Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the 57-acre Factory Shoals Road Site

From August 30 to September 2, 2016, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington; Norcross, Georgia), conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the 57-acre (23.1-hectare) Factory Shoals Road Site in Douglas County, Georgia. The site is located along the south side of Factory Shoals Road between Thornton Road (GA-6) and Douglas Hills Road in northeastern Douglas County. This site is composed of 11 tracts that are proposed to be commercially developed. The survey was conducted under subcontract with Contour Environmental, LLC (Kennesaw, Georgia) to determine the effects of the project on cultural resources. This cultural resources survey was required pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 CFR 320-330), in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended through 2000), and 36 CFR 800 (Protection of Historic Properties).

The current undertaking includes both an archaeological and a historic architectural survey. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) was defined as the entire parcel that is proposed to be developed commercially. The architectural resources APE is defined as the entire site and its immediate viewshed. During the archaeological survey, shovel testing and pedestrian survey was conducted across the entire 57-acre site. The architectural survey included a viewshed analysis of all potentially historic buildings or structures in the vicinity of the proposed development. All activities were completed in accordance with the guidelines of the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), NHPA (1966, as amended) and its implementing regulations (26 CFR Part 800) by personnel qualified under the Secretary of Interior Standards (36 CFR Part 61) as well as and in accordance with the standards set forth by the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists 2014) and National Register Bulletin 24, Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning (Parker 1985). All personnel participating in project completion met the Secretary of Interior professional qualifications under 36 CFR Part 61.

Although background research identified no previously recorded cultural resources within the project area, one previously undocumented archaeological site (9DO208), and three historic buildings were identified within the commercial tract during the survey; seven additional historic buildings were identified within the viewshed of the undertaking.

One of the buildings located within the tract at 803 Factory Shoals Road is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion C. Mitigation of this NRHP-eligible resource at 803 Factory Shoals Road is required under NHPA if this resource is to be adversely affected (e.g., razed) as part of the current undertaking. However, the remaining nine historic buildings in the APE are considered ineligible for the NRHP and warrant no further management under Section 106 of the NHPA. Archaeological site 9DO208 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Pending concurrence by state and federal regulatory agencies, Brockington recommends no further archaeological investigations for this undertaking.