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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE OVERLOOK - PDP - PDP160011 - REPORTS - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTMay 31, 2016 Butch Stockover Wstockover Enterprises, Inc. 1806 Westview Road Fort Collins, CO 80524 RE: Revised Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Report for the JFK Residential Project Site Butch: This letter report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the submittal of an ECS Report for the JFK Residential project site in Fort Collins, Colorado. The report was prepared in accordance with Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an ECS Report. The proposed development site is vacant land located on the east side of John F Kennedy Parkway immediately south of U.S. Bank at 301 E. Horsetooth Road. Residential developments occupy the properties on the east side of the JFK Residential project site and Larimer County Canal No. 2 runs along the southern property boundary. The proposed development includes residential development, office space, parking areas, and two stormwater detention sites. Ecological characteristics of the JFK Residential project site were evaluated in the field on January 7, 2015. The site had partial snow cover at the time, but sufficient bare ground was visible to permit evaluation of vegetation cover and other site characteristics. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities / wildlife habitats present in the project area. 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. Since the entire project area has been previously disturbed and cleared of native vegetation, emphasis of the field survey was placed primarily on evaluating Larimer Canal No. 2 adjacent to the south property boundary and its use by wildlife. The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (l). ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST (a & j) The entire project area has been previously disturbed and cleared of native vegetation, and non-native grassland is the only habitat currently supported on the site (see attached Figure 1). Existing stands of grass also appeared to be mowed on a regular basis for weed control and/or hay production. The dominant grass species currently supported in the project area consists of almost entirely of smooth brome (Bromus inermis1). Woody species are restricted to four non-native Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) trees. Eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees grow along the Larimer County Canal No. 2 corridor adjacent to the south property boundary. These trees constitute a riparian corridor along Larimer County Canal No. 2, and base on Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code a 50-foot non-development buffer would apply to this riparian area. Attached Photos 1 and 2 provide representative views of the project area and Larimer County Canal No. 2. Wildlife habitat value of the project area is very low because of past clearing of the site, dominance by non- native grass species, mowing practices, and surrounding roadway and developments. Mowing reduces vegetation cover and overall habitat suitability for wildlife use. Mice, voles, and a few urban-adapted songbirds 1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ B. Stockover May 31, 2016 Page 2 of 3 such as house sparrow, American robin, and western meadowlark are the only species possibly establishing resident populations in the project area. Trees growing on the site provide possible foraging, perching, and nesting sites for these birds and other urban adapted songbirds. However, the field survey did not find any evidence of past nesting use (stick nests) in the trees on the property, further confirming the overall poor habitat quality of the site for songbird use. Field observations indicated that Canada geese and American crows occasionally forage in the project area. (b) No evidence of wetland hydrology, hydric soils, or wetland vegetation was found in the project area. (c) The project area does not provide any significant or unobstructed views of natural areas or other important visual features. (d & e) As indicated under (a & j) the project area does not support any native herbaceous vegetation. Woody vegetation is restricted to four non-native Siberian elm trees as indicated in Figure 1. Trees 6 inches (dbh) or larger may be classified as significant by the City Forester, although Siberian elm is considered a nuisance tree by the City of Fort Collins. However, all trees provide some perching, foraging, and nesting habitat value for songbirds. (f) The Larimer County Canal No. 2 is a constructed irrigation conveyance and there are no natural perennial streams or other bodies of water in or near the project area. (g) Because of the lack of native habitats and wetlands on the property, there are no suitable habitats for any threatened, endangered, sensitive, or specially valued species on or adjacent to the project area. The project area also does not support any black-tailed prairie dog use. (h) Past disturbance and land clearing activities in the project area has eliminated the potential for any special habitat features on the property. (i) The project area has no connection to natural areas or open space supporting habitats that would attract any wildlife species other than a few urban-adapted songbirds. In addition, the project area is surrounded by roadway and existing commercial and residential developments that preclude wildlife movement through the area. Larimer County Canal No. 2 originates at the Cache la Poudre River and water flow in the canal either terminates at Warren Lake or empties into Mail Creek via the Mail Creek Ditch. The City of Fort Collins considers this irrigation ditch corridor to be a wildlife movement corridor so a 50-foot non-development setback would apply to this feature based on Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code. (k) There is only one possible issue regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If development includes removal of any trees on the property or if construction occurs near an occupied bird nest during the songbird nesting season (April through July), these activities could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and could be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The January 2016 field survey did not locate any evidence of nests in trees on the property or nearby trees along Larimer County Canal No. 2, but there is slight possibility that nesting could be initiated in a future nesting season. (l) Since the entire property proposed for development has been previously cleared of native vegetation and habitat, project development would have no impact on natural habitats or important habitat features, other than existing trees on the property. Trees determined to be significant on the property should be preserved to the extent possible. Removal of any trees classified as significant would need to be mitigated with replacement trees, as determined by the City Forester based on the Land Use Code. B. Stockover May 31, 2016 Page 3 of 3 It is recommended that additional mitigation plantings with native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous species be completed to enhance the wildlife movement corridor and riparian corridor buffer zone and provide additional vegetation screening between Larimer County Canal No. 2 and proposed development. These plantings could also compensate for the loss of non-significant and nuisance trees providing wildlife habitat value for songbirds. Plantings of a mixture of native shrubs and trees within the Larimer County Canal No. 2 buffer zone would create higher quality and more diverse songbird habitat than current existing conditions. Any additional woody plantings would need to be in compliance with the ditch companies’ maintenance requirements for Larimer County Canal No. 2. Since 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 songbird nesting season (April – July), 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. This mitigation recommendation would preclude the possible incidental take or disturbance of occupied nests. One final mitigation recommendation is based on Article 3.2.4(D)(6) in the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code that requires protection of natural areas and natural features from light spillage from off site sources. Therefore, intensity of night lighting from the sides of structures facing the Larimer County Canal No. 2 buffer zone should be shielded or directed to minimize the intrusion of artificial nighttime light into the landscaped buffer zone and adjacent Larimer County Canal No. 2 corridor. This concludes Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.’s evaluation of the JFK Residential project area. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal and Senior Wildlife Biologist pc: R. Lee, Ripley Design attachments: Habitat map and photos