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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIRST COMMUNITY BANK PLAZA - PDP - 49-05 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTI cFeron, S November 21, 2005 Page 3 of 3 standpoint. Fox presence in this highly developed area increases the risk for vehicle/fox collisions as well as fox/human conflicts. In addition, foxes raised in this type of urban setting may become habituated to foraging in trash containers or relying on human handouts. Wild foxes can also be carriers for rabies and distemper, which may be passed on to unvaccinated pets. Because of this, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has recommended that fox use of this den site be discouraged during the non -breeding season (see Nancy Howard, CDOW letter provided with the development submittal) to reduce potential conflicts with foxes and humans. With the proposed JFK Plaza development and fox den use discouragement measures recommended by the CDOW it is unlikely that fox use of the den site would continue. (k) The Land Use Code requires a 50-foot buffer for ditches or canals that serve as a wildlife movement corridor. This restriction would apply to the Larimer County Canal No. 2. A 50-foot buffer would also apply to the existing fox den at the base of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 embankment. However, if fox use of the den site is discontinued (see item j), the need for these buffer setbacks would be less relevant. Because of site constraints, parking, and access requirements, the proposed development would encroach into the 50-foot buffer setback requirement. In addition, wildlife shrub and tree plantings, which could be employed to mitigate buffer reductions, cannot be implemented because of ditch company maintenance and right-of-way requirements along the north side of the Larimer County Canal No. 2. In order to partially offset losses in the 50-foot buffer setback, it is recommended that the buffer area be revegetated to native grasses and forbs, and that native shrub and tree plantings be made wherever it is not in conflict with the ditch maintenance right-of-way. Also native plantings of trees and shrubs to enhance urban songbird habitat should be employed wherever possible over the remainder of the development site Sandy, this concludes my environmental assessment of the JFK Plaza development site. Please call if you have any questions. Sincerely, CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal McFeron, S November 21, 2005 Page 2 of 3 (b) There are no wetlands on the property, and the only wetlands within 500 feet of the property are those supported along the lower portions of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 embankments. (c) The property does not provide any views of significant landscape or topographical features. (d) Because of past disturbances and possible historic use of the project area for hay production, no native species are supported on the property. Native eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and peach - leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) trees that formerly grew along the Larimer County Canal No. 2 embankments were recently removed by the ditch company for ditch maintenance purposes. (e) There are no natural perennial water features on or near the property. (f) The project area was evaluated with regards to potential habitat for state and federal listed threatened and endangered species, and it was determined that no suitable habitat exists for Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), or Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradenis). One other species of special interest, red fox, does use the property. A red fox den exists near the bottom of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 east side embankment behind the existing Palmer Flowers and Decorating Gallery. JR Engineering has surveyed the den position, and its location is shown on project site plan maps. This den has successfully produced young over past few years, and adult and young foxes appear to use the Larimer County Canal No. 2 as a movement corridor and for foraging activity, as well. The proximity of the Warren Lake Reservoir shoreline provides additional suitable foraging areas for red fox. (g) Because of past possible cultivation and disturbance of the property as well as surrounding development, there are no special habitat features on or near the project area except for the Larimer County Canal No. 2. (h) The only potential wildlife movement corridor on or near the project area is the Larimer County Canal No. 2. According to USGS 7.5' topographic maps, the canal originates at the Cache la Poudre River near Laporte and terminates at Warren Lake Reservoir approximately 1 mile southeast of the project area. Much of the canal passes through developed portions of Fort Collins, and in most areas, development and associated landscaping approaches up to the top edge of the canal. The continuity of the canal is further compromised by numerous culverted road crossings. As a result, its value as a wildlife movement corridor is restricted primarily to urban -adapted animals such as red fox, raccoon, mallard, and Canada goose. As indicated under item (f), red fox likely move along the canal from the project area to Warren Lake Reservoir. Q) Because of recent occupation of the fox den and production of.young from this den site, it is recommended that construction on the property occur outside of the parturition and early rearing period (March through May) if the den is occupied during the breeding season. Young are typically born in March through early April and remain in the den their first month of life.2 Once the young begin to venture out of the den, they are often moved to alternative den sites by the adults; and nearby construction is less likely to compromise their successful rearing. Although fox use of the JFK plaza den site offers some wildlife viewing opportunities for neighboring businesses, fox use of this site is not ideal from a wildlife management perspective and a fox health I Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, D.A. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History and University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 467 pp. CIED&M C M EIEM 64iWOCMUIE-9y INC. -� 916 Willshire Ave.. Fort Collins. CO 80521 • (970) 493-4394 November 21, 2005 Sandy McFeron VF Ripley Associates, Inc. 401 W. Mountain Avenue, Suite 201 Fort Collins, CO 80521 RE: Environmental Characterization Study Report for,the JFK Plaza Development Site This letter report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on the proposed JFK Plaza development parcel in Fort Collins, Colorado. _The proposed development site is located in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado in the Northwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 36 (T. 7 N. R. 69 W.) between JFK Parkway and the Larimer County Canal No. 2. An environmental survey of the property was completed on August 2, 2005. According to the Soil Conservation Service's (SCS) Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado the only soil in the project area is Heldt clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This is not a hydric (wetland) or highly erosive soil, but it can contain wetland inclusions. Existing land uses within the property consist entirely mowed, weedy field with a large, linear soil stockpile near the center of the property. Topography of the site is essentially level with a gradual drainage gradient to the southeast The following provides an ecological characterization checklist summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). (a) and (i) The project site is vegetated entirely by non-native grasses and weedy species. At the time of. the, survey most of the site had been mowed, apparently for weed control. Dominant vegetation species recorded on site were smooth brome (Bromopsis inermist ), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum); .' cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Breea arvensis)i and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Habitat value and wildlife use of the weedy field area is limited by the lack of woody vegetation; dominance by non-native grass and weed species, mowing practices; and surrounding development and roads. The only habitat feature of value to wildlife is the Larimer County Canal No. 2, which runs along the properties western and southern boundary. The canal is a below grade ditch, and the inside embankments support relatively dense stands of reed canarygrass (Phalaroides arundinacea) and Emory sedge (Carex emoryl). At the time of the survey the top of the ditch embankment also supported shrubs and scattered trees. Since that time the ditch company has removed all woody vegetation supported along the ditch. When the canal contains water, urban -adapted waterfowl such as mallard and Canada goose may occasionally be present. Canada geese may also wander out of the ditch to graze in the weedy field and adjacent turf grass landscaping. Mice, voles, and pocket gopher are the only species likely to establish resident populations in mowed weedy habitat. Songbirds such as western meadowlark, Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and black - billed magpie may also occasionally use this, area. There was no evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows observed on the property. Scientific nomenclature for vegetation follows: Weber, W. A. and R. C. Wittmann. 1996. Colorado Flora Eastern Slope, revised edition. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 524 pp.