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2015 08 20 HPCHPC agendas and staff reports are now available on the City's web page: www.la-Quinta.orq HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA CITY HALL STUDY SESSION ROOM 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta REGULAR MEETING on THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015 AT 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance PUBLIC COMMENT At this time members of the public may address the Commission on any matter not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your comments to three minutes. When discussing matters pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for their protection. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the minutes of March 19, 2015. BUSINESS SESSION 1. Specific Plan 2015-0002, Tentative Tract Map 2015-0003 (TTM 36875), and Site Development Permit 2015-1003 submitted by Desert Land Holdings, LLC. for the consideration of a Cultural Resources Sensitivity Review prepared by CRM Tech for a 4.5 acre site. Project: The Villas at Indian Springs. Location: southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Palm Circle Drive. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA 1 AUGUST 20, 2015 REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS COMMISSIONER ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission will be held on September 17, 2015, commencing at 3:00 p.m. at the La Quinta Study Session Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Monika Radeva, Executive Assistant, of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing Agenda for the Historic Preservation Commission meeting was posted on the inside 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 August 13, 2015. DATED: August 12, 2015 A//I /I - 6)1�6 - MONIKA RADEVA, 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 Commission, 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 Commission during a Historic Preservation Commission meeting, 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 a majority of the Commission regarding any item(s) on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the Community Development Department's counter at City Hall located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA 2 AUGUST 20, 2015 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Principal Planner Wally Nesbit. PRESENT: Commissioners Leila Namvar, Maria Puente, Linda Williams and Chairperson Kevin Maevers ABSENT: Commissioner Redmon STAFF PRESENT: Principal Planner Wally Nesbit and Executive Assistant Monika Radeva Chairperson Maevers led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA- Confirmed APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Namvar to approve the Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of February 19, 2015, as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Maevers, Namvar, and Puente. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Redman and Williams. ABSTAIN: None. BUSINESS SESSION 1. Historic Preservation Commission Education Series 2015 - California Preservation Foundation Webinar: "How Old is Too Old? Completing and Updating Historic Resource Survey." Commissioner Williams joined the meeting at 3:45 p.m. Commissioner Puente left the meeting at 4:10 p.m. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MARCH 19, 2015 COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Historic Preservation Conference will be held in San Diego, California, from April 29 through May 2, 2015. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Williams/Namvar to adjourn this meeting at 4:31 p.m. AYES: Commissioners Maevers, Namvar, and Williams. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Puente and Redman. ABSTAIN: None. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant City of La Quinta, California HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 19, 2015 BI 1 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: AUGUST 20, 2015 ITEM: CULTURAL RESOURCES SENSITIVITY REVIEW CASE NO.: SPECIFIC PLAN 2015-0002 TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2015-0003 (TTM 36875) SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2015-1003 APPLICANT: DESERT LAND HOLDINGS LLC (JIM SNELLENBERGER) CONSULTANT: CRM TECH PROJECT: THE VILLAS AT INDIAN SPRINGS LOCATION: SOUTHEAST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND PALM CIRCLE DRIVE) BACKGROUND: The study area is a 4.5 acre site, proposed for 15 single family lots located along the east side of Jefferson Street, north of the Whitewater Channel (Attachment 1). The property historically was part of the Indian Springs Golf Course up until approximately 2004, at which time the Jefferson Street bridge was under construction. As a result, the site was significantly disturbed by the demolition of existing homes along Jefferson and project grading for the bridge. Upon submittal of the proposed subdivision applications, staff requested a Cultural Resources Survey specific to the site be prepared (Attachment 2) to ascertain the scope of environmental review required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the project application. This report includes a records search and a historical background review; no field survey was conducted. When accepted, it will become part of the environmental record for the project application. DISCUSSION: Records Search - A records search was conducted on the project site by CRM Tech on June 10, 2015. The records search focused on cultural resource reports and findings within a one - mile radius of the project area. While approximately 100 studies were uncovered within the one -mile radius, the site itself had not been previously surveyed. The prior studies uncovered 83 historic/archaeological sites and 18 isolates (sites with less than 3 artifacts). Though none of these were recorded within the project site or its immediate vicinity, the large number of sites indicates a high potentially sensitivity. Historic Preservation Commission Staff Report - August 20, 2015 Page 1 of 2 Historical Background Review - While the historical review cited the La Quinta-Indio area as a historical center of Native American settlement, the immediate project area is considered low in sensitivity for historic cultural resources. Historical sources indicate the area remained mostly undeveloped between the 1850's and 1950's. The first significant development began to appear in the early 1970's (Westward Ho tracts). The report concludes that there are no known historical resources in the project area, but acknowledges that a large number of significant recorded prehistoric sites exist in the surrounding area. While unlikely that the heavily disturbed site would yield resources of significance, it is possible that potentially significant Native American artifacts could be uncovered during grading. The report recommends an archaeological monitoring program be implemented. As no paleontological assessment was conducted, staff further recommends standard paleontological monitoring also be conducted, consistent with ongoing practice. RECOMMENDATION: That the HPC accept the Cultural Resources Sensitivity Review for The Villas at Indian Springs Project, as prepared by CRM Tech and subject to the recommendations as contained therein, and to include the following additional recommendations: On and off -site monitoring of all earth -moving and shall be conducted by a qualified paleontological monitor. The monitor should be prepared to quickly salvage fossils, if they are unearthed, to avoid construction delays, but must have authority to temporarily halt or divert construction equipment to allow for removal of specimens. Proof that a monitor has been retained shall be given to City prior to issuance of first earth -moving permit, or before any clearing of the site is begun. Collected resources and related reports, etc. shall be given to the City for curation. Packaging of resources, reports, etc. shall comply with standards commonly used in the paleontological industry. A report of findings with an appended itemized inventory of specimens shall be submitted to the City prior to the first occupancy of a residence being granted by the City. The report shall include pertinent discussions of the significance of all recovered resources where appropriate. The report and inventory, when submitted to the City, will signify completion of paleontological resource monitoring. Report prepared by: Wallace Nesbit, Principal Planner Report approved for submission by: Les Johnson, Community Development Director Attachments: 1. Project Vicinity Map 2. Cultural Resources Sensitivity Review; Indian Springs Villas Project - CRM Tech Historic Preservation Commission Staff Report - August 20, 2015 Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT 1 aw V6 As A. :* 7AL. oil !l ■ aL SPECIFIC PLAN 2015-0002 If: Iafj14W_Mr_ll@11zIII GRIN aILIINMI CRM TECH `„ 1016 E. Cooley Drive, Suite A/B r � Colton, CA 92324 Jim Snellenberger, CEO Desert Land Holdings, LLC 75-161 Sego Land, E-3 Palm Desert, CA 92211 Re: Cultural Resources Sensitivity Review Indian Springs Villas Project City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California CRM TECH Contract No. 2941 Dear Mr. Snellenberger: ATTACHMENT 2 June 17, 2015 JINN 2 2 2015 _ , ,�� '.. �►..7TNTA b l_VELOPMENT At your request, we have completed a historical/archaeological resources records search and historical background review for the project referenced above. The project area is located on the east side of Jefferson Street and just to the north of the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (Whitewater River), within the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 28, T5S R7E, San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian (Figures 1, 2). nj,alwlky jj ',mm4iPAt ro.. a n,'� Lw Rane R i f r� ullld Project A7 E location r SCALE 1:250,000 0 5 10 fJ. 1, '. ,A[il. 1 4\rh Figure 1. Project location. Based on the USGS Santa Ana, Calif., 7.5' (1:250,000) quadrangle (USGS 1979). Tel: 909 824 6400 Fax: 909 824 6405 h vawU �► USDA } Form 8m a° S104`e JJ i Y 20 Well 2 " GAe t — s.-►t T' { Project r area P r ..•. 1>irk, Bra 61 L 2811 ?'►'�.� "' +,�trl`{ e � P I �a a Well s �.3 ° •�j�e ••n u � i r Well •`° ��' WE1I�.r Well i n � i �!? SCALE 1:24,000 0 1/2 1 mile 1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000feet Figure 2. Project area. Based on USGS Indio and La Quinta, Calif., 7.5' (1:24,000) quadrangles (USGS 1972; 1980). 2 The study is a part of the environmental review process for the proposed project. The City of La Quinta, as the lead agency for the project, required these research procedures pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; PRC §21000 et seq.) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Title 7, La Quinta Municipal Code). The purpose of the study is to assist the City in assessing the sensitivity of the project area for the discovery of potential "historical resources," as defined by CEQA (PRC §5020.10); Title 14 CCR § 15064.5(a)(1)-(3)). Records Search On June 10, 2015, CRM TECH archaeologist Nina Gallardo, B.A., carried out the records search at the Eastern Information Center (EIC), University of California, Riverside. During the records search, Gallardo examined maps and records on file at the EIC for previously identified cultural resources and existing cultural resources reports within a one -mile radius of the project area. Previously identified cultural resources include properties designated as California Historical Landmarks, Points of Historical Interest, or Riverside County Landmarks, as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the California Historical Resources Inventory. The records search yielded no previous studies pertaining specifically to the project area. Outside the project boundaries but within a one -mile radius, EIC records show nearly 100 previous cultural resources studies on various tracts of land and linear features (Figure 3). In all, more than 70 percent of the land within the scope of the records search has been surveyed, which resulted in the identification of 83 historical/archaeological sites and 20 isolates—i.e., localities with fewer than three artifacts —within the one -mile radius. Of the 83 sites identified, 63 consisted entirely or partially of prehistoric—i.e., Native American — cultural remains, including ceramic and lithic scatters, village sites, temporary campsites, and several human burials. Additionally, 18 of the 20 isolates were also prehistoric in origin, consisting of ceramic sherds, corn cobs, manos, a single projectile point, and what was reported as a burial. The nearest prehistoric site, 33-007835, was discovered 0.12 mile southwest of the project location, and consisted of a ceramic scatter and other habitation debris. The other sites and isolates recorded within the one -mile radius dated to the historic period and consisted mostly of residential buildings and refuse items. None of these known sites or isolates was found within or immediately adjacent to the project boundaries. However, the large number of sites previously recorded in the general vicinity, especially prehistoric archaeological sites, suggests a high level of archaeological sensitivity for the project location. Historical Background Review The historical background review was conducted by CRM TECH principle investigator/historian Bai "Tom" Tang, M.A. In addition to published literature in local history, prehistory, and ethnohistory, sources consulted during the research included the U.S. General Land Office's land survey plat maps dated 1856, the U.S. Geological Survey's topographic maps dated 1904-1980, and aerial photographs taken between 1972 and 2014. The historic maps are collected at the 3807 3804 3809 1 Scope of records search 4308 41WX:M ,,4004 5227 4194 1 4195 d9�,250 -268141 1796 . s .. ..... % . .•� U, ! AVEMU �5a • �' 1; USDA X Farm 998 l0• SM- 579 'I siphon 3815 I • 580 " „ o,� 3816 945 3817 Well hIa U. 1795 4155 ,. 100 V 4306, 4494 AVENOL /Z' .... I.... - , -1 .- 4676, 6078 V - - 1772 n 8818 4396: YI 0762 6207 v4189,4329, ` c, r 735 - 8932 a 0196 3362 5917 7 767 3930, 4050, k 783 742 4751 3998" 0495 �8450 fw AVE I 7193 Nde"1 5410 q '' 4304, 430 6224 6687 W011 L 1, Project area lilt, j�� Areas previously surveyed Linear surveys "< <AvM NU r SCALE 1 �24,000 1000 0 1000 2000feet Figure 3. Previous cultural resources studies in the vicinity of the project area, listed by current EIC file number. Locations of known historical/archaeological sites are not shown as a protective measure. El Science Library of the University of California, Riverside, and the California Desert District of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, located in Moreno Valley. The aerial photographs are available at the NETR Online website and through the Google Earth software. These sources indicate that the present-day La Quinta-Indio area is a historical center of Native American settlement, where a number of Indian villages and rancherias, occupied by the Cahuilla people, were reported in the mid- 19th century. During past centuries, Native lifeways in the Coachella Valley was greatly influenced by the inundation and desiccation of ancient Lake Cahuilla, which began to recede for the last time around 1700 A.D. The last high stand of this freshwater lake reached the elevation of 42 feet above mean sea level, and the project location, at an elevation of approximately 50 feet, would have been situated directly on the lakeshore. As such, it would have provided a favorable setting for Native American habitation when the lake was present. In contrast to its demonstrated sensitivity for prehistoric cultural remains, the project area appears to be relatively low in sensitivity for cultural resources from the historic period. As Figures 4-7 illustrate, despite its location near a branch of the historic Cocomaricopa- Bradshaw Trail, the forerunner of today's Highway 111, no evidence of any settlement or land development activities were reported in or near the project area between the 1850s and the 1950s. By 1972, the first development had appeared in the project area in the form of what were apparently two residences (NETR Online 1972). By 1978, an additional residence had been built in the project area, followed by several others between then and 1996 (USGS 1980; NETR Online 1996). Sometime between 2002 and 2004, however, all of these residences were demolished (Google Inc. 2002; 2004). so . o Project so f 6 area 79 eo - 6 -- - -- 9,('�d 2000 4000 feet 0 L Figure 4. The Project Area and Vicinity in 1855-1856. (Source: GLO 1856) `ti e. Myama t 1 Project rc�� rY•u area 1 M. o it , SCALE 1 125,000 --- - 0 1 2 miles :_ -- Figure 5. The Project Area and Vicinity in 1901. (Source: USGS 1904) 17 �`I� 16 l / A 19 ' P roj ect area 21 d ■ + �LJ 3O -�I , iil plliX r II` � 2g l I I 31 312 " I 33 I I SCALE 1:62,500 0 1 mile I iI iI ya y tl b�a I, ry ■,a� t'r 7 - .9 Project �I a area 1 f` IF 29 •�i�� SCALE 1:24,000 U 0 1000 2000 feet ' Figure 6. The Project Area and Vicinity in 1941. Figure 7. The Project Area and Vicinity in 1954-1959. (Source: USGS 1941a; 1941b) (Source: USGS 1959) Conclusion In summary of the research results presented above, the records search has identified no known "historical resources" within the project area. However, the records search further reveals the presence of a large concentration of recorded prehistoric sites in the surrounding area, and some of these sites have been determined by past studies to be highly significant. Located directly along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla, this area in northern La Quinta is generally considered to be very sensitive for prehistoric cultural remains. Despite the unlikelihood of any manifestations on the extensively disturbed ground surface in the project area, the possibility of encountering potentially significant Native American archaeological material in subsurface deposits during ground -disturbing activities associated with the proposed project cannot be overlooked. Recommendations In light of the archaeological sensitivity of the project location, we recommend that an archaeological monitoring program be implemented during all grubbing, grading, excavations, trenching, and/or other earth -moving operations associated with the project in order to ensure the timely identification and, if necessary, protection of subsurface cultural remains should any be encountered. The monitoring program should consist of, at a minimum, the following: 1. All disturbances of native soils should be monitored by a qualified archaeologist. Whenever cultural materials more than 50 years old are discovered, they need to be field -recorded and Cl evaluated. The monitor should be prepared to quickly recover any artifacts as they are unearthed to avoid construction delays. If a substantial cultural deposit is encountered, however, the monitor must have the power to temporarily halt or divert construction activities in that area to allow for controlled removal. 2. Onsite monitoring should be coordinated with nearby Native American groups who may wish to participate, such as the Torres Martinez, Cabazon, and Augustine bands of Desert Cahuilla Indians. 3. If human remains or possible human remains are encountered, construction activities in the immediate vicinity should be halted temporarily, and the Riverside County Coroner's Office should be notified immediately pursuant to state law. 4. Collected artifacts should be processed, identified, catalogued, analyzed, and prepared for curation at an appropriate repository with permanent retrievable storage that would allow for additional research in the future. 5. Site records that incorporate the artifacts encountered during monitoring should be prepared and submitted to the EIC as a permanent record of the discovery. 6. A report that documents the methods and results of the monitoring program, including an itemized inventory of recovered artifacts and a detailed artifact analysis, should be prepared upon completion of the fieldwork. The report should include an interpretation of the cultural activities represented by the archaeological remains and a discussion of the significance of all recovered cultural material. 7. The submittal of the report to the City of La Quinta and the curation of the artifacts will signify completion of the monitoring program and the mitigation of impacts to cultural resources. Under this condition, we further recommend that the proposed project may be cleared to proceed in compliance with the cultural resources provisions of CEQA and the City Ordinance. Thank you for this opportunity to be of service. If you have any questions regarding this study or need any further information, please feel free to contact our office. Sincerely, Bai "Tom" `rang, M.A. Principal, 007-T—F-0 I References GLO (General Land Office, U.S. Department of the Interior) 1856 Plat Map: Township No. 5 South Range No. 7 East, San Bernardino Meridian; surveyed in 1855-1856. Google Inc. 2002-2004 Aerial photographs of the project vicinity. Available through the Google Earth software. 7 NETR Online 1972-1996 Aerial photographs of the project vicinity. http://www.historicaerials.coni. USGS (United States Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior) 1904 Map: Indio, Calif. (30', 1:125,000); surveyed in 1901. 1941a Map: Toro Peak, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1941. 1941b Map: Coachella, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1941. 1959 Map: La Quinta, Calif. (7.5', 1:24,000); aerial photographs 1954; field check 1959. 1972 Map: Indio, Calif. (7.5', 1:24,000); 1956 edition photorevised in 1972 1979 Map: Santa Ana, Calif. (1:250,000); 1959 edition revised. 1980 Map: La Quinta, Calif. (7.5', 1:24,000); 1959 edition photorevised in 1978.