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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOLARIUM - PDP190016 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ECS REPORTAppendix K – Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Ecological Characterization Study Solarium Project Prepared for: Solarium, LLC 2019 North Shields Fort Collins, CO 80521 Prepared by: Wildland Consultants, Inc. 1001 Jefferson Drive Berthoud, Colorado 80513 October 2019 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 1 2.0 Vegetation and Wetlands ……………………………………………………. 2 2.1 Rare Plant Species …………………………………………………………… 4 3.0 Wildlife Description …………………………………………………………. 4 3.1 Species and Habitats …………………………………………………………. 4 3.2 Wildlife Corridors ……………………………………………………………. 5 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species ………………………………………………………… 5 4.0 Views …………………………………………………………………………. 5 5.0 Project Impacts ………………………………………………………………. 5 6.0 Conclusions, Proposed Mitigation ……………………………………………. 8 7.0 References …………………………………………………………………….. 9 Attachment A- Site Photographs 1 Ecological Characterization Study – Solarium 1.0 Introduction The Solarium project is located in central Fort Collins, Colorado. The proposed lodging, small scale reception center (weddings, small events) project is located on a total of approximately 1.4+- acres. The site is bounded East Stuart Street on the south, East Alpert Court on the north, Spring Creek runs though the center of the site. The site is surrounded by existing residential development. Current land uses on the site include landscaped lawn (adjacent to Spring Creek on the south), existing lodging facility (with formal landscaping), and open space (along Spring Creek and to the north of Spring Creek). Site photos of existing conditions are provided in Attachment A The Fort Collins Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) recommends that an Ecological Characterization Study be completed for projects that are within 500 feet of any natural habitat or feature mapped on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map. The site is within 500 feet of Mallards Rest Natural Area, and Spring Creek runs through the center of the site. The Ecological Characterization study is also recommended if the site includes areas of unique plant life or wildlife habitat (City of Fort Collins, 2019). Spring Creek through the development site is mapped as a Natural Habitat (nonnative grassland, aquatic, riparian forest). Figures 1 and 2 Natural Areas and Features Maps shows these mapped areas (City of Fort Collins 2019). Figure 1. City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, Solarium Project 2 Figure 2. Natural Habitat Areas (as mapped by the City of Fort Collins) Solarium Project (note: these were mapped via aerial photography and are not completely accurate). The Ecological Characterization study was completed by Mr. Eric Berg of Wildland Consultants, Inc. (WCI). Mr. Berg is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Certified Professional Wetland Scientist. 2.0 Vegetation and Wetland Description Vegetation on the site includes urban landscaped areas south of Spring Creek and natural areas (riparian forest, Spring Creek channel) along Spring Creek and to the north of Spring Creek. Figure 3 shows the boundaries of vegetation types on the site. Attachment A Site Photos show details of site vegetation. National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapping shows a riverine wetland on the site associated with Spring Creek (USFWS 2019). WCI completed a formal wetland delineation on the site according to Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) guidelines. There are no wetlands on the site. The Spring Creek channel has been engineered in the area, rock rip-rap has been placed on both banks through most of the channel on the site 3 (Attachment A Photo 1). There is no fringe of wetland vegetation along the banks of Spring Creek on the site. The ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of Spring Creek was delineated (Figure 3). Riparian vegetation (riparian forest) is present along Spring Creek. On the north side of Spring Creek a larger natural area (no landscaping) with riparian vegetation is present (Attachment A, Photo 2, Figure 3). On the south side of Spring Creek the riparian zone is narrow, bounded by a mowed/irrigated lawn (Attachment A, Photos 4,5,6, Figure 3). Dominant plants within the riparian zone include: plains cottonwood, narrowleaf cottonwood, crack willow, peach leaf willow, Russian olive, Siberian elm, chokecherry, wild rose, snowberry, and smooth brome. Landscaped areas cover the majority of the site to the south of Spring Creek. Just south of the riparian zone is a large mowed/irrigated lawn (Attachment A Photos 4,5,6). This area includes seeded grasses. Closer to the existing building are a variety of landscape trees and shrubs. Figure 3. Site Inventory Map, Solarium Project 4 2.1 Rare Plant Species Spring Creek provides marginal potential habitat for the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Guara neomexicana), the 2 Federally listed plant species that occur in the region. The orchid has been documented in areas with seasonally wet soils and wet meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams and their associated flood plains below 6,500 feet above sea level in the South Platte River Drainage (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). The Colorado butterfly plant typically grows on sub-irrigated alluvial soils in floodplains and drainage bottoms and in depressions along slow-moving streams (Fertig 2000, O’Kane 1988). Based on extensive past negative surveys in the area it is highly unlikely that either of these species are present on the site. In addition, there are no known populations of these plants located nearby within the City of Fort Collins. 3.0 Wildlife Description 3.1 Species and Habitat The project area provides habitat to wildlife species adapted to urban landscaped areas, and urban riparian areas. Wildlife species likely to use the area periodically include: red fox, raccoon, striped skunk; a variety of small mammals (deer mouse, meadow vole, house mouse, Norway rat, cottontail rabbit, big brown bat); a variety of birds (meadow lark, mourning dove, American robin, common grackle, common flicker, American goldfinch, house finch, yellow warbler, common flicker, English sparrow, black-billed magpie, starling, American kestrel, great horned owl, great blue heron, mallard and many others); a few reptiles (western terrestrial garter snake, gopher snake) and amphibians (tiger salamander, plains spadefoot toad) (Andrews and Righter 1994, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife 2013, Fitzgerald et al. 1998, Hammerson 1999). The site does not include any mapped key or important wildlife habitats (Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife 2019). The riparian habitat present along Spring Creek provides a good urban wildlife habitat area. Wildlife species or signs of species observed on or adjacent to the site during a late summer 2019 field reconnaissance included: English sparrow, common flicker, black- capped chickadee, American robin, starling, magpie, mourning dove, American kestrel, yellow warbler, black-capped chickadee, American goldfinch, deer mouse, meadow vole, house mouse, raccoon, striped skunk, and red fox. The development site does not support a black-tailed prairie dog colony. The riparian zone provides potential raptor nesting, roosting and foraging areas. A survey of these trees (prior to leaf out) did not locate any raptor nests. Great blue herons and waterfowl may be observed occasionally along Spring Creek. The riparian forest along Spring Creek provides good nesting habitat to a variety of neotropical migrant birds. The riparian zone also provides good foraging and roosting habitat to several bat species. 5 3.2 Wildlife Corridors Spring Creek provides an urban wildlife movement corridor through Fort Collins. The Spring Creek corridor is not pristine, there is heavy human use in the riparian corridor (heavily used public trail is within and adjacent to the corridor and riparian habitat) and the corridor is fragmented by numerous urban road crossings. The corridor is also abutted by many residential and commercial properties. 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species The riparian zone along Spring Creek provides potential habitat to Federally Listed Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). Preferred habitat for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse includes thick shrubby riparian habitat along area streams and rivers (Armstrong et al. 1997). There have been numerous negative trapping efforts for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse along Spring Creek and along better habitat areas of the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins (USFWS 2019). It is highly unlikely that this species is present on or near the Solarium site. The nearest occupied habitat for the Preble’s mouse is along the Cache la Poudre River upstream of LaPorte. 4.0 Views The area surrounding the site is already heavily developed with residential properties bordering all sides of the development. Views onto the landscaped portions of the site south of Spring Creek are limited by the existing structure, and thick riparian vegetation. Views from the Spring Creek trail south onto the landscaped portion of the site (future small scale reception area) are limited by extensive riparian vegetation (trees and shrubs) along the banks of Spring Creek. It is unlikely that the proposed future development plans (small scale reception center) would change views across the site. 5.0 Project Impacts Project construction would not result in any significant changes to the site. A small bridge may be proposed in the future across the Spring Creek and through the riparian area (to connect to the Spring Creek trail). The bridge is proposed in the area of an old bridge (washed out in flooding) and a current passive use trail. The bridge can be constructed with minimal impacts to the riparian vegetation along Spring Creek. Figure 4 shows a virtual rendering of the proposed bridge. A small scale reception area (for weddings and small events) is proposed within the existing landscaped lawn area to the south of Spring Creek. Figure 5 shows a concept plan for this area. This area would be used for weddings and small events. The small scale reception center would include a small . There would be no 6 Figure 4. Virtual rendering potential future bridge crossing of Spring Creek. Figure 5. Solarium Concept Plan for Outdoor Event Area and Zen Garden. 7 permanent structures in this area. During events up to 150 people would attend weddings and other events for a few hours at a time. The existing landscaped area (mowed/irrigated lawn) is approximately 9-20 feet from the OHMW of Spring Creek. The existing building is approximately 80 feet from the OHWM of Spring Creek. The proposed small scale event area/Zen garden would be located the same distance from the OHWM of Spring Creek (approximately 9-20 feet from the OHWM) as the current landscaped lawn. Vegetation- There would be no loss of riparian vegetation for operation of the small scale event area and Zen garden. The small scale event area and Zen Garden would occur on the area of the existing landscaped lawn. The small potential future bridge and trail would be built in an area of an old/existing passive trail and would result in very minor losses of riparian vegetation (approximately 300 square feet) Wildlife- Project construction would not result in any significant habitat changes or habitat losses to riparian habitat areas along Spring Creek. Existing riparian boundaries would remain unchanged after project approval. Increased temporary disturbance of wildlife (due to noise, lighting, increased human presence) would be possible during events when up to 150 people would be present on the landscaped areas to the south of Spring Creek (Figure 5). This temporary disturbance would very localized. Human disturbances within the Spring Creek corridor is already heavy especially associated with weekends or days when recreational use the Spring Creek is high. It is a heavily used riparian corridor in an Urban environment. The temporary disturbance resulting from the small scale event area would not be expected to change wildlife use of the Spring Creek riparian forest. No impacts to wildlife movement through Fort Collins are anticipated with project construction. The heavily used Spring Creek trail is already in or adjacent to this corridor. Rare Species- The project is not expected to impact any Federal listed or special status wildlife or plant species. The site provides marginal potential habitat to the Federal listed Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, Ute ladies’ tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly. However, based on past surveys none of these species are present along Spring Creek. 8 6.0 Conclusion, Proposed Mitigation Project approval would not result in any changes to existing site vegetation or habitat. The small scale event area would result in increased temporary disturbance. The developer proposes the following general mitigation measures for the project:  The existing landscaped area (future small scale event area)(mowed/irrigated lawn) is approximately 9-20 feet from the OHMW of Spring Creek. The existing building is approximately 80 feet from the OHWM of Spring Creek The proposed small scale event area/Zen garden would be located the same distance from the OHWM of Spring Creek (approximately 9-20 feet from the OHWM) as the current landscaped lawn. Buffer areas to the OHWM would remain the same as the current site.  Lighting: Lighting along the north side of the building and the landscaped area between the building and Spring Creek will be designed to minimize impacts to wildlife (including insects, birds, mammals (bats)). Lighting will be minimized to as few lights as possible. Lighting will follow the principals: low (lights mounted as low as possible) and wattage as low as possible, shielded (fixture will shield bulb/lens from Spring Creek), long (only long wave length light (560nm or longer)) bulbs (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2019).  Noise/Disturbance: Increased noise and disturbance would be limited to 3-4 hours per event, with 3-4 events planned each week. A small cedar split rail fence (or equivalent) will be constructed along the south edge of the riparian zone of Spring Creek. This fence will help separate the small scale event area from the riparian zone and discourage entry into the riparian zone.  Open Space: With the exception of the small bridge/trail the riparian area along Spring Creek will remain undisturbed. This area will remain as an open space/natural area.  Tree mitigation: Urban landscape trees to be removed will be replaced according to the landscape plan. No riparian trees will be removed for trail construction.  Proposed landscaping in the Zen Garden area and the area of the small scale event area would include a variety of native shrubs that will provide additional wildlife habitat. Landscaping in this area would be designed to buffer the small scale event area from neighbors. 9 7.0 References Andrews, R. and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds. Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO. 442pp. Armstrong, D.M., M.E. Bakeman, N.W. Clippinger, A. Deans, M. Marguiles, C.A. Meaney, C. Miller, M. O’Shea-Stone, T.R. Ryon, and M. Sanders. 1987. Report on Habitat Findings of the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse. Presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Division of Wildlife. City of Fort Collins. 2019. City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats & Features Inventory Map. GIS Data City of Fort Collins. 2019. City Code Section 3.4.1. Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. 2019. GIS Data. Fertig, W. 2000. Status Review of the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis). Report prepared for the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, D.M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History and University Press of Colorado. 467pp. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2019. Wildlife Lighting Criteria. Hammerson, G.A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver, CO. 130pp. National Wetland Inventory Mapping. 2019. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NWI GIS Data. O’Kane, S.L. 1988. Colorado’s rare flora. Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):434-484. Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurries. 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. NWI Mapping. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. GIS Data. Attachment A- Site Photographs Photo 1. View to east along Spring Creek from western site boundary, rock rip-rap engineered banks, no wetland fringe vegetation, riparian forest on both banks. Photo 2. Riparian forest with an understory of grasses north side of Spring Creek. Photo 3. View to south across Spring Creek (from eastern site boundary) toward proposed small scale reception area, thick riparian vegetation. Photo 4. View to west (from east side boundary) south side of Spring Creek, landscaped area to south of riparian zone. Photo 5. View to west across landscaped area on the south side of Spring Creek. Photo 6. View to east across landscaped area to the south of Spring Creek. Photo 7. View to west along front of Solarium site and Stuart Street, existing building, parking, landscaping.