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City of San Leandro
<br />Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project
<br />Initial Study and Environmental Checklist
<br />opment allowed under the proposed Project. Should this occur, the ability of the deposits to convey their sig-
<br />nificance, either as containing information important in prehistory or history, or as possessing traditional or
<br />cultural significance to Native American or other descendant communities, would be materially impaired.
<br />The 2002 San Leandro General Plan defines historic preservation as the sensitive maintenance, continued use,
<br />and restoration of older buildings and sites having historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural value.18 The
<br />City's 2002 General Plan identifies 21 historic buildings, 14 historic sites, and 6 historic landscape elements
<br />within San Leandro that are either on the National Register, Local Register (protected under City Ordinance
<br />74-12), designated as a California Historical Landmark, and/or designated as a California Place of Historical
<br />Interest.19 In general, most of these sites are concentrated in the vicinity of East 14th Street, Callan Avenue,
<br />Clarke Street, and Estudillo Avenue, as well as along Orchard Avenue between Davis and Williams Street.
<br />Although future residential development under the Housing Element could occur in the vicinity of these
<br />buildings, sites or landscape elements that could result in potential impacts to historical resources, future de-
<br />velopment would be subject to City, State and federal regulations that would minimize or prevent potential
<br />specific impacts to historical resources. Compliance with the Historic Preservation and Community Design
<br />Element goals, policies, and actions, which serve to protect historic resources within the city, would be re-
<br />quired. For example, Goal 38 seeks to identify, preserve, and maintain San Leandro's historic resources, and
<br />Policy 38.05 promotes the conservation of historic neighborhoods and restoration of historic features. Over-
<br />all, compliance with the goals, policies, and actions of the Historic Preservation and Community Design Ele-
<br />ment, in addition to federal and State laws would ensure that potential impacts to historical resources remains
<br />less than significant.
<br />b) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section
<br />15064.5?
<br />Archaeological deposits that meet the definition of unique archaeological resources under CEQA could be
<br />damaged or destroyed by ground disturbing activities associated with future potential development under the
<br />proposed Project.20 Should this occur, the ability of the deposits to convey their significance, either as con-
<br />taining information important in prehistory or history, or as possessing traditional or cultural significance to
<br />Native American or other descendant communities, would be materially impaired. In addition to the likely
<br />presence of unrecorded Native American archaeological sites, given potential future residential development
<br />would occur in the urbanized environment, it is highly improbable that significant archaeological deposits
<br />exist in these areas.
<br />According to the 2002 San Leandro General Plan, there have been at least 10 archaeological sites identified
<br />between San Leandro Creek and San Lorenzo Creek, most consisting of remnant shell mounds near the Ma-
<br />rina and along the banks of the creek.21 The Housing Element does not identify potential housing sites in this
<br />18 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002. Chapter 7, Historic Preservation and Community Design, page 7-1.
<br />19 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002, Chapter 7, Historic Preservation and Community Design, Table 7-1, page 7-8 to
<br />7-9.
<br />20 If the cultural resource in question is an archaeological site, CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(c)(1) requires that the lead
<br />agency first determine if the site is a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(x). If the site qualifies as a
<br />historical resource, potential adverse impacts must be considered through the process that governs the treatment of historical re-
<br />sources. If the archaeological site does not qualify as a historical resource but does qualify as a unique archaeological site, then it is
<br />treated in accordance with PRG Section 21083.2 (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(c)(3)). In practice, most archaeological sites that
<br />meet the definition of a unique archaeological resource will also meet the definition of a historical resource.
<br />21 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002, Chapter 7, Historic Preservation and Community Design, page 7-2.
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