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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCHOOLSIDE PARK - BDR240009 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ECS Report 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com April 16, 2024 Jennifer Torrey, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP Park Planning & Development City of Fort Collins 215 North Mason Street Ft. Collins, CO 80521 RE: Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study Ms. Torrey: 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 for Bacon Park due to proximity to the Mail Creek Ditch. The property is situated at 5830 South Timberline Road in Ft. Collins (Larimer County parcel number 8608253901). The legal description for the property is Lot 1, LEHMAN-TIMBERLINE MLD (13-S3154) (20130046276). The property was visited by Matt Tobler on April 11, 2024. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist, Certified Ecologist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 2 1.0 Project Background The 5.4-acre property contains a single-family residence, sidewalk and vacant field. Mail Creek Ditch flows along the northeastern property border. The property was designated as a schoolside park in the 2021 City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Construction actives associated with realignment of Mail Creel Ditch and extension of the Mail Creek Trail were underway at the time of this submission. The below information about the park was provided by a representative of the City of Fort Collins. “This park is identified as a Schoolside Park in the City’s 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Schoolside parks are defined by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as neighborhood parks that are larger than five acres and are adjacent to school property. Due to school adjacencies, these parks have unique conditions that differ from other neighborhood parks. They can allow for a fluid boundary and shared amenities between parks and schools, leveraging these adjacencies to provide larger public spaces than neighborhood parks alone. Schoolside parks include both active and passive recreation opportunities and can include specialized recreational amenities that support both school and park programs. Schoolside parks offer opportunities to partner with the school district on cooperative programming, access, and maintenance. “This Schoolside Park is 5.3-acres and is located north of Bacon Elementary School. The site is triangular in shape and is bordered by the Mail Creek Ditch to the north and east, South Timberline Road to the west, and Bacon Elementary to the south. Nearby neighborhoods that are likely to use the park include: Westchase, Willow Springs, Mail Creek/Kechter Crossing Southridge, Linden Park, and the future Hansen development. “Access to the park site for pedestrians and cyclists is achievable through several means. Mail Creek Trail, which is under design and construction now, will be completed prior to construction of this park. This trail will provide a connection from this park west to the Future Fossil Lake Park and to the Power Trail and will provide connections to the east to Kinard Middle School for pedestrians and cyclists alike. A grade separated crossing for the trail under Timberline Road is in place. In addition to the trail, on-street bike lanes and detached sidewalks are provided along both sides of Timberline Road. Currently there is no public transportation available to the site. While there is no vehicular access to the site currently, we hope to explore the possibility of sharing an access drive with Bacon Elementary School and/or obtaining a variance for a right-in and right-out to the site from S. Timberline Road. “Most utility connections needed are readily available. Both water and electrical connections are available within Timberline Road right-of-way adjacent to the site. There is an existing home located on the property that will be removed prior to park construction beginning. This home’s septic system will also be removed. “Amenities to be provided in this park will likely include: seating, passive, and active recreational spaces, walking paths, natural spaces, playground, rectangular field, picnic areas and an outdoor event space/outdoor classroom. Engagement and collaborate with PSD (Bacon Elementary administrators, teachers, and students) and CSU (Little Shop of Physics and Construction Management Department) on the park programming and design is well underway. Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 3 “Trail construction will be completed in the spring of 2024. Park construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2025 and hopefully will be complete by fall of 2025” (J. Torrey, personal communication, April 12, 2024). 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 Land Use Code. A Natural Habitat and Features Map and Design Concept Map are provided in Appendix A; site photos are provided in Appendix B. Photo points locations are indicated on the Natural Features and Habitats Map in Appendix A. 2.1 Wildlife Wildlife values on the property were largely absent at the time of the site visit because more than half the site had been disturbed by construction activities. The northern portion of the property, which was not disturbed at the time of the site visit, contains mature deciduous and coniferous trees that may provide habitat for avifauna and small mammals such as mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Potential for wildlife use is also limited by local habitat fragmentation and development. 2.2 Wetlands Mapping by the National Wetlands Inventory (accessed April 12, 2024) indicates riverine wetlands along Mail Creek Ditch classified as R5UBFx (riverine, unknown perennial, unconsolidated bottom, semi permanently flooded, excavated). All wetlands indicated exist below the top of bank feature and were therefore not delineated. Realignment of the irrigation ditch eradicated more than half of these wetlands; the remaining wetlands will regrow as wetland hydrology is restored to the irrigation ditch. (It is assumed that appropriate Army Corps of Engineers compliance was completed prior to undertaking construction activities.) 2.3 Prominent Views The Front Range foothills and Horsetooth Mountain are visible from some areas of the property. Views to the north, east and west are of residential developments with scattered open spaces. Bacon Elementary is seen to the south. 2.4 Native Trees and Vegetation Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 4 Several native trees including ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), aspen (Populus tremuloides), pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), blue spruce (Picea pungens), Englemann spruce (Picea engelmannii), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and apple (Malus spp.) occur on the northern portion of the property. Small pockets of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) were observed in western portions of the site. 2.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation Exotic and noxious species dominated areas unaffected by construction operations. Kochia (Bassia scoparia), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) were most abundant along the southern and western boundaries. Curly doc (Rumex crispus) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) were scattered throughout undisturbed areas. Observed species on the Colorado Noxious Weeds list included Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). A small pocket of houndstongue (Cynoglossum officianale) was located on the northern portion of the property. 2.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water According to the floodplain maps provided by the City of Fort Collins (2024, April 12), the property is located on FEMA Map Panel 08069C1000F. The property does not occur within FEMA or City-designated flood zones. The southeastern portion of the irrigation ditch and associated top of bank feature was not flagged in the field because contour grading was ongoing at the time of the site visit. The northwestern portion of the irrigation ditch and associated top of bank feature was not flagged in the field because a construction fence was situated along the top of bank. 2.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The property does not provide potential habitat for special status species that would be anticipated in this environment including Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) or the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. Coloradensis). There are no active or inactive prairie dog colonies that could provide habitat for burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia). Raptor stick nests were not observed on the property. 2.8 Special Habitat Features Special habitat features of Bacon Park in its current and future form include mature deciduous and coniferous trees located on the northern portion of the property, seasonably available water and habitat connectivity to surrounding land to the northwest and southeast along Mail Creek Ditch. Natural Habitat and Features Inventory data (City of Fort Collins, 2024) are depicted on Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 5 the Bacon Park Natural Habitat Map provided in Appendix A. There are 4.2 acres of non-native grassland and 1.3 acres of native grassland, but it should be noted that these habitat classifications will change when park development is complete. 2.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors The Mail Creek Ditch will accommodate wildlife movement along its length, but this connectivity is of limited value due local habitat loss and fragmentation. Bacon Park is surrounded by residential developments, and Mail Creek Ditch does not connect with substantive open spaces for several miles in either direction. 2.10 General Ecological Functions Subsequent to construction approximately one acre on the northern portion of the property will remain in a semi-natural state with coniferous and deciduous trees. This area may have habitat value for avifauna and small mammals. Habitat connectivity with adjoining lands will remain along Mail Creek Ditch but value is limited due to local development and fragmentation. Semi- natural areas will accommodate biogeochemical cycling and watershed function. Flowering plants will support pollinators if these plants are included it the site restoration as here recommended. 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: • Manage noxious weed species with integrated methods that include mechanical, biological, cultural and chemical treatments. • Utilize native, cool- and warm-season flowering plants and linden trees to enhance pollinator habitat; limit the use of insecticides. • Utilize buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and other native xeric species for landscapes where possible to reduce water consumption. • Utilize semi-permeable surfaces on parking areas in accordance with city regulations to reduce stormwater runoff and facilitate groundwater infiltration. Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 6 • In compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, avoid site activities during the migratory bird nesting season of April 1 through August 15. Survey for ground nests prior to site activity if construction activities are undertaken during this time. If a nest is unoccupied it may be removed or disrupted during this time frame. • Control erosion during site activities and restore disturbed areas as quickly as possible. • Mitigate tree removal per City requirements; note that an updated Forest Inventory may be necessary. References City of Fort Collins. (2024, April 12). Floodplain Maps and Documents [Utilities]. https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps- documents City of Fort Collins. (2024). Natural Habitat and Features Inventory [Geographic Information Services]. https://www.fcgov.com/gis/downloadable-data Appendix A: Project Maps Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 7 Photo Point 4 3 Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 8 Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 9 Appendix B: Site Photos Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 10 Point 1. Looking north from the southwest property corner along South Timberline Road, construction access and temporary soil stockpiles appear in the middle of the site. Point 1. Looking east; construction staging occurs at center. Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 11 Point 2. Looking east from the northern property corner. Mail Creek Trail and Mail Creek Ditch appear in the center of the frame. Mature deciduous and coniferous trees are at right. Point 2. Looking south along South Timberline Road from the northern property corner. Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 12 Point 3. Looking southeast from a midpoint along the northeastern property where contour grading operations were being conducted. The top of bank is indicated by the red line. Point 3. Looking northwest along the portion of Mail Creek Ditch that was not realigned. The construction fence occurs along the top of bank feature. Bacon Park Ecological Characterization Study 13 Point 4. Looking west from the southeastern property corner. Point 4. Looking northwest along Mail Creek Ditch from the southeastern property corner.