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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMANHATTAN TOWNHOMES, SECOND FILING - PDP/FDP - FDP150021 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTS (13)April 7, 2015 Mr. Russell Baker KSR, LLC 772 Whalers Way, Suite 200 Fort Collins, CO 80525 RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Report for the Manhattan Property Mr. Russell Baker: This ECS Report is submitted to address City of Fort Collins Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) requirements to identify habitats and natural resource areas on or within 500 feet of proposed developments. The Manhattan Project area is located at 3836 Manhattan Avenue in the northeast quarter of Section 35 (T 7 N., R69 W). The proposed development would construct 39 townhomes on the site. The project would also construct a trail along the north property boundary to connect to the Power Trail and MAX bus transit system. Ecological characteristics were reviewed on April 6, 2015 and wetlands on the adjacent City of Fort Collins parcel were evaluated and mapped on March 10, 2014 for a previous client that had expressed interest in developing the property. The wetland boundary was mapped using a hand-held GPS unit. A formal wetland survey using the methods and techniques specified for "routine on-site delineations" in the publication, Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACOE 1987), and supplemented by the document, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region, Version 2.0 (USACOE 2010) was not completed since the wetlands do not extend into the project area. The April 6, 2015 field survey was conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features on or near the Manhattan project area. Prior to the initiation of the field survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) soils mapping (Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado) was reviewed to determine if any known hydric (wetland) or highly erosive soil mapping units are located on the property. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities / wildlife habitats present within the property; dominant vegetation associated with each community / habitat; unique habitat features; and observations of wildlife species and/or definitive sign. Photographs showing representative views of existing habitats were also taken to document site conditions. Wildlife presence and habitat use was based on on-site observations and habitat presence in conjunction with the known habitat requirements of potential wildlife species. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST (a & i) Topography of the project site is gently sloping to the southeast. Surrounding land uses consist of residential and commercial developments, roadway, stormwater detention, recreation trail, irrigation ditch (New Mercer), and railroad right-of-way. The recreation trail, irrigation ditch, and railroad right-of-way are located on the east side of City of Fort Collins parcel being used for stormwater detention. The only sensitive habitat areas or features on or near the property are four mature trees on the property and the wetlands that have developed in stormwater detention basins to the northeast, east, and south of the Manhattan project area. Existing habitats on the project site consist of non-native grassland and a disturbed area that has been paved with asphalt (see attached Figure 1). Native vegetation has been removed from the development parcel in the past, and non-native grassland is the dominant vegetated habitat currently supported on the project site. The south portion of the project area was previously developed as townhomes, tennis courts, and parking area, all of which have been removed. R. Baker 4/7/15 Page 2 of 3 Dominant vegetation species supported in non-native grassland are smooth brome (Bromus inermis 1), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Common dandelion is the only native species. Attached Photos 1 and 2 provide representative views of the upland portions of the property. Because of surrounding residential development and roadways, the project area has low ecological value and supports no important habitat features beyond the wetlands in the City of Fort Collins parcel bordering the east and south sides of the Manhattan parcel. Surrounding areas are comprised primarily of paved surfaces, single- family dwellings, commercial development, and a stormwater detention area on City of Fort Collins property. As a result, the only unique habitat features of ecological value within 500 feet of the project area are the wetlands in the stormwater detention areas to the northeast, east, and south of the Manhattan project area. Woody vegetation on the project area is restricted to past plantings of ornamental species that persist on the property. These include four Austrian pines (Pinus sylvestris) (see Figure 1) and three redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea) shrubs. Redosier dogwood is a native species. Austrian pine is not. Wildlife use of the project site is low because of the relatively small size of the project area, surrounding development, and a lack of native and woody vegetation cover. No raptor or other bird nests were located in trees on the property during the April 6, 2015 site survey. Future raptor nesting use of project area trees is unlikely due to surrounding human activities and the lack of suitable nest trees and adjacent hunting habitats. Canada goose droppings and tracks were the only evidence of wildlife use of the project area recorded during the site survey. Deer mouse and prairie vole may also be present as resident populations on site. (b) Altvan-Satanta loam and Nunn clay loam are the two soils mapped by the NRCS (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs. usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) on the Manhattan property. Neither soil mapping unit is classified as a wetland soil, although both can contain hydric inclusions. Runoff is slow to medium on both soils, and the hazards of wind and water erosion is slight to moderate. No problem erosion area were found during the field survey. Wetlands boundaries on the adjacent City of Fort Collins parcel were delineated based on a transition from wetland vegetation species dominance to upland vegetation species dominance. These wetlands appear to have developed primarily as a result of stormwater runoff from surrounding developments. A review of historic aerial photographs available from Larimer County’s Landscape & Imagery Explorer website indicates the wetland and open water areas have expanded considerably since 2002. The existing wetland is dominated by broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia) and bulrush (Schoenoplectus sp.) around the open water perimeter and in the central and more saturated portions of the area. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens), mountain rush (Juncus arcticus), compressed rush (Juncus compressus), Torrey’s rush (Juncus torreyi), and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) are the dominant wetland vegetation species growing in less saturated around the perimeter of the wetlands. Sandbar willows (Salix exigua) and young peachleaf willows (Salix amygdaloides) are supported in some areas around the perimeter of the open water area. Total size of the wetland was determined to be approximately 2.3 acres, including the open water areas. Wetlands create the most valuable habitat near the project area since wetlands typically support a greater diversity of plants and animals than that found in adjacent dryland habitats in urban areas. Wildlife species from adjacent upland habitats will also rely on wetland habitats for obtaining food, cover, and water on a regular or intermittent basis. Wetlands and seasonal aquatic habitats also provide foraging and resting habitats, and movement corridors for waterfowl and other urban-adapted waterbirds. Mallard ducks were observed using the open water portion of the wetland area during the March 2014 survey. Other species potentially present in 1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ R. Baker 4/7/15 Page 3 of 3 wetland habitat in the project area include red-winged blackbird, Woodhouse’s toad, chorus frog, and wandering terrestrial garter snake. (c) The project area does not provide any significant or unobstructed views of natural areas or other important visual features. (d) As indicated under (a & i) the project area does not support any native vegetation except for common dandelion and redosier dogwood. (e) There are no natural drainages in the project area. Drainages feeding the wetlands in the adjacent City of Fort Collins parcel appear to have been constructed for stormwater runoff control and storage. (f) Because of surrounding development and a lack of native habitats, there is no suitable habitat for any threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species on or adjacent to the project area. The wetlands supported on the adjacent City of Fort Collins property do not provide suitable habitat conditions for Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradensis), or Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). (g) Wetlands on the adjacent City of Fort Collins property are the only special habitat feature within or near the project area. (h) There are no potential wildlife movement corridors on the project area. The New Mercer Ditch on the east side of the City of Fort Collins property may provide for some localized movement of urban adapted species such as raccoon, striped skunk, and waterfowl. (j) There is one issue regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If the development proposal includes removal of any trees on the property or if construction occurs near an occupied bird nest during the songbird nesting season (March through July 31), these activities could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and would be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (k) Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code requires a buffer setback of 100 feet for wetlands greater than 0.3 acre without significant use by waterfowl and/or shorebirds. This buffer setback would apply to the City of Fort Collins wetland because its relatively small size and limited open water area would not attract or support significant use by waterfowl and/or shorebirds. If a 100-foot buffer is prohibitive to development of the Manhattan property, habitat enhancements between the development and wetlands could mitigate reductions in the buffer zone. Appropriate habitat enhancement measures could include additional plantings of native trees and shrubs between the wetland and proposed development areas. Plantings of trees and shrubs would improve habitat diversity as well as provide visual shielding between the development and wetlands. Any buffer reduction and mitigation measures would need to be negotiated with City of Fort Collins planning staff. Loss of any trees classified as significant by the City of Fort Collins would need to be mitigated with replacement trees as per Section 3.2.1 (F) of the Land Use Code. Because tree removal or construction near trees during the nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest, it is recommended that tree removal or construction near songbird nests occur outside of the nesting season (March 1 – July 31), or trees on or near the project area be surveyed to ensure lack of nesting prior to removal or construction activities during the nesting season. Russell, this concludes my evaluation of the Manhattan project area. If you have any questions or require additional input regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan, Principal attachments: Figure 1 and Photos 1-4