HUNTINGTON BEACH

Archeological remains found at Bartlett Park will probably bury the city’s ambitious development plans for the site. In a report due later this month, a city consultant will propose dramatically scaling back the initial designs because rare seashells discovered in April suggest it was once a Native American gathering place. The designs include a par-three golf course, a 900-square-foot golf clubhouse, a full basketball court and a playground, but the greatest potential loss is the plan’s crown jewel--a 20,000-square-foot senior center. The city has yet to verify whether the seashells, found intact and above ground, are leftovers of indigenous tribes storing up on seafood. Only after the City Council authorizes further testing will the city know for sure. No human remains, tools or pottery were discovered.