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2003 08 29 HPCOPT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AG EN ®A The Special Meeting to be held in the Session Room at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California AUGUST 29, 2003 3:00 P.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2003-009 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 A. Approval of the Minutes for the meeting of June 19, 2003 ►•� i►i*Syrrakv,R3 A. PHASE 1 HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES REPORT. Applicant: Coachella Valley Engineers for Madison/58th Partners. Paleontological Consultant: CRM TECH — Michael Hogan, Principal Location: South side of Avenue 58, approximately %: mile west of Madison Street. OK/*oA B. RESULTS OF PHASE II ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES FOR SPECIFIC PLAN 03-065. Applicant: Centex Destination Properties. Archaeological Consultant: Statistical Research, Inc. Location: West side of Eisenhower Drive at Coachella Drive. C. Historic Preservation Commission Work Program Progress report. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS VIII. ADJOURNMENT 002 4FC14�n MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING The Regular Meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California June 19, 2003 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairperson, Leslie Mouriquand at 3:03 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Irwin, Wright, Sharp and Chairman Mouriquand. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to excuse Commissioner Puente. Unanimously approved. Staff Present: Planning Manager, Oscar Orci, 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 Irwin/Wright to approve the Minutes of May 15, 2003 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Paleontological Assessment Report for Desert Elite Rancho Santana for Specific Plan 2003-064 Applicant: Desert Elite, Inc. Paleontological Consultant: San Bernardino County Museum, Division of Geological Sciences Location: Southwest corner of Avenue 52 and Monroe Street. 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. 003 t 2. Commissioners Irwin and Wright stated they liked the additional condition regarding curation and suggested it be used as a standard condition in future reports. 3. Chairperson Mouriquand asked if the City Museum was equipped to curate all the collected artifacts. Commissioner Irwin replied the Museum was currently storing everything properly. 4. Planning Manager Orci stated the consultant was concerned about the storage of the collections and that was the reason the conditions were modified. 5. Chairperson Mouriquand stated one of her concerns was whether the collections were being made available to qualified researchers, upon written request. 6. Commissioner Irwin stated the curation standards had been developed by this Commission and were being followed. She also commented on the possibility of determining a storage fee for the curated materials. This had been discussed but no action had ever been taken. Staff replied the City is currently funding the entire curation. 7. Commissioner Irwin suggested this could be part of the developer's fees. She also added the City Museum had been approached about taking collections from outside La Quinta. She wanted the Commission to include this information in any future discussion about curation at the City Museum. 8. Chairperson Mouriquand stated she didn't see any problems with the report and liked the revised conditions. She then asked the applicant if he wished to make comments. 9. Applicant, John Pedalino, stated the only comment he received was from Kathleen Springer of the San Bernardino County Museum. She had indicated their Museum wanted the artifacts. Staff explained that all City artifacts are kept within the City. 10. Planning Manager Orci commented he had discussed this situation with Ms. Springer and her concern was that everything was curated and stored properly. He was sending her a copy of the City's Curation Standards. 11. Commissioner Sharp commented it would have helped if the report had included a map. , .. 0U4 2 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2003-008 accepting the Paleontological Assessment Report for Desert Elite, Rancho Santana, for Specific (Plan 2003-064, with the revised conditions as follows: 1. On and off site monitoring in areas identified as likely to contain paleontological resources shall be conducted by a qualified paleontological monitor. The monitor shall be equipped to salvage fossils as they are unearthed to avoid construction delays and to remove samples of sediments which are likely to contain the remains of small fossil invertebrates and vertebrates. The monitor shall be empowered to temporarily halt or divert equipment to allow removal of abundant or large specimens. Proof of retention of monitor shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving permit, or before any clearing of the: site is begun. 2. Recovered specimens shall be prepared to the point of identification and permanent preservation, including washing of sediments to recover small invertebrates and vertebrates. 3. A report of findings with an appended itemized inventory of specimens shall be submitted to the City prior to first occupancy of a residence being granted by the City. The report shall include pertinent discussions of the significance of all recovered resources where appropriate. The report and inventory, when submitted, will signify completion of the program to mitigate impacts to paleontological resources. 4. Collected resources and related reports, etc. shall be given to the City for depository into the City museum which is to be constructed. Packaging of resources, reports, etc. shall comply with standards commonly used in the paleontological industry. Unanimously approved. 00 3 A. Historic preservation Commission Work Program 1. Planning Manager, Oscar Orci gave an update on the progress of the Commissions Work Program, which included the following points: a). A comparison of the City's Historic Preservation Code to the State's, and other communities with similar codes. Of concern was Section 7.02, General Regulations and Administration. This section describes the purpose and intent of the Historic Preservation Program and indicates the Commission is an advisory body to the Planning Director on certain environmental issues. This is in conflict with other provisions of the Code allowing the Commission to approve or deny projects. This is a conflict which needs to be cleared up. b). The role of this Commission is very clearly defined. However, there are no historic landmarks or historic districts identified which brings up the question of the survey. The Commission will need to recommend to the City Council whether they wish a recon survey or an intensive survey, keeping in mind the cost of an intense survey will be higher. c). The survey area needs to be defined. Should the whole City be surveyed or just selected (parts depending upon the funds allotted or obtained? d). Need to develop a Historic Context. A Context Statement had been written several years back which should still be available for use. The draft would need to be brought before the Commission to be reviewed, approved and finalized. e). Numerous photos had been taken over the years that could be included as exhibits and should be in the City's files. 000' M f). Once the Historic Context is finalized, the Commission will need to determine how to link the Context to the City's built environment to help define the scope of the survey. The survey could be done in layers of time with the Context Statement identifying those layers as well as thematic issues. A theme should be developed and possibly, property types such as archeological, paleontological, or more contemporary g). The City has set aside a budget of $15,000 for historic preservation plans. This was the total budget allocated for the Commission which would have to cover the cost of doing a large survey area. Grant opportunities were being researched. Four had been found, one of which was the CLG grant. The status of the State budget has caused CLG funding to be reduced from $250,000 - $150,000 to $90,000 with more reductions. Still staff would check into possible foundation grants, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the California Council for the Humanities. h). Staff to locate and bring to Commission the Preservation Plan. i). A Commission sponsored training workshop for other local governments with a keynote speaker to be obtained and other local governments invited. The focus could be on desert issues, training for Planning Departments/Commissioners, Council Members and issues for other cities with Preservation Commissions. Possibly the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society could be invited to assist in presentations. j). Staff to look into funding for this project. A key theme should be identified for the training and then locate a speaker who could address the theme. Possibly someone well versed in Archaeology and Paleontology. Local Native American tribes should be invited. k). Some focus on Paleontology, especially in the outlying areas of the City, should be done. Kathy Springer could make a presentation on the subject, at the training session. 007 5 1). Training on how and why to recommend conditions should be included, especially for those cities which do not have Historic Preservation Commissions. The Guidelines for Curation of Archaeological Provisions have to have irrelevant items taken out and have correct criteria added in our Code Requirements. Also needed are Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR) formats. m). Guidelines would be great to touch on with a sample archaeological report which could be understood by a layperson. There could also be information on how a planner reviews a project and makes recommenda- tions. n). Suggest a time frame for the training, looking possibly at the Fall. There could also be a speaker to talk about the CLG program from SHPO such as Kathy Springer or Eric Scott, on the "Art of Paleontology". Some topics dealing with prehistoric or Native American topics could also be included. o). Possible dates could be Friday the 7th, or Saturday the 8th, of November. Feedback had been received from conferences attended, that people did not want to attend on their free time, but would prefer to go during the week. p). A survey would be made of the various jurisdictions to obtain possible dates and interest. An outline could be sent to the CLG Coordinator at SHPO, requesting CLG training credits for this event. Also suggested was having Gary Resvaloso or Judy Stapp (Cultural Coordinators for the local Tribes) give 30-minute presentations on the Native American perspective. There are many potential speakers right here in the Valley. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL A. Information was included on the Kern County Museum and a historic walking tour of downtown Bakersfield. 008 6 V. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Sharp informed the Commission he was producing an event with the Torres Martinez Bird Singers at the Children's Discovery Museum on November 9, 2003. B. Chairperson Mouriquand informed the Commission this was Commissioner Irwin's last meeting and she was being presented with a "Resolution of Recognition" for her years of service to the City. Chairperson Mouriquand then read the Resolution into the minutes. Resolution of Recognition A Resolution of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of La Quinta, California Commending Barbara Irwin WHEREAS, Barbara Irwin has served as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, a Certified Local Government per the State Historic Preservation Office, since her appointment in July 1997, by dedicating her time and devotion to the betterment to historic preservation and cultural resource management; and, WHEREAS, during Ms. Irwin's term some of the major preservation decisions of the Commission have included the rehabilitation and National Register Assessment of the Hacienda del Gato and the preservation, in place, of prehistoric archaeological site CA-RIV- 1179 at the Tradition Club development; the Miraflores housing subdivision; the seismic retrofit and rehabilitation of the Fisher Building in the La Quinta Village; the National Register Assessments of the La Quinta Hotel, Water Morgan House, Cyrus Pierce House, and La Sala; the discovered of the "Burning Dune" site (CA-RIV-4754), an important archaeological site in the Coachella Valley history, and the Phase 111 data recovery of two archaeological sites determined to be potentially significant according to National Register criteria within Tentative Tract Map 28964; and WHEREAS, during Ms. Irwin's term the major preservation planning accomplishments of the Commission consisted of adopting the first City-wide Historic Resources Survey, conducted in 1997 and supported by a grant awarded by the Certified Local Government Program, and the President's Award bestowed by the California Preservation Foundation for exceptional service in preserving California's cultural and architectural heritage; and work on the City's Context Statement; and, 009 7 WHEREAS, Ms. Irwin has honorably served the Commission by lending her expertise in reviewing and providing direction for numerous cases in the regular meetings, helping with the California Preservation Foundation Annual Meetings in Palm Springs in May 1999, representing the City of La Quinta at the California Preservation Foundation Conferences, serving as the Commission's representative for the expansion of the C:ity's Museum, and participating in several preservation training workshops; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of La Quinta, California that due to the amount of time and energy that has been devoted to the City of La Quinta by Ms. Irwin, this Resolution shall be recorded as part of the official Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission for this meeting. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission, held on this 19th day of June 2003. C. Commissioner Irwin thanked the Commission for the Resolution and stated they had a lot of work ahead of them. She thanked the Commission for the privilege of working with them. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next Regular Meeting to be held on July 17, 2003. This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: Carolyn Walker Secretary 010 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: LOCATION: APPLICANT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: BACKGROUND: AUGUST 29, 2003 PHASE 1 HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES REPORT SOUTH SIDE OF AVENUE 58, APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE WEST OF MADISON STREET COACHELLA VALLEY ENGINEERS (FOR MADISON/58TH PARTNERS) CRM TECH (MICHAEL HOGAN, PRINCIPAL) The study area is a 33± acre parcel of land on the south side of Avenue 58, between Jefferson Street and Madison Street. An abandoned single-family residence, shooting range and plant nursery exist on the property. The nursery is placed on a filled portion of the west side of the site. A Phase I (survey level) cultural and paleontological resources assessment has been completed for a tentative tract application (TT 31249) to allow 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 eastern half of the study area had been previously surveyed for cultural resources, but no archaeological sites have been recorded within or adjacent to the project area. Within a one-half mile radius of the property, 20 area -specific cultural resources studies have been conducted. As a result of these surrounding studies, 15 prehistoric archaeological sites and two historic -era site have been recorded. The prehistoric sites consist primarily of scatters of lithic and ceramic scatters, .although p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 31249.wpd a fire hearth/roasting fire pit feature was noted at one of the sites. None of these previously recorded sites is 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 Moreno Valley. The search did not indicate any historic (older than 50 years old) use of the property. During the recent past, the eastern half of the property was used as a shooting range with the western half used for a plant nursery. All of these abandoned uses are less than 50 years old. An 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 modern trash, primarily related to the nursery operations. Paleontological: The project area is at an elevation of approximately 20-30 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. 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. The report concludes the project site is in an area of high paleontological sensitivity which has a high potential to impact significant nonrenewable fossil resources, primarily invertebrate fossils. The recommended conditions provide mitigation measures to address this concern. CONCLUSIONS: The archaeological resources report notes the records search, the historical research, and 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)• a',':� p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 31249.wpd The paleontological resources report concludes the project area has a high potential for Holocene invertebrate remains. As such, impacts created by the proposed project need to be mitigated pursuant to CEQA requirements. The report recommends that a surface collection of the freshwater mollusk remains be accomplished on the eastern half of the property. 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 2003 , accepting the "Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Tentative Tract 31249", as prepared by CRM TECH, subject to the recommendations in the report as amended and added to by the following conditions: A. The site shall be monitored during on and off -site trenching and rough grading by qualified archaeological monitors. Proof of retention of monitors shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving or clearing permit. B. The final report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Community Development Department prior to the issuance of the first production home building permit for the project. C. Collected archaelogical 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. 2. Adopt Minute Motion 2003- , accepting the "Paleontological Resources Assessment Report - Tentative Tract 31249", as prepared by CRM TECH, subject to the conditions recommended in the report as amended by the following conditions: A. A surface collection of the freshwater mollusk remains be accomplished on the eastern half of the property prior to issuance of first earth -moving or clearing permit. B. On and off site monitoring in areas identified as likely to contain paleontological resources shall be conducted by a qualified paleontological monitor. The monitor shall be equipped to salvage fossils 013 p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 31249.wpd as they are unearthed to avoid construction delays and to remove samples of sediments which are likely to contain the remains of small fossil invertebrates and vertebrates. The monitor shall be empowered to temporarily halt or divert equipment to allow removal of abundant or large specimens. Proof of retention of monitor shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving permit, or before any clearing of the site is begun. C. Recovered specimens shall be prepared to the point of identification and permanent preservation, including washing of sediments to recover small invertebrates and vertebrates. D. A report of findings with an appended itemized inventory of specimens shall be submitted to the City prior to first occupancy of a residence being granted by the City. The report shall include pertinent discussions of the significance of all recovered resources where appropriate. The report and inventory, when submitted, will signify completion of the program to mitigate impacts to paleontological resources. E. Collected resources and related reports, etc. shall be given to the City for depository into the City museum which is to be constructed. Packaging of resources, reports, etc. shall comply with standards commonly used in the paleontological industry. Attachments: 1. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report - Tentative Traci: 31249 (Commissioners only) 2. Paleontological Resources Assessment Report - Tentative Tract 31249 (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Cb-� PD. zaa� Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 tt 31249.wpd HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: AUGUST 29, 2003 ITEM: RESULTS OF PHASE II ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES FOR SP 03-065 LOCATION: WEST SIDE OF EISENHOWER DRIVE AT COACHELLA DRIVE APPLICANT: CENTEX DESTINATION PROPERTIES. ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: STATISTICAL RESEARCH, INC. (SRI) BACKGROUND: In June, 1999, Landaq, Inc. was preparing plans and applications for a 105.8 acre project consisting of a commercial village, resort, and residential development for the subject property and a portion to the south to the mountain along Eisenhower Drive. A Phase 1 Cultural Resources report was prepared in anticipation for use in an Environmental Impact Report for the project (Attachment 1). The report was reviewed and accepted by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) on June 17, 1999, subject to conditions including a requirement for a Phase 2 site assessment of four historic sites identified in the Phase 1 report (Attachment 2). The applications for the proposed project were withdrawn and therefore, the project was not approved. The Phase 2 site assessment was subsequently completed, but was not reviewed by the HPC. An application for a new 280 unit residential project has been submitted for 44.6 acres of the 105.8 acres covered by the Phase 1 Cultural Resources Report. As a result, the previously prepared Phase 2 Site Assessment has been submitted for approval and use in the required environmental review. DISCUSSION: The Phase 1 review determined that a Phase 2 assessment was necessary for the four historic -era sites. These sites are located within the area covered by the current development application. It was noted that these sites are likely to represent unique resources as defined by Section 21083.2 (g) of CEQA in that they may contain information needed to answer p:\stan\hpc\hpc rpt ph 2 sp 03-065.wpd.wpd 0 15 important scientific research questions of a demonstrable public interest and/or may be directly associated with a scientifically recognized important historic event or person. They may also represent historical resources as defined by Section 15064.5 (a) of CEQA in that they may be: (1) associated with events that have rnade a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California's history and cultural heritage; (2) associated with the lives of persons important in our past; or (3) likely to yield information important in history. Specifically, these sites may be related to early settlement in the Coachella Valley, the development of the hotel/resort industry, and ranching operations. The results of the Phase II testing determined the artifacts found at the four sites were similar in nature. These artifacts included some modern as well as historic -era items. Artifacts found include small pieces of metal (such as screen, cans fragments), broken glass, construction materials, some of which could have been used in the construction of the La Quinta Resort, broken ceramic tableware, and two isolated sherds of Tizon brown pottery. Shovel testing of these historic sites showed that there was no subsurface deposits, indicating that the sites are surface scatters almost all of which can be associated with the adjacent La Quinta Resort and Club. The report concludes that the historic -era artifacts generally date between 1920 and 1938 and, except for the construction materials, are a combination of kitchen refuse and guest trash. The testing, analysis, and complete inventory of the contents of these sites provides full mitigation of project impacts as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act. No further action or mitigation measure is deemed necessary to recover the information they may contain. Additionally, shovel testing of the four prehistoric milling sites did not result in any subsurface deposits being located. Furthermore, SRI states that because of the possibility of subsurface archaeological remains, the prehistoric sites should be monitored by an archaeologist during grading and other ground disturbing activities. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2003- , accepting the report titled "Phase II Archaeological Site Assessment for the Villa La Quinta Project, City of La Quinta, Riverside County. California", as prepared by by Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), for compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, subject to the following conditions: p:\stan\hpc\hpc rpt ph 2 sp 03-065.wpd.wpd A. The site shall be monitored during on and off -site trenching and rough grading by qualified archaeological monitors. Proof of retention of monitors shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving or clearing permit. B. The final report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Community Development Department prior to the issuance of the first production home building permit for the project. C. Collected archaelogical 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. Attachments: 1. Staff Report for the Meeting of June 17, 1999 2. Minutes of the HPC meeting of June 17, 1999 3. Phase II Archaeological Site Assessment for the Villa La Quinta Project, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California Prepared by: Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner U17 p:Astm\hpcAhpc rptph 2 sp 03-065.wpd.wpd