2016 11 16 DH
DIRECTOR’S HEARING NOVEMBER 16, 2016
DIRECTOR’S HEARING
AGENDA
CITY HALL STUDY SESSION ROOM
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta
MEETING on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 AT 10:00 A.M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
For all Public Hearings on the agenda, a completed “Request to Speak” form must be
filed with the Executive Assistant prior to consideration of that item.
A person may submit written comments to the Director before a public hearing or
appear in support or opposition to the approval of a project(s). If you challenge a
project(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone
else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City at,
or prior to the public hearing.
1. Tentative Parcel Map 2015-0009 (TPM 36964) and Minor Adjustment 2016-0001
submitted by Mr. Rick Morris, proposing to subdivide an existing 19,943 square-
foot lot into two lots of 10,000 and 9,943 square feet each and to allow a
reduction in one lot size of 57 square feet. CEQA: exempt from further
environmental review pursuant to Section 15303 Class 3 (New Construction);
Section 15315 Class 15 (Minor Land Divisions); and Section 15332 Class 32 (In-
Fill Development Projects). Location: southeast corner of Calle Quito and
Avenida La Jarita.
2. Revocation of Minor Use Permit 2015-0004 for the establishment and operation
of a 135,000 square-foot convention center. Applicant (MUP2015-0004): La
Quinta Tourism LP CEQA: exempt from further environmental review pursuant
to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Location: 79-315 Highway 111
ADJOURNMENT
Director’s Hearing Agendas and staff
reports are now available on the
City’s web page: www.la-quinta.org
DIRECTOR’S HEARING NOVEMBER 16, 2016
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Wanda Wise-Latta, Executive Assistant of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare
that the foregoing Agenda for the Director’s Hearing was posted on the outside entry
to the Council Chamber at 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin boards at 78-630
Highway 111, and the La Quinta Cove Post Office at 51-321 Avenida Bermudas, on
November 10, 2016.
DATED: November 10, 2016
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PUBLIC NOTICES
The La Quinta City Study Session Room is handicapped accessible. If special equipment is needed for
the hearing impaired, please call the City Clerk’s office at 777-7123, twenty-four (24) hours in
advance of the meeting and accommodations will be made.
If special electronic equipment is needed to make presentations to the Director, arrangements
should be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 777-7123. A one (1) week notice is
required.
If background material is to be presented to the Director during a Director’s Hearing, please be
advised that eight (8) copies of all documents, exhibits, etc., must be supplied to the Executive
Assistant for distribution. It is requested that this take place prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Any writings or documents provided to the Director regarding any item(s) on this agenda will be
made available for public inspection at the Design and Development Department’s counter at City
Hall located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours.
Page 1 of 3
DIRECTOR’S HEARING
STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 16, 2016
CASE NUMBER: TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
APPLICANT: MR. RICK MORRIS
PROPERTY OWNER: MR. RICK MORRIS
REQUEST: SUBDIVIDE EXISTING 19,943 SQUAREFOOT LOT INTO 2 LOTS
OF 10,000 AND 9,943 SQUARE FEET EACH. MINOR
ADJUSTMENT TO ALLOW A REDUCTION IN ONE LOT SIZE OF
57 SQUARE FEET
CEQA: EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, CLASS 3 (NEW
CONSTRUCTION); SECTION 15315, CLASS 15 (MINOR LAND
DIVISIONS); AND SECTION 15332, CLASS 32 (IN-FILL
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS).
LOCATION: SOUTHEAST CORNER OF CALLE QUITO AND AVENIDA LA
JARITA
LEGAL: APN: 770-145-001
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve Minor Adjustment 2016-0001 and Tentative Parcel Map 2015-0009 (TPM
36964), subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The land owner proposes the subdivision of a 19,943 square-foot lot into two lots of
10,000 and 9,943 square feet in an existing neighborhood (Attachment 1). The parcel
is located in the Low Density Residential, 10,000 square-foot minimum lot size, zone.
The applicant has filed a Minor Adjustment requesting a reduction in the size of the
second lot by 57.3 square feet.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council granted an appeal of Tentative Parcel Map 2015-0009 and Minor
Adjustment 2016-0001 on May 3, 2016 (Attachment 5) and referred the project back
PH 1
Page 2 of 3
to the Design and Development Director with instructions to address minimum lot
frontage requirements, submit an archaeology report, and to re-notice the public
hearing and reference CEQA exemptions Classes 3, 15, and 32 for the Director’s
consideration. The applicant has since addressed the minimum lot frontage
requirements and submitted an archaeology report.
The property in question is located in an existing neighborhood that is mostly built out.
(Attachment 2). The proposed subdivision will result in two lots, and ultimately will
add two single- family homes to the neighborhood.
PROPOSAL & ANALYSIS:
The project site is currently 19,943 square feet. The subdivision would result in two lots
of 10,000 and 9,943 square feet (Attachment 3)
The General Plan land use designation for the property is Low Density Residential. The
Zoning designation for the property is Low Density Residential, 10,000 square-foot
minimum (RL/10,000). The Tentative Parcel Map was revised to identify the lot
frontage length of each proposed lot and Map complies with the minimum 60 foot lot
frontage in the RL zone.
The site is surrounded by RL/10,000 lands. The existing parcel is a corner lot, which
because of adjacent roadway improvements, has a rounded corner. The resulting
parcel is 57.3 feet short of 20,000 square feet, which would result in two conforming
lots.
The City allows the reduction of development standards through the consideration of
a Minor Adjustment. Under the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, a reduction of
up to 10% of any numerical development standard can be considered. In this case,
the applicant is requesting a reduction of 57.3 square feet, which represents a
reduction of 0.5% of the numerical development standard.
The subdivision of the parcel into two lots will be consistent with the surrounding lots,
and will not represent a perceptible difference when compared to adjacent lots. The
findings for approval can be made, and are attached to this staff report.
The site is located in an existing neighborhood, and all utilities and services are
available in surrounding streets.
A cultural resource report (Attachment 4) was prepared for the project and concluded
that the project site has been previously disturbed by grading and placement of fill to
unknown depths. The study recommends suspension of construction activities in the
event of an unanticipated discovery until a qualified archaeologist evaluates it.
Condition of Approval No. 27 has been added based on recommendations of the
cultural resource report.
Page 3 of 3
AGENCY AND PUBLIC REVIEW:
Public Agency Review:
This request was sent to all applicable City departments and affected public agencies
on October 20, 2015. All written comments received are on file and available for
review with the Design and Development Department. All applicable comments have
been incorporated in the recommended Conditions of Approval.
Public Notice:
This project was advertised in The Desert Sun newspaper on November 4, 2016, and
mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of the site. No comment letters have
been received.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City of La Quinta Design and Development Department has determined that this
project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction), Section
15315, Class 15 (Minor Land Divisions), and Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill
Development Projects).
Prepared by: Gabriel Perez, Planning Manager
Attachments: 1. Project Information
2. Project Area Site Map
3. Tentative Parcel Map 36964
4. Cultural Resource Report
5. City Council Minutes - May 3, 2016
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 1 of 8
FINDINGS, MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
1. Consistency with General Plan. The project is consistent with the general plan,
insofar as the subdivision will result in two single family lots in the Low Density
Residential land use designation.
2. Consistency with Zoning Code. The project is consistent with the provisions of the
zoning code. The zoning designation for the property is RL/ 10,000. The project will
result in one lot of 10, 000 square feet, and one lot of 9,943 square feet. The
zoning ordinance allows for Minor Adjustments of up to 10% of any numerical
standard. The requesting Minor Adjustment represents a reduction of 0.5% in the
10,000 square foot minimum requirement, for a parcel of irregular shape that is
affected by the turning radius on the corner of Calle Quito and Avenida La Jarita.
3. Compliance with CEQA. Processing and approval of the permit application are in
compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The
City has determined that the Minor Adjustment is exempt from CEQA under
Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction), Section 15315, Class 15 (Minor Land
Division), and Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects).
4. Surrounding Uses. Approval of the application will not create conditions materially
detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare or injurious to or
incompatible with other properties or land uses in the vicinity. The creation of a
9,943 square foot lot will not result in any perceptible difference from the
surrounding 10,000 square foot lots.
FINDINGS, TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009
A. The proposed tentative parcel map is consistent with the City’s General Plan and
Zoning Ordinance. The proposed map is consistent with the General Plan Land Use
Element for Low Density Residential, insofar as it will create two lots for single
family homes in an existing single family home neighborhood.
B. The design or improvement of the proposed tentative parcel map is consistent
with the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance in that its dimensions and size
are consistent with the requirements of the Low Density Residential/10,000 zone
and the provisions of the Section 9.210.040, Minor Adjustments.
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 2 of 8
C. The design of the tentative parcel map and the proposed improvements are not
likely to cause substantial environmental damage nor substantially injure fish or
wildlife or their habitat. The parcel is devoid of significant vegetation, and
surrounded by roadways and existing homes. There is no habitat on the site for
fish or wildlife. The City of La Quinta Community Development Department has
determined that this project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3
(New Construction), Section 15315, Class 15 (Minor Land Divisions), and Section
15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects).
D. The design of the tentative parcel map and the proposed improvements are not
likely to cause serious public health problems. As conditioned, the proposed
tentative parcel map will not result in any increased hazard to public health or
welfare.
E. The site of the proposed tentative parcel map is physically suitable for the type of
development and proposed density of development. As conditioned, the proposed
design of the subdivision is consistent in size and shape with surrounding existing
single family home lots in this neighborhood.
F. As conditioned, the proposed tentative parcel map is consistent with all applicable
provisions of this title and the La Quinta Zoning Ordinance, including, but not
limited to, minimum lot area requirements, as adjusted, any other applicable
provisions of this code, and the Subdivision Map Act.
G. As conditioned, the design of the tentative parcel map will not conflict with
easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of property
within the proposed subdivision, in that none presently exist and access is
provided within the project and to adjacent public streets.
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 3 of 8
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
GENERAL
1. The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of La Quinta
(“City”), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action or proceeding to
attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this Tentative Parcel Map, or any
Final Map recorded thereunder. The City shall have sole discretion in selecting its
defense counsel.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or proceeding and
shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. This Tentative Parcel Map, and any Final Map recorded thereunder, shall comply
with the requirements and standards of Government Code §§ 66410 through
66499.58 (the “Subdivision Map Act”), and Chapter 13 of the La Quinta Municipal
Code (“LQMC”).
The City of La Quinta’s Municipal Code can be accessed on the City’s Web Site at
www.la-quinta.org.
3. Prior to the issuance of any grading, construction, or building permit by the City,
the applicant shall obtain any necessary clearances and/or permits from the
following agencies, if required:
• Riverside County Fire Marshal
• La Quinta Public Works Department (Grading Permit, Green Sheet (Public
Works Clearance) for Building Permits, Water Quality Management
Plan(WQMP) Exemption Form – Whitewater River Region, Improvement
Permit)
• La Quinta Community Development Department
• Riverside Co. Environmental Health Department
• Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)
• Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD)
• Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB)
• State Water Resources Control Board
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 4 of 8
• SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine)
• South Coast Air Quality Management District Coachella Valley (SCAQMD)
The applicant is responsible for all requirements of the permits and/or clearances
from the above listed agencies. When these requirements include approval of
improvement plans, the applicant shall furnish proof of such approvals when
submitting those improvement plans for City approval.
4. Developer shall reimburse the City, within thirty (30) days of presentment of the
invoice, all costs and actual attorney’s fees incurred by the City Attorney to review,
negotiate and/or modify any documents or instruments required by these
conditions, if Developer requests that the City modify or revise any documents or
instruments prepared initially by the City to effect these conditions. This obligation
shall be paid in the time noted above without deduction or offset and Developer’s
failure to make such payment shall be a material breach of the Conditions of
Approval.
5. Developer shall reimburse the City, within thirty (30) days of presentment of the
invoice, all costs and actual consultant’s fees incurred by the City for engineering
and/or surveying consultants to review and/or modify any documents or
instruments required by this project. This obligation shall be paid in the time noted
above without deduction or offset and Developer’s failure to make such payment
shall be a material breach of the Conditions of Approval.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
6. The applicant shall cause no easement to be granted, or recorded, over any
portion of the subject property between the date of approval of the Tentative
Parcel Map and the date of recording of any Final Map, unless such easement is
approved by the City Engineer.
MAPS
7. Prior to the City’s approval of a Final Map, the applicant shall furnish accurate
mylars of the Final Map. The Final Map shall be 1” = 40’ scale.
IMPROVEMENT PLANS
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 5 of 8
As used throughout these Conditions of Approval, professional titles such as “engineer,”
“surveyor,” and “architect,” refer to persons currently certified or licensed to practice their
respective professions in the State of California.
8. Improvement plans shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of
qualified engineers and/or architects, as appropriate, and shall comply with the
provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.040 (Improvement Plans).
9. Improvements shall be designed and constructed in accordance with City adopted
standards, supplemental drawings and specifications, or as approved by the City
Engineer. Improvement plans shall be stamped and signed by engineers and
other professionals registered in California.
10. The following plans shall be submitted to the Building and Safety Division for
review and approval. The plans shall utilize the minimum scale specified, unless
otherwise authorized by the Building Official in writing. Plans may be prepared at
a larger scale if additional detail or plan clarity is desired. Note, the applicant may
be required to prepare other improvement plans not listed here pursuant to
improvements required by other agencies and utility purveyors.
A. On-Site Residential Precise Grading Plan 1" = 30' Horizontal
Other engineered improvement plans prepared for City approval that are not listed
above shall be prepared in formats approved by the City Engineer prior to
commencing plan preparation.
Grading plans shall normally include perimeter walls with Top Of Wall & Top Of
Footing elevations shown. All footings shall have a minimum of 1-foot of cover, or
sufficient cover to clear any adjacent obstructions.
11. The City maintains standard plans, detail sheets and/or construction notes for
elements of construction which can be accessed via the “Plans, Notes and Design
Guidance” section of the Public Works Department at the City website (www.la-
quinta.org). Please navigate to the Public Works Department home page and look
for the Standard Drawings hyperlink.
12. The applicant shall furnish a complete set of all approved improvement plans on a
storage media acceptable to the City Engineer (currently mylars).
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 6 of 8
GRADING
13. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.050 (Grading
Improvements).
14. Prior to occupancy of the project site for any construction, the applicant shall
obtain a grading or building permit.
15. All grading shall conform with the recommendations contained in the Soils Report,
and shall be certified as being adequate by soils engineer, or engineering geologist
registered in the State of California.
16. Building pad elevations on the grading plan submitted for City Engineer’s approval
shall conform with pad elevations shown on the tentative map, unless the pad
elevations have other requirements imposed elsewhere in these Conditions of
Approval.
17. The applicant shall minimize the differences in elevation between the adjoining
properties and the lots within this development.
18. Prior to any site grading or regrading that will raise or lower any portion of the site
by more than plus or minus half of a foot (0.5’) from the elevations shown on the
approved Tentative Parcel Map, the applicant shall submit the proposed grading
changes to the City Engineer for a substantial conformance review.
19. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for any building lot, the applicant shall
provide a lot pad certification stamped and signed by a qualified engineer or
surveyor with applicable compaction tests and over excavation documentation.
Each pad certification shall list the pad elevation as shown on the approved
grading plan, the actual pad elevation and the difference between the two, if any.
Such pad certification shall also list the relative compaction of the pad soil. The
data shall be organized by lot number, and listed cumulatively if submitted at
different times.
DRAINAGE
20. The applicant shall comply with applicable provisions for best management
practices (BMPs) per the City’s NPDES stormwater discharge permit, LQMC Sections
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 7 of 8
8.70.010 et seq. (Stormwater Management and Discharge Controls), and 13.24.170
(Clean Air/Clean Water); Riverside County Ordinance No. 457; and the California
Regional Water Quality Control Board – Colorado River Basin (CRWQCB-CRB) Region
Board Order No. R7-2013-0011.
UTILITIES
21. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.110
(Utilities).
22. Underground utilities shall be installed prior to overlying hardscape. For
installation of utilities in existing improved streets, the applicant shall comply with
trench restoration requirements, or as required by the City Engineer.
The applicant shall provide certified reports of all utility trench compaction for
approval by the City Engineer.
MAINTENANCE
23. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.160
(Maintenance).
24. The applicant shall make provisions for the continuous and perpetual
maintenance of perimeter landscaping up to the curb.
FEES AND DEPOSITS
25. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.180 (Fees
and Deposits). These fees include all deposits and fees required by the City for
plan checking and construction inspection. Deposits and fee amounts shall be
those in effect when the applicant makes application for plan check and permits.
26. Permits issued under this approval shall be subject to the provisions of the
Development Impact Fee and Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee programs in
effect at the time of issuance of building permit(s).
CULTURAL RESOURCES
27. In the event of an unanticipated discovery, all work must be suspended within 50
feet of the find until a qualified archaeologist evaluates it. In the unlikely event
FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL – RECOMMENDED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
RICK MORRIS
ADOPTED:
Page 8 of 8
that human remains are encountered during project development, all work must
cease near the find immediately. In accordance with California Health and Safety
Code Section 7050.5, the County Coroner must be notified if potentially human
bone is discovered. The Coroner will then determine within two working days of
being notified if the remains are subject to his or her authority. If the Coroner
recognizes the remains to be Native American, he or she shall contact the Native
American Heritage Commission (NAHC) by phone within 24 hours, in accordance
with Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. The NAHC will then designate a Most
Likely Descendant (MLD) with respect to the human remains. The MLD then has the
opportunity to recommend to the property owner or the person responsible for the
excavation work means for treating or disposing, with appropriate dignity, the
human remains and associated grave goods. Work may not resume in the vicinity
of the find until all requirements of the health and safety code have been met.
Project Information
CASE NUMBER: TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2015-0009 (TPM 36964)
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2016-0001
APPLICANT: MR. RICK MORRIS
PROPERTY OWNER: MR. RICK MORRIS
REQUEST: SUBDIVIDE EXISTING 19,943 SQUARE-FOOT LOT INTO 2
LOTS OF 10,000 AND 9,943 SQUARE FEET EACH
LOCATION: SOUTHEAST CORNER OF CALLE QUITO AND AVENIDA LA
JARITA
GENERAL PLAN
DESIGNATION: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
ZONING
DESIGNATION: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
SURROUNDING
ZONING/LAND USES: NORTH: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
SOUTH: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
EAST: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
WEST: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/10,000
EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
ATTACHMENT 1
CALLE TAMPICO
PINA
CALLE QUITOCALLE RONDOWASHINGTON STCITRUSAVENIDA LA FONDA
LIMA
CALLE PALOMACALLE OBISPOCALLE KALIMAAVENIDA TORRES
AVENIDA NARANJA
AVENIDA LA JARITA
BRECKENRIDGE DR
CALLE TAMPICO
City of La Quinta
Community Development Department
TPM 2015-0009Project Area Site Map
December 30, 2015
®
Planning Division
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 3
1518 West Taft Avenue
Orange, CA 92865
Office (714) 974-8300
Branch Offices
San Diego – Riverside – Morro Bay - Oakland
Federal Certifications 8(a), SDB, EDWOSB
State Certifications DBE, WBE, SBE, UDBE
cogstone.com
Toll free (888) 333-3212
CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS REPORT FOR THE
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 36964 PROJECT IN THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, RIVERSIDE COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
Prepared for:
Egan and Egan, Inc.
44267 Monterey Avenue, Suite B
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Authors:
André Simmons, M.A. and Megan Wilson, M.A.
Principal Investigator:
Molly Valasik, M.A.
Registered Professional Archaeologist
June 2016; revised August 2016
Cogstone Project Number: 3896
Type of Study: Constraints Report
Cultural Resources: Negative
USGS Quadrangle: La Quinta7.5 minute
Area: 0.47 acres
Key Words: TTM 36964, La Quinta, Lake Cahuilla
ATTACHMENT 4
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... I
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
PURPOSE OF STUDY .................................................................................................................................................... 1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION ...................................................................................................................... 2
PROJECT PERSONNEL .................................................................................................................................................. 6
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................... 6
BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
PREHISTORIC CULTURAL SETTING ............................................................................................................................. 9
PROJECT AREA CULTURES ....................................................................................................................................... 10
ETHNOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
HISTORICAL SETTING ............................................................................................................................................... 14
PROJECT AREA HISTORY .......................................................................................................................................... 14
SOURCES CONSULTED......................................................................................................................................... 15
RECORDS SEARCH ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
OTHER SOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
STUDY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................... 18
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX A: QUALIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX B. CULTURAL STUDIES WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS ....................................................... 26
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1. PROJECT VICINITY ......................................................................................................................................... 1
FIGURE 2. PROJECT LOCATION ....................................................................................................................................... 3
FIGURE 3. PROJECT AERIAL ............................................................................................................................................ 4
FIGURE 4. PROJECT ENGINEERING DETAIL ..................................................................................................................... 5
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1. CULTURAL PATTERNS AND PHASES ............................................................................................................. 10
TABLE 2. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED RESOURCES WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS ............................................................... 16
TABLE 3. ADDITIONAL SOURCES CONSULTED .............................................................................................................. 18
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
i
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
The purpose of this study is to identify cultural resources which may be affected during the
proposed residential development within the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 36964 Project
Area located in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The Project is
Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review (CEQA
Guidelines, Section 15303); however, the Project must comply with the goal of protecting
significant archaeological and historic resources as outlined in Chapter III of the La Quinta
General Plan (La Quinta 2013). The Project is located at the south-eastern corner of the
intersection of Avenida La Jarita to the north and Calle Quito to the west. The horizontal
extent of the Project covers 0.47 acres.
Cogstone Resource Management, Inc. (Cogstone) conducted a cultural records search at the
Eastern Information Center located at the University of California, Riverside on May 11, 2016.
The records search found that no cultural resources have been previously recorded within the
Project Area; however, 39 prehistoric archaeological sites are located within one mile of the
Project Area. Of these, six (CA-RIV-296, -1179, -1980, -3134, -4091, and -9516) contain
prehistoric cremations. CA-RIV-4091 is a reburial of human remains from outside the Project
Area. The Project Area has been previously disturbed by grading and imported fill to unknown
depths. A surface survey was not conducted due to the extensive previous disturbance.
No sites are known within a half mile of the project area. The entire project area has been
previously disturbed by grading and placement of fill to unknown depths.
In the event of an unanticipated discovery, all work must be suspended within 50 feet of the find
until a qualified archaeologist evaluates it.
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
1
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of this study is to determine the potential Project-related effects on cultural
resources during developmental activities for the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 36964 Project
Area located in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Figure 1). This study
fulfills the goal of protecting significant archaeological and historic resources as outlined in
Chapter III of the La Quinta General Plan (La Quinta 2013).
Figure 1. Project Vicinity
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
The Project proposes to subdivide Lot 133 of the Desert Club Tract 5 (APN 770-145-001) into
two parcels. The maximum depth of excavations will be 18-24 inches for structure footings.
The Project Area is depicted on the La Quinta USGS Topographic Quadrangle within the
southeast quarter of Section 6, Township 6 South; Range 7 East, San Bernardino Base Meridian
(Figure 2). The Project is located at the southeastern intersection of Calle Quito and Avenida
Jarita. The Project Area currently sits on a vacant lot that has been previously graded (Figure 3).
It is zoned as single-family residential and will be subdivided into two parcels of 0.235 acres
each (Figure 4).
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Figure 2. Project Location
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Figure 3. Project Aerial
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Figure 4. Project Engineering Detail
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PROJECT PERSONNEL
Cogstone Resource Management Inc. (Cogstone) conducted the cultural resource study for this
assessment. Molly Valasik served as the Principal Investigator and wrote the Project background
and recommendation sections for this report. Ms. Valasik is a Registered Professional
Archaeologist (RPA) and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Ohio State University as well as an
M.A. in Anthropology from Kent State University in Ohio. Ms. Valasik has over seven years of
experience in California archaeology.
André Simmons served as the lead author for this report. Mr. Simmons is an RPA and holds
B.A. degrees in Anthropology and History as well as an M.A. in Anthropology (Anthropological
Archaeology) from California State University, Fullerton. He has over six years of experience in
southern California Archaeology.
Megan Wilson performed the archaeological records search and wrote the records search section
of the report. Ms. Wilson holds an M.A. in Anthropology from California State University,
Fullerton. Ms. Wilson is also a RPA and has over five years of experience in southern California
archaeology.
Sarah Nava prepared the Geographic Information System (GIS) maps included in the report. Ms.
Nava earned a B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Long Beach and has over
six years of experience in southern California archaeology.
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The Project proposes to construct a single-family home within the Project Area and is therefore
Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review (CEQA
Guidelines, Section 15303). The proposed project, however, must comply with the Cultural
Resources Section Chapter III of the 2035 La Quinta General Plan adopted February 2013 and
amended November 2013 (La Quinta 2013). Because the entire surface of the Project Areas has
been previously disturbed by grading, Cogstone did not perform a surface survey. The goals,
policies, and programs for cultural resources are outlined in Chapter III, section GOAL CUL-1:
• Policy CUL -1.1
o All reasonable efforts should be made to identify archaeological and historic
resources in the City.
Program CUL-1.1.a: Any development application for a vacant site,
or a site previously or currently used for agricultural purposes, shall
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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be accompanied by a Phase I archaeological and/or historic analysis
conducted by a qualified archaeologist. Such analysis shall be paid for
by the project proponent.
Program CUL-1.1.b: City staff will maintain open channels of
consultation with local Native American tribes, the Eastern
Information Center at the University of California, Riverside, the
Historical Society, and the Coachella Valley History Museum.
Program CUL-1.1.c: City staff shall maintain a database of known
prehistoric and historic resources in the City.
Program CUL-1.1d: The City shall update its historic inventory at a
minimum of every 10 years, subject to available funding.
BACKGROUND
The environmental setting section, below, provides information on the environmental factors that
affect cultural resources, while the prehistoric and historical settings provide information on the
land use history of the general Project region.
ENVIRONMENT
Located in the Coachella Valley, La Quinta enjoys a subtropical desert climate. The San Jacinto
and Santa Rosa Mountains flank the City on the west with the San Bernardino and Little San
Bernardino Mountains bordering it on the north and east, respectively. Mean annual rainfall is
very low from the desert floor into the foothills, ranging from three to six inches per year and
averaging about five to six inches along the Little San Bernardino foothills (Coachella Valley
Water District n.d.). Most of the rainfall occurs during the cooler months of November through
March, but occasional high-intensity thunderstorms and tropical monsoonal storms occur in late
summer and early fall. Although the ground may be generally dry at the beginning of a storm,
sufficient amounts and intensities of rainfall can saturate the surface, substantially reducing
percolation and increasing runoff. Development also increases runoff by creating large areas of
impermeable surfaces. Increased runoff upstream can contribute significantly to downstream
flooding damage.
Summer daytime temperatures can occasionally exceed 125°F and winter temperatures rarely fall
below freezing. The surrounding mountain slopes generally receive rainfall that increases with
elevation. The mountains and upper elevations surrounding the Project study area are generally
cooler, with an approximate 5°F drop with every 1,000-foot increase in elevation. Potential
flooding problems in the La Quinta study area are associated with storm flows in the Whitewater
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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River and its tributaries, flooding on the alluvial fans, and to runoff associated with the Indio
Hills and the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountain foothills.
A significant portion of the City of La Quinta, including the Project Area, lies within the
prehistoric dry lakebed of Lake Cahuilla (Figure 5). Lake Cahuilla was one of the largest
freshwater lakes ever to exist in North America. At its maximum, the lake would stretch from
the Colorado River Delta in Mexico to the vicinity of Indio, California. Lake Cahuilla formed
when sediment carried by the Colorado River formed a natural barrier in the Colorado River
Delta, forcing the course of the river to turn northward into the Salton Basin where, over the
course of centuries, it formed the massive lake. Throughout the Pleistocene Epoch and recent
Holocene, the course of the Colorado River alternated between flowing into the Gulf of Mexico
and flowing into the Salton Basin. Each time Lake Cahuilla filled, it brought with it an entire
ecosystem that included freshwater fish, mussels, waterfowl, and marsh plants. Ethnographic
accounts taken from Cahuilla Native Americans from the mid-nineteenth century have been used
to estimate A.D. 1600 as the latest date for last time the Lake Cahuilla formed. Holocene fossil
shell and vertebrates are commonly found throughout the ancient lakebed (Singer n.d.)
Figure 5. Project Area relative to Lake Cahuilla
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PREHISTORIC CULTURAL SETTING
Approaches to prehistoric frameworks have changed over the years from those being based on
material cultural attributes to radiocarbon-based chronologies to those associated with cultural
traditions. Archaeologists defined a material complex consisting of an abundance of milling
stones (for grinding food items) with few projectile points or vertebrate faunal remains dating
from about seven to three thousand years before the present as the “Millingstone Horizon”
(Wallace 1955). Later, the “Millingstone Horizon” was redefined as a cultural tradition named
the Encinitas Tradition (Warren 1968) with various regional expressions including Topanga and
La Jolla. Use by archaeologists varied as some adopted a generalized Encinitas Tradition
without regional variations, some continued to use “Millingstone Horizon,” and some used
Middle Holocene (the geologic time period) to indicate this observed pattern (Sutton and
Gardner 2010:1-2).
Recently, the generalized use of the “Millingstone Horizon” terminology has been seen to
suppress the identification of specific cultural, spatial, and temporal cultural variations that
occurred over several thousand years and the coincident movement of peoples, and it is these
factors that are seen to be critical to understanding prehistoric adaptation and change (Sutton and
Gardner 2010:1-2).
The Encinitas Tradition characteristics are abundant metates and manos, crudely made core and
flake tools, bone tools, shell ornaments, and very few projectile points with subsistence focusing
on collecting (plants, shellfish, etc.). Faunal remains vary by location but include shellfish, land
animals, marine mammals and fish (Sutton and Gardner 2010:7). The Encinitas Tradition has
been redefined to have four patterns (Sutton and Gardner 2010: 8-25). These are (1) Topanga in
coastal Los Angeles and Orange counties, (2) La Jolla in coastal San Diego County, (3) Greven
Knoll in inland San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties, and (4) Pauma in
inland San Diego County.
About 900 B.P. Greven Knoll III groups in the Project Area adopted new cultural traits that
transformed them into Palomar groups. The Palomar Tradition characteristics include bow and
arrow technology, new rock art styles, new settlement and subsistence systems, and Takic
languages. The Palomar Tradition is defined to have two patterns (Sutton 2011). These are the
San Luis Rey Pattern in the southern California coastal area and the Peninsular Pattern in the
inland areas of the northern Peninsular Ranges (e.g., San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains) and
northern Coachella Valley.
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PROJECT AREA CULTURES
The latest cultural revisions for the Project Area define traits for time phases of the Greven Knoll
Pattern of the Encinitas Tradition applicable to inland San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles,
and Orange counties (Sutton and Gardner 2010). This pattern is subsequently replaced in the
Project Area by the Peninsular Pattern of the Palomar Tradition later in time (Sutton 2011; Table
1).
Greven Knoll sites tend to be in located in the inland valley areas characteristic of the Project
Area. These inland people apparently did not switch from the use of manos and metates to the
use of pestles and mortars that is seen in coastal sites dating to approximately 5000 years ago,
possibly reflecting their closer relationship with desert cultural peoples who did not exploit
acorns. The Greven Knoll toolkit is dominated by manos and metates throughout its 7,500-year
extent. In Phase I, other typical characteristics were pinto dart points for atlatls or spears,
charmstones, cogged stones, absence of shell artifacts, and flexed position burials (Table 1). In
Phase II, Elko dart points for atlatls or spears and core tools are observed along with increased
indications of gathering. In Phase III, stone tools including scraper planes, choppers and
hammerstones are added to the tool kit, and yucca and plant seeds are staple foods, animals
bones are heavily processed (broken and crushed to extract marrow), and burials tend to be
marked by stone cairns (Table 1; Sutton and Gardner 2010).
TABLE 1. CULTURAL PATTERNS AND PHASES
Phase Dates
B.P.
Material Culture Other Traits
Greven
Knoll I
8,500
to
4,000
Abundant manos and metates; Pinto dart
points for atlatls or spears; charmstones,
cogged stones, and discoidals rare; no
mortars or pestles; and general absence of
shell artifacts.
No shellfish; hunting important; flexed
inhumations; and cremations rare.
Greven
Knoll II
4,000
to
3,000
Abundant manos and mutates; Elko dart
points for atlatls or spears; core tools; late
discoidals; few mortars and pestles; and
general absence of shell artifacts.
No shellfish; hunting and gathering
important; flexed inhumations; and
cremations rare.
Greven
Knoll III
(formerly
Sayles
complex)
3,000
to 900
Abundant manos and mutates; Elko dart
points for atlatls or spears; scraper planes,
choppers, and hammerstones; late
discoidals; few mortars and pestles; and
general absence of shell artifacts.
No shellfish; yucca and seeds as staples;
hunting important but animal bones also
processed; flexed inhumations beneath
rock cairns; and cremations rare.
Peninsular I 900 to
750
Appearance of small points (Cottonwood
points &, Desert Side-notched) for
arrows; shaft straighteners; pottery; few
stone ornaments or stone pipes;
appearance of shell ornaments; use of
Adoption of a lacustrine-based subsistence
system; movement of people into the
northern Coachella Valley from the interior
valleys as Lake Cahuilla filled;
establishment of major residential bases
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Phase Dates
B.P.
Material Culture Other Traits
obsidian glass from Coso, Obsidian Butte,
Bagdad, and unknown sources; and use
bedrock metates but few mortars and
pestles.
along the Lake Cahuilla shoreline; and
primary pit cremations.
Peninsular II 750 to
300
Addition of brown ware pottery, ceramic
pipes and figurines; use of same obsidian
sources; and the use of stone fish traps as
levels of Lake Cahuilla fluctuated and
eventually declined.
Lacustrine based subsistence; and the
appearance of the Peninsular Funerary
Complex, with secondary cremations
placed in ceramic “containers” and
associated mourning ceremonies.
Peninsular
III
300 to
150
Continued use of Cottonwood and Desert
Side-notched points; brown ware and buff
ware pottery; primary use of Obsidian
Butte as an obsidian source; addition of
new figurine types and cultigens such as
melons and squash, and the introduction
of Euro-American material culture (e.g.,
glass beads and metal tools).
Adoption of terrestrial-based subsistence
system; full-time villages near springs;
movement of some people west into the
northern Peninsular Ranges as Lake
Cahuilla became desiccated; use of
domesticated species obtained from
Colorado River Yumans and Euro-
Americans; primary pit cremation as the
principal mortuary practice; and retention
of mourning ceremonies.
Note: Adapted from Sutton and Gardner 2010 and Sutton 2011
Early Peninsular sites tend to be near sources of fresh water in valleys. The former Lake
Cahuilla played a major role in the prehistory of the Colorado Desert. As detailed above, Lake
Cahuilla formed periodically when the Colorado River broke its channel and flowed into the
Salton Trough of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys, forming a large, deep body of fresh water.
Sutton (2011) suggests that some San Luis Rey I people of Yuman descent split away and
migrated east to the northern Peninsular Ranges and the northern Coachella Valley to exploit
Lake Cahuilla, and in so doing became Peninsular I. The Peninsular Pattern then developed
through the Peninsular I, II and III phases (Sutton 2011).
The Peninsular I phase is marked by small points for arrows, the appearance of bedrock mortars
indicating use of acorns, pottery, the appearance of shell ornaments, and pit cremations are
common. Hunting and gathering of terrestrial resources and the exploitation of Lake Cahuilla’s
lacustrine resources resulted in the development of new technologies for waterfowl decoys and
fish traps and/or nets (Table 3). The Peninsular II phase has some important new material traits
including brown ware pottery, ceramic pipes and figurines, and secondary burials in containers
(Table 3). The Peninsular III phase reflects the archaeological signature of the ethnographic
groups that had become established in Peninsular I and II phases with the addition of some Euro-
American material culture (Table 1; Sutton 2011).
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ETHNOGRAPHY
By the Late Prehistoric period, the Coachella Valley was home to affiliated peoples known as the
Cahuilla. They occupied the San Gorgonio Pass (referred to as the Pass Cahuilla), San Jacinto
and Santa Rosa Mountains (Mountain Cahuilla), and the Coachella Valley and the northern end
of Imperial Valley (Desert Cahuilla; Figure 6). The Cahuilla are linked to other Takic language
family groups such as the Serrano and Luiseño, and share many aspects of culture and religion
with those tribes.
These peoples spoke the Cahuilla language but each person’s primary identity was linked to clan
lineage and moiety, rather than tribal affiliation. The two moieties of the Cahuilla were Istam
(coyote) and Tuktum (wild cat). Affiliation was inherited from the father’s moiety and members
of one moiety had to marry into the other group. Each clan was an independent, politically
autonomous land-holding unit (Bean 1972; Strong 1929).
In addition to lineage residence areas and clan territory owned in common with other clan
members, each lineage had ownership rights to various food collecting and hunting areas.
Individuals also “owned” specific areas rich in plant resources, as well as hunting grounds, rock
quarry locations, and sacred spots used only by shamans, healers, and ritual practitioners.
Cahuilla clans varied in size from several family groups to those composed of several thousand
people. Clans were generally situated so that each lineage or community was located near a
reliable water source and in proximity to significant food resources. Within each community,
house structures were spatially placed at some distance from each other. Often a community
would spread over a mile or two in distance with each nuclear and extended family having
homes and associated structures for food storage and shaded work places (ramadas) for tool
manufacture and food processing. Each community also contained a house clan leader.
In more recent times, a ceremonial house (kishumnawat) was placed within each community,
and most major religious ceremonies of the clan were held there. In addition, house and
ceremonial structures, storage granaries, sweat houses, and song houses (for recreational music)
were present. Usually an area within one to three miles contained the bulk of materials needed
for daily subsistence, although territories of a given clan might be larger, and longer distances
were traveled to get precious exotic resources, usually found in the higher elevations of the
surrounding mountains.
While most daily secular and religious activities took place within the community, there were
locations at some distance from the community where people camped for extended periods to
harvest acorns or piñon nuts. Throughout the area, there were sacred places used primarily for
rituals, intergroup or inter-clan meetings, caches for sacred materials, and locations for use by
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Figure 6. Cahuilla Territory (Heizer 1978)
shamans or medicine men. Generally, hilly, rocky areas, cave sites, or walled cave sites were
used for temporary camping, storage of foods, fasting by shamans, and as hunting blinds.
Between the mid-1500s and the 1800s, the Cahuilla were variously contacted by Spanish
explorers, then Mexican ranchers, and later American settlers. By the mid-1800s, the Cahuilla
were fully exposed to new peoples with new cultural ways, opportunities, and constraints. In the
1860s, several epidemics devastated the Cahuilla population and the increasing contact with
Europeans continued to have a major impact on their traditional lifeway. Survivors of decimated
Cahuilla clans joined villages that were able to maintain their ceremonial, cultural, and economic
institutions (Bean 1972).
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The Cahuilla were influenced by contact with the Patayan peoples of the lower Colorado River
area. The Patayan were of the Yuman language family and introduced both floodplain
agriculture, the use of ceramics, and bow-and-arrow technology to the Cahuilla approximately
1500 years ago. The Cahuilla were observed by early European explorers and settlers growing
small plots of corn, pumpkin, melon, watermelon, barley, and wheat where there were reliable
water sources (Schaefer and Laylander 2007: 253).
HISTORICAL SETTING
The Cahuilla retained control of their ancestral lands longer than most California tribes did, as
they were somewhat distant from the established Spanish Missions. The first regular incursion
into Cahuilla territory was Hank Brown’s wagon road in the 1850s along what is now the route
of Interstate 10 (Lech 2004:137-8).
Because of competing economic and political considerations, however, it was not until the mid-
1870s that a serious push to settle the Coachella Valley occurred when the Southern Pacific
Railroad transected the western Colorado Desert through the Coachella Valley. This route
connected the San Gorgonio Pass to the town of Yuma, Arizona, via the eastern shore of the
Salton Sink. Within a decade, the Federal Government gave all the odd-numbered sections of
land in the Coachella Valley to the Southern Pacific (now the Union Pacific) Railroad, which
completed its line through the desert to the Pacific Ocean in 1877. When President U.S. Grant
established the Cahuilla Indian Reservations beginning in 1875, only the even-numbered sections
were still available, thus creating the present Reservation checkerboard pattern. At the same
time, ancestral Cahuilla lands were being granted to American settlers and Cahuilla peoples were
being moved onto reservations (Agua Caliente Band of Indians n.d.). Development was very
slow and towns were small until relatively recently; however, residential and commercial
development is now reaching new peaks (Lech 2004:142).
PROJECT AREA HISTORY
The City of La Quinta began as a “watering hole” for gold miners traveling through the
Coachella Valley on their way to Arizona. In 1862, Major William Bradshaw transported miners
through the Valley and stopped at Point Happy (corner of Washington Street and Highway 111)
which soon became a way station for stagecoaches and freight wagons traveling the Bradshaw
trail (Soltys 2005:175). In 1926, Walter Morgan founded the La Quinta Resort which attracted
Hollywood celebrities and established La Quinta as a resort destination for Los Angeles’ wealthy
population. The City of La Quinta, named for the Resort, was incorporated in 1982 and
maintains a seasonal population and reputation as a premier resort town (City of La Quinta
2014).
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The historical settlement pattern is reflected in land patents granted by the Government Land
Office, which show that the four land patents were granted to Albert P. Green and John L.
Marshall in 1914, James W. Green in 1915, and Cornelius Y. Hamilton in 1917. The 1954 USGS
La Quinta topographic quadrangle, the earliest available, shows no development or any other
features near the Project Area. The 1972 USGS La Quinta topographic quadrangle shows the
current roads and one residence located directly south of the Project Area at the southeastern
corner of Avenida La Fonda and Calle Quito, which remained the only structure until 1980 (the
most recent topo map). The 1972 historic aerial (earliest available) shows the above mentioned
residence at the southwest corner of Avenida La Fonda and Calle Quito, which actually consist
of two structures that are still present on the lot.
SOURCES CONSULTED
RECORDS SEARCH
The purpose of the records search is to identify all previously recorded cultural resources
(prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic buildings, structures, objects, or
districts) within the Project Area, as required by Chapter III of the La Quinta General Plan.
All cultural resources as well as cultural resource surveys performed within a one-mile
radius of the Project Area were reviewed.
Megan Wilson, a Cogstone staff archaeologist, performed a search for archaeological and
historical records on May 11, 2016 at the Eastern Information Center (EIC) of the California
Historical Resources Inventory System (CHRIS) located on the campus of the University of
California, Riverside. The record search covered a one-mile radius around the Project Area
boundary. The results of the records search indicated that one prior cultural resources study
included portions of the Project Area, while an additional 42 cultural resources studies have
been completed previously within a one-mile radius of the Project Area (Appendix B). The
one study that included a portion of the Project Area was negative for cultural resources
within the current TTM 36964 Project Area.
The results of these studies indicated that no cultural resources have been previously recorded
within the Project Area. A total of 39 cultural resources have been previously documented within
the one-mile search radius (Table 2). These consist of 32 prehistoric archaeological sites, four
prehistoric isolated artifacts, two multicomponent sites (containing both prehistoric and historic
resources), and one historic site. None of the previously recorded archaeological resources are
listed in the Archaeological Determinations of Eligibility maintained by the California Office of
Historic Preservation.
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Six of the prehistoric sites (CA-RIV-296, -1179, -1980, -3434, -4091, and -6391) located
between 0.5 and 1 mile of the Project Area contains prehistoric human cremations. CA-RIV-
4091 is a reburial of human remains from excavated prehistoric sites located outside the one-mile
search radius of the Project Area.
TABLE 2. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED RESOURCES WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS
Primary
No. (P-33)
Trinomial
(CA-RIV-) Resource Type Resource Description
Date
Recorded
Distance
from Project
Area (miles)
000158 158 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1979 0.5-1
000296 296 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: human cremation,
ceramics, lithics, shell bead
1963 0.5-1
001179 1179 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: human cremation,
basketry, midden, ceramics, fire
affected rock
1984 0.5-1
001180 1180 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.25-0.5
001182 1182 Prehistoric Site Temporary habitation site: ceramics,
lithics, shell bead, fire affected rock
1972,
1986,
1990
0.5-1
001980 1980 Prehistoric Site Burial site: human cremation,
ceramics, lithics, shell bead
1980 0.5-1
001981 1181 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.5-1
001982 1982 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.5-1
002826 2826 Prehistoric Site Bedrock milling features 1984 0.5-1
002827 2827 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: ceramics, fire
affected rock, lithics, freshwater
shell scatter
1984 0.5-1
002828 2828 Prehistoric Site Bedrock milling features 1984 0.5-1
002997 2997 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.25-0.5
002998 2998 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter, one projectile point 1985 05.-1
002999 2999 Prehistoric Site Ceramic and lithic scatter 1985 0.25-0.5
003000 3000 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.25-0.5
003001 3001 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter 1985 0.25-0.5
003131 3131 Prehistoric Site Temporary habitation site: ceramic
scatter, lithics, freshwater shell
1986 0.5-1
003143 3143 Prehistoric Site Temporary habitation site: ceramic
scatter, lithics, fire affected rock,
freshwater shell
1990 0.5-1
003134 3434 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: human cremation,
ceramic scatter, fire affected rock,
marine shell
1990 0.5-1
003322 3322 Multicomponent
Site
Ceramic scatter, lithic scatter,
freshwater shell, fire affected rock,
shell bead; historic rock wall
1987 0.5-1
003822 3822 Prehistoric Site Plant processing site: petroglyphs,
bedrock milling features, lithic
scatter
1989,
1990
0.5-1
003868 3868 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter and freshwater shell
scatter
1990 0.5-1
004091 4091 Prehistoric Site Reburial site: human remains from 1990 0.5-1
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Primary
No. (P-33)
Trinomial
(CA-RIV-) Resource Type Resource Description
Date
Recorded
Distance
from Project
Area (miles)
CA-RIV-3144, CA-RIV-3757 and
one cremation from the Ruth
Shepard collection.
004114 4114 Prehistoric Site Ceramic and lithic scatter 1990 0.25-0.5
007929 5972 Multicomponent
site
Ceramic scatter, two cobalt blue
glass beads
1997 0.5-1
008165 N/A Historic Site Historic road,; segment of Old
Avenue 52
1996 0.25-0.5
008226 6074 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: ceramics, fire
affected rock, lithics, freshwater
shell scatter, fish remains, unshaped
clay
1998 0.5-1
009008 6352 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter, unfired clay 1999,
2002
0.5-1
009010 6354 Prehistoric Site Ceramic and lithic scatter 1999,
2002
0.5-1
009508 6352 Prehistoric Site Ceramic and lithic scatter 1999 0.5-1
009515 6390 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter and fire affected
rock
1999 0.5-1
009516 6391 Prehistoric Site Burial site: human cremations,
ceramics, shell fragments, clay,
projectile points, shell beads
1999 0.5-1
11179 N/A Prehistoric
Isolate
Ceramic sherd 2001 0.5-1
11180 N/A Prehistoric
Isolate
Ceramic sherd 2001 0.25-05
11181 N/A Prehistoric
Isolate
Ceramic sherd 2001 0.25-05
12404 7039 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: ceramic scatter, fire
affected rock, habitations debris,
lithics
2003 0.25-0.5
13306 7408 Prehistoric Site Habitation site: ceramic scatter,
lithic scatter, habitation debris, shell
bead
2004 0.25-0.5
13400 N/A Prehistoric
Isolate
Ceramic sherd 2004 0.5-1
019792 10076 Prehistoric Site Ceramic scatter, lithic scatter,
freshwater shell
2011 0.5-1
*All resources are located within the La Quinta 7.5’ USGS Topographic Map
OTHER SOURCES
In addition to the records at the EIC, Megan Wilson consulted a variety of sources in May 2016
to obtain information regarding the cultural context of the Project Area (Table 3). Sources
included the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the California Register of Historic
Resources (CRHR), California Historical Resources Inventory (CHRI), California Historical
Landmarks (CHL), and California Points of Historical Interest (CPHI). Specific information
about the Project Area, obtained from historic maps and aerial photographs, is presented in the
Project Area History.
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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TABLE 3. ADDITIONAL SOURCES CONSULTED
SOURCE RESULT
National Register of Historic Places (1979-2002 &
supplements)
Negative
Historic United States Geological Survey topographic
maps
Historic topographic maps indicated that the current
Project Area has been vacant since 1972, which at that
time was part of the property for the house located
directly to the south of the Project Area.
Historic Aerials NETR Online Historic aerial from 1954, the earliest available,
indicates that the PA was devoid of activity. The house
located to the south of the PA and all surrounding streets
were present by 1960.
California Register of Historical Resources (1992-2010) Negative
California Inventory of Historic Resources (1976-2010) Negative
California Historical Landmarks (1995 & supplements
to 2010)
Negative
California Points of Historical Interest (1992 to 2010) Negative
Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) Historic
Resources Index (HRI)
Negative
Bureau of Land Management General Land Office
Records
Positive: John L. Marshall 1914, SE ½ and James W.
Green 1915, S ½ W ¼ .
STUDY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
No sites are known within a half mile of the project area. The entire project area has been
previously disturbed by grading and placement of fill to unknown depths.
In the event of an unanticipated discovery, all work must be suspended within 50 feet of the
find until a qualified archaeologist evaluates it. In the unlikely event that human remains are
encountered during project development, all work must cease near the find immediately. In
accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, the County Coroner
must be notified if potentially human bone is discovered. The Coroner will then determine
within two working days of being notified if the remains are subject to his or her authority.
If the Coroner recognizes the remains to be Native American, he or she shall contact the
Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) by phone within 24 hours, in accordance
with Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. The NAHC will then designate a Most Likely
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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Descendant (MLD) with respect to the human remains. The MLD then has the opportunity
to recommend to the property owner or the person responsible for the excavation work
means for treating or disposing, with appropriate dignity, the human remains and associated
grave goods. Work may not resume in the vicinity of the find until all requirements of the
health and safety code have been met.
REFERENCES
Bean, L. J.
1972 Mukat’s People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of
California Press, Berkeley.
BLM GLO (Bureau of Land Management Government Land Office)
2016 Land Grant Records Search Tool. Electronic resource available at
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/Default.asp. Last accessed November
17, 2015. Accessed April, 2016.
City of La Quinta
2013 2035 La Quinta General Plan. Electronic document available at www.la-quinta.org.
Accessed April, 2016.
2014 History of La Quinta. Electronic document, www.la-quinta.org accessed December 2014.
Coachella Valley Water District
n.d. About Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). Available online at
http://www.cvwd.org/27/About-Us, last accessed April 12, 2016
1971 C.V. Stormwater Channel Plan 8: Profile. DWG No. 10,521-8.
Heizer, R. F. (ed.)
1978 Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 8: California. Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C.
Lech, S.
2004 Along the Old Roads: a history of the portion of southern California that became
Riverside County 1772-1893. Self-published, Riverside, California.
Love, B.
2002 P-33-011438 [CA-RIV-6823 (Update)]. Department of Parks and Recreation Resource
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
20
Record available at the California Historic Resources System (CHRIS) Eastern
Information Center (EIC), University of California, Riverside.
Schaefer, J. and D. Laylander
2007 The Colorado Desert: Ancient Adaptations to Wetlands and Wastelands. In California
Prehistory: colonization, culture and complexity, edited by T. Jones and K. Klar, pp.
247-257. Altamira Press, Lanham, Maryland.
Singer, E.
n.d. Ancient Lake Cahuilla. From Geology of the Imperial Valley. Electronic document
available at http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/AncientLakeCahuilla.html. Accessed April 2016.
Soltys, R. J.
2005 Coachella Valley Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Marketscope Books, La Quinta,
California.
Strong, W. D.
1929 Aboriginal Society in Southern California. University of California Publications in
American Archaeology and Ethnology 26:1-349.
Sutton, M. Q.
2011 The Palomar Tradition and Its Place in the Prehistory of Southern California. Pacific
Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly 44: 1-74.
Sutton, M. Q. and J. Gardner
2010 Reconceptualizing the Encinitas Tradition of Southern California. Pacific Coast
Archaeological Society Quarterly 42(4):1-64.
Sutton, M. Q.
2009 People and Language, Defining the Takic Expansion into Southern California. Pacific
Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly 41(2 and 3): 31-93.
2010 The Del Rey Tradition and its Place in the Prehistory of Southern California. Pacific
Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly 44(2):1-54.
Wallace, W. J.
1955 A Suggested Chronology for Southern California Coastal Archaeology. Southwestern
Journal of Anthropology 11:214-230.
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
21
APPENDIX A: QUALIFICATIONS
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
22
MOLLY VALASIK, RPA
Project Manager
EDUCATION
2009 M.A., Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
2006 B.A., Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Ms. Valasik is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with seven years of professional and academic
archaeological field and research experience. She meets the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for Archaeology, and is a skilled professional who is well-versed in the compliance procedures of CEQA
and Section 106 of the NHPA and in working with a variety of federal, state, and local agencies throughout
California. Ms. Valasik has managed a variety of projects at Cogstone in the water, transportation, energy,
development and federal sectors. Her role at Cogstone has ranged from GIS Manager, Field Director, Archaeology
Supervisor, and beginning in 2014 Principal Investigator for Archaeology.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Rose Creek Bike Trail, Caltrans District 11, San Diego, San Diego County, CA. Cogstone completed the record
search, sacred lands search, NAHC consultation, intensive-level pedestrian archaeological survey, in-depth
background research, and approval by District 11 of the APE map for a two mile long bike trail. Prepared a
Historic Property Survey Report (HPSR) and Archaeological Survey Report (ASR). Sub to Nasland
Engineering. Principal Investigator. 2015
Sheldon Road and Waterman Road Intersection Improvements Project, Elk Grove, Sacramento County, CA.
Cogstone completed the record search, sacred lands search, NAHC consultation, and intensive-level pedestrian
archaeological survey for the intersection improvements project. Prepared an Archaeological Assessment
Report. Sub to PMC. Principal Investigator. 2015.
Bikeway Gap Closure Project, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, CA. Prepared an initial assessment of
cultural and paleontological resources constraints to determine the potential effects on resources of bikeway
improvements throughout the city of San Juan Capistrano. Conducted archaeological and paleontological
record searches, Native American consultation and prepared maps. The Project involves seven bikeway gap
connections. Sub to Environmental Intelligence. GIS Specialist and Co-Author. 2013
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Lizards Trail Improvements, OC Parks, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA.
Cogstone completed a record search, Sacred Lands search, NAHC consultation, and cultural resources Phase I
pedestrian survey of the 1.2-mile project area. Submitted a technical report for this trail improvement project,
which will open an unauthorized mile segment for public use, to fulfill CEQA requirements. Sub to Michael
Baker/RBF Consulting. GIS Specialist and Author. 2014
Peters Canyon Off-Street Bikeway Lighting Improvement, City of Irvine/ Caltrans District 12, Orange
County, CA. Literature and Sacred Lands searches, extended Native American consultation, hydrogeological
study of San Diego Creek Watershed, survey, and technical reports (HPSR and ASR) for improvements to
lighting along existing bikeway. NHPA Section 106 compliance. Sub to RBF. Archaeologist. 2014
I-405 Freeway Trail Lighting Improvements Project, City of Irvine/ Caltrans District 12, Orange County,
CA. Literature and Sacred Lands searches, extended Native American consultation, hydrogeological study of
San Diego Creek Watershed, survey, and technical reports (HPSR and ASR) for improvements to lighting along
existing bikeway. NHPA Section 106 compliance. Sub to RBF. Archaeologist. 2014
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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ANDRE-JUSTIN C. SIMMONS
Archaeologist/Cross-trained Paleontologist & GIS Supervisor
EDUCATION
2014 M.A., Anthropology: Specializing in Anthropological Archaeology, California State University, Fullerton
2010 B.A., Anthropology and History, California State University, Fullerton, graduated cum laude
2012 Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, California State University, Fullerton
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Mr. Simmons is a qualified archaeologist and cross-trained paleontologist with extensive field experience in survey,
monitoring, faunal analysis, and excavation. He exceeds the qualifications required by the Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Further, he is certified in Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and specializes in ESRI’s ArcGIS software. Mr. Simmons is responsible for supervising
GIS data collection and management, geospatial analysis, and the production of GIS maps and databases for large
and small-scale projects. His key research interests include settlement patterns and use of space among
Paleoindians, the American Southwest, early historic and prehistoric California, and historical Mexico. He has over
six years of experience in California Archaeology and paleontological monitoring along with more than 24 hours of
paleontology training and over four years of GIS experience.
SELECTED PROJECTS
WECC Path 42, Southern California Edison, Riverside County, CA. Conducted a cultural resources records
search and field survey for a 14.5 mile transmission line segment near Thousand Palms. Archaeological/
Paleontological Technician. 2011-2012
Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project, Southern California Edison, Eldorado, NV to Ivanpah, CA.
Performed paleontological monitoring for project that involves construction of 195 miles of new transmission
lines and associated fiber optic lines across BLM and private lands. Paleontological Monitor. 2012-2013
Paradise Valley Specific Plan, Riverside County, CA. Prepared GIS maps for an assessment encompassing
approximately 5,411 acres to determine the potential effects on paleontological, archaeological, and historical
resources by the development of a resort community in an unincorporated area of Riverside County near Indio.
GIS Technician. 2011
Pioneer High School Project, Whitter, Los Angeles County, CA. Conducted a cultural resources records search,
prepared GIS maps, and authored a resources assessment report for a stadium improvement project. GIS &
Archaeology Technician. 2013
Fort Irwin, National Training Center, San Bernardino County, CA. Prepared GIS maps of sites and artifacts
recorded during an intensive 14,367 acre archaeological field survey on the Fort Irwin Training Center in the
Mojave Desert. Prepared GIS survey coverage maps. Archaeology Field Technician. 2012-2013
Avenue 66-UPRR Grade Separation, Caltrans District 8, Mecca, Riverside County, CA. The project involved a
field reconnaissance survey for the 1.5-mile-long Direct Impact Area from 66th Avenue to Lincoln Street to identify
and evaluate potential paleontological resources. The project is located within the Coachella Valley. It involves
construction of a new bridge crossing the UPRR, Hammond Road, and SR-111. Prepared GIS maps for a Combined
Paleontological Identification Report (PIR) and Paleontological Evaluation Report (PER) with a Paleontological
Monitoring Plan (PMP). Caltrans District 8 served as the lead agency under NEPA, with the County of Riverside as
lead agency under CEQA. Sub to Dokken Engineering. Paleontology GIS Technician. 2013-2014
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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MEGAN PATRICIA WILSON
Archaeologist/GIS Specialist
EDUCATION
2014 M.A. Anthropology, California State University, Fullerton cum laude
2013 GIS Certificate, California State University, Fullerton
2006 B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles cum laude
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Ms. Wilson is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and cross-trained paleontologist with 9 years of experience in
survey, excavation, and laboratory preparation/curation analysis. Her key research areas include prehistoric
subsistence and settlement patterns of coastal southern California, protohistoric and historic archaeology of southern
California and the Great Basin, and paleo environmental reconstructions based on archaeological flora and faunal
analysis. She is GIS proficient and assists with the digitizing and mapping of spatial data for archaeology projects.
Ms. Wilson has five years of experience in southern California archaeology and is an expert in prehistoric and
historic Orange County archaeology and artifact identification.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Paradise Valley Specific Plan, Glorious Land Company, unincorporated Riverside County, CA. The project
involves construction of a master-planned community. Of the 5, 000-acre project area, 1,800 acres are slated for
development, leaving the remaining 3,200 acres as open space. Coordination with the BLM was required
regarding off-site power and fiber optic lines situated on federal lands. Conducted records search and archive
research. Cogstone also conducted NAHC consultation, archaeological and paleontological resources survey
and APE mapping for inclusion in the Supplemental Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment Report.
Archaeologist 2014
I-15 Limonite Interchange Improvement, County of Riverside/Caltrans District 8, Jurupa Valley/Eastvale,
Riverside County, CA. Prepared GIS maps for inclusion in a Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP). Sub to
Dokken Engineering. GIS Specialist. 2015
Dune Palms Bridge, Project Design and Environmental Documents, La Quinta, Riverside County, CA. The
project involved replacing a low water crossing spanning the Coachella Valley Storm Water Channel at Dune
Palms Road. Conducted record search, sacred lands search, and NAHC consultation. Cogstone also conducted
an intensive field survey, APE mapping, and prepared a Historic Properties Survey Report (HPSR) with
appended Archaeological Survey Report (ASR) to support the PA&ED/PSR/PS&E documents. In addition, the
project is located within known boundaries of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla, which has previously produced
significant fossils. Cogstone conducted a paleontological sensitivity analysis and prepared a Paleontological
Identification Report (PIR). Sub to Parsons Brinckerhoff. Archaeologist. 2014
Temecula Park and Ride at I-15, Caltrans District 8, Temecula, Riverside County, CA. Conducted records
search, sacred land search, NAHC consultation, and created all project maps for inclusion in Historic Property
Survey Report (HPSR) and Archaeological Survey Report (ASR). This project involved the construction of a
park and ride area. Sub to Michael Baker/RBF. Archaeologist. 2014
WECC Path 42, Southern California Edison, Thousand Palms, Riverside County, CA. Updated maps and
graphics for inclusion in a cultural resources monitoring compliance report documenting activities associated
with the construction and demolition of tower and guard structures for the Devers-Mirage Circuit. GIS
Specialist. 2014
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
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SARAH NAVA
Archaeologist and GIS Technician
EDUCATION
2008 B.A., Anthropology, California State University, Long Beach
SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS
Ms. Nava is a qualified archaeologist with four years of cultural resource management experience. As a field
technician, crew chief, and geospatial technician, she has conducted monitoring, survey, site recording, and
excavation. Her laboratory activities include artifact sorting, data entry, and generating site location maps. She
specializes in using geographical information systems in cultural resource management and archaeology. She uses
data collected in the field to analyze through GIS and software technologies. She has completed over 120 hours of
cultural resource management workshops. She has presented research data and conclusions at professional
conferences. Her professional memberships include the Society for American Archaeology and Society for
California Archaeology.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Caltrans District 6, On-Call Paleontology (06A1786), Merced, Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties,
CA. Conducted paleontological resources sensitivity training for construction crew prior to ground disturbing
activities in compliance with Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP). Sub to Parsons. Paleontology Field
Technician. 2014
Caltrans District 6, On-Call Paleontology (06A1320), Merced, Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties,
CA. Multiple task orders, including: monitoring for the Arboleda Drive Freeway Project, State Route 99, in
Merced County (including field testing and microfossil sorting) ; monitoring a for the State Route 41
Rehabilitation Project near Kettleman City in Kings County, CA.; monitoring for the Bradley Overhead
Replacement along State Route 140, in Merced County, CA; and monitoring for the Savage Way Rehabilitation,
east of Stockton. Sub to URS Corporation. Paleontology Monitor. 2011-2013
Newport Road Extension Project, Menifee, Riverside County, CA. Archaeologist/Cross-Trained Paleontologist.
Cogstone performed paleontological and archaeological monitoring, evaluation of bone, testing, historic trashpit
recovery, prehistoric artifact analysis, historic artifact analysis and provided an interpretive report for the
Riverside County Transportation Department acting as both client and lead agency. Personally responsible for
cultural resource monitoring and recovery/ analysis of artifacts. 2004-2007
Palm Springs Signal, Caltrans District 8, Palm Springs, Riverside County. Archaeology Field Technician.
Conducted a cultural resources field survey and prepared sections of the Archaeological Survey Report (ASR) for
34 proposed traffic signal improvement locations under subcontract to RBF Consulting. 2011-2012
Avenue R Improvements, Caltrans District 7, Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA. Conducted a cultural
resources field survey to Caltrans standards for an intersection improvement project at East Avenue R and 10th
Street East under subcontract to Galvin Preservation Associates. Archaeology Field Technician. 2011
Perris Valley Line, Metrolink, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside County, CA. The project
is a 24-mile extension of the Metrolink 91 Line. Conducting paleontological and archaeological monitoring for
construction of four new stations, upgrading associated track and utility relocations to extend the Metrolink
connection from Riverside through Moreno Valley to Perris. Sub to HDR Engineering. Field Technician. 2013-2015
WECC Path 42 Transmission Line Upgrades, Southern California Edison, Palm Springs area, Riverside
County, CA. Conducted cultural resources survey and mitigation monitoring during construction for a 14.5
mile transmission line segment on BLM and private lands. Archaeology Technician. 2014-2015
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
26
APPENDIX B. CULTURAL STUDIES WITHIN A ONE-MILE RADIUS
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
27
Report
No.
Author(s) Title Year Distance
from PA
(miles)*
RI-00211 John L. Craib Archaeological Test Sampling of Site Within the La
Quinta Flood Control Channel Easement
1980 0.5-1
RI-00212 Patricia Jertberg and
Nancy Farrell
A Study of Late Prehistoric Subsistence and
Settlement Patterns Along the Northwestern
Shoreline of Lake Cahuilla, An Archaeological
Salvage Project of Sites Ca-Riv-119, CA-Riv-158,
CA-Riv-1180, and CA-Riv-1883
1980 0.5-1
RI-00213 Stanley R.
Berryman
Archaeological Investigation of the Evacuation
Channel
1977 0.5-1
RI-00214 Patricia Jertberg and
Nancy Farrell
A Preliminary Report of the Archaeological Salvage
Project: La Quinta Evacuation Channel
1980 0.5-1
RI-00726 Patricia R.
Jetterberg and Marie
G. Cottrell
Archaeological Salvage Investigations of CA-RIV-
1180, Locus H and Other Loci on Tentative Tract
#14325
1981 0-0.25
RI-00727 Patricia R.
Jetterberg
Archaeological Salvage Investigation of CA-RIV-
1180, Locus 11 on Duna La Quinta Parcel
1982 0-0.25
RI-00728 James D. Swenson Environmental Impact Evaluation: An
Archaeological Assessment of 125 Acres Between
Avenue 50 and Avenida Nuestra, East of La Quinta,
Riverside County, California
1979 0-0.25
RI-00846 Christopher E.
Drover
Environmental Impact Evaluation: Archaeological
Assessment of Tentative Parcel No. 15916 South of
Wildomar, California
1980 0.5-1
RI-00907 Philip J. Wilke Letter Report: Reevaluation of Archaeological Sites
on the La Quinta School Site
1985 0.5-1
RI-00908 Jean A. Salpas An Archaeological Assessment of 82 Acres of Land
in La Quinta, CA
1980 0.5-1
RI-01805 Wilke, Philip J. An Archaeological Assessment of the Burns Ranch
and Adjacent Properties, La Quinta, Riverside
County, California
1984 0.25-0.5
RI-01881 Padon, Beth Archaeological Resource Agreement-La Quinta
Hotel and Golf Club, Riverside County, California
1984 0.5-1
RI-01952 Padon, Beth Letter Report: Additional Archaeological Survey
within the Ridgeway/Ahmanson (Xochimelco) and
La Quinta Hotel and Golf Course
1985 0.5-1
RI-01953 Padon, Beth and
Bill Breece
Archaeological Testing at Seven Archaeological
Sites - Oak Tree West Project - Riverside County,
California
1985 0.25-0.5
RI-02024 Drover, Christopher
E.
An Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed
orchard Hotel Complex, LA Quinta, Riverside
County, California
1986 0.5-1
RI-02051 Drover, Christopher
E.
An Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed La
Quinta Yacht Club Project, La Quinta, Riverside
County, California
1986 0.5-1
RI-02052 Arkush, Brooke S. Archaeological Investigations at CA-RIV-1182, CA-
RIV-3144, CA-RIV-3868, CA-RIV-3882, Tentative
Tract 25429, La Quinta, Central Riverside County,
California
1990 0.5-1
RI-03144 White, Laurie and
D.M. Van Horn-
White
Archaeological Test Excavations at "JM-1", Citrus
Golf Course (TT 24890), LA Quinta, Riverside
County, California
1990 0.5-1
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
28
Report
No.
Author(s) Title Year Distance
from PA
(miles)*
RI-03813 Chance, Paul A Cultural Resources Survey for La Quinta Village
Shopping Center, City of La Quinta
1994 0-0.25
RI-03853 Chance, Paul and
Charles Reeves
Report on Archaeological Monitoring Program for
the Seasons Residential Project, Tract 28019, City of
La Quinta
1994 0.25-0.5
RI-03854 Drover, Christopher
E.
Environmental Impact Evaluation: An
Archaeological Assessment of the Williams
Development Corporation Specific Plan Parcel 3 of
Parcel Map No. 19730, La Quinta, California 19730
1994 0.25-0.5
RI-03887 Chance, Paul and
Charles Reeves
A Cultural Resources Survey for La Quinta
Elementary School No. 2, Desert Sands Unified
School District
1995 0.25-0.5
RI-04000 Chance, Paul and
Charles Reeves
Report of an Archaeological Monitoring Program for
the Terracina Apartments Tract, City of La Quinta
1996 0.25-0.5
RI-04001 Chance, Paul and
Charles Reeves
A Cultural Resources Survey for the Terracina
Apartments Tract, City of La Quinta
1996 0.25-0.5
RI-04042 Brock, James A Cultural Resources Assessment of 30 Lots in the
La Quinta Area, City of La Quinta, (Self Help
Groups 3, 4, & 5)
1997 0.5-1
RI-04070 Love, Bruce and Bai
"Tom" Tang
Cultural Resources Report Water and Sewer Pipeline
Rights-Of-Way and Associated Facilities in District
NO. 97-1, Near Wildomar Elsinore Valley Municipal
Water District, Riverside County, California
1998 0.5-1
RI-04096 Love, Bruce and Bai
"Tom" Tang
Cultural Resources Report: Desert Club Manor
Project, City of La Quinta, Riverside County,
California
1998 0.5-1
RI-04284 McKenna, Jeanette
A.
A Phase I Cultural Resource Investigation of "The
Ranch" Project Area Located in the Community of
La Quinta, County of Riverside, California
1999 0.25-0.5
RI-04361 McHenry, Petei,
Antonina Delu, and
Deborah K.B.
McLean
Archaeological and Historical Assessment of the
Washington Street Bridge Widening Project for the
City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California
1999 0.25-0.5
RI-04407 Love, Bruce and
Harry M. Quinn
Limited Archaeological Testing on Tentative Parcel
Map No. 29909, City of La Quinta, Riverside
County, California
2000 0.25-0.5
RI-04410 Love, Bruce, Bai
"Tom" Tang, Harry
Quinn, Mariam
Duhdul, and Adrian
Sanchez Moreno
Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey and
Testing Report, Vista Montana Development,
Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico, City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California
2000 0.5-1
RI-04507 Keller, Jean A. A Phase I Cultural resources Assessment of a Portion
of Tentative Tract Map No. 2947, 8.82 Acres of Land
Located Near the City of Murrieta, Riverside County,
California
2001 0.25-0.5
RI-04677 Brock, James Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment for APN'S
773-076-006 AND 773-076-007, Southwest Corner
of Calle Tampico and Avenida Navarro, City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California
2004 0.5-1
RI-05098 Applied Earthworks Cultural Resources Survey of 106 Acres S&D Dairy
Project
2003 0.5-1
TTM 36964 Cultural Constraints Report
29
Report
No.
Author(s) Title Year Distance
from PA
(miles)*
RI-05167 Foster, Daniel and
John Foster
A Cultural Resource Survey of the Proposed Casa La
Quinta Project, Riverside County, California
2005 0.5-1
RI-05229 LSA Associates Cultural and Paleontological Resources assessment
La Quinta Grill
2001 0.5-1
RI-05843 Love, Bruce, harry
Quinn, Michael
Hogan, and Mariam
Dahdul
Final Report on Archaeological Testing at the
Palmilla Project, Sites CA-RIV-6352 TO -6357,
Southwest Corner of Avenue 50 and Jefferson Street,
City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California
2001 0.5-1
RI-06655 Tang, "Bai" Tom,
Michael Hogan,
Clarence Bodmer,
Daniel Ballester,
and Laura H. Shaker
Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report,
Assessor's Parcel No. 770-020-012, In the City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California
2006 0.25-0.5
RI-06807 Mouriquand, J.
Leslie
Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of 17,883
sq. ft. (0.4 ac) Located in Old Town La Quinta,
Riverside County, California
2004 0.5-1
RI-08105 Bai "Tom" Tang and
Michael Hogan
Summary of Findings, Citywide Historic Resources
Survey Update, City of La Quinta, Riverside County,
California
2006 Within
RI-08490 John E. Eddy Letter Report: Cultural Resources Monitoring for the
La Quinta Village Retail Project in La Quinta,
Riverside County, California
2010 0.25-0.5
RI-08758 Michael Hogan and
Bai "Tom" Tang
The La Quinta Fire Station Number 32 Project 2011 0.5-1
RI-09110 Bai "Tom" Tang,
Mariam Dahdul,
Daniel Ballester,
and Nina Gallardo
Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report:
The Villas at Old Town Project, Assessor's Parcel
Nos. 770-123-110 and 770-124-010, City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California
2014 0.25-0.5
*All reports are located within the La Quinta 7.5’ USGS Topographic Map
Page 1 of 3
DIRECTOR’S HEARING
STAFF REPORT
DATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2016
CASE NUMBER: MINOR USE PERMIT 2015-0004
APPLICANT: LA QUINTA TOURISM LP
PROPERTY OWNER: LA QUINTA TOURISM LP
PROPOSAL: CONSIDER PERMIT REVOCATION OF MINOR USE PERMIT
2015-0004 FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A
135,000 SQUARE FEET CONVENTION CENTER
CEQA: THE CONVENTION CENTER USE UNDER MUP 2015-0004 IS
EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301 CLASS 1 (EXISTING
FACILITIES).
LOCATION: 79315 HIGHWAY 111
LEGAL: APN: 600-340-028, 600-349-003, 600-340-002,
600-020-029
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Continue the Director’s Hearing of Minor Use Permit (MUP) 2015-0004 to December 7,
2016 at 11:00 A.M. (Attachment 9)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The conditions of approval of MUP 2015-0004 authorize the Director to modify or
revoke the Minor Use Permit if the property is operated or maintained so as to
constitute a public nuisance. A Notice of Substandard Building and/or Property was
recorded on January 26, 2016 due to the removal of canopy trees, lack of on-site
landscape maintenance, and debris at the subject site. The applicant did not comply
with the October 6, 2016 deadline to abate the property nuisances pursuant to the
Letter of Agreement entered into between the City of La Quinta and applicant. Staff
requests that the Director of Design and Development Director consider revocation of
MUP 2015-0004 as the public nuisance abatement has not occurred.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Development Director approved Minor Use Permit 2015-0004 on
PH 2
Page 2 of 3
August 20, 2015 to establish and operate a 135,000 square foot convention center
located at 79315 Highway 111 (Attachment 3). The building is considered an “M”
Occupancy, Mercantile use and requires a change to an “A” Occupancy, Assembly use.
The applicant submitted a building permit application to the City on October 30, 2015
for proposed tenant improvements to remodel the building in preparation of the
planned Coachella Valley Wind Up music festival event. The convention center use
will be considered established once a certificate of occupancy is issued for completion
of convention center tenant improvements. The applicant did not proceed with the
building remodel and the building permit for tenant improvements was never issued.
During the wind events in November 2015, numerous mature mesquite trees in the
landscape diamonds in the parking area of the subject site were observed to have
fallen over by City staff. The applicant subsequently removed up to 100 trees and did
not proceed to replace the trees. In addition to the removed trees, the site was
observed to include a lack of landscape maintenance and debris. On January 25, 2016
Code Compliance mailed a Notice of Public Nuisance regarding the landscape and
general site maintenance (Attachment 4). A Notice of Substandard Building and/or
Property was recorded on the property on January 26, 2016 (Attachment 5).
The applicant entered into a letter of agreement with the City of La Quinta on May 10,
2016 for correcting the public nuisance no later than October 6, 2016 and the
correction of the public nuisance issues did not occur by the agreed date (Attachment
6).
ANALYSIS:
The Director of Design and Development is authorized by Condition No.1 of MUP 2015-
0004 to modify or revoke the approval if the property is operated or maintained so as
to constitute a public nuisance. Planning Division staff informed the applicant on
October 24, 2016 that revocation proceedings would be initiated due to the lack of
compliance by the applicant with Condition No.1 and based on the inability of the
applicant to perform nuisance abatement work pursuant to the May 10, 2016 Letter of
Agreement. A notice of the revocation proceedings for the minor use permit was
mailed to the applicant on November 1, 2016.
A secondary Letter of Agreement was executed on November 1, 2016 between the
applicant and the City of La Quinta, which requires the replanting of all missing trees,
landscape maintenance and the corrections of all violations at the subject site by
December 6, 2016 with intermediate benchmarks (Attachment 7). Staff has observed
the abatement activities occurring on the site on November 8, 2016, which included
removal of all tree stumps and the replanting of up to 25 mesquite trees. Monitoring
of the progress of site improvements pursuant to the secondary letter of agreement
will continue until the December 6 deadline.
Page 3 of 3
PUBLIC REVIEW:
Public Notice:
This project was advertised in The Desert Sun newspaper on November 4, 2016, and
mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of the site. No comment letters have
been received.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City of La Quinta Design and Development Department has determined that the
convention center use is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is exempt from further environmental review
pursuant to section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
Prepared by: Gabriel Perez, Planning Manager
Attachments: 1. Project Information
2. Project Area Site Map
3. Approval Letter MUP2015-0004
4. Notice of Public Nuisance- January 25, 2016
5. Notice of Substandard Building and/or Property
6. Letter of Agreement- May 10, 2016
7. Secondary Letter of Agreement- November 1, 2016
8. Site Photos
9. Continuance Letter
FINDINGS– RECOMMENDED
REVOCATION OF MINOR USE PERMIT 2015-0004
LA QUINTA TOURISM
ADOPTED:
Page 1 of 1
FINDINGS FOR REVOCATION OF MINOR USE PERMIT 2015-0004
1. On January 25, 2016 Code Compliance mailed a Notice of Public Nuisance
regarding the lack of landscape and general site maintenance.
2. A Notice of Substandard Building and/or Property regarding violations of La Quinta
Municipal Code Sections 9.60240 (E)(3), 11.72.030 (T)(1), 11.72.030 (T)(7),
11.72.030 (T)(8) and 11.73.0340 (A) was recorded on January 26, 2016.
3. The applicant entered into a letter of agreement on May 10, 2016 with the City of
La Quinta for correcting the public nuisance no later than October 6, 2016 and the
correction of the public nuisance issues did not occur by the agreed date.
4. Condition #1 upon which such approval was granted or extended has been
violated. Pursuant to Condition #1, the Director is authorized to modify or revoke
the approval of it be determined that the proposed uses or conditions under which
it is being operated or maintained is detrimental to the public health, welfare, or
materially injurious to property, improvements, or other uses in proximity to the
subject property, or if the property is operated or maintained so as to constitute a
public nuisance. The property has been determined to be operated to constitute a
public nuisance as evidenced by the Notice of Substandard Building and/or
Property (January 26, 2016) and an administrative citation #16-0503 (October 9,
2016).
5. Surrounding Uses. Since approval of the application the subject property has been
maintained so as to create conditions materially detrimental to the public health,
safety and general welfare or injurious to or incompatible with other properties or
land uses in the vicinity.
Project Information
CASE NUMBER: MINOR USE PERMIT 2016-0004
APPLICANT: MR. MARTIN DOLEMO
PROPERTY OWNER: MR. MARTIN DOLEMO
PROPOSAL: CONSIDER PERMIT REVOCATION OF MINOR USE PERMIT
2015-0004 FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A
135,000 SQUARE FEET CONVENTION CENTER
LOCATION: 79315 HIGHWAY 111
GENERAL PLAN
DESIGNATION: GENERAL COMMERCIAL
ZONING
DESIGNATION: REGIONAL COMMERICAL
SURROUNDING
ZONING/LAND USES: NORTH: REGIONAL COMMERCIAL
EXISTING COMMERCIAL CENTER
SOUTH: REGIONAL COMMERCIAL
WOLFF WATERS PLACE
EAST: COMMERCIAL PARK
MAJOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES
STORQUEST SELF STORAGE
DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISRTRICT
WEST: REGIONAL COMMERCIAL
WALMART SUPERCENTER
ATTACHMENT 1
SH-111
DUNE PALMS RD±
Vicinity Map
Site
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 3
ATTACHMENT 4
ATTACHMENT 5
ATTACHMENT 6
ATTACHMENT 7
SITE PHOTOS- JANUARY 22, 2016
ATTACHMENT 8
ATTACHMENT 9