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HomeMy WebLinkAboutH 25 MULTI FAMILY - PDP200004 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ECS REPORTProfessional Wetlands Consu lting, lnc. January 31,2020 Jacob Steele Harmony 25,LLC 6655 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 120 Las Vegas, Nevada 891l9 Re: Update to the Ecological Characterization Study for the Harmony 25 PDP North Property Dear Mr. Steele: I am writing to document that the Ecological CharacterizationReport dated October 1,2014 that was prepared by Cedar Creek Associates for the Harmony 25 PDP North property in the City of Fort Collins, Colorado is still accurate. A comprehensive field survey of the property was completed by David Steinmann with Professional Wetlands Consulting, Inc. on January 30th of 2020 to review the current site conditions in relation to the 2014 ECS Report. The only change from the2014 site conditions is that there are no longer any prairie dogs on the property, while prairie dogs were previously present. Recent photographs of the site taken from the same vantage points as Photos I & 2inthe2014 ECS are provided onthe attached Figure l. The Ecological Characteization Report from 2014 accurately documents the ecological site characteristics at the proposed Harmony 25 PDP North residential development project arealocated at the southeast corner of Harmony Road and Strauss Cabin Road in Fort Collins, Colorado. The report conforms to 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). None of the following Natural Communities, Habitats or Special Features occur at the subject property based upon the results of the 2014 ECS, field reconnaissance, and review of the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitat and Features Map for the site: Natural Communities or Habitats: a) Aquatic (e.g., rivers, streams, lakes, ponds). b) Wetland and wet meadow. c) Native grassland. d) Riparian forest. e) Urban plains forest. f) Riparian shrubland. g) Foothills forest 2 0 Rim Roa d Boulder, CO 803 02 303 I 444-17L5 . FAx 303 I 443-6141 Special Features as outlined inthe City of Fort Collins Land Use Code are: a) Signifrcant remnants of native plant communities. b) Potential habitats and known locations of rare, threatened or endangered plants. c) Potential habitats and known locations of rare, threatened or endangered animals. d) Raptorhabitat features, including nest sites, communal roost sites and key concentration areas. e) Concentration areas for nesting and migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. f) Migratory songbird concentration areas. g) Key nesting areas for grassland birds. h) Fox and coyote dens. i) Mule deer winter concentration areas. j) Prairie dog colonies over fifty (50) acres in size. k) Concentration areas for rare, migrant or resident butterflies. 1) Areas of high terrestrial or aquatic insect diversity. m) Areas of significant geological or paleontological interest. n) Irrigation ditches that serve as wildlife corridors. Summary No significant ecological resources, natural comtnunities, natural habitats, or special features will be adversely impacted by the proposed Harmony 25 PDP North project. Site development and construction should be timed to avoid disturbing any migratory nesting birds that may occur at the site. The 2014 ECS Report completed for the Harmony 25 PDP North property is still valid and the ECS Report follows the requirements listed in the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. Please contact me with any questions. David Steinmann Figure 1. Photo 1 (top) looking northwest from the southeast corner, and photo 2 (bottom) looking northeast from the southwest corner of the property on January 30, 2020.. October 1, 2014 Mr. Joe Kish Post Modern Development, Inc. 144 North Mason Street, Unit 4 Fort Collins, CO 80524 RE: Preliminary Environmental Characterization Study (ECS) Report for the Harmony & I-25 PDP North Project This letter report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on the proposed Harmony & I-25 PDP North development parcel in Fort Collins, Colorado. The proposed development site is located in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado in the Northwest ¼ of Section 3 (T. 6 N. R. 68 W.) at the southeast corner of the intersection of Strauss Cabin Road and East Harmony Road. Existing land uses within the property consist previously disturbed land vegetated primarily by weedy species and sweetclover. Topography of the site is essentially level with a drainage gradient to the southeast. There are no wetlands on the property, but a reclaimed gravel mine pond (Weitzel Pit) and peripheral wetlands exist to the south in the PDP South development parcel. A separate ECS Report was prepared for PDP South. An initial environmental field assessment of PDP North was completed on April 8, 2014 and the site was re-evaluated on July 17, 2014. Preliminary development plans call for the construction of ten commercial buildings to serve as a neighborhood convenience shopping center. The northern approximate one-third of the parcel would remain undeveloped and serve as a natural buffer zone and a drainage channel to be constructed in the future. The following provides the ecological characterization checklist of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). (a) & (i) The property was previously disturbed, presumably by past gravel mining activities, and most native vegetation has been removed. The site is currently dominated by annual weed species and yellow and white sweetclover (Melilotus officinale and Melilotus albus) 1 in the area mapped as disturbed/weedy (see Figure 1). The previous gravel mine operation likely planted sweetclover as a cover crop for erosion control on disturbed ground. Common weed species recorded on the site include: kochia (Bassia scoparia), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), pitseed goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), curly dock (Rumex crispus), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), bigbract verbena (Verbena bracteata), redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium), and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Vegetation cover in the prairie dog town at the north and east edges of the property (see Figure 1) is relatively sparse as a result of prairie dog overgrazing and is dominated primarily by field bindweed. Attached Photos 1, 2, and 3 show representative views of vegetation cover on the property. Woody species are restricted to relatively open stands of rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) shrubs located throughout most of the site and a few trees located primarily along the edges of the property along East Harmony Road and Strauss Cabin Road. Tree species and locations in and near PDP North are depicted on Figure 1. Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), blue spruce (Picea pungens), and peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) are the only native tree species, although blue 1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ Kish, J. PDP North ECSR September 30, 2014 Page 2 of 4 spruce occurs naturally only at higher elevations than the Fort Collins area. Trees 6 inches or greater in diameter may be classified as significant by the City of Fort Collins. Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees are considered a nuisance species by the City of Fort Collins, but this species does provide some wildlife habitat value in terms of songbird nesting and foraging habitat. The only other habitat supported within the PDP North tract is non-native grassland growing within the road borrow ditch along Strauss Cabin Road (see Figure 1). Relatively dense stands of smooth brome (Bromus inermis), intermixed with intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), are supported within his narrow, linear strip of non-native grassland habitat. Aside from potentially significant trees, the project area does not support any native vegetation or other unique habitat features. Ponds and associated wetlands exist within 500 feet of PDP North to the north and south, and herbaceous wetlands are located within 500 feet to the west in the lower elevation portions of the property on the west side of Strauss Cabin Road. The ponds south of PDP North are unlined gravel pit ponds (Weitzel Pit) that are fed by groundwater inflow. Based on observations made during the two field surveys, and incidental observations made at other times while driving by PDP North, this pond does not appear to be a migratory waterfowl/shorebird or nesting waterfowl/shorebird concentration area. Habitat value and wildlife use of non-native grassland and disturbed/weedy habitats is limited by the dominance by annual weeds and non-native grass species, and surrounding development and roads. Mice, voles, black-tailed prairie dog, and pocket gopher are the principal species likely to establish resident mammal populations in non-native grassland. Songbirds such as western meadowlark, Brewer’s blackbird, common grackle, and black-billed magpie may also occasionally use non-native grassland habitat, although its proximity to a roadway and narrow configuration restrict its habitat value. Trees on the property may be used for perching, nesting, and foraging by urban-adapted songbirds. No songbird nests were located in trees on the project area during the two field surveys. (b) According to the Soil Conservation Service’s (SCS) Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado project area soils are Loveland clay loam and Caruso clay loam. Both Loveland clay loam and Caruso clay loam are classified as hydric. Although hydric soils are the two soils mapped for the North tract, no wetlands are located on this parcel. It is assumed past gravel mining use and ground disturbance in this area has removed any wetlands or hydric soils that may have existing prior to mining. (c) The property does not provide any unobstructed views of significant landscape or topographical features. Some portions of the property provide partial views of the Front Range foothills and some of the taller peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. (d) Because of past mining use and reclamation of the property, the only native woody vegetation located on the property are stands of rubber rabbitbrush and the few native astern cottonwood, blue spruce, and peach-leaf willow trees growing near the north and west property boundaries (see Figure 2). (e) There are no perennial water features or natural drainages on the property. Reclaimed gravel pit ponds (Weitzel Ponds) are located a short distance south of the North parcel. (f) The project area was evaluated with regards to potential habitat for state and federal listed threatened and endangered species, and it was determined that no suitable habitat exists for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), or Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradenis). A small black-tailed prairie dog town is located within the north and east portions of the property. The prairie dog town is well under 50 acres, and Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code provides for no protection of prairie dog towns less than 50 acres in size. Section 3.4.1 (N)(6) does stipulate that before the commencement of grading or other construction on the Kish, J. PDP North ECSR September 30, 2014 Page 3 of 4 development site, any prairie dogs inhabiting portions of the site within the LOD shall be relocated or eradicated by the developer using city-approved methods as set forth in Chapter 4 of the City Code and, when applicable, using methods reviewed and approved by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. (g) Because of past mining and reclamation of the property by mostly non-native species, there are no special habitat features present except for the larger trees noted on Figure 1. (h) There are no suitable wildlife movement corridors on or near the property. (j) Because of the lack of natural habitat features on the project area, there are only two issues regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If the development proposal includes removal of any trees on the property, tree removal during the songbird- nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and would be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Prairie dogs in the proposed drainage channel would need to be removed as indicated in paragraph (f) prior to the initiation of grading activities. (k) The proposed development would not impact any native habitats or special habitat features. Trees 6 inches or greater in diameter on the property may require protection as per the City’s Land Use Code. Trees will need to be evaluated by the City Forester or a private arborist to determine which trees may be classified as significant. Loss of trees classified as significant would need to be mitigated with replacement trees as per Section 3.2.1 (F) of the Code. Buffer standards in Section 3.4.1 of the land use code stipulate a 100-foot buffer zone for lakes and reservoirs, and it is assumed this standard would apply to the reclaimed west Weitzel Pit pond south of PDP North. This buffer standard may be irrelevant if plans to place solid fill in much of the northwest Weitzel Pit Pond to alleviate open water and reduce State water augmentation requirements are implemented. The preliminary plan for PDP South calls for the fill of approximately 35.5 acres of the west Weitzel Pit pond. The goal of this proposal is to fill in as much of the exposed groundwater pond as possible west of the FEMA effective half-foot defined floodway. Groundwater in all the Weitzel Pit ponds has been exposed illegally, per the State Engineers Office (SEO), and requires augmentation in the form of a Substitute Water Supply Plan (SWSP), or filling of the ponds to remove the exposed groundwater. The ongoing cost of the SWSP is prohibitively expensive, considering 1.5 to 2-acre feet of water per acre of exposed groundwater is required to be dedicated to the SEO per year, to offset the evaporative loss of the ponds. While it is not possible to fill the ponds on the east side of the FEMA floodway line, it is the developers desire to reduce the amount of water dedicated to the SEO as much as possible by filling in the ponds to the greatest extent feasible. Because tree removal during the songbird nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest, it is recommended that tree removal or pruning occur outside of the songbird nesting season (April 1 – July 31), or trees be surveyed to ensure lack of nesting prior to removal during the nesting season. This mitigation recommendation would preclude the possible incidental take or disturbance of active songbird nests. The landscaped buffer zone and the future drainage channel in the north portion of the property should be planted with native herbaceous and woody species where appropriate. In addition, the intensity of night lighting from north sides of commercial structures facing the drainage channel buffer zone should be shielded or directed to preclude the intrusion of artificial nighttime light into the landscaped buffer zone. The intensity of night lighting from south sides of commercial structures facing the Weitzel Pit ponds should also be shielded or directed to preclude the intrusion of artificial nighttime light into the pond area. This recommendation may be irrelevant if plans to place solid fill in much of the northwest Weitzel Pit Pond to alleviate open water and reduce State water augmentation requirements are implemented. Kish, J. PDP North ECSR September 30, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Joe, this concludes my environmental assessment of the I25 and Harmony North PDP tract. Please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal attachments: Figure 1 and Photos