KB Home Won't Build on Native American Burial Grounds

A month of protests ended joyfully Monday morning when KB Home told Ohlone Indian elders that the company would not build on the Native American burial grounds.

"Today was truly an amazing day," said Ann Marie Sayers, who has been on the site monitoring for remains as the home builder progressed with 32 homes in the Branciforte Creek neighborhood at Market Street and Isbel Drive.

Sayers said the company would still build homes, but will fence off the area called The Knoll, where 6,000-year-old remains were found on August 2. The area will be reserved for Ohlone Indians to visit and perform ceremonies.

"My mother believed when a burial is disturbed, the spirit of that individual is wandering," said Sayers. "When a burial is disturbed, or in this case several burials, it just goes right into you."

The Ohlone elders had asked for the entire project to be shut down, but were happy with the compromise offered by KB Monday.

"They were saying, 'We do want to respect that site as sacred,'" said Sayers. "'We do respect the Ohlone elder circle.' What an amazing example that will truly be for all contractors to respect sacred sites."

After remains were found, Native Americans set up a website called Save the Knoll, praising the property called Market Street Field, as one of the last undeveloped areas within the city limits.

Sayers said she had complete faith that the builder would honor its commitment.

City officials were relieved. The city approved the project in 2007 for the Los Angeles-based home developer, despite complaints that the site was likely to contain historical artifacts.

"I really appreciate their willingness to try to come to a solution on a difficult issue and I think we are getting close," said Mayor Ryan Coonerty, of both sides.