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HomeMy WebLinkAboutELEVATIONS CREDIT UNION - PDP - PDP160021 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTS (6)Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 1 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved ELEVATIONS CREDIT UNION ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY © February 2016 Larimer County, Colorado Prepared by: BLUE MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING Supporting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 937 MALLARD DRIVE, FT. COLLINS, CO 80521 (970) 224-0851 Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 2 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved 1.0 Introduction This report documents ecological characteristics within the proposed Elevations Credit Union (located within Parcel # 9723106008 & Parcel # 9723106012) at 2025 South College Avenue in Fort Collins. This 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). This report is required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services because the proposed project is within 500 feet of a known natural habitat, in this case the Sherwood Lateral Ditch. There is also a buffer zone standard of 50 feet for ditches that are identified as wildlife corridors, as outlined in Section 3.4.1(E) of the Land Use Code. 2.0 Site Description The proposed Elevations Credit Union encompasses 0.72 acres (31,365 square feet) and is located on the west side of South College Avenue. Arthur Drive is located along the Property’s southern boundary and Spring Court is located along the western boundary. The site was formally the One Stop Gas Station. Development surrounding the Property includes residential and commercial sites such as the Dog Pawlour and Fort Collins Muffler and Automotive. The legal description for the site is Lots 8 and 12 within the Spring Court Subdivision, located in the East Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 23, Township 7 North, and Range 69 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado. A Plat Map and Natural Habitats and Features Map and Site Photographs are provided in Appendix A and B, respectively. The site was inventoried by Matt Tobler of Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting and Cara Scohy of C.S. Designs, Inc. on January 27, 2016. 3.0 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. The proposed site is located approximately 40 feet north of the Sherwood Lateral Ditch and is separated from this natural feature by Arthur Drive. 3.1 Wildlife Due to the Property’s urban location, developed nature and high human disturbance level, wildlife values are minimal. Sixteen significant deciduous or coniferous trees were identified during the site visit. These trees provide vertical structure capable of benefitting avifauna. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of passerines including American Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 3 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved robin (Turdus migratorius), common flicker (Colaptes auratus), mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura), sparrows, magpies (Pica pica), swifts and swallows, crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and ravens (Corvus corax). Most terrestrial wildlife use can be expected to be transitional as animals travel the ditch corridor to the south, which is outside of the Property boundary. 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the Property. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, wetlands associated with Spring Creek north of the Property include Palustrine Emergent Temporarily Flooded and Palustrine Scrub-Shrub Temporarily Flooded. According to the FEMA Map Panel (08069C0987G), the northwest corner of the proposed project area is inside of the FEMA AE Zone High Risk 100 Year Floodplain (http://gisweb.fcgov.com/FCMaps, accessed on February 3, 2016). 3.3 Prominent Views From the Property site, views of the Front Range to the west and north are partly obscured by residential and commercial developments, respectively. 3.4 Native Trees and Vegetation There is very little vegetation on the site because it is a commercial lot. All vegetation occurs on medians between roads and parking lots or within a small triangle of space near the northwest corner in the area designated as a floodplain. A forestry review was conducted with City Forester Tim Buchannan on January 27, 2016. All trees on the property, their diameter, condition and mitigation value (if removed) are indicated in Table 1. Native tree species include green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), ponderosa pine (Pinus Ponderosa) and silver maple (Acer saccharium). Native shrubs include Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum). Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the primary native species in the herbaceous layer. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 4 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Table 11. Native and exotic trees, their diameter, condition and mitigation value (if removed) as identified in the forestry review with the City Forester Tim Buchannan. The tree number at left corresponds with locations on the Plat Map in Appendix A. Tree Species Native Diameter” Condition Mitigation Value 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 13.0 Fair 2.0 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 13.0 Fair 2.0 3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 11.0 Fair- 1.0 4 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 18.0 Fair 3.0 5 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 12.0 Fair 1.5 6 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 17.0 Fair 2.5 7 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Yes 18.0 Fair 3.0 8 Pinus ponderosa Yes 14.0 Fair 2.5 9 Pinus ponderosa Yes 12.0 Fair 2.0 10 Pinus ponderosa Yes 8.0 Fair- 1.5 11 Pinus ponderosa Yes 10.0 Fair 2.0 12 Pinus ponderosa Yes 12.0 Fair 2.0 13 Acer saccharinum Yes 35.0 Fair- 3.5 14 Ulmus pumila No 25.0 Fair 2.0 15 Ulmus pumila (clump) No 3.0-9.0 Poor None 16 Pinus ponderosa Yes 12.0 Fair- 1.5 3.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation The only non-native tree species on the Property is Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila). Other exotic species include kochia (Kochia scoparia) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis). 3.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water There are no wetlands or perennial water bodies on the Property. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species There are no known occurrences or habitat for sensitive and specially valued species on the Property. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) was accessed to determine species of concern in Larimer County, which include the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis), all of which are associated with riparian/wetland areas. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 5 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician Craig Hansen, all trapping for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse in Fort Collins has been negative. Typical habitat for Preble's is composed of well-developed riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas should include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Based on these habitat requirements and the negative trapping data, it is Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting’s opinion that Preble’s meadow jumping mouse does not occur on the Property or near the Sherwood Lateral Ditch. Redevelopment will not adversely affect Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Similarly, it is our opinion that the Ute lady’s tresses and Colorado butterfly plant do not occur on the Property. The closest known occurrences of these plants are near the northwest boundary of Fort Collins (Ute lady’s tresses) and within the City-managed Soapstone Prairie Natural Area near the Wyoming border (butterfly plant). Suitable habitat is not present within the project area or near the adjacent ditch. 3.8 Special Habitat Features Article 3, Section 3.4.1, of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code applies to Natural Habitats and Features and includes a standard buffer of 50 feet for ditches that have been identified as wildlife corridors. The Natural Habitat and Features Map provided by the City of Fort Collins (Appendix A) does not identify any features associated with the Sherwood Later Ditch; however, it does identify aquatic areas associated with Spring Creek which is approximately 325 feet to the north. 3.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors The Sherwood Lateral Ditch is located just south of the Property and is separated from the site by Arthur Drive. The ditch supports a palustrine emergent wetland that is 3 to 10 feet wide on each side. Although the area is highly developed and fragmented, it is likely that fox, raccoons, skunks and other urban-adapted species use the channel and associated wetlands as a migration corridor. Wildlife can connect to Spring Creek by moving west along the Sherwood Lateral Ditch to the Mason Corridor transitway and then proceeding to the north approximately 500 feet. Fresh raccoon tracks were documented in the ditch during the site visit. The ecological impact to values identified in the City’s Natural Habitat and Features Map would be minimal because the proposed project is a redevelopment and no wetlands or natural areas will be disturbed by the project. It is the opinion of Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting that the integrity of the wildlife migration corridor will remain intact subsequent to redevelopment. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 6 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.10 General Ecological Functions General ecological function is minimal because the vast majority of this parcel is presently a parking lot or building. There are sixteen trees on site and small areas of lawn dividing the parking lot from adjacent streets. A small portion of floodplain exists on the northwest corner of the Property and deciduous trees provide vertical structure to songbirds and squirrels. 3.11 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character If construction takes place between the dates of February 15 and July 15, trees adjacent to the ditch as well as on-site should be checked for nesting activity two weeks prior to the scheduled start date. If the project remains on schedule, the planning process would be completed in the early spring, with construction scheduled for spring or summer of 2016. The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of nesting birds adjacent to the Property. 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 its parts, nests or eggs. 3.12 Mitigative Measures The proposed project will have minimal impact on natural habitats and features in the area; however, values can still be enhanced. We recommend that the following measures be employed accordingly.  Utilize native deciduous plants and shrubs to increase and improve pollinator habitat. Evergreen shrubs could also be planted to provide escape and thermal cover to small birds and mammals. Use a variety of plants that bloom from early spring through late fall. Foraging habitat, reproduction, shelter, invasive/exotic species and chemical use should be taken into consideration and monitoring should be implemented to optimize pollinator habitat. For more information see http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/index.shtml.  Landscaping should utilize native, drought-tolerant grasses and forbs to reduce water consumption and enhance pollinator habitat.  Prune all existing trees on the site for optimal tree health and structure.  Remove trash from the Sherwood Lateral Ditch each year.  Utilize semi-permeable surfaces where possible to reduce runoff and promote groundwater infiltration.  Any trees removed during redevelopment will need to be mitigated in accordance with the mitigation values presented in Table 1. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 7 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted by the proposed redevelopment of the Property. 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/RaptorBufferGuid elines2008.pdf Hansen, C. 2014. Email communication from Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood, Colorado to Clinton Hinebaugh, BMEC, Inc. October 4, 2014. National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on February 3, 2016. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System. Accessed on February 3, 2016. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 8 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix A: Project Maps Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 9 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 10 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 11 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix B: Site Photographs Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 12 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: E Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: SE Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 13 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: S Looking south from the northwest corner, the proposed redevelopment will occur on top of and behind the concrete wall. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: E Looking east form the northwest corner. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 14 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: N Looking north form the southwest corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: NE Looking northeast towards the One Stop gas station from the southwest corner. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 15 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: E Looking east from the southwest corner. Note Arthur Drive on the right. Location: SW corner Photo Direction: Down Looking down at the bluegrass lawn that grows on the median between Arthur Drive and the One Stop parking lot. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 16 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: N Looking north form the southeast corner. Note College Avenue at right. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: W Looking west from the southeast corner. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 17 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: SE Cornre Photo Direction: NW Looking northwest from the southeast corner. Note the green ash trees at right and left. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: S Looking south from the northeast corner. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 18 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: SW Looking southwest from the northeast corner. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: W Looking west from the northeast corner. Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 19 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: North of Arthur Drive Photo Direction: E Looking east along the Sherwood Lateral Ditch from approximately 25 feet north of Arthur Drive. Location: North of Arthur Drive Photo Direction: W Looking west along the Sherwood Lateral Ditch. The approximate wetland boundary along this ditch is 3 to 10 feet on either side of the active channel and can be delineated by the transition from reed canarygrass (Phlaris arundinaceae) to smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Elevations Credit Union Ecological Characterization Study 20 Copyright © 2016 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: Sherwood Lateral Ditch Photo Direction: Down Looking down at fresh raccoon tracks in Sherwood Lateral Ditch north of Arthur Drive.