2013 01 17 HPC MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission was called to
order at 3:00 p.m. by Chairperson Redmon.
Chairperson Redmon led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Commissioners Kevin Maevers, Skip Morris, Leila Namvar, Maria
Puente, and Chairperson Peggy Redmon
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager David Sawyer and Secretary Monika Radeva
PUBLIC COMMENT — None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Morris /Puente to
approve the Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of November 15, 2012, as
submitted. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. Presentation by Mr. Hal Rover, Member of the Board of Directors and past
President of the Historical Society of Palm Desert.
Planning Manager David Sawyer introduced Mr. Hal Rover, Member of the
Board of Directors and past President of the Historical Society of Palm
Desert.
Mr. Rover introduced Mr. Brett Romer, also a past President of the Historical
Society of Palm Desert, who was assisting him with the presentation, and
said they were both very pleased to be able to share the history of the City
of Palm Desert with the Commission.
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Mr. Rover gave a presentation on how the City of Palm Desert originated
touching upon as early as the 1850s when the State of California was
declared a free state of the United States of America and was divided into
twenty -seven counties. At that time, the land that would become the City
of Palm Desert was placed under the jurisdiction of San Diego County.
He gave an overview of the history of the Coachella Valley, the installation
of the railroad through the City of Indio in 1876, providing transportation
through the area and thus allowing for its economic growth. He stated that
the date farms had begun to flourish by the 1890s.
Mr. Rover said the desert area of the Coachella Valley was founded by the
Henderson family, mainly by Clifford and Randall Henderson, as well as their
sister and two other brothers. The family was originally from the State of
Iowa with Randall Henderson moving to Northern California as early as
1907. Both Clifford and Randall Henderson moved permanently to the
desert area right after World War II in 1948, purchased 16,000 acres of land
within the current city limits of Palm Desert, and built a 17,000 sq. ft.
building housing the Desert Magazine Publishing Company, a Museum, etc.,
and the Shadow Mountain Club.
Mr. Rover gave a general overview of the development of the Coachella
Valley mentioning the first Fire Station on Portola Avenue in Palm Desert,
which opened in 1951, the founding of College of the Desert in 1958, and
the City of Palm Desert in 1973.
The Commission thanked Mr. Rover and Mr. Romer for the presentation and
said they were very pleased with the information.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
1. Reminder of Special Joint City Council meeting of January 22, 2013, at 5:00
p.m. — change of location to the La Quinta Library.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Maevers shared with the Commission that the University of
Phoenix is launching a brand new program in March 2013 — Bachelor of
Science in Environmental Science, as well as additional Bachelor and Master
programs in the fields of Alternative Energy and Sustainability, etc.
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MINUTES
• Commissioner Redmon shared with the Commission that her adobe house
located in the La Quinta Cove has been selected to be part of a tour put
together by the La Quinta Historical Society regarding the history of the City
of La Quinta.
• Commissioner Leila Namvar introduced herself as the newly appointed
Commissioner and gave a brief summary of her background, qualifications,
and experience.
• Commissioner Redmon shared with the Commission that the City of La
Quinta now featured a metal horse statue by Ricardo Arroyo Breceda, placed
on a private property located at the end of Avenida Bermudas in the La
Quinta Cove. She briefly spoke about the artist and his work.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Puente /Morris to adjourn this meeting at 4:05 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully subp9itted,
MO IKA RA EVA, Sec tary
City of La Quinta, California
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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