HomeMy WebLinkAboutIN-SITU - MODIFICATION OF STANDARDS - 46-02 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTPhoto 1. View of Proposed In -Situ Development Parcel. (View is from north property
boundary looking south toward the Cache la Poudre River.)
m -n_"M
�111
'
- �u1Y,N.lM1 �
l:l _
�r • Y _. tea. • '..�JV
L � l •-y�
l AM1 r/ f�'i �y
� Y
' 4�. f
Photo 2. Another View of the Proposed In -Situ Development Parcel. (View is from same
point looking southeast.)
A,920CX7EO,, INC.
916 Willshire Ave. • Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 • (970) 493-4394
September 27, 2002
Linda Ripley
VF Ripley Associates, Inc.
401 W. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
RE: Preliminary Ecological Characterization of the Proposed In -Situ Development Site (-4 acres
immediately east of Team Petroleum at 105 Lincoln)
I reviewed the habitat characteristics of the subject property on September 24, 2002. The nearly level
site has been disturbed by past ground clearing activity and currently does not support any natural
communities, habitats, or native vegetation except for two relatively young cottonwoods at the southern
property edge. The City Forester may classify the two cottonwood trees as significant if they are non -
cotton bearing. The remaining vegetation supported on site consists entirely of non-native grasses and
annual weedy species. Dominant species noted during the site survey included smooth brome
(Bromopsis inermis), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), kochia (Bassia sieversiana), Russian
thistle (SaIsola australis), and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). The entire site had been mowed
(presumably for weed control) and vegetation height was generally less than 3 inches. No vegetation,
soils, or hydrologic evidence of wetlands is present on the property. Photos 1 and 2 provide
representative views of the property.
Because of its current degraded condition and lack of vegetation cover there is no significant wildlife use
of the property. In spite of its proximity to the Poudre River Corridor, the site does not provide any
suitable habitat for Ute ladies' -tresses orchid or Preble's meadow jumping mouse. The lack of wetlands
and suitable vegetation cover precludes the potential presence of these two species.
The only natural habitat area within 500 feet of the property is the Cache la Poudre River corridor. The
river corridor is located immediately south of the property and is separated from the property by the
Poudre River Trail. The City's 300-foot buffer setback from the river would apply to development on the
development parcel unless a variance from the Planning and Zoning Board can be obtained.
Linda, this concludes my initial assessment of the possible In -Situ development site. If you have any
questions, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
CrDAR CP-EEK Assoc1IA71Es, INC.
T. Michael Phelan
Wildlife Ecologist
attachment