HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.E._Cultural_ResourcesCity of South San Francisco October 2009
Project Impacts
Impact IV.E-1: The proposed project would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a
historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5
A records search for historic resources was conducted at the Northwest Information Center (NWIC) of the
California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) to determine whether the Gateway Business
Park Master Plan area or environs had been previously studied for resources or contained recorded
historic resources. Additional archival research was completed at the San Mateo County Historical
Association Archives, the archives of the City of South San Francisco’s Engineering Division in the
Department of Public Works, and by utilizing other published sources. A pedestrian surface survey of the
project area was also completed.
The project area was not found to contain any recorded historic resources. This area was not part of the
historic development either of the residential/commercial portion of the City (west of Highway 101), nor
of the earliest industrial development east of Highway 101. In addition, this area has been developed and
redeveloped more than once in the twentieth century, processes that have virtually completely removed
potential for and make the property quite unlikely to contain significant historic resources that would be
impacted by the proposed project. Although no historic resources were found in the project area, the
entire project site would be subject to ground disturbance through various phases of the project and it is
possible that subsurface deposits may exist or that evidence of such resources has been obscured by more
recent natural or cultural factors and could be uncovered during construction of the Precise Plan or Master
Plan. Historic resources are protected from unauthorized disturbance by State law and supervisory and
construction personnel should therefore be made aware of the possibility, however low, of encountering
historic materials in this location. Historic materials older than 45 years–bottles, artifacts, privy and
disposal pits, structural remains, etc.–may also have scientific and cultural significance and should be
more readily identified.
Therefore, although the potential to impact historic resources is unlikely, mitigation measures to reduce
this impact are required. The construction contractor will halt surrounding excavation activities if
evidence of historic or cultural resources is discovered and a qualified archaeologist shall be brought to
the site to investigate further, thereby reducing the possibility of destroying historic resources. Upon
implementation of these steps as described further in Mitigation Measure E-1.1 below, this impact would
less than significant
be.
Mitigation Measure IV.E-1.1 Unknown Historic or Cultural Resources
In order to avoid impacts to unknown historic or cultural resources, if during the proposed construction of
historic or cultural
the Precise Plan and all subsequent phases of the Master Plan any evidence of
resources
is uncovered or encountered, all excavations within 10 meters/30 feet of the discovery shall be
halted. In order to protect these resources from damage, a qualified archaeologist approved by the City
shall determine whether this resource is a “unique archaeological resource” under 36 CFR 800, CEQA
Section 15064.5, and/or Public Resources Code Section 21083.2. If the archaeological resource is
Gateway Business Park Master Plan IV.E. Cultural Resources
Draft Environmental Impact Report Page IV.E-13