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2007 06 21 HPCHistoric Preservation Commission Agendas are now available on the City's Web Page @ www.la-quinta.orq HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AG EN ®A The Regular Meeting to be held in the East Conference Room at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California JUNE 21, 2007 3:00 P.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2007-004 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 Minutes for May 17, 2007 001 Historic Preservation Commission Agenda V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report for The La Quinta Country Club Clubhouse Applicant:, Heinz U. Hofmann (La Quinta Country Club) Consultants: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan, Principal) Location: Northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue: 50. B. Paleontological Resources Assessment Report for The La Quinta Country Club Applicant: Heinz U. Hofmann (La Quinta Country Club) Consultants: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan, Principal) Location: Northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: Vill. ADJOURNMENT DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Betty J. Sawyer, Executive Secretary of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing agenda for the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission meeting of Thursday, June 21, 2007, was posted on the outside entry to the Council Chamber, 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin board at the La Quinta Cove Post Office, on Monday, June 18, 2007. DATED: June 18, 2007 BE J. S WYER, Exec— utive Secretary City of a Quinta, California P:\CAROLYN\Hist Pros Com\HPC AGENDA.doc 002 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A Regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA May 17, 2007 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Wilbur at 3:07 p.m. who asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Puente, Sharp, Wright, and Chairman Wilbur Staff Present: Planning Manager Les Johnson, 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 and Puente to approve the minutes of January 18, 2007, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report for The Enclave at I n rinintn Applicant: Bayshore Development Company Consultants: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan and Bai Tang, Principals) Location: Northeast corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 62 in the City Sphere of Influence. 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 PACAROLYMHist Pros Com\HPC 5-17-07.doc Historic Preservation Commission May 17, 2007 2. Commissioner Sharp asked about the number of residences and density of this project. Staff replied there were approximately 265 to 270 units of two to three units per acre which is typical for the area. Commissioner Sharp asked if a golf course was proposed. Staff went over the de velopment map with the Commission. Staff explained this development was not currently in the City, but was in the south area within the City's Sphere of Influence. 3. Commissioner Puente asked if there was a timeline for annexation into the City. Staff said all Sphere of Influence discussion had currently been put on hold subject to C:ouncil's further review of fiscal impacts associated with annexation of lands. They have been meeting with this applicant using this project specifically as a fiscal test model and doing their fiscal modeling assessment, but at this point in time it was essentially on hold. Staff explained the procedures that had to be followed to annex properties/development into the City. 4. Commissioner Sharp asked if it was currently in Riverside County. Staff said it was currently unincorporated. 5. There being no further comments it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Puente to approve Minute Motion 2007-002 accepting the Archaeological Assessment. Unanimously approved. B. Paleontoloaical Resources Assessment Report for The Enclave at La Quinta Applicant: Bayshore Development Company Consultants: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan and Bai "Tom" Tang, Principals) Location: Northeast corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 62 in the City Sphere of Influence. 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 Sharp asked if removal of two feet of soil was normal. Staff replied it was normal for areas that had been farmed. 3. Chairman Wilbur asked if this was on, or bordering, Native American land. Staff said it was bordering the Torres -Martinez property. ».. 004 P:\CAROLYN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 5-17-07.doc 2 Historic Preservation Commission May 17, 2007 4. There being no further comments. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2007-003 as submitted accepting the Paleontological Assessment. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Comments on the Morgan House. 1. Commissioner Sharp asked about the Morgan House project and why the applicant had not returned to the Commission. He referred back to the Commission Minutes of January 18, 2007. Staff said the Hotel had not conveyed any definitive plans on the maintenance of the Morgan House. Staff did report that they did contact the Hotel about the condition of the southwest section of the Morgan House, which was previously used for storage, and had been cleaned up. They added, there had been a change of management at the Resort and there has been dialog with them. Staff could not go into further detail on the Pool Project due to pending litigation. 2. Chairman Wilbur asked if the Morgan House could be torn down without their permission. Staff replied that it could not. 3. Commissioner Wright said the applicant could request it be torn down but would have to get a demolition permit from the City. Staff replied the application would not be approved without the Commission being informed. 4. Commissioner Wright said he has spoken to the Council about the preservation of the Morgan House. Staff commented they are interested in protecting the Morgan House and will open dialog with the Hotel after litigation has been settled. 5. Commissioner Sharp said he was concerned about the chain link fence. Staff said the conditions did not include chain link, but a more appropriate type of fencing. 6. Commissioner Wright was concerned about the maintenance of the Morgan House. Staff said there was nothing conveyed to them about the Hotel not maintaining the building. 7. Commissioner Wright said the City could expect to see a grass roots effort to get the resort to address the situation of »... 005 P:\CAROLYN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 5-17-07.doc 3 Historic Preservation Commission May 17, 2007 retrofitting the Morgan House. There was no such movement involved with the Hacienda del Gato because the applicant did what was necessary to preserve the house. He said the media would be involved in the grass roots movement to preserve the Morgan House. 8. Commissioner Puente asked about the possibility of moving the house. Staff said the building would never survive the move. The adobe structure report did not support the ability to relocate and reconstruct the building. 9. Commissioner Wright said the Morgan House should remain where it is. It is a historic site. 10. Commissioner Puente said she went to see the property and it was beautiful and needed to be preserved. 11. Chairman Wilbur asked where the building was versus where the new pool structure would be placed. Staff explained what was to be included in the proposed water feature/pool project. 12. Chairman Wilbur asked about historic markers. Staff replied there were none. 13. Commissioner Sharp said there seemed to be some confusion as to what the Hotel's position was on this house. Staff stated they had been working with the previous General Manager and were hoping for a more direct dialog with the new General Manager. 14. Commissioner Puente asked if the project would come back to the Commission. Staff said if there were any changes in the project, they would bring them back to the Commission. They would require the hotel to maintain the building which is currently off limits but is being monitoring. 15. Commissioner Puente said they expected the applicant to come back with figures on retrofitting. 16. Chairman Wilbur added the Commission had requested this information at the last meeting and had expected a response from the applicant. 17. Staff said they could contact the applicant and request them to give the City an update, but would hold off doing so until the current litigation's resolved. ._.: 006 P:\CAHOLYN\Y. i_st Pres Com\HPC 5-17-07. doc 4 Historic Preservation Commission May 17, 2007 18. Commissioner Wright said nothing would happen until the litigation was over. Staff agreed. 19. Chairman Wilbur said maybe the public input would have an effect on what was ultimately done with the Morgan House. 20. Commissioner Wright said it is going to take some time to resolve this. B. Comments on Fritz Burns Sculpture. 1 . Commissioner Sharp said he was concerned about the rainbow sculpture at Fritz Burns Park. The sculpture had been re -painted to match the City Logo and altered with the addition of the words - "La Quinta Gem of the Desert", as well as Gambriel Quails and palm trees. He was questioning who had the authority to make these drastic modifications without the consent of the artist. 2. Staff recommended he contact the Community Services Department as they are in charge of the Cultural Affairs Commission which has authority over public art pieces. C. Comments on the Laing Property. 1 . Commissioner Wright asked if there were monitors on the Laing property. Staff said there were full-time monitors as well as a tribal monitor. The monitors would be following up on any artifacts found. 3. Commissioner Wright thanked staff for their monitoring efforts. D. Question about Commission vacancies. 1. Commissioner Wright asked about the upcoming Commission vacancies and application deadlines. Staff briefly explained the vacancies and the application process. E. California Preservation Conference. 1. Commissioner Puente commented on the Preservation Conference and shared some photos with the Commissioners. 007 P:ACAROLYN\His-_ Pres Co=n\HPC 5-17-07.doc 5 Historic Preservation Commission May 17, 2007 VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Puente to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next Regular Meeting to be held on June 21, 2007. This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. Submitted by: Carolyn Walker Secretary .".. 008 P:\CAROLYN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 5-17-07.doc 6 BI #A DATE: ITEM: LOCATION: APPLICANT: CONSULTANT: BACKGROUND: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT JUNE 21, 2007 HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT FOR THE LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE NORTHEAST CORNER OF EISENHOWER DRIVE AND 50T" AVENUE HEINZ U. HOFMANN (LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB) CRM TECH, INC. (MICHAEL HOGAN, PRINCIPAL) The study area is a 20+ acre site located at the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 in the La Quinta Country Club. The property is developed with a driving range, parking lot, tennis courts, temporary trailers used as a clubhouse, a golf cart barn and driveway leading to their recently removed original clubhouse. The clubhouse site is bare with some weeds. The applicants have applied for a permit to construct a new clubhouse on the property. A Phase I (survey level) Archaeological/Historical Resources Assessment has been completed for the property. The Assessment includes a record search, historical background, and field reconnaissance of the property. This Assessment will be part of the environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the project application. DISCUSSION: An archaeological and historic records search for the property was conducted at the Eastern Information Center located at UC Riverside. The records search indicated the study area has not been included in any previous cultural resources surveys and no cultural resources had been recorded within or adjacent to the site. Within one mile of the site the records search showed at least 50 previous cultural resource surveys, resulting in 26 archaeological sites, two historic -era landscape features, 26 historic - period buildings, and 10 isolate sites. None of these sites or isolates was found in the immediate vicinity of the project area. Because most of the land is covered by grass, landscaping or improvements, the on - foot field survey was conducted by spot-checking all exposed patches of soil. As a result of this survey no cultural resources nor significant buildings, structures, or other objects more than 50 years of age were identified during the field survey. �••• _ 009 P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Igcc ph 1 archaeo.doc A request was made of the Native American Heritage Commission for a check of their Sacred Lands file. Eleven Native American representatives were contacted. Three responses were received, with requests ranging from providing documentation of any archaeological reports to having the monitoring crew include a Native American archaeological monitor during earth -moving activities. The report concludes that since the project area has demonstrated sensitivity for prehistoric archaeological remains, CRM TECH is recommending the site be monitored by qualified archaeologists during all earth -moving and trenching operations. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2007- , accepting the "Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey Report, La Quinta Country Club Clubhouse Specific Plan, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California", as prepared by CRM TECH and subject to the following conditions: 1. The site shall be monitored during on- and off -site trenching and rough grading by qualified archaeological monitors, including a Native -American. Proof of retention of monitors shall be given to the City prior to issuance of the first earth -moving or clearing permit. The monitor shall be empowered to temporarily halt or divert equipment to allow for City notification and analysis. 2. The final report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Community Development Department prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the project. 3. Collected archaeological resources shall be properly packaged for long term curation, in polyethylene self -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 Certificate of Occupancy for the property. Materials shall be accompanied by descriptive catalogue, field notes and records, primary research data, and the original graphics. 4. The conditions of approval for this item shall be included in the submitted Phase I report prior to issuance of the first permit requiring monitoring. 5. If prehistoric or historic resources are discovered during monitoring or the subsequent construction phase, the Community Development Department shall be notified immediately. P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Igcc ph 1 archaeo.doc Attachment: 1. Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey Report, La Quinta Country Club Clubhouse Specific Plan, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California Prepared by: Stan Sawa, Principal Planner Oil P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Iqcc ph 1 archaeo.doc - -, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: JUNE 21, 2007 ITEM: PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB LOCATION: NORTHEAST CORNER OF EISENHOWER DRIVE AND AVENUE 50 THE CITY SPHERE OF INFLUENCE APPLICANT: HEINZ U. HOFMANN (LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB) CONSULTANT: CRM TECH (MICHAEL HOGAN, PRINCIPAL) BACKGROUND: The study area is a 20± acre site located at the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50 in the La Quinta Country Club. The site sits at approximately 40' above sea level. The ancient Lake Cahuilla during its last fill is believed to have been at 42' above sea level. The property is developed with a driving range, parking lot, tennis courts, temporary trailers used as a clubhouse, a golf cart barn and driveway leading to their recently removed original clubhouse. The clubhouse site is bare with some weeds. The applicants have applied for a permit to construct a new clubhouse on the property. A Phase I (survey level4 Paleological Resources Assessment has been completed for the property. The Assessment includes a record search and field reconnaissance of the property. This Assessment will be part of the environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the project application. DISCUSSION: A paleontological records search for the property was conducted at the Regional Paleontologic Locality Inventory located at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands and by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Los Angeles. The records search indicated the study area has not been surveyed and no paleontological localities (resources) have been recorded on or within at least one mile of the site. Paleontological sites have been identified approximately two to three miles southeast of the project site. The project site is considered to be in an area high potential for Holocene paleontological localities. ».. 012 P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Igcc ph 1 paleo.doc Because most of the land is covered by grass, landscaping or improvements, the on - foot field survey was conducted by spot-checking all exposed patches of soil. As a result of this survey no paleontological localities (specimens) were found. CONCLUSION: CRM TECH notes much of the site is covered by turf or landscaping, and recommends that monitoring be done be done at the initial ground -breaking to see if any Quaternary Lake Cahuilla lakebed sediments exist. If they do continuous monitoring should be carried out in undisturbed Lake Cahuilla beds. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 2007- , accepting the "Paleontological Resources Assessment Report, for the La Quinta Country Club Clubhouse, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California", as prepared and recommended by CRM TECH, and subject to the following conditions: 1 . The on- and off -site excavation, grading, trenching, etc. of areas identified by a qualified paleontological monitor as likely to contain paleontological resources as shall be monitored by a qualified paleontological monitor. Monitoring shall be restricted to undisturbed subsurface alluvium that might be present below the surface. The monitor(s) shall be equipped to salvage fossils as they are unearthed to avoid construction delays. The monitor should also remove samples of sediments that 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 that a monitor has been retained (signed contract) shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving permit, or before any clearing of the site is begun. Full-time monitoring is not necessary unless potentially—fossiliferous units are encountered and determined upon exposure and examination by qualified paleontologic personnel to have potential to contain fossil resources. 2. Recovered specimens shall be prepared to the point of identification and permanent preservation, including washing of sediments to recover small invertebrates and vertebrates. Recovered specimens shall be prepared and packaged so they can be identified and permanently preserved. 3. A report of findings with an appended itemized inventory of specimens shall be submitted to the: City prior to occupancy 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. .a.., 013 P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Igcc ph 1 paleo.doc 4. Collected resources and related reports, etc. shall be given to the City for curation. Packaging of resources, reports, etc. shall comply with standards commonly used in the paleontological industry. Attachment: 1. Paleontological Resources Assessment Report, for the La Quinta Country Club Clubhouse, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Stan Sawa, Principal Planner 014 P:\STAN\HPC\rpt sdp 07-885 Iqcc ph 1 paleo.doc