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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLANDMARK APARTMENTS EXPANSION - FDP190002 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTSPage 1 Landmark Apartments Buffer Zone Performance Standards-09-26-16 (a) The project shall be designed to preserve or enhance the ecological character or function and wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature and to minimize or adequately mitigate the foreseeable impacts of development. The project has adequately mitigated the encroachment into the buffer zone by adding native shrub and tree plantings within the buffer zone to preserve and sustain wildlife habitat. Additional habitat enhancement measures are located within the stormwater and water quality areas. A native seed mix and additional native plantings throughout the site will also add to the ecological character overall. (b) The project, including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, its fencing, pedestrian/bicycle paths and roadways, shall be designed to preserve or enhance the existence of wildlife movement corridors between natural features, both within and adjacent to the site. The soft surface path and landscape design encourages neighbors to walk through the site and experience the area while minimizing disturbance to the natural features. Bike racks, parking areas and roadways are not located within the buffer zone. (c) The project shall be designed to preserve significant existing trees and other significant existing vegetation on the site. Most of the trees on the site were deemed by the City Forester to be removed. There is an existing Honeylocust tree that will be preserved. Additionally, the existing trees and vegetation in the wetland channel will remain undisturbed. (d) The project shall be designed to protect from adverse impact species utilizing special habitat features such as key raptor habitat features, including nest sites, night roosts and key feeding areas as identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife or in the Fort Collins Natural Areas Policy Plan (NAPP); key production areas, wintering areas and migratory feeding areas for waterfowl; key use areas for wading birds and shorebirds; key use areas for migrant songbirds; key nesting areas for grassland birds; fox and coyote dens; mule deer winter concentration areas as identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife or NAPP; prairie dog colonies over fifty (50) acres in size as included on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map; key areas for rare, migrant or resident butterflies as identified in the NAPP; areas of high terrestrial or aquatic insect diversity as identified in the NAPP; remnant native prairie habitat; mixed foothill shrubland; foothill ponderosa pine forest; plains cottonwood riparian woodlands; and any wetland greater than one-quarter (¼) acre in size. Because of the general lack of natural habitat features in and near the area and general lack of nesting habitat for avian species there are no issues regarding the timing of proposed project and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. We have added a note to the Tree Protection Notes on Sheet 2 of the Landscape Plan stating the timing of the tree removal is to occur outside of the songbird nesting season. (e) The project shall be designed so that the character of the proposed development in terms of Page 2 use, density, traffic generation, quality of runoff water, noise, lighting and similar potential development impacts shall minimize the degradation of the ecological character or wildlife use of the affected natural habitats or features. Use: The use of the site will be for residential. The site layout is designed to minimize impacts to the existing natural features. We have attempted to keep all planting as close to walks and paths as possible to minimize disturbance to the existing wetlands and wildlife. Density: The buildings and heavily-used walks and parking areas are located away from the natural feature. Where there is encroachment, native plantings and trees mitigate the impacts of the development. Traffic Generation: Traffic has little or no impact on the wetlands channel. Cars and drives are routed around the habitat. There are some parking areas that abut the buffer zone, but impacts from headlight glare is decreased by the addition of evergreens and other native plantings placed in strategic areas. Quality of Runoff Water: The main objectives of the drainage design are to provide water quality for stormwater runoff and safely convey stormwater runoff to the existing canal. The site will employ water quality features and runoff reduction facilities including rain gardens, vegetated open areas and water quality ponds. Noise: Noise impacts are minimized by placing parking, sidewalks, patios, plazas and other noise-generating uses outside of the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone. Lighting: The light levels within the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone are minimized or or non- existent. Where light is spilling into the buffer zone, additional evergreen plantings have need added. (f) The project shall be designed to integrate with and otherwise preserve existing site topography, including, but not limited to, such characteristics as steepness of slopes, existing drainage features, rock outcroppings, river and stream terraces, valley walls, ridgelines and scenic topographic features. The site topography will be preserved, especially the wetland channel and stream. (g) The project shall be designed to enhance the natural ecological characteristics of the site. If existing landscaping within the buffer zone is determined by the decision maker to be incompatible with the purposes of the buffer zone, then the applicant shall undertake restoration and mitigation measures such as regrading and/or the replanting of native vegetation. The ECS recommends that native grasses be used for seeding disturbed areas in the upland riparian zone. It is the intent to keep the non-native grassland areas and cat tail areas undisturbed. A native seed mix and additional native plantings throughout the site will also add to the ecological character overall. (h) The project may be designed to provide appropriate human access to natural habitats and features and their associated buffer zones in order to serve recreation purposes, provided that such access is compatible with the ecological character or wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature. The soft surface path and landscape design encourages neighbors to walk through the site and experience the area while minimizing disturbance to the natural features. There will be designated areas for pet waste stations located along the path south of the wetland channel. Page 3 Bike racks, parking areas and roadways are not located within the buffer zone. (i) Fencing associated with the project shall be designed to be compatible with the ecological character and wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature. There is no fencing proposed within the buffer zone or near the wetland channel.