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Home My WebLink AboutWEST VINE STORAGE - PDP - PDP170016 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTC" WPORrcow"s GEdGtUPNCIIFOILATipN SY5191 MAP PRGAlCr5 AArsse �e�e�w �'wid. ;� p p giK'M �wnY�i�t�rvq'.M4��Wi�m�YJ��V � rt+0i l�1ia a �yjA�.a �. •p.�c'u�er�'swaw LnT+ �f a a s'deta uM ��+�s�ti� pwus� swd Natural Habltatand Features Aquatic _ Emergent Weaand Lost to Development NaMe Grassland Native Upland Foothilk Forest Native Upland Foothills Shruoland Native Upland Plains Forest Native Upland Plains Shmpland Norvnative Grassland Nonnative Upland Plains Forest Rioarlan Forest Wet Weadow Pir.liv -, 0: 201- West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study u 6TOISM ptMV$ CM n d WEST VINE STORAGE 1050 W. VINE DRIVE �'°t FORT COLLINS CO AMENDED PLAT '�----- -- I - '� 4GR SNYDER MINOR SUBDIVISION�i R.� it oMs.�',II .� � i �/=;•.�, 0 - ^ M ..p a WCH BMW I REXPP M AOMMSFAIMLY TRUST 97031m 06 w K.SMSST Oa liumpnomom ai 1 - -, E95iw0 . rw*nm. .A "' • ! e gee ae xrt _ �I d_ ,� WOM w y�.��yyy�.� O .EIR. �IMnP1.J .LL1I11M �pp'r •YA11.4/.R I -. o` �^� 141 VN YF! ��i.E n� 1m MNf M1! �I Y . .- _, I Mules � �I I � �� ❑ >u ^� SITE PLAN MN6E.FMlY e....nn Appendix A: Project Maps West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study 3.5 Special Habitats and Features Aurthur Ditch is an aquatic feature that provides wildlife habitat for mammals, reptiles, amphibians and avifauna. More importantly, it serves as wildlife migration corridor through which urban -adapted species can move through the region. 3.6 General Ecological Functions The overall ecological function of this site is low because it occurs within a region that is highly fragmented. A single grass species (smooth brome) dominates the site while other abundant species are exotic and early seral reflective of site disturbance. Pollinator habitat value is also low according to the Xerces Society Pollinator Habitat Assessment for Natural Areas and Rangelands (http://www.xerces.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/12/PollinatorHabitatAssessment NaturalAreasRanQelands web.ndfl. Mature Siberian elm trees with decadent branches can potentially provide nesting habitat for passerine migrant species and it is assumed that meso-predators such as skunk and raccoon as well as avifauna make regular use of Aurthur Ditch. The current development plans do not call for development along the corridor; therefore, the proposed development should not affect the ecological function of this feature. 3.7 Mitigation We recommend the following actions to maintain ecological function and improve environmental quality: • Retain (or plant) deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs to create vertical structure and thermal cover for avifauna and mammals. For native flowering plant seed mix use Pawnee Butts Seed Inc. Prairie Wildflower Mix (http://www.l)awneebuttesseed.com/seed-list/mixesn • Implement screening measures as described in the project proposal. • Enhance pollinator habitat by establishing native cool and warm season flowering plants along the top of berm near Aurthur Ditch and within detention areas; limit the use of insecticides. • Maintain value of Aurthur Ditch as a wildlife movement corridor by utilizing proposed setbacks as described in the site plan. • Utilize the Pawnee Butts Seed Inc. Foothills Native Mix as a restoration grass mix within detention areas(http://www.oawneebuttesseed.com/seed-list/mixes� 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the above mitigation be implemented to maintain ecological function. West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study Mammals including mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), mice (Mus spp.), voles (Microtus spp.), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) are expected to utilize the Property year round. Meso-predators species such as coyote (Canis latrans), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and red fox (Vulpes fulva) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) may be common due to proximity to Aurthur Ditch. 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the Property. According to the National Wetlands Inventory (httts://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.htmi) Aurthur Ditch, which flows from west to east along the northern boundary, is a riverine wetland with an unknown perennial source and unconsolidated bottom (RSUB). According to the City of Fort Collins Geographic Information Services, http://www.fcjzov.conVutilities/what-we-do/stormwater/floodin floodplain-maps-documents) the Property is located on FEMA Map Panel (08069C0976F) and does not occur within a FEMA or City of Ft. Collins designated floodplain. 3.3 Native Trees and Vegetation Native trees and vegetation form a minor component of the overstory and understory. Trees are concentrated along the northern, and eastern boundaries as well as along fence lines within the interior. Native tree species in descending order of abundance include Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), plains cottonwood (Populous sargentii), blue spruce (Picea pungens) and apple (Malus spp.) Shrubs include Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum). Native forbs include goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri). Other native forb and grass species were not apparent. 3.4 Non-native Trees and Vegetation The overstory and understory of this site are dominated by exotic species. Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) is the most abundant exotic tree. The herbaceous layer is dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Other exotic forbs and grasses were less abundant. Exotic forbs include kochia (Bassia scoparia), yellow sweetclover (Melilotus oflicinalis), dock (Rumex spp.), mustard (Brassica spp.), dandelion (Taraxaxum off vale), Russian thistle (Salsola iberica), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), knotweed (Polygonum spp.), woolly hedgenettle (Stachys byzantina), stork's bill (Erodium cicutarum), flixweed (Descurainia sophia), shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), crossflower (Chorispora tenella), Canada thistle (Circium arvenese), common mallow (Malva neglecta), redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) and alfalfa (Medicago spp.) Exotic grasses inclide rye (Secale cereale) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). It should be noted that mullein, redstem filaree and Canada thistle are State -listed noxious species. West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study 1.0 Introduction This memo documents ecological characteristics of the West Vine and Shields development. The 2.7 acre is comprised of two Larimer County parcels (970234001 and 9702340002). The proposed site plan shows 14 commercial buildings each with storage units of various sizes. All of the storage building will be single store in nature. A two story building will be the residential caretakers unit that contains the managing office. This building will be residential in size, scale and materials to be similar to other residential buildings in the neighborhood. The storage buildings that are along West Vine Drive are small units and the buildings are small in length so there is visual separation similar to residential uses. These building are setback from the curb line by thirty-six feet of landscaped buffer. The site was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) and Abbey Rutherford with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on June 1, 2017. 2.0 Site Description The Property is bounded by single family residential developments and commercial properties. It currently contains a vacant single family residence, a barn, two sheds, a garage, a cell tower and a support building. The majority of the site is presently an open field. A concept sketch diagram and City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map are provided in Appendix A. 3.0 Ecological Characterization The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. According to the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map Aurthur Ditch, located along the northern Property boundary is an aquatic feature. 3.1 Wildlife This Property likely supports a variety of generalist wildlife species that are adapted to fragmented habitats characteristic of residential neighborhoods. Avifauna that can be expected to make seasonal and/or year-round use of the site include a number of urban -adapted avifauna such as American robin (Turdus migratorius), mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura), Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), magpie (Pica pica), swallows, American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and common raven (Corvus corax). A variety of passerine migrant species can also be expected to use the site on a seasonal basis. A pair of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was observed on Aurthur Ditch. West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study BLUE MOT 7NTAIN June 5, 2017 Fredric Hattman Hattman Architects 524 South Loomis Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 RE: West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study Mr. Hattman, Per your request we have prepared this Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) for the 2.7-acre site known as West Vine Storage located near the northeast corner of West Vine Drive and North Shields Street in Fort Collins, Colorado. This ECS is required by Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code because the site is adjacent to Aurthur Ditch, which is identified as a natural habitat of feature by the City of Fort Collins. Because wetlands associated with the ditch do not extend into the project site, city staff has indicated that an abbreviated memo -style ECS is sufficient. The abbreviated ECS follows on the subsequent pages. Sincerely, Matt Topler Natural Resource Specialist West Vine Storage Ecological Characterization Study