HomeMy WebLinkAbout(2011, 09/27) - K-5 - AmendedK-5
1
ARCHAEOLOGICAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL POLICY
The policies set forth below shall be used to guide the development or redevelopment
of lands within the City:
A. The City shall, through its planning policies and permit conditions, ensure the
preservation of significant archaeological resources and require that the impact
caused by any development be mitigated in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
B. The City shall prepare and maintain sources of information regarding
archaeological sites and the names and addresses of responsible organizations
and qualified individuals who can analyze, classify, record, and preserve
archaeological findings.
C. If determined to be necessary by the Community Development Director, it shall
be the responsibility of a landowner or developer prior to the commencement of
land development to cause the proposed site to be examined to determine the
existence and extent of archaeological resources. The examination shall be by
qualified observers, approved by the City. The observers shall prepare and
submit to the City a written report describing findings and making
recommendations for further action. The report shall discuss both positive and
negative aspects of the effects of the proposed development on archaeological
resources. The report shall be considered as part of the CEQA review process
and, if appropriate, the recommendations shall be included as mitigation
measures and conditions of approval for the project.
D. Based on the report and recommendations of the observers, the City shall take
such steps as are necessary to assure that any findings or sites are recorded,
preserved and protected. These steps may include requiring the landowner or
developers to incur reasonable expenditures of time or mo ney, encouraging the
involvement of appropriate volunteer or non-profit organizations or acquisition
of the sites by public or private agencies. Provision shall be made for the deposit
of scientifically valuable archaeological materials which are removed from the
site with responsible public or private institutions. In all cases, the City shall
seek responsible scientific advice and make the necessary decisions consistent
with the public interest.
K-5
2
PROCEDURES
The following procedures shall be used in examining and reporting on possible
archaeological sites. If determined to be necessary by the Community Development
Director, there shall be a walk-over site survey and, if warranted, a pregrading
conference prior to the commencement of any land alterations.
A. Procedures and Findings.
1. Records. Demonstration shall be made that a records check was
completed and the results stated in the text of the final report.
2. Background. Background information shall be provided summarizing the
significance of scientific, cultural and historical perspectives to the project
area. Sources must be referenced.
3. On-Site Survey. The following descriptions shall be made in sufficient
detail to allow verification of work:
a. Methods of reconnaissance:
i. surface
ii. sub-surface
b. A list of personnel and affiliation
c. Date and location of research
d. Condition of area surveyed which may have effect on
archaeological findings
e. Observations and data - description of archaeological resources
found
f. Location of material and data collected
g. Notification of professionals in related disciplines where necessary,
such as historians and paleontologists
K-5
3
4. Evaluation of impact (direct and indirect):
a. Description of impacts
b. Significance of impacts
B. Development Alternatives.
1. Methods to achieve site preservation.
a. Revision of construction or development plans in the event of
exceptional site, worthy of preservation and/or nomination to the
National Registry (Historic Preservation Act of 1966).
b. In the event that development ensues in areas adjoining the site
that would involve potential impact by virtue of this proximity,
steps should be taken to:
i. protect the site by adequate means, such as fencing or other
approved measures
ii. stabilize where indicated
iii. restore damage occurring as a result of proximity of the
source of impact
c. Restoration where applicable
2. Archaeological excavation.
a. Full-scale, research-oriented excavation, properly planned and
organized, adequately funded, and with sufficient time, is the
preferred method of partial mitigation. The consultant's proposal
to the City, included in the EIR, should contain, in detail, costs,
procedures, time required and a statement of the importance of the
work to be performed. This proposal may then be included in a
conditional permit or be required prior to the issuance of a permit.
K-5
4
b. Emergency salvage excavation is the least preferred method of
partial mitigation. The result of poor planning, salvage techniques
of excavation constitute an adverse impact or archaeological
resources and represent the irreplaceable loss of a site.
3. Qualification of Consultants.
Provisional to professional licensing, minimum qualifications for
consulting archaeologists shall be satisfied by their listing in the Directory
of Archaeological Consultants, available from the Society for California
Archaeology, or the list of certified archaeologists maintained by the
County of Orange. Verification regarding qualifications shall be made by
the Community Development Director.
Adopted - January 13, 1975
Amended - January 24, 1994
Corrected (Administratively) – March 22, 1999
Amended – September 27, 2011
Formerly K-6