HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOX GROVE PHASE 2 PRE HEARING REVIEW - PDP190002 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 3 - 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
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June 19th, 2019
Revised 8.7.2019
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 2014. 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 this project site,
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 Buffer Zone on 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 within the site boundary.
With this development proposal, the applicant will be providing additional dedicated NHBZ area - 75,942
s.f. total - of enhanced native landscape plantings and native seeded area.
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.
Lots are designed to remain outside of the critical buffer area along the western boundary, and
enhanced landscape is provided along that corridor to ensure a higher ecological value.
(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.
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
Wildlife corridors are preserved with this site plan, no crossings or disruptions are 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.
(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.
(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; no
additional site lighting along the corridor is proposed; and a regional trail is designed to travel along the
western boundary of the site. The trail will function to transport people along the Boxelder corridor in a
managed and maintained setting.
(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 (with the exception of the
grading accommodating a future trail along the detention), 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 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 (75,942 sf) areas exceeds the Required NHBZ (59,305 sf), and additional
plantings have been carefully selected with the input of our consultant Wildlife Biologist and placed
within the Proposed NHBZ along the Boxelder Creek banks to the west. The vision for this area is to
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
create an enhanced habitat and promote the movement of wildlife along the corridor. The ultimate
condition should be of much higher ecological value than it currently is.
(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 Zone, 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. The trail will function as means to
more people alongside the corridor in a way that is managed and maintained.
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Proposed Plantings for the Natural Habitat Buffer Zone Area
Required Provided
Area: 59,305 s.f 75,942 s.f.
Type Count
Shrubs 157
Ornamental Trees 3
Evergreen 17
Deciduous 18
TOTAL: 195