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Home My WebLink AboutGPA 09-07; Palomar Commons; General Plan Amendment (GPA) (13)•<m BLUE CONSULTING CROUP BIOLOGY •• LAND USE & - ENTiTLEr^/iEisiTS March 25, 2010 Colton Sudberry 5465 Morehouse Drive Suite 260 San Diego, CA 92121 Reference: City of Carlsbad, Palomar Commons Project; Biologically Sensitive Habitat Impacts and Mitigation Mr. Sudberry, This letter has been prepared in response to Van Lynch's, City of Carlsbad staff, request to identify the area of eucalyptus woodland impacts (proposed) and a determination regarding the existence of potential non-native grasslands to be impacted by the proposed Palomar Commons project. A biological survey was conducted within the footprint of the proposed Palomar Commons project on March 15, 2010 to identify the extent of the eucalyptus woodland to be impacted and identify any potential non-native grasslands within the project footprint. The site was walked on foot and resources mapped using a 2008 aerial photograph of the area. Existing Conditions The approximately 17.1 acre project footprint of the proposed Palomar Commons project is located at the south-west corner of the intersection of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County. The property is owned by the County of San Diego (Department of Public Works, Airports) and is currently in a fully developed condition [City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP); Baseline condition of vegetation communities, 2007]. The project is located on two parcels; the parcel to the west has been fully developed as the San Diego County animal control shelter for the northern region and the parcel to the east was fully developed in 1983 as the Olympic Resort and Spa. This development included a hotel, parking areas, tennis courts, swimming pool and golf driving range (maintained grass turf). The property is outside of an existing or proposed HMP Conservation Area and is not adjacent to any Preserve Areas. The property is bounded on all sides by development; to the north by Palomar Airport Road and the Palomar Airport, to the west by the animal control shelter, to the east by El Camino Real and a business park and to the south by a business park and drainage channel (flowing south) fed by storm water from the surrounding streets and the existing development. In June of 2007 a Negative Declaration for the Western Athletic Club was approved and certified by the City of Carlsbad (Resolution No. 6315) for the property supporting the existing Olympic Resort and Spa. The Negative Declaration stated that "No Impact" to biological resources would occur as a result of the re-development of the 15.9 acre Olympic Resort and Spa property. The approved work relating to this approved project was initiated but not completed. In February of 2010 a demolition permit (No. CB090047) from the City of Carlsbad was issued for the Olympic Resort and Spa property and work is currently underway. P.O. Box 658 SAN MARCOS, CA 92079 S858.391.8145 BMIKE@BLUECONSULTINC.COM Sensitive Biological Resources As the proposed project footprint is within a fully graded, developed and maintained area, no natural/native sensitive vegetation habitats were observed or are expected to be observed. No rare, sensitive, narrow endemic, no-take or HMP covered plant or wildlife species were observed, or are expected to occur as a result of the graded and developed condition of the area. The area onsite which was graded and planted with sod to create the maintained driving range is considered to be developed habitat; no sensitive non-native grassland habitat was observed. A review of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB, 2009) indicates that Del Mar Manzanita {Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. cmssifolia) and wart-stemmed ceanothus {Ceanothus verrucosus) were potentially historically observed in the area and onsite. As the area identified by the CNDDB as supporting these sensitive plant species in the area has long been heavily graded and developed it is clear that the records are out of date. While no natural/native sensitive habitats were observed or are expected to occur onsite, one vegetation community protected by the City of Carlsbad HMP was observed; eucalyptus woodland. Eucalyptus Woodland Eucalyptus woodland is a non-native community identified and protected by the City of Carlsbad as a HMP Group F habitat. It is dominated by various species of planted eucalyptus. The understory is poorly developed or absent owing to the toxic effect of the eucalyptus leaves that acts to inhibit the growth of other plants. Although this habitat supports no sensitive plant or animal species, it is often used for nesting by raptors and other birds, or for nesting by bats. A total of 1.4 acres of eucalyptus woodland (a Group F Habitat) would be permanently impacted (removed) by the proposed Palomar Commons project. Mitigation Requirements As a City of Carlsbad Group F Habitat is proposed to be impacted (1.4 acres of eucalyptus woodland), mitigation is required to reduce the level of impacts to below a level of significance (City of Carlsbad- Guidelines for Biological Studies, 2008). This mitigation shall be completed as an acreage in-lieu fee (1:1 mitigation ratio). Therefore, fees shall be paid to the City of Carlsbad for the removal of 1.4 acres of Group F habitat. As the eucalyptus woodland and/or other mature trees observed onsite may support nesting birds, mitigation measures to avoid potential impacts to nesting birds is required. These measure are described below: Clearing and grubbing activities are generally prohibited during the bird breeding season (February 15 - September 15). If grading and/or removal of potential nesting sites are to occur during the nesting season, the USFWS must be notified at least seven days before the clearing and grubbing begins. During this activity, a qualified biologist will walk the area ahead of construction equipment to flush birds away from impact areas. The biologist will immediately report to USFWS the number and location of any federally listed birds disturbed by clearing and grubbing. Other construction activities will also be avoided during the breeding season if feasible. If this cannot be avoided, the following measures will be taken: • Surveys will be conducted by a qualified biologist in appropriate habitat for nesting raptors and migratory birds (including, but not limited to the least Bell's vireo) and within an additional 500-ft survey buffer within three days of construction. H P.O. Box 658 SAN MARCOS, CA 92079 S858.391.8145 BMIKE@BLUECONSULTING.COM -3- The USFWS will be notified immediately of any federally listed species that are located during pre-construction surveys. If nests of listed birds, migratory birds, raptors, or other sensitive species are located, they will be fenced with a protective buffer of at least 500 feet from active nests of listed species, and 300 feet from other sensitive bird species. All construction activity will be prohibited within this area. During the breeding season, construction noise will be measured regularly to maintain a threshold at or below 60dBA hourly Leq within 500 feet of breeding habitat occupied by listed species. If noise levels supersede the threshold, the construction array will be changed or noise attenuation measures will be implemented. If you have any questions regarding the information on biological resources and mitigation measures please contact me. Sincerely, Michael K. Jefferson President BLUE Consulting Group H P.O. Box 658 SAN MARCOS, CA 92079 S858.391.8145 HMIKE@BLUECONSULTING.COM ATTACHMENTS - Project Aerial, 2008 Olympic Resort and Spa Aerial, 1990 Project Area Habitat Map Project Habitat Map / Impact Footprint Overlay H P.O. Box 658 SAN MARCOS, CA 92079 S858.391.8145 HMIKE@BLUECONSULTING.COM Project Footprint Property Aerial 2008 |—I Olympic Resort and Spa, 1990; * * Proposed Project Footprint Property Aerial 1990 Project Footprint Developed Area Eucalyptus Woodland Offsite Southern Maritime Chaparral Offsite Storm Water Drainage Channel Palomar Comnnons Habitat Map Project Impact Footprint Developed Area Eucalyptus Woodland Offsite Southern Maritime Chaparral Offsite Storm Water Drainage Channel Palomar Commons Proposed Impact Footprint