In July 2018, Trileaf Corporation (Trileaf) performed a cultural resource survey for a proposed raw land monopole telecommunications tower site located at Odum Smallwood Road, Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia (34°25’48.75” N, 83°49’52.11” W). The proposed project area is located within a partially wooded pasture near the crest of a small ridge or plateau and adjacent wooded sideslope.
Verizon Wireless proposes the construction of a monopole telecommunications tower with a total height of 195 feet (59 meters). The new tower and associated equipment will be located in a proposed 100-foot by 100-foot (30-meter by 30-meter) lease area. A proposed 30-foot by approximately 950-foot (9-meter by 290-meter) access/utility easement will connect the lease area to Odum Smallwood Road located generally to the west. This easement follows an existing gravel drive extending generally eastward from Odum Smallwood Road for approximately 450 feet (137 meters). The new tower, lease area, and associated easements will occupy approximately 0.88 acres (0.36 hectares).
Under the direction of Trileaf, Project Archaeologist Andrew Wright, MA, RPA conducted this survey in response to the planned use of the above-described parcel and the potential impacts that such use might represent to archaeological and architectural cultural resources.
The Phase I cultural resource survey was designed to discover any cultural resources that might be present within the project area. The field survey of the project area, which included systematic shovel testing, pedestrian survey, and visual inspection, found no evidence for the presence of archaeological or architectural properties within the direct area of potential effect (APE) or within 30 feet (9-meter) buffer. A search of Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) inventory revealed no previously identified archaeological sites within the direct APE or the ½-mile visual APE.
A search of Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS), the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (GAHPD)’s archival inventory, and the National Register of Historic Places revealed no NRHP-listed or eligible properties within direct or visual APE. No historic resources lacking formal determinations of eligibility were identified within the direct or visual APE.
Based on the results of this investigation, Trileaf recommends a finding of No Historic Properties within the direct and visual APE. It is therefore recommended that project clearance be granted with no further investigation or evaluation of the project area relative to those resources.
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