Reso PC17-07 0032 PC Reso Approving CEQA - 860 Charter St

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. SEPTEMBER 2016 ROCKETSHIP REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION P:\RWC1401B Rocketship School\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\Rocketship Public Review 09-29-16.docx (09/29/16) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 52 sales business. It is unknown whether the historic use of the project site as a magnetic tape and audio recording equipment, administrative office for various San Mateo County departments, or furniture warehouse resulted in spills or releases of hazardous materials. No information as to hazardous materials use, storage, or waste generation was available prior to Star Tool & Engineering Company’s occupancy. Star Tool & Engineering Company was a contract manufacturer of precision-machined component parts. Chemical inventory lists indicated that Star Tool & Engineering Company used a variety of petroleum base lubricants and cutting oils, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and kerosene. The Star Tool & Engineering Company facility at 860 Charter Street had a permit from the SMEHD for the storage of hazardous materials (less than 1,199 gallons, 9,999 pounds, or 4,799 cubic feet) and generated and recycled waste oil and solvent.56 SMCDEH records did not indicate that there were any reported spills or releases from the Star Tool & Engineering Company, although various violations were reportedly associated with container labeling, the need for secondary containment, recordkeeping and administrative tasks, and employee training. Improved housekeeping to prevent coolant and oil leaks to the floor and collection of compressor blow-by were required by SMCDEH in 1994. Compressor blow-by is the exhaust from the compressor motor and presumably contained oil, prompting the requirement to contain it. Facility closure activities conducted in 2002 consisted of removing chemicals/hazardous material from the site and cleaning residual oils from the flooring using adsorbent materials. SMCDEH approved the closure activities in a letter dated November 18, 2002; however, the letter stated: “…be advised that changes in the present or proposed use of the site may require further site characteriza- tion and mitigation activity. It is the property owner’s responsibility to notify this agency of any changes in report content, future contamination findings, or site usage.” During the site reconnaissance performed during the 2014 Phase I ESA, it was observed that Specialty Sales Classics performed auto detailing within the metal storage shed and that 1-quart and 1-gallon containers of what appeared to be waste oil and waste antifreeze were observed. A sump was observed in the electrical room in the southeast corner of the existing warehouse building. The sump appeared to be 1 to 2 feet deep and at the time of the reconnaissance was dry. According to the Phase I ESA performed in 2004, the sump and sump pump were used to remove rainwater from the room that accumulated due to roof leaks.57 Minor surficial staining was observed in the area of the sump in 2014 and minor surficial petroleum and unknown staining was observed on the concrete flooring inside the existing warehouse building.58 The Phase I ESAs prepared for the project site included searches of the regulatory databases. The database searches identified 2201 Bay Road, located northwest of the project site, as the closest hazardous materials site with an unauthorized release of hazardous materials. Historical operations conducted at 2201 Bay Road included electrical transformer manufacturing and the site contained an aboveground storage tank with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing dielectric fluids. 56 Cornerstone Earth Group, 2014, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, op. cit. 57 Ibid. 58 Ibid. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 60 of 124