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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS EMERGENCY CENTER, 4858 S. COLLEGE AVE. - PDP - PDP160001 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTCedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 1 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved CEDAR RIDGE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY© August 2015 Larimer County, Colorado Prepared by: BLUE MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING Supporting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 937 MALLARD DRIVE, FT. COLLINS, CO 80521 (970) 224-0851 Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 2 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 3 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 3.0 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION ............................................................................................................... 6 3.1 WILDLIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 WETLANDS ................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.3 PROMINENT VIEWS ....................................................................................................................................... 7 3.4 NATIVE TREES AND VEGETATION ................................................................................................................. 7 3.5 NON-NATIVE TREES AND VEGETATON………………………………………………………………...……7 3.6 BANK, SHORELINE AND HIGH WATER MARK OF PERENNIAL WATER .......................................................... 7 3.7 SENSITIVE AND SPECIALLY VALUED SPECIES ............................................................................................... 7 3.8 SPECIAL HABITAT FEATURES ....................................................................................................................... 8 3.9 WILDLIFE MIGRATION CORRIDORS .............................................................................................................. 8 3.10 GENERAL ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................................... 9 3.11 TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER ..................................................... 9 3.12 MITIGATE MEASURES ................................................................................................................................. 9 4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................................... 9 REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................................... 9 APPENDIX A: PROJECT MAPS .......................................................................................................................... 11 APPENDIX B: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ................................................................................................................... 15 Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 4 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 5 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 1.0 Introduction This report documents ecological characteristics within the proposed Cedar Park Emergency Center project on 1.154 acres (Parcel #’s 9601208011-9601208016) in south Fort Collins. This report conforms to Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS). This report was required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services because the project is within 50 feet of an irrigation ditch. The City of Fort Collins contact for the project is Environmental Planner Rebecca Everette. The project applicant proposes to construct a fully capable hospital-grade emergency room that is not attached to a hospital, a free-standing emergency center. The facility would not be hospital- or corporate-owned but instead represent local emergency physicians, nurses and support staff that will own and operate this emergency room (ER). The ER will be open 24 hours a day every day and will be capable of treating all major and minor emergencies. A total of 26 vehicles are anticipated to enter and leave the site each day (24 hour period). Patient volume is expected to increase with time; vehicle traffic per day may increase to approximately 50 vehicles within several years. An example of a free-standing emergency center can be viewed at www.CedarParkEmergencyCenter.com . 2.0 Site Description The proposed Cedar Park Emergency Center encompasses 1.154 acres (50,276 square feet) and is located on the east side of South College Avenue along the Frontage Road approximately 1,560 feet south of Harmony Road. The Property is bounded by commercial development to the north and south and the residential community of Fairway Estates to the east. The 43-acre Redtail Grove Natural Area is located approximately 1,637 feet southwest of the Property. The natural area has been classified as sensitive and is currently closed to the public. Fossil Creek meanders for approximately 0.43 miles through the natural area providing diverse riparian habitat, native short- and mixed-grass prairies, large cottonwood galleries and geologic features including fossils. In addition, the 29.60-acre Two Creeks Natural Area is located approximately 3,400 feet to the southeast of the Property and is unique because both Mail Creek and Fossil Creek flow through it. The legal description for the Property is a portion of Section 11, Township 6 North, Range 69 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado. A Plat Map of the proposed project, the City of Fort Collins Habitat and Natural Features Inventory Map and a Photo Point Map are provided in Appendix A. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 6 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved The Property was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) and Clint Hinebaugh (Wildlife Biologist) with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on August 7, 2015. 3.0 Ecological Characterization The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in this section in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. According to the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitat and Features Map, the Property does not contain any natural habitat or features. Riparian forest, non-native upland plains forest, non-native grassland and aquatic habitat is located in the vicinity and meanders along Mail Creek from the intersection of Harmony Road and College Avenue around Fairway Estates. The Property appears to be a fallow agricultural field that is mowed periodically. As such, it supports a variety of forage grasses and other exotic and noxious species. Trees are not present within the Property. 3.1 Wildlife Due to the Property’s urban location and high human disturbance level, wildlife value is poor. The Property is treeless and consists principally of exotic forage grasses and other exotic species. Most wildlife use can be expected to be transitional; urban-adapted wildlife likely travel along the un-named irrigation ditch to the east of the Property. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of urban-adapted avifauna including American robins (Turdus migratorius), mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura), magpies (Pica pica), swallows, crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and ravens (Corvus corax). Mammals such as mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) could utilize the Property year round. Common reptiles such as garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) may also utilize the site. Seasonal water is available in the ditch near the eastern Property boundary. Structural habitat, thermal cover and escape cover are not present within the site for most species. No wildlife or sign of wildlife were observed during the site visit. 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the Property. An un-named irrigation ditch is located approximately five feet east of the Property boundary. Wetlands and the Top of Bank were flagged along the ditch per City of Fort Collins requirements. According to the FEMA Map Panel (08069C1000F), the Property is outside of the floodplain (http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents, accessed on August 10, 2015). Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 7 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.3 Prominent Views Views of the Front Range, including Horsetooth Rock, exist to the west. Typical views from the frontage road are provided in Appendix B. 3.4 Native Trees and Vegetation The site does not contain any trees. The most abundant native vegetation was yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis). Native vegetation is a minor component of the total vegetative cover. 3.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation As an abandoned field, the site principally supports smooth brome (Bromus inermis); however, other exotic species are common including field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), yellow sweetclover, orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), chicory (Cichorium spp.), yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) and dock (Rumex spp.). Exotic trees were not present on the Property. 3.6 Top of Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water Not applicable; the site does not contain perennial water. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species There are no known occurrences or habitat for sensitive and specially valued species on the Property. The USFWS Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) was accessed to determine species of concern in Larimer County, which include the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis), all of which are associated with riparian/wetland areas. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician Craig Hansen, all trapping for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) in Fort Collins has been negative. Typical habitat for PMJM is composed of well-developed riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas should include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Based on these habitat requirements and the negative trapping data, it is Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting’s opinion that PMJM does not occur on the site and development of the Property will not adversely affect PMJM. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 8 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Similarly, it is Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting’s opinion that the Ute lady’s tresses and Colorado butterfly plant do not occur on the site. The closest known occurrences of these plants are near the northwest boundary of Fort Collins (Ute lady’s tresses) and within the City- managed Soapstone Prairie Natural Area near the Wyoming border (butterfly plant). Suitable habitat is not present within the project area or within the adjacent Mail Creek buffer zone. 3.8 Special Habitat Features The Natural Habitat and Features Map provided by the City of Fort Collins (Appendix A) identifies prominent features in the vicinity of the Property, including non-native grasslands, non-native upland plains forest, riparian forest and aquatic areas. The map does not identify these features on or adjacent to the Property. 3.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors Due to the location and size of the un-named irrigation ditch, it is unlikely that it acts as a migration corridor to any wildlife species other raccoons, skunks or other urban-adapted species. Although the ditch is outside of the Property boundary, the proposed development would occur within the suggested 50-foot buffer for an irrigation ditch. Development along the ditch would be consistent with adjacent properties, and Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes development on the Property would not affect the functioning of the ditch as a wildlife corridor. The irrigation ditch is outside of the Property boundary and likely functions as a migration corridor for urban‐adapted species. Property Boundary Irrigation Ditch Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 9 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.10 General Ecological Functions The 1.154-acre site does not support any significant areas of native vegetation or other unique habitat features. The Property consists of upland vegetation that is dominated by early seral and exotic species characteristic of fallow agricultural fields. 3.11 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of nesting birds adjacent to the Property. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter or offer for sale, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs of such a bird. The coniferous and deciduous trees located to the east of the Property should be visually checked for nesting activity prior to construction so that the project complies with the temporary 450-foot radius Limit of Development (LOD) from February 15th to July 15th for occupied nests. 3.12 Mitigation Measures Although occupied raptor nest sites are unlikely, a nest search is recommended within two weeks prior to the start of construction to avoid Migratory Bird Treaty Act infractions. Normal erosion and sedimentation control practices should be employed during construction, and the site should be restored with native vegetation as soon as possible thereafter. 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted on the Property. The primary concern on-site is the timing of construction to avoid disturbing nesting birds, increased runoff from hardened surfaces and the introduction of undesirable plants. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we- do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Raptors. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGuid elines2008.pdf Hansen, C. 2014. Email communication from Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood, Colorado to Clinton Hinebaugh, BMEC, Inc. October 4. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 10 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on August 10, 2015. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System. Accessed on August 10, 2015. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 11 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix A: Project Maps Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 12 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 S. Lemay Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 13 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 14 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Photo Point Map 4 3 1 2 Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 15 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix B: Site Photographs Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 16 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: N Looking north along the Frontage Road to the east of the Property. Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: E Looking east along the northern Property boundary. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 17 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: S Looking south along the western Property boundary. Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: S Looking south along the eastern Property boundary. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 18 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: SW Looking southwest into the Property. Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: N Looking north from the southeast corner. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 19 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: W Looking west towards College Avenue. Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: NW Looking northwest into the Property. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 20 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 4 Photo Direction: N Looking north along the western boundary. Map Number: 4 Photo Direction: NE Looking northeast into the Property. Cedar Ridge Ecological Characterization Study 21 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 4 Photo Direction: E Looking east along the southern boundary.