HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 02-28x1; La Costa Condominiums; Tentative Map (CT) (15)X
Affinis^ .
environmental '<!tr f|i 847 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, California 92019-3206
services it *r tel: (619) 441-0144 fax: (619) 441-6421
March 18,2003
Mr. Roy Publico
Hofman Planning Associates
5900 Pasteur Court, Suite 150
Carlsbad, California 92008
RE: La Costa Condominiums, Biological Report Update (PRE 01 -70, APN 216-160-27, Affinis
Job No. 1716)
Dear Roy,
This letter has been prepared to update the Biological Resources Report prepared by Affinis (August
14, 2002) for the La Costa Condominiums project. The purpose of the update is to respond to
comments received on the report by the City of Carlsbad.
1. Brush Management and Remedial Grading
The City of Carlsbad's Fire Department has indicated that it will require a 60-foot wide brush
management zone from the edge of the proposed structures. As depicted on the attached figure, this
zone would largely encroach into the area previously mapped as "landscaped." This area is largely
dominated by exotic trees and shrubs such as acacia, eucalyptus, Brazilian pepper, and myoporum.
Any clearance of this vegetation would not constitute a significant biological impact. The brush
management zone could potentially encroach into 0.04 acre of coastal sage scrub/mixed chaparral
(see attached).
We have also been advised that remedial grading will be required at the base of the steep slope in
the northeastern corner of the property that may also impact the native vegetation. It is anticipated
that the grading could impact up to 0.25 acre of coastal sage/scrub mixed chaparral habitat.
2. Deminimus Findings
Due to brush management and remedial grading, the project may impact up to 0.29 acre of coastal
sage scrub/mixed chaparral habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California
Department of Fish and Game will allow the loss of less than one acre of coastal sage scrub, not
occupied by California gnatcatchers, provided that the following deminimus findings can be made:
a. The project occurs in low or medium value habitat.
Native habitat is very limited on the project site. The coastal sage scrub/chaparral mix is contiguous
with habitat to the east, but this off-site area is also relatively small and is surrounded by
development on three sides. Overall, the subject property does not support high-quality biological
resources.
b. The project occurs outside of the preserve planning area.
The property is not within the boundaries of any pre-approved mitigation areas. It is not within or
adjacent to any existing or proposed hardline conservation areas or proposed standards areas of the
City's Habitat Management Plan (HMP).
c. The project will impact less than 1.0 acre of coastal sage habitat
The project may impact up to 0.29 acre of coastal sage scrub/mixed chaparral habitat.
d. The project will not result in "take" of the California gnatcatcher
No California gnatcatchers were observed on or adjacent to the property during the three protocol
surveys conducted in 2002.
e. The project would not otherwise preclude design of the preserve system
As noted above, the property is not within the boundaries of any pre-approved mitigation areas,
hardline conservation areas, or standards areas of the City's HMP. Thus, it would not affect the
preserve system design.
3. Mitigation Measures
The City's HMP requires a 2:1 mitigation ratio for impacts to coastal sage scrub occupied by
California gnatcatchers. Because the project would impact habitat which is a combination of coastal
sage and mixed (not maritime) chaparral and it is not occupied by gnatcatchers, a 1:1 mitigation ratio
is recommended. The applicant should acquired 0.29 acre of mitigation credits in a pre-approved
mitigation area or mitigation bank as approved by the City and the resource agencies.
Marcia Gross
Biologist
Attachment