Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORTHINGTON AVENUE RESIDENCES - PDP - PDP160023 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTS (17)May 27, 2016 Matt Rankin r4 Architects 226 Remington Street, Unit #3 Fort Collins, CO 80524 RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Report for the Worthington Avenue Residences Project Site Matt: 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 Worthington Avenue Residences project site on a portion of Colorado State University Foundation’s (CSURF) parcel B 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 7.31 acres of undeveloped land located between the New Mercer Ditch and a recently re-aligned segment of Larimer County Canal No. 2 west of Centre Avenue. The location of the project area is depicted on Figure 1. Existing residential developments are located to the north and west of the project site, while residential development and an office building are adjacent to the south property boundary. Currently, land to the east of the project area is undeveloped (see Figure 1). The proposed development would construct 34 single-family attached units. Ecological characteristics of the Worthington Avenue Residences project site were evaluated in the field on May 20, 2016. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities and 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. 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 cleared of native vegetation and planted with non-native grass and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Non-native grassland/alfalfa is the only habitat currently supported on the site (see attached Figure 1) except for the two irrigation ditch rights-of-way, Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch. The project area was likely used for hay production but evidence of recent mowing was observed during the site survey. The dominant grass species currently supported in the project area consists almost entirely of smooth brome (Bromus inermis1). Other less dominant herbaceous species noted on sit e were common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), common mullein (Verbascum thaspus), and Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica). Both leaf spurge and Dalmation toadflax are classified as noxious weeds by Larimer County. Woody species are restricted to three recently planted lanceleaf cottonwoods (Populus acuminata) at the northwest property corner and four large eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides), which grow along an abandoned segment of the Larimer County Canal No. 2. The corridor was abandoned and partially filled in when the new alignment was recently constructed (see Figure 1). Attached Photos 1 through 4 provide representative views of the project area, Larimer County Canal No. 2, and New Mercer Ditch. 1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ M. Rankin May 27, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Wildlife habitat value of the project area is very low because of past clearing of the site, dominance by non- native grass species, the recent realignment of Larimer County Canal No. 2, and surrounding roadway and developments. Mice, voles, cottontail rabbit, and a few urban-adapted songbirds 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. The large eastern cottonwood trees along the north property boundary are exhibiting declining health likely due to a reduction in subsurface water availability caused by the realignment of Larimer County Canal No. 2. One tree appeared to be mostly decadent, and the remaining three are partially decadent. (b) No evidence of wetland hydrology, hydric soils, or wetland vegetation was found in the project area other than within the New Mercer Ditch embankments. New Mercer Ditch wetlands are dominated by reed canarygrass (see Photo 3). Wetlands at the proposed road crossing of the ditch may need to be delineated to document wetland impacts, depending on the type of road crossing proposed. Wetlands have not developed in project area portions of Larimer County Canal No. 2 because of the recent construction of this segment. (c) Portions of the project area provide partially obstructed views of the Front Range foothills. (d & e) As indicated under (a & j) the project area does not support any native herbaceous vegetation. Woody vegetation is restricted to three recently planted lanceleaf cottonwoods and four large eastern cottonwoods that are declining. Both of these species are native to Fort Collins. (f) The Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch is are constructed irrigation conveyances and there are no natural perennial streams or other bodies of water in or near the project area. Water is present seasonally in the two ditches during the irrigation season (Spring through early Fall). (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 restrict wildlife movement through the area. Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch both originate at the Cache la Poudre River north of Claymore Lake and cross the Spring Creek drainage before reaching the project area. From the project area, water flow in Larimer County Canal No. 2 either terminates at Warren Lake or empties into Mail Creek via the Mail Creek Ditch. Water flow in New Mercer Ditch empties into Mail Creek. Both represent potential wildlife movement corridors for urban-adapted wildlife species. However, the continuity of these corridors is disrupted by developments and major street crossings. Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code requires a 50-foot buffer for canals/ditches that provide wildlife movement corridors, and the current development proposal indicates an approximate 50-foot non-development setback would be maintained along Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch. (k) There are no possible issues regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. Tree nesting habitat is not present within the proposed development area, and there M. Rankin May 27, 2016 Page 3 of 3 has been no evidence of raptor nesting use of nearby large cottonwood trees along the abandoned segment of Larimer County Canal for the last several years. (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. Current development plans indicate a development setback of approximately 50 feet would be maintained from Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch except for the proposed access road crossing of New Mercer Ditch. Depending on the type of construction used for this crossing, there may be relatively minor impacts to wetlands within New Mercer Ditch. Based on Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code, mitigation may be required for any wetland loss. Most of the proposed ditch buffer areas has been adversely impacted by conversion to non-native grassland or a ditch maintenance road on the south side of the new segment of Larimer County Canal No. 2. Where possible, it is recommended that additional mitigation plantings with native shrubs and trees be implemented to enhance habitat quality in the buffer zones and provide additional vegetation screening between the proposed development and Larimer County Canal No. 2 and New Mercer Ditch. Plantings of a mixture of native shrubs and trees within the ditch/canal buffer zones 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. 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 and New Mercer Ditch buffer zones should be shielded or directed to minimize the intrusion of artificial nighttime light into the landscaped buffer zone and adjacent canal/ditch corridors. This concludes Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.’s evaluation of the Worthington Avenue Residences 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: C. Mathis, TBG attachments: Habitat map and photos