HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 SOUTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN - 17 91A - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFF (2)ISSUE
Staff understands that Councilmember Fromme would like the Natural Resources
Advisory Board to review the 1992 SE elementary school wetland mitigation plan.
FACTS
Here are some of the facts surrounding the City's involvement with the 1992 SE
elementary school site:
1) Because of land acquisition involving Innovative Companies, Poudre R-1
School District (District) felt their site was not adequate for
playgrounds and ball fields.
2) In a cooperative effort, the City and (District) agreed to the joint use
of the park and school facilities for the mutual benefit of the community.
3) The Planning & Zoning Boards reviewed and approved the (District's) plan
for this site including joint use of the park.
4) The utility plans had been approved by staff which include piping and
filling in the swale, and mitigating the small wetland area in the loss of
the channel.
MITIGATION PLAN
1) The area in question is a drainage swale which was created during
construction of the park. A narrow band of wetland vegetation, including
cattails, willow and cottonwood saplings, has naturally established in the
ditch. Because of the wetland vegetation the area was included in the
City's inventory of natural areas. The area is of only minor importance
because it is small (less than 0.25 acre total), very narrow, and
vegetation is still immature.
2) Since the District strongly preferred filling the section of ditch, staff
sought to develop a mutually agreeable plan with the District. Staff's
judgement was that a mitigation plan could be developed to adequately
offset the proposed disturbance because: (1) the proposed disturbance was
small, (less than 0.1 acre); (2) the area is of minor importance, (3) the
vegetation present is easily reestablished, and (4) the proximity of
Golden Meadows pond offered opportunities for on -site mitigation.
3) Through a cooperative joint process with the City, the school district and
the consultant have agreed that the mitigation would bring benefits to the
City. Staff worked with the District and the consultants to devise the
mitigation plan. The approved plan includes establishment of an equal
area of cattails on the edge of the pond. 126 native trees and shrubs
will be planted in a 0.1 acre area adjacent to the pond. The plan more
than offsets the disturbance on an area basis (2:1 ratio of mitigation to
disturbance). In addition the plan enhances wildlife habitat value by:
(1) increasing the diversity of beneficial plants, (2) adding structural
diversity, and (3) placing pond, emergent wetland, and upland shrub
habitat in proximity to each other.
4) A further benefit from the Parks and Recreation's perspective is the
removal of steep slopes in favor of level ground which is easier to
irrigate, mow and fertilize resulting in more efficient maintenance. Also
the ease of access provided by covering the swale is a more efficient use
of both public facilities.
INTER -GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
This agreement proivdes the opportunity for the City and school district
to put in writing the expectations for this cooperative effort between two
governmental agencies.
At the urgent request of the district three weeks ago, Engineering gave
permission to start some of the work through the excavation permit
process.
To date the Parks division has replanted eight trees from the swale in to
the park.
The district contractor has removed several Russian Olive trees and has
done rough grading where the pipe would outlet into the pond.
The contractor has stopped all work and is awaiting further notice.
CONSEQUENCES
As expressed three weeks ago, the District would like to proceed with
construction as soon as possible.
City and District staff believed they were proceeding in a cooperative and
efficient manner for the mutual benefit of all users. The wetland area is
not significant and the mitigation plan more than adequately addresses the
loss of the open swale.
If the project is delayed, District staff believes that they will incur
lost time and increased costs from their contractor.