HomeMy WebLinkAboutMS 2023-0007; 1675 FARADAY AVENUE LOT SPLIT; VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT; 2024-03-28VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CA
/"'· 11202~
' '
. ~' li,1/ISION
Prepared for:
MODERN POSTCARD
1675 Faraday Ave .
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Prepared by:
PLANNING SYSTEMS
1530 Faraday Ave.
Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008
March 28, 2024
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 1
2.0 INTRODUCTION........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT....................................... 2
2.2 PRO.JECT LOCATION............................................. 2
2.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 CONSERVATION PLANS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1 North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program..... 6
3.1.2 City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan 6
4.0 METHODOLOGY............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1 LITERATURE AND DATABASE REVIEW........................... 7
4.2 BIOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.3 SOILS........................................................... 8
5.0 SENSITIVE VEGETATION RESOURCES........................... 9
5.1 VEGETATION OVERVIEW........................................ 9
5.2 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND LAND COVER TYPES........... 9
5.2.1 Sensitive Habitat -Chamise Chaparral.............. 9
5.2.2 Sensitive Habitat-Southern Mixed Chaparral........... 11
5.2.3 Developed/Urban... 11
5.2.4 Ornamental/Exotic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.2.5 Disturbed Habitat..... 11
5.4 SPECIAL ST A TUS PLANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.5 JURISDICTIONAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT...................... 12
5.6 U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS....... 12
5.7 PHOTOGRAPHS OF PROPERTY................................... 13
6.0 IMPACT DETERMINATIONS.................................... 16
7.0 RESOURCES................................................. 18
PLANNING SYSTEMS
MARCH 28, 2024
Figure I
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Table 1
Table 2
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
LIST OF FIGLRES
Location Map .......................................... .
V1c1n1ty Map .......................................... .
Existing Vegetation and Sensitive Resources ................. .
Existing HMP Hardline and Proposed Lot Split Boundary Line ... .
4
5
IO
17
LIST OFT ABLES
Study Area Vegetation Communities (Acres) ................ .
Sensitive Plant Species Observed on the Property ............. .
9
12
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
167S FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
1.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Per the request of Mr. Jason Anderson of Modem Postcard, biologists from Planning Systems
have conducted a biological resources assessment on property located at 1675 Faraday Avenue in
the City of Carlsbad. The lot isAPN 121-130-52-00. It is 14.29 acres in size, situated on the
south side of Faraday Avenue, in the Carlsbad Research Center Business Park. The parcel is
presently developed with one light-industrial building and parking lot, with the northern half of
the property remaining previously graded, but presently vacant. The light-industrial building is
accessed via a private driveway off Faraday Avenue. The vacant half of the property has been
previously graded for a future building pad. The western quarter of the property contains a
natural downslope, containing natural chaparral vegetation.
As previously stated, the parcel is located within the Carlsbad Research Center, which has an
existing Specific Plan (SP-l 80(H)). The original proposal for a specific plan on the 559 acres
Carlsbad Research Center property was made by the Koll Company in 1979. The Koll Company
had developed a state-of-the-art business park in the City of Irvine, and based on that success,
desired to pursue a similar venture in the city of Carlsbad. Thus, the original Specific Plan was
approved in l 981, and has been amended several times since then, most recently in February
2016. The subject parcel discussed in this biological resource assessment is identified in the
Carlsbad Research Center governing documents as lot 107/108. This lot number designation
comes from the approval of Carlsbad Tract number 85-24, Unit Number 5 (CT-85-24), which
identified the subdivision of portions of Lots "F" and '•G" of Rancho Agua Hedionda. CT 85-24,
Unit Number 5, was approved and recorded in 1991. The property was graded for two building
pads in the early I 990's.
The landowner is proposing a minor subdivision of the property, in which the vacant pad would
be legally split from the developed pad, forming a separate lot (a total of two separate lots). No
earthwork or physical improvements to the property are proposed at this time. In order to
approve the subdivision, the local agency of jurisdiction (City of Carlsbad) has requested that the
property owner commission a biological resources survey and report prepared by a registered
biologist detailing the habitat types and limits of sensitive upland habitat onsite, including a
sensitive plant survey. This biological technical report summarizes the results of this survey.
The subject property is located completely within the North County Multiple Habiatat
Conservation Program area and is located within the City of Carlsbad Subarea Plan Area which is
managed based on the requirements of the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP). This
HMP identifies a hardline on the property, demarcating the boundary between property allowed
for urban development and property prohibited from urban development. The hardline generally
follows the western limit of the vacant graded pad. The project site is not within a HMP
"Standards Area". lt is not located within the California Coastal Zone.
Records searches and field investigation of the property, including observation of habitat within a
50-foot offset around the perimeter have been conducted. The records search and field
investigation concludes that the subject property (not including the 50-foot offset) contains 4.60
acres of Developed (DEV) land cover, 2. 71 acres of Disturbed (DIS) land cover, 3.46 acres of
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
167S FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
________ ----------------------~CA~Rl.SBAD,CALIFORNIA
Ornamental/Exotic (ORN) vegetation, 2.59 acres ofChamise chaparral (CC) land cover, and 0.93
acres of Southern mixed chaparral (SMC) land cover. Chamise chaparral and Southern mixed
chaparral are considered sensitive habitats, which often support sensitive plant species. These
sensitive habitats were observed on the natural slope located at the rear (western edge) of the
property, particularly behind and downslope from the vacant development pad.
Four (4) sensitive plants were observed onsite, including Del Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos
glandulosa ssp. Crass{/0/ia), Summer holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia spp. Diversifulia),
Mesa Spike-moss (Selaginella cinerascens) and Nutt.all's scrub oak (Quercus Dumosa). The Del
Mar Manzanita is federally endangered. The Summer holly and the Nuttal\'s scrub oak are state
threatened. All of these sensitive plants were observed in the native habitat on the western natural
slope. At the time that development plans are processed for entitlement of the vacant pad,
avoidance or mitigation measures will be needed to minimize impacts to these plant species.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
-----------------------------~-~RLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
This biological technical report summarizes the results of biological investigation conducted for
the 1675 Faraday Avenue property, and describes existing conditions of biological resources,
including on-site vegetation, flora, and special-status species occurring on-site and within SO-feet
of the site. The biological significance of these resources have been evaluated, and general
measures are recommended to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential future impacts consistent
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and applicable local, state and federal
rules and regulations, including the City of Carlsbad HMP.
2.2 PROJECT LOCATION
The owner of the property at 1675 Faraday Avenue proposes to split an existing industrial lot
totaling 14.29 acres in size, into two lots, 8.00 acres and 6.29 acres in size. The property is
located in the Carlsbad Research Center Business Parking in central Carlsbad, California. Sec
Figure l; Location Map. The project is located in the central section of the City of Carlsbad,
approximately 1.5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. It is identified on the USGS San Luis
Rey 7.5 minute quadrangle map.
The property is characterized as a partially-developed lot, with an adjacent vacant pad, and a
west-facing natural hillside sloping down from the rear of the pad, and containing a substantial
amount of native vegetation. The property is within the Carlsbad Hydro logic Unit, as identified
by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. The property ultimately drains
southerly and westerly to Encinas Creek, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. The property slopes
from a high point (elev. 266.5) at the rear of the vacant pad to a low point (elev. 155 ft.) at the
extreme westerly property line, at the base of the natural slope. Surrounding land uses are
industrial buildings built amongst a mosaic of fragmented natural open space. (Figure 2; Vicinity
Map)
The bioregion that generally defines the subject area is influenced by a coastal Mediterranean
climate. The area's climate, coupled with coastal geological formations and land features, give
rise to an array of habitat types and species that arc unique to coastal southern California.
2.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project proposes the subdividing of an existing single light-industrial lot into two lots. No
earthwork or physical improvements to the property are proposed at this time. A separate light-
industrial building and parking lot exists on the south~eastem half of the property. A future
development pad has been previously graded on the northern portion of the property, adjacent to
Faraday Avenue. No grading, development or improvements to this pad are proposed at this time.
Plans for physical development of the vacant pad portion of the property with light-industrial uses
will be prepared and reviewed at a future date.
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Figure 1
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1675 Faraday Avenue -Create 2 Separate Lots
Biological Resources Technical Report
Carlsbad, California
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March 28, 2024
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(7160) 931-0780 PAX (711!0) 031-~'74'-<4
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Figure 2
Vicinity Map
1675 Faraday Avenue -Create 2 Separate Lots
Biological Resources Technical Report
Carlsbad, California
SOURCE: The Thomas Guide, San Diego County
March 28, 2024
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
167S FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
3.0 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
3.1 CONSERVATION PLANS
Federal and state law allows for local or regional agencies to prepare and receive approval of
habitat preservation programs which are intended to preserve the diversity of habitat and protect
sensitive biological resources while at the same time allow for lawful development and activities
consistent with the approved programs. In California, these programs are authorized through the
Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA),
subject to preparation and implementation of approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP's).
1-ICP's are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the local agency. The following is a summary of the applicable
HCP regulatory policy documents in the City of Carlsbad.
3.1.1 North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program
The North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP) is a long-term regional
conservation plan established to protect sensitive species and habitats in northern San Diego
County, including Carlsbad. The MHCP is divided into seven subarea plans, one for each
jurisdiction within the MHCP area. These subarea plans are permitted and implemented
separately from one another. In Carlsbad, the approved subarea plan is the Habitat Management
Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad, City of Carlsbad 2004 (I-IMP). This HMP
is the roadmap for protection of habitat areas and linkages within the City of Carlsbad.
3.1.2 City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
The City of Carlsbad's subarea plan has been adopted as the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
(HMP). The I-IMP outlines specific conservation, management, facility siting, land use, and other
measures that the City takes into account to preserve the diversity of habitat and protect sensitive
biological resources in the city, while also allowing for development and growth as anticipated in
the Carlsbad General Plan.
The llMP addresses protection of natural resources in subareas, identified as Local Facility
Management Plan Zones. The project site is located within City of Carlsbad Local Facility
Management Zone 5. Zone 5 is highly urbanized, however open space hardlincs do exist on the
steeper natural slopes remaining in the zone. Hardlinc Preserve areas are intended to remain in
their natural state. The HMP identifies a hardline boundary extending through the subject
property, intended to protect the down-sloping natural hillside on the western edge of the
property. The flat majority of the site, including the future development pad, is identified as
"development area" in the HMP, and per the HMP regulations, is allowed for ultimate
development. The project area is not located within the California Coastal Zone.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARl.SBAD, CALIFORNIA
4.0 METHODOLOGY
In accordance with a consulting contract with the property owner, biologists with Planning Systems
conducted a general biological reconnaissance survey using standard biological investigation
strategies on the dates indicated below.
4.1 LITERATURE AND DATABASE REVIEW
The biologists conducted literature and database research, and followed-up with field surveys in order
to collect data and draw the conclusions articulated in this report. A review ofrelevant maps,
databases, and literature pertaining to biological resources known to occur within the vicinity of
the project was perfonned using the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) (CDFW
20 ! 5), USFWS occurrence dala (USFWS 2015), and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) (CNPS
20 l 5). The Carlsbad IIMP was also reviewed with respect to species covered by this plan. The
purpose of the review of this information was to determine if sensitive habitats, or special-status plant
and wildlife species were known to inhabit the combined project area, and what resulting constraints
these inhabitants might have on the presently-developed property.
4.Z BIOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS
The biological investigation performed for the project included a general observational field
survey of the Study Area for plant communities and rare plants. Survey fieldwork was conducted
on February 15, 2024. The entire property was traversed on foot and was surveyed and described
by Greg Evans, biologist. All plant species were recorded. The Study area 50-foot buffer was
observed through visual observation. Mr. Evans documented the general site conditions and
limits of plant communities.
The Study Area is fairly compact. During the field investigation, identified resources were
surveyed visually and documented on an aerial photograph. The vegetation types and land covers
were classified according to Holland ( 1986) and Oberbauer ct al. (2008) classification systems.
The biologist assessed the habitat suitability for potential sensitive or rare plant and animal
species, and identified any potential sensitive communities within the Study Arca. A rare, or
sensitive planl study was conducted.
The survey visits included the following clements:
• Mapping of habitat types;
• Identification of onsitc plant species;
• A directed search for rare or special-status plant species;
• Notes on other pertinent features or conditions of the site.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
167S FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
Field documentation to classify habitat present was conducted using a 2023 aerial photograph of
the area on a topography map with 2-foot contour intervals. Vegetation communities were
mapped by the biologist in the field directly onto a 120-scale (1 inch= 120 feet) color digital
orthographic map of the property (Google Earth 2023). These boundaries and locations were
digitized in the office using AutoCAD computer software. Photographs of the areas surveyed are
provided in this report.
The property was observed for evidence of wetlands or jurisdictional features regulated by the
U.S. Corps of Engineers (USACE). Due to the absence of such features, no follow-up
jurisdictional delineation report was prepared.
4.3 SOILS
The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has identified two soil types that occur on the property,
Carlsbad gravelley loamy sand, 0 to 5% percent slopes (CbE). A steeper (greater than 15% to
30% slope) slope of the same general soil consistency occurs on the western portion of the
property.
Carlsbad gravcllcy loamy sand, 0% to 5% slope and 15 to 30 percent slopes (CbE)
The SCS describes Carlsbad Series as follows, "The Carlsbad series consists of moderately well
drained and well drained gravelly loamy sands that are moderately deep over a hardpan. ... The
vegetation is chiefly chamise, black sage, sumac, and annual grasses andforbs. ,. Specifically,
regarding CbE 15 to 30 percent slopes the SCS scrys, "This soil is moderately steep and is 20 to
37 inches over a hardpan. it is well drained. ... Runoff is medium to rapid, and the erosion
hazard moderate to high. ... Included in mapping are areas of Chesterton soils, Marina soils, and
Redding soils. Also included are areas of soils that do not have a hardpan and areas where part
of the surface layer has been removed hy sheet erosion."
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
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CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
5.0 SENSITIVE VEGETATION RESOURCES
5.1 VEGETATION OVERVIEW
The following discussion describes the vegetation present within the property boundaries that
have been afforded special recognition by federal, state or local resource conservation agencies
and organizations, principally due to the species' declining or limited population sizes, usually
resulting from habitat loss.
Vegetation communities, habitat types, and land covers are classified in this report according to
the Carlsbad HMP, with further guidance from Oberbauer (2008). Site vegetation is classified
based on species present, existing soils, and if the vegetation is disturbed, the degree and type of
disturbance. Plant communities (or land cover) occurring on-site include Chamisc chaparral,
Southern mixed chaparral, Disturbed land cover, and urban covers Developed or Ornamental.
5.2 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND LAND COVER TYPES
The subject property supports five (5) land covers (two natural and three urban) over the 14.29
acres. These five land covers include Developed, Ornamental, Disturbed, Chamise chaparral and
Southern mixed chaparral. The distribution of vegetation communities and land covers on the
property are depicted on Figure 3; Existing Vegetation and Sensitive Resources. Their acreages
and degree of relative sensitivity are quantified on the following table.
Table l • Study Arca VePetation Communities lAcrcsl .
Vegetation Community Code Acres Within
the Pronertv
Developed (DEV) 12000 4.60
Ornamental/Exotic CORN) 12000 3.46
Disturbed (DIS) 11300 2.71
Chamise Chanarral (CC) 37200 2.59 Sensitive Habitat I
Southern Mixed Chaparral (SMC) 37120 0.93 Sensitive I labitat I
TOTAL 14.29
5.2.1 Sensitive Habitat -Chamisc Chaparral (2.59 ac)
Chamise chaparral is a plant community overwhelmingly dominated by Chamise (Adenostoma
Jasciculatum var. fasciculatum). It grows as a fairly large shrub on shallower dryer soils and is
densely interwoven with very little herbaceous understory or litter.
On-site, Chamise chaparral occurs on the rear (westerly) natural slope. It is dominated by
Chamise, but also contains sub-dominant Black sage (Salvia mellifera) and the smaller and
sparser, Coast monkey flower (Diplacus puniceus). Impacts to this vegetation habitat are
regulated pursuant to the requirements of the Carlsbad HMP. Chamise chaparral on the property
totals 2.59 acres.
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Source:
-Aerial imagery per Google Earth (imagery date November 2022)
DEV
ORN
DEV
DEV
Figure 3
Existing Vegetation & Sensitive Resou rces
(Aerial Photograph)
1675 Faraday Avenue -Create 2 Separate Parcels
Biological Resources Technical Report
Carlsbad, California
PLAN LEGEND
----Property Line
--50 Foot Mapping Buffer
---Vegetation Boundary Lines
---HMP Hardline
EXISTING VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Sym. Vegetation Type Total Area
(Acres)
CJ Chamise Chaparral 2.59
CJ Developed 4.60
CJ Disturbed 2.71
CJ Ornamental/Exotic 3.46
CJ Southern Mixed Chaparral 0.93
14.29
SENSITIVE SPECIES
Sym. Quantity Common Name
(+/-)
Scientific Name
0 ...
II
0
38
1
1
11
Del Mar Manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia)
Mesa Spike-moss (Selaginella cinerascens)
Nuttall's Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa)
Summer Holly (Comarostaphy/is diversifolia ssp. diversifolia)
60 120
I I
Scale: 1 • "' 120'
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l.630 FAR.A.DAY A\l'ENVE. sum: 100. CARt:JBAD, CA H OO& (760} 031-0'760 FAX ('1CIO) 931-57',U
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
5.2.2 Sensitive Habitat-Southern Mixed Chaparral (0.93 ac)
Southern mixed chaparral is a plant community containing broad-leaved shrubs, occurring on dry,
rocky, often steep slopes with little soil. They are often adjacent to Chamise chaparral sites in the
coastal foothills of San Diego County, including on the subject property.
Onsitc, the Southern mixed chaparral is dominated (to a lesser degree than the Chamisc
Chaparral) by Chamise (Adenostomafasciculatum var. fClsciculatum), with sub-dominant
secondary species of Mission manzanita (Xylococcus hicolor) and the larger, but more sparce,
Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina).
5.2.3 Developed/Urban (4.60 ac)
Developed/Urban onsitc consist of urban improvements, including buildings, asphalt parking lots
and concrete and asphalt driveways and smaller landscape islands. Developed/Urban land cover
is biologically non-sensitive.
5.2.4 Ornamental/Exotic (3.46 ac)
Ornamental vegetation occurs in the street frontage and largt: landscape slope areas. The
dominant ornamental on-site is Vanilla scented wattle ((Acacia redo/ens) and Perez's marsh-
rosemary (Limonium perezii) comprising over 50% of the ornamental vegetation. Numerous
other exotic plants exist in the landscape palette of the existing building grounds. These
ornamental landscape areas are the subject of artificial irrigation. Ornamental/Exotic land cover
is also biologically non-sensitive.
5.2.5 Disturbed Habitat (2.71 ac)
Areas that have been physically disturbed by previous human activity and are no longer
recognizable as a native or naturalized vegetation association are considered Disturbed. The
vegetation, if present, is nearly exclusively composed of non-native plant species such as ruderal
exotic and weedy vegetation species.
Onsite, the existing undeveloped, previously-graded pad was formerly disturbed by excavation,
and also was previously utilized as a construction staging area for utility installation. Disturbed
habitat is considered valuable as a foraging area to wildlife but is not considered sensitive habitat.
5.3 SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS
Special status plant species are those species that have been afforded special status and/or
recognition by the USFWS, CDFW and/or the City of Carlsbad (through implementation of the
HMP). Their status is often based on one or more of their distributional attributes; geographic
range, habitat specificity, and/or population size. A species that exhibits a small or restricted
geographic range (such as those endemic to the region) is geographically rare. A species may be
more or less abundant but occur only in very selective habitats. Lastly, a species may be
widespread but exist naturally in small or isolated populations, and still be considered to possess a
special status.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
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CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
For this report, sensitive plant species addressed include those discussed in the City of Carlsbad
HMP, approved in November 2004 by the City of Carlsbad and the various affected state and
federal environmental resource agencies. Field work to identify rare plant occurrence occurred
on February 15, 2024. All portions of the study area were thoroughly surveyed. All HMP listed
plant species were actively sought, and the entire site was traversed including dense brush areas.
Four sensitive and/or protected plant species observed and identified as being present on the
property are listed in Table 2 below:
Table 2: ertv Sensitive Plant Soecies Observed on the Pro DC
Scientific Name Common Federal State HMP Narrow Conservation
Name Status Status Covered Endemic Status
Arctostaphylos Del Mar CNPS 18.1, S2, glandulosa s~p. FE Yes Yes
Crassifolia manzanita 1B.1 G5T2, FE
Comasostaphylis Summer CNPS 18.2, S2, diversifolia ssp. NIA Yes Yes
diversifolia holly 18.2 G3T2
Selaginella Mesa NIA CNPS No Yes 18.1, S2, G2 cinerascens Spike-moss 18.1
Quercus dumosa Nuttal!'s NIA CNPS Yes No 18.1, SJS4,
scrub oak 18.1 GJG4
FE: Federal Endangered !,1st
ci.ws: Ca/ijOrnia .Native Plant Society
I B· Rare, threatened, or endangered in California
All of the above identified sensitive plants were observed in the natural hillside on the western
edge of the property. No sensitive plants or habitats were identified on the building pads. Please
see Figure 3.
5.5 JURISDICTIONAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT
No wetlands, riparian habitat, vernal pools or water of the U.S. or state, regulated by the USACE,
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or the Regional Water Quality Control
Board (RWQC11) were documented within or immediately adjacent to the subject property.
5.6 U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE CRITICAL HABIT AT AREAS
The Study Arca is not located within a USFWS designated critical habitat for any listed species.
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5.7 PHOTOGRAPHS OF PROPERTY
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
2.Subject _proyerty viewed from the southwest. Vacant pad to the left.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
3.Vacant development pad viewed from the west. Natural slope in the foreground.
4. Natural westerly slope with graded development pad on top.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
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5. Southern mixed chaparral and Chamise chaparral on natural westerly slope.
6.Southern mixed chaparral on westerly slope.
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VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
1675 FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA ------------------------~-------·--
6.0 IMPACT DETERMINATIONS
The subject property is a partially-developed (approximate 50%) site, situated on the south side of
Faraday Avenue, in the Carlsbad Research Center Business Park. It is presently developed with
one light-industrial building and associated parking lot, with the northern half of the property
remaining vacant. The light-industrial building is accessed via a private driveway off of Faraday
Avenue. The vacant half of the property has been previously graded for a future building pad.
The western quarter of the property contains a natural downslope, containing natural chaparral
vegetation. The landowner is proposing a minor subdivision of the property, in which the vacant
pad would be legally split from the developed pad, forming a separate lot (two separate lots). No
earthwork or physical improvements to the property are proposed currently.
As a result of the fact that no development or improvements are proposed at this time, impacts of
future development to sensitive habitats or plants cannot accurately be assessed. To this end, this
report concludes that the subject minor subdivision will not result in any significant impacts to
vegetation resources.
Ultimate development of the vacant pad is expected to respect the HMP hardline which crosses
the property_ demarcating the boundary between property allowed for urban development and
property prohibited from urban development. The hardline generally follows the western limit of
the vacant graded pad/ top of natural slope. The HMP Hardline and proposed boundary of the lot
split are clearly identified on Figure 4: Existing HMI' Hardline and Proposed Lot Split Boundary
Line.
Ultimate development of the vacant pad will also require payment of a per-acre in-lieu impact
mitigation fee to the City of Carlsbad in an amount determined by the City of Carlsbad. This fee
will be assessed at the time that development plans are entitled by the City.
Since the subject project at this time is splitting the existing lot into two lots only, and no
construction or improvements have been planned for the site, the proposed project is in
compliance with all MHCP and HMP conservation goals and guidelines, and thus will not result
in an adverse direct, indirect or cumulative impact to sensitive biological habitat or vegetation.
Since no impacts are identified, no specific mitigation measures are proposed.
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MARCH 28, 2024 16
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Sources:
-Aerial imagery per Google Earth (imagery date November 2022)
-City of Carlsbad GIS Department HMP Hardline CAD information (2019)
Figure 4
Existing HMP Hardline and Proposed Lot Split Boundary Line
(Aerial Photograph)
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1675 Faraday Avenue -Create 2 Separate Parcels
Biological Resources Technical Report
Carlsbad, California
PLAN LEGEND
----Existing Property Line
----Proposed Lot Split Property Line
--50 Foot Mapping Buffer
---HMP Hardline
(772) HMP Hardline Open Space
60 120 240 FT
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March 28, 2024
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7.0 RESOURCES
VEGETATION RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
167S FARADAY AVENUE MINOR SUBDIVISION
CARlSBAD, CALIFORNIA
CDFW. 2015 and 2021. RareFind Version 3.1.0, Records search executed in March 2015 and July
2021, covering the United States Geological Survey 7.5-minute series topographic map,
Encinitas, CalifOrnia quadrangle. Resource Management and Planning Division.
Biogeographic Data Branch, Natural Diversity Database. Sacramento, California.
California Native P!ant Society Electronic Inventory (CNPSEI). 2015 and 2021. Inventory of Rare and
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in the City of Carlsbad.
Crother, B.l. ed. 2012. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles ofNorth
America North of Mexico. Herpetological Circular 39.
Hickman, J.C., ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California
Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA. 1,400 pp.
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ISSN 2153 733X.
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of San Diego County. Based on "Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural
Communities of California", Robert F. Holland, Ph.D., October 1986.
O'Day Consultants, Tentative Parcel Map for 1675 Faraday Avenue, Revised June 21, 2017.
Rebman, J.P., and M.G. Simpson. 2006. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of San Diego County, 41h
Edition. San Diego. Natural History Museum, San Diego, California.
United States Anny Corps of Engineers. 2008. Regional Supplement to the Corps ofEngineers
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and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.
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of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Online: http://soils.usda.gov/tcchnical/
classi fi cation/osd/index. html.
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MARCH 28, 2024 18