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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCOUNT TIRE AT FOSSIL CREEK - PDP/FDP - 26-02 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT(h) There are no suitable wildlife movement corridors on the property, but the adjacent Fossil Creek drainage is a potential movement corridor for urban -adapted wildlife and some waterfowl species. There is no suitable vegetation cover on the proposed development portion of the property to attract wildlife away from Fossil Creek 5.0 WILDLIFE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS Development of the Discount Tire facility would occur entirely within mowed non-native grassland habitat. Therefore, there would be no direct impacts to important wildlife habitats or special habitat features with the proposed project. The proposed development would also have no adverse effect on Fossil Creek and associated wetlands and riparian woodlands as long as best management practices are employed during construction to preclude indirect runoff and sedimentation impacts into the creek and adjacent habitats. Aside from the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) buffer setback requirement for red- tailed hawk nests discussed under Section 4.0 (f), one other buffer requirement applies to the proposed development. This buffer requirement is a 100-foot setback from Fossil Creek. Based on current development plans, a minimum of 100 feet of undeveloped land would be maintained between the creek and proposed Discount Tire facilities. This buffer would be more than adequate to protect existing wetland and riparian woodlands along the creek. One additional wildlife mitigation measure is provided to further protect wildlife use of the creek corridor. It is recommended that native tree and shrub plantings be incorporated into the upland edge of the Fossil Creek buffer to provide additional visual screening and noise abatement between the proposed Discount Tire facility and Fossil Creek. Plantings of additional woody species along the west edge of the property is also recommended to provide additional visual screening between the Discount Tire facility and the red-tailed hawk nest. As indicated in Section 3.3 and 4.0 (d) several trees on the property are large enough to meet City of Fort Collins significant tree criteria. If project development requires removal of any of these the City Forester should be contacted to confirm the tree's status as "significant." Loss of any significant trees will require plantings of replacement trees as indicated in Section 3.2.1 (F) of the Fort Collins Land Use Code. Replacement trees could be incorporated in the vegetation visual barriers recommended for the project. 13 . .. City of Fort Collins Redtail Grove Natural Area 1(` .* fti, Red-tailed Hawk Nest \ Scale: V = - 270' Aerial Photography Date - September 1999 R 110 *Ossll �+ South\Edge oComm Discount Tire P operty IL - s 7ALI s .■ �^il��t�T QiL��i��.l�E•llS _'�--� ' w fll�� W/�111G.yq INC. YIGPYYx. Y- fM CWaCpYYpI•�OAI�<L FIGURE 3 Proximity of Red-tailed Hawk Nest to Discount Tire Property 12 The Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) inhabits moist soils and wet meadows in full sunlight near springs, lakes, perennial streams, and their associated floodplains in association with grasses, sedges, rushes, and occasional woody riparian species. It does not occur in sites inundated by standing water, with heavy clay soils, that are highly saline, overgrazed, or dominated by cattails. The orchid prefers relatively open and not overly dense, overgrown areas. Sites consisting entirely of dense stands of reed canarygrass or other tall grasses such as meadow foxtail do not provide suitable habitat conditions for the orchid. Saturated wetland sites without standing water along Fossil Creek near the project area support wetland vegetation that is too tall and dense to provide suitable habitat for Ute ladies' -tresses orchid. A red-tailed hawk nest is located on City of Fort Collins open space (Redtail Grove Natural Area) to the southwest of the proposed Discount Tire site. The red-tailed hawk nest is located in a large cottonwood tree on the west edge of the Fossil Creek drainage west of South College Avenue (see Figure 3). Current City of Fort Collins guidelines (Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code) call for a 0.25-mile (1,320-foot) development setback from red-tailed hawk nest sites. In order to obtain an accurate location for the nest site and to determine the distance between the nest and the nearest (southwest) corner of the proposed Discount Tire development, a hand-held GPS unit was used to record the nest site location and the southwest corner of the development site. An access permit (Permit #0171) was obtained from the Department of Natural Resources in order to obtain an accurate location for the nest site. Based on the GPS readings, the southwest corner of the proposed development would be located 1,215 feet to the northeast of the red-tailed hawk nest site. Therefore, the proposed Discount Tire development would be approximately 100 feet closer to the nest site than the current buffer setback of 1,320 feet required by the City Land Use Code. However, based on Section 3.4.1 (E) (3) of the Land Use Code, the entire project would have a setback greater than 80 percent of the minimum standard (80 percent of 1,320 feet equals 1,056 feet) and may not require a variance through Planning and Zoning Board Review as defined by Section 2.2.1 of the Land Use Code. Another important biological consideration is the fact that the red-tailed hawk breeding pair using this nest site over the last few years have apparently acclimated to the presence of a busy four -lane highway (S. College Avenue) as well as existing commercial and residential developments that are much closer than the 1,320-foot buffer standard. The project location and the proximity of the nest site was discussed with Jerry Craig (raptor biologist, Colorado Division of Wildlife, personal communication 1 /4/02) to obtain his professional opinion regarding potential impacts to the nest site from development of the Discount Tire project. Mr. Craig indicated that, because of the existing proximity of College Avenue and associated noise and traffic levels, it is unlikely that development of the Discount Tire project would adversely the nest site as long as vegetation plantings are incorporated into the site plan to provide visual screening (g) Because of past disturbances and habitat conversions, there are no special habitat features on the property. 11 (b) No wetlands are supported on the property. The only wetlands within 500 feet of the property are within the Fossil Creek drainage, along an unnamed tributary to Fossil Creek, and two minor wetland ditch areas north of the property. (c) No significant views are provided by the property (d) Trees greater than 6 inches dbh (see Table 1) are considered significant by the City of Fort Collins. Significant trees on the property consist of a few cottonwoods, ponderosa pines, and a single honey locust. However, cottonwoods that are cotton -bearing would be classified as nuisance trees unless they are located within a natural area buffer zone. Russian olive trees are also classified as a nuisance species by the City of Fort Collins regardless of their location. (e) Fossil Creek and its unnamed tributary are the only natural drainages located within 500 feet of the Discount Tire property. (f) There was no evidence of the presence of specially valued species or their habitats within the property boundaries. Wetlands and aquatic habitats along Fossil Creek represent the only important wildlife habitats within 500 feet of the property. Wetlands and adjacent habitats along Fossil Creek were evaluated for potential habitat for two federal listed threatened species, Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) and Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis). Suitable habitat for Preble's meadow jumping mouse is provided by low undergrowth consisting of grasses, (orbs, or both in open wet meadows and riparian corridors or where tall shrubs and low trees provide adequate cover. Potential habitat includes wet meadow habitats (both natural or created by seeps from man-made structures such as dams, irrigation structures, etc.), native haylands, stream channels (perennial and intermittent), riparian habitats, or floodplains below 7,600 feet elevation in Colorado. Habitats not inhabited by this species include: highly disturbed or modified sites such as landscaped areas, armored stream channels, and irrigation ditches with little or no vegetation; dry upland sites, dense stands of cattails; row cropland; and areas at least 300 feet away from suitable habitat. The Fossil Creek drainage provides marginally suitable habitat conditions for Preble's meadow jumping mouse, but overall habitat suitability is restricted by the lack of broad wetland zones along the creek, the abrupt transition of wetlands to dry non-native grasslands and mowed turf grass areas. Past development and habitat conversions near the creek, as well as the movement barrier created by cement box culverts under South College Avenue, further reduce the probability the presence of Preble's meadow jumping mouse. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not identified the Fossil Creek drainage as a "Potential Mouse Protection Area." Finally, project development would occur entirely within mowed non-native grassland that would not by utilized by Preble's meadow jumping mouse. 10 ' and configuration to support raptor nesting activity, no raptor nests were observed in the trees near the ' Discount Tire property. The proximity of the creek to developed areas and roadways limit the suitability of riparian woodlands for use by raptors. ' 3.3 Trees ' Locations of individual and groups of trees on and adjacent to the Discount Tire development site are shown on Figure 2. Tree numbers indicated on Figure 2 correspond to tree descriptions provided in Table 1. Table 1 Trees on the Discount Tire Development Site Trees 1 One 9" dbh cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and several small cottonwood saplings (1-3" dbh). Tree 2 One — 3' dbh cottonwood. Tree 3 One 10" dbh honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). Tree 4 One 10" dbh ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Trees 5 Seven small ponderosa pines; Two of these with dbh at 6" or greater. Trees 6 Two multi-trunked Russian olives (Eleaegnus angustifolia). Trees 7 Cluster of several cottonwoods; five of these with dbh at 6" or greater. Trees 8 Old shelterbelt? Several close rows of trees. Outside rows are primarily Russian olives with inside rows dominated by Scotch pines (Pinus sylvestris) with a few ponderosa pines and cottonwoods. Most Scotch pines are less than 6" dbh, but a few larger. Three cottonwoods and two ponderosa pines are 6" dbh or greater. Photo 6 provides a view of this cluster of trees. Tree 9 One -- 2' dbh cottonwood. Tree 10 One — 3' dbh cottonwood. 4.0 ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (i). Items Q) and (k) are addressed under following section, 5.0 Wildlife Mitigation Recommendations. (a) Wildlife use of the area is described in Section 3.0. 9 WS. `a • ' '+{�'1,w.� /. s ' 3 � y4e,' i Photo 5. Another View of the Fossil Creek Drainage Showing Residenetial Landscaping Adjacent to Creek. (Creek area shown is near east property corner.) Photo 6. View of Tree Clusters (T-4 & T-5) at Edge of Mowed Non-native Grassland. (Mowed Non-native grassland is in foreground, tree clusters are in background with T 4 on the right and T-5 from the middle to the left.) E-' I E Photo 3. View of Fossil Creek and Unnamed Tributary Near the Southwest Corner of the Discount Tire Site. (Wetlands are confined to a narrow strip along each drainage. Note density of streambank cover and lack of suitable habitat for Ute ladies' -tresses orchid. Box culvert under College Avenue is in background on the left.) :I %rid' Photo 4. View of Fossil Creek and Associated Riparian Woodlands Near the East End of the Discount Tire Site. (View is looking east. Note green turf grass area adjacent to creek in background on right.) 1 populations in non-native grassland on the property. Songbirds such as Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and black -billed magpie may also occasionally use non-native grassland habitat. There was no evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows observed on the property. Because of the presence of Fossil Creek, adjacent areas of unmowed non-native grassland may provide suitable resting and nesting cover for urban -adapted waterfowl such as mallard and Canada goose. 3.2 Fossil Creek Drainage Riparian Woodland, and Wetlands There was no hydrologic, soils, or vegetation evidence of wetlands within the property boundaries. The only evidence of wetland habitats near the project area was recorded along the Fossil Creek drainage. Wetlands along Fossil Creek are confined within the creek embankments except for another small, unnamed wetland drainage that feeds into Fossil Creek near the southwest property corner (see Figure 2). Wetlands along the creek and the small, unnamed drainage channel are dominated by narrow, dense stands of reed canarygrass (Phalaroides arundinacea), Emory's sedge (Carex emoryt), Nebraska sedge (Carex nebracensis), and three -square (Schoenoplectus pungens). Small pockets of sandbar willow (Salix exigua) are also present at a few sites along the creek. The wetland/upland boundary is defined by a relatively sharp transition in vegetation dominance from these wetland species to unmowed stands of smooth brome and crested wheatgrass in the uplands. Areas of riparian woodland are also supported along the creek (see Figure 2). Tree canopy cover is highly variable and ranges from 0 to 50 percent along this section of the creek. Relatively young (most less than 6 inches dbh or diameter at breast height) peach -leaf willows (Salix amygdaloides), Russian olives, and cottonwoods are the dominant species in riparian woodland. Smooth brome is dominant understory species. Remaining habitats along Fossil Creek consist entirely of mowed turf grass areas associated with existing residences and a neighborhood park, Fossil Creek Meadows Park. Photos 3, 4, and 5 provide representative views of Fossil Creek and adjacent wetland and riparian woodland habitats. In terms of vegetation and wildlife species diversity and wildlife habitat value, riparian woodland and wetland habitats along the Fossil Creek drainage represent the only important wildlife habitats within 500 feet of the Discount Tire development parcel. Wetlands and associated open water habitats provide foraging, resting, and breeding habitat for urban -adapted waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. Wetlands with herbaceous and woody vegetation cover also support a variety of other wildlife populations including small mammals, mammalian predators, songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. Potential amphibian breeders include Woodhouse's toad and chorus frog. The Fossil Creek drainage also provides a potential movement corridor as well as security cover for urban -adapted wildlife species such as mallard, raccoon, striped skunk, coyote, and mule deer. Trees and snags in riparian habitats provide foraging and/or nesting habitat for woodpeckers and a variety of songbirds. Although some trees are of appropriate size R TGY T^ a l Y A W �>y" � �C.�Y"s r� iw9i� + � rx .+ �S'�tt r' ••may+!; '`� c. `a, y Photo 1. View of Mowed Non-native Grassland Habitat on the Discount Tire Site. (View is from east end the property looking toward the northwest property corner.) re L Photo 2. View of Unmowed Non-native Grassland Habitat on the Discount Tire Site. (View is from east end of property looking toward southwest property corner. Fossil Creek is in background at far left.) 5 discount Tire Property Boundary we �T 2 Mowed NNG NNG T 6 RW RN1 RW RW NNG ��� W % RW RP �` NNG reek r & NNG tl s i LEGEND - Habitat Boundary NNG - Non-native grassland RP - Residential Park RW - Riparian Woodland T-1 - Trees (number corresponds to descriptions in Table 1) Scale: 1" _ -175' Aerial Photography Date - Sept. 1999 FIGURE 2 Undeveloped Areas Habitat Mapping for the Discount Tire Site 4 Fort Collins loam and the hazard of erosion is slight. On Heldt clay loam, runoff is medium and the hazard of erosion is slight to moderate. No problem erosion areas were noted on or adjacent to the property. The site is composed of a nearly level land with the majority supporting non-native pasture grasses that are seasonally mowed, presumably for hay production. Surrounding habitats/land uses consist of roadways, commercial developments, undeveloped non-native grassland, residential developments, neighborhood park, and the Fossil Creek drainage and wetlands (see Figure 2). The Fossil Creek drainage and associated wetlands and riparian woodlands are the only sensitive or important habitats on or near the development parcel. The following sections summarize the characteristics of habitats existing on and near the property and wildlife use of the area. 3.1 Non-native Grassland As indicated on Figure 2, the majority of the property supports non-native grassland. Non-native grassland in the approximate northern two-thirds of the property is dominated primarily by smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis)' that is seasonally mowed. Minor amounts of alfalfa (Medicago sadva) are also present in mowed non-native grassland. Vegetation cover was less than 6 inches tall at the time of the survey because of recent mowing, and total vegetation cover was estimated to range from 40 to 60 percent. Woody vegetation is limited to a few trees planted around the periphery of this portion of the site. The southern one-third of the property had not been mowed at the time of the survey, and this area supports greater species diversity and levels of vegetation cover. Dominant vegetation species recorded in this area were smooth brome, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thynopyrum intermedium). Other common but less dominant weedy species noted in this area were field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinale), alfalfa, prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), and curly dock (Rumex crispus). Woody vegetation is restricted to two clusters of planted trees (see Figure 2 and Section 3.3). Vegetation cover in this area was estimated to range from 60 to 90 percent. Photos 1 and 2 provide views of both areas of non-native grassland. Habitat value and wildlife use of non-native grassland habitat is limited because of low vegetation species diversity and the relative lack of woody vegetation cover. In addition the relative small size of the parcel with surrounding roadways and developed land restricts habitat value. Mice, ground squirrels, voles, northern pocket gopher, and western meadowlark are the only species likely to establish resident ' Vegetation nomenclature follows: Weber, W.A. and R.C. Wittmann. 1996. Colorado Flora — Eastern Slope (revised edition). University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 524 pp- 1 3 I \ FIGURE 1 - �• � � � � ew.w. a... sencw..wssar.iowi.a�x. Location of the Discount Property Scale: 1" = 2,000' r Map Source: USGS 7 1/2'Quadrangle - Fort Collins, CO 1 I / • �r ./ �i, •N I1f �:`� �Ct � v I I � 1�WIW1 1 ' /\ � I , '` ``.t I `,Y� `_2 Z •�\` � ram.,. 1 � ® I i 1 � � ..' • � v . SQ�•r�i.Oh \) ! $ R bake 13 n lid r N. — • j y I arrb.lr Discount Tire Property Location.-- CAFEor --"_ ill '" �_. -�.��1 �- _ � " `.• "' d� � _ �_ �—�._—` \ JJ i -- � // -mid"* ` _ -'�'/ � / / I {{ �I\\,\ �-•': r I - rT Ilk 111.4 . _J -'.. •�� :1�� ./ J�'�•�, . <<, a .;•. ,,?, 1,\ (\ Q� fly 2 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT FOR THE DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT SITE 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION This report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on and near the proposed Discount Tire development site at the southeast corner of South College Avenue and Fossil Creek Parkway in Fort Collins, Colorado. The report was prepared in accordance with Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an Ecological Characterization Study Report. The proposed development parcel is located in the northwest 1/4, of the southwest 1/4 of Section 1 (T. 6 N. R. 69 W.). The property boundaries are defined by Fossil Creek Parkway on the north and east; South College Avenue on the west; and undeveloped land, Fossil Creek drainage, and residential development to the south. Figure 1 depicts the property location. 2.0 METHODOLOGY Cedar Creek completed a field survey of the Discount Tire site on April 18, 2002. The field survey was conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as to identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features, including wetlands. Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) soils mapping (Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado) was also reviewed to determine if any known hydric (wetland) soil mapping units are located on the property. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities / wildlife habitats present within the property; dominant vegetation associated with each community / habitat; unique habitat features; and observations of wildlife species and/or definitive sign. Photographs showing representative views of the property were also taken to document site conditions. Wildlife presence and habitat use was based on on -site observations and habitat presence in conjunction with the known habitat requirements of potential wildlife species. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. 3.0 HABITAT CONDITIONS AND WILDLIFE USE According to the Soil Conservation Service's (SCS) Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado, Fort Collins loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes and Heldt clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes are the only soils on the property. The majority of the property is occupied by Fort Collins loam, while Heldt clay loam is present along the Fossil Creek drainage. Neither soil is classified as hydric (wetland), and there was no evidence of hydric soils, wetland vegetation, or hydrologic features, indicating wetland conditions on the property. Fort Collins loam and Heldt clay loam are deep, well -drained soils that formed in alluvium. Runoff is slow on 1 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT FOR THE DISCOUNT TIRE DEVELOPMENT SITE Prepared by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. Fort Collins, Colorado Prepared for Discount Tire Company Scottsdale, Arizona April 30, 2002 C IBID)km �111i LLLGlli k550C UZZ, NC. 916 Willshire Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521 • (970) 4934394