The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCENTRE FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 23RD, LOT 2 OFFICE BUILDING - PDP/FDP - FDP150007 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTJanuary 23, 2015 Michael “Bo” Brown CSU/CSURF Real Estate Office P.O. Box 483 Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the proposed Lot 2 at the CAT23rd Sunshine House development. Bo: This ECS Report is submitted in response to the City’s request for an ECS report for development of Lot 2 at the CAT23rd Sunshine House. The current development proposal calls for the construction of a 28,000-square foot office building with associated parking areas. The total area of development would include the entire approximate 1.9-acre parcel. Ecological characteristics of the property were initially evaluated during a field review of the property on October 4, 2013 and a follow-up field review was completed on January 16, 2015. The project area location is depicted on attached Figure 1. The following provides a summary of ECS information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST (a & i) The proposed office development site currently has very low ecological value and supports no natural habitat features. The majority of the property was previously disturbed for a sales office and associated parking for the Grove student housing project to the west. Previously the site supported non-native grassland used for hay production. Currently, the Grove sales buildings and associated facilities have been removed, and the site has been graded to approximate original contours and reseeded with grass species for stabilization. The site had some snow cover at the time of the January 16 field survey, but there were sufficient areas without snow cover to determine the property is currently vegetated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis1), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and annual weed species including kochia (Bassia scoparia), pitseed goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and buffalobur nightshade (Solanum rostratum). As a result, the parcel currently provides minimal wildlife habitat value except for ground foraging, urban adapted birds such as mourning dove and Canada goose and small mammals such as deer mouse and prairie vole. Canada geese were observed grazing on the parcel at the time of the January 16 survey. Attached Photo 1 provides a representative view of the Lot 2 development parcel. There are no natural features or habitats within 500 feet of the project area except for four large eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees that are supported along the former Larimer County Canal No. 2 alignment to the south of the property. The canal was realigned slightly south of its old alignment for the nearby Grove Project (see Figure 1). The Lot 2 project area is more than 50 feet from the previous and current alignment of Larimer County Canal No. 2, and development of Lot 2 would have no affect on the new canal alignment or the existing eastern cottonwood trees since Lot 2 is separated from these trees and both canal alignments by Rolland Moore Drive. No evidence of raptor nesting activity (large stick nests) were observed in the cottonwood trees, and raptor nesting use of these trees is highly unlikely because of nearby development. Attached Photo 2 provides a view of the cottonwoods closest to the Lot 2 property. 1 Scientific nomenclature for plant follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ M. Brown 1/23/15 Page 2 of 4 (b) There are no wetlands on Lot 2. (c) The project area does not provide any prominent views of natural features or other areas of scenic value. (d) The only native vegetation found on the property was sparse stands of western wheatgrass intermixed with smooth brome, a non-native species. (e) There are no natural drainages on the property (f) There is no suitable habitat for any threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species on or adjacent to the project area. No other sensitive or ecologically important species are likely to use the property since its surface has been disturbed and cleared and supports no native habitats. (g) Past removal of native habitat has eliminated the potential for any special habitat features on the property. (h) There are no wildlife movement corridors on the property, but the previous and new alignments of Larimer County Canal No. 2 may provide movement corridors for urban-adapted wildlife species. As indicated under items (a) and (i), Lot 2 is over 50 feet away from these two alignments. (j) There are no wildlife or habitat issues regarding the possible timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. (k) Since the entire project area has been previously disturbed and cleared of native vegetation, project development would have no impact on natural habitats or important habitat features. Therefore, no mitigation is necessary to protect natural features, habitats, or wildlife species prior to project development. Bo, if you have any questions or require additional information regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal Senior Wildlife Biologist attachments: Figure 1, Lot 2 Habitat Map & Photos 1 and 2 M. Brown 1/23/15 Page 3 of 4 M. Brown 1/23/15 Page 4 of 4