Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOX GROVE PHASE 2 - PDP190002 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTland planning  landscape architecture  urban design  entitlement Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave. Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662 www.ripleydesigninc.com June 19th, 2019 Fox Grove Subdivision Second Filing Natural Habitat Buffer Zone Performance Review Fox Grove Subdivision Second Filing is part of an Overall Development Plan approved in 20xx. This second phase of the development is flanked by the first phase of the Fox Grove subdivision to the east, and by Boxelder Creek corridor to the west and north. Open space currently exists to the south and on the adjacent property to the west along I-25. Being adjacent to Boxelder Creek Corridor provides a natural habitat opportunity for our project, which will be enhanced and strengthened with this proposal. Current site conditions, as determined by multiple site visits, and a thorough examination and determination by the consultant Wildlife Biologist, shows that Boxelder creek in the area adjacent to Fox Grove Subdivision Second Filing has the potential to become an ecologically significant natural feature. Boxelder Creek requires that a 100 foot buffer is applied from the determined Top of Bank. A wetland survey was conducted in early May, and no wetlands were determined to be present adjacent to the site. The top of bank was agreed upon and delineated using GPS. It is determined that 59,305 s.f. of Natural Habitat Buffer Zone (NHBZ) area would be required. With this development proposal, the applicant will be providing additional dedicated NHBZ area - approximately 66,060 s.f.; enhanced native landscape plantings within the proposed natural habitat buffer zone and on the adjacent property to the west; off-site remediation of the Pepperweed species along the western boundary of the site as agreed to by the adjacent property owner; and appropriate mitigation of the prairie dogs currently active within the property boundary. Fox Grove Subdivision Second Filing protects the ecological character of the natural habitats and features from the impacts of the ongoing activity associates with the development. The NHBZ standards are met according to LUC 3.4.1 (E)(1) as follows: (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. Fox Grove Subdivision Second Filing provides more buffer area than is required. Development is moved as far from the Buffer area as possible and limits of disturbance for grading is minimized. The natural character is further preserved by the delineation of an Off-site Remediation Zone, and the planting of carefully selected and suitable shrubs species along the corridor. The Off-site Remediation will ensure the proper weed management with a focus on the Pepperweed found along the Boxelder Creek. The intent is to enhance the corridor and increase the value of the habitat beyond what it currently is. Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave. Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662 www.ripleydesigninc.com (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 habitats and features, both within and adjacent to the site. Wildlife corridors are preserved with this site plan, no crossings or disruptions proposed. The Proposed NHBZ area along the western and northern boundary of Boxelder Creek is continuous and the enhances plantings and remediation will promote the movement of wildlife along the corridor. (c) The project shall be designed to preserve significant existing trees and other significant existing vegetation on the site. There are no existing trees or existing vegetation within the property boundary, and all off-site vegetation and trees patterns will remain. The agreement to provide off-site remediation will ensure that the existing conditions of Boxelder Creek will be enhanced, and value will be added. (d) the pattern, species and location of any significant native trees and other native site vegetation; There are no existing trees or existing vegetation on this site, and all off-site vegetation and trees patterns will remain. The agreement to provide off-site remediation will ensure that the existing patterns along Boxelder Creek will be enhanced and value will be added. (e) The project shall be designed so that the character of the proposed development in terms of 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. The Fox Grove development is a single-family development. A modification to lower the density was approved with the ODP; vehicular traffic is buffered by a detention area and single-family home lots (ranging between 114’ and 271’ of separation); water run-off is treated adequately and a raingarden is provided within the proposed buffer area; a regional trail is proposed along the western boundary of the site, and will act as the delineator for the Proposed NHBZ where applicable, while in the northern portion of the site, the trail is aligned closer to the backs of the lots in a way that consolidates the human impacts to the perimeter of the NHBZ. The trail helps the create a transition area between the back of the lots and the Boxelder Corridor. (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 as designed will not significantly alter the topography of the site. The slopes within the Proposed NHBZ will remain consistent with existing conditions, and the Ridge Line Feature to the north of the site will not be affected by the lot layout and the location of the single-family homes. Architecturally, the homes will each feature one of 12 multi-colored earth- tone color schemes that will blend into the aesthetic of the native landscape. The required Thinking outside of the box for over two decades. 419 Canyon Ave. Suite 200  Fort Collins, CO 80521  tel. 970.224.5828  fax 970.224.1662 www.ripleydesigninc.com fencing design will be cedar which will tie to the wood features of the home and provide a natural blend to the surrounding landscape. (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 Proposed NHBZ areas exceeds the Existing NHBZ requirements, and additional plantings have been carefully selected with the input of our consultant Wildlife Biologist and placed within the Proposed NHBZ, and along the Boxelder Creek banks to the west on the adjacent property. Off-site remediation is proposed in the form of weed management which will enhance the value of the corridor. (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. As part of the vision for the proposed Natural Habitat Buffer Zones, a future regional trail is accommodated for along the perimeter of the buffer area that serves to make the natural features more accessible to the public. In the interim, the trail will serve the local community as a gravel trail for walking and biking that will provide nature-viewing opportunities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed Plantings for the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone Area Includes on-site and off-site Required Provided Area: 59,305 s.f 66,060 s.f. Type Count Shrubs 147 Ornamental Trees 3 Evergreen 11 Deciduous 11 TOTAL: 172 NOTE: 1. See landscape plans for native landscape plantings and design directly adjacent to proposed NHBZ. 2. The applicant is proposing design guidelines for the open space directly adjacent to the proposed NHBZ. The intent is to memorialize future plantings and ensure best practices for seed installation. The surrounding landscape will appear and operate in the same manner as the NHBZ.