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Home My WebLink AboutHDP 02-10; Dunn Residence; Hillside Development Permit (HDP) (19)/- FFlX NO. : BROCK A. ORTLGA 1341 5 TARASCXN DRIVE POWAY CALIFORNU Y2064 1 May 2003 Mr. Jim Dunn 451 6 Casanna Way, No. 305 Gceanside, California 92057 Subjerk Dunn Residence CDP 0242lHDP 02-10 Biolqjieal Comments, APN 156-iI.51- r7, Carlsbad Calif.omia. Uear Mr. Dunn: 71.1s her attempts to respond to a City of Carlsbad letter dated 21 April 2003. The letter requested confinnation that 11 the proposed development plan, including grading and retaining walls, will not dfect disturbed coastal sage scrub or mixed chaparral, and 2) the required brush management zoiio wtll not affect disturbed coastal sage scrub or mixed chaparral habitat. ~. .1 - -_. - ~r- you know, the site was reviewed on 3 April and 2 May 2002 by wildlife biologist Brock A. Orfegd f1JSFWS permit Number TE813.5454) in order to provide a basic vegetation map of the site. A letrer describing the site was prepared on 13 May 2002. As described in that letter, the djaceirt mix oi disturbed coastal sage scrub and chaparral includes lemonade berry, toyon (Sambucus mexicanus), flat- ruy? buckwheat (€riogonum fasciculatum), California sagebrush (Artemisia californicurn), prickly pear zmus tOpufitia littordissf, goldenbush (Isocuma veneta), bracken fern (Pteridium iiquilinum), bicoior rmxari ita ~Xvlocccc~rs bicolor), deerweed (Lotus scoparius), cham ise Mdenostoma fascicu!attrm), msbim thisrlc iSzlrola iberica], bush monkey-flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), and crnamenta! shrubs, !?FJt-5, Ad cactr. Yawd,on the plans available (See Figure 7 of the 13 May 2002 letter) and a brief return mit to the site, 1"'. I w popowd , development plan, including remedial grading and retaining walts will not affect Vie xijaccn,: disturbed coastai sage scrub or chaparral. However, assuming that the fire tnanagenient zonc E: iiitended to form a 60-foot buffer around structsres only,, the brush nianagemerlt zone will directly impx? nu0 paicnes of disturbed coastal sage scrubkhaparral habitat, one north of the rec;icler'ice ~,'d;jnroximatety 1,240 square feet) and one northeast of the garage (approximateiy 340 square.feetj. hiis tne mtal approxirnare mixed disrurbed coastal sage scrub and chaparral area impacted by rhe hww :rianageinent zone is 1,580 squart? feet or 0.04 acre. ,__ ~ -" "ledse %e! frer to contact me at (760) 942-5147 with any questions regarding this letter. '1 REEIVED BROCK A. ORTECA 1341 5 TARASCAN DRIVE POWAY CALIFORNIA 92064 13 May 2002 Mr. Jim Dunn 43 16 Casanna Way, No. 305 Oceanside, California 92057 Subject: Dunn Residence Biological Rev.2 w a Proposei APN 756-051-17, Carlsbad, California. Development Area, Dear Mr. Dunn: This letter pertains to your property (APN 156-051-1 71, located at the northern terminus of Highland Drive in the City of Carlsbad, California. It is my understanding that the City requested a biological resources map of the area intended for development and the immediate surroundings. This was required because the City determined that sensitive habitats might be present on the site. The site was visited by wildlife biologist Brock A. Ortega (USFWS permit Number TE813545-4) on 3 April and 2 May 2002 between 1000 and 1500 hours (cummulative), under partly cloudy skies and light breezes. The visits consisted of noting general habitat conditions and species presence on the site and mapping habitat associations on the property. The focus of the habitat associations mapping effort was within, and adjacent to, the development site, however, the entire site was mapped. An effort was made to more precisely map habitat associations within and adjacent to the development area. Habitat association mapping along the western end of the project area is more general and less precise. The parcel is accessed from the northern end of Highland Drive or from the southeastern end of Hospital Grove Park. The parcel is located on north-trending, mostly steep sandstone bluffs and cliff faces which have been subject to severe disturbance over the years. Disturbance has originated from an old storm drain outfall cut, ornamental vegetation dumping and debris piles from adjacent properties and others, foot paths from northerly trespassers, and an abundance of non-native weedy and ornamental vegetation escapees. The portion of the property where the residence is proposed to be built is best described as ruderal (Figure I). Ruderal or weedy habitat occurs where the native vegetation has been disturbed and only a few early successional elements of the native community remain (between 5-1 0% native vegetation). The vegetation is moderately disturbed, with few remnants of the former plant community represented only by three or four lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) individuals. Non-natives common in this area include sparse non-native grasses, black mustard (Brassica nigra), and numerous ornamental escapees. A very disturbed mix of coastal sage scrub and chaparral occurs outside the development area and proximate nt 1.3 &pQQQ2 area. This area includes lemonade berry, toyon (Sambucus mexicanus), flat-top buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), California sagebrush (Artemisia californicum), prickly pear cactus (Opuntia littoralis), goldenbush (/socoma veneta), braken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), bicolor manzanita (Xy/ococcus bicolor), deerweed (Lotus scoparrus), chamise (Adenostorna fasciculatum), russian thistle (Salsola iberica), bush monkey-flower (Mimulus auran tiacus), and ornamental shrubs, trees, and cacti. This area is very disturbed and is not capable of supporting California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica). A band of disturbed habitat, supporting patches of giant reed (Arundo donax), and many weedy annuals, occurs along the bluff-top as the site trends west. Below the disturbed habitat is a comparatively intact patch of coastal sage Scrub, which is bounded to the immediate north by a grove of eucalyptus trees (Eucalywus sp.). A variety of expected wildlife species were detected during the site visit. These include red- tail hawk (Buteo jarnaicensis), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus), scrub jay (&helocoma coelulescens), yeliow- rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Anna’s hummingbird (CaIypre anna}, and numerous others. Based on the habitat associations present, particularly within the development area, no sensitive resources are expected to be directly or indirectly impacted. If any eucalyptus trees are to be trimmed or removed, then it is advisable to conduct these activities outside the breeding season for raptors (they typically breed between February and lune), Please feel free to contact me at (760) 942-5147 with any questions regarding this letter Very truly yours, & rock A. Ortega Wildlife Biologist -- , ... , . . . .. attachment . .. . . ,/- Disturbed Habitat / />\, ..... -_ PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN EXHIBIT 0 E€P€NED FOO JING / STEM WALL I I' i i i i \ i