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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWILLOX FARM - PDP220008 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ECS REPORT August 22, 2019 Arbor Capitol Partners 4040 MacArthur Boulevard Newport Beach, CA 92660 RE: West Willox Lane Mixed Residential Development Ecological Characterization Study To Whom It May Concern: This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements ofSection 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 isrequired by the City of Fort CollinsCommunity Development and Neighborhood Services Departmentfor your project, West Willow Lane Residential Development, due to the presence of wetlands along an irrigation ditch to the south of the propertyand the project’s proximity to Soft Gold Park and Magpie Meander Natural Area. The property is situated in the Northeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 2, Township 7 North, Range 69 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado (Larimer County parcel number 9702200003). The propertywas visited by Matt Tobler with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on August12, 2019. No wetlands exist on the property. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist, Certified Ecologist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC Project Background The property is currently under contract with Tim and Barbara Johnson as seller and Arbor Capital Partners as buyer.The property is approximately 20 acres planned for mid-density residential development with associated streets, common area, trails and stormwater detention facilities. The property is boundedby neighborhoods to the east, Willow Lane to the north, agricultural landto the west and Soft Gold Park and Magpie Meander Natural Area to the south. Over the next 12 to 15 months the buyer will ask for approval of LMN zoning and prepare site plans and a final plat. It is anticipated that site development will take approximately nine months and that construction and sale of residences will occur over a 24- to 36-month period thereafter. 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 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 is an open field (recently mowed at time of the site visit) with numerous irrigation laterals. An irrigation ditchruns along the southern property boundary.Numerous mature trees exist adjacent to the property along the western and eastern property boundaries. Most wildlife use is expected to be transitional as animals travel to the park and natural area to the south of the property and to other small habitat patches within surrounding neighborhoods. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of avifauna including American robin (Turdusmigratorius), northern flicker (Colaptesauratus), mourning dove (Zenaiduramacroura), western kingbird (Tyrannusverticalis), magpie (Pica pica), crow (Corvusbrachyrhynchos) and raven (Corvuscorax). Raptors may utilize the site primarily for hunting rodents and small birds. No mature trees exist on the property and no nest cavities or stick nests were observed.No burrows were observed on the property; however, mammals such as mule deer (Odocoileushemionus), coyote (Canislatrans), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurusniger), eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagusfloridanus) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) could utilize the property year round. 2.2 Wetlands The National Wetlands Inventory was accessed on August 7, 2019. It was determined that no wetlands exist on the property. An irrigation ditch runsalong the southern boundary of the property, but no associated wetland vegetation is present on the property. 2.3 Prominent Views The property occupies the foreground when looking south from Willox Lane. The open nature of the property allows for views of the Front Range when traveling west. The open fields and woodlands of Soft Gold Park and Magpie Meander Natural Area can be seen in the background to the south of the property. Other surrounding views are primarily of residential neighborhoods to the east and agricultural land,including greenhouses and fields of various crops, to the west. 2.4 Native Trees and VegetationNo native trees exist on the property; however, mature cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.) exist to the south and southeast of the property in Soft Gold Park and Magpie Meander Natural Area. Mature trees observed off the property to the east and south include plains cottonwood (Populusdeltoides), Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) and chokecherry (Prunusvirginiana). Native forb species were not abundant on the property, but species found along the boundaries include milkweed (Asclepias sp.), prairie sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris), asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)Native grasses were not abundant. 2.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation Non-native trees are not present on the property. Observed species along property boundaries include Siberian elm (Ulmuspumila) Russian olive (Elaeagnusangustifolia)and curly doc (Rumexcrispus).Smooth brome (Bromusinermis) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) are most abundant within the mowed areas of the property. Several species on the Colorado Noxious Weeds list were identified alongthe property boundaries and include Canada thistle (Cirsiumarvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) andleafy spurge(Euphorbia esula). 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=Floodplains, accessed on August 7, 2019), the property is located on FEMA Map Panel 08069C0977G. The property does not occur within a floodplain designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the City of Fort Collins. 2.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The property does not have potential habitat for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapushudsoniuspreblei). The property has no potential habitat (weltands, floodplains) for Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthesdiluvialis) or Colorado butterfly plant (Gauraneomexicana 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. There are no raptor stick nests on the property. 2.8 Special Habitat Features The City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features database did not indicate any features on the property. Special habitat features adjacent to theproperty include a riparian woodland/wetland area to the south in Soft Gold Park where numerous mature cottonwood and elm trees are located along theeastern and western property boundaries. Mature cottonwood and willow woodlands of Magpie Meander Natural Area are located to the southwest. The property would benefit larger wildlife mostly astransitory habitat. 2.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors Wildlife may move directly through the property or travel north or south within the forested area along the eastern boundary. 2.10 General Ecological Functions The majority of the property is an open, mowed field with diagonal irrigation channels running across it. An irrigation ditch extends along the southern property boundary with little to no associated wetland vegetation.General ecological functions include water conveyance, groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat. Flowing water can be found in the irrigation ditch during the growing season; trees along property boundaries and the open field may accommodate forage, escape and thermal cover needs for small mammals. Mature trees provide vertical structure, thermal cover, nesting, roosting and forage habitat for a variety of avian species. Ecological function is limited by the agricultural use, 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. Observe below guidelines regarding site activities. 2.12 Mitigation Measures Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the following mitigation: Conduct a nest survey for ground nesting birds 10 days prior site activities between that occur between March 15 and August 15. Establish native xeric cool- and warm-season grasses and forbs to reduce water consumption and create pollinator habitat; establish deciduous and coniferous trees within landscapes. Manage noxious species that proliferate as a result of site disturbance with integrated methods that include mechanical and cultural treatments. To the greatest extent possible, buffer trees that occur along the eastern property boundary. 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/RaptorBufferGuidelines2008.pdf National Wetland Inventory Mapper.Accessed on August 7, 2019.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/RaptorBufferGuidelines2008.pdf). Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins.http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Appendix A: Project Maps West Willox Lane Vicinity Map Appendix B: Site Photos Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: South Lookingsouth from Willow Lane along eastern boundary of property. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: Southwest Looking southwest from the northeast property corner; woodlands of natural area in the background. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: West Looking west along Willox Lane toward Front Range foothills and mature trees on western boundary. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: North Lookingnorth from southeast corner of property with mature trees on eastern boundary to the right. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: West Lookingwest at Russian olive trees in Soft Gold Park to the left. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: NW Lookingnorthwest across the mowed fields of the property. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: North Lookingnorth from southwest property corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: Northeast Looking northeast from southwestern property corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: East Looking east along southern property boundary. Location: Western Boundary Midpoint Photo Direction: North Looking north across mowed fields and diagonal irrigation bands. Location: Western Boundary Midpoint Photo Direction: East Looking east from middle of western property boundary. Location: Western Boundary Midpoint Photo Direction: South Looking south along the western property boundary. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: East Looking east along Willox Lane and northern property boundary. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: Southeast Looking southeast across mowed fields. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: South Looking south along western boundary from northwest corner of property.