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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTODGY BREWING - PDP190012 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ECS REPORT937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com July 2, 2019 Tyler Olpin 1205 Columbine Court Fort Collins, CO 80525 RE: Stodgy Brewing Company Ecological Characterization Study Mr. Olpin: This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of 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 is required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services Department due to the presence of wetlands along an irrigation ditch near the northern property boundary of the project. The site was visited by Craig Severn with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on June 21, 2019. A riparian forest that is associated with an irrigation ditch, Larimer County Number 2 Canal, occurs along the eastern and northeastern property boundaries. The wetland was sampled in accordance with Army Corps of Engineer’s methodologies and flagged in the field. Please note that the wetland boundary should be surveyed and incorporated into subsequent versions of the site plan. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist, Certified Ecologist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 2 1.0 Project Background The project is located at 1800, 1802 and 1804 Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado. The development proposal includes the remodel of an existing building at 1804 Laporte Avenue into a brewery and the potential demolition of an adjacent building for the creation of a parking lot. This Ecological Characterization Study is required due to the proximity to the property of the Larimer County Number 2 Canal and the associated riparian forest habitat. The property is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and various commercial establishments including Salud Medical Center to the west and several businesses to the east. The Grandview Cemetery and its numerous mature trees is located across Laporte Avenue to the southwest of the property. 2.0 Ecological Characterization The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in this section in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. Site maps are provided in Appendix A; site photos are provided in Appendix B. Photo points are indicated on the Natural Features and Habitats Map in Appendix A. 2.1 Wildlife Due to the property’s suburban location and human disturbance level, wildlife value is moderate. The property consists primarily of dense, overgrown vegetation mostly associated with the irrigation ditch to the north and east of the property as well as overgrown landscaping throughout the property. Most wildlife use is expected to be transitional as animals travel to other small, isolated open habitat in the neighborhood. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of avifauna including American robin (Turdus migratorius), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), magpie (Pica pica), crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and raven (Corvus corax). Raptors would probably utilize the site primarily for hunting rodents and small birds. Numerous nest cavities were observed in mature cottonwood trees, but stick nests were not observed. Mammals such as mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) could utilize the property year round. 2.2 Wetlands A narrow strip of riparian forest occurs on the east side of the property and is associated with the Larimer County Canal Number 2. This forest is classified as scrub/shrub and is composed of woody vegetation that is less than six meters high. The wetland fringe on the eastern side of the irrigation ditch was delineated with pink flagging in accordance with the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0). Water was flowing in the ditch at a high level at the time of flagging. Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 3 Wetland vegetation was demonstrated with the Dominance Test. Dominant hydrophytic species obseerved include reed canarygrass (Phlaris arundinaceae), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Hydric soils were demonstrated via Redox Dark Surface (F6) and hydrology was demonstrated by Saturation (A3), High Water Table (A2), and Surface Water (A1). The transition to upland status was marked by a shift in dominance to choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and other upland species. Wetland data forms are available upon request. The Natural Habitats and Features Map (Appendix A) identifies the riparian forest of .06 acres in area that occurs on the eastern boundary of the property. The riparian forest is comprised of the unvegetated irrigation ditch channel and the vegetated banks on either side of the ditch. The ditch bank on the east side of the property has a steep slope of approximately 90 percent which limits the development of a wetland vegetation fringe due to the steep hydrologic gradient. No disturbances are proposed for the wetland as part of this development proposal. The 50-foot wetland buffer should be measured from the wetland boundary. The riparian forest/wetlands associated with the Larimer County Canal No. 2 are mapped by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) as R5UBFx (riverine, unconsolidated bottom, semipermanently flooded, excavated). 2.3 Prominent Views The property is mostly screened from view on Laporte Avenue by dense vegetation and views of the foothills are mostly obscured from within the property by tall, dense trees. These trees and a small stretch of visible canal add to the visual character of the area as viewed from Laporte Avenue. 2.4 Native Trees and Vegetation Various native trees and shrubs were observed including aspen (Populus tremuloides), ash (Fraxinus spp.), dogwood (Cornus spp.), choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), box elder (Acer negundo), blue spruce (Picea pungens), common juniper (Juniperus communis), apple (Malus spp.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosae), American elm, (Ulmus americana), various maples (Acer spp.), common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Several dead black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) were also observed on the property. Native forbs and grasses were not abundant, but common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium berlandieri) and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) were observed. Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 4 2.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation Non-native trees and shrubs are abundant. Observed species include Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), silver poplar (Populus alba), Nanking cherry, (Prunus tomentosa), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Non-native forb species were mostly ornamentals and include Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale), peony (Paeonia spp.), vinca (Vinca minor) and creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides). Several species on the Colorado Noxious Weeds list were identified on the property and include Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum). Noxious species were most abundant in or near wetland areas. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis), quack grass (Elymus repens), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were observed at the edges of the landscaped sections of the property. 2.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water According to the City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents (https://gisweb.fcgov.com/HTML5Viewer/Index.html?Viewer=FCMaps&LayerTheme=Floodpl ains, accessed on June 27, 2019), the property is located on FEMA Map Panel 08069C0978G. The property does not occur within a floodplain designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the City of Fort Collins. The ordinary high-water mark was below water at the time of sampling. The top of bank is marked by abrupt change in slope and transition to level ground. 2.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The property does not have potential habitat for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). The property has no potential habitat (weltands or floodplains) for Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) or Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. Coloradensis). There are no known occurrences of these three species on or near the property. No old or active prairie dog colonies are located on the property. No raptors or stick nests were observed on the property. 2.8 Special Habitat Features Special habitat features include 0.06 acres of riparian forested wetland and numerous mature trees located throughout the property. The irrigation ditch provides connectivity to adjoining properties while the mature trees and dense vegetation provide thermal cover and nesting habitat for a variety of small birds. Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 5 2.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors Connectivity to surrounding properties is accommodated by the irrigation ditch corridor; other migration corridors do not exist. 2.10 General Ecological Functions The property is comprised of commercial and residential structures and associated parking areas with dense woody vegetation. An irrigation ditch extends along the eastern property boundary, which supports a narrow riparian corridor comprised of sparse herbaceous vegetation, dense shrubs and a several mature American and Siberian elm, eastern cottonwood and green ash trees. The central portion of the property is comprised of overgrown ornamental plants and landscaping and the portion directly fronting Laporte Avenue is densely vegetated with overgrown trees and shrubs. General ecological functions include water conveyance, groundwater recharge and limited wildlife habitat. Flowing water can be found in the irrigation ditch during the growing season; trees and other vegetation may accommodate forage, escape and thermal cover needs for small mammals and deer. Mature trees provide vertical structure, thermal cover, nesting, roosting and forage habitat for a variety of avian species. Ecological function is limited by the property’s location and local habitat fragmentation. 2.11 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of migratory birds. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter or offer for sale, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs. Avoid tree maintenance and removal from between April 1 and August 15. 2.12 Mitigation Measures Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the following mitigation:  Retain native trees and shrubs where possible.  If tree maintenance or removal is necessary, include the following note on the tree mitigation plan and/or landscape plan, as appropriate: “NO TREES SHALL BE REMOVED DURING THE SONGBIRD NESTING SEASON (FEBRUARY 1 TO JULY 31) WITHOUT FIRST HAVING A PROFESSIONAL ECOLOGIST OR WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST COMPLETE A NESTING SURVEY TO IDENTIFY ANY ACTIVE NESTS EXISTING ON THE PROJECT SITE. THE SURVEY SHALL BE SENT TO THE CITY ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER. IF ACTIVE NESTS ARE FOUND, THE CITY WILL COORDINATE WITH RELEVANT STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES TO DETERMINE WHETHER ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TREE REMOVAL AND CONSTRUCTION APPLY.”  Re-seed disturbed soils and landscape with native xeric cool- and warm-season grasses Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 6 and forbs to reduce water consumption and create pollinator habitat.  Manage noxious species that proliferate as a result of site disturbance with mechanical, cultural or chemical means.  Maintain a 50-foot buffer on the wetland per City Land Use Code 3.4.1(E) or pursue mitigation as required by the City of Fort Collins. (Army Corps of Engineers compliance is required if disturbance to the wetland is proposed.) 3.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted by development because the proposed site plan will maintain mature trees and a wetland buffer along the irrigation ditch. References 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 National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on November 5, 2018. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors (https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGu idelines2008.pdf). Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Stodgy Brewing Ecological Characterization Study 7 Appendix A: Project Maps 8 Natural Features and Habitats Map Photo Point 1 2 6 5 4 3 9 Appendix B: Site Photos 10 Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: North Looking north from Laporte Avenue along the irrigation ditch that forms the western property boundary. Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: West Looking west along Laporte Avenue along the southern property boundary. 11 Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: North Looking north from Laporte Avenue into driveway at eastern edge of Property. Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: North Looking north into parking lot from Laporte Avenue at center of property. 12 Map Number: 4 Photo Direction: North Looking north into center of property from Laporte Avenue. Map Number: 5 Photo Direction: North Looking north into property at western edge from Laporte Avenue. 13 Map Number: 6 Photo Direction: East Looking east into property from western edge.