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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCROWNE AT OLD TOWNE NORTH - PDP - PDP170007 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTS (10)Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 1 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved CROWNE AT OLD TOWN NORTH DEVELOPMENT ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY © January 2017 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 Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 2 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved 1.0 Introduction This report documents ecological characteristics of the Crowne at Old Town North Development. The Property is located on 15.71 acres (Parcel #s 9701300003, 9701300054 and 9701300055) in north 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 in correspondence dated September 2016 because the project is within 500 feet of known natural habitats and features. The City of Fort Collins contact for the project is Environmental Planner Stephanie Blochowiak. The site was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on January 13, 2017. 2.0 Site Description The proposed development encompasses 15.71 acres and is located at Suniga Road and Jerome Street in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Property is bounded by commercial development to the north and west and by residential development to the south and east. The legal description for the site is as follows: PARCEL I: A TRACT OF LAND SITUATE IN THE NW 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., CITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF FORT COLLINS, COUNTY OF LARIMER, STATE OF COLORADO, WHICH, CONSIDERING THE WEST LINE OF SAID SW 1/4 AS BEARING NORTH AND SOUTH, AND WITH ALL BEARINGS CONTAINED HEREIN RELATIVE THERETO, BEGINS AT A POINT WHICH BEARS SOUTH 263.55 FEET, AND AGAIN EAST 773.35 FEET, AND AGAIN SOUTH 427.94 FEET FROM THE W 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION1, AND RUN THENCE SOUTH 638.80 FEET TO THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NW 1/4 OF SAID SW 1/4; THENCE ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE, S 89° 52' 29" E, 451.65 FEET; THENCE NORTH 639.79 FEET; THENCE WEST 451.65 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL II: A TRACT OF LAND SITUATE IN THE NW 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COUNTY OF LARIMER, STATE OF COLORADO, WHICH, CONSIDERING THE WEST LINE OF SAID SW 1/4 AS BEARING NORTH AND SOUTH, AND WITH ALL BEARINGS CONTAINED HEREIN RELATIVE THERETO, BEGINS AT A POINT WHICH BEARS SOUTH 263.55 FEET, AND AGAIN EAST 773.35 FEET FROM THE W 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 1, AND RUN THENCE SOUTH 427.94 FEET; THENCE EAST 451.65 FEET; THENCE NORTH 427.94 FEET; THENCE WEST 451.65 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. PARCEL III: A TRACT OF LAND SITUATE IN THE NW 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH, RANGE 69 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COUNTY OF LARIMER, STATE OF COLORADO, WHICH, CONSIDERING THE WEST LINE OF SAID SW 1/4 AS BEARING NORTH AND SOUTH, AND WITH ALL BEARINGS CONTAINED HEREIN RELATIVE THERETO, BEGINS AT A POINT WHICH BEARS SOUTH 263.55 FEET, AND AGAIN EAST 773.35 FEET, AND Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 3 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved AGAIN SOUTH 427.94 FEET FROM THE W 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 1, AND RUN THENCE WEST 305.92 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 619.51 FEET; THENCE WEST 427.43 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 17.68 FEET TO THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NW 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4; THENCE ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE, S 89° 52' 29" E, 733.35 FEET; THENCE NORTH 638.80 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. EXCEPT THAT PARCEL CONVEYED BY DEED RECORDED JULY 20, 2011 AT RECEPTION NO. 20110043514 The Property consists of abandoned prairie dog burrows and two Siberian elm trees and one Russian olive tree. Two mature cottonwood trees exist adjacent to the southern Property boundary. A City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map is provided in Appendix A. 3.0 Ecological Characterization The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. According to the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map, a riparian forest is situated along the western and southern Property boundaries. The project site is within 1,000 feet of wetlands, riparian forest and both Goose Hollow and River's Edge Natural Areas; it is within 1,500 feet of the Poudre River and both Salyer and Gustav Swanson Natural Areas. 3.1 Wildlife The site was originally home to a colony of black-tailed prairie dogs. Crowne Partners engaged Git-R-Done Pest Control in December 2016 to perform extermination measures on the development site. On December 7 the site was treated with the pesticide Rozol PDB with an application rate of 2 oz. per hole. As of January 4, 2017, Git-R-Done Pest Control reported no evidence of prairie dogs living on the site. During Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting’s site visit January 13, no evidence of tracks in the snow or any disturbance at the burrows was evident. An estimated 171 inactive burrows exist within the project development boundaries. Black-tailed prairie dogs inhabit grasslands including short- and mixed-grass prairie. Slopes of 2 to 5 percent and vegetation heights between 3 and 5 inches are optimal for detecting predators and facilitating communication. In the Great Plains region, black-tailed prairie dog colonies commonly occur near rivers and creeks. Black-tailed prairie dogs tolerate "high degrees" of disturbance over long periods of time. Vegetation on black-tailed prairie dog colonies is typically of lower stature and characterized by a higher percentage of bare ground, a higher cover of forbs and/or dwarf shrubs, and lower cover of grasses and larger woody plants than surrounding grassland. Black-tailed prairie dogs have been called "ecosystem engineers" due to their influence on the biotic and abiotic characteristics of their habitat, landscape architecture and ecosystem structure and function. Research suggests that black-tailed prairie dogs are a keystone species in some, but not all, geographic areas. Black-tailed prairie dogs enhance the diversity of vegetation, vertebrates and invertebrates through their foraging and burrowing activities and by their Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 4 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved presence as prey items. Hundreds of species of vertebrates and invertebrates are associated with black-tailed prairie dog colonies. Rare and declining species such as the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), swift fox (Vulpes velox), mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) are associated with black-tailed prairie dog colonies (Ulev 2007). Due to the Property’s urban location and high disturbance level, wildlife value is poor. Most wildlife use can be expected to be transitional as animals travel along the riverine channel to the west and south. Mammals such as mice (Mus spp.), voles (Microtus spp.), fox (Vulpes spp.), squirrel (Sciurus niger), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) could utilize the Property year round. With the exception of one northern flicker and a possible fox track, no wildlife or signs of wildlife were observed during the site visit. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of urban adapted avifauna including American robin (Turdus migratorius), mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura), Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), magpie (Pica pica), swallows, American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and common raven (Corvus corax). Prairie dogs are an important food source for raptors that either migrate through the area or are resident and congregate around prairie dog colonies (Boulder County Open Space 2012). Raptors commonly associated with predation of prairie dogs along the front range of Colorado include bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni) and red- tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) (Berry et al. 1998). Ferruginous hawk numbers have declined precipitously across its range, and it was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1991 (Ure et al. 1991). Populations east of the continental divide are dependent mainly on prairie dogs and other ground squirrels (Boulder County Open Space 2012). Over the period of 1983 through 2012 ferruginous hawk numbers have decreased 93 percent. Rough-legged hawk numbers also declined 90 percent while red-tailed hawks have increased 200 percent. Some raptor species such as bald eagle, rough-legged hawk, prairie falcon and, perhaps to a lesser degree, the ferruginous hawk appear to be generally intolerant of urban development (Berry et al. 1998). Generalist species such as red-tailed hawks seem more adaptable to urban development, especially near high-quality habitats such as prairie dog colonies. Also, over time trees planted in early farmstead areas or that have become established along irrigation ditches have matured to provide suitable nesting habitat for numerous raptor species (Boulder County Open Space 2012). Other changes to the urban landscape such as the creation of ponds due to gravel mining have created opportunities for bald eagles and ospreys when stocked with fish. While these landscape features promote the success of raptors, which obtain a sizable portion of their diet from prairie dogs, a decline in the active acreage of prairie dogs from development or plague outbreaks may adversely affect raptor populations. Historic balances of raptor and prairie dog populations have changed over time as alteration of habitats occur and urban development has progressed. Even over short periods of time (several years) local populations of prairie dogs can be dynamic and have a direct effect on the number of raptors in an area. Several studies in Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 5 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Boulder County have seen numbers of ferruginous hawks, red-tailed hawks and bald eagles decrease when sylvatic plague epizootic events have occurred as well as when large areas of prairie dog habitat is converted to new home construction (Gietzen et al. 1996). Raptor numbers appear to increase following recovery of prairie dog populations after plague events while loss of habitat due to urban development eliminates that potential. Healthy, larger populations of prairie dogs attract raptor species. Winter studies by Weber (2004) in the Denver area found raptor use was closely correlated with the number of active prairie dogs in a town. This study also considered the available perch locations and surrounding land use. Availability of perch sites appeared to be a positive factor in encouraging raptor use, but the data were not conclusive. The amount of urbanization adjacent to the town did not appear to be correlated with raptor use. Commonly observed raptor species in this study included ferruginous hawks 39.1%, red-tailed hawks 22.5%, bald eagles 15.3%, golden eagles 6.4%, and other/unidentified 16.7%. There was high variability in raptor use from one town to the next, ranging from a high of 12.0/ hour to a low of 0.5/hour. In Fort Collins, Colorado, raptor perches were constructed on several open space areas where populations of prairie dogs were presents. Subsequent analysis of raptors regurgitated pellets over a one year period indicated that voles (Microtus spp.) contributed to a majority of the raptors diets (13-37%) while prairie dogs were second (10-21%) ahead of rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.) (6-19%) (Witmer et al. 2008). 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the Property. According to the National Wetlands Inventory (https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html) a riverine wetland (R4SBC) runs along the western and southern Property boundary. According to the City of Fort Collins FEMA Map Panel (08069C0977G), the Property is not in a floodplain (http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps- documents, accessed January 19, 2017). 3.3 Prominent Views There are no prominent views onsite. The area surrounding the site is already developed with commercial and residential property bordering all sides of the proposed development. Horsetooth Mountain and other features along the Front Range can be seen from the site. 3.4 Native Trees and Vegetation The Property is highly disturbed and dominated by early seral species. Native vegetation includes prairie sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris), woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), buffalobur, nightshade (Solanum rostratum), bigbract verbena Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 6 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved (Verbena bracteata), goosefoot (Chenopodium sp.) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). (Note that composition is reflective of the time of the site visit.) 3.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation Several small Siberian elm trees (Ulmus pumila) and one Russian olive tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are on the Property. Other non-native vegetation includes kochia (Bassia scoparia), yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis), curly dock (Rumex crispus), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus albus) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Noxious weeds identified during the site visit include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), musk thistle (Carduus nutans) and Russian olive. (Note that composition is reflective of the time of the site visit.) 3.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water None. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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. There are no known occurrences or habitat for sensitive and/or specially valued species on the Property. 3.8 Special Habitats and Features No special habitats or features are present on the Property. The Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map provided by the City of Fort Collins (Appendix A) identifies a riparian forest on the western and southern boundaries. 3.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors Wildlife may move along the small drainage located along the western and southern Property boundaries; however, movement across the Property is presently restricted by a silt fence that has been constructed on the perimeter. Species likely to be in the area include raccoons, skunks coyotes, mice, voles and other urban-adapted species. Development of the Property would be consistent with adjacent property use. Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 7 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.10 General Ecological Functions The site has limited ecological value; it does not support any significant areas of native vegetation or other unique habitat features. It was formerly an occupied prairie dog colony that was dominated by noxious, exotic or early seral species. There are only six small trees on the site and shrubs are absent thus limiting vertical structure and thermal cover. There are no wetlands and portions of the parcel have been paved and graded. Approximately half of the site was recently used as a staging area in 2015 for construction materials during the construction of adjoining neighborhoods. Adjacent lands are used for retail and residential purposes and there is limited connectivity to the Poudre River and associated natural areas. 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 project site. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs. The cottonwood trees located to the south of the project site 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. No nests were present on January 13, 2017. 3.12 Mitigation Although the existing ecological value of this site is low, we recommend the following actions to maintain ecological function and improve environmental quality:  Conduct a search for raptor nests within two weeks prior to the start of construction to avoid Migratory Bird Treaty Act infractions.  Conduct a survey for burrowing owl before construction for the period between March 1 and October 31.  Plant deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs to create vertical structure and thermal cover for avifauna and mammals. Trees will also enhance property values and lower residential cooling costs if located near structures.  Plant native flowering plants to enhance pollinator habitat.  Cluster developments to maximize open space and natural area connectivity.  Utilize semi-permeable surfaces on parking lots in accordance with city regulations to reduce stormwater runoff and facilitate groundwater infiltration. 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 8 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted by development on this site. References Berry, M. E., C. E. Bock, and S. L. Haire. 1998. Abundance of diurnal raptors on open space grasslands in an urbanized landscape. Condor 100:601–608. Boulder County Open Space. 2012. Prairie Dog Habitat Element of the Grassland and Shrubland Management Policy. Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department, Boulder, Colorado, USA. 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 Gietzen, R.A, S.R. Jones and R.J. McKee. 1996. Wintering raptor populations in Boulder County, 1983-1996. Boulder County Nature Association. 12 pp. National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on July 24, 2016. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System. Accessed on July 24, 2016. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Ulev, Elena. 2007. Cynomys ludovicianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2017, January 10]. Ure, J., P. Briggs, and S.W. Hoffman. 1991. Petition to list as endangered the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), as provided by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended in 1982. Ferruginous Hawk Project, Salt Lake City, UT. Weber, D.A. 2004. Winter raptor use of prairie dog towns in the Denver, Colorado vicinity. Pp. 195-199. In: Shaw, et al. (eds.) Proceedings of the 4th International Urban Wildlife Symposium. Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Witmer, G., M. Pipas, P. Burke, D. Rouse, D. Dees, and K. Manci. 2008. Raptor use of artificial perches at natural areas, City of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Prairie Naturalist 40(1/2): March/June. Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 9 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix A: Project Maps Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 10 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Crowne at Old T Ecological Chara Town North cterization Study Site 11 Plan Copyright © 2017 All Rights R 7 BMEC Reserved Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 12 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Photo Point Map 3 2 1 Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 13 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix B: Site Photographs Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 14 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: SE Looking southeast into the Property from Conifer Street. Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: North Looking north across the Property from the southern boundary. Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 15 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: East Looking east from the southern boundary; note the silt fence and cottonwood trees at right. Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: West Looking west from the southern boundary; note the silt fence and cottonwood trees at left. Crowne at Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 16 Copyright © 2017 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: East Looking east across the Property.