HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix HAZ
APPENDIX HAZ – PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL
SITE ASSESSMENT
100 Galli Drive, Suite 1
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-6203
fax (415) 883-6204
August 26, 2016
Mr. Sam Bautista
City of South San Francisco
Engineering Division
315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Subject: Transmittal of Environmental Site Assessment Former South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Parcels
North of Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
CSS Project No: 6897
Dear Mr. Bautista:
CSS Environmental Services, Inc. (CSS) is pleased to submit the following Environmental Site Assessment
(ESA) report for the former South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency parcels north of Chestnut Avenue in
South San Francisco, California 94080, herein referred to as the Site. The objective of this ESA was to identify
historical or current activities at the Site and surrounding properties which could have contributed to, or may currently contribute to, the degradation of the Site’s soil and/or groundwater to the extent that they represent a
recognized environmental condition. This ESA was prepared with considerations set forth in the ASTM
designation E1527-13 document describing standard practices for Phase I ESAs. CSS has noted any
significant variances to ASTM in the report. This ESA represents the opinions of CSS and is subject to the
limitations and uncertainties statement included.
Through this ESA, CSS has determined that no recognized environmental condition is present at the Site.
Two Site parcels are identified as having potential environmental conditions at the Site. These potential
environmental conditions do not present the risk of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site
owner; rather they present the risk of creating an environmental condition that might limit future development
scenarios such as residential use or the development of groundwater resources, or the presence of hazardous
materials that may require special disposal during any future development. Please refer to the attached ESA for details.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this report, please do not hesitate to call the undersigned at
(415) 883-6203.
Sincerely,
CSS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
DRAFT
Aaron N. Stessman, PE
Principal Engineer
Enclosure
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT
Former South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Parcels
North of Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, California 94080
CSS Project No: 6897
August 26, 2016
Prepared for
The City of South San Francisco
Engineering Division
315 Maple Avenue South San Francisco, California 94080
Prepared By
CSS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. 100 Galli Drive, Suite 1
Novato, California 94949
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT
Former South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Parcels
North of Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, California 94080
CSS Project No: 6897
Prepared for
The City of South San Francisco
Engineering Division
315 Maple Avenue South San Francisco, California 94080
Prepared by
CSS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
100 Galli Drive, Suite 1 Novato, California 94949
August 26, 2016
DRAFT
Aaron N. Stessman, P.E.
Principal Engineer
iii CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 SCOPE OF WORK .............................................................................................................. 5
1.3 EXCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 REPORT ORGANIZATION ................................................................................................... 5
1.5 SITE LOCATION AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION ....................................................................... 6
2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................ 7
2.1 CURRENT AND FUTURE LAND USES ................................................................................. 7
2.2 ADJOINING PROPERTIES ................................................................................................... 7
2.3 GEOLOGIC AND HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING ..................................................................... 8
2.4 METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION .................................................................................... 8
3.0 SITE HISTORY ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 CHAIN OF TITLE ............................................................................................................... 9
3.2 HISTORICAL RECORDS REVIEW ........................................................................................ 9
3.2.1 SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL SITE USES ............................................................................ 14
3.2.2 SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL ADJOINING PROPERTY USES ................................................ 15
3.3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS RELATED TO SITE HISTORY REVIEW ........... 16
4.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE ................................................................................................. 18
4.1 SITE OBSERVATIONS DURING SITE RECONNAISSANCE ................................................... 18
4.2 ADJOINING PROPERTY OBSERVATIONS DURING SITE RECONNAISSANCE ....................... 19
4.3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS RELATED TO SITE RECONNAISSANCE .......... 19
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS SURVEY ...................................................................... 21
5.1 RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS REVIEW FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY ............ 21
5.2 RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS REVIEW FOR THE ADJOINING PROPERTIES ...... 25
5.3 RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS REVIEW FOR VICINITY PROPERTIES ................ 26
5.4 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS
SURVEY ..................................................................................................................................... 27
6.0 SITE OWNER INTERVIEW .............................................................................................. 31
7.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................... 32
8.0 OPINION OF COSTS FOR POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ........ 35
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 36
iv CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A FIGURES, SITE PHOTOGRAPHS, AND PARCEL INFORMATION
APPENDIX B HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPENDIX C EDR DATAMAP REPORT
APPENDIX D AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS
APPENDIX E OWNER INTERVIEW INFORMATION
APPENDIX F LIMITATIONS AND UNCERTAINTY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was performed by CSS Environmental Services,
Inc. (CSS) in order to evaluate whether a recognized environmental condition exists at parcels of
land owned by the former South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency north of Chestnut Avenue in
South San Francisco, herein referred to as the Site.
The term recognized environmental condition is defined by the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) as follows:
“In defining a standard of good commercial and customary practice for conducting an
environmental site assessment of a parcel of property, the goal of the processes established
by this practice is to identify recognized environmental conditions. The term recognized
environmental conditions means the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances
or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past
release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products
into structures on the property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of the
property. The term is not intended to include de minimis conditions that generally do not
present a material risk of harm to public health or the environment and that generally would
not be the subject of an enforcement action if brought to the attention of appropriate
governmental agencies. Conditions determined to be de minimis are not recognized
environmental conditions.”
The term potential environmental condition is applied by CSS to de minimis conditions that, while
they do not present the risk of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site owner, they
present the risk of creating an environmental condition that might limit future development scenarios
such as residential use or the development of groundwater resources, or the presence of hazardous
materials that may require special disposal during any future development.
The Phase I ESA was performed by CSS in consideration of standard practice for Environmental Site
Assessments as described in ASTM designation E 1527-13. CSS has noted any significant variances
to ASTM in the report. Based on information gathered through the ESA, no recognized
environmental condition is identified. CSS’s relevant findings regarding potential environmental
conditions are summarized below. The reader is referred to the body of this document for more
detail.
The Site has a long history of use, and the following historical uses of the Site are identified as
potential environmental conditions for the purposes of the Phase I ESA based upon the Site history
review described in Section 3 of this ESA. Each of these has been further evaluated in the
environmental records review of Section5:
• Agricultural Use (1925 and earlier),
• Electric Passenger Railroad Use (1903-1949),
• Automobile Sales and Service (1956-2011),
2 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
• Golf Practice Course/Range (1965-1981),
• Automobile Parking Lot (1965-2009) and
• Contractor Staging (1998-2006).
A reconnaissance of the Site and vicinity was conduct on July 27, 2016. No potential environmental
conditions were identified during the Phase I ESA for the Site based upon the site reconnaissance
described in Section 4 of this ESA.
During the environmental records review portion of this ESA, described in Section 5, potential
environmental conditions were identified for the following Site Parcels:
Parcel 1, Former Ron Price Motors, 1 Chestnut Avenue. This former automobile sales and
service facility operated fuel USTs (1 diesel, 2 gasoline, and 1 waste oil) until they were permanently
closed by removal in May of 1991. The San Mateo Environmental Health Services Division
inspected their removal and found the “tanks in general good condition, no holes.” Environmental
records relating to the removal of USTs, subsequent fuel contaminated soils remediation and
groundwater monitoring were identified. The Site received a “no further action” letter and was
closed by SMEHSD in 1996. In addition, a Phase I ESA was conducted for Parcel 1 and a Limited
Phase II ESA was also conducted, both in 2007. The following potential environmental conditions
are identified for Parcel 1 as a result of the environmental records review:
• Based on the age of the building lead-based paint and asbestos may have used in its construction,
a lead and asbestos survey is recommended if the building is slated for renovation or demolition.
• Low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons may be found in soils and pavement on the property
which may prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future
development.
Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real. Parcel 3 does not appear in the environmental records database. In
2005 a Phase I ESA and a Limited Phase II ESA were conducted for Parcel 3. The following
potential environmental condition is identified for Parcel 3 as a result of the environmental records
review:
• Parcel 3 may be impacted with historical aerially deposited lead from vehicle emissions along the
adjoining heavily traveled El Camino Real. Lead was found in surface soils at a concentration of
280 mg/Kg exceeding the environmental screening level (ESL) of 80 mg/Kg for residential use
but below the commercial land use ESL of 320 mg/Kg.
• In addition, petroleum hydrocarbons in the diesel range (TPH-DRO) were found here at a
maximum concentration of 360 mg/Kg. The residential land use ESL for TPH-DRO is 240
mg/Kg and its commercial land use ESL is 1,200 mg/Kg.
• Lead and TPH-DRO present in surface soils at Parcel 3 represent a potential environmental
condition as their concentrations exceed their respective residential ESLs. Further investigation
of the source, nature and extent of lead and TEPH-DRO and the removal of any objectionable
materials from Parcel 3 may be required if residential redevelopment is desired. The presence of
lead and TPH-DRO in soils may additionally prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require
3 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
special disposal during any future development.
During the environmental records review portion of this ESA, described in Section 5, potential
environmental conditions at the Site were identified due to adjoining or vicinity sites. The risk of
off-site sources impacting the Site is not one of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site
owner, as regulatory agencies do not pursue innocent landowners whose underlying groundwater has
been impacted by an off-site source. Rather, the risk is of creating an environmental condition at the
Site that might limit future development scenarios such as residential use or the development of
groundwater resources. None of these potential environmental conditions due to off-site sources is
considered likely to pose a significant risk of creating a recognized environmental condition to the
Site.
San Francisco Water Department, Current BART Right-Of-Way. This property adjoins Site
Parcel 3 to the west and Site Parcel 2 to the east and the presumed source(s) of contamination is
upgradient with respect to assumed groundwater flow. In about 2012 the San Francisco Water
Department installed a multi-level monitoring well on their property east of El Camino Real and
discovered tetrachloroethylene (PCE, a typical dry cleaning solvent) contamination in groundwater.
San Mateo County has directed voluntary investigations to determine the source of contamination by
a number of former dry cleaners in the vicinity including Norge Village at 1155 El Camino Real,
Carriage Cleaners at 1121 El Camino Real, and My Cleaners at 1053 El Camino Real.
Former Acutech Auto, 45 Chestnut Ave. This property adjoins the Site Parcel 1 (1 Chestnut Ave)
to the east. Soil contamination from gasoline range hydrocarbons was discovered during the removal
of USTs in November 1991. A groundwater monitoring well was installed on the property where
groundwater was encountered at a depth of about 23 feet. The site’s environmental consultant
assumed the groundwater flow direction at this site is easterly toward Colma Creek and away from
the Site. Based on the results of subsequent monitoring San Mateo County closed the site and issued
a letter of no further action in 2003. Their closure documents note that “An unknown amount of
hydrocarbon impacted soil remains in the subsurface at the site in the vicinity of the former tank pit
around 13 to 14-feet bgs. City of South San Francisco Building Department has been notified that
should excavation or development of the property be proposed that may encounter impacted soil or
groundwater, San Mateo County Environmental Health Division must be notified as required by
Government Code Section 65850.2.2.” The former tank pit is located within a few feet of Site Parcel
1. Should development of Site Parcel 1 include excavation along its eastern property line, subsurface
soils and/or groundwater may be found to contain petroleum hydrocarbon compounds from 45
Chestnut Avenue likely resulting in special disposal of excavated soils.
These conclusions are based on the information gathered and described in this report, and are subject
to the exclusions of Section 1.3 and the limitations and uncertainties presented in Appendix F.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of parcels of land
owned by the City of South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency located north of Chestnut Avenue
and east of El Camino Real in South San Francisco. The general location of the parcels is shown on
the attached Figure 1, and in detail on Figure 2. In this report, CSS has numbered the parcels 1
through 3 for convenience and they are collectively referred to as the Site. The objective of the ESA
was to identify historical or current activities at the Site and surrounding properties which could have
contributed to, or currently contribute to, the degradation of the environmental quality of the Sites’s
soil and/or groundwater, thereby representing a recognized environmental condition.
The term recognized environmental condition is defined by the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) as follows:
“In defining a standard of good commercial and customary practice for conducting an
environmental site assessment of a parcel of property, the goal of the processes established
by this practice is to identify recognized environmental conditions. The term recognized
environmental conditions means the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances
or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past
release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products
into structures on the property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of the
property. The term is not intended to include de minimis conditions that generally do not
present a material risk of harm to public health or the environment and that generally would
not be the subject of an enforcement action if brought to the attention of appropriate
governmental agencies. Conditions determined to be de minimis are not recognized
environmental conditions.”
The term potential environmental condition is applied by CSS to de minimis conditions that, while
they do not present the risk of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site owner, they
present the risk of creating an environmental condition that might limit future development scenarios
such as residential use or the development of groundwater resources, or the presence of hazardous
materials that may require special disposal during any future development.
1.1 Purpose
This report was prepared by CSS Environmental Services, Inc. (CSS) for The City of South San
Francisco Engineering Division for their purposes in the prospective sale of the Site. The City
intends to transfer the properties to a Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of
South San Francisco at a fair market value and place some of the properties on the open market. The
South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency along with all 400 California redevelopment agencies
was dissolved by order of the California Supreme Court in a decision issued on December 29, 2011.
Together the City intends future development of the properties as a mixed-use, transit oriented
5 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
development and open space. The goal of the Phase I ESA is to identify any environmental
contamination and remediation for the Site.
1.2 Scope of Work
The Phase I ESA was performed by CSS in consideration of standard practice for Environmental Site
Assessments as described in ASTM designation E 1527-13. The purpose of this practice is to define
good commercial and customary practice in the United States of America for conducting an ESA of a
parcel of commercial real estate with respect to the range of contaminants within the scope of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and
petroleum products. As such this is intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to
qualify for the innocent landowner defense to a CERCLA liability.
The scope of work for the Phase I ESA included aerial photograph reviews; reviews of historic
Sanborn insurance maps; a review of site setting sources; a site reconnaissance; an interview with a
site owner representative; a review of information contained in regulatory agency lists, interviews
with regulatory agency representatives, and reviews of regulatory agency documents through the
GeoTracker and Envirostor databases and the libraries of CSS.
1.3 Exclusions
The ASTM Phase I ESA standard practice excludes the assessment of the following potential
environmental hazards as they are excluded from CERCLA and should nevertheless entitle the user
to the innocent purchaser defense, assuming that other requirements of the defense are met:
• Asbestos Containing Materials
• Lead Based Paint
• Radon
• Mold
• Lead in Drinking Water
Determining the precise boundaries of the Site is outside of the scope of this ESA although every
care has been made to ensure that the assessment of potential environmental conditions and
recognized environmental conditions extends to most recent configuration of the parcels. A drawing
prepared by Sandis for the City of South San Francisco dated May 18, 2016 and entitled “Proforma
ALTA/NSPS Survey” is considered by this ESA to represent the Site. The Site properties are shown
in general detail on the attached Figure 2 Site Parcels. CSS has numbered the parcels 1 through 3 for
convenience. A more specific legal description of the properties is provided in Section 1.5 below.
1.4 Report Organization
The ESA is described in Sections 1 through 7. Site location and vicinity maps are presented on
Figures 1 and 2 found in Appendix A. Appendix A also contains site reconnaissance photographs
from the July 27, 2016 site visit. Appendix B of this ESA contains historical information including
aerial photographs, historic photographs, topographic maps, and Sanborn Fire Insurance Company
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maps. The Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) DataMap™ 1 Chestnut Ave report of Site
and vicinity sites appearing under various regulatory lists are included as Appendix C. Selected
information gathered from agency environmental record reviews are included as Appendix D.
Owner interview records are presented in Appendix E and the limitations and uncertainties to which
this report is subject are provided as Appendix F.
1.5 Site Location and Legal Description
The Site is located in the Colma Creek valley and is entirely within the limits of the City of South
San Francisco in San Mateo County, California. A site location map is included as Figure 1 and a
more detailed Site Parcels map is included as Figure 2. Aerial views of the Site are also included in
Appendix A.
The boundary of the Site is located north of Chestnut Avenue, west of Mission Road and east of El
Camino Real. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) right-of-way, owned by City and County of San
Francisco Water Department passes east of Parcels 1 and 2 and west of Parcel 3.
CSS understands the Site includes the following San Mateo County Assessor Parcel Numbers
(APNs), with approximate parcel acreages reported:
• Parcel 1, 1 Chestnut Ave APN 011-322-030 1.65 AC
• Parcel 2, No Address APN 093-312-060/093-312-050 8.54 AC
• Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real APN 011-326-030 0.56 AC
Every care has been made to ensure that the assessment of potential environmental conditions
extends to the most recent configurations of the Site, as described herein. A drawing prepared by
Sandis for the City of South San Francisco dated May 18, 2016 and entitled “Proforma ALTA/NSPS
Survey” is considered by this ESA to represent the Site.
Site vicinity landmarks include the El Camino Real (Highway 82) west of the Site and the channeled
Colma Creek which crosses the Site. The underground Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) railway
divides the Site. The San Francisco Bay is located about 1½-miles east and San Francisco
International Airport about 2-miles southeast, of the Site.
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2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
2.1 Current and Future Land Uses
Parcel 1 is developed with a commercial building and paved parking lot presently used by Pet Club
as a retail pet supply business. Parcels 2 and 3 are undeveloped except for minor paved parking
areas. Photographs of various Site features are shown in Photos 1 through 23 of Appendix A.
2.2 Adjoining Properties
A reconnaissance of the area surrounding the site was conducted on July 27, 2016 and included
observation of the surrounding sites, as could be observed without encroaching on private property.
Parcel 1 and Parcel 3 are located on the north side of Chestnut Avenue. Antoinette Land separates
Parcel 1 and Parcel 2. East and north of Parcel 1 and north of Parcel 2 are apartment buildings.
Colma Creek and the adjoining Centennial Way Trail meander through Parcel 2. Northwest of
Parcel 2 and north of Parcel 3 is Kaiser Hospital and its associated parking garage. East of Parcel 2
is Mission Road. The BART right-of-way passes between Parcel 2 and Parcel 3. The tracks for
BART are underground near the Site; however an above ground BART vent facility is present with a
paved access road. West of Parcel 3 is El Camino Real; a primary vehicular arterial of the San
Francisco Peninsula which is mostly commercial oriented but also has multi-family developments
along its frontages.
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2.3 Geologic and Hydrogeologic Setting
The city of South San Francisco is located on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula in a region dominated
by Quaternary sediments and bedrock of the Jurassic/Cretaceous Franciscan Assemblage.
The Site is located in the low-lying Colma Creek valley southwest of the base of the southern slope
of Signal Hill which itself is located in the San Bruno Mountain foothills. Native surface sediments
consist locally of Holocene alluvium and bay sediments consisting primarily of silty sand, silt or
sandy silt Quaternary in age. These sediments may overlie unconsolidated, well sorted fine to
medium-grained sands of the extensive Pleistocene Colma Formation. Bedrock of the Franciscan
Assemblage can be expected to be encountered within 100 feet below ground surface. This
formation is comprised primarily of highly folded and fractured sedimentary and metamorphic rock.
Major faults in the vicinity of the Site include the northwest trending Hillside Fault approximately 1-
mile north of the site, the San Bruno Fault approximately 1-mile south of the Site, and the San
Andreas Fault located about 2-miles southwest of the Site.
The Site lies at an average elevation of about 40 feet above mean sea level. Area topography slopes
gently to the southeast in general and toward Colma Creek locally. West of the Site the El Camino
Real is situated on a bench which rises more steeply above the Site. Parcel 3 of the Site, fronting El
Camino Real, is sloped steeply to the east. The channeled Colma Creek crosses the Site, passing
diagonally from the west side of Parcel 2 as it travels to the southeast. Colma Creek empties to the
San Francisco Bay about 2 miles east-southeast of the Site.
The shallow groundwater flow direction reported for a number of Site vicinity sites is toward the
Colma Creek channel. The depth to groundwater is approximately 20 feet.
The portions of the Site immediately adjoining Colma Creek and northeast of Colma Creek appear to
be located within the FEMA 100-year flood zone.
2.4 Meteorological Information
The daily high and low temperatures (annual averages) in South San Francisco zip code 94080 are
65º F and 50º F, respectively. The average annual precipitation is 20.1 inches. Meteorological
information was obtained from Weather.com.
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3.0 SITE HISTORY
3.1 Chain of Title
A chain of title search was not performed as part of the scope of this ESA however CSS has some
knowledge of the recent title history. Parcel 1 is thought to have been acquired from Ron Price in
2008. Parcel 2 and Parcel 3 are thought to have been acquired from the San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission (SFPUC) in 2008. Parcel 3 is thought to have previously been owned by
Charles and Lana Petrocchi, who swapped this Parcel with the SFPUC for property south of Chestnut
Avenue in about 2006.
3.2 Historical Records Review
To establish the history of the Site and vicinity the resources noted below were consulted. Copies of
many of these records may be found attached in Appendix B.
• Historic records (Hist) were reviewed at the historical archives of the South San Francisco Public
Library and included photographs, maps, journals, newspaper articles and a transcribed 1981
interview with a life-time resident, Amadeo Sola, who recalled local events and South San
Francisco features dating to the early 1900’s. A number of historic photos are reproduced and
annotated in Appendix B.
• Aerial photographs (Aerial Photos) from 1943, 1946, 1956, 1965, 1968, 1974, 1982, 1993, 1998,
2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012 covering the Site, and representative portions of vicinity
properties, were reviewed by CSS and are attached in Appendix B.
• Historic topographic maps (Topo Maps) from 1896, 1899, 1915, 1939, 1947, 1950, 1956, 1968,
1973, 1980, 1995, 1996 and 2012 including representative portions of the Site and surrounding
areas were also reviewed by CSS and are attached in Appendix B.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps (Sanborn Maps) do not cover the Site. Limited coverage
of vicinity properties in CSS’s library were reviewed for the years 1925, 1950, 1956 and 1970.
• City Directories (City Directories) with listings on Chestnut Avenue for the years 1970, 1977,
1980, 1985, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2013 were reviewed by CSS and are attached in
Appendix B.
• An Environmental Site Assessment of a 1.12 Mile Corridor Owned by the San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission was prepared by CSS Environmental Services dated October 7, 2005. The
ESA was prepared for the South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and supported their
purchase of a number of Site parcels. This document was reviewed by CSS.
• A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of 1 Chestnut Avenue was prepared by Basics
Environmental dated September 28, 2007 for Ron Price Motors. This document was reviewed
by CSS.
• A Phase I Peer Review and Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was prepared by
CSS Environmental Services dated December 3, 2007 for the South San Francisco Planning
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Division. This document was reviewed by CSS.
The observations from these resources regarding the history of the Site are detailed in the table
below.
Date-Source Observations
Circa 1776-Hist The historic El Camino Real, "The King's Highway" passes on or near the Site. Its
path appears to follow the present El Camino Real south of the Site and Mission Road
north of the Site. The Historic El Camino Real was built in the 18th century to help protect Spanish landholdings in California and link the Catholic missions, pueblos and
presidios that existed between San Diego and Sonoma. 18th century Spanish missions
were located in San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Jose.
1863-Hist Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) constructed a rail line and operated steam engine
passenger service on their property (Present BART right-of-way) adjoining the Site
between about 1863 and 1928. Later, SP transported freight on this rail line. Stations
served by SP near the Site (as reported in 1903) included Holy Cross Station (about 1-mile north of the Site), and Baden Station (very near and possibly on the Site near the
present Mission Road and Oak Ave intersection)
1896 and 1899-Topo Maps This historical topographic maps show the “Southern Pacific RR” line that is adjoining and west of the Site. “Baden Sta.” is labeled on the map. Baden Station appears to be
at the present Mission Road at Oak Avenue intersection and is thought to be very near
and possibly on the Site. Oak Ave and Mission Road are the only roads shown in the
Site vicinity at this time. Mission Road appears to follow it present course at the northeast side of the Site, then along the present Antoinette Lane and along the present
El Camino Real south of the Site. Structures are shown on these topo maps and none
appear to be on Site. A branch rail line (probably the original South San Francisco
Land and Improvement Company rail line constructed in about 1891) is shown heading east from Baden Station into South San Francisco along the current location of
Railroad Avenue.
1903-Hist
Also see Historic
Photo 1
Rail service was extended into San Mateo by the United Railroads of San Francisco including construction of a dual track railway on the Site. This rail line will be known
for many years as the 40 line. The portion of the railway along the Site was described
in 1906 as “built through a private right of way” and was immediately adjacent and
west of the Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad (present BART subway Right-of-way owned by the City of San Francisco). Photo 1 shows typical 40 line and SP line trains passing along their parallel rights of way.
1915-Topo Map This historical topographic map shows now further developments near the Site including El Camino Real along its present course as are streets at the present locations
of Mission Road, Oak Street and Willow Street (which once extended to Mission
Road). The United Interurban railway can be seen adjoining the SP Railroad shown in
the 1899 Topo Map, and passes through the Site. Compared to that map, further
substantial developments are now present in downtown South San Francisco.
1916-Hist
Also see Historic Photo 2
The South San Francisco Railroad (see 1899) was rerouted from Railroad Avenue to
Grand Avenue and along a new extension of Grand Avenue to Mission Road meeting
the San Francisco and San Mateo Electric Railway (nee United Railroads of San Francisco) west of Mission Road and the SP line at a new station known as Leipsic
Station. Leipsic Station is thought to have been north of the Site. A historic undated
photograph of Leipsic Station can be found in Appendix A.
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Date-Source
Observations
1919-Hist A reorganization of the United Railroads of San Francisco results in the Market Street
Railway taking the San Francisco and San Mateo Electric Railway.
1925-Sanborn
Maps and Hist,
Circa 1930 Hist. Photos
See Sanborn Map 1, Map 1A, and
Historic Photo 3
of Appendix A
An April 1925 Sanborn Map does not cover the Site, presumably because it is
undeveloped. El Camino Real and Mission Road meet at a “Y” intersection just south
of the Site. Historic Photo 3 shows a view from Mission Road toward El Camino Real near the Site from about this time. A portion of the Market Street Railway south of the
site is shown as the “Market Street Ry. (Electric)” and is approximately 100-feet in
width. Adjoining this to the east is the “Southern Pacific R.R. (Valencia Colma
Branch).” The present Orange Park south of the Site is noted as “Park Reserve” and is described
as “Flat Ground Partly Covered With Thick Brush”. South of the Site at the former
intersection of El Camino Real and Mission Road, the Sanborn map shows a “Standard
Oil of California – South San Francisco Service Station”. Northwest of the Site, across El Camino Real the Sanborn Map shows the “Baden Farm”. According to an oral
history, the property north of the current location of Chestnut Avenue included
marshes (near Colma Creek) and farmland.
1928-Hist In 1928, after providing nearly 60-years of service, the Southern Pacific railroad
adjoining the Site, became a secondary line, transporting freight instead of passengers.
The SP line will eventually become the current BART Right-of-way.
1943-Aerial Photo This aerial photograph shows the entire Site. Colma Creek appears to be at its present
location. Mission Road can be seen east of the northern portion of the Site and
following the present Antoinette Lane to intersect with El Camino Real south of the
Site. The parallel Site Market Street Railway and adjoining SP rail lines can be seen winding between Mission Road and El Camino Real. The Site appears primarily as
marshland south of Colma Creek and farmland north of Colma Creek.
1946-Aerial Photo The Site appears unchanged from 1943. Chestnut Ave appears to be a trail or unpaved road.
1947-Topo Map
and Hist
The Site appears undeveloped. The Colma Creek channel appears in its present
location. Mission Road cuts through the Site along what is now Antoinette Lane. Chestnut Ave appears to be a dirt trail or unimproved road. The Site’s rail line is noted
as the San Francisco Municipal Railroad, parallel and west of the Southern Pacific
Railroad. No named railroad stations are noted.
1949-Hist The San Francisco Municipal Railway, who succeeded the Market Street Railway as
the Site railway owner in 1944, ceased all service to the San Francisco Peninsula and
its use is abandoned.
1950-Sanborn
Maps
See Sanborn Maps 2 and 2A
Only portions of properties south of the Site are shown. Chestnut does not yet extend
across the south end of the Site to El Camino Real, or it may be unimproved or a trail.
Mission Road meets El Camino Real at a “Y” intersection south of the Site.
At this time the former location of the Standard Oil service station south of the Site is shown as the construction yard of R.G. Clifford Construction Co. with areas noted as for welding, plating, storage, tractor house, and garage. South of the Site the Southern
Pacific Railroad is shown as Colma Branch and Orange Park which is noted on the
Sanborn Map as “Park Reserve” and “flat ground covered with thick brush.”
12 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Date-Source
Observations
Circa early
1950’s-Hist
Chestnut Avenue is extended to El Camino Real and the former intersection of Mission
Road and El Camino Real is significantly changed. Mission Road is aligned along the present Antoinette Lane as before but now ends at a “T” intersection at Chestnut
Avenue instead of continuing to El Camino Real. An automobile service and fueling
station is constructed on the corner lot immediately southeast of the new intersection of
Chestnut and El Camino Real at 998 El Camino Real. Operators over the years included Union Oil, South City Gas and Auto Repair, and Petrocchi Bros. The former
location of Standard Oil of California Service Station in 1925, later R.G. Clifford
Construction Co (see 1950 Sanborn), is now over 100 feet south of Chestnut Avenue
near Twelvemile Creek, following the reconfiguration of the intersection. The Station appears to have been at the present locations of the South City Car Wash at 988 El
Camino Real (east of the present car wash facility) and at the present location of
Burger King at 972 El Camino Real south of the Site.
1956-Aerial
Photo, Sanborn
Map, Topo Map
and Hist
The aerial photo and topo map shows a clear view of the new configuration of El
Camino Real and the extension of Chestnut Avenue to El Camino Real described
above, however the Sanborn map does not reflect these changes and Sanborn coverage
does not include the Site. Colma Creek appears in its present channel alignment throughout the air photo and topo map extents.
There appears to be development occurring on the 1 Chestnut Ave parcel of the Site in
the aerial photo and the topo map shows a structure. Historical records indicate that
property is the future Ron Price Motors facility, incorporated in 1956. The Market Street railway is no longer shown on the topo map, only the adjoining Southern Pacific railway. Orange Memorial Park is shown on the topo map.
The Sanborn Map continues to show structures at the former location of the Standard
Oil of California Service Station but it no longer bears the R.G. Clifford Construction
Co identifier seen in 1950. East of the Site appear agricultural fields and an athletic field (baseball diamond) can
be seen in the aerial photo.
1965-Aerial Photo
and Hist
The following changes are seen in the Siter vicinity in 1965 as compared to 1956. The
north end of the Site Parcel 2, straddling Colma Creek, appears to be in use as a
practice golf course. The Site building at 1 Chestnut Ave is present as are buildings on
adjoining parcels to the north and east. A structure is visible on the Site north of the northeast corner of El Camino Real and
Chestnut Avenue on Site Parcel 3 which fronts El Camino. Later, the Dante Cecchini
Realty office (incorporated in 1983) is located here with address 1010 El Camino
Real. The Bell Market Center, located west across El Camino Real from the Site is now
present.
1968-Topo Map This topo map shows the developments in the vicinity of the Site seen in the 1965 air photo.
1973-Topo Map Kaiser Hospital has been constructed northwest of the Site as compared to 1968, and
the Chestnut Shopping Center is now present south of the Site. A service station building at 998 El Camino Real (southeast of the intersection of Chestnut and El
Camino is shown as existing from the 1956 photo revision.
13 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Date-Source
Observations
1974-Aerial Photo A presumed golf driving range or clubhouse structure is present at the north end of the
Site Parcel 2. Mission Road continues to appear following the present course of Antoinette Lane. The Site’s 1 Chestnut Ave parcel (Parcel 1) is clearly paved and has
parked automobiles. The southern portion of Site Parcel 2 across Antoinette Lane from
Site Parcel 1 (Ron Price Motors) and north to the end of Antoinette Lane appears
paved with parked vehicles. Chestnut Shopping Center is now present to the south across Chestnut Ave from the
Site.
1980-Topo Map Mission Road has been modified to its present alignment east of Colma Creek where it intersects with Chestnut Avenue. Its old alignment is now Antoinette Lane which dead
ends just south of Colma Creek.
1981-Hist In a transcribed 1981 interview with a life-time SSF resident, Amadeo Sola described a golf range located at the northern end of the Site. In the 1965 aerial photo the area
(northern portion of Site Parcel 2) appears as a practice course with visible sand traps.
1982-Aerial Photo The appearance of the northern end of Site Parcel 2 is no longer consistent with a golf driving range or practice course.
Across Antoinette Land to the west of 1 Chestnut are numerous parked vehicles. An
apartment complex adjoining the Site to the north of Site Parcel 2 has been constructed
and the Kaiser Hospital parking structure is now present to the northwest.
1985-City
Directory
1 Chestnut Avenue is listed in the city directory under Ron Price Volkswagen and
Subaru and Regal Auto Body.
1992-City
Directory
1 Chestnut Avenue is listed in the city directory under Ron Price Volkswagen and
Mazda and Regal Price Auto Body.
1993-Aerial Photo The Site appears unchanged from 1982. South of the Site the South City Car Wash at 988 El Camino Real can be seen. Burger King at 972 El Camino Real has been
developed south of the car wash. Comparing earlier air photos, the former location of
the Standard Oil of California station from 1925, appears to be at the present locations
of the South City Car Wash (east of the present car wash facility) and at the present location of Burger King.
1996-Topo Map This topo map shows the Site and vicinity as urban without details of structures. The
SP railroad is no longer indicated.
1998-Aerial Photo
and Hist
Numerous automobiles are parked on the southern portion of Site Parcel 2 west of
Antoinette Lane. Otherwise the Site and vicinity appear largely unchanged from 1993.
North of this and south of Colma Creek there appears to be contractor equipment stored on the Site.
BART Times reported that construction began on the BART-SFO extension project
taking BART subway rail service from Colma Station to San Francisco International
Airport along the former Southern Pacific right-of-way adjoining the Site.
2005-Aerial Photo
and Phase I ESA
The current BART vent facility is present adjoining Site; otherwise the Site appears
largely unchanged since 1998. Ron Price Motors is present and in operation at 1
Chestnut Ave. Across Antoinette Lane and north about 100 yards the southern portion of Site Parcel 2 is paved and used for vehicle parking by Ron Price Motors. North of
this to Colma Creek the Site is unpaved but graded and appears in use by a number of
contractors for equipment staging and storage yards. North of Colma Creek the Site
appears overgrown except for a small unused parking lot at the very north end of Site Parcel 2. The Site’s Parcel 3 fronting El Camino Real has two billboards and a small building housing the Dante Cecchini Realty office at 1010 El Camino Real.
2006-Aerial Photo Contractor equipment storage on Site Parcel 2 northwest of Antoinette Lane is no longer evident.
14 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Date-Source
Observations
2006-2008-Hist The Redevelopment Agency of the City of South San Francisco purchases Site
properties from the San Francisco Public Utilities Agency; these include the former San Francisco Municipal Railway. In 2008 they also purchase the 1 Chestnut Ave
parcel and leased it back to Ron Price Motors for a period of three years.
2009-Aerial Photo Contractor equipment storage and Ron Price Motors vehicle parking west and northwest of Antoinette Lane are no longer evident.
The former gas station at 998 El Camino Real (most recently South City Gas) appears
to have been demolished.
2009-Hist The Site’s Parcel 1 at 1 Chestnut Ave parcel is leased to Red Cart Market, Inc doing
business as Pet Club Stores. This is the current use of this parcel. The Dante
Checchini Realty office building and billboards previously on Site Parcel 3 at 1010 El
Camino Real does not appear to be present.
2010-Aerial Photo The Site appears unchanged from 2009.
2012-Aerial Photo The Site appears unchanged from 2010.
3.2.1 Summary of Historical Site Uses
Through this historical review it is thought that Site historical uses have included the following:
• Circa 1776, Historic Highway. The historic El Camino Real, "The King's Highway" passes on
or near the Site. Its path follows the present El Camino Real south of the Site, along the present
Antoinette Lane, then along Mission Road north of the Site. The Historic El Camino Real was
built in the 18th century to help protect Spanish landholdings in California and link the catholic
missions, pueblos and presidios that existed between San Diego and Sonoma. 18th century
Spanish missions were located in San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Jose.
• Circa 1925 and earlier, Agricultural Use. Portions of the Site were reportedly farms.
• 1903-1949, Electric Passenger Railroad Use. Electric passenger train service was operated on
dual track railway along the Site in succession by United Railroads of San Francisco, the Market
Street Railway, and the San Francisco Municipal Railway. This rail line was known for many
years as the 40 line. The portion of the railway along the Site was described in 1906 as “built
through a private right of way” and was immediately adjacent and west of the Southern Pacific
(SP) Railroad (present BART subway Right-of-way). An SP station (Baden Station) is thought
to have been on or near the Site at the present intersection of El Camino Real and Oak Ave. No
railway maintenance yards were identified on or near the Site.
• Circa 1956-2011, Automobile Sales and Service. The Parcel 1 building is constructed. For
many years Ron Price Motors automobile sales and service facilities were present on the Site
Parcel 1 at 1 Chestnut Avenue. Ron Price Motors also maintained a parking lot on the
southernmost portion of Site Parcel 2 west of Antoinette Lane, presumably under lease from the
SFPUC.
• Circa 1965-1981, Golf Practice Course/Range. A practice golf course and/or driving range
was located at the northern end of Site Parcel 2, north of Antoinette Lane and Colma Creek.
15 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
• Circa 1965-2009, Commercial Office. At Site Parcel 3 (1010 El Camino Real), near the
northeast corner of El Camino Real and Chestnut Avenue, a structure was present fronting on El
Camino Real. This was Dante Cecchini Realty’s office from 1983 to 2009.
• Circa 1965-2009, Automobile Parking Lot. North of Chestnut Avenue and west of Antoinette
Lane the southernmost portion of the Site Parcel 3 is paved and is used by Ron Price Motors for
automobile parking.
• Circa 1998-2006, Contractor Staging. On Site Parcel 3 Immediately north of the paved area
(see 1965-2009 above) and south of Colma Creek a number of contractors used unpaved portions
of the Site for equipment staging and storage yards. This appears to coincide with the advent of
construction of the BART subway on a linear parcel adjoining the Site.
3.2.2 Summary of Historical Adjoining Property Uses
Based upon the site history reviews, adjoining property historical uses have included the following:
• 1863-circa 1980’s, Railroad Use. Steam and later diesel engine passenger and freight train
service on the Southern Pacific Railroad (present BART) adjoining the Site.
• 1903-1949, Electric Passenger Railroad Use. Electric passenger train service was operated on
dual track railway along the Site in succession by United Railroads of San Francisco, the Market
Street Railway, and the San Francisco Municipal Railway. This rail line was known for many
years as the 40 line. The portion of the railway along the Site was described in 1906 as “built
through a private right of way” and was immediately adjacent and west of the Southern Pacific
(SP) Railroad (present BART subway Right-of-way). The linear portion of the former railway
running along the Site is presently owned by the City of South San Francisco (not the City of
South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.)
• Pre-1925-1956, Agricultural Use. A number of properties adjoining the Site were in
agricultural use until about 1956.
• Pre-1925-Present, Residential Use. Various properties adjoining the Site have been in
residential use since prior to 1925.
• Pre-1925-circa 1950’s, Automobile Service Station. An automobile service station is located
south of the Site. This Standard Oil station was located at the former intersection of El Camino
Real and Mission Road in about 1925 but by 1950 was a contractor’s yard. Its former location is
thought to be presently occupied by portions of the present South City Car Wash at 988 El
Camino Real and Burger King at 972 El Camino Real.
• Circa 1950-Present, Portion of an Automobile Service Station. Chestnut Avenue is extended
to El Camino Real and the former intersection of Mission Road and El Camino Real is
significantly changed. Mission Road is rerouted to the east of Colma Creek. An automobile
service and fueling station (South City Gas & and Auto Repair) is constructed at 998 El Camino
Real south of Site Parcel 3 and later a car wash facility (South City Car Wash) is constructed at
988 El Camino Real. Operators of the service station included Union Oil, South City Gas and
Auto Repair, and Petrocchi Bros. The structures at 998 El Camino Real were removed in about
2009.
• Circa 1973-Present, Medical Facility. Kaiser Hospital (1200 El Camino Real) operates west
and north of the Site. Its parking garage, south of the hospital, west of the northern portion of
16 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Site Parcel 2, and north of Site Parcel 3, appears to have been constructed between around 1982.
• Circa 1965-Present, Commercial Use. East of Site Parcel 1 at 45 Chestnut Avenue is a
commercial office, formerly Accutech Auto and presently the Westborough Pet Hospital.
• Circa 1965-Present, Retail Sales. The Bell Market Center, west of the Site across El Camino
Real contains retail shops.
• Circa 1965-Present, Residential Use. Apartments adjoin the Site north and east of the 1
Chestnut parcel and north of northern end of the Site.
• Circa 1973-Present, Retail Sales. The Chestnut Shopping Center, south of Site Parcel 1 across
Chestnut Avenue contains retail shops.
3.3 Potential Environmental Conditions Related to Site History Review
Based upon the Site History Review, the following Site uses are retained as being of concern for a
potential environmental condition at the Site:
• Electric Passenger Railroad Use (1903-1949) – Railroads are frequently the subject of
investigation for contaminants including those associated with waste oils: petroleum
hydrocarbons, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and semi-volatile organic
compounds (SVOCs) due to the former practice of spraying waste oil for weed control. This
potential environmental condition was evaluated in a 2005 Phase II ESA performed at Parcel 2
and Parcel 3 described in Section 5. The Phase II included the collection and analysis of surface
soil samples for such potential contaminants.
• Agricultural Use (1925 and earlier), Golf Practice Course/Range (1965-1981) – Agricultural
chemical use associated with agriculture and the maintenance of a golf practice course/range on
could represent a recognized environmental condition. The specific history of agricultural
chemical usage during this period is not known, however, historically, persistent organochlorine
pesticides with long half-lives such as Dieldrin and Aldrin, DDT and DDE, and Lindane were in
wide agricultural use until the 1970’s and, based on the history of agricultural use, such
pesticides may be present in Site soils and sediments, particularly on Parcel 2. Due to their
widespread use these chemicals are practically ubiquitous to agricultural soils and sediments. In
trace concentrations they are rarely the cause of mandated clean-up actions. This potential
environmental condition was evaluated in a 2005 Phase II ESA performed at Parcel 2 and
Parcel 3 described in Section 5. The Phase II included the collection and analysis of surface soil
samples for such organo-chlorine pesticides.
• Automobile Service Facility (Circa 1956-2011) – The Ron Price Motors facility on Site
Parcel 1 could represent a recognized environmental condition. Use of petroleum hydrocarbon
compounds, their wastes, and related hazardous materials may have been released to Site soils
and/or groundwater by surface spills or leaks from underground storage tanks (USTs).
Contaminants associated with this use include petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and
SVOCs. This was evaluated through the Environmental Records Survey in Section 5. A 2007
Phase II ESA for Site Parcel 1 is also described in Section 5.
17 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
• Automobile Parking and Contractor Staging (Circa 1974-2009) – Automobile parking
(c1974-2009) and construction equipment parking (c1998-2006), particularly in unpaved areas,
present a potential environmental condition due to possible leaking vehicle fluids onto Site soils.
Contaminants associated with this use include petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and
SVOCs. This potential environmental condition was evaluated in a 2005 Phase II ESA
performed at Parcel 2 and Parcel 3 described in Section 5. The Phase II included the collection
and analysis of surface soil samples for such potential contaminants.
18 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
4.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE
A reconnaissance of the Site and visual survey of properties in the vicinity was conducted on July 27,
2016 in order to assess whether there were any site features that might indicate the presence of an
environmental condition. Prominent Site and vicinity features are shown on the aerial photo of
Figure 2 and selected scenes of the Site at the time of the site reconnaissance may be found in Photos
1 through 23 of Appendix A.
4.1 Site Observations During Site Reconnaissance
Much of the Site is presently vacant. CSS saw no evidence of remaining railroad tracks from the
former railroad use of the Site (San Francisco Municipal Railway) and adjoining BART (SP
Railroad) right-of-way. Surface soils observed along the Site are generally well compacted and
include fine-grained native silts, sand and loam and import aggregate base fill. Improvements to the
Site include:
• Parcel 1 at 1 Chestnut Avenue has a Pet Club store. The parcel is improved with an
approximately 27,000 square foot single story commercial building. The building is constructed
of concrete and wood framing on a concrete slab foundation with concrete and stucco exterior
walls. The lot is paved and contains landscaped areas. Utilities including water, electric, natural
gas and sewage service are present.
• The southern portion of Parcel 2 is improved with a paved parking lot and fencing. Electric
lighting is present for the parking lot. The lot appears unused.
• The bicycle and pedestrian Centennial Way Trail crosses the Site along Colma Creek. The trail
is paved and electric lighting is present. A pedestrian bridge extends across Colma Creek near
Mission Road.
• At the north end Parcel 2 near Mission Road is a small paved parking lot. The lot has a fence and
closed gate at its entrance from Mission Road and appears unused.
• Near the south end of Parcel 3 is a narrow section of pavement facing El Camino Real. The
Parcel is otherwise overgrown and has a very steep grade change from its frontage on El Camino
Real down to the lower elevation of Parcels 1 and 2.
The following indicators of a potential environmental condition due to the usage or release of
hazardous materials or petroleum products were not visually or physically observed to be present at
the Site during CSS’s site reconnaissance:
• Storage Tanks or drums
• Strong pungent or noxious odors,
• Pools or sumps containing liquids likely to be hazardous substances or petroleum products,
• Electrical or hydraulic equipment known or likely to contain PCBs,
• Stains or corrosion on floors, walls or ceilings other than by water,
• Pits, ponds or lagoons,
• Stained soil or pavement, other than from incidental dripping vehicle fluids,
• Stressed vegetation,
19 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
• Liquid discharges other than stormwater to drains, ditches or streams,
• Indications of fill or grading which suggest a trash or other solid waste disposal source,
• Groundwater monitoring wells, or
• Septic Systems.
The developed portions of the Site and vicinity were observed to be served by commercial utilities
(gas, electric, and water) and by a municipal sewer system.
4.2 Adjoining Property Observations During Site Reconnaissance
The Site and adjoins portions of the BART subway, an electric train line that extends from San
Francisco to just south of the San Francisco International Airport. The tracks for BART are
underground through the Site area; however a venting facility is present which is accessed via a
paved roadway from Antoinette Lane across from the 1 Chestnut Ave parcel. Title to this property is
listed as “SF Water Department”. A BART Station is located about ½-mile north of the north end
of the Site. A linear parcel west of BART is the former San Francisco Municipal Railway circa
1903-1949. It is presently owned by the City of South San Francisco and not the South San
Francisco Redevelopment Agency. This parcel is vacant with no indications of the former electric
railway.
Site vicinity features include the following:
Significant developments adjoining the Site include the following:
EAST: Immediately East of Parcel 1 (1 Chestnut Ave) are a veterinary hospital (45
Chestnut) and an apartment building (41 Chestnut). To the east the Parcel 2
is adjoined by Mission Road and government office buildings.
WEST: Parcel 1 is adjoined to the west by Antoinette Lane and the BART right-of-
way. Parcel 3 is adjoined to the west by El Camino Real and commercial
properties including Bell Market Center, Parcel 2 is adjoined by the BART
right-of-way including a vent structure.
SOUTH: South of the Site is Chestnut Avenue, and the Chestnut Shopping Center.
The former 998 El Camino Real gas station property is vacant.
NORTH: North of Parcel 1 are apartment buildings including the Antoinette
Apartments (924 Antoinette Lane). North of Parcel 2 are apartments (1107
Mission Road). Kaiser Hospital parking garage is north of Parcel 3 on El
Camino Real.
4.3 Potential Environmental Conditions Related to Site Reconnaissance
Around the Site there is some evidence of trash debris (e.g. paper, empty cans, bottles, and plastic
containers) especially on Site Parcel 3. There are covered soil piles on an adjoining property near the
BART vent station. Examination by CSS during the site reconnaissance did not reveal evidence of
20 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
hazardous materials releases, e.g. soil staining, related to these materials.
Potential environmental conditions were evaluated in a 2005 Limited Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment (Phase II ESA) of Parcel 2 and Parcel 3 and a 2007 Limited Phase II ESA of Parcel 1.
These included the collection and analysis of near surface soil samples for Parcels 2 and Parcel 3 and
5-foot samples for Parcel 1. Analyses included a wide range of potential contaminants. The results
of that Phase II are discussed in further detail in Section 5.
21 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS SURVEY
CSS engaged the services of Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) to conduct searches of
selected federal, state and local environmental information databases for sites or conditions of
potential hazardous materials releases at, or in the vicinity of, the Site. The records searched and
search distances were specified to a one-quarter to one- mile distance from the Site depending upon
the type of record and encompassed more than 50 databases providing information on vicinity sites
with underground tanks, landfills, mine operations, cleanup sites, hazardous materials and wastes,
and similar topics. An EDR Radius Map™ Report with GeoCheck (EDR Report) was generated,
dated July 22, 2016, EDR Report ID #4681925.2s, and is included in Appendix C. The government
records searched are describing on pages GR-1 through GR-45 of the EDR Report. Only Parcel 1 of
the subject Site appears in the EDR Report.
Searches for records were also made through the California State Water Resources Control Board’s
GeoTracker web-based geographic information system database of groundwater contamination sites
to assess the existence of conditions of potential environmental concern relating to the Site or
vicinity properties. A GeoTracker map of the Site vicinity and printouts for various vicinity sites are
included in Appendix D. The GeoTracker website is available at
http://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov.
Environmental records were identified for the Site’s Parcel 1 – 1 Chestnut Avenue which is
discussed below. In addition, prior Phase I and Limited Phase II ESA’s for all three parcels were
reviewed and the findings of those reports are discussed. A number of vicinity or adjoining
properties with environmental records, most identified by review of the EDR Report and later
researched on GeoTracker, are also discussed below.
The city of South San Francisco is known as the Industrial City. It is therefore not surprising that
more than 60 sites are identified by the EDR Report within the one-quarter, one-half or one-mile
search distance from the Site. Many of the sites listed in the environmental database are listed
strictly due to their storage and/or disposal of hazardous wastes. Generation and disposal of
hazardous wastes indicates hazardous materials use but does not necessarily indicate that there has
been a release of hazardous materials to the environment. Those sites of most interest to the Site are
those adjoining the Site or those with documented releases to groundwater which may lay up-
gradient of the Site with respect to groundwater flow. Based upon the records from Site vicinity
sites, shallow groundwater flow follows local topography at a shallow gradient and is generally
toward the Colma Creek channel from the west and south-southeast east of Colma Creek at a
generally shallow gradient.
5.1 Results of Environmental Records Review for the Subject Property
The following hazardous materials release sites or suspected sites with existing environmental
conditions were identified during the environmental records review on the Site:
22 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
1. Parcel 1, Former Ron Price Motors, 1 Chestnut Avenue. This former automobile sales
and service facility occupied 1 Chestnut Avenue (currently Pet Club). This facility formerly
operated fuel USTs (1 diesel, 2 gasoline, and 1 waste oil) until they were permanently closed
by removal in May of 1991. The San Mateo Environmental Health Services Division
inspected their removal and found the “tanks in general good condition, no holes.” The
facility had a Hazardous Materials Business Plan on file with the SMEHSD describing their
use and proper disposal practices for hazardous materials typical of the automobile service
and repair performed there. They received clean SMEHSD inspection reports annually for
over 10 years. The property appears on GeoTracker as a completed cleanup site closed
effective 1/8/96. A copy of this record is attached in Appendix D.
In September 2007, Basics Environmental completed a Phase I ESA of the property for Ron
Price Motors. They identified de minimus conditions: the removed fuel and waste oil USTs
that received closure, noting that low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in soils
near the former USTs. Following the removal of USTs a groundwater monitoring well was
installed near the waste oil UST excavation pit. Groundwater was found at a depth of about
20 feet. Groundwater was monitored for four consecutive quarters from the single well and
no detectable concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds were found. Metals were
detected at low levels. The monitoring well was destroyed under permit in 1995 and in 1996
SMEHSD closed the site cleanup case.
Basics identified recognized environmental conditions consisting of staining of concrete
surfaces in various locations at the facility. They recommended the performance of
subsurface sampling to evaluate the stains and conditions near underground hydraulic lifts
within the service department.
Basics also noted that based on the age of the building lead-based paint and asbestos may
have used in its construction, they recommended an asbestos survey if the building is slated
for renovation or demolition.
In 2007 CSS prepared a report “Results of Phase I Peer Review and Limited Phase II
Environmental Site Assessment” for the property. The Limited Phase II ESA included
drilling borings at the locations noted by Basics as recognized environmental conditions,
collecting soil samples from depths of about 5-feet and testing the soil samples for
hydrocarbon contaminants, halogenated volatile organic compounds (typical solvents),
polynuclear aromatic semi-volatile compounds and metals typically associated with waste
oils. All results were below environmental screening levels (ESLs) for residential land use.
CSS concluded that no recognized environmental condition is found at this property related
to the surface staining.
Low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons may be found in soils and pavement on the property
which may prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future
development.
23 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
2. Parcel 2. Parcel 2 does not appear in the environmental records database. In 2005 CSS
prepared a report “Environmental Site Assessment of a 1.12 Mile Corridor Owned by the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission in South San Francisco” supporting the City of South
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s prospective purchase of this and other properties
then owned by the SFPUC. That report identified historic uses of the property for electric
passenger railroad use (1903-1949), agricultural use (1925 and earlier), as a golf practice
course/range (1965-1981) and automobile parking and contractor staging (Circa 1965-2005)
as potential environmental concerns for typical railroad contaminants, agricultural chemicals
and motor vehicle fluids. CSS performed a limited Phase II ESA, consisting of the collection
of four shallow soil samples (2-4 inches in depth) from the property. The samples were
composited by the laboratory and analyzed for:
• Total Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TEPH), with Silica Gel clean-up (for the
removal of non-petroleum organics), by EPA 8015M. Results were reported for diesel
range organics (DRO defined as carbon numbers 10-28) and for the heavier motor oil
range petroleum hydrocarbons.
• Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) by EPA 8270C. SVOCs include poly-
nuclear aromatic compounds such as the more hazardous constituents of middle distillate
and heavy petroleum hydrocarbons such as diesel and motor oil.
• Organochlorine Pesticides by EPA 8081.
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by EPA 8082.
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals by EPA 6010B/7471A. The
tested metals include those 8 metals for which there is an associated hazardous waste
toxicity characteristic:
o Arsenic,
o Barium,
o Cadmium,
o Chromium (total),
o Lead,
o Selenium,
o Silver, and
o Mercury
• Hexavalent Chromium (aka, Chrome VI) by EPA 7196A. This test was later added to
the suite of analyses after receiving initial total chrome results from the RCRA metals
test. The hexavalent form of chromium has more hazardous properties that the more
common trivalent form of chromium. The RCRA metals test (EPA 6010B) reports only
total chrome and does not distinguish between its various forms.
Based on the results from 2005, CSS identified a potential environmental condition “TEPH-
DRO (diesel range hydrocarbon) was found in surface soils at a concentration of 120 mg/Kg,
slightly in excess of the (then promulgated) residential and commercial ESL of 100 mg/Kg.
This ESL is based upon the protection of drinking water resources from leaching, which may
be subject to enforcement action from regulatory agencies. The component ESL considered
protective of human health in a residential setting however is 400 mg/Kg, so residential or
24 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
commercial redevelopment is not precluded based upon the detected concentration.” Since
the time of their report, the residential ESL for TEPH-DRO has been revised to 240 mg/Kg,
so no recognized environmental condition is found at Parcel 2.
3. Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real. Parcel 3 does not appear in the environmental records
database. In 2005 CSS prepared a report “Environmental Site Assessment of a 1.12 Mile
Corridor Owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in South San Francisco”
supporting the City of South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s prospective purchase
of this and other properties. Parcel 3 was then owned by the Petrocchi Family. That report
identified historic uses of the property as the site of a potential electric passenger railroad
station (1903-1949), potential agricultural use (1925 and earlier), and automobile parking,
with potential environmental concerns for typical railroad contaminants, agricultural
chemicals and motor vehicle fluids. CSS performed a limited Phase II ESA, consisting of the
collection of eight shallow soil samples (2-4 inches in depth) from the property. The samples
were composited in two groups by the laboratory and analyzed for the same list of potential
contaminants as they applied at Parcel 2.
Based on the results from 2005, CSS identified a potential environmental condition at
Parcel 3 where “lead was found in surface soils at concentrations (280 mg/Kg) exceeding the
ESL of 150 mg/Kg for residential use….Further investigation of the source, nature and extent
of lead and the removal of any objectionable materials from these parcels may be required if
future residential development is desired. Parcel 3 may be impacted with historical aerially
deposited lead from vehicle emissions along the adjoining heavily traveled El Camino Real.”
Since the time of their report the ESLs for lead have been revised to 80 mg/Kg for residential
land use and 320 mg/Kg for commercial land use.
In addition petroleum hydrocarbons in the diesel range (TPH-DRO) were found here at a
maximum concentration of 360 mg/Kg. The residential land use ESL for TPH-DRO is 240
mg/Kg and its commercial land use ESL is 1,200 mg/Kg.
Lead and TPH-DRO present in surface soils at Parcel 3 represent a potential environmental
condition as their concentrations exceed their respective residential environmental screening
levels. Further investigation of the source, nature and extent of lead and TEPH-DRO and the
removal of any objectionable materials from these parcels may be required if residential re-
development is desired. The presence of lead and TPH-DRO in soils may prohibit their
recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during any future development.
25 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
5.2 Results of Environmental Records Review for the Adjoining Properties
The following hazardous materials release sites or suspected sites with existing environmental
conditions were identified during the environmental records review as adjoining the Site:
1. San Francisco Water Department, Current BART Right-Of-Way. This property adjoins
the Site Parcel 2 to the west and Site Parcel 3 to the east and the presumed source(s) of
contamination is upgradient with respect to assumed groundwater flow. In about 2012 the
San Francisco Water Department installed a multi-level monitoring well on their property
east of El Camino Real and discovered tetrachloroethylene (PCE, a typical dry cleaning
solvent) contamination in groundwater. San Mateo County has directed voluntary
investigations to determine the source of contamination by a number of former dry cleaners
including Norge Village at 1155 El Camino Real, Carriage Cleaners at 1121 El Camino Real,
and My Cleaners at 1053 El Camino Real. The risk of off-site sources impacting the Site is
not one of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site owner, as regulatory agencies
do not pursue innocent landowners whose underlying groundwater has been impacted by an
off-site source. Rather, the risk is of creating an environmental condition at the Site that
might limit future development scenarios such as residential use or the development of
groundwater resources. None of these potential environmental conditions due to off-site
sources is considered likely pose a significant risk of an environmental condition to the Site.
2. Former Accutech Auto, 45 Chestnut Ave. This property adjoins the Site Parcel 1 (1
Chestnut Ave) to the east. Soil contamination from gasoline range hydrocarbons was
discovered during the removal of USTs in November 1991. A groundwater monitoring well
was installed on the property where groundwater was encountered at a depth of about 23 feet.
The site’s environmental consultant assumed the groundwater flow direction at this site is
easterly toward Colma Creek and away from the Site. Based on the results of subsequent
monitoring San Mateo County closed the site and issued a letter of no further action in 2003.
Their closure documents note that “An unknown amount of hydrocarbon impacted soil
remains in the subsurface at the site in the vicinity of the former tank pit around 13 to 14-feet
bgs. City of South San Francisco Building Department has been notified that should
excavation or development of the property be proposed that may encounter impacted soil or
groundwater, San Mateo County Environmental Health Division must be notified as required
by Government Code Section 65850.2.2.” The former tank pit is located within a few feet of
Site Parcel 1. Should development of Site Parcel 1 include excavation along its eastern
property line, subsurface soils and/or groundwater may be found to contain petroleum
hydrocarbon compounds from 45 Chestnut Avenue likely resulting in special disposal of
excavated soils. The risk of off-site sources impacting the Site is not one of bringing a
possible enforcement action upon the Site owner, as regulatory agencies do not pursue
innocent landowners whose underlying soil or groundwater has been impacted by an off-site
source. Rather, the risk is of creating an environmental condition at the Site that might limit
future development scenarios such as residential use or the development of groundwater
resources.
26 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
5.3 Results of Environmental Records Review for Vicinity Properties
The following hazardous materials release sites or suspected sites, researched on GeoTracker, with
existing environmental conditions were identified during the environmental records review as within
about ¼-mile of the Site and upgradient with respect to groundwater flow. Copies of selected agency
environmental records may be found in Appendix F.
1. Grand Avenue Gas, 1086 Grand Avenue. This site is located at the northeast corner of
Mission Road and Grand Avenue and about 100 yards northeast of the north end of the Site
Parcel 2 where both the Site and the gas station site are east of Colma Creek. The reported
depth to groundwater at this site is about 28 feet and its reported flow direction is to the east-
northeast toward the San Francisco Bay, away from the Site. A former fueling and service
station was operated at this location until 2011. During UST removals in 2011 gasoline
related petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in site soils and later groundwater. The site is
currently an active leaking underground fuel tank (LUFT) cleanup site under the lead of San
Mateo County. The risk of off-site sources impacting the Site is not one of bringing a
possible enforcement action upon the Site owner, as regulatory agencies do not pursue
innocent landowners whose underlying groundwater has been impacted by an off-site source.
Rather, the risk is of creating an environmental condition at the Site that might limit future
development scenarios such as residential use or the development of groundwater resources.
None of these potential environmental conditions due to off-site sources is considered likely
pose a significant risk of an environmental condition to the Site.
2. Contreras Painting, 1090 Grand Avenue. This site is located northeast of the northeast
corner of Mission Road and Grand Avenue and less than ¼-mile northeast of the north end of
the Site Parcel 2 where both the Site and the Contreras Painting site are east of Colma Creek.
The site adjoins the Grand Avenue Gas site. The reported depth to groundwater at this site is
about 16 feet and its reported flow direction is to the eastward toward the San Francisco Bay,
away from the Site. A residential property, subsurface investigations were performed to
delineate contamination from the alleged unauthorized discharge of paint and solvent onto
the exposed ground surface beginning in 2002. The site had four groundwater monitoring
wells and groundwater flow was reported to the south-southeast with a depth to groundwater
of about 10 feet. The constituents of concern at this site were mineral spirits, gasoline range
hydrocarbons and associated volatile compounds. In 2011 the environmental enforcement
case was closed by the SMEHSD who issued a letter of no further action. As the site’s
reported groundwater flow direction is not towards the Site and the leaking UST case has
been closed by the SMEHSD, this site is not considered to pose a significant risk of an
environmental condition to the Site.
27 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
3. Former Chevron Station 9-1626, 1198 Mission Road. This site is located about ¼-mile
north of the north end of the Site where both the Site Parcel 2 and the former Chevron station
site are east of Colma Creek. The reported depth to groundwater at this site is about 25 feet
and its flow direction is to the northwest toward Colma Creek. A fueling and service station
were operated at this location between about 1950 and 1986 when five USTs (4 gasoline and
1 waste oil UST) were removed from the site. Subsequently an environmental investigation,
monitoring, and, in 1995, a site remediation program were performed by the facility operator
under the lead of the SMEHSD. In 2006 the environmental enforcement case was closed by
the SMEHSD and issued a letter of no further action. As the site’s reported groundwater
flow direction is away from the Site and the leaking UST case has been closed by the
SMEHSD, this site is not considered to pose a significant risk of an environmental condition
to the Site.
5.4 Potential Environmental Conditions Related to Environmental Records Survey
Potential environmental conditions are identified at the Site as a result of the environmental records
survey including the EDR Report, GeoTracker record search, and review of prior environmental
assessments.
1. Parcel 1, Former Ron Price Motors, 1 Chestnut Avenue. This former automobile sales
and service facility occupied 1 Chestnut Avenue (currently Pet Club). This facility formerly
operated fuel USTs (1 diesel, 2 gasoline, and 1 waste oil) until they were permanently closed
by removal in May of 1991. The San Mateo Environmental Health Services Division
inspected their removal and found the “tanks in general good condition, no holes.” The
facility had a Hazardous Materials Business Plan on file with the SMEHSD describing their
use and proper disposal practices for hazardous materials typical of the automobile service
and repair performed there. They received clean SMEHSD inspection reports annually for
over 10 years. The property appears on GeoTracker as a completed cleanup site closed
effective 1/8/96. A copy of this record is attached in Appendix D.
In September 2007, Basics Environmental completed a Phase I ESA of the property for Ron
Price Motors. They identified de minimus conditions: the removed fuel and waste oil USTs
that received closure, noting that low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in soils
near the former USTs. Following the removal of USTs a groundwater monitoring well was
installed near the waste oil UST excavation pit. Groundwater was found at a depth of about
20 feet. Groundwater was monitored for four consecutive quarters and no detectable
concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds were found. Metals were detected at
low levels. The monitoring well was destroyed under permit in 1995 and in 1996 SMEHSD
closed the site cleanup case.
28 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Basics identified recognized environmental conditions consisting of staining of concrete
surfaces in various locations at the facility. They recommended the performance of
subsurface sampling to evaluate the stains and conditions near underground hydraulic lifts
within the service department. In 2007 CSS performed a Limited Phase II ESA investigation
of these areas that included drilling borings and collecting soil samples. All results were
below environmental screening levels (ESLs) for residential land use. CSS concluded that
no recognized environmental condition is found at this property related to the surface
staining.
Basics also noted that based on the age of the building lead-based paint and asbestos may
have used in its construction, they recommended a lead and asbestos survey if the building is
slated for renovation or demolition.
Low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons may be found in soils and pavement on the property
which may prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future
development.
2. Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real. Parcel 3 does not appear in the environmental records
database. In 2005 CSS prepared a report “Environmental Site Assessment of a 1.12 Mile
Corridor Owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in South San Francisco”
supporting the former City of South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s prospective
purchase of this and other properties. Parcel 3 was then owned by the Petrocchi Family. That
report identified historic uses of the property as the site of a potential electric passenger
railroad station (1903-1949), potential agricultural use (1925 and earlier), and automobile
parking as potential environmental concerns for typical railroad contaminants, agricultural
chemicals and motor vehicle fluids. CSS performed a limited Phase II ESA, consisting of the
collection of four shallow soil samples (2-4 inches in depth) from the property.
Based on the results from 2005, a potential environmental condition is identified at Parcel 3:
lead was found in surface soils at concentrations (280 mg/Kg) exceeding the current ESL of
80 mg/Kg for residential use. The detected concentrations do not exceed the lead ESL of 320
mg/Kg for commercial use. Further investigation of the source, nature and extent of lead and
cadmium and the removal of any objectionable materials from these parcels may be required
if future development is desired. Parcel 3 may be impacted with historical aerially deposited
lead from vehicle emissions along the adjoining heavily traveled El Camino Real.”
In addition, petroleum hydrocarbons in the diesel range (TPH-DRO) were found here at a
maximum concentration of 360 mg/Kg. The residential land use ESL for TPH-DRO is 240
mg/Kg and its commercial land use ESL is 1,200 mg/Kg.
Lead and TPH-DRO present in surface soils at Parcel 3 represents a potential environmental
condition as they are present at concentrations exceeding their residential ESLs. Further
investigation of the source, nature and extent of lead and TEPH-DRO and the removal of any
29 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
objectionable materials from Parcel 3 may be required if residential redevelopment is
desired. The presence of lead and TPH-DRO in soils may additionally prohibit their
recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during any future development.
A potential environmental condition is identified through the environmental records survey: several
adjoining or vicinity hazardous materials release sites were identified with the potential to create an
environmental condition at the Site as a result of surface, e.g. surface water, or subsurface, e.g.
groundwater, transport of contaminants from these facilities. None of these is considered likely to
present a recognized environmental condition to the Site. These facilities, described in more detail
earlier in this section, are as follows:
• San Francisco Water Department, Current BART Right-Of-Way. This property adjoins Site
Parcel 3 to the west and Site Parcel 2 to the east and the presumed source(s) of contamination is
upgradient with respect to assumed groundwater flow. In about 2012 the San Francisco Water
Department installed a multi-level monitoring well on their property east of El Camino Real and
discovered tetrachloroethylene (PCE, a typical dry cleaning solvent) contamination in
groundwater. San Mateo County has directed voluntary investigations to determine the source of
contamination by a number of former dry cleaners in the vicinity including Norge Village at 1155
El Camino Real, Carriage Cleaners at 1121 El Camino Real, and My Cleaners at 1053 El
Camino Real.
• Former Acutech Auto, 45 Chestnut Ave. This property adjoins the Site Parcel 1 (1 Chestnut
Ave) to the east. Soil contamination from gasoline range hydrocarbons was discovered during
the removal of USTs in November 1991. A groundwater monitoring well was installed on the
property where groundwater was encountered at a depth of about 23 feet. The site’s
environmental consultant assumed the groundwater flow direction at this site is easterly toward
Colma Creek and away from the Site. Based on the results of subsequent monitoring San Mateo
County closed the site and issued a letter of no further action in 2003. Their closure documents
note that “An unknown amount of hydrocarbon impacted soil remains in the subsurface at the
site in the vicinity of the former tank pit around 13 to 14-feet bgs. City of South San Francisco
Building Department has been notified that should excavation or development of the property be
proposed that may encounter impacted soil or groundwater, San Mateo County Environmental
Health Division must be notified as required by Government Code Section 65850.2.2.” The
former tank pit is located within a few feet of Site Parcel 1. Should development of Site Parcel 1
include excavation along its eastern property line, subsurface soils and/or groundwater may be
found to contain petroleum hydrocarbon compounds from 45 Chestnut Avenue likely resulting in
special disposal of excavated soils.
30 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
The risk of off-site sources impacting the Site is not one of bringing a possible enforcement action
upon the Site owner, as regulatory agencies do not pursue innocent landowners whose underlying
groundwater has been impacted by an off-site source. Rather, the risk is of creating an
environmental condition at the Site that might limit future development scenarios such as residential
use or the development of groundwater resources. None of these potential environmental conditions
due to off-site sources is considered likely to pose a significant risk of creating a recognized
environmental condition to the Site.
31 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
6.0 SITE OWNER INTERVIEW
During the ESA an interview was conducted by CSS on August 19, 2016 with Mr. Michael Lappen,
Economic Development Coordinator for the City of South San Francisco, as the Site property owner
representative. Mr. Lappen was aware of the Site history having been involved in the purchase of
Site parcels from the SFPUC and Ron Price. He recalled the former use of Parcel 1 at 1 Chestnut
Avenue by Ron Price Motors and their former USTs and hazardous materials storage as well as the
hydrocarbon stained pavement surfaces there. He also recalled the presence of metals in surface soils
at Parcel 3 at 1010 El Camino Real.
No additional potential environmental conditions were identified at the Site as result of the Site
owner interview.
32 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
7.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
CSS has performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the Site in consideration of the
scope and limitations of ASTM Practice E1527-13. Determining the precise boundaries of the Site
is outside of the scope of this ESA although every care has been made to ensure that the assessment
of potential environmental conditions and recognized environmental conditions extends to the most
recent configuration of the parcels. A drawing prepared by Sandis for the City of South San
Francisco dated May 18, 2016 and entitled “Proforma ALTA/NSPS Survey” is considered by this
ESA to represent the Site. The Site properties are shown in general detail on the attached Figure 2
Site Parcels. CSS has numbered the parcels 1 through 3 for convenience. A more specific legal
description of the properties is provided in Section 1.5.
The Site has a long history of use, and the following historical uses of the Site are identified as
potential environmental conditions for the purposes of the Phase I ESA based upon the Site history
review described in Section 3 of this ESA. Each of these has been further evaluated in the
environmental records review of Section5:
• Agricultural Use (1925 and earlier),
• Electric Passenger Railroad Use (1903-1949),
• Automobile Sales and Service (1956-2011),
• Golf Practice Course/Range (1965-1981),
• Automobile Parking Lot (1965-2009) and
• Contractor Staging (1998-2006).
A reconnaissance of the Site and vicinity was conduct on July 27, 2016. No potential environmental
conditions were identified during the Phase I ESA for the Site based upon the site reconnaissance
described in Section 4 of this ESA.
During the environmental records review portion of this ESA, described in Section 5, potential
environmental conditions were identified for the following Site Parcels:
Parcel 1, Former Ron Price Motors, 1 Chestnut Avenue. This former automobile sales and
service facility operated fuel USTs (1 diesel, 2 gasoline, and 1 waste oil) until they were permanently
closed by removal in May of 1991. The San Mateo Environmental Health Services Division
inspected their removal and found the “tanks in general good condition, no holes.” Environmental
records relating to the removal of USTs, subsequent fuel contaminated soils remediation and
groundwater monitoring were identified. The Site received a “no further action” letter and was
closed by SMEHSD in 1996. In addition, a Phase I ESA was conducted for Parcel 1 and a Limited
Phase II ESA was also conducted, both in 2007. The following potential environmental conditions
are identified for Parcel 1 as a result of the environmental records review:
• Based on the age of the building lead-based paint and asbestos may have used in its construction,
a lead and asbestos survey is recommended if the building is slated for renovation or demolition.
33 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
• Low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons may be found in soils and pavement on the property
which may prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future
development.
Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real. Parcel 3 does not appear in the environmental records database. In
2005 a Phase I ESA and a Limited Phase II ESA were conducted for Parcel 3. The following
potential environmental condition is identified for Parcel 3 as a result of the environmental records
review:
• Parcel 3 may be impacted with historical aerially deposited lead from vehicle emissions along the
adjoining heavily traveled El Camino Real. Lead was found in surface soils at a concentration of
280 mg/Kg exceeding the environmental screening level (ESL) of 80 mg/Kg for residential use
but below the commercial land use ESL of 320 mg/Kg.
• In addition, petroleum hydrocarbons in the diesel range (TPH-DRO) were found here at a
maximum concentration of 360 mg/Kg. The residential land use ESL for TPH-DRO is 240
mg/Kg and its commercial land use ESL is 1,200 mg/Kg.
• Lead and TPH-DRO present in surface soils at Parcel 3 represent a potential environmental
condition as their concentrations exceed their respective residential ESLs. Further investigation
of the source, nature and extent of lead and TEPH-DRO and the removal of any objectionable
materials from Parcel 3 may be required if residential redevelopment is desired. The presence of
lead and TPH-DRO in soils may additionally prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require
special disposal during any future development.
During the environmental records review portion of this ESA, described in Section 5, potential
environmental conditions at the Site were identified due to adjoining or vicinity sites. The risk of
off-site sources impacting the Site is not one of bringing a possible enforcement action upon the Site
owner, as regulatory agencies do not pursue innocent landowners whose underlying groundwater has
been impacted by an off-site source. Rather, the risk is of creating an environmental condition at the
Site that might limit future development scenarios such as residential use or the development of
groundwater resources. None of these potential environmental conditions due to off-site sources is
considered likely to pose a significant risk of creating a recognized environmental condition to the
Site.
San Francisco Water Department, Current BART Right-Of-Way. This property adjoins Site
Parcel 3 to the west and Site Parcel 2 to the east and the presumed source(s) of contamination is
upgradient with respect to assumed groundwater flow. In about 2012 the San Francisco Water
Department installed a multi-level monitoring well on their property east of El Camino Real and
discovered tetrachloroethylene (PCE, a typical dry cleaning solvent) contamination in groundwater.
San Mateo County has directed voluntary investigations to determine the source of contamination by
a number of former dry cleaners in the vicinity including Norge Village at 1155 El Camino Real,
Carriage Cleaners at 1121 El Camino Real, and My Cleaners at 1053 El Camino Real.
34 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
Former Acutech Auto, 45 Chestnut Ave. This property adjoins the Site Parcel 1 (1 Chestnut Ave)
to the east. Soil contamination from gasoline range hydrocarbons was discovered during the removal
of USTs in November 1991. A groundwater monitoring well was installed on the property where
groundwater was encountered at a depth of about 23 feet. The site’s environmental consultant
assumed the groundwater flow direction at this site is easterly toward Colma Creek and away from
the Site. Based on the results of subsequent monitoring San Mateo County closed the site and issued
a letter of no further action in 2003. Their closure documents note that “An unknown amount of
hydrocarbon impacted soil remains in the subsurface at the site in the vicinity of the former tank pit
around 13 to 14-feet bgs. City of South San Francisco Building Department has been notified that
should excavation or development of the property be proposed that may encounter impacted soil or
groundwater, San Mateo County Environmental Health Division must be notified as required by
Government Code Section 65850.2.2.” The former tank pit is located within a few feet of Site Parcel
1. Should development of Site Parcel 1 include excavation along its eastern property line, subsurface
soils and/or groundwater may be found to contain petroleum hydrocarbon compounds from 45
Chestnut Avenue likely resulting in special disposal of excavated soils.
These conclusions are based on the information gathered and described in this report, and are subject
to the exclusions of Section 1.3 and the limitations and uncertainties presented in Appendix F.
35 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
8.0 OPINION OF COSTS FOR POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
During the conduct of this Phase I ESA, potential environmental conditions were identified for Site
Parcel 1 and Site Parcel 3 where environmental remediation may be necessary during development.
Contamination may be found in soils and/or pavement on these properties which may prohibit their
recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future development. This section presents an
opinion of costs associated with the potential environmental conditions.
Parcel 1, Former Ron Price Motors, 1 Chestnut Avenue. This Phase I ESA identifies the
following potential environmental conditions for Parcel 1:
• Based on the age of the building lead-based paint and asbestos may have used in its construction,
a lead and asbestos survey is recommended if the building is slated for renovation or demolition.
• Low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons may be found in soils and pavement on the property
which may prohibit their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during future
development.
Cleanup costs considered for this Parcel include the performance of a lead and asbestos survey, and
the potential abatement of lead and asbestos prior to building demolition. Costs also include testing,
transportation and special disposal of contaminated pavement, debris and soil that may be
encountered during building demolition and subsurface excavation for redevelopment. In our
opinion the costs associated with these activities for Parcel 1 is in the range of $230,000 to $600,000.
Parcel 3, 1010 El Camino Real. This Phase I ESA identifies the following potential environmental
conditions for Parcel 3:
• Lead and TPH-DRO present in surface soils at Parcel 3 represent a potential environmental
condition as their concentrations exceed their respective environmental screening levels for
residential land use. Further investigation of the source, nature and extent of lead and TEPH-
DRO and the removal of any objectionable materials from Parcel 3 may be required if residential
redevelopment is desired. The presence of lead and TPH-DRO in soils may additionally prohibit
their recycling/reuse and may require special disposal during any future development.
Cleanup costs considered for this Parcel include the performance further investigation, and the
testing, transportation and special disposal of contaminated pavement, debris and soil that may be
encountered during subsurface excavation for redevelopment. In our opinion the costs associated
with these activities for Parcel 3 is in the range of $80,000 to $240,000.
36 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
REFERENCES
American Society for Testing and Materials, Designation E1527-13 Standard Practice for
Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, 2014.
Basics Environmental, Inc., Phase I Environmental Report 1 Chestnut Avenue, South San
Francisco, California 94080, September 28, 2007.
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region, Screening for
Environmental Concerns at Sites with Contaminated Soil and Groundwater, November,
2007.
CSS Environmental Services, Inc., Environmental Site Assessment of a 1.12 Mile Corridor Owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in South San Francisco,
California 94080, October 7, 2005.
CSS Environmental Services, Inc., Results of Phase I Peer Review and Limited Phase II
Environmental Site Assessment of the Property at 1 Chestnut St, South San Francisco,
California CSS Project No:6511, December 3, 2007.
Environmental Data Resources, Inc., EDR Radius Map™ Report with GeoCheck®: City of South
San Francisco Phase I Update with Historical Aerial Photograph Report, Historical
Topographic Map Report, and Sanborn MapReport SFPUC 1.12 Mile Corridor, South
San Francisco, CA, July, 2016.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Protocol for Determining Background Concentrations of Metals In Soil at LBNL, August 1995.
San Mateo County Health Services Agency, Environmental Health Services Division (SMEHSD)
Various Agency Files reviewed, May 26, 2005.
Sandis Civil Engineers, Proforma Alta/NSPS Survey Map, May 18, 2016.
South San Francisco Public Library, various resources, 2005-2016.
South San Francisco Historical Society, various resources, 2005-2016.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, Regional Screening Levels (RSLs),
May, 2016.
World-wide web, including the following
http://www.geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov
http://www.weather.com
37 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX A
Figures, Site Photographs, and Parcel Information
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PARCEL 1
1 Chestnut Ave
APN 011-322-030
PARCEL 2
APN 093-312-060,
APN 093-312-050
PARCEL 3
1010 El Camino Real
APN 011-326-030
CSS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
FIGURE
2
SITE PARCELS
Parcels North of Chestnut Ave
South San Francisco, CA 94080
AS8/18/166897
REVISEDDATEJOB NO.BY
38 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX B
Historical Background Information
39 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX C
EDR Radius Map™ Report
40 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX D
Agency Environmental Records
41 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX E
Owner Interview Information
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 1 of 11
Property Address: 1 Chestnut Ave, 1010 El Camino Real and two properties without address South San Francisco, CA 94080 Legal Description: APNs 011-322-030, 011-326-030, 011-312-050 and 011-312-060 Owned by the South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Property is: Commercial store (Pet Club) at 1 Chestnut Ave, otherwise undeveloped. Leased by: Red Cart Market Inc.
1a. Is the property used for an industrial use? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ___ 1b. Is any adjoining property used for an industrial use? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ___
Property Information
Property Inquiry
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 2 of 11
2a. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that the property has been used for an industrial use in the past? Portions of the property were formerly railroad and may have included a station. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No _____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X _ No _ ___ Unk ___ 2b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that any adjoining property has been used for an industrial use in the past? Portions of the adjoining property were formerly railroad and currently contain BART subway and venting station. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No _____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _____ Unk ___ Yes _X_ No ____ Unk ___ 3a. Is the property used as a gasoline station, motor repair facility, commercial printing facility, dry cleaners, photo developing laboratory, junkyard or landfill, or as a waste treatment, storage, disposal, processing, or recycling facility? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ___ 3b. Is any adjoining property used as a gasoline station, motor repair facility, commercial printing facility, dry cleaners, photo developing laboratory, junkyard or landfill, or as a waste treatment, storage, disposal, processing, or recycling facility? Chestnut Cleaners at 26 Chestnut Ave is located across Chestnut Ave south from the Site Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X_ No ____ Unk ___ 4a. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that the property has been used as a gasoline station, motor repair facility, commercial printing facility, dry cleaners, photo developing laboratory, junkyard or landfill, or as a waste treatment, storage, disposal, processing, or recycling facility ? Ron Price Motors formerly occupied 1 Chestnut Ave and was an automobile sales and service facility Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 3 of 11
4b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that any adjoining property has been used as a gasoline station, motor repair facility, commercial printing facility, dry cleaners, photo developing laboratory, junkyard or landfill, or as a waste treatment, storage, disposal, processing, or recycling facility ? South City Gas and Auto Repair formerly occupied 998 El Camino Real, Acutec Motors formerly occupied 45 Chestnut Ave Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X_ No ____ Unk ___ 5a. Are there currently any damaged or discarded automotive or industrial batteries, or pesticides, paints, or other chemicals in individual containers of greater than 5 gal (19 L) in volume or 50 gal (190 L) in the aggregate, stored on or used at the property or at the facility? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ___ _ Yes ____ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ 5b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there have been previously any damaged or discarded automotive or industrial batteries, or pesticides, paints, or other chemicals in individual containers of greater than 5 gal (19 L) in volume or 50 gal (190 L) in the aggregate, stored on or used at the property or at the facility? The former Ron Price Motors had batteries and chemicals associated with their automobile repair operations, they are no longer present. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 6a. Are there currently any industrial drums (typically 55 gal (208 L)) or sacks of chemicals located on the property or at the facility? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ Yes ____ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ . 6b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there have been previously any industrial drums (typically 55 gal (208 L) or sacks of chemicals located on the property or at the facility? The former Ron Price Motors had drums of new and used oils and fluids associated with their automobile repair operations. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 4 of 11
7a. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that fill dirt has been brought onto the property that originated from a contaminated site? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 7b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that fill dirt has been brought onto the property that is of an unknown origin? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 8a. Are there currently any pits, ponds, or lagoons located on the property in connection with waste treatment or waste disposal? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 8b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there have been previously, any pits, ponds, or lagoons located on the property in connection with waste treatment or waste disposal ? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 9a. Is there currently any stained soil on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X__ Unk ____ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 5 of 11
9b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there has been previously any stained soil on the property? No stained soil but concrete/pavement has some staining at the former Ron Price Motors Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 10a. Are there currently any registered or unregistered storage tanks (above or underground) located on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ Yes ____ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ 10b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there has been previously any registered or unregistered storage tanks (above or underground) located on the property ? The former Ron Price Motors had 1x10K gal diesel, 1x10K gal gasoline, 1x1K gal gasoline and 1x500 gal oil USTs removed in 1991 Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 11a. Are there currently any vent pipes, fill pipes, or access ways indicating a fill pipe protruding from the ground on the property or adjacent to any structure located on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 11b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there have been previously any vent pipes, fill pipes, or access ways indicating a fill pipe protruding from the ground on the property or adjacent to any structure located on the property ? Vent pipes would have been associated with the USTs formerly located at the Ron Price Motors facility Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 6 of 11
12a. Is there currently evidence of leaks, spills or staining by substances other than water, or foul odors, associated with any flooring, drains, walls, ceilings, or exposed grounds on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 12b. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that there have been previously any leaks, spills or staining by substances other than water, or foul odors, associated with any flooring, drains, walls, ceilings, or exposed grounds on the property? Oil staining of concrete was noted in various areas of the former Ron Price Motors facility during a 2007 Environmental Site Assessment Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 13a. If the property is served by a private well or non-public water system, is there evidence or do you have prior knowledge that contaminants have been identified in the well or system that exceed guidelines applicable to the water system?
Not applicable. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ 13b. If the property is served by a private well or non-public water system, is there evidence or do you have prior knowledge that well has been designated as contaminated by any government environmental/health agency?
Not applicable. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ 14. Does the owner or occupant of the property have any knowledge of environmental liens or governmental notification relating to past or recurrent violations of environmental laws with respect to the property or any facility located on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 7 of 11
15a. Has the owner or occupant of the property been informed of the past existence of hazardous substances or petroleum products with respect to the property or any facility located on the property? Prior environmental investigations have detected hydrocarbons and metals (lead) on the various Site properties Owner Occupants Preparer Yes __X_ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 15b. Has the owner or occupant of the property been informed of the current existence of hazardous substances or petroleum products with respect to the property or any facility located on the property? Prior environmental investigations have detected hydrocarbons and metals (lead) on the various Site properties Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 15c. Has the owner or occupant of the property been informed of the past existence of environmental violations with respect to the property or any facility located on the property? San Mateo County Environmental Health opened a case related to the USTs formerly located at the former Ron Price Motors facility. The case was closed in 1993 following the removal of the USTs. Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ 15d. Has the owner or occupant of the property been informed of the current existence of environmental violations with respect to the property or any facility located on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ 16. Does the owner or occupant of the property have any knowledge of any environmental site assessment of the property or facility that indicated the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on, or contamination of, the property or recommended further assessment of the property? Prior environmental investigations have detected hydrocarbons and metals (lead, cadmium) on the various Site properties Owner Occupants Preparer Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes _X__ No ____ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 8 of 11
17. Does the owner or occupant of the property know of any past, threatened, or pending lawsuits or administrative proceedings concerning a release or threatened release of any hazardous substance or petroleum products involving the property by any owner or occupant of the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ 18a. Does the property discharge waste water (not including sanitary waste or storm water) onto or adjacent to the property and/or into a storm water system? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 18b. Does the property discharge waste water (not including sanitary waste or storm water) onto or adjacent to the property and/or into a sanitary sewer system? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ 19. Did you observe evidence or do you have any prior knowledge that any hazardous substances or petroleum products, unidentified waste materials, tires, automotive or industrial batteries, or any other waste materials have been dumped above grade, buried and/or burned on the property? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ____ No ___ Unk ___ Yes ____ No _X__ Unk ___ 20. Is there a transformer, capacitor, or any hydraulic equipment for which there are any records indicating the presence of PCBs? Owner Occupants Preparer Yes ___ No _X___ Unk ___ Yes ___ No ____ Unk ___ Yes ___ No __X__ Unk ___
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 9 of 11
21. Do any of the following Federal government record systems list the property or any property within the circumference of the area noted below? The subject property is not listed as under active site investigation/remediation, see the Phase I ESA for information regarding vicinity sites. Federal NPL site list - within 1.0 mile (1.6 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ Federal CERCLIS list - within 0.5 mile (0.8 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ Federal CERCLIS NFRAP site list – property and adjoining properties? Yes ___ No ____ Federal RCRA CORRACTS facilities list - within 1.0 mile (1.6 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ Federal RCRA non-CORRACTS TSD facilities list - within 0.5 mile (0.8 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ Federal RCRA generators list - property and adjoining properties? Yes ___ No ____ Federal ERNS list - property only? Yes ___ No ____ 22. Do any of the following state record systems list the property or any property within the circumference of the area noted below? The subject property is not listed as under active site investigation/remediation, see the Phase I ESA for information regarding vicinity sites. State lists of hazardous waste sites identified for investigation or remediation: State – Equivalent NPL - within 1.0 mile (1.6 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ State – Equivalent CERCLIS - within 0.5 mile (0.8 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ State landfill and/or solid waste disposal site lists - 0.5 mile (0.8 Km)? Yes ___ No ____ State – leaking UST sites - within 0.5 mile (0.8 Km)? Yes ___ No ___ State – registered UST lists - property and adjoining properties? Yes ___ No ___ 23. Based upon a review of fire insurance maps or consultation with the local fire department Yes ___ No _X__ serving the property, all as specified in the guide, are there any buildings or other improvements on the property or on an adjoining property identified as having been used for an industrial use or uses likely to lead to contamination of the property ?
Government Records/Historical Sources Inquiry
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2016
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 10 of 11
The preparer of the transaction screen questionnaire must complete and sign the following. The Owner questionnaire was complete by: Michael Lappen City of South San Francisco Economic Development Coordinator Relationship to site: Property Owner Representative Relationship to user: User The Occupant questionnaire was complete by: None Relationship to site: Lessee Relationship to user: Same
The Site Visit questionnaire was complete by: Aaron Stessman, PE CSS Environmental Services, Inc Principal Engineer Preparer's relationship to site: None Preparer's relationship to user: Consultant The Government Records and Historical Sources Inquiry questionnaire was complete by: Aaron Stessman, PE CSS Environmental Services, Inc Preparer's relationship to site: None Preparer's relationship to user: Consultant
Certifications
ASTM Transaction Screen - 2000
City of South San Francisco – Former Redevelopment Agency Parcels North of Chestnut Ave Page 11 of 11
If the preparer(s) is different from the user, complete the following. Name of User: User’s Address: User’s Phone number: Copies of the completed questionnaires have been filed at: Preparer’s office. Copies of the completed questionnaires have been mailed or delivered to: User Additional Representations
Conflict Certification
CSS Environmental Services, Inc has no present or contemplated future ownership interest or financial interest in the real estate that
is the subject of this assessment, and CSS has no personal interest with respect to the subject matter of the assessment or the parties
involved. Further, CSS has no relationship with the property or the owners thereof which would prevent an independent analysis of
the environmental and other conditions of the property.
Bank Reliance
The City of South San Francisco may rely on the information, findings, conclusions and recommendations provided in this report.
Preparer represents that to the best of the preparer's knowledge the above statements and facts are true and correct and to the best of the preparer's actual knowledge no material facts have been suppressed or misstated. ________________________________________ _______________ Preparer's Signature Date
42 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
APPENDIX F
Limitations and Uncertainty
43 CSS Environmental Services, Inc.
LIMITATIONS AND UNCERTANITY
This report was prepared by CSS Environmental Services, Inc. in general accordance with the
accepted principals and standards of practice of consultants providing similar services at the time the
project was conducted and within the scope of service outlined in our written proposal and/or verbal
communication. It should be recognized that the definition and evaluation of environmental
conditions, and information provided by others either written or verbal is a difficult and inexact
science. Judgments leading to conclusions and recommendations generally are made with an
incomplete knowledge of the conditions present. Any opinions presented apply to site conditions
existing at the time of the inspection and/or document review and those reasonably foreseeable; they
cannot necessarily apply to site changes made of which the inspector/reviewer could not observe and
has not had the opportunity to evaluate.
Changes in the conditions of the Site can occur with time, because of the natural process or the
works of man. It is further possible that variations and/or changes in the site conditions could exist
beyond the points explored for this investigation. Also, changes in environmental quality could
occur sometime in the future do to variations in operating conditions, rainfall, temperature or other
factors. Changes in applicable environmental, engineering and construction standards and practices
can also occur as the result of legislation or from the broadening of knowledge. Accordingly, the
data and documents presented in the scope of work may be invalidated, wholly or in part, by changes
beyond the control of CSS Environmental Services, Inc. If the client wishes to reduce uncertainty
beyond the level associated with the scope of work, CSS Environmental Services, Inc. should be
notified for additional consultation.
The discussion and recommendations presented in this report are based on information which may
include: 1) information and data provided by third party consultants, 2) the testing performed at, or
samples collected from, the site, 3) the observations of field personnel, 4) the results of laboratory
analyses, 5) reports by others, and 6) interpretations of federal, state, and local regulations and/or
ordinances. Any conclusions presented are based on the assumption that conditions do not deviate
from those observed during the assessment. It is understood that other conditions may exist at the
site that could not be identified from the limited information discovered within the scope of the
assessment.
The comments and recommendations should not be construed as a guarantee that all safety, health, or
environmental hazards that exist at the subject site are identified in this report.