HomeMy WebLinkAboutOak Farms Draft Focused EIR 02-25-2000DRAFT
FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
OAK I<'ARMS
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
February 25, 2000
SCH#: 1999112038
DRAFT
FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
OAK FARMS
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
February 25, 2004
SCH#: 1999112038
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OAK FARMS FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
SLTIvIlV1ARY Summary-1
Project Description Summary-1
Overview of Impacts and Mitigations Summary-1
Alternatives to the Project Summary-4
INTRODUCTION 1-1
Overview of the Project 1-1
Purpose of the EIR 1-1
Public Review 1-2
Lead Agency 1-2
Content and Organization 1-3
PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2-1
Project Location and Description 2-1
Project Objectives 2-2
Project Requirements 2-2
Actions Addressed in the EIR 2-3
Site History 2-2
ENVIRON'v1ENTAL SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION 3-1
Setting 3-1
Impacts and Mitigations 3-5
IMPACT OVERVIEW 4-1
Growth Inducing Impacts 4-1
Cumulative Impacts 4-1
Unavoidable Significant Impacts 4-3
Effects Found Not to Be Significant 4-3
ALTERNATIVES 5-1
No Project 5-1
Reduced Project Density and Retention of the Barn on the Site 5-2
Environmentally Superior Alternative 5-4
REPORT PREPARERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONS CONSULTED 6-1
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
TOC-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OAK FARMS FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
APPENDIX A
Notice of Preparation
State Clearinghouse Letter
Comment Letters
Town of Colma
Pacific Gas and Electric
APPENDIX B
Initial Study
APPENDIX C
Hilliard Lau Architects report
Historic Evaluation-Architectural Resources Group
R.Troust Moving Memorandum
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure S-1 Project Location
Figure 2-2 Site Plan
Figure 2-2 Building Elevations
Figure 2-3 Landscape Plan
Figure 3-1 North West and North East Elevations
Figure 3-2 North East and South East Elevations
Figure 3-3 South West Elevation
Figure 3-4 Facade Details
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
TOC-2
S. SUMMARY
OAK FARMS FOCUSED EIR
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed project would consist of a residential subdivision to create 32 new single family
dwelling units on a 2.65 acre site. The project is located at the southeast corner of Oak and
Grand Avenues in City of South San Francisco (see Figure S-1).
Currently there is a triplex on the property (in the northern corner) which would be retained,
therefore the project would result in a 33-lot subdivision. There is an existing two-story single-
family structure located on the western portion of the site which would be demolished. The site
also includes a pump house, wooden water tank and storage shed which would also be
demolished. The Lux Barn, also on the site, would either be demolished or moved. The site has
been in limited agricultural use since the 1930's.
OVERVIEW OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS
Architectural Resource Group was retained by the City of South San Francisco to evaluate the
historical significance of the Lux Barn (ARG Report).' According to the ARG Report, the Lux
Barn is one of the few buildings remaining in South San Francisco that date to the late 1850's.
The Lux Barn is associated with two historic contexts: The development of the Lux Mansion, a
building dating to the 1850's, and small-scale family farming during the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries. The period of significance for this resource ranges from the late 1850's when
the building was used on the Lux Estate, through the 1960's when the Uccelli family was still
farming near the Barn site. The table on the following page summarizes project impacts and
mitigation measures.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Summary-1
IMPACT ~ MITIGATION ~ LEVEL OF
Impact 3.1-A. Relocation and
rehabilitation of the Lux Barn would
result in a significant impact to the
historic resource in terms of the context
of small-scale farming under all three
impact criterion. (Significant).
Move the Barn to Orange Park,
historically rehabilitate the Lux Bam to
the 1854 use as a carriage house and
place an historical plaque at the project
site at Oak Avenue.
SIGNIFICANCE AFTER
MITIGATION
Loss of Historic Structure Dating to
the Mid-18S0's Associated with the
LUX Mansion: Full historic renovation
of the Barn and moving it to another
location would result in a less than
significant impact. (Less than
Significant).
Alternative
Move the Bam to Orange Park or
some other location and rehabilitate the
Lux Barn , to a lesser extent than
identified above and place an historical
plaque at the project site at Oak
Avenue. The Bam would be
rehabilitated at a minimum extent to
slow or prevent its decay and extensive
historical restoration would not occur.
The Barn would be restored to the
historical use of storage, with aless-
exacting replication of original
building materials, and without the
need to rehabilitate to current-day
occupancy standards.
Note: The cost of this mitigation could
exceed $1,00,000 which may render its
implementation infeasible.
Small Scale Farming Historical
Impac7.• The impact would remain
significant and unavoidable with
respect to the context of small-scale
farming. (Significant Unavoidable).
Loss of Historic Structure Dating to
the Mid-18S0's Associated with t/:e
LUX Mansion: Compromises that
would be made in the restoration in
order to keep the restoration costs
down would result in a significant
unavoidable impact. (Significant
Unavoidable).
Small Scale Farming Historical
Impact: The impact would remain
significant and unavoidable with
respect to the context of small-scale
farming. (Significant Unavoidable).
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Summary-2
Impact 3.1-B. Demolition of the Lux
Bam would result in a significant
impact to the historic resource in terms
of the date of the structure (1850's) and
its association with the Lux Mansion
under all three impact criterion.
(Significant).
Document and archive the Bam and its
context with respect to small-scale
farming with photographs and floor
plans prior to demolition. Preserve
some architectural features of the Barn
and display them at the history
museum. Documentation of the Barn
and the site would be in-keeping with
General Plan Policy Guiding Policy
7.5-G-2 which states encourages
municipal and community awareness,
appreciation, and support for South San
Francisco's historic, cultural, and
azchaeological resources.
Alternative
Disassemble the Barn for reassembly
and store the Bam until a receiver site
is identified. Photographically
document the site with respect to
small-scale farming. Arrest termites
and dry rot. All efforts should be
made to locate a receiver site with
agricultural uses. Implementation of
this mitigation measure would be in-
keeping with General Plan Policy
Guiding Policy 7.5-G-2 which states
encourages municipal and community
awareness, appreciation, and support
for South San Francisco's historic,
cultural, and archaeological resources.
Volunteer labor from the community
including the trades and schools would
assist in keeping the costs of this
mitigation measure lower. This
measure should be coupled with
historic renovation to at least a minimal
level which would restore the Barn to a
"storage" use.
Loss of Historic Structure Dating to
the Mid-1850's Associated with the
LUX Mansion: Although
documentation of the historic features
of the Bam is a practice of historic
preservation practiced by the U.S.
Department of the Interior National
Park Service, this mitigation measure
would not reduce project impacts to the
structure. (Significant Unavoidable).
Small Scale Farming Historical
Impact: The impact would remain
significant and unavoidable with
respect to the context of small-scale
farming. (Significant Unavoidable).
Loss ojHistoric Structure Dating to
tl:e Mid-I850's Associated with the
LUX Mansion: Compromises that
would be made in the restoration in
order to keep the restoration costs
down would result in a significant
unavoidable impact. (Significant
Unavoidable).
Small Scale Farming Historical
Impact: The impact would remain
significant and unavoidable.
(Significant Unavoidable).
Note:
This mitigation measure does preserve
the Barn and context of small-scale
farming to some extent; it does involve
the community in preserving the Barn;
and implements General Plan Policy
7.5-G-2, and may be an option for the
Lead Agency as it recognizes and
furthers community values. A finding
of over riding considerations pursuant
to CEQA would still be required. The
mitigation would need to be craned as
a condition of approval and still may
be infeasible due to liability and
economic constraints.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Summary-3
ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT
This Focused EIR considers three alternatives including one that provides a reasonable range to
full build-out of the project.
The No-Project Alternative assumes that the current use of the site would continue.
The Reduced Project Density And Retention of the Barn on the Site assumes that the Lux
Barn would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and that the project would be reduced in
density and redesigned in order to accommodate inclusion of the Lux Barn.
The Increased Density And Retention of the Barn on the Site assumes that the Lux Barn
would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and that the project would be increased in density
to include an apartment complex of 80 units.
REFERENCES SUMMARY
1. Historical Evaluation The Lux Barn, Architectural Resource Group, December 7, 1999.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Summary-4
N
Subject Site
Figure S-1
Project Location Map
CHAPTER 1
IlVTTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT
The applicant, Standard Building Company, has applied to the City of South San Francisco for a
subdivision and planned unit development to create 32 single-family residential units on a 2.65
acre site. The site is located on the east side of Oak Avenue at the southeast corner of Oak and
Grand Avenues. A triplex is currently located on the site which would be retained. A single
family residence is also on the site and it would be demolished.
Currently the site is used for limited farming and contains a water tower, barn (referred to as the
Lux Barn) which has been determined to be historically significant by Architectural Resources
Group (December 1999)1, cone-story warehouse and pump house. The Lux Barn (circa 1854) is
a two story structure that includes two units of farm worker housing on the second level.
Additions to the Lux Barn have occurred over the years including alean-to structure at the rear of
the building, concrete stairs to the second level, asbestos and faux brick siding and changes in
fenestration from wood-framed to aluminum-framed windows.
The Lux Barn is considered historical by Architectural Resources Group in two contexts: Small-
scale farming in South San Francisco, and the construction of the Lux Mansion associated with a
building that dates to the 1850's ,also in South San Francisco.
PURPOSE OF THE EIR
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires all governmental bodies in
California to consider environmental issues in their decision-making process. This is
accomplished through the preparation of a series of environmental documents, beginning with an
Initial Study that identifies potentially significant impacts, and then either a Negative Declaration
if there is not potential for a significant impact, or an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) if the
potential for a significant impact exists.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EII2 Lux Barn
1-1
In January 2000, an Initial Study for the proposed project was prepared by the Lead Agency, the
City of South San Francisco, Planning Division, concluded that the project has the potential to
have a significant effect on the environment and that an Environmental Impact Report (Focused
EIR) focusing on historic resources is required. A CEQA Notice of Preparation (NOP), which
contained a project description, was sent by the City to the Responsible Agencies inclusive of the
State Clearinghouse and other interested parties. The purpose of the NOP was to solicit guidance
from those agencies as to the scope and content of the environmental information to be included
in the EIR (Section 15375 CEQA Guidelines). The City's NOP including the two comment
letters received on the NOP are included as Appendix A. The City's Initial Study is included as
Appendix B.
PUBLIC REVIEW
This document constitutes the Draft Focused EIR. Written comments may be submitted on the
adequacy of this Draft Focused EIR during the 45-day public review period. Following the close
of the written public comment period, responses to w7-itten comments on the environmental
effects of the project will be prepared and published in a supplement to this document. The Final
Focused EIR (comprised of this Draft Focused EIR and responses to comments on this draft)
will then be certified by the City Council if it is determined to be in compliance with CEQA.
Following certification of the Focused EIR, the City can approve or deny the project.
CEQA also requires that a Lead Agency establish a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program (MMRP) at the time of project approval to ensure that "changes to the project" that are
"adopted or made a condition of project approval in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects
on the environment" are implemented Accordingly, an NIlVIRP will need to be prepared for the
project. The NIlVIltP will be considered by the City of South San Francisco Planning Division in
conjunction with the project review and will be included as a condition of project approval.
LEAD AGENCY
The City of South San Francisco Department of Economic and Community Development
Planning Division is the Lead Agency for the environmental documentation for the proposed
project as defined under Section 21067 of the Public Resource Code. This means that the City of
South San Francisco is designated as the public agency which has the principal responsibility for
approving (or denying) the proposed project and for assessing the likely environmental affects of
the proposed project. All written comments on the adequacy of this Focused EIR should be sent
to the address and person identified below. Comments must be received during the 45-day
public review period in order to be responded to in the Final Focused EIR.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lug Barn
1-2
Send written comments on this document to:
City of South San Francisco
City Hall Annex
Planning Division
315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 711, South San Francisco, CA 94083
Project Planner: Susy Kalkin, Senior Planner
650 877-8535
FAX 650 829-6639
CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION OF DOCUMENT
Based upon the findings of the Initial Study, this EIR focuses on historical resources. Two
comment letters were received on the scope of the Focused EIR, through the NOP process, which
are addressed in the Initial Study and summarized herein.
Comments on the Notice of Preparation
The Town of Colma requested that the cumulative traffic impacts to the Mission/El Camino Real
intersection be addressed in the environmental document. Page 18 of the Initial Study (Appendix
A) discusses this intersection. In summary, the project would add two AM peak period trips and
three PM peak period trips to the Mission/El Camino Real intersection. The addition of traffic is
less-than-significant.
Pacific, Gas and Electric requested that the environmental document address cumulative utility
impacts associated with the project. Page 17 of the Initial Study discusses cumulative utility
impacts. In summary, the City's General Plan and accompanying EIR which assesses
cumulative impacts (certified by the City October 13, 1999) found that PG&E has adequate
capacity to serve General Plan build-out (PG&E Director of Planning and Engineering, May 11,
1998). It is also important to note that the project proposes less density than that analyzed in the
General Plan EIR.
Organization of the Document
Sections 15122 through 15132 of CEQA Guidelines describe the content requirements of EIRs.
The following sections are contained in this Focused EIR pursuant to state law.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIl2 Lux Barn
1-3
Project Description including the objectives to be achieved by the project (Chapter 2 of this
Focused EIR);
Environmental Setting, Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures to lessen project impacts
(Chapter 3 of this document);
Impact Overview which includes growth inducing impacts, cumulative impacts and unavoidable
significant impacts (Chapter 4 of this document); and,
Alternatives to the Project which includes a "no project alternative" (Chapter 5 of this
document).
This document also includes a Summary chapter; a Reference chapter (Chapter 6) and
appendices (including the Initial Study, comment letters on the Notice of Preparation, Moving
Report and the Rehabilitation Report).
REFERENCES INTRODUCTION
1. Historical Evaluation The Lux Barn, Architectural Resource Group, December 7, 1999.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
1-4
CHAPTER 2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The proposed project would consist of a residential subdivision to create 32 new single family
dwelling units on a 2.65 acre site. The project is located at the southeast corner of Oak and
Grand Avenues in City of South San Francisco (see Figure S-1).
Currently there is a triplex on the property (in the northern corner) which would be retained,
therefore the project would result in a 33-lot subdivision. There is an existing two-story single-
family structure located on the western portion of the site which would be demolished. The site
also includes a pump house, wooden water tank and storage shed which would also be
demolished. The Lux Barn, also on the site, would either be demolished or moved. The site has
been in limited agricultural use since the 1930's.
The applicant proposes to create 32 new lots for single-family development (see Figure 2-1).
The proposed floor plans include two- and three-story units. The two-story homes would consist
of 1,320 square feet and include two bedrooms (one of which would be a master bedroom), a
kitchen, combined living and eating area, bathroom and two-car garage. The three-story floor
plan would consist of 1,790 square feet and include a master bedroom, loft-style bedroom
(without a bathroom), a den which could be an optional bedroom (with a bathroom),
kitchen/morning room combination, living room and dining room combination, bathroom and a
two-car garage (see Figure 2-2). Both floor plans include aground-floor porch.
Conceptual architectural drawings include the use of bay windows and dormer-style windows.
Fenestration includes divided lights and shutters. Porches include functionaUdecorative columns
and railings. Building materials include wood siding and fiberglass asphalt shingles. The three-
story Moor plan included three elevation styles while the two-story plan includes one elevation
style. The streets would be privately owned and maintained. In addition to the two-car garages
and two-car driveway aprons there would also be 14 additional parking spaces positioned
throughout the development in four parking bays. The roadway is proposed to be looped off Oak
Avenue (see Figures 2-1 and 2-2).
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
2-1 ~
Average lot size (including the triplex lot) would be 2,521 square feet. The triplex lot is 8,383
square feet. The minimum lot size would be 2,160 square feet with a typical dimension of 27' x
80'. Total lot area would be 1.91 acres, public utility, infrastructure (streets) and limited open
space would be 0.70 acres. The project would require approximately 1,500 cubic yards of cut,
4,250 cubic yards of fill and 2,750 cubic yards of imported fill.
The landscape plan proposes London Plane, Holly Oak and Brazilian Pepper trees as street trees
along Oak and Commercial Avenues. Flowering Saucer and cherry trees are proposed as the
street trees internal to the project. Shrubs, vines and groundcover, in addition to the internal trees,
are proposed for parking, individual lot and open space landscaping (see Figure 2-3). Typical
plantings would include Star Jasmine, Dwarf Periwinkle, Creeping Fig, Virginia Creeper,
English Lavender, Giant Chain Fern, India Hawthorn, Sweet Olive, Maiden Grass, Evergreen
Daylily, Boxleaf Hebe, Wallflower and Glossy Abelia.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Objectives to be achieved as part of the project include:
1. To achieve an environment reflecting ahigher-level of attention for Urban Design, Small
Town Community, Architectural Design and Land Use principles.
2. To develop a housing type that is more affordable to various segments of the community
in a manner consistent with the housing needs as identified by the Bay Area Association
of Governments (ABAG).
3. To provide parking within the development thereby not impacting the existing
neighborhood.
4. To facilitate a higher and better use of the site through a unique layout and design with a
common walkway (open space) to create a sense of small town (Old South San
Francisco) environment.
5. Reducing the "jobs-housing" imbalance identified in the City's recently adopted updated
General Plan (October 1999) by providing more housing opportunities in South San
Francisco within close proximity (3/4 mile) of the under-construction Bay Area Rapid
Transit District (BART) line.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
The proposed project requires the following entitlement review and approval from the City of
South San Francisco.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
2-2
Approval of Tentative and Final Subdivision Maps and Planned Unit Development.
2. Issuance of grading, sewer, storm water and building permits.
3. Provision of five (S) low- to moderate-income units within the project development.
4. Design review approval.
S. Approval of a Relocation or Demolition Plan for the Lux Barn.
6. Certification of the Focused EIR
ACTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE EIR
The following actions are addressed in this Environmental Impact Report.
1. Historic Resources, including the relocation, rehabilitation or demolition of the Lux Barn.
2. Certification of the Focused EIR.
All other items have been focused out of this EIR and are processed through the standard
entitlement review process of the City of South San Francisco.
SITE HISTORY
Row crops have been cultivated on the site since the 1930's. The existing two-story single-
family structure located on the western portion of the site has been in place prior to 1937, as
observed in aerial photographs. The existing pump house, wooden water tank and storage shed
were built in 1945.' The existing triplex located in the northern corner of the site has been in
place since about mid-1920's.2 The Lux Barn was moved to the site in the 1920's. The building
has remained in active use as a barn, limited residential and agricultural storage facility since
being moved to Oak Avenue. 3
REFERENCES PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1."Phase I Environmental Site Assessment-Oak Farms Parcel ", ICES, June 10, 1999, page 4.
2. Bob Mantegani, Standard Building Company, January 20, 2000.
3. `Historical Evaluation The Lux Barn ", December 7, 1999, page 3.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
2-3
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CHAPTER 3
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION
HISTORICAL RESOURCES
Architectural Resource Group was retained by the City of South San Francisco to evaluate the
historical significance of the Lux Barn (ARG Report).' The City also retained the services of
Hilliard Lau Architects to determine the costs of renovating the Lux Barn 2 and R. Troust
Moving to determine the costs of relocating the Barn.3 These reports aze summarized herein and
in the Alternatives Section of this Report and are included in the appendices.
SETTING
Historical Setting
South San Francisco is located in a part of the old Rancho Buri Buri. The land was given to Jose
Antonio Sanchez as a provisional land grant in 1827 and was confirmed in 1835. The Rancho
covered almost 15,000 acres. Sanchez died in 1843 and left his land to his wife and 10 children
who, within 25 years, had either sold or lost the land through litigation and debt.4
In 1856, Chazles Lux with his partner Henry Miller bought approximately 1,500 acres of the old
Rancho for cattle ranching. Lux built what is known as the Lux Mansion between what is now
Oak and Chestnut Avenues. The estate included elaborate manicured gardens and the what is
now known as the Lux Barn. The Lux Barn has been referred to as a carriage house, out
building, buggy repair shop and a barn. The main house on the estate was demolished in 1923
and the carriage house was moved to its current location at 150 Oak Avenue.
Peter Uccelli, Senior, an immigrant to South San Francisco from Genoa, Italy, purchased several
acres near the intersection of Oak and Grand Avenue in 1924. The land was used for farming
which included grapes for production of wine, and potatoes and vegetables for sale. According
to the ARG Report, Alice Mazsili, daughter of Peter Uccelli, remembers her father and three
brothers moving the Lux Barn to its current location in the 1930's. Review of the 1925 South
San Francisco Sanborn Map shows the Barn at its current location in 1925. Therefore, it appears
that the Barn was moved to 150 Oak Avenue in the early 1920's.
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
3-1
The Barn has remained in active use as a barn, limited residential and agricultural storage facility
since being moved to Oak Avenue. As noted above, the Barn has supported residential land uses.
Current Setting
The Lux Barn is on a 2.65 acre site of which approximately 2.0 acres is cultivated with vegetable
fields. The remaining half-acre consists of the Lux Barn, a black water tower, small storage
shack, a triplex and asingle-family residence. Residential land uses lie to the east, south east,
west and north west. The County Government Center is south west of the site. Santo Cristo
Hall, constructed circa 1900, at 41 Oak Street (the corner of Mission and Oak Streets) and the
Weiss Residence at 90 Oak Street, constructed in 1903, is west of the site.
The Lux Barn is a two-story, side-gabled, wood-frame building. A one-story, shed-roofed,
lean-to has been added to the full width of the south east elevation subsequent to the original
construction of the Barn. The entire structure is red with white trim and fascia board (wood
siding) (see Figures 3-1 through 3-4). The fascia board has been covered with a layer of asbestos
and covered again with composition shingles designed to appear as red brick (see Figure 3-4).
The additions to the facade likely occurred in the 1950's or 60's judging from the materials used
and the photographs available in the History Room of the South San Francisco Library.
The Oak Avenue elevation has two openings for truck loading at the west end. A small door
leads to the upstairs, where two illegal sub-standard apartment units were added for farm worker
housing. An additional door to serve as a garage area is located near the eastern end of the Oak
Avenue elevation. Six one-over-one double-hung windows run along the second~floor elevation.
The original wood windows have been replaced with aluminum-framed windows (see Figure 3-
1).
The north east elevation includes a single small square window (see Figure 3-2). The original
wood-framed window was replaced with analuminum-framed window. The south east elevation
includes five double-hung windows, similar to the front facade, which are also aluminum-framed
(see Figure 3-2) and two smaller windows. The original windows were wood-framed and over
the years replaced with aluminum-framed windows. Asingle-story, shed-roofed, addition runs
the entire length of the south east elevation. The addition was probably constructed in the
1920's, as the 1925 Sanborn maps clearly show the one-story shed addition to the Barn. The shed
is sided with corrugated metal and painted red to match the remainder of the structure.
The south west elevation includes a concrete and metal stair that leads up to the second-floor
apartments (see Figure 3-3). The stair was probably added at the time that the second-level was
converted (without the benefit of City permits) to living quarters. Three aluminum-framed
windows are on the second-level. Two of the windows are double-hung while the gabled-style
window is an aluminum slider. The siding on this elevation is T-1-11 (grooved ply board with
simulated batting) and painted red to match the three other elevations (see Figure 3-3).
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The ground-floor of the Lux Barn, inside the Oak Avenue loading entrance, is a large open area
used for cleaning and packing vegetables harvested at this small farm (see Figure 3-4). The
majority of the floor has been paved with concrete, although several patches are covered with
floor boazds, with open slits between allowing for drainage to a pit below. The rafters and
braced-frame wood structure are exposed on the interior. Corrugated metal has been attached
over the lower portion of the interior walls to prevent water damage since the south west and rear
elevations originally had horizontal wood slat siding with wide groves between each board. A
toilet room has been added to the ground-floor.
The upstairs was converted into two apartments. The two apartments are sub-standard and do
not meet the minimum requirements of the Uniform Building Code for basic life safety or ceiling
heights. The structure has dry rot, rats and termites throughout.s Even the layers of siding that
have been added to the building over the past 100 years are in poor condition (see Figure 3-4).
Plans, Policies and Regulations Pursuant to Historic Significance
City's Historic Resource Survey List
In 1985, a Historic Commission was formed by the City of South San Francisco by City
Ordinance. The duties and requirements of the Commission are Chaptered in the South San
Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC Chapter 2.58). In 1986, the City inventoried its potentially
historic buildings and developed a list of over 500 properties. The list contains a brief history of
the property, its significance and rating. Potential historic resources aze rated #1 to #5 with #1
being the highest, and thus more significant, to #5 being the lowest and least significant. In
accordance with the City procedures outlined in the SSFMC Chapter 2.58, the Historic
Preservation Commission upon receipt of an application, shall review and approve any
designation of an individual historic resource. There are 27 designated historic resources on the
City's survey.
The Lux Barn is identified on the City of South San Francisco's Historic Survey list as a
"potentially significant historic structure". The Lux Barn is rated as #5; potentially significant
with the lowest rating. The City survey also states that in 1986 the building was already used for
multi-family residential uses and that the historical significance is associated with the Miller,~i,ux
feed lot from 1850 rather than from the Lux Mansion. The Santo Cristo Hall, and the Weiss
Residence are also identified as potentially significant historic structures, with a rating of #5.
General Plan Historic And Cultural Resources
The City recently amended its General Plan (October 1999). The General Plan contains a
discussion of historic resources in Chapter 7 "Open Space and Conservation." In particulaz,
Guiding Policy 7.5-G-2 states:
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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Encourage municipal and community awareness, appreciation, and support for
South San Francisco's historic, cultural, and archaeological resources.
The City currently achieves this policy through the Historic Commission activities including
identifying and designating historic resources. Other methods by which the City achieves this
objective is through design review, entitlement review and environmental review.
Definition of Historic Resources Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
According to CEQA (Guidelines Section 15064.5) the term "historical resource" shall include
the following:
1. A resource listed in, or determined to be eligible by the State Historical Resources
Commission, for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (Public
Resources Code Section 5024.1, Title 14 CCR, Section 4850 et seq).
2. A resource included in a local register of historical resources, as defined in Section
5020.1(k) of the Public Resources Code or identified as significant in an historical
resource survey meeting the requirements of Section 5024.1(g)of the Public Resources
Code, shall be presumed to be historically or culturally significant. Public agencies must
treat any such resource as significant unless the preponderance of evidence demonstrates
that it is not historically or culturally significant.
3. Any object, building, structure, site, area, record or manuscript which~a lead agency
determines to be historically significant or significant in the architectural, engineering,
scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals
of California maybe considered to be an historical resource, provided the lead agency's
determination is supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record.
Generally a resource shall be considered a resource by the lead agency to be "historically
significant" if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of
Historic Resources (Public Resource Code Section 5021.1 Title 14 CCR, Section 4852)
including the following:
A. Is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of California's history and cultural heritage;
B Is associated with the lives of persons important to our past;
C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or
possesses high artistic value; or
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history.
4. The fact that a resource is not listed in, or determined to be eligible for listing in the
California Register of Historic Resources, not included in a local register of historic
resources (pursuant to Section 5020.1(k) of the Public Resources Code), or identified in
an historical resources survey (meeting the criteria in Section 5024.1(g) of the Public
Resources Code) does nat preclude a lead agency from determining that the resource may
be an historical resource as defined in the Public Resource Code Section 5020.1(j) or
5024.1.
Evaluation of Lux Barn Historic Significance
Under Criterion 3.A, above and paraphrased in the following, the Lux Barn meets the criterion
of the California Register.
"Any, building, structure, site, area, which a lead agency determines to be
historically significant or significant in the architectural... agricultural... or cultural
annals of California maybe considered to be an historical resource, provided the
lead agency's determination is supported by substantial evidence in light of the
whole record. Generally a resource shall be considered a resource by the lead
agency to be "historically significant" if the resource meets the criteria for listing
on the California Register of Historic Resources (Public Resource Code Section
5021.1 Title 14 CCR, Section 4852) including the following:
Is associated with the events that have made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of California's history and
cultural heritage."
According to the ARG Report, the Lux Barn is one of the few buildings remaining in South San
Francisco that date to the late 1850's. The Lux Barn is associated with two historic contexts: The
development of the Lux Mansion and small-scale family farming during the late nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries. The period of significance for this resource ranges from the late 1850's
when the building was used on the Lux Estate, through the 1960's when the Uccelli family was
still farming near the Barn site.
IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS
Definition of Significance Criteria
According to CEQA standards, a project with an effect that may cause a substantial adverse
change in the significance of an historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect
on the environment if it would:
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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1. Result in a substantial adverse change in the significance of the historical resource which
means the physical demolition, destruction, relocation or alteration of the resource or its
immediate surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource would be
materially impaired.
2. Impair the significance of an historical resource which would occur when a project results
in demolishing or materially altering in an adverse manner those physical characteristics
that account for its inclusion in a local register of historic resources pursuant to Section
5020.1(k) of the Public Resources Code or its identification in a historic resources survey
meeting the requirements of Section 5024.1(g) of the Public Resources Code, unless the
public agency reviewing the effects of the project establishes by a preponderance of
evidence that the resource is not historically or culturally significant.
3. Demolish or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of a
historic resource that convey its historic significance and that justify its eligibility for
inclusion in the California Register of Historic Resources as defined by a lead agency for
purposes of CEQA.
IMPACTS
Impact 3.1.A: Relocation and rehabilitation of the Lux Barn would result in a significant
impact to the historic resource in terms of the context of small-scale farming under all
three impact criterion (Significant).
In order to construct the project as proposed, the Lux Barn would be demolished or moved.
Demolishing the Barn would remove the structure from our culture. Moving the Barn to another
location would preserve the architecture of the structure as an historic resource, however, the
setting and context associated with small-scale farming would be lost due to the construction of
32 homes on the site.
Mitigation Measure 3.1.A
Proposed as Part of the Project
None.
Identified in this EIR
Move the Barn to Orange Park, historically rehabilitate the Lux Barn to the 1854 use as a
carnage house and place an historical plaque at the project site at Oak Avenue.
The immediate context of the site on Oak Avenue associated with small-scale farming
would be lost. Rehabilitating and restoring the Barn to the carnage house architecture
would preserve the structure and the historic use as carriage house. Placing a plaque with
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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a brief history of the Oak Avenue project frontage of the subdivision would memorialize
the historic use of the site and this would be in keeping with the name of the subdivision.
Costs for relocating the Barn be approximately 535,000 assuming no utility lines would
need to be moved or trees trimmed to facilitate the move. The cost estimate excludes
any foundation construction, utility escorts, hazardous material removal or disposal,
permit fees, no parking signs and renovation (R. Troust Moving). Approximately 15%
should be added to the estimate if tree trimming and utility lines are involved in the
move, increasing the cost to approximately $40,250.6
The cost to restore and rehabilitate the Barn to the carriage house architecture would be
approximately $800,000 (Hilliard Lau Architects). Any change in use of the Barn (as an
example, conversion to classrooms or other facilities related to Orange Park) would add
further to the cost of restoration and rehabilitation. The costs are high due to the amount
of skill and effort required to reconstruct and restore the building to its original integrity.
Architectural and design fees commonly exceed 25% of the construction costs. Termite
extermination and dry rot repair are two other important factors to consider. Carefully
stripping the added layers to the facade, and removing and off-hauling the asbestos, as
well as re-creating the original siding of the building is costly. The residential interiors
would be removed, new foundation and shear walls with hold-downs and new electrical
and lighting systems would be required.
Potential Impacts Associated with Mitigation Measure 3.I.A
Placing the Barn in Orange Park would remove some area from recreational activities at Orange
Park (unless the Barn were reconstructed to incorporate recreational uses). Placing the Barn in
Orange Park may also require additional land for a buffer area, to protect the structure. The
potential impacts associated with the loss of area for recreational uses along with any tree or
vegetation removal would require analysis. Security and public safety issues would also have to
be analyzed. The Barn would need to be protected from vandalism, and adaptive re-use of the
Barn would necessitate historic renovation that preserves the historic value while implementing
the requirements of the Uniform Building Code requisite to protect the public safety.
Although not required by CEQA, the City may also desire to perform a fiscal analysis should this
mitigation be implemented. Both funding sources and potential impacts to goods and services
that the City provides the Community may need to be addressed in order to determine the fiscal
effect of this mitigation measure.
Level of Significance after Mitigation:
Full restoration and rehabilitation of the Barn would result in aless-than-significant impact to the
structure with respect to its original use as a carriage house and a structure that dates to 1850's.
Relocating the Barn to Orange Park would still result in a significant impact with respect to the
loss of the context of small-scale farming in South San Francisco.
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Focused EIR Lu.Y Barn
3-7
Therefore, although implementation of this mitigation measure would preserve the Barn, the
historical context would not be preserved to a level that is less-than-significant. Recreational
land use impacts, as well as public safety and security issues would also require analysis.
Implementation of this mitigation measure may not be feasible due to the high costs as well as
the potential secondary impacts associated with the mitigation.
Mitigation Measure 3.1.A-Alternative
Move the Barn to Orange Park and rehabilitate the Lux Barn (but not to the extent of the historic
rehabilitation identified in Mitigation Measure 3.1.A) and place an historical plaque at the
project site at Oak Avenue.
This alternative assumes that while the Barn would be rehabilitated at a minimum
to the extent to slow or prevent its decay, extensive historical restoration would
not occur. The Barn would be moved to Orange Park or some other location,
possibly a utility yard or a school. The Barn would be restored to the historical
use of storage, with ales-exacting replication of original building materials, and
without the need to rehabilitate to current-day occupancy standards. The cost of
rehabilitation would be approximately $200,000 (Hilliard Lau Architects).
Moving costs would be in the vicinity of $40,250.
Level of Significance after Mitigation
Full implementation of mitigation measure would still result in a significant impact to the
historic significance of the structure due to the compromises that would be made in the
restoration in order to keep the restoration costs down and due to the loss of the context of small-
scale farming.
Impact 3.1.B: Demolition of the Lux Barn would result in a significant impact to the
historic resource in terms of the date of the structure (1850's), its association with the Lux
Mansion under all three impact criterion and its context with small-scale farming
(Significant).
In order to construct the project as proposed, the Lux Barn would be demolished. Demolishing
the Barn would remove the structure from our culture.
Mitigation Measure 3.1.B
Proposed as Part of the Project
None.
Identified in this EIR
Redrafting floor plans of the Barn, taking photographs of the Barn and archiving this information
in the history room of the library would preserve documentation of the Barn. Removing some of
the architectural features such as doors, wood, cabinetry and/or molding from the building prior
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
3-8
to demolition, and donating the pieces to the historic museum would preserve aspects of the
Barn. Documentation of the Barn could also include documentation ofsmall-scale farming in
South San Francisco including the farming activities on the site and the Uccelli farming.
Documentation of the Barn and the site would be in keeping with General Plan Policy Guiding
Policy 7.5-G-2 which encourages municipal and community awareness, appreciation, and
support for South San Francisco's historic, cultural, and archaeological resources.
Level of Significance after Mitigation
Documentation and preservation of the historic features of the Barn is a practice of historic
preservation used by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. This mitigation
measure, however, would not reduce project impacts to a less than significant level to both the
Barn as a structure dating to the 1850's associated with the Lux Mansion and the context of the
small-scale farming.
Mitigation Measure 3.1.B-Alternative
The Barn could be disassembled piece by piece, carefully marked and stored for reassembly at a
later date. The Barn could be relocated and reconstructed when a receiver site is identified.
During disassembly the Barn could be treated for termites and dry rot to arrest the deterioration
of the structure. Photographs should be taken of the site with respect to small-scale farming. All
efforts should be made to locate a receiver site with agricultural uses, and barring that,
photographs of the current site and photographs of any Uccelli farming, should be displayed in
the Barn upon reconstruction. Implementation of this mitigation measure would be inkeeping
with General Plan Policy Guiding Policy 7.5-G-2 which encourages municipal and community
awareness, appreciation, and support for South San Francisco's historic, cultural, and
archaeological resources. Volunteer labor from the community including the trades and schools
would assist in keeping the costs of this mitigation measure lower. This measure should be
coupled with historic renovation to at least a minimal level which would restore the Barn to a
"storage" use ($200,000).
Should the City opt for this mitigation measure, or one similar to it, several factors should be
noted. This mitigation does not reduce project impacts to ales-than-significant level, and it may
pose fiscal impacts upon the proposed project that render the project infeasible. Therefore, the
mitigation measure would need to be carefully crafted as a condition of project approval. Even
as a condition of project approval the condition maybe infeasible for the following reasons: The
presence of asbestos and the potential liability to volunteers with respect to handling the
asbestos. The time it takes to disassemble, mark and store the Barn. Volunteer labor could take
months to accomplish this task (while demolishing the Barn including the careful treatment of
demolition due to the presence of asbestos would take approximately two weeks). The costs of
storing the Barn. Storage costs are approximately $1.00/square foot.' The Barn would take
approximately 2,500 square feet to store or $2,500/month. Liability insurance for storing the
Barn should also be considered in the disassembly costs. Liability for volunteer workers may
also need to be considered especially with respect to asbestos exposure.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
3-9
Level of Significance after Mitigation
Implementation of this mitigation measure would not reduce project impacts to the structure to a
less-than significant level, due to the compromises in renovation necessary to keep the project
costs down. The loss of the context of small scale-farming would still remain a significant
unavoidable impact. It should be noted however that this mitigation measure does preserve the
Barn to some extent; it would involve the community in preserving the Barn and would
implement General Plan Policy 7.5-G-2. This mitigation measure may be an option for the Lead
Agency as it recognizes and furthers community values, although a finding of overriding
consideration pursuant to CEQA would still be required for the impacts to both a structure dating
to the 1850's associated with the Lux Mansion and small-scale farming in South San Francisco.
REFERENCES HISTORIC RESOURCES
1. Historical Evaluation The Lux Barn, Architectural Resource Group, December 7, 1999.
2. Review of Lux Mansion Carriage House, Hilliard Lau Architects, Inc., January 21, 2000.
3. The Barn Located at 1 SO Oak Avenue in South San Francisco, R. Troust, January 25, 2000.
4. Kaufinan, Linda. South San Francisco. 1976.
5. Dry rot, termites and rat droppings are evident from the site inspections conducted.
6. Frank Vieira, telephone conversation February 18, 2000.
7. Ken Diodati, Diodati Properties.
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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North West Elevation-Aluminum Frame Windows and Aluminum Roll-Up Door
Composition Shingle Siding Simulating Brick Over Original Siding
North East Elevation-Addition on Back of Lux Barn
Row Crops and Housing to South East
FIGURE 3-1
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Page 3-11
North East Elevation Original Lux Barn with Lean-To Addition on South
East Elevation
South East Elevation-Aluminum Frame Windows on Lux Barn (Top
Level) With Lean-To and Row Crops in Foreground
FIGURE 3-2
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
Page 3-12
South-West Elevation-Stairs to Second-Level Farm Worker Housing with Lean-To
Addition on South East Elevation
South West Elevation-Aluminum Frame Windows
FIGURE 3-3
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
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=~
Facade Details- Shingle Siding (Faux Brick) Over Asbestos and Original Siding
Aluminum Roll-Up Door and Aluminum Windows Above
Detail Interior Lux Barn-Produce Loading Area
FIGURE 3-4
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
Page 3-14
CHAPTER 4
IMPACT OVERVIEW
GROWTH-INDUCING IMPACTS
Section 15120 (g) of the CEQA Guidelines requires an EIR to evaluate the growth-inducing
impacts of a proposed action. Agrowth-inducing impact is defined as one that could foster
economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing, either directly or
indirectly, in the surrounding environment. Included in the definition are public works projects
which would remove obstacles to population growth. Any infrastructure project involving the
creation of capacity to serve any new level of development maybe growth inducing.
The environmental effects of induced growth are secondary, or indirect, impacts of a proposed
action. Secondary effects of growth include increases in the demand on community services and
infrastructure, increased traffic and noise, and conversion of agricultural and open space land to
developed use. Inducement of disorderly growth that is inconsistent with local land use plans
generally causes significant, adverse environmental impacts.
The City's comprehensive update to the General Plan was adopted October 14, 1999. The
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the General Plan vas certified by the South San
Francisco City Council on October 14, 1999. As part of the comprehensive update to the
General Plan, the City designated certain parcels along the El Camino Corridor as office,
commercial and medium and high residential in order to promote growth in the area and to
provide services for that growth. The project site is also within the El Camino Corridor
Redevelopment Plan Area within which the City is actively working to promote economic
growth and increase residential opportunities to reduce blight in the area.
The General Plan and Redevelopment Plan land use designation for the proposed project is high
density residential. The proposed project would be developed at alesser-intensity than
designated by both plans. The project would implement the policies of both plans and goods and
services for residential growth currently exist and are planned for the project area.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Section 15130 of the CEQA Guidelines required consideration in an EIR of the potential
environmental impacts that are individually limited but cumulatively significant. The cumulative
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
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impact from several projects is the change in the environment that results from the incremental
effect of the project when evaluated in conjunction with other closely-related past, present and
reasonably foreseeable future projects. The cumulative development considered in conjunction
with a project is related to the type of environmental impact evaluated, and the location of
probable impacts. Cumulative impacts pertaining to the project would relate to the potential loss
of cultural resources that could occur as a result of project approval.
According to the City's Historic Survey (1986) there are two other historic resources within
close proximity to the project. The Santo Cristo Hall located at 41 Oak Avenue, and the Weiss
Residence at 90 Oak Avenue, both which are identified as potentially significant historic
resources. The property in the area, including the subject project site, and along Oak Avenue is
zoned residential.
The Weiss residence is used as a residence and is well kept. The home was constructed in 1903
and is on a 50 x 100 foot lot. A portion of this home was used as the kitchen for the Lux
Mansion. The Santo Cristo Hall, constructed around 1900, is on a 40 by 90 foot lot and is
relatively well kept. The Hall is a meeting place for the Portugese Community in South San
Francisco. The center portion of the Hall was originally used as a boarding house for employees
of W. P. Fuller Paint Company. At a date unknown, a group of local Portugese leaders moved
the Hall to its present location.
When evaluating if there would be a cumulative loss of cultural resources due to a certain
approval action by a Lead Agency it is important to consider:
• The location and condition of the cultural resource. Where is the resource located with
respect to comparable or competing land uses? What is the structural condition of the
resource?
• The location and condition of other cultural resources within the area. Where are other
resources located with respect to comparable or competing land uses? What is the
structural condition of these resources?
• The size of the parcels on which the cultural resources are located, including the zoning,
existing use and surrounding land uses. Will the size of the parcel foster a change or
assist in maintaining the status quo in land use particularly in light of the zoning and
general plan and surrounding land uses?
• Typical actions of the Lead Agency with respect to cultural and historic preservation.
What policies does the Lead Agency have with respect to historic preservation and over
what period of time? What is the Lead Agency's record with respect to these policies?
The Lux Barn is an agricultural use surrounded by residential land uses. The Barn has not been
maintained well and does not meet the minium requirements of the Uniform Building Code for
structural soundness, let alone habitation. The site is approximately 2.5 acres is size, a relatively
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Focused EIR Lux Barn
4-2
large lot for the neighborhood and one that lends itself to intensification in land use. The
conversion of anon-conforming agricultural use to residential land use in conformance with the
General Plan and zoning ordinance is more likely to be proposed for a large parcel of land than a
smaller one and is more inviting if the subject parcel contains poorly maintained structures. As a
point of comparison, the two other potentially significant historic resources in the area are on
small lots 3,600 square feet and 5,000 square feet with relatively well maintained structures, one
being residential. Smaller lots do not lend themselves to significant changes in land use as the
area is not available to construct much more than asingle-family residence. There is also less
incentive to affect existing structures when they are in relatively good shape, and they conform
with the surrounding land uses and zoning. It is highly unlikely that approval of the proposed
project would result in a cumulative loss of historic resources.
Additionally, over the past two years the City of South San Francisco Historic Commission has
place two buildings on the local historic resource list; 425 Baden Avenue and 643 Grand
Avenue. Both buildings were constructed in 1892 and are residential structures. Two local
resources that are included on the National Register are Sign Hill and the Metropolitan Hotel.
The City is currently considering adding 429 Baden (constructed 1900) to the local list. The
Southern Pacific Train Station (constructed 1933), a locally significant resource, was
demolished in 1999 to facilitate public transportation improvements and the City approved the
demolition of the Hynding Home, also a locally significant resource.
UNAVOIDABLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
The impacts associated with the proposed project that cannot be reduced to aless-than-
significant level, and which will constitute an Unavoidable Significant Impact, are listed below:
Cultural Resources-Loss of context of with respect to small-scale farming in South San
Francisco.
EFFECTS FOUND NOT TO BE SIGNIFICANT
Aesthetics, Biological Resources, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Mineral Resources, Public
Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Agricultural Resources, Hydrology/Water Quality, Noise,
Recreation, Air Quality, Geology/Soils, Land Use Planning, Population/Housing and
Transportation/Traffic were found not to be significant based upon the discussion contained in
the Initial Study prepared by the City on January 7, 2000, contained in Appendix B of this EIR.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
4-3
CHAPTER 5
ALTERNATIVES
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires an evaluation of comparative effects
of a range of reasonable alternatives to a project that could feasiblely attain the basic objectives
of the project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126(d)). The range of alternatives is governed by the
"rule of reason" requiring the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a
reasoned choice. An EIR need not consider an alternative whose effect cannot be reasonably
ascertained or whose implementation is remote and speculative (CEQA Guidelines Section
15126(d)(5)). Evaluation of a No-Project alternative is required. If the environmentally superior
alternative is the "No-Project" alternative, the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior
alternative among the other alternatives (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126(d)(2)). The
discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives capable of avoiding or reducing significant
environmental effects, even if the alternatives "...would impede to some degree the attainment of
the project objectives, or would be more costly" (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126(d)(3)). The
significant effects of the alternatives shall be discussed, but in less detail than the significant
effects of the project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126(d)(4)).
This Focused EIR considers three alternatives.
A. The No-Project Alternative assumes that the current use of the site would continue.
B. The Reduced Project Density And Retention of the Barn on the Site assumes that the
Lux Bam would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and that the project would be
reduced in density and redesigned in order to accommodate inclusion of the Lux Barn.
C. The Increased Density And Retention of the Barn on the Site assumes that the Lux
Barn would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and that the project would be
increased in density to include an apartment complex of 80 units.
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NO PROJECT
The No-Project Alternative assumes that the current use of the site would continue. Limited
farming and limited residential (two substandard fatTn worker units, a triplex and one single-
family unit) uses would continue. The Lux Barn would continue in its deteriorated condition.
As noted, the building has extensive dry rot, termite and rodent infestation, is structurally
unsound and does not meet the minimum requirements of the Uniform Building Code for
structural soundness or habitability. Given this scenario, and with the lack of funding or legal
leverage to require the property owner to restore the Lux Barn to its original integrity, the Barn
would eventually be lost. Vacant lands in the area, which are zoned and planned for residential
land uses, would continue to be built and would continue to encroach on the limited agricultural
uses of the site.
No housing units, including low to moderate income units, would be constructed on the site. The
opportunity to provide housing within close proximity of the BART Station would be reduced.
Land available for and planned and zoned for, residential uses would not be constructed with
residential units and therefore, would not be available to contribute to reducing the jobs/housing
imbalance in the City.
REDUCED PROJECT DENSITY AND RETENTION OF THE BARN ON THE SITE
This alternative assumes that the Lux Barn would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and
that the project would be reduced in density and redesigned in order to accommodate inclusion of
the Lux Barn. l
In order to maintain the historic significance of the Lux Barn with respect to the context of small-
scale farming, some farming would have to be maintained on the site. Additionally, in order to
maintain the architectural significance of the building dating back to the 1850's, the architectural
integrity would have to be fully restored and the decay of the building arrested. A change in use
of the Barn to a day care center and/or community center (Community Center) should be
considered in order to incorporate the Barn into a functioning portion of the overall site plan for
the project and the neighborhood. Some limited parking would also need to be provided,
although it could be assumed that the majority of users for the Community Center would be
derived from the Oak Farms neighborhood.
The proposed site plan would need to be revised to incorporate the Barn and its use as a
Community Center and to incorporate limited farming and parking. Approximately 10 to 12
units of housing would be eliminated to accommodate retention of the Barn, required parking,
limited farming and reconfiguration of the internal street pattern. Restoration of the Barn should
match the historical context of the Barn as closely as possible to the materials of the 1850's
which could cost upwards of $1,000,000 (rehabilitation, restoration and architectural and design
fees). Land costs are not included in this estimate.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
5-2
l:n order to accommodate the Barn at its existing location on the site, the internal (northern-most)
roadway would need to be relocated further north and closer to the Oak and Grand Avenue
intersection. The relocation of the roadway may not be achievable for two reasons. The
topography slopes upward as it moves northward; therefore the project street would most likely
exceed 12% slope at the intersection of Oak Avenue. As a point of reference, the City usually
approves roadways with 5% to 6% slope although exceptions to this requirement have been
granted as circumstances warrant. Second, the project roadway would intersect with Oak Avenue
further north than currently proposed and too close to the intersection of Oak and Grand Avenues
to provide proper sighting and distance to meet City standards.
Retaining the Barn on site, surrounded by residential development would remove a good portion
of the historical context of the site even if limited farming was retained. The loss of 10 to 12
units of housing would likely also render the project economically infeasible. The ability of the
City to meet its economic and housing redevelopment objectives contained in the El Camino
Corridor Redevelopment Plan and the housing objectives contained in the General Plan may also
be jeopardized. The remaining land around the Barn would be less desirable for residential
development, due to the site development constraints, and thus less likely to support residential
uses that conform with the General and Redevelopment Plans.
Ability of Alternative to Meet the Project Objectives
Should a limited form of the project be approved, the affordability of the units would be
decreased and it is unlikely that the following objectives of the project could be met:
To reduce the gobs-housing" imbalance identified in the City's recently adopted updated
General Plan (October 1999) by providing more housing opportunities in South San
Francisco within close proximity (3/4 mile) of the under-construction Bay Area Rapid
Transit District (BART) line.
2. To achieve an environment reflecting ahigher-level of attention for Urban Design, Small
Town Community, Architectural Design and Land Use principles.
3. To develop a housing type that is more affordable to various segments of the community
in a manner consistent with the housing needs as identified by the Bay Area Association
of Governments (ABAG).
INCREASED DENSITY AND RETENTION OF THE BARN ON THE SITE
This alternative assumes that the Lux Barn would be retained on the site and rehabilitated and
that the project would be increased to 80 units in density and be constructed as an apartment
complex or townhomes for purchase. The rehabilitation costs would be the same as that
identified for the reduced project, approximately $1,000,000, not including the costs of the land.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIIt Lux Barn
5-3
To accommodate 80 units on the remainder of the site (1 to 1.5 acres) it is reasonable to assume a
six-story structure (including parking) would be required.Z The size of the units are assumed to
average 1,000 square feet; in this assumption there would be smaller and larger units for a
variety. The building would likely be placed in the south and south east corner of the site in order
to retain the Barn at its present location. Therefore, the six-story multi-family residential
structure would be adjacent to the single-family residential development south of the site.
This alternative would preserve the Barn and provide for development of a residential project.
Potential secondary impacts associated with this alternative include visual impacts as the size and
height of the structure would be out of scale with the neighborhood. There may be a loss of light
to the single-family one- and two-story structures along the southern property line of the site. A
rezoning to R-3 multi-family residential would be required as well as a variance to the height
restrictions.
Ability of Alternative to Meet the Project Objectives
Should ahigher-density project be approved, it is likely that most, but not all, of the project
objectives could be met. The following two objects «-ould likely not be met:
To achieve an environment reflecting ahigher-level of attention for Urban Design, Small
Town Community, Architectural Design and Land Use principles.
2. To facilitate a higher and better use of the site through a unique layout and design with a
common walkway (open space) to create a sense of small town (Old South San
Francisco).
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE
The CEQA Guidelines require an EIR to "...evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives"
and to identify which of the alternatives is environmentally superior (Section 15126 (d)1). If the
environmentally superior alternative is the "no project' alternative, the EIR shall also identify an
environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives." (Section 15126(d)4).
Description of Selection Criteria
The following issues were considered in selecting the Environmentally Superior Alternative:
Which alternative avoids or substantially mitigates project impacts.
Which alternative would create impacts that the proposed project would not?
Which alternative would result in benefits to the environment that the project would not?
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
5-4
• Which alternative has the ability to meet most or all of the Sponsor's objectives?
Discussion
Retaining, rehabilitating and restoring the Barn on site and incorporating a higher density project
on the site would result in avoiding significant impacts to the Barn. Increasing project density
may preserve the economic feasibility of the project. Secondary impacts associated with higher
density development would occur which include visual, loss of light, traffic and noise impacts
identified above. Therefore, additional environmental impacts would likely occur with the
higher density project alternative.
The lower-density alternative would likely render the project financially infeasible, as discussed
above. The project would likely then revert to the no project alternative. The no project
alternative would eventually result in a complete loss of the Barn as it would continue to
deteriorate.
Environmentally Superior Alternative
Proposed Project with Architectural and Photographic Documentation of the Barn
Although unusual, in this case the implementation of the proposed project with the mitigation
measure to document the Barn prior to demolition, is the environmentally superior development
alternative. An architect would be retained by the City and paid for by the developer to provide
the documentaion services. The architect would draft floor plans and full color elevations of the
Barn, as it originally existed, as well as photograph the site with the context of small-scale
farming in mind. During these activities individual architectural features, such as doors or
cabinetry, that could be preserved and displayed in the historic museum, would be identified and
removed from the Barn.
REFERENCES ALTERNATIVES
1. Review of Lux Mansion Carriage House, Hilliard Lau Architects, Inc., January 21, 2000
2. Professional Real Estate Development, Urban Land Institute, Richard Peiser, 1992.
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
5-5
CHAPTER 6
REPORT PREPARERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONS CONSULTED
EIR AUTHORS
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
City Hall: 315 Maple Avenue
Mailing: P.O. Box 711
South San Francisco, CA 94083
Planning Dept:(650) 877-8535
FAX: 829-6639
Contacts:
Thomas C. Sparks, Chief Planner
Susy Kalkin, Senior Planner
EIR CONSULTANTS
Allison Knapp Wollam, Consultants
Planning, Environmental and Redevelopment
383 Crescent Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
Project Manager and Author: Allison Knapp Wollam
Rehabilitation Consultant: Michael Hilliard, Hilliard Lau Architects
PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS CONSULTED
Michael Upston, Senior Planner, South San Francisco Planning Division
Architectural Resources Group
Frank Krol, Troust Moving
List of Contacts in the Initial Study
List of References at the End of Each Chapter
City of South San Francisco
Focused EIR Lux Barn
6-1
APPENDIX A
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
STATE CLEARINGHOUSE LETTER
COMMENT LETTERS
TOWN OF COLMA
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC
Notice of Preparation
To: Richard Napier
C/CAG
555 County Center, 5u' Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
Subject: Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
Lead Agency:
City of South San Francisco
Planning Division
31 S Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94083
Contact: Susy Kalkin, Senior Planner (650) 877-8535
The City of South San Francisco will be the Lead Agency and hereby invites comments
on the proposed scope and content of the Environmental Impact Report for the project
identified below. Your agency may need to use the EIR prepared by the Lead Agency
when considering follow-on permits or other approvals for this project.
Project Title: Oak Farms Residential Subdivision
Project Location: Southeast corner of Oak Avenue and Grand Avenue. The street
address is 150 Oak Avenue.
Project Description: 32-lot single family residential subdivision on a 2.65 acre site
The attached supplement identifies potential environmental effects anticipated to be
discussed in the Environmental Impact Report.
Due to time limits mandated by State law, your response must be returned at the earliest
possible time but not later_than 30 days following receipt of this notice. Please send your
response to the contact person identified above.
Date: /~ ~/~ Signature:
/` ~ Title:
Phone: /so g'7?-8"535
,:-~~~'"~ ST.~1TE OF C.•1LIFOR\IA
~~ - Governor's Office of Planning and Research
;~::,."
••' State Clearinghouse
Grav Davis STREET 9DDRESS: 1400 TEXTH STREET ROOM 222 SACRA\IE\TO, CALIFOR\lA 9jSi4
GO\ ERROR ~IAILI~G ADDRESS: P.O. BOS 3044 SACRA~IEXTO, C1 9j312-3044
916-44j-0613 FAS 916-323-3013 ~~~~ZV.opr.ca.go~-,~clearinghouse.html
Notice of Preparation
November 9, 1999
To: Reviewing Agencies
Re: Oak Farms Residential Subdivision
SCH# 99112038
Attached for your review and comment is the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Oak Farms Residential
Subdivision draft Environmental Lmpact Report (ElR).
o~~~~
*~~'
~~
~~~
Loretta Lcnch
DI>ECIOR
Responsible agencies must transmit their comments on the scope and content of the NOP, focusing on specific
information related to their own statutory responsibility, within 30 days of receipt of the NOP from the Lead
Agency. This is a courtesy notice provided by the State Clearinghouse with a reminder for you to comment in a
timely manner. We encourage other agencies to also respond to this notice and express their concerns early in the
environmental review process.
Please direct your comments to:
Susy Kalkin
City of South San Francisco
315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94083
with a copy to the State Clearinghouse in the Office of Planning and Research. Please refer to the SCH number
noted above in all correspondence concerning this project.
If you have any questions about the environmental document review process, please call the State Clearinghouse at
(916)445-0613.
Sincerely, ~ ~ .
A ~'L~ i
Mosie Boyd
Project Analyst, State Clearinghouse
Attachments
cc: Lead Agency
,~ or co - _ -
0
TOWN OF COLMA
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
0
November 11, 1999
Susan Kalkin, Senior Planner
City of South San Francisco Planning Div.
P.O. Box 711
South San Francisco, CA 94083
1190 EI Camino Real • Colma, California 94014
Phone: (650) 985-2590 • FAX: (650) 985-2578
Re: Notice of Preparation -Draft Environmental Impact Report -Oak Farms Residential
Subdivision
Dear Ms. Kalkin:
Thank you for inviting us to comment on the Notice of Preparation for the Oak Farms
Residential Subdivision. We concur with the list of topics you have identified for analysis in the
EIR document.
The analysis of cumulative traffic impacts attributable to the subdivision should include
cumulative traffic projections for Hickey Boulevard after the extension, EI Camino Real and
Mission Road. The cumulative traffic projections should factor in other proposed development
in the area, including the Costco project and the BART station. The analysis should include
impacts to roadways in the Town of Colma especially where Mission Road intersects EI
Camino Real.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to comment. We look forward to receiving the draft
EIR when it is ready. Please call me or Michael Laughlin of our staff if you have any
questions about the comments in this letter.
Sincerely,
-. ,; ,~
;" ~ '~
~`~~1
~c-? ~ Malcolm C. Carpenter, AICP
City Planner
Cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Engineer
MPL C:mydoeslcolmaUetterslpeneaMalQartn.Itt
IAN&I~
Pacific bas and
E/ecbic Company
November 23, 1999
Susy Kalkin, Senior Planner
City of South San Francisco
315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94083
Re: Notice of Preparation
Oak Farms Residential Subdivision
Oak & Grand Aves.
Dear Ms. Kalkin:
RECEIVE.
N 0'~I 2 9 1~~9
PLANhtNG
itt Almaden Boulevard
P.O. Box 15005
San Jose, CA 95115-0005
Thank you for the opportunity to review the Notice of Prepazation (NOP) for the
proposed Oak Farms Residential Subdivision Project. PG&E has the following
comments to offer.
PG&E owns and operates gas and electric facilities which aze located within and adjacent
to the proposed project. To promote the safe and reliable. maintenance and operation of
utility facilities, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has mandated
specific clearance requirements between utility facilities and surrounding objects or
construction activities. To ensure compliance with these standazds, project proponents
should coordinate with PG&E early in the development of their project plans. Any
proposed development plans should provide for unrestricted utility access and prevent
easement encroachments that might impair the safe and reliable maintenance and
operation of PG&E's facilities.
Developers will be responsible for the costs associated with the relocation of existing
PG&E facilities to accommodate *J;eir proposed 3evelopment. Because facilities
relocation's require long lead times and are not always feasible, developers should be
encouraged to consult with PG&E as early in their planning stages as possible.
Relocations of PG&E's electric transmission and substation facilities (50,000 volts and
above), if any, could also require formal approval from the California Public Utilities
Commission. If required, this approval process could take up to two years to complete.
Proponents with development plans which could affect such electric transmission
facilities should be referred to PG&E for additional information and assistance in the
development of their project schedules-
We would also like to note that continued development consistent with your General
Plans will have a cumulative impact on PG&E's gas and electric systems and may require
on-site and off-site additions and improvements to the facilities which supply these
services. Because utility facilities are operated as an integrated system, the presence of
an existing gas or electric transmission or distribution facility does not necessarily mean
the facility has capacity to connect new loads.
Expansion of distribution and transmission lines and related facilities is a necessary
consequence of growth and development. In addition to adding new distribution feeders,
the range of electric system improvements needed to accommodate growth may include
upgrading existing substation and transmission line equipment, expanding existing
substations to their ultimate buildout capacity, and building new substations and
interconnecting transmission lines. Comparable upgrades or additions needed to
accommodate additional load on the gas system could include facilities such as regulator
stations, odorizer stations, valve lots, distribution and transmission lines.
We would like to recommend that environmental documents for proposed development
projects include adequate evaluation of cumulative impacts to utility systems, the utility
facilities needed to serve those developments and any potential environmental issues
associated with extending utility service to the proposed project. This will assure the
project's compliance with CEQA and reduce potential delays to the project schedule.
We also encourage the City of South San Francisco,to include information about the issue
of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the Notice of Preparation. It is PG&E's policy
to share information and educate people about the issue of EMF.
"Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) exist wherever there is electricity--in
appliances, homes, schools and offices, and in power lines. There is no scientific
consensus on the actual health effects of EMF exposure, but it is an issue of public
concern. If you have questions about EMF, please call your local PG&E office. A
package of information which includes materials from the California Department of
Health Services and other groups will be sent to you upon your request".
PG&E remains committed to working with City of South San Francisco to provide
timely, reliable and cost effective gas and electric service to project area. Please contact
Alex Bautista at (650) 985-1263 if you have any questions regarding our comments. We
would also appreciate being copied on future correspondence regarding this subject as
this project develops.
The California Constitution vests in the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
exclusive power and sole authority with respect to the regulation of privately owned or
investor owned public utilities such as PG&E. This exclusive power extends to all
aspects of the location, design, construction, maintenance and operation of public utility
facilities. Nevertheless, the CPUC has provisions for regulated utilities to work closely
with local governments and give due consideration to their concerns. PG&E must
balance our commitment to provide due consideration to local concerns with our
obligation to provide the public with a safe, reliable, cost-effective energy supply in
compliance with the rules and tariffs of the CPUC.
Should you require any additional information or have any questions please call me at
(408) 282-7106.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Zlatunich
Land Agent
cc: A.Bautista
APPENDIX B
INITIAL STUDY
Prepared for
OAK FARMS, OAK FAILtiI LTD., OWNER
STANDARD BUILDING COMPANY, APPLICANT
PUD-99-067
SA-99-067
JANUARY 10, 2000
by
THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PLANNING DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
1. Project title: Oak Farms
2. Lead Agency name and City of South San Francisco
address: 315 Maple Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
3. Contact person and phone Allison Knapp, Consulting Planner
number Phone (650) 829-6633/ FAX (650) 829-6639
4. Project location: East side of Oak Avenue/Southeast corner of Oak and Grand
Avenue
5. Project sponsor's Standard Building Company
name/address: 1900 O'Farrell St. Suite 305
San Mateo, CA
6. General Plan designation: High Density Residential
7. Zoning: Medium Density Residential (R-2-H) density 15 du/acre maximum
Description of project: Single-family residential subdivision consisting of 32 units on a 2.65 acre
lot. A triplex is currently located on the site and is proposed to be retained (along Oak Avenue at
the northeast corner of the project boundary). Asingle-family home is also on the site and it would
be demolished. Residential density is proposed to be 13.20 dwelling units per acre (gross).
Currently the site is used for farming and has an 1854 barn on the site, which was associated with
the construction of the Lux Mansion in South San Francisco. The barn is commonly referred to as
the Lux Barn, is two-story and contains two apartments on the second story. The barn would either
be moved or demolished.
In addition to the Lux Barn, the site includes aone-story warehouse, a water tank and pump house.
Row crops have been cultivated on the site since the 1930's.
9. Surrounding land uses and setting: The site is located at the southeast corner of Oak and Grand
Avenue. Surrounding land uses include single- and multi-family residential, governmental (County
Government Center), churches and limited vacant land. Grand Avenue is to the north, Oak Avenue
to the north west, Commercial Avenue to the south west and Chestnut Avenue is to the east of the
project site.
10. Other Public Agencies whose approval is required: (e.g., permits, financing approval, or
participation agreement.) Conditions of Approval associated with any entitlement review and
approval are required as a part of the project. The San Mateo County Department of Environmental
Health as well as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) requirements may
also be required.
11. The following documents including the recommended design and construction requirements are
proposed as part of the project and incorporated herein by reference:
"Geotechnical Investigation Proposed Residential Development Oak Farm ", Berlogar Geotechnical
Consultants, Soil Engineers and Engineering Consultants, September 2, 1999.
"Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment-Oak Farms Parcel " ICES - Innovative & Creative
Environmental Solutions, June 10, 1999.
"Phase II Site Investigation-Oak Farms Parcel "ICES -Innovative & Creative Environmental Solutions,
July 8, 1999.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) CEQA Guidelines, Assessing Air Quality
Impacts of Projects and Plans, April 1996, Table 2, page 14.
4
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least
one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
^ Aesthetics ^ Agricultural Resources ^ Air Quality
^ Biological Resources ~ Cultural Resources ^ Geology/Soils
^ Haza
d
& H
d
M
i
l ^ ^
r
s
azar
ous
ater
a
s Hydrology /Water Quality Land Use/Planning
^ Mineral Resources ^ Noise ^ Population /Housing
^ Public Services ^ Recreation ^ Transportation/ Traffic
^ Utilities /Service Systems ^ Mandatory Findings of Signi ficance
DETERMINATION:
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
^ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment,
and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment there will not be
a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project
proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
^X I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and a
FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
^ I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially
significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately
analyzed in an earlier document ,pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by
mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain
to be addressed.
^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment
because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or
NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant, to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated
pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures
that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Signature ~ Date
Thomas C. Sparks City of South San Francisco
Printed name For
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact With Impact
I. AESTHETICS -Would the project: Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? ^ ^ ^
(2,3,8)
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but ^ ^ ^
not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a state scenic highway? (2,3,8)
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or ^ ^ ~ ^
quality of the site and its surroundings? (2,3,8,)
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which ^ ^ ~ ^
would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the
area? (2,3,8)
The proposed project is not within a scenic comdor and would not add substantial light and glare. The
proposed project would be located within a relatively built-out urban environment.
II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES: In determining Potentially Less Than Less Than No
whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant significant Significant significant Impact
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the Impact with Impact
California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Mitigation
Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Incorporation
Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in
Assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. Would
The project: (8)
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or ^ ^ ^
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown
on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping
and Monitoring Program of the California Resources
Agency, to non-agricultural use? (8)
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a
Williamson Act contract? (8) ^ ^ ^
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment ^ ^ ^
which, due to their location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use? (8)
Although the site is used for limited agricultural uses (row crops) it is not Prime Farmland, Unique
Farmland, Statewide Importance Farmland or Williamson Act lands. Although the project would
remove approximately 2.5 acres from agricultural use, the site is zoned for residential use and would not
result in removing Farmlands (as defined above) from agricultural use.
6
III. AIR QUALITY -- Where available, the significance Potentially Less Than Less Than No
criteria established by the applicable air quality Significant Significant Significant Impact
management or air pollution control district may be relied Impact with Impact
upon to make the following determinations. Would the Mitigation
project: Incorporation
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
li
bl
i ^ ^ ^
app
ca
e a
r quality plan? (6)
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation? (6)
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of ~ ~ 0
any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-
attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient
air quality standard (including releasing emissions which
exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? (6)
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations? (6)
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial ~ ~ ^
number of people? (6)
Project Operation
As defined in the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines Assessing the Air Quality Impacts of Projects and Plans,
April 1996 (using Tables 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10) the project would not result in a significant impact to ambient
air quality. The threshold of potential significance for air quality impacts associated with single-family
development is 375 units. The proposed project is 8.5% of this criteria. (Table 6, page 24, BAAQMD
CEQA Guidelines Assessing the Air Quality Impacts of Projects and Plans, April 1996). It is important
to understand that the 375 unit threshold is a threshold at which air quality impacts should be
quantitavely analyzed to identify if there are project impacts; it is not a guarantee that there are impacts.
Project Construction
The project would be subject to the appropriate federal, state and local requirements since construction
activities could generate significant amounts of dust. Table 2, BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines Assessing the
Air Quality Impacts of Projects and Plans, April 1996 (page 14) identifies standard conditions of project
approval designed to mitigate construction emissions of PM10. As conditioned as part of the entitlement
review, PM10 would not be a significant impact. Table 2 is attached to this Initial Study.
The building contains asbestos on the siding and may have asbestos vinyl in the interior. BAAQMD
regulations regarding asbestos removal will be followed as part of the building, moving or demolition
permit activities.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species identified
as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in
local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service? (3,8),
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian ^ ^ ^
habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in
local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and
Wildlife Service? (3,8)
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally ^ ^
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh,
Vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling,
Hydrological interruption, or other means? (3,8)
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native
resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with
established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors,
or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? (3,8)
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances ^ ^ ^
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance? (3,8)
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat ^ ^ ^
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
Conservation plan? (3,8)
The site is developed with a barn, residences, out buildings and is cultivated with row crops and includes
paving. The site has been developed since the 1930's and does not support biological resources.
8
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the ~ ^ ^ ^
significance of a historical resource as defined in
§ 15064.5? (8,16)
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the ^ ^ ^
significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to
§15064.5? (8)
b) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological
Resource or site or unique geologic feature? (8) ^ ^ ^
c) Disturb any human remains, including those interred ^ ^ ^
outside of formal cemeteries? (8)
The Lux Barn has been identified as potentially significant individually eligible structure for the
California Register of Historic Places under Criterion I: Resources associated with events or patterns of
events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local history, or the cultural
heritage of California or the United States. The Lux Barn is one of the few buildings remaining in South
San Francisco that date to the 1800's. The barn is associated with two historic contexts: The
development of the Lux Mansion and small-scale farming in South San Francisco in the late nineteen and
early twentieth centuries. The environmental impact report shall address the historic issues associated
with the Lux Barn. There are no known or suspected archaelogical resources on the site.
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial ^ ^ ~ ^
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death
involving: (2,3,8,10,13)
c) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on ^ ^ ~ ^
the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning
Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based
on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42.
(2,3,8,10,13)
c) Strong seismic ground shaking? (2,3,8,10,13) ^ ^ ~ ^
9
d) Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction? (2,3,8,10,13)
e) Landslides? (2,3,8,10,13)
f) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?
(2,3,8,10,13)
g) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable,
or that would become unstable as a result of the project,
and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
(2,3,8,10,13)
h) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-
1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating
substantial risks to life or property? (2,3,8,10,13)
i) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use
of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste
water? (2,3,8,10,13)
Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
^ ^ ~ ^
^ ^ 0 ^
^ ^ Q ^
a ^ o ^
^ ^ ~ ^
^ ^ ^
A geotechnical investigation "Geotechnical Investigation Proposed Residential Development Oak
Farm ", Berlogar Geotechnical Consultants, Soil Engineers and Engineering Consultants, September 2,
1999 was prepared for the project and is an integral part of the project. The report contains standards for
grading including the treatment of existing fill on site, existing and proposed underground utilities, new
fill slopes, treatment of loose native soils, design and construction of foundation and retaining walls and
pavement standards are included as part of the project.
The report summarizes the findings of the four boarings taken on the site (August 1999) from depths of
24.5 to 50 feet. Groundwater was encountered at 13 to 18 feet. Artificial fill is on site ranging to four
feet below surface and fine to medium grained clayey soils were encountered below the fill to nine feet.
Below the clayey surface interbedded layers of native silty and clayey sands, sandy and clayey silts and
sandy and silty clays were found. A concrete pipe (12 inches in diameter) was encountered at three feet.
The project would remove existing underground utilities and trench their backfill, remove and re-work
the existing fills on site and re-work the loose upper native sandy soils in order to reduce future
settlements. Additional exploration and verification of conditions under the barn would also be required.
The site is within close proximity to the active San Andreas and Gregorio faults (three and eight miles
southwest of the project site). The Hayward and Calaveras faults are located 16 and 26 miles to the
northeast. The planned buildings are outside the State of California Special Studies Zone for active
faults. The requirements of the 1997 UBC would be incorporated into the design of the buildings with
respect to seismic zone, factor, soil profile type and seismic source type. Ground rupture, liquefaction,
10
lurching ground subsidence and seismically induced landslide is expected to be low on this site and with
incorporation of the design requirements. Groundshaking, as is the case with the seismically active Bay
Area, is anticipated to be high at the site. The provisions of the UBC would serve to reduce the affects of
groundshaking to property structures.
VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -- Potentially
Significant
Would the project: Impacc
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials? (3,8,14,15)
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the ^
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and
accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment? (3,8,14,15)
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within
one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?
(3,8,14,15)
d) Be located on a site which is included on a~list of ^
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would
it create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment? (3,8,14,15)
Less Than Less Than
Significant Significant
With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
^ ^
^ ^
^ ^
No
Impact
0
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the project area? (3,8,14,15)
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area? (3,8,14,15)
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with
an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan? (3,8,14,15)
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of ^ ^ ^
loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including
where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where
residences are intermixed with wildlands? (3,8,14,15)
A Phase I and Phase II environmental assessment was performed for the project and both documents are
incorporated as part of the project. The documents are: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment-Oak
11
Farms Parcel ICES -Innovative & Creative Environmental Solutions, June 10, 1999 and Phase II Site
Investigation-Oak Farms Parcel ICES -Innovative & Creative Environmental Solutions, July 8, 1999.
Row crops have been cultivated on the site since the 1930's. Two underground storage tanks (used to
store unleaded gasoline) were removed from the site in the 1980's. Ten soil samples were collected on
the site and were analyzed for: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and gasoline (TPHg) using EPA
Method 5030/GCFID; benzene, toluene, ethylebenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and methyl tertiary-butyl ether
(MTBE) using EPA Method 8020; and TPH as diesel (TPHd) and TPH as motor oil (TPHo) using EPA
Method 8015M and organochlorine pesticides using EPA Method 8080. No petroleum hydocarbons
were detected. Organochlorine pesticides were below their detection limits. No remediation is needed.
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Potentially
Significant
Would the project: Impact
Less Than Less Than
Significant Significant
With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
^ ^
No
Impact
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements? (3,8,13 )
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere ^
substantially with groundwater recharge such that there
would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of
the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate
of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which
would not support existing land uses or planned uses for
which permits have been granted)? (3,8,13)
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the course
of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in
substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? (3,8,13)
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the ^
site or area, including through the alteration of the course
of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a manner, which would result
in flooding on- or off-site? (3,8,13)
0
Q ^
0 ^
e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed ~ ^ Q
the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage
systems or provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff? (3,8,13)
fl Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? (3,8,13)
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as ^ ^ ^
mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood
Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation
map? (3,4,8,13)
12
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures ^ ^
which would impede or redirect flood flows? (3,4,8,13)
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a
result of the failure of a levee or dam? (3,8,13)
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? (3,8,13)
The project will be subject to normal City review and requirements and will have no significant impacts.
Best Management Practices and storm water and pollution control conditions will be levied as standard
conditions of approval. The project would increase impervious surfaces on the site. Pursuant to City
Ordinance, the applicant shall submit an Erosion Control Plan to the City's Stormwater Coordinator for
review and approval.
Potentially Less Than Less Than No
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact With Impact ,
Would the project: Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Physically divide an established community? (2,8) ~ ~ ~ a
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or ~ ~ ^ 0
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project
(including, but not limited to the general plan, specific
plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance)
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect? (2,8)
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan
or natural community conservation plan? (2,8)
The site is planned and zoned residential. The land use designation is high-density residential (18.1-30
dwelling units per acre (du/acre)) while the zoning is medium density residential (maximum 15 du/acre
per acre). The project proposes 13.20 du/acre. The high density residential land use narrative contained
in the General Plan (p 39) states that this designation is intended to permit a full range of housing types
subject to the standards of the zoning ordinance and is meant for specific areas where high density may
(emphasis added) be appropriate. The Planning Division has determined that the proposed project
conforms to the General Plan and Zoning District Regulations (December 14, 1999).
The construction of residential units would assist the City in meeting the housing production
requirements established by the Association of Bay Area Governments. The City's General Plan speaks
13
to providing a " jobs housing balance." Currently there are more jobs than housing opportunities in the
City (page 52, South San Francisco General Plan, Oc[ober 1999). The project would reduce that gap.
X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral
resource that would be of value to the region and the
residents of the state? (8)
b) Result in the loss of availability of alocally-important
mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? (8)
No mineral resources exist on the site.
XI. NOISE - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project result in: Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in ~ ^
excess of standards established in the local general plan or
noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other
agencies? (2,3,5,8)
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive ^ ^ ~ ^
groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
(2,3,5,8)
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without
the project? (2,3,5,8)
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ~ ^
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
existing without the project? (2,3,5,8,11)
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles
of a public airport or public use airport, would the project
expose people residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels? (2,3,5,8)
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project expose people residing or working in
the project area to excessive noise levels? (2,3,5,8)
14
Existing Noise Sources
The South San Francisco General Plan Existing Conditions and Planning Issues Report locates the
proposed project within the 60 to 65 dBA, CNEL. Ambient noise sources in the area aze predominantly
vehiculaz and aircraft. Traffic along Oak Avenue is within the range of 30 to 40 PM peak trips and
traffic at the Oak and Grand Avenue intersection in approximately 830 PM peak trips. (Mark Crane,
Traffic Engineer Personal communication January 4, 2000).
City Noise Ordinance
The City noise ordinance exempts construction noise from compliance with noise standards if
construction noise is generated between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM weekdays; 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturdays;
and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sundays. Construction noise is allowed outside of these hours if permitted by
the City, allowing the noise can meet additional specifications outlined in Section 8.32.050 (d) (1) and
(2). The ordinance also states that noise shall not exceed 90 dBA at any place on the property line of a
project. The Municipal Code Section 15.08.140 (5) limits the hours of grading and prohibits grading on
Saturdays, Sundays and Municipal holidays. Grading is restricted to the hours of 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM in
non-residential areas.
Impacts:
Project Operation
The proposed project would add approximately 32 PM peak hour trips to Oak Avenue. The addition of
32 peak hour trips would add approximately 0.4 CNEL to a background of 60 CNEL (conservative
estimate). The resulting noise environment would be 60.4 CNEL a negligable addition to the noise
environment. Therefore, the noise environment would remain within the 60-65 dBA, CNEL range with
the project which is acceptable for residential development (page 13-14 General Plan Existing Conditions
Report). Although no additional noise mitigation measures would be required for the project, window
glazing is required (under the UBC) to meet particular energy standazds. The energy standard
requirements typically serve to reduce ambient interior noise as much as 30 dBA.
Project Construction
Project construction would at times generate noise above the 70 dBA Noise Ordinance standazd. As
construction noise is unavoidable and short-term in duration, it is not considered significant. Noise levels
associated with construction activities such as foundation, excavation, ground clearing and finishing
work range from 78-89 dBA at 50 feet from the noise source (Bolt, Bernanak and Newman, Noise from
Construction Equipment and Operation, Building Equipment and Home Appliances, 1971). Typically a
unique situation must be present to consider construction noise a significant impact. The presence of
noise sensitive land uses, such as hospitals, schools and residential units, and unusually long construction
period lasting continually for a period of yeazs, or pile driving, are considered unique.
15
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, ^ ^ ^
either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension
of roads or other infrastructure)? (2,8)
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, ~ ^ ^
necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere? (2,8)
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? (2,8)
The site is planned for residential land use. The project would eliminate two units of sub-standard
housing and one single-family residence. Additionally, the project would provide 32 units of housing of
which five units would be affordable to low to moderate income households.
XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical
impacts associated with the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically
altered governmental facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other
performance objectives for any of the public services:
Fire protection? (2,3,8) ~ ^ ~ ^
Police protection? (2,3,8) a ^ ~ ^
Schools? (2,3,8)
Pazks? (2,3,8) ^ ~ ~ ^
Other public facilities? (2,3,8) ~ ^ a ^
16
The project would be served by the following public service providers:
• South San Francisco Fire Department
• South San Francisco Police Department
• South San Francisco Parks, Recreation and Community Services
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides natural gas service
• PG&E and Enron provide electrical service to industrial users and residents
• Pacific Bell provides telephone service
• San Mateo County Hazbor District (security agreement, marina utilities, roads, and other
infrastructure)
The public service impacts of the project are typical of the impacts associated with residential
development and would be less than significant. PG&E responded to the Notice of Preparation for the
proposed project and requested that cumulative utility impacts be addressed in the environmental
document.
The City's General Plan update and EIR address potential utility impacts associated with General Plan
build-out. The EIR impacts analysis also includes cumulative impacts associated with General Plan
build-out. Potential Public Service (utility) impacts are addressed in Section 4.15 of the EIR (June 1999
State Clearinghouse # 97122030 EIR certified October 13, 1999). The Director of Engineering and
Planning for PG&E (May 11, 1998) stated that PG&E saw no difficulty in providing services to the City
under the build-out scenario identified in the draft General Plan (page 4-1995-1996 General Plan ElR).
PG&E had no comments on the draft EIR. It is also important to note that the General Plan EIR based its
analysis on high-density residential development of the project site and the proposed project is medium
density residential which would result in less utility use than envisioned.
XIV. RECREATION --
Potentially Less Than
Significant Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less Than No
Significant Impact
Impact
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional pazks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the
facility would occur or be accelerated? (2,3,8,12)
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on
the environment? (2,3,8,12)
As a condition of entitlement approval pursuant to the state Subdivision Map Act, and local ordinance,
the developer will be required to pay a park in-lieu fee for developing and or improving pazks and
recreational opportunities near the project area.
17
XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project. Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in ~ ~ ~ ^
relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the
street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either
the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio
on roads, or congestion at intersections)? (2,3,8)
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of ^ ^ ~ ^
service standard established by the county
congestionmanagement agency for designated roads or
highways? (2,3,8,11)
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including
either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location
that results in substantial safety risks? (2,3,8,11)
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
(e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? (2,3,8,11)
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? (2,3,8,11)
f) Result in inadequate parking capacity? (1,2,3,8,11)
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs ~ ~ ~ a
supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts,
bicycle racks)? (1,2,3,8,11)
Four parking spaces per unit would be provided on each lot (two in the garage and two in the driveway).
An additional 14 on street (within the project-related streets) would be provided on street. The project
meets the requirements of the zoning ordinance (two garage spaces, and additional parking opportunities
on the street)
The Town of Colma responded to the NOP circulated for the EIR. The Town requested that El Camino
/Mission intersection be analyzed in the environmental document (Malcolm Carpenter, November 11,
1999). Project traffic would add two trips to the Mission/El Camino Real intersection (the nearest
Congestion Management Plan intersection) during the AM peak commute and three trips during the PM
peak commute period. The additional traffic to this intersection is an insignificant amount. The proposed
project would add approximately 32 PM peak hour trips to Oak Avenue a less than significant impact.
(Mark Crane Traffic Consultant December 29, 1999).
18
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS - Potentially Less Than Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Would the project: Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the ^ ^ ~ ^
applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? (3,8)
b) Require or result in the construction of new water or ^ ^ ~ ^
wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects? (3>8)
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm
water drainage facilities or expansion of existing ^ ^ ~ ^
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects? (3,8)
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the ^ ^ ~ ^
project from existing entitlements and resources, or are
new or expanded entitlements needed? (3,8)
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment ^ ^ ~ ^
provider which serves or may serve the project that it has
adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand
in addition to the provider's existing
commitments? (3,8)
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted ^ ^ ^
capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
disposal needs? (3,8)
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and ^ ^ ^
regulations related to solid waste? (3,8)
Tlr'ater Services
Water service provided in the area and would be extended to the site at the expense of the applicant. The
proposed project would be reviewed and conditioned through the entitlement process. At that time
infrastructure upgrades and fees for improvements would be identified, if necessary. The project would
be served by the following water providers:
• California Water Service Company's Peninsula District
• South San Francisco/San Bruno Wastewater Treatment Plant
19
Waste Water
Sewer services are provided in the project area. According the South San Francisco General Plan (p 193),
as planned the water and sewer systems in South San Francisco will be able to accommodate General
Plan build-out. The project site is planned as residential high-densidy and is proposed to be developed at
a lesser density (meduium density); therefore, water and sewer services are adequate to serve the site.
Storm Water
Refer to the Hydrology section of the Initial Study for a discussion of impacts related to storm water
runoff.
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF Potentially Less Than Less Than No
SIGNIFICANCE -- Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact With Impact
Mitigation
Incorporation
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to
eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number
or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or
animal or eliminate important examples of the major '
periods of California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually ~ ~ ~ 0
limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively
considerable" means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in connection with
the effects of past projects, the effects of other current
projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?
c) Dces the project have environmental effects which will ~ ~ ~ 0
cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either
directly or indirectly?
LIST OF SOURCES
1. City of South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance
2. South San Francisco General Plan
3. Staff knowledge, site visits.
4. FEMA Flood Hazard Map
5. City of South San Francisco Noise Ordinance
6. BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines
7. Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones Map
8. Existing Conditions and Planning Issues Report, City of South San Francisco, October 1997
9. Inventory of Potential Historic Resources
10. Uniform Building Code
11. Memorandum, Mark Crane, Traffic Engineer, December 29, 1999
12. South San Francisco Municipal Code
20
13. Geotechnical Investigation Proposed Residential Development Oak Farm, Berlogar
Geotechnical Consultants, Soil Engineers and Engineering Consultants, September 2, 1999.
14. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment-Oak Farms Parcel ICES -Innovative & Creative
Environmental Solutions, June 10, 1999.
I5. Phase II Site Investigation-Oak Farms Parcel ICES -Innovative & Creative Environmental
Solutions, July 8, 1999.
16. Historical Evaluation-The Lux Barn, Architectural Resources Group, December 7, 1999.
21
APPENDIX
A-1 through A-5
A-1 Geotechnical Investigation Proposed Residential Development Oak
Farm ", Berlogar Geotechnical Consultants, Soil Engineers and Engineering
Consultants, September 2, 1999.
A-2 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment-Oak Farms Parcel" ICES -
Innovative & Creative Environmental Solutions, June 10, 1999.
A-3 Phase II Site Investigation-Oak Farms Parcel " ICES -Innovative &
Creative Environmental Solutions, July 8, 1999.
A-4 Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) CEQA
Guidelines, Assessing Air Quality Impacts of Projects and Plans, April 1996,
Table 2, page 14.
A-5 Historical Evaluation for the Lux Barn, Architectural Resources
Group, December 7, 1999.
A-6 Project plans.
Za
23
GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMEi~1T
OAK FARM
OAK AVENUE AND COMMERCIAL AVENUE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
FOR
STANDARD BUILDING COMPANY
September 2, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
BGC
September 2, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Standard Building Company
1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 305
San Mateo, California 94403
Attention: Mr. Tom Spencer
Subject: GeotechnicalInvestigation
Proposed Residential Development
Oak Farm
Oak Avenue and Commercial Avenue
South San Francisco, California
Gentlemen:
INTRODUCTION
BERLOGAR
GEOTECHNICAL
CONSULTANTS
This report presents the results of our geotechnical investigation for the subject project. The
roughly triangular-shaped site is bounded to the northwest by Oak Avenue, to the southwest by
Commercial Avenue and to the southeast and northeast by existing houses. Six existing houses
are located adjacent to the southern portion of the site along the flog-leg of Commercial Avenue,
however, the northernmost. house is part of this site. The site is shown in relation to the city of
South San Francisco on the Vicinity Map, Plate 1. The majority of the 2.1-acre site is presently
being used for growing vegetables and herbs. An area of the site (about 160 feet by 90 feet)
adjacent to Oak Avenue is occupied by a barn complex composed of buildings and paved are?s.
We understand that the site will be developed into single-family residential houses founded on
structural slab foundations along with associated paved access roads and utilities. Fill slopes less
than about 10 feet high maybe constructed to provide building pads with proper site drainage.
Retaining walls up to about 6 feet high may also be planned for the project. We understand that
portions of the house foundations may also act as retaining structures. Cuts and fills up to about
1 foot and 5 feet, respectively, are planned to provide stepped lots for the site. Grading is
anticipated to involve import of between 7,000 and 10,000 cubic yards (cy) of soil.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the proposed development with respect to site soil
characteristics and to provide geotechnical engineering recommendations for site preparation and
grading, retaining wall design, foundation design, floor support, utility trench backfill and
preliminary pavement design. Our scope of services consisted of a literature search, field
exploration, laboratory testing, engineering analyses based on field and laboratory data, and
preparation of this report.
SOIL ENGINEERS • ENGINEERING GEOLOGISTS • 5587 SUNOL BOULEVARD • PLEASANTON, CA 94566 • (925) 484-0220 • FAX: (925) 846-9645
September 1, 1999
lob No. 2374.100
Page 2
FIELD EXPLORATION AND LABORATORY TESTING
Our field exploration was performed on August 13 and 16, 1999 and consisted of drilling four
rotary wash borings at the approximate locations shown on the Site Plan, Plate 2. The borings
were drilled using atruck-mounted rotary wash drill rig to depths ranging from 24'fi to 50 feet
below the existing ground surface. Ground surface elevations were interpreted based on the
elevation contours shown on the Tentative Map. The borings were backfilled with cement slurry.
Materials encountered in each boring were visually classified and logged in the field. The boring
logs showing soil classifications and blow counts are presented on Plates 3 through 11. A key to
the Boring Log Symbols is shown on Plate 12.
Laboratory testing consisted of moisture content, dry density, Atterberg Limits, single-point
consolidation, sieve analysis and direct shear tests on selected samples. The results of the
moisture content and dry density are presented on the individual boring logs. The results of the
remaining tests are shown on Plates 13 through 17.
SITE CONDITIONS
SURFACE CONDITIONS
The site, in general, slopes about 20 horizontal to 1 vertical (20H:1V) from north to south. The
central portion of the site is about 1 to 5 feet lower than the western and eastern perimeters. An
existing barn complex, which is about 160 feet by 90 feet in plan dimensions, including a barn,
along with paved areas is located along the middle stretch adjacent to Oak Avenue. The barn area
was not accessible during our field exploration. The northernmost house along Commercial
Avenue was occupied by residence and not accessible during our field investigation. During the
time of our investigation, roughly the eastern 'h of the site had been tilled and/or newly planted
while the western '/z was in vegetable/herb crop. The su~cial soils consist of brown to dark
brown silty and clayey sands.
SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
Boring B3 encountered fill to a depth of about 4 feet. The fill was loose and consisted of fine to
medium grained moist clayey sand. Below the fill at B3 to a depth of about 9 feet and from the
surface to the depth of about 3 feet at B 1, 4 feet at B2, and about 6 feet at B4 our borings
encountered native silty and clayey sands that were loose. Below the loose native silty and clayey
sands, we encountered to the full depth explored (31 feet at B1, 24'/~ feet at B2, 50 feet at B3 and
30 feet at B4) with interbedded layers of native silty and clayey sands, sandy and clayey silts and
sandy and silty clays. This interbedded native material consists of sands and sandy silts that were
medium dense to very dense while the clays and clayey silts were stiff. For a more detailed
description of the soil and ground water conditions encountered, see the individual boring logs
shown on Plates 3 through 11. Laboratory test results indicated that Plasticity Indices (P.I.'s)
were 16 and 18 on selected samples of native sandy clays indicating moderate expansion potential
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
~ September 1, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Page 3
r
Accurate ground water elevation could not be determined in the borings due to the rotary wash
~• drill method. However, based on sample observation, we estimate the approximate ground water
~ elevation to range between about 13 feet deep at B2 to as much as 18 feet deep at B1. The actual
ground water level may fluctuate depending on factors such as seasonal rainfall, leaking
r. underground utilities and ground water withdrawal.
During the initial drilling of B3 a concrete pipe estimated to be about 12 inches in diameter was
encountered at about 2 to 3 feet in depth. Afield inlet was observed near the northeast comer of
the existing barn and a metal pipe was observed protruding from a heavily vegetated area behind
the existing lots along the dog-leg of Commercial Avenue. Based on these observations and
dowsing techniques employed by our driller, we estimate there are underground lines which run
from the rear of the barn to the east about 50 feet where another pipe appears to run generally
from the north end of the site to about where the metal pipe was observed at the rear of the lots
of the houses on the dog-leg of Commercial Avenue. Our estimated location of these underground
lines is shown on the Site Plan, Plate 2.
The above is a general description of soil and ground water conditions encountered at the site in
the four borings drilled for this investigation. The barn complex was not accessible to our field
exploration at this time.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
GENERAL
From a soil engineering standpoint, we conclude that this project can be constructed essentially
as planned, provided the recommendations presented herein are incorporated into the project
design and construction.
Grading considerations for this site include:
Removal of existing underground utility lines and their trench backfill.
2. Verification exploration of the portions of the site now occupied by the barn complex and
northernmost house along Commercial Avenue, in particular buried structures such as
septic tanks, wells, utility lines, basements and foundations.
3. Removal and rework of the existing fills on-site.
4. Rework of the loose upper native sandy soils in order to reduce future settlements.
EXISTING FILL
As discussed in the "Subsurface" section, the fill up to about 4 feet thick found at the site
generally consists of loose clayey sand. It is highly likely that this fill were placed as non-
engineered fill. As such, it is our opinion that the existing fill should be removed, processed to
remove deleterious material; and reused as engineered fill.
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
lob No. 2374.100
Page 4
EXISTING UNDERGROUND UTILITY
Underground utility and their backfills, if not removed, can cause unanticipated settlements along
with conflicts with planned excavations. An existing concrete pipe was encountered near boring
B3. This pipe should be located and chased out. Any additional pipe encountered during removal
of the known pipe should also be chased out and removed from the site.
LOOSE NATIVE SOILS
The upper 4 to 6 feet of native sandy soils, some localized areas could be as deep as 9 feet in the
vicinity of B-3 area, should be reworked as engineered fill to minimize future settlement.
SITE PREPARATION AND GRADING
Our general site preparation and grading recommendations follow:
The areas to be graded should be cleared of debris, any surface vegetation, pre-existing
abandoned utilities or buried structures (i.e., septic and leach fields, pipes, wells,
basements, foundations, etc.).
2. Existing fill should be overexcavated and processed to remove deleterious material. The
existing fill may then be re-used as engineered fill.
3. The uppermost 4 to 6 feet, some localized spot could be up to 9 feet, should be reworked
as engineered fill.
4. If zones of soft or saturated soils are encountered during excavation and compaction,
deeper excavations may be required to expose firm soils. This should be determined in
the field by the soils engineer.
5. In the areas where engineered fill is planned, the subgrade should be scarified to a depth
of about 12 inches, moisture conditioned to at least 2 percent over optimum moisture
content and compacted to at least 90 percent relative compaction.
Relative compaction refers to the in-place dry density of soil expressed as a percentage of
the maximum dry density determined by ASTM D1557-91 compaction test procedure.
Optimum moisture is the water content (percentage by dry weight) corresponding to the
maximum dry density.
6. The on-site soils are generally suitable for engineered fill provided they are free of debris,
vegetation, rocks greater than 6 inches in largest dimension and other deleterious matters.
All fill and backfill materials should be subject to evaluation by the soils engineer prior to
use.
7. Imported fill material should contain no deleterious matter or rock greater than 6 inches
in largest dimension and have low expansion potential (P.I. less than 12). Imported
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Page 5
materials should also be checked for toxic or hazardous material. If the imported materials
are free of toxic or hazardous materials, then they can be used for the site.
8. All fill and backfill should be placed in thin lifts (normally 6 to 8 inches depending on the
compaction equipment), brought to at least 2 percent over optimum moisture content and
compacted to at least 90 percent relative compaction.
8. Observations and soil density tests should be carried out during grading to assist the
contractor in obtaining the required degree of compaction and proper moisture content.
Where the compaction is outside the range required, additional compactive effort and
adjustment of moisture content should be made until the specified compaction and moisture
conditioning is achieved.
9. The soils engineer should be notified at least 48 hours prior to any grading operations.
The procedure and methods of grading may then be discussed between the contractor and
the soils engineer.
FILL SLOPES
Fill slopes should be constructed no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical (2H:1~. The face of
fill embankments should be compact to minimize erosion and the possibility of slumping. We
recommend fill slopes be overbuilt by a minimum 1 foot and trimmed back to expose soil
compacted to not less than 90 percent relative compaction.
FOUNDATION
We understand you will use structural mat slab type foundations for the subject project. Based
on our grading recommendations, it is our opinion structural mat foundations would be appropriate
for the proposed development. We understand portions of the foundations are anticipated to act
as retaining walls up to about 2 to 3 feet high.
From a geotechnical standpoint, the structural mat foundations can either bepost-tensioned or steel
rebar reinforcement. However, the structural mat foundations should be designed by a structural
engineer. We anticipate differential movements across the widths of the buildings will be less than
about i~-inch. Structural mat foundation should be designed to accommodate estimated
differential movements without experiencing:
1. Structural distress to the mat; and
2. Excessive deflections in the house framing and wall finishes.
For design purposes, structural mat foundations for the subject lots should be designed fora 5 foot
edge cantilever and 15 foot center span. The mats should have a minimum thickness of 10 inches.
The mat foundation should be designed for an allowable uniform soil pressure of 1,200 pounds
per square foot (psf); this allowable soil pressure is for dead and live loads, and may be increase
by one-third for wind and seismic short-term loads. Resistance to lateral loading should be
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Page 6
calculated using a base friction factor of 0.35 acting between the mat and the supporting subgrade,
and passive resistance pressure of 150 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) of the equivalent fluid pressure
developed for the finished grading backfill placed around the mat foundations. Structural mat
foundation subgrades should be pre-soaked to at least 4 percent over optimum moisture content
to a depth of at least 12 inches. Pre-soaking of the soil should be check prior to concrete slab
placement. Soils should not be allowed to dry-out prior to concrete placement.
For retaining portions of the slabs the perimeters can be deepened and designed as retaining walls,
at-rest condition, in accordance with the following recommendations presented for retaining walls.
RETAINIl\TG WALLS
We understand that retaining walls ranging up to about 6 feet high will be constructed at the
subject site. The retaining walls will likely be constructed of reinforced concrete and supported
by either conventional spread foundation or drilled cast-in-place friction piers.
The retaining walls should be designed to resist the following applied lateral earth pressures which
assume no surcharge, no hydrostatic pore pressure build-up and are based on well drained backfill
behind the walls.
Applied Lateral Earth Pressure
(psf/foot of depth)
Design
Condition
Level ward)
2~1 (UP
Normal Normal
Active So ~~
At-Rest 65 ~
The determination of which condition, active, or at-rest, is appropriate for design will depend on
~,_ wall flexibility. For walls that are not free to rotate at least 0.1 percent of the wall height at top-
of-grade, the at-rest design condition should be chosen. For walls that are free to rotate to this
degree, the active conditions should be chosen. Heavy compaction equipment should not be used
_ within 18 inches of the back of any wall and where used, it should be used in such a manner as
to avoid over-stressing or deflecting the wall. The wall should be properly braced during
i backfilling if heavy compaction equipment will be used directly behind the wall or possibility for
j excessive lateral pressure surcharge due to compaction is anticipated.
The retaining wall should be provided with permanent drainage to prevent the buildup of
hydrostatic pressure. The drains should consist of a blanket (1 foot minimum thickness) of Class
2 Permeable Material (conforming to Section 68-1.025) State of California Standard
Specifications, dated July, 1995, and a 4-inch diameter perforated pipe (SDR 35) near the bottom
to carry any collected water to a suitable gravity discharge. The permeable material should be
placed from the base of the wall to 1 foot below the top of wall.
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
lob No. 2374.100
Page 7
~ If spread foundation is used the foundation of the retaining walls must be founded at least 2 feet
below adjacent grade on firm competent soil. The retaining wall foundations should be kept moist
L until covered with concrete. We recommend that footings for the retaining walls be designed for
an allowable soil bearing pressure of 2,500 pounds per square foot (psfJ. This value can be
increased by one-third for wind or seismic loading. A passive pressure diagram imposed by an
equivalent fluid having a density of 300 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) may be used in the design if
the area in front of the walls is level for at least 10 feet; passive pressure should be neglected if
the area in front of the wall is not level for within 10 feet of the toe of walls. In addition, the
uppermost 12 inches of soil should be neglected in passive resistance calculation unless the surface
is confined by a slab or pavement. Also, a base friction of 0.35 may be used in the design.
If drilled piers are used, drilled piers should be at least 12 inches in diameter, at least 8 feet deep,
and a minimum center-to-center spacing of 3 times the pier diameter. An allowable vertical skin
friction of 500 psf may be used in the design. Skin friction should be disregarded for the upper
1 foot of embedment. Resistance to lateral loads can be obtained from passive earth pressure
against the drilled pier face. Passive resistance can be calculated by using the pressure imposed
by an equivalent fluid weighing 300 pcf. If the design equations do not include shape factor, then
the passive pressure can be applied over twice the diameter of the pier in the design. Passive
pressure should be neglected in the upper 1 foot of embedment at the toe of the wall. Passive
pressure should be neglected in the zone that does not have at least 10 feet of soil horizontally
from the face of.the pier. The passive pressure may be increased by one-third under wind or
seismic loading.
Drilled pier shafts should be free of all loose soil and debris prior to placement of concrete_ If
water collects in any drilled pier shaft, it should be pumped out immediately prior to placement
of concrete. The piers should be drilled and poured on the same day, leaving the pier holes open
overnight is not recommended.
UTILITY TRENCH EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL
Where trench excavations are more than 5 feet deep, they should be sloped and/or shored.
`+ Temporary walls should be sloped no steeper than lifiH:1V. Flatter trench slopes may be
required if seepage is encountered during construction or if exposed soil conditions differ from
{ those encountered by the test borings. All excavations should conform to applicable State and
.: Federal industrial safety requirements.
J Materials quality, placement procedures and compaction requirements for utility bedding and
shading material should meet the City of South San Francisco or utility agency requirements.
Utility trench backfill above the shading materials may consist of on-site soils provided they are
free of rubble and rock fragments over 4 inches in largest dimension, rubbish, vegetation and
other deleterious substances. On-site soils materials should be brought to above optimum moisture
content, placed in level lifts not exceeding 8 inches in loose thickness, and mechanically
compacted to at least 90 percent relative compaction, per ASTM Designation D 1557-91. No
J jetting is permissible on this project.
J BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Page 8
PRELIlVIINARY PAVEMENT SECTIONS
For planning purposes R-value of 10 was assumed in the preliminary design. Based on a R-value
of 10 and the Caltrans "Design Procedure for Flexible Pavements", we recommend the following
asphalt pavement sections. We have assumed that the assigned "T.I.s" include provisions for
heavy truck traffic related to construction activities. We recommend the following asphalt
pavement sections for planning purposes:
T.I.
' Thickness (inches)
Asphalt Concrete
T e B
Aggregate Base
Class 2
4.0 2'k '1
5.0 21i4 10
6.0 3 13
7.0 3'k 15
Each T.I. represents a different level of use. The owner or project civil engineer should
determine which level of use best reflects the subject road and select appropriate pavement
sections in accordance with the requirement set forth by the City of South San Francisco.
Prior to subgrade preparation, all utility trench backfill in the pavement areas should be properly
placed and compacted as previously recommended.
The upper 9 inches of subgrade soils should be scarified, moisture conditioned and recompacted
to provide a smooth, unyielding surface compacted to at least 95 percent relative compaction.
subgrade soils should be maintained in a moist and compacted condition until covered with the
complete pavement section.
Class 2 aggregate base should conform to the requirements in Section 26, Caltrans "Standard
~~
Specifications , (July, 1995). The aggregate base should be placed in thin lifts in a manner to
prevent segregation, uniformly moisture conditioned, and compacted to at least 95 percent relative
compaction to provide a smooth unYieldin>? surface.
Where drop inlets or other surface drainage structures are to be installed, slots or weep holes
should be provided to allow free drainage of the contiguous base course materials:
SEISMIC RISKS
SEISMICITY AND FAULTING
The site is located in the Coast Range geomorphic province of California and is seismically
dominated by the active San Andreas fault system. The San Andreas fault system is the general
boundary between the northward moving Pacific Plate and southward moving North American
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
' September 1, 1999
• Job No. 2374.100
Page 9
C Plate. In the San Francisco Bay Area, relative plate motions are distributed across a complex
_ system of generally strike-slip, right-lateral, parallel and sub-parallel faults, which include the San
( Andreas, Hayward, Calaveras and San Gregorio faults, among others.
The site is located in close proximity to the active San Andreas and San Gregorio faults located
about 3 and 8 miles to the southwest, respectively (Jennings, 1994). The Hayward and Calaveras
faults are located 16 and 26 miles to the northeast, respectively (Jennings, 1994). Nearby
potentially active faults are the Hillside Fault about 1 miles to the northeast, and San Bruno about
'/a mile to the southwest (Bonilla, 1971).
The currently planned buildings are located outside the State of California Special Studies Zone
for active faults (State of California, 1982). In our opinion, there is a low potential for ground
rupture at the proposed building sites.
GROUND SHAKING
The site is located inclose proximity to the San Andreas fault. Considering the potential for large
earthquakes on this fault as well as other active faults in the region, the likelihood of significant
ground shaking from an earthquake is high.
According to the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC), the following geotechnical engineering
input can be used in the structural design of the buildings:
Seismic Zone 4
Seismic Zone Factor Z = 0.40
Soil Profile T e S
Seismic Source T e A
Closest distance to known Seismic Source 4 Km
-~ LIQUEFACTION
Liquefaction is the temporary transformation of a saturated, cohesionless loose soil into a viscous
liquid during strong ground shaking from a major earthquake. There is no evidence of historic
ground failure due to liquefaction on the site (Youd and Hoose, 1978). Based on the grading
recommendations presented in this report, in particular rework of the existing loose fill and loose
native silty sands within the uppermost 4 to 6 feet of the site surface, the density of the silty and
clayey sands at depth and lack of historical evidence to the contrary on this site, it is our opinion
that the risk of ground failure related to liquefaction appears to be low.
LURCHING
Lurching is the sudden swaying, spreading or rolling of the ground during a strong earthquake.
Lurching can cause fissures in weak soil on slopes or adjacent to open channels or slopes.
Evidence of lateral spreading occurring during the 1906 earthquake near the old area known as
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
lob No. 2374.100
Page 10
Baden is documented (Youd and Hoose, 1978). The observations of the evidence of this lateral
spreading was associated with marshy ground and channel slopes that existed at the time. Since
L the slopes on this project are anticipated to be built with engineered fill composed of compacted
silty sands and marshy ground was not encountered during our investigation, it is our opinion that
the risk of lurching on this site is low.
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
Ground subsidence can occur as a result of "shakedown" when dry, cohesionless soils are
subjected to earthquake vibrations of high amplitude; as a result of extensive subsurface mining
activities; or due to ground water overdrafting. None of these conditions exists on the site;
therefore, ground subsidence is not considered a geologic hazard on the property.
EARTHQUAKE INDUCED LANDSLIDING
L Strong ground shaking during a major earthquake is likely to cause sympathetic reactivation of
landslides in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. The stability of all slopes is lower during
L earthquake disturbances than at other times. Grading of slopes in accordance with this report
should reduce the risk of seismically induced landsliding at the project.
. ADDITIONAL SOIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Prior to construction, we should review the final plans and specifications for conformance with
the intent of our recommendations. In the event that changes in the nature, design or location of
the structures are planned, the conclusions and recommendations presented in this report shall not
be considered valid unless the changes are reviewed by us and the conclusions either verified or
modified as required.
~ To a degree, the performance of these structures are dependent on the procedures and quality of
the construction. Therefore, we should provide on-site soil observations of the contractor's
procedures and the exposed soil conditions, together with field and laboratory testing during site
r preparation and grading, placement and compaction of fill and backfill and foundation
installation. These observations will allow us to check the contractor's work for conformance with
the intent of our recommendations and to observe any unanticipated soil conditions that could
r require modification of our recommendations. In addition, we would appreciate the opportunity
to meet with the contractor prior to the start of grading to discuss the procedures and methods of
construction. This can facilitate the performance of the construction operation and minimize
possible misunderstandings and construction delays.
LIMITATIONS
The area of the barn complex was not available for exploration during our field investigation for
the subject site. The descriptions of soil conditions described in this report may not be accurate
for the area of the barn complex.
BERLOGAR GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
September 1, 1999
Job No. 2374.100
Page 11
The conclusions and recommendations ofthis soil investigation report are based on the information
provided to us regarding the proposed development, subsurface conditions encountered at the test
boring locations, laboratory tests and professional judgment. The study has been conducted in
accordance with current professional geotechnical engineering standards; no other warranty is
expressed or implied.
The logs of the test borings show subsurface conditions encountered at the locations and dates
indicated; it is not warranted that they are representative of such conditions at other locations and
times. The location of the test borings and test pits were estimated by pacing from feasible
features and should be considered approximate only. In the event that changes in the nature,
design, or location of the proposed improvements are planned, or if the subsurface conditions
differ from those described herein during construction, then the conclusions and recommendations
presented in this report should be considered invalid unless the changes are reviewed by us, and
the conclusions either confirmed or modified as required.
Respectfully submitted,
BERLOGAR GEOTEC)E-INICAL CONSULTANTS
Woode St hens Philip se
Project E gineer Principal Engineer
GE 2236, Exp. 6/3
WS/PT:pv
Attachments:
Plate 1 -Vicinity Map
Plate 2 -Site Plan
Plates 3 through 11 -Boring Logs
Plate 12 -Key to Boring Log Symbols
Plate 13 - Atterberg Limits Test Results
Plate 14 -Summary of Single-Point Consolidation Tests
Plate 15 -Summary of Sieve Analysis/Hydrometer Test Data
Plate 16 -#/200 Sieve Test Data
Plate 17 -Summary of Direct Shear Test Data .
Copies: Addressee (6)
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VICINITY MAP
OAK FARM
OAK AVENUE AND COMMERCIAL AVENUE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
FOR
STANDARD BUILDING COMPANY
BASE: PORTION OF U.S.G.S. 7.5 MINUTE TOPOGRAPHIC
OUADRANGLE,SOUTH 3AN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA.
PHOTOREVISED 1080, AT A SCALE OF 124,000.
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June 10, 1999
Mr. Bob Mantegani
Sunstream Homes
1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 305
San Mateo, California 94403
ICES 2305
Subject: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Oak Farms Parcel
South San Francisco, California
Dear Bob:
Enclosed is the Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment Report for the Oak Farms Parcel located
in South San Francisco, California.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have
any questions.
Sincerely,
Le
lA
Enclosure
Engineer
innovative 8 restive
Environmental Solutions
Tel(5t0)E52-3222
Fax(510)652-3555
P. 0. Box 99288
Emeryville G/1
94662-9288
z ~
PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT
OAK FARMS PARCEL
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
June 10, 1999
ICES 2305
Prepared for:
Mr. Bob Mantegani
Sunstream Homes
1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 305
San Mateo, California 94403
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Innovative 6 Creative Euvlncix ertal Solutions
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P. O. Box 99288 Emeryville CA 94662-9288
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
LIST OF FIGURES
. ii
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 BACKGROUND
3.0 SCOPE OF WORK
4.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE
4.1 Site Visit
4.2 Drive-By Reconnaissance
5.0 HISTORY OF THE SITE AND VICINITY
5.1 Aerial Photographs Review
5.2 Sanborn Maps Review
6.0 REGIONAL PHYSIOGRAPHY
7.0 RADON POTENTIAL
8.0 REVIEW OF REGULATORY RECORDS
9.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
10.0 LIMITATIONS
FIGURES
APPENDIX A VISTA SITE ASSESSMENT PLUS REPORT - MAY 4, 1999
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
8
9
i
LIST OF FIGURES
Number
Title
Site Location
Schematic Site Plan
ii
i
June 10, 1999
PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT
OAK FARMS PARCEL
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
ICES 2305
At the request of Mr. Bob Mantegani of Sunstream Homes, Innovative
and .Creative Environmental Solutions (ICES) performed a Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at the Oak Farms Parcel located
in South San Francisco, California ("the Site"; Figure 1). This
report presents:
1. A summary of relevant information obtained;
2. A description of the methods and sources used to obtain
information concerning the Site;
3. Our interpretation of the information,. with respect to
potential environmental concerns; and
4. Our professional opinion concerning the likelihood of
potential soil, groundwater, or surface-water degradation
caused by the presence of hazardous substances, and the need,
if any, for sampling and analysis to document site conditions .
The objectives of this ESA are to:
1. Assess the potential sources of hazardous substances at the
Site as a result of on-site or off-site activities that may
have affected site soil or groundwater quality; and
2. Evaluate the presence of chemically-affected soil on the Site
to the extent indicated by visual observations, personal
interviews, and regulatory records.
The ESA investigated past and present site uses, focusing on the
use, handling, storage, release, or on-site disposal of hazardous
substances, and examined the potential for migration of hazardous
substances onto the Site from reported chemical releases, if any,
in the site vicinity. The assessment was based solely on a review
of available records, visual observations, and personal interviews.
Field sampling was not performed as part of this ESA.
1
T
2.0 BACKGROUND
Row crops have been cultivated at the Site since the late 1930s.
The existing structures at the Site were constructed by 1975.
According to the State Uunderground Storage Tank (UST) list, one
500-gallon and one 1,500-gallon USTs, formerly used to store
unleaded gasoline, were removed from the Site. Mr. David Uccelli,
owner of the Site, reported that the USTs were located along the
western perimeter of the Site and were removed from the Site in the
mid 1980s by ACCUTITE Tank Testing & Maintenance Services of South
San Francisco, California. The State UST list documented that the
USTs had been removed and the case is closed.
3.0 SCOPE OF WORK
This Phase I ESA included the following tasks:
• Review of background information on site setting and
history of site usage
• Field inspection of the Site and neighboring properties
• Review of regulatory records concerning the Site and
surrounding area
• Data evaluation and report preparation
The findings associated with the above tasks are presented below.
4.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE
ICES personnel conducted a walk-through site inspection, and
performed a drive-by reconnaissance of the adjacent properties and
the surrounding area on May 5, 1999. A telephone conversation with
Mr. Uccelli was conducted on June 8, 1999.
4.1 Site Visit
The Site is located on the south side of Oak Avenue, between Grand
and Commercial Avenues. The Site is consisted of the Oak Farms
parcel and the residential structure located on lot 19 of
Commercial Avenue. The irregular shaped parcel slopes gently in
the southeasterly direction.
Oak Farms Limited, a produce farm, currently occupies the Site. A
two-story structure which houses a parking garage on the first
floor and residential units on the second floor is located along
the western portion of the Site. An adjoining one-story warehouse
is located directly south of the two-story structure. Farm
2
equipment and a tractor are parked in the warehouse. A covered
area, wooden water tank, and pump house enclosing a well are
located west of the above mentioned structures. The remaining area
of the Site is used for agricultural applications. Inspection of
the parking garage of the two-story structure indicated that there
were no visible oil stains on the intact concrete floor. A wood
panel floor approximately 10 feet wide runs through the central
portion of the building in the north-south direction. According to
Mr. Uccelli, that section of the building was used to wash produce
harvested from the farm. Two aboveground storage tanks containing
diesel fuel are located northeast of the two-story structure. Mr.
Uccelli reported that the tanks are still active and used to fuel
the farm equipment.
4.2 Drive-by Reconnaissance
A drive-by reconnaissance of the neighboring properties indicated
that landuse in the vicinity of the Site is primarily residential.
Adjacent developments include residential developments to the
north, south, and east of the Site. An undeveloped lot is located
west of the Site. Kingshill of Jehovah's Witness is located
southwest of the Site.
5.0 HISTORY OF THE SITE AND VICINITY
A review of historical aerial photographs and Sanborn Maps aid in
identifying past landuses on the Site and in the immediate vicinity
which may have contributed to environmental concerns in the area.
5.1 Aerial Photographs Review
ICES reviewed historical aerial photographs of the Site and
vicinity at Pacific Aerial Surveys in Oakland, California. The
dates of the aerial photographs reviewed are listed below:
- June 18, 1937
- May 5, 1955
- June 20, 1961
- May 12, 1975
- October 14, 1985
- June 23, 1997
A historical account of the landuse of the Site between 1937 and
1997 based on a review of available aerial photographs is presented
below.
3
The Site
Row crops were cultivated at the Site since the late 1930s. The
existing two-story structure located along the western portion of
the Site was observed in the 1937 aerial photograph. The existing
pump house, wooden water tank, and storage shed located directly
adjacent to the two-story structure were built by 1955. The
building located south of the two-story structure which was
observed in the 1955 aerial photograph, was removed in 1975. The
existing covered area was constructed in place of the building in
1997.
Neighboring Area
The neighboring parcels were generally used for agricultural
applications from the late 1930's through the mid 1950's.
Construction of the existing residential structures in the
surrounding areas were observed in the 1955, 1961, 1975, 1985, and
1997 aerial photographs. The latest residential development
located north of the Site was completed by 1997.
5.2 Sanborn Maps Review
A Sanborn Map site search was conducted by Vista Information
Solutions, Inc. ("Vista") of San Diego, California. The Vista
search indicated that Sanborn Maps are not available for the Site
and the immediate surroundings.
6.0 REGIONAL PHYSIOGRAPHY
The U.S. Geological Survey San Francisco South Quadrangle indicated
that the elevation at the Site is approximately 50 feet above mean
sea level and that the topography at the Site slopes in a
southeasterly direction. The nearest major body of water is the
San Francisco Bay, which lies approximately 3.5 miles east of the
Site.
7.0 RADON POTENTIAL
The radon data presented in this section is based on the California
Statewide Radon Survey Interim Results (CSRSIR) for the County of
San Mateo. Radon is a known human carcinogen and is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that action
should be taken to reduce radon levels when indoor radon levels
exceed 4 pico curies per liter of air (pCi/1),
4
t
The CSRSIR predicts that 5.5 percent of homes in the San Mateo
County would exceed 4 pCi/l. Additionally, California ranks as the
third lowest state for percentage of homes exceeding 4 pCi/1 of the
34 states participating in the radon survey. These survey results
are not intended to predict the radon exposure level measurement in
an individual structure since other factors such as climatic
conditions, soil permeability, house structure, and soil/house
pressures besides geographic location can affect indoor radon
levels. Indoor radon levels at the Site can only be obtained by
sampling and testing existing or future structures. Radon levels
were not measured at the Site.
The potential for radon concentrations to exceed 4 pCi/1 at the
Site is relatively low based on the small percentage of homes in
the County of San Mateo predicted to exceed EPA's recommended
exposure limit.
8.0 REVIEW OF REGULATORY RECORDS
A governmental records report for the Site and the surrounding
areas was prepared by Vista dated May 4, 1999. The geographic
database search was conducted following the American Society for
Testing Materials standards for a government records review. A
copy of the Vista report is included in Appendix A. The record
search included sites on governmental environmental lists within an
area bounded by a one mile radius extending from the Site. The
seventeen governmental lists and sources that were searched by
Vista are:
DATABASE TYPE OF RECORDS REGULATORY
AGENCY
Databases searched to 1 mile
NPL National Priority List
CORRACTS RCRA Corrective Actions
SPL State equivalent priority list
US EPA
US EPA
Cal EPA
5
DATABASE TYPE OF RECORDS REGULATORY
AGENCY
Databases searched to 0.5 mile
SCL State equivalent CERCLIS list Cal EPA
CERCLIS Sites under review by US EPA US EPA
TSD RCRA permitted treatment, storage, US EPA
disposal facilities
LUST Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Cal EPA
SWLF Permitted as solid waste landfills, IWMB
incinerators, or transfer stations
DEED RSTR Sites with deed restrictions CAL EPA
NORTH BAY Sites on North Bay Toxic List RWQCB
SOUTH BAY Sites on South Bay Toxic List RWQCB
CORTESE State index of properties with OEP/OHM
hazardous waste
TOXIC PITS Toxic Pits cleanup facilities RWQCB/DLG
WATER Federal and State Drinking Water USGS/STATE
WELLS Sources
Databases searched to 0.25 mile
RCRA VIOL RCRA violations/enforcement actions US EPA
TRIS Toxic Release Inventory database US EPA
UST/AST Registered underground or Cal EPA
aboveground storage tanks
6
DATABASE
TYPE OF RECORDS
REGULATORY
AGENCY
Databases searched to 0.125 mile
ERNS Emergency Response Notification System
of spills
US EPA
GNRTR RCRA registered small or large generators US EPA
of hazardous waste
Abbreviations:
Cal EPA California Environmental Protection Agency
IWMB Integrated Waste Management Board
OEP/OHM Office of Environmental Protection, Office of Hazardous
Materials
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
US EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
RWQCB/DLG Regional Water Quality Control Board, Division of Loans
Grants
USGS United States Geological Survey
A total of fifty-nine cases with possible releases of chemicals of
concern to the environment were identified within the area of the
search. Vista's regulatory case list review identified
• one LUST case; and
• two UST/AST cases.;
within a one eighth-mile radius from the Site;
• four LUST cases;
• two CORTESE cases; and
• ten UST/AST cases;
within a one quarter-mile radius from the Site;
• thirteen LUST cases; and
• ten CORTESE cases;
within a one half-mile radius from the Site;
7
• no cases;
within a one mile radius from the Site; and
• one CERCLIS case;
• five LUST cases;
• one SWLF cases;
• six CORTESE case; and
• four UST/AST cases;
were listed as "unmapped" sites.
Of the fifty-nine cases, twelve cases are not considered to have
impacted the Site because of its no further action (NFA) status,
its de-listed status, or because no violations were listed. A NFA
status or a de-listed status for a site/case indicates that
chemical releases to the environment had not occurred or had been
successfully remediated. In addition, sites/cases with a "No
Violations" notation have not had known releases of chemicals into
the environment.
Of the remaining forty-seven cases, all forty-seven cases are not
considered to have impacted the Site because of their distance
(approximately one-eighth mile or greater) from the Site, and/or
their relative location down-gradient (southeast) and cross-
gradient from the Site. The local topography suggest that the
local groundwater gradient flows in an southeasterly direction. It
is, therefore, unlikely that properties situated in the down-
gradient locations of the Site could have impacted the Site through
groundwater flow.
9.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Row crops have been cultivated at the Site since the late 1930s.
The existing structures at the Site were constructed by 1975.
Two USTs, formerly used to store unleaded gasoline, were removed
from the Site in the mid 1980s. The State UST list documented that
the USTs had been removed and the case is closed.
Based on the findings of this ESA, ICES recommends that a
preliminary investigation be initially conducted within the Site to
assess the potential presence of contaminants associated with
existing and former activities conducted at the Site.
Specifically, ICES recommends that the following tasks be initially
performed to obtain additional information to adequately
characterize the underlying sediments:
8
i ~
1. Collect soil samples within the Site to assess the potential
presence of organochlorine pesticides associated with
agricultural activities conducted at the Site; and
2. Collect soil sample adjacent to the ASTs to assess the
potential presence of petroleum hydrocarbons.
This recommendation is site specific, based on the information
available at this time and could be revised if new information
necessitating further review of the Site and adjacent facilities
becomes available.
10.0 LIMITATIONS
The Scope of Work for this Phase I ESA did not include collection
or analysis of soil and/or groundwater samples; assessment of the
potential presence of asbestos in building materials; testing of
electrical equipment for the potential presence of polychlorinated
biphenyls; assessment of natural hazards such as naturally
occurring asbestos, radon gas, or methane gas; assessment of the
potential presence of radionuclides; or assessment of nonchemical
hazards, such as the potential for damage from earthquakes or
floods or the presence of endangered species or wildlife habitats.
Therefore, a full and complete determination of environmental risks
was not made. This Phase I ESA also did not include an assessment
of the compliance status of the Site, or of the businesses
operating at the Site.
The observations and conclusions presented in this report are
professional opinions based on the scope of activities and
information obtained through the Phase I ESA described above.
Opinions presented herein apply to site conditions at the time of
our study, and cannot apply to site conditions or changes of which
we are not aware, or which we have not had the opportunity to
evaluate. It must be recognized that any conclusions drawn from
these data rely on the integrity of the information available to
ICES at the time of the investigation. Soil and/or groundwater
sampling and analysis would provide additional level of confidence
with respect to potential environmental risks at the Site.
This report is exclusively for the use of Mr. Bob Mantegani. Any
reliance on this report by a third party shall be at such party's
sole risk.
9
i
July 8, 1999
Mr. Bob Mantegani
Sunstream Homes
1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 305
San Mateo, California 94403
ICES 2305
Subject: Phase II Site Investigation
Oak Farms Parcel
South San Francisco, California
Dear Bob:
Enclosed is the Phase II Site Investigation Report
for the screening of surficial soil at the Oak
Farms Parcel in South San Francisco, California.
The sampling activities included collecting a total
of ten soil samples and selectively analyzing the
samples for organochlorine pesticides and petroleum
hydrocarbon constituents.
If you have any questions or comments concerning
this report, please call us.
Sincerely,
eng Leon
'ncipa Engineer
Enclosure
Innovatlva 8 reative
Environmental Soltrttons
Tel(5t0)652-3222
Fax(510) 652-3555
P. 0. Box 99288
Emeryvill; GA
94662-9288
PHASE II SITE INVESTIGATION
OAK FARMS PARCEL
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
July 8, 1999
ICES 2305
Prepared for:
Mr. Bob Mantegani
Sunstream Homes
1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 305
San Mateo, California 94403
~~~.
~.
",3
Innovative b Creative .EmrlrorjmenI Solutions
,a;,c.*-
P. O. Box 99288 Emeryville CA 94662-9288
... (510) 652-3221 ...
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRGE
LIST OF TABLES ii
LIST OF FIGURES iii
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ~. 1
3.0 BACKGROUND 2
4.0 INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES 2
5.0 LABORATORY ANALYSIS 3
6.0 INVESTIGATION RESULTS 3
6.1 Field Observations 3
6.2 Laboratory Analytical Results 3
7.0 DISCUSSION 4
8.0 EXCLUSIONS 4
TABLES
FIGURES
APPENDIX A LABORATORY CERTIFICATES
i
LIST OF TABLES
N[JMBER
TITLE
1 Laboratory Analytical Results of Organochlorine
Pesticides Detected in Soil
2 Laboratory Analytical Results of Petroleum
Hydrocarbons Detected in Soil
ii
LIST OF FIGURES
NUMBER
TITLE
Site Location
Sample Locations
iii
July 8, 1999
PHASE II SITE INVESTIGATION
OAK FARMS PARCEL
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
ICES 2305
This report presents the findings of a Phase II site investigation
("the investigation") conducted by Innovative and Creative
Environmental Solutions (ICES) at the Oak Farms Parcel located in
South San Francisco, California ("the Site"; Figure 1).
The investigation was conducted to address the concerns presented
in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) performed in
June I999. Soil samples were collected to assess the potential
presence of:
1. Organochlorine pesticides in the underlying soil associated
with past and present activities conducted at the Site; and
2. Petroleum hydrocarbons from the two aboveground storage tanks
(AST) located at the northwestern portion of the Site.
The investigation was limited to collecting soil samples and
selectively analyzing the samples for organochlorine pesticides,
and petroleum constituents.
2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
The Site is located on the south side of Oak Avenue, between Grand
and Commercial Avenues. The Site consists of the Oak Farms parcel
and the residential structure located on Lot 19 of Commercial
Avenue. The irregular shaped parcel slopes gently in the
southeasterly direction.
Oak Farms Limited, a produce farm, currently occupies the Site. A
two-story structure which houses a parking garage on the ground
floor and residential units on the second floor is located along
the western portion of the Site. An adjoining one-story warehouse
1
is located directly south of the two-story structure. Farm
equipment and a tractor are parked in the warehouse. A covered
area, wooden water tank, and a pump house enclosing a well are
located west of the abovementioned structures. The remaining area
of the Site is used for agricultural applications. An
approximately 10-feet wide wood panel floor oriented in the north-
south direction which covered a subsurface concrete box was
observed along the central portion of the two-story building.
According to Mr. David Uccelli, the current owner of the Site, the
concrete box was used to wash produce harvested from the farm. Two
ASTs containing diesel fuel are located northeast of the two-story
structure. Mr. Uccelli reported that the ASTs are still active and
used to fuel the farm equipment.
3.0 BACI{GROUND
Row crops have been cultivated at the Site since the late 1930s.
Vegetables are currently being planted in the open field. The
existing structures at the Site were constructed by 1975.
According to the State Underground Storage Tank (UST) list, one
500-gallon and 'one 1,500-gallon USTs, formerly used to store
unleaded gasoline, were removed from the~Site. Mr. Uccelli
reported that the USTs were located along the western perimeter of
the Site and were removed from the Site in the mid 1980s by
ACCUTITE Tank Testing & Maintenance Services of South San
Francisco, California. The State UST list documented that the USTs
had been removed and the case is closed.
4.0 INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES
A total of ten soil samples were collected. One soil sample was
collected from each of the ten shallow test pits. Eight soil
samples (samples S-1 through S-8) were collected in the open field
by scraping from the floor of the test pits at a depth of
approximately 1 foot below the existing ground surface directly
into 4-ounce glass jars. Sample S-9 was collected in a similar
manner from the floor of the concrete box. The remaining soil
sample (sample AST-1) was collected adjacent to the ASTs by driving
a clean brass tube to a depth of approximately 1 foot below the
existing ground surface. Figure 2 illustrates the approximate
sample locations.
The filled brass tube, and 4-ounce glass jars were immediately
capped, sealed, labeled, and placed in a chilled cooler containing
crushed ice for transportation to the laboratory. Proper
documentation and field chain-of-custody procedures were followed.
2
All equipment used during this investigation which came into
contact with contaminated materials was thoroughly decontaminated
before and after each use. This was accomplished by washing with
Alconox (a laboratory-grade detergent) and rinsing with deionized
or distilled water.
5.0 LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Samples S-1 through S-9 were sent to Caltest Analytical Laboratory
of Napa, California, astate-certified laboratory, and analyzed for
organochlorine pesticides using EPA Method 8080.
Sample AST-1 was sent to McCampbell Analytical Inc. of Pacheco,
California, and analyzed for:
• Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) as gasoline (TPHg)
using EPA Method 5030/GCFID;
• Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and methyl
tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using EPA Method 8020; and
• TPH as diesel (TPHd) and TPH as motor oil (TPHo) using
EPA Method 8015M.
These samples were analyzed on a normal 5-day turnaround basis.
6.0 INVESTIGATION RESULTS
The field observations and laboratory analytical results are
presented below. The laboratory analytical results are summarized
in Tables .l and 2. Laboratory certificates are presented in
Appendix A.
6.1 Field Observations
The Site was underlain by light tan to brown silty-sand to the
total depth of the test pits. Groundwater was not encountered at
the floor of the test pits.
6.2 Laboratory Analytical Results
The laboratory analytical results are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
Laboratory certificates are presented in Appendix A. The results
are as follows:
Analysis of the soil samples indicated that:
3
Organochlorine Pesticides
• The organochlorine pesticides analyzed using EPA Method 8080
were below their respective detection limits.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
• TPHg concentration was less than 1.0 mg/kg (not detected).
• Benzene concentration was less than 0.005 mg/kg (not
detected).
• Toluene concentration was less than 0.005 mg/kg (not
detected).
• Ethylbenzene concentration was less than 0.005 mg/kg (not
detected).
• Xylenes concentration was less than 0.005 mg/kg (not
detected).
• MTBE concentration was less than 0.050 mg/kg (not detected).
• TPHd concentration was 1.4 mg/kg.
• TPHo concentration was 11 mg/kg.
7.0 DISCUSSION
Laboratory analytical results indicated that the soil samples
collected in the open field and from the floor of the concrete box
inside the two-story structure contained non-detectable
concentrations of organochlorine pesticides. The soil sample
collected adjacent to the ASTs contained non-detectable
concentrations of TPHg, BTEX, and MTBE; and low concentrations of
TPHd and TPHo.
Based on the laboratory analytical results, it appears that
surficial soil within the Site is not impacted with organochlorine
pesticides. Additionally, the surficial soil within the ASTs is
not significantly impacted by petroleum constituents.
8.0 EXCLUSIONS
The evaluations and recommendations presented in this report are
based on the limited site investigation results available at this
time and could be revised if new information necessitating further
4
review of the Site becomes available. The above evaluations are
only valid for the time during which the guidelines on which the
evaluations were based are considered acceptable by the relevant
regulatory agencies.
ICES assumes no responsibility or liability for the reliance hereon
or use hereof of information contained in this report by anyone
other than the party to whom it is addressed.
5
BAAQNID CEQA GUIDELINES 14 April, 1996
' TABLE 2 .
FEASIBLE CONTROL MEASURES FOR CONSTRUCTION EMISSIONS OF PMio
Basic Contra111'teasures. The #'o~loR~ing contrdls should be implemented at all
constriction sites '.: ,
• Water all active construction areas at least twice daily.
• Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand, and other loose materials or require all trucks to
maintain at least two feet of freeboard.
• Pave, apply water three times daily, or apply (non-toxic) soil stabilizers on all
unpaved access roads, parking areas and staging azeas at construction sites.
• Sweep daily (with water sweepers) all paved access roads, parking azeas and
staging areas at construction sites.
• Sweep streeu daily (with water sweepers) if visible soil material is carved onto
adjacent public streets.
Enhanced Control'Measnres ; The ~oilostiing measures should be implemented at
.. ,
construction sites greater than`#oar acres in area.
• All "Basic" control measures listed above.
• Hydroseed or apply (non-toxic) soil stabilizers to inactive construction areas
(previously graded areas inactive for ten days or more).
• Enclose, cover, water twice daily or apply (non-toxic) soil binders to exposed
stockpiles (dirt, sand, etc.)
• Limit traffic speeds on unpaved roads to 15 mph.
• Install sandbags or other erosion control measures to prevent sih runoff to public
roadways.
• Replant vegetation in disturbed azeas as quickly as possible.
Optional Control 'Measures. - 'The following .control measures :;are strongly:
encouraged at construction si#es that are :large in area, located wear sensitive
receptors or vrhich ;for ::any .other reason ?:may warrant .additional emissions
,.. ..
reductions.
• Install wheel washers for all exiting trucks, or wash off the tires or tracks of all
trucks and equipment leaving the site.
• Install wind breaks, or plant trees/vegetative wind breaks at windward side(s) of
construction azeas.
• Suspend excavation and grading activity when winds (instantaneous gusts) exceed
25 mph.
• Limit the azea subject to excavation, grading and other construction activity at any
one time.
FROM ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP (FRI) 1.14'00 10:59/ST.10:58/N0.4861546928 P ~
Historical Evaluation
The Lux Barn
for
The City of South San Francisco
South San Francisco, California
prepared for the
City of South San Francisco
Planning Division
prepared by
Architectural Resources Getup
Architects, Platmcrs ~ Conservators, Inc.
San Frandsco, California
December 7+ 1999 ~~~~
FROM AACHITECTUAAI, AESOUACES GROUP (FAI) 1. 14' 00 10:59/ST. 10:58/N0.4861546928 P
Historical Evaluation -lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised)
Introduction
In response to the request of the City of South San Francisco, Architectural Resources Group
(A1tG) has prepared a review of the significance of the Lux Barn at 150 Oak Avenue in South
San Francisco, California. We have reviewed the historical resource for eligibility for the
California Register of Historic Resources (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter
11.5, Sa;tiw 4850). The California Register criteria are linked to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 1`Jnder CEQA resources are considered historically
significant "if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the California Register..." {Title
14 California Code of Regulations 15064.5 (3)}.
On November i5, 1999 ARG staff members visited the site. At that time, the building and
surrounding streetscape were photographed. Additionally, ARG researched the history of the
building at the South San Francisco Public Library History Room, the San Francisco Public
Library lIistory Room and the collection of the San Mateo County Historical Society.
As a result of the research conducted for this report, ARG has determined that the Lux Elam is
potentially individually eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources (California
Register) under Criterion 1: resources associated with events or patterns of events that have
maclc x significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the
cultural heritage of California or the United States_ This is one of the few buildings
remaining in South San Francisco that date to the 1850s. It is associated with two historic
contexts: the development of the Lux Mansion as well as small-scale family farming in South
San Francisco during the late nineteenth aAd early twentieth centuries.
The potential for archaeological resources has not been assessed as part of this review.
CEtZq and the California Register of Historical Resources .
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) resources are evaluated using
California Register criteria. CEQA requires review of discretionary projects by the Lead
Agency. Future projects at the Lux Barn site could result in the substantial adverse change in
the significance of the historical resource. The Public Resources Code defines "substantial
adverse change" as "demolition, destruction, relocation or alteration such that the
significance of an historical resource would he impaired" (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5020.1q).
Historical resources include, but are not limited to, "any object, building, structure, site, area,
place, record or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically significant, or is
significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational,
social, political, military, or cultural awls of California" (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5020.1j).
Resources that meet the California Register criteria are considered historical resources under
CEQA.
The California Register criteria are modeled after the National Register of Historic Places
(National Register) criteria; however, the California Register focuses on resources that have
contributed to the development of California and its rural and municipal areas. All resources
listed in or formally determined eligible for the National Registea are eligible for the
California Register. In addition, properties designated under municipal ctr county ordinances
are also eligible for listing in the California Register- An historical resource must be
significant at the local, state, or national level under one or more of the following criteria that
are defined in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Section 4850.
1. It is associated with events or patterns of events that have. made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultwal heritage of
California or the United States; or
ARCHiTECT[JRAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners f~ Coasrrntors, Inc.
FROM ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP (FRI) 1. 14' 00 11:00/ST. 10:58/0.4861546928 P 4
Historical Evaluation - Lwc Barn
C'rty of South San Francisco
December 7, aggg (revised) Page 2
2. It is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national
history; or
3. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or
4. It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or
history of the local area, California or the nation.
Building Description
The Lux Barn, as it is locally known, is situated near Oak Avenue at the edge of
approximately two acres of vegetable fields. It is a two-story, side-gabled, wood-frame
building. A one-story, shed-roofed lean-to has been added across the full width of the barn's
east elevation. The entire structure is red with white trim and fascia board. The Oak Avenue
elevation has two large openings for truck loading at the south end, and a small door leading
to stairs up to the second-story residential areas on the north end. l:'rvc one-over-one, double-
hung windows run along the second floor of this front elevation. A single, small square
window pierces the north end of the barn, at the upper level. On the south end, a steel stair
with concrete tzcads has been added to the exterior to access tl» second story. One window is
located on each side of this entrance. The upper floor has five double-hung windows like the
front, plus two small square windows, presumably in the bathrooms. The front and north
eiev~tions of the barn are clad with composition shingles patterned to imitate brick, likely
installed in the I950s or 1960s. The south and rear elevations have vertical wood slat siding,
paroled red. The original barn exterior, visible inside Lhe shed roofed addition, consisted of
horizontal woad siding, with wide grooves between each board.
Inside the loading entrance is a large open area for cleanuig and packing vegetables harvested
at this small farm. The majority of the floor has been paved with concrete, but several patches
are covered with floor boards, with open slits between allowing drainage to a pit below. The
rafters and braced-frame wcxxi stn~cture are exposed on the interior. Corrugated metal has
been attached over the lower portion of the walls, presumably to prevent water damage. A
small water closet has been built in one comer of this rc-o~», and a door m the northeastern
comer leads to additional storage space. The interior is painted white.
There are two separate residential areas upstairs, both of which consist of several small rooms
off a central living room.
Other structures on the site include a black water tower neaz the southeast corner of the barn,
and a small storage shack in the fields further south on Oak Street. This is a simple square
structure with a low gable roof, clad entirely in corrugated metal, pnintcd red to match the
barn. A tall red picket fence separates the fields from the street south of the barn.
Historical Overview
In the early 1950s, Chazles Lux, with his partner Henry Miller, purchased approximately
1,500 acres of land for cattle ranching in and around what is now the Ciry of South San
Francisco_ On a portion of this land, Lux developed what became swell-known estate, with a
famous mansion and elaborate manicured gardens.' The main house on the estate was
demolished in 1923. The barn now located at 150 Oak Avenue was originally an outbuilding
for the Lux Mansion. There are differing stories as to the building's original purpose-it has
been called a carriage house, buggy repair shop, and a bam.
Peter Uccelli Sr., an immigrant to South San Francisco from Genoa, Italy, purchased several
acres near the intersection of Grand and Oak Avenue in 1924. On this small farm, Uccelli
and his family grew their own grapes for wine, and potatoes and vegetables for sale. Alice
ARCxrrECrirRAL R>:sotnzc~s GROUP
Archicccts, Planners ~ Conservacocs, inc.
FROM AACHITECTURAI, RESOURCES GROUP (FRI) 1.14'00 11 :01/ST.10:58/N0.4861546928 P
Historical Evaluation -lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7, a9g9 (revised) Page 3
Marsili, daughter of Peter Uccelli, remembered that her father and three brothers moved the
barn themselves from the former Lux estate in the early 1930s. `"They moved it with rollers.
You had to have a horse to pull and then they would move these rollers and it took a few
days."~ However, the building appears at the Oak Avenue location as early ai the 1925 South
San Francisco Sanborn Map. Based on the Sanborn information, the building was likely
moved in the early 1920x, perhaps when Peter Uccelli constructed his home at 919 Grand
Avenue in 1924, on an adjacent lot to the barn site' The 1925 Sanborn map clearly shows
the one story shed addition to the barn. Further as the Lux Mansion was demolished in 1923
the relocation of the barn a year later is a logical chain of events.
The building has remained in active use as a barn and agricultural storage facility since its
move to Oak Avenue. The upper floor has been used for residential purposes for somC ycazs.
George Uccelli, Ms. Marsili's brother, ran the farm after their father passed away.
Determination of Eligibility
This resource appears to meet Criterion 1 of the California Register. resources that are
associated with events or patterns of events that have made a s~gni.ficant contribution to the
broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the Llnited
States. The Lux 13arn is one of the few buildings remaining in Suuth San Francisco that date
to the late 1850s. It is associated with two historic contexts: the development of the Lux
Mansion as well as small-scale family farming in South San Francisco during the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The period of significance for this resource ranges
from 'the late 1850s, when this building was constructed for use on the Lux Estate, through
the 1964s when the Uccelli family was still farming neaz the barn site. Since the i960s the
acreage of farmed land in South San Francisco has declined to accommodate increased need
for housing in the area.
1 ntegrity
Once a resource has been identified as significant and potentially eligible for the California
Registers, its historic integrity must be evaluated. Integrtty is the authenticity of an historical
resource's physical identity evtdenced by the survival of characteristics t}tat existed during the
resources penod of significance. Integrity involves several aspects including location, design,
setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. These aspects closely relate to the
resource's significance and must be primarily intact for California Register eligibility.
integrity must also be judged with reference to the particular criteria under which a resource
is proposed for eligibility.
While the Lux Barn has been altered and presently is sided with composition shingles
intended to replicate red brick, the original wood siding appears to be present under the outer
layer of composition shingles. These earlier alterations have revolved around creating living
spaces on the second floor and upgrades to the lower floor agricultural uses. However, it is the
opinion of A1ZU that the building retains enough integrity to convey its significance as a
remaining resource from the Lux Mansion converted for use on a small farm owned by an
important South San Francisco fannily.
The California Register regulations have speck language regarding integrity which note:
It is possible that historical resources may not retain sufficient integrity to meet the
criteria for listing in the National Register, but they may still be eligible for listing in
the California Register. A resource that has lost its historic character or appearance
may still have sufficient integrity for the California Register... {California Code of
Regulations Title 15, 11.5 (c) } .
Alzcl-ilrl:rn~l. RlsoUaa~s G>zoup
Architects, Planners £~ Conservators, Inc.
FROM AACHITECTUAAI, RESOURCES GROUP IFAII 1. 14' 00 11:01/ST. 10:58/N0.4861546928 P 6
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
C'rty of South San Francesco
Decemise~, sg (reviseei) _ Pa-g~
Project Impacts To Historic Resources
Future demolition of the Lux Barn would likely result in a substantial adverse change to
historical resotuces. If a future new use for the site does not include the reuse of the Lux
Barn, moving the Barn should be considered during environmental review. While moving the
resource will not likely lower the impact to the historic resource to a less than significant level,
it will result in the retention of a stgnificant building that has been moved previously.
Additionally, as the acreage of the Uccelli farm has dwindled and modem housing
encroaches on the property, the Lux Barn has lost some of its site context. Although the barn
is in poor condition, it appears to be in sufficiently sound structural condition to consider
relocation to another site. The wood members appear to be in good condition and the
building sits on a concrete slab that likely dates [o the 192Us when it was moved to this
location.
If the barn is moved, precautions should be taken so that the significannl features of the
building are not destroyed in the process of moving. The guidelines and suggestions put
forward in the publication Mu>>ing Historic Buildings by john (a. Curtis should aid in this
process. If work performed on the building after its move to a new location complied with
The Secretary of the Interior's Stc,iclards for Rehahilitatiun, impacts to the building wilt be
further lessened.
Cost of Moving the Barn
The cost of moving the Barn can not be fully determined until a new site is locatcil rind a
building mover can be contacted to perform a cost estimate. However, when the cost estimate
is developed the following issues (and perhaps others) should be considered in regard to the
cost:
• type of move: dismantle the resuurce or move in large sections
+ distance of the relocation
• cost of a new foundation
• cost of plumbing and electrical installments if necessary
• path of travel and any obstructions such as overhead wires, difficult turns, property
lines, xnd public right of ways restrictions
• hazardous materials abatement
Attachments
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
1925 South San Francisco Sanborn Map
ARCI-1tI'EC1•iJR~-L RFSOIJRCES GROUP
Architects, Planncis CJ Conservators, Inc.
FROM AACHITECTUAAI, RESOURCES GROUP (FAI) 1.14'00 11 :02/ST.10:58/N0.4861546928 P 1
Historical Evaiuatlon -lux Barn
Gty of South San Franasco
December 7, X999 revised) Page 5
Bibliography
Bambtug, Bonnie. Depanment of Parks and Recreation. State Historic Resources Inventory
Form on the Loa Barn (150 Oak Avenue). May 1986.
Curtis, John Obed. Moving Ilistaric Buildings. Nashville, Tennessee: Atneriean Association
of State and Local History. 1979.
Gebhard, David. Architecrz~re in San Francisco and Northern California. Salt Lakc City:
Peregrine Smith, 1985.
Kauffman, Linda. South San Francisco: A History. South San Francisco: 1976-
Kirker, Harold. California's Architectural Frontier: Style wul Traclitiun in ~hc: Nineteenth
Century. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith, 1973.
Pence, Helen Patricia. Charles I.ecx and Nis Snrtth Sccn Franciscan Hone. San Mateo County
Historical Association, 1950.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for South San Francisco, 1910, 1925, 1950.
San Franci.crn: The. Bay and Its Gibes. Compiled by Workers of the Writers' Progrnm of the
Works Progress Administration in Northern California. New York: Hastings House, 1940.
San Mateo County Historical Society Archives Collection.
~South San Francisco History Room Vertical Files and Photographs.
"The South San Francisco Home of James Lux." La Peninsula. Volume 11, No. 3: October
1957.
Treadwell, Edward F. The Cattle King. Western Tanager Press, Santa Cruz: 1981.
"'The Uccelli Family" South San Francisco History Room Vertical Files and Photographs.
Woodbridge, Sally. San Francisco Architecture. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1992.
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Plu~ners t~ Coasavacors, Inc.
FROM ARCHITECTURAL, RESOURCES GROUP (FR11 1. 14' 00 11:02/ST. 10:58/N0.4861546928 P 8
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
• City of South San Francisco
December 7. s9g9 ~evlsed) Page 6
Endnote,
"The South San Francisco Home of James Lux:' La Peninsula. Volume l I, No. 3: October 1957.
2 '7he Uccelli Family:' SSF Library Historical Projex:t, 1976. page 4.
s "The Uccelli Family." SSF Library Historical Project, 1976. page 3.
ARCHITECIIJ1tAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, planners E~ Canscrvators, lnc.
APPENDIX C
HILLIARD LAU ARCHITECTS REPORT
HISTORIC EVALUATION-ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE GROUP
R. TROUST MOVING MEMORANDUM
57 Post Street, Suite 5l2
San Francisco, CA 94/04-5020
Tel 41 S 989 6400 Fax 989 3056
January 26, 2000
Ms. Allison Knapp Wollam
Planning Department, City of South San Francisco
315 Maple Street
South San Francisco, California 94083
Fax: 650 829-6639
RE: Review of the Lux Mansion Carriage House
Dear Ms. Wollam:
I have inspected the Lux Mansion Carriage House in South San Francisco. Following is a
brief description of the building, and two possible scenarios (with associated costs) of what to do
with it.
Carriage houses in the 1800's
were utilitarian structures for storing
carriages, tack, feed and sometimes used
as stables. A good example of a San
Francisco bay area 1800's carriage
house/stables kept in original condition
that I know of is located at the Dunsmuir
House (opened to the public) in Oakland.
This building is lavishly ornamented both
inside and out. Another carriage house
that I am familiar with was located at a
private residence in Piedmont. It was on
the grounds of an 1800's vintage mansion
that (in the 1970's) had the original
carriage house in place. This carriage
house, while smaller than the Dunsmuir
carriage house was beautifully detailed
with wood ornament and exquisitely
proportioned. It again was a very ' ±I 4 ~ ~ u
~,s
utilitarian structure, with the first floor for _"~c`'~'`~ . _,"
carriage storage and an upper floor for -
hay, feed and tack storage. In addition to 3j 4
windows this upper floor had an exterior
door with a hoist beam above it, still with a block in place for hoisting hay and feed into the
second story.
Unfortunately the Lux Mansion Carriage House was picked up and moved to a different
location in the 1920's and even more destructive to the building, the use was changed. The first
floor of the carriage house was remodeled and expanded into an agricultural storage building and
the upper floor was turned into two apartments. The wood framed structure and exterior siding
of the original building are buried under a century of renovations and remodeling, but almost all
signs or even clues of the original carriage house have disappeared. Even the added layers of
siding and wood trim are in poor condition with dry rot apparent in much of the exterior trim
including corner trim and roof overhang. The two apartments do not meet minimum basic life
safety requirements of the Building
Code. The building code requirement
'.
that would be most difficult to correct f
would be the minimum ceiling height
requirement, as all of the second floor
ceilings are only seven feet high. The
required fire separation between the first
floor agricultural storage and the
apartments is non-existent. The
electrical system is an example of one
hundred years of patching things
together. There is simply not a lot of
historic carriage house left to save.
SCENARIO ONE The least expensive
scenario and perhaps the one most in
keeping with the building's heritage,
would be to move the building again, to
a utility or maintenance yard of a school
district, utility company, or
transportation company. Once located
in the maintenance yard, the building
could be "restored" by demolishing the
residential interiors, the electrical and
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1
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plumbing systems, and restoring the
building back to its original utilitarian
use of storage. Cost of this renovation would be the cost of moving the building (which I
understand a house moving company is currently estimating), and demolition of the residential
interiors and installation of a new foundation, shear walls with hold-downs, and new electrical and
lighting systems. Restricting the amount of "renovation" to match up with available budget I
estimate the minimum cost not including moving costs could be kept to $200,000. If a more
extensive historical restoration was desired you could spend enormous amounts of time and
money on research and careful restoration and rebuilding. Architectural research and design fees
for historical restoration projects commonly exceed 25% of the construction costs. Building costs
can go offthe charts depending on just how exactly you want to match the original building. If
you decide to go this route, you should start with a budget of $800,000.
SCENARIO TWO If you decide to leave the building where it is and change the use of the
building to a different occupancy, you will trigger a building code requirement to bring the entire
building up to current code. This may cost more than demolishing the entire building and building
a new building for the following reasons: 1. A restrained and careful demolition of the previous
100 years of "remodeling and renovations" will cost more than an unrestrained demolition of the
Page 2
entire building. 2. New foundations will likely be required. Having to work around the existing
building to demolish the existing foundations and to build new ones will cost more. 3. It will cost
more to work with and around the existing exterior siding and structure than new construction.
The building could be changed to a variety of other uses, other than residential (second floor
ceilings are too low): Day care center. Small
community center with a variety of programs
such as senior lunch programs, after school
youth activities, community art classes.
Considering the difficulty of working around, in
and under an existing building to provide a new
fully code compliant use for the building, you
should budget $800,000. to complete the work.
It is unfortunate that the Lux Mansion wasn't
moved along with the Lux Carriage House in
the 1920's, it would have given us more to
work with in the 2000's.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Hilliard, AIA
Principal
Page 3
R. TROST MOVING, INC.
P.O. BOX 191
PlTTS9URG, CA 94565
PHONE: (925) 777-0273 FAX: (925) 777-p275
January 25, 2000
Architectural Resource Group
pier 4, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attention: rs. Bridget Maley
RE: the barn located at t50 Dak Avenue
in South San Francisco,
A xepresentative of R. Trost Moving, Inc. has visited and inspect-
' ed the structure located at 150 Oak Avenue in South San Francisco,
we are pleased to present the following range price to relocate
the above named structure.
opTloN "A": Relocate the Darn in one piece.
Range Price: S 15,000 to S 20,000.
SNr7.rmr_S ~'HE ,~OLLO~+],~NG t
- The relocation cost of the structure only.
Having good access to the propo9ed site.
- The relocation distance is short. For example
thG vacant lot on the opposite side of the road.
- Able to accomplish this relocation operation
without disconnecting/reconnecting the utility
lines from the power poles.
LxcLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Utility escorts
- Foundation construction .
- Interior renovation
- Hazardous material rpsnoval or disposal
- Permit fees
- No pa=King signs
-- Tree cutting or pruning
OPTION "B": Relocate the barn in tWO sections.
Range price: ~ 30,400 to = 35,U0~.
- Relocation GOSt of the structure only.
- Relocation distance expanded to a one mile radius.
- Bracing the perimeter walls a! the structure
from ground level to the eaves.
- Cutting the roof from the structure 2tt the rafter
.line.
- Remove the root from thQ structure Dy using a
crane.
- Structurally reconnect the tvo building sections.
- Moving both sections of the structure at one time
in a convoy to the proposed site.
EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Utility escorts
- Foundation construction
Interior renovation
- Hazardous materis-1 removal or disposal
- Permit fees
- No parking signs
- Tree cutting or pruning
Sincerely,
Frank J. Krol
~ereral Manager
Por:
Ted A. Waterman
President
R. Trost Moving, Inc.
Historical Evaluation
The Lux Barn
for
The City of South San Francisco
South San Francisco, California
... ...................................................................................
prepared for the
City of South San Francisco
Planning Division
prepared by
Architectural Resources Group
Architects, Planners £~ Conservators, Inc.
San Francisco, California
......................................................................................
December ~, iggg (revised)
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised)
Introduction
In response to the request of the City of South San Francisco, Architectural Resources Group
(ARG) has prepared a review of the significance of the Lux Barn at 150 Oak Avenue in South
San Francisco, California. We have reviewed the historical resource for eligibility for the
California Register of Historic Resources (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter
11.5, Section 4850). The California Register criteria are linked to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under CEQA resources are considered historically
significant "if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the Califomia Register..." {Title
14 California Code of Regulations 15064.5 (3)}.
On November 15, 1999 ARG staff members visited the site. At that time, the building and
surrounding streetscape were photographed. Additionally, ARG researched the history of the
building at the South San Francisco Public Library History Room, the San Francisco Public
Library History Room and the collection of the San Mateo County Historical Society.
As a result of the research conducted for this report, ARG has determined that the Lux Barn is
potentially individually eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources (California
Register) under Criterion 1: resources associated with events or patterns of events that have
made a significant contribution.to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the
cultural heritage of California or the United States. This is one of the few buildings
remaining in South San Francisco that date to the 1850s. It is associated with two historic
contexts: the development of the Lux Mansion as well as small-scale family farming in South
San Francisco during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The potential for archaeological resources has not been assessed as part of this review.
CEQq and the California Register of Historical Resources
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) resources are evaluated using
Califomia Register criteria. CEQA requires review of discretionary projects by the Lead
Agency. Future projects at the Lux Barn site could result in the substantial adverse change in
the significance of the historical resource. The Public Resources Code defines "substantial
adverse change" as "demolition, destruction, relocation or alteration such that the
significance of an historical resource would be impaired" (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5020.1q).
Historical resources include, but are not limited to, "any object, building, structure, site, area,
place, record or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically significant, or is
significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational,
social, political, military, or cultural annals of California" (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5020.1 j).
Resources that meet the California Register criteria are considered historical resources under
CEQA.
The California Register criteria are modeled after the National Register of Historic Places
(National Register) criteria; however, the California Register focuses on resources that have
contributed to the development of California and its rural and municipal areas. All resources
listed in or formally determined eligible for the National Register are eligible for the
California Register. In addition, properties designated under municipal or county ordinances
are also eligible for listing in the California Register. An historical resource must be
significant at the local, state, or national level under one or more of the following criteria that
are defined in the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Section 4850.
1. It is associated with events or patterns of events that have made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of
California or the United States; or
ARCHITECTCTRAL RESOURCES GROUP
Arclutecu, Planners £~ Conservators, Inc.
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised) Page ~
2. It is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national
history; or
3. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or
4. It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or
history of the local area, California or the nation.
Building Description
The Lux Barn, as it is locally known, is situated near Oak Avenue at the edge of
approximately two acres of vegetable fields. It is a two-story, side-gabled, wood-frame
building. A one-story, shed-roofed lean-to has been added across the full width of the barn's
east elevation. The entire structure is red with white trim and fascia board. The Oak Avenue
elevation has two large openings for truck loading at the south end, and a small door leading
to stairs up to the second-story residential areas on the north end. Five one-over-one, double-
hung windows run along the second floor of this front elevation. A single, small square
window pierces the north end of the barn, at the upper level. On the south end, a steel stair
with concrete treads has been added to the exterior to access the second story. One window is
located on each side of this entrance. The upper floor has five double-hung windows like the
front, plus two small square windows, presumably in the bathrooms. The front and north
elevations of the bam are clad with composition shingles patterned to imitate brick, likely
installed in the 1950s or 1960s. The south and rear elevations have vertical wood slat siding,
painted red. The original barn exterior, visible inside the shed roofed addition, consisted of
horizontal wood siding, with wide grooves between each board.
Inside the loading entrance is a large open area for cleaning arni packing vegetables harvested
at this small farm. The majority of the floor has been paved with concrete, but several patches
are covered with floor boards, with open slits between allowing drainage to a pit below. The
rafters and braced-frame wood structure are exposed on the interior. Corrugated metal has
been attached over the lower portion of the walls, presumably to prevent water damage. A
small water closet has been built in one corner of this room, and a door in the northeastern
corner leads to additional storage space. The interior is painted white.
There are two separate residential areas upstairs, both of which consist of several small rooms
off a central living room.
Other structures on the site include a black water tower near the southeast corner of the barn,
and a small storage shack in the fields further south on Oak Street. This is a simple square
structure with a low gable roof, clad entirely in corrugated metal, painted red to match the
barn. A tall red picket fence separates the fields from the street south of the barn.
Historical Ov
In the early 950 ,Charles Lux, with his partner Henry Miller, purchased approximately
1,500 acres o d for cattle ranching in and around what is now the City of South San
Francisco. On a portion of this land, Lux developed what became awell-known estate, with a
famous mansion and elaborate manicured gardens.' The main house on the estate was
demolished in 1923. The barn now located at 150 Oak Avenue was originally an outbuilding
for the Lux Mansion. There are differing stories as to the building's original purpose-it has
been called a carriage house, buggy repair shop, and a barn.
Peter Uccelli Sr., an immigrant to South San Francisco from Genoa, Italy, purchased several
acres near the intersection of Grand and Oak Avenue in 1924. On this small farm, Uccelli
and his family grew their own grapes for wine, and potatoes and vegetables for sale. Alice
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners ~ Conservators, Inc.
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised) Page 3
Marsili, daughter of Peter Uccelli, remembered that her father and three brothers moved the
barn themselves from the former Lux estate in the early 1930s. "They moved it with rollers.
You had to have a horse to pull and then they would move these rollers and it took a few
days."Z However, the building appears at the Oak Avenue location as early as the 1925 South
San Francisco Sanborn Map. Based on the Sanborn information, the building was likely
moved in the early 1920s, perhaps when Peter Uccelli constructed his home at 919 Grand
Avenue in 1924, on an adjacent lot to the barn site.' The 1925 Sanborn map clearly shows
the one story shed addition to the barn. Further as the Lux Mansion was demolished in 1923
the relocation of the barn a year later is a logical chain of events.
The building has remained in active use as a barn and agricultural storage facility since its
move to Oak Avenue. The upper floor has been used for residential purposes for some years.
George Uccelli, Ms. Marsili's brother, ran the farm after their father passed away.
Determination of Eligibility
This resource appears to meet Criterion 1 of the California Register: resources that are
associated with events or patterns of events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United
States. The Lux Barn is one of the few buildings remaining in South San Francisco that date
to the late 1850s. It is associated with two historic contexts: the development of the Lux
Mansion as well as small-scale family farming in South San Francisco during the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The period of significance for this resource ranges
from the late 1850s, when this building was constructed for use on the Lux Estate, through
the 1960s when the Uccelli family was still farming near the barn site. Since the 1960s the
acreage of farmed land in South San Francisco has declined to accommodate increased need
for housing in the area.
Integrity
Once a resource has been identified as significant and potentially eligible for the California
Registers, its historic integrity must be evaluated. Integrity is the authenticity of an historical
resource's physical identity evidenced by the survival of characteristics that existed during the
resources period of significance. Integrity involves several aspects including location, design,
setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. These aspects closely relate to the
resource's significance and must be primarily intact for California Register eligibility.
Integrity must also be judged with reference to the particular criteria under which a resource
is proposed for eligibility.
While the Lux Barn has been. altered and presently is sided with composition shingles
intended to replicate red brick, the original wood siding appears to be present under the outer
layer of composition shingles. These earlier alterations have revolved around creating living
spaces on the second floor and upgrades to the lower floor agricultural uses. However, it is the
opinion of ARG that the building retains enough integrity to convey its significance as a
remaining resource from the Lux Mansion converted for use on a small farm owned by an
important South San Francisco family.
The California Register regulations have specific language regarding integrity which note:
It is possible that historical resources may not retain sufficient integrity to meet the
criteria for listing in the National Register, but they may still be eligible for listing in
the California Register. A resource that has lost its historic character or appearance
may still have sufficient integrity for the California Register... {California Code of
Regulations Title 15, 11.5 (c)}.
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners ~ Conservators, Inc.
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised) Page 4
Project Impacts To Historic Resources
Future demolition of the Lux Barn would likely result in a substantial adverse change to
historical resources. If a future new use for the site does not include the reuse of the Lux
Barn, moving the Barn should be considered during environmental review. While moving the
resource will not likely lower the impact to the historic resource to a less than significant level,
it will result in the retention of a significant building that has been moved previously.
Additionally, as the acreage of the Uccelli farm has dwindled and modern housing
encroaches on the property, the Lux Barn has lost some of its site context_ Although the barn
is in poor condition, it appears to be in sufficiently sound structural condition to consider
relocation to another site. The wood members appear to be in good condition and the
building sits on a concrete slab that likely dates to the 1920s when it was moved to this
location.
If the barn is moved, precautions should be taken so that the significant features of the
building are not destroyed in the process of moving. The guidelines and suggestions put
forward in the publication Moving Historic Buildings by John O. Curtis should aid in this
process. If work performed on the building after its move to a new location complied with
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, impacts to the building will be
further lessened.
Cost of Moving the Barn
The cost of moving the Barn can not be fully determined until a new site is located and a
building mover can be contacted to perform a cost estimate. However, ur•hen the cost estimate
is developed the following issues (and perhaps others) should be considered in regard to the
cost:
• type of move: dismantle the resource or move in large sections
• distance of the relocation
• cost of a new foundation
• cost of plumbing and electrical installments if necessary
• path of travel and any obstructions such as overhead wires, difficult turns, property
lines, and public right of ways restrictions
• hazardous materials abatement
Attachments
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
1925 South San Francisco Sanborn Map
ARCHITECr[TRAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners f~ Conservators, Inc.
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised) Page 5
Bibliography
Bamburg, Bonnie. Department of Parks and Recreation. State Historic Resources Inventory
Form on the Lux Barn (150 Oak Avenue). May 1986.
Curtis, John Obed. Moving Historic Buildings. Nashville, Tennessee: American Association
of State and Local History. 1979.
Gebhard, David. Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. Salt Lake City:
Peregrine Smith, 1985.
Kauffman, Linda. South San Francisco: A History. South San Francisco: 1976.
Kirker, Harold. California's Architectural Frontier: Style and Tradition in the Nineteenth
Century. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith, 1973.
Pence, Helen Patricia. Charles Lux and His South San Franciscan Home. San Mateo County
Historical Association, 1950.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for South San Francisco, 1910, 1925, 1950.
San Francisco: The Bay and Its Cities. Compiled by Workers of the Writers' Program of the
Works Progress Administration in Northern California. New York: Hastings House, 1940.
San Mateo County Historical Society Archives Collection.
South San Francisco History Room Vertical Files and Photographs.
"The South San Francisco Home of James Lux." La Peninsula. Volume 11, No. 3: October
1957.
Treadwell, Edward F. The Cattle King. Western Tanager Press, Santa Cruz: 1981.
"The Uccelli Family." South San Francisco History Room Vertical Files and Photographs.
Woodbridge, Sally. San Francisco Architecture. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1992.
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners £~ Conservators, Inc.
Historical Evaluation -Lux Barn
City of South San Francisco
December 7,1999 (revised) Page 6
Endnotes
`"The South San Francisco Home of James Lux." La Peninsula. Volume 11, No. 3: October 1957.
z "The Uccelli Family." SSF Library Historical Project, 1976. page 4.
3 "The Uccelli Family." SSF Library Historical Project, 1976. page 3.
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners E~ Conservators, Inc.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards For Rehabilitation
(I) A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal
changes to its distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships.
(2) The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of
distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces and spatial relationships that characterize a
property will be avoided.
(3) Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes
that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements
from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.
(4) Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be
retained and preserved.
(5) Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of
craftsmanship that characterize a historic property will be preserved.
(6) Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of
deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in
design, color, texture, and where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be
substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.
(7) Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means
possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic properties will not be used.
(8) Archaeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be
disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
(9) New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic
materials and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be
differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale,
and proportion, and massing to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
(10) New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner
that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its
environment would be unimpaired.
revised 1995
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