HomeMy WebLinkAboutREDTAIL RESIDENTIAL - PDP - 26-01 - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTSf. The majority of the existing site topography, the existing drainage features
and ponds, will be maintained and the project is designed to accomplish
this by i) allocating 50.2% of the project net area to landscape / open
space areas and ii) clustering the housing in a way to minimize impact on
same.
g. The project is designed to enhance the natural ecological characteristics
relating in particular to the three ponds and adjacent open space / natural
area. No landscaping is planned within the buffer zone except for the
extension of Cameron Drive into project.
h. The project will provide appropriate human access to the buffer area by
means of public sidewalks along Cameron Drive and the ped / bike path
which proceeds (in conjunction with the emergency access and water
utility line road) between the north and middle ponds. Both of these
pedestrian / bike sidewalks / paths provide an excellent opportunity for
people to observe wildlife, enjoy the natural areas, take photographs, etc.
However, other access to the project open space / natural areas will not
be encouraged in an effort to preserve habitat and not interfere with
wildlife.
4. Accordingly, we respectfully request, based on our satisfaction of the buffer zone
performance standards, a reduction of the Redtail hawk buffer from 1,320' to
1,240% a 6% reduction. This will allow for the development activity relating to
Building O, Building P, and the southern pond water quality / outflow structure to
be constructed, including a 20' allowance for a construction easement along the
north edge of the City natural area, should that possibly be necessary in the
future (our present plans call for all construction activity to occur on -site).
Thank you.
JP/hlb
Enclosures
Topographic / Elevations Plan
Cross-section
Photos
Furthermore, all street activity and the central park / mail kiosk areas are
located centrally in the project, not around the periphery, which reduces
the amount of vehicle noise or other noise which otherwise might possibly
be transmitted south toward the hawk's nest.
b. The project shall preserve and enhance wildlife movement corridors.
The major wildlife movement corridor proceeds from north to south along
the three ponds and then out onto City natural area. This natural wildlife
corridor will be maintained largely in its current state. Where it is impacted
by regrading, it will be rehabilitated with the planting of native grasses,
shrubs and trees to achieve a condition equal to or greater than the
original natural area's condition. Although the wildlife corridor will be
impacted by the widening of Cameron Drive for the project access and the
water utility line — emergency fire access road — pedestrian / bike path
between the upper two ponds, wildlife movement will otherwise not be
impacted. Furthermore, in the off-season, wildlife may be able to use
some of the culverts being installed for north -south travel.' 50.2% of the
net project acres is committed to landscape and open space. The major
portion of this is the three ponds and related open space described above.
c. The project shall be designed to preserve significant existing trees and
other significant existing vegetation. With the exception of regrading
required primarily related to the extension of Cameron Drive and primarily
around the southernmost pond, trees and significant existing vegetation
will not be impacted. Where they are, however, they will be replaced with
trees and vegetation of equal or greater quality.
It is worthy of note that the water utility line will be shifted approximately
20' north (where it passes between the north and middle. ponds). This will
cause a small part of the upper pond to be backfilled in a long section of
non -sensitive shoreline, removing about fifteen trees (mostly 4" — 8", two
12"), however the benefit will be to keep the most pristine natural area
located along the north end of the middle pond Oust south of the northern
pond) otherwise totally intact and in existing natural condition.
d. The ponds and adjacent open space, trees and shrubs, existing and new
will provide the various wildlife, including waterfowl and other, with habitat
and feeding areas. Project is designed to protect, maintain and enhance
such habitat and feeding areas as described above.
e. The project is designed so that the major amount of traffic, noise and light
is central in the project, and therefore is substantially buffered by the
buildings which surround the public streets, the two cul-de-sacs, and the
central park — kiosk area from impacting wildlife and wildlife use of habitat
both on the site and in the City natural area to the south.
September 15,20021
Michelle Pawar
Director of Natural Resources
l
Doug Moore
Environmental Planner
Natural Resources
City of Fort Collins
281 N. College Ave.
P. O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
RE: Redtail Project / Request for 6% Reduction in the 1,320' Redtail Hawk Buffer
Zone
Dear Michelle and Doug:
1. In our submittals for this project, we have requested that we be granted this
.modification.
2. In way of general explanation based on extensive site inspection, measurements
and photographs, we are able to conclusively establish that the Redtail hawk
nest will not be able to view any part of the Redtail project because a) the hawk
nest is located on the south side of a large tree with four major limbs, branches
and seasonal foliage blocking the view to the north, and b) the view to the north
from the nest is further blocked by a 80' by 440' grove of 50' trees. Please see
topographic map, cross-section plan, and photos attached, in further explanation
of this.
3. Specifically the project meets the buffer zone performance standards as follows:
a. The project preserves and enhances the ecological character and wildlife
use of the Redtail hawk nest and furthermore minimizes the impacts of
development on same. This is achieved by locating buildings in a fashion
and limiting their height so that they are fully blocked from view by the
Redtail hawks from their nest by major groves of trees.
3944 JFK Parkway,
Fort Collins, CO 80525 • (970) 226-5000 • Fax (970) 226-5125