Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutASPEN HEIGHTS STUDENT HOUSING - FDP - FDP130010 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (26)____________________________________________________________________________________ 1619 Kelmsley Ct., Windsor, CO 80550 • 970-674-3323•• Cell 970-227-8786 • deanne@TFGColorado.com March 29, 2013 Lindsay Ex Environmental Planner Community Development & Neighborhood Services City of Fort Collins 281 N. College Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 RE: Aspen Heights Environmental Considerations A. Transmittal: The following environmental documents have been included with the Final Compliance Submittal- in electronic format: Document Date Author Aspen Heights Ecological Characterization Study 8/11 Wildland Consultants, Inc. Conifer and Redwood Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 10/11 Terracon Consultants, Inc. Conifer and Redwood Limited Site investigation 12/11 Terracon Consultants, Inc. Aspen Heights Wetland Delineation Report 12/11 Wildland Consultants, Inc. Aspen Heights Wetland Delineation Report 2/13 Wildland Consultants, Inc. ACOE Permit Letter 3/8/13 Wildland Consultants, Inc. ACOE Jurisdictional Determination 3/13 Terry McKee, ACOE Wetland Delineation Exhibit with Area Calculations (delineated wetland mapping provided by King Surveyors, Inc.) 3/13 The Frederickson Group, LLC Praire Dog Removal Plan – Rite Corp Service Request 3/29/13 Rite Corp B. Wetlands The original Project Development Plan that was submitted for this project presented an impacted wetland calculation of .30 acres, including existing wetlands that would be filled as a result of the Aspen Heights Development Project. This calculation included delineated wetlands within the project boundaries and those within the City-owned Storm water detention pond property located immediately south of the project site. At that time the City of Fort Collins Storm Water department directed the consultant team to build a majority of the detention pond, which would have been in excess of the storm water detention required for the Development Project. A wetland mitigation plan was included with the submittal documents with the intent to mitigate the impacted wetlands within the City owned storm-water property. It should be noted that at the time, the consultant team had gotten a verbal determination from the Army Corps of Engineers that the wetlands were likely jurisdictional, and the consultant team operated under this premise. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 1619 Kelmsley Ct., Windsor, CO 80550 • 970-674-3323•• Cell 970-227-8786 • deanne@TFGColorado.com Page 2 Aspen Heights Environmental Summary Since the time of the PDP submittal, review and approval, the Stormwater Department determined that the detention pond should only be built to accommodate only the Aspen Heights project. This reduced the size of the detention pond significantly. As a result the mitigation plan is no longer viable. The continuation of the wetlands that exist on the south side of the New Vine alignment was delineated as well, because it was determined that these wetlands, though they would not be filled as a result of the Aspen Heights project, they would be impacted hydrologically. Both wetland delineation reports were submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers, and a site visit was conducted. The Army Corps of Engineers determined that the wetlands were, in fact, NOT jurisdictional. The total acres of the impacted wetlands is .69 acres. This includes wetlands filled, and wetlands not filled but impacted by the redirection of surface drainage. An exhibit with all wetland calculations was prepared to illustrate the various ownerships, land area, and fill status. Hard copy of this exhibit is provided in the submittal set along with electronic version. It is expected that mitigation of the wetlands will be accomplished through an agreement with the City of Fort Collins, which will determine a cash assessment for wetland mitigation at an alternative location. As of this time, the total mitigation responsibility by the Aspen Heights project has not been determined, nor has a per-acre fee. C. Prairie Dogs The final prairie dig mitigation plan has not changed since the approval of the Preliminary Development Plan. A service request for Rite Corp is included with Final Compliance Submittal Set, which describes a one-week live trapping of prairie dogs prior to construction. These will be donated to the BF FRF Center. The remaining animals will be fumigated prior to construction. There are plans in place to conduct a Burrowing Owl survey immediately prior to construction. A formal report will be prepared and forwarded to the City of Fort Collins Staff and to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. It is expected that a cash-in lieu fee assessment will be paid to the City of Fort Collins for Habitat Lost, pursuant to City Codes. The total development area of the project is 31.05 acres. The detention pond area is approximately 3.13 acres. It is assumed that because the detention pond will be re- vegetated, it would not be considered “habitat lost”. Thank you for your continued attention to this project. We look forward to working with you on the conclusion of this project. If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to discuss this further please contact me. Sincerely, Deanne Frederickson, RLA The Frederickson Group, LLC