 150
�c
0 Meters s0
f,•
Key:
Trench
µ hj
location
Pottery o
TA Clay ° T N
Sir
21
27--7. rr
°
Trench 7 2� 23 2W0
Oo
,t
Trench 924-f
I
a�
_ _--
Trench 10 l
' Trench 5
l� I
Figure 3.
I Plan of TTM 30331
with trench and surface
collection locations
indicated.
033
Trench
Grid
Depth
Findings*
Stratigraphic
#
Location
m
Observations
Precontact
Modern
1
N125/E75
2.0
Light shell
Sheet plastic
Mottled compacted
fragments
fragments at 1.5 m
sand,
some charcoal
fragments
2
N100/E75
2.1
1 sherd Tizon
Glass, butchered
Compacted sand with
Brown
bone, plastic, brick
hard clayey lenses,
fight charcoal
3
N75/E75
2.1
1 fragment of
Concrete, glass,
Hard, silty clay.
shell
plastic, metal, sewer
Sandier below 1.S m.
pipe
Few charcoal
fragments
4
N50/E75
2.0
None
Concrete, plaster,
Sandy with silty clay
plastic, asphalt,
chunks. Light
metal fragments,
charcoal
carpet fragments
5
N150 E75
2.2
one
Metal, plastic,
Homogeneous loose
concrete, tile at
sand, some charcoal
bottom
6
N125/E50
2.0
None
Glass, concrete,
Sand with clayey/silty
plaster, plastic,
chunks, mottled
metal (at bottom)
7
N100/E50
2.2
None
Glass, plastic, metal,
Sand with clayey
styrofoam, sewer
chunks, moist: below
pipe, carpet fibers
1.5 m. Some charcoal
8
N125/E25
2.0
Fish vertebra,
Glass
Dry, loose sand with a
shell fragments
few charcoal
fragments
9
N75/E25
2.1
Few shell
Plastic, tin foil
Dry, loose sand with a
fragments
few charcoal
fragments
10
N50/E50
2.0
None
Plastic fragments
Silty, clayey chunks in
sand, some charcoal
Table 1. Summary of trench characteristics and findings. *Modem material and shell/charcoal fragments
not saved.
15 034
� rl
+i
Figure 4. View of backhoe trenching in progress.
Small amounts of charcoal were present in all of the trenches. Because this was in fill material
there was no reason to conduct radiocarbon dating.
SURFACE COLLECTION RESULTS
Despite the presence of fill over all areas tested by backhoe, and presumably the entire study
area, there remained a scatter of surface artifacts in the central western portion of the property on
what was recorded during the Phase I study (Brock 2001) as a portion of the adjacent
archaeological site CA-RIV-6146.
Twenty eight specimens were recovered during the surface collection. Of these, 25 artifacts
were Tizon Brown pottery and 3 were thermally affected clay fragments. The distribution of
these artifacts is shown in Figure 3.
ARTIFACVECOFACT ANALYSIS
Table 2 presents a summary of the precontact material recovered from the property. The artifact
catalog for the property is presented as Appendix 2 to this report. As can be seen, pottery is the
dominant category, comprising 95.2 percent of the assemblage by weight. The sherds consist
exclusively of brownware, specifically Tizon Brown. Twenty-four of the sherds are
undiagnostic body sherds, while two specimens (Cat. Nos. 9 and 23) are small rim sherds from
bowls or cooking pots.
16
035
Artifact/Ecofact Category
Tvpe
Count
Wei ht
% by Weight
Pottery sherds
Tizon Brown
26
124.8
95.2
Thermally affected clay fragments
Globular
3
6.2
4.7
Faunal remains
Fish vertebra
1
0.1
0.1
Total
30
131.1
100
Table 2. Summary of artifactual and ecofactual material from the site.
The thermally affected clay fragments are undiagnostic. These clay specimens are the byproduct
of some unspecified activity such as cooking or construction (daubing). The one fish vertebra
recovered appears to be from a razorback sucker, a Colorado River fish that was once: common
in Ancient Lake Cahuilla.
All of the artifacts recovered came from a poor context —imported fill material. All of the
materials are commonplace on archaeological sites in the vicinity.
DISCUSSION
No intact archaeological deposits were identified during the test excavation. Given the research
questions presented above in the Research Design it is concluded that there are no cultural
resources present on the property that have meaningful research potential.
The most likely explanation for the presence of Native American artifacts on top of the fill
material on the property is that they came from the adjacent portion of site CA-RIV-6146, the
southern half of which was graded within the last few years.
The backhoe trenching has been helpful in that it demonstrated that the study area is covered
with a thick layer of fill material and has no archaeological potential.
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
SITE EVALUATION
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) an archaeological resource is
significant if it meets one of the following criteria: (a) it is associated with an event or person of
recognized significance in California or American history, or recognized scientific importance in
prehistory; (b) it can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and
useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable archaeological research
questions; (c) it has a special or particular quality such as oldest, best example, largest, or last
surviving example of its kind; (d) it is at least 100 years old and possesses substantial
stratigraphic integrity; or (e) it involves important research questions that historical research has
shown can be answered only with archaeological methods.
fbl
036
Additional criteria of significance is found in eligibility for the California Register of Historical
Resources (CRHP), which is based upon the criteria used for Federal undertakings whereby
resources are evaluated for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places:
A. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of history.
B. Association with the lives of persons significant in our past.
C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic
values, or that represent a significant distinguishable entity whose components
may lack individual distinction.
D. Have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or
prehistory.
Research on this property has not identified any potentially significant archaeological deposits.
It is very unlikely that significant buried deposits are present on the property. If such were the
case they would be buried well below the impact zone for the proposed project and consequently
would not be disturbed by the project.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Given the fact that this property is covered with a significant amount of fill material (2+ meters),
and the project calls for further importation of fill material, there is essentially no potential for
archaeological resources to be impacted by the project. No further archaeological work,
including monitoring of rough grading and trenching on the property, is recommended.
Consideration should be given to impacts to cultural resources in potential borrow areas off of
the present study area. This project has shown that an archaeological deposit somewhere off of
the project area was impacted and redeposited on the study area. It is unknown whether a
potentially significant site was legally or illegally impacted in allowing this to happen.
In the highly unlikely event that buried cultural resources are discovered during earthmoving,
work should stop in the vicinity of the find and a plan of action for their evaluation and treatment
should be developed in consultation with the Planning Department of the City of La Quinta and a
qualified archaeological consultant. Furthermore, should any human remains be encountered,
State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 states that no further disturbance shall occur until
the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to
Public Resources Code Section 5097.98.
18
037
REFERENCES CITED
American Association for State and Local History
1991 National Register of Historic Places. American Association for State and Local
History, Nashville.
Bailey, Harry P.
1966 Weather of- Southern California. California Natural History Guides 17.
University of California Press, Berkeley.
Barrows, David P.
1900 Ethno-botany of the Coahuilla Indians. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Bean, Lowell John
1972 Mukat's People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of
California Press, Berkeley
1978 Cahuilla. In California, edited by Robert F. Heizer, pp. 575-587. Handbook of
North American Indians, Vol. 8, William G. Sturtevant, general editor.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Bean, Lowell John, and Katherine Siva Saubel
1972 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants. Malki Museum,
Banning.
Binford, Lewis R.
1964 A Consideration of Archaeological Research Design. American Antiquity 29:425-
441.
Brock, James
2001 Cultural Resources Assessment for Tentative Tract 30331, Avenue 50 West of
Jefferson Street, La Quinta, California. Ms. on file, Eastern Information Center,
California Historical Resources Information System, UC Riverside.
Brock, James, and Brenda D. Smith
2000 Digging in Desert Dune Fields: Methodological Considerations. Proceedings of
the Society, for California Archaeology 13:211-216.
Brock, James, Brenda D. Smith, and Thomas A. Wake
1999 Investigations at the Burning Dune Site (CA-RIV-4754), La Quinta, California.
AAG Monograph 1. Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California.
19
California Department of Parks and Recreation
1976 California Inventory of Historic Places. California Office of Historic
Preservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento.
1989 Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended
Contents and Format. California Office of Historic Preservation, California
Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento.
1990 California Historical Landmarks. California Department of Parks and
Recreation, Sacramento.
Campbell, E.W.C., and W.H. Campbell
1935 The Pinto Basin Site: An Ancient Aboriginal Camping Ground in the California
Desert. Southwest Museum Papers 9:1-51.
Ebeling, Walter
1986 Handbook of Indian Foods and Fibers of Arid America. University of California
Press, Berkeley, California
Hopper, Lucille
1920 The Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American
Archaeology and Ethnology 16:316-379. Berkeley.
Kroeber, A.J.
1908 Ethnography of the Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in
American Archaeology and Ethnology 8:29-68. Berkeley.
1925 Handbook of the Indians of California. 1976 reprint edition. Dover Publications,
Inc., New York.
Strong, William Duncan
1929 Aboriginal Society in Southern California. University of California Publications
in American Archaeology and Ethnology 26:1-349. Berkeley.
Warren, Claude N.
1984 The Desert Region. In California Archaeology, by Michael J. Moratto, pp. 339-
430. Academic Press, New York.
Warren, Claude N., and Robert H. Crabtree
1986 Prehistory of the Southwestern Area. In Great Basin, edited by Warren L.
D'Azevedo, pp. 183-193. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 11,
William C. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.
20
039
Waters, Michael R.
1982 The Lowland Patayan Ceramic Tradition. In Hohokam and Patayan: Prehistory
of Southwestern Arizona, edited by Randall H. McGuire and Michael B. Schiffer,
pp. 275-297. Academic Press, New York.
1983 Late Holocene Lacustrine Chronology and Archaeology of Ancient Lake
Cahuilla, California. Quaternary Research 19:373-387.
Wilke, Philip J.
1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley, California.
Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility
No. 38. University of California, Berkeley.
1988 The Natural and Cultural Environment. In Archaeological Investigations at CA-
RIV-1179, CA-RIV-2823, and CA-RIV-2827, La Quinta, Riverside County,
California. Coyote Press, Salinas, California.
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
James Brock (Principal Investigator)
■ BA (Anthropology), UC Santa Barbara
■ MA (Archaeology), University of Durham, Durham, England
■ Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), i.e. listed on Registry of Professional
Archaeologists, formerly the Society of Professional Archaeologists (SOPA). SOPA
certifications in field research, theoretical/archival research, and historical archaeology.
■ 21 years of experience as a Principal Investigator on cultural resource management (CRM)
projects throughout southern California
Mary Anne Eason (Crew Member/Surveyor)
■ BA (Anthropology), CSU San Bernardino
■ MA (Anthropology), UC Riverside
■ 5 years of CRM experience in southern California
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APPENDIX 2:
ARTIFACT CATALOG FOR CA-RIV-6146
Catalog No. Location
Quantity Description
Type
Material
Weight (qm) Notes
1 Surf Col 1
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
11.3 2 mended pcs.
2 Surf Col 1
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.1
3 Surf Col 2
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
7.2
4 Surf Col 3
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
8.3
5 Surf Col 4
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
2.8
6 Surf Col 4
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.5
7 Surf Col 5
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
6.9
8 Surf Col 5
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
6.5
9 Surf Col 6
1 Sherd, rim
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
7.3
10 Surf Col 7
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.3
11 Surf Col 8
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
4.3
12 Surf Col 8
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
0.5
13 Surf Col 9
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
9.8
14 Surf Col 10
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
4.8
15 Surf Col 10
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
5.4
16 Surf Col 11
1 Clay fragment
Globular
Clay
4.3
17 Surf Col 11
1 Clay fragment
Globular
Clay
1.3
18 Surf Col 11
1 Clay fragment
Globular
Clay
0.6
19 Surf Col 12
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.6
20 Surf Col 13
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
2
21 Surf Col 14
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
6.2
22 Surf Col 15
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
1
23 Surf Col 15
1 Sherd, rim
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
4
24 Surf Col 16
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
1.6
25 Surf Col 17
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.8
26 Surf Col 17
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
4
27 Surf Col 18
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
7.8
28 Surf Col 18
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
3.8
29 Tr N100/E75
1 Sherd, body
Tizon Brown
Ceramic
2
30 Tr N125IE25
1 Vertebra, fish
cf. Razorback
Faunal
0.1
041