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Home My WebLink AboutCT 16-04; HIGHLAND VIEW HOMES; GENERAL BIOLOGICAL SURVEY; 2017-01-19January 19, 2017 Mr. Brian Sullivan 3788 Highland Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008 ROCKS BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING Subject: General Biological Survey for Proposed Residential Project, City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California. Mr. Sullivan: This letter describes the results of the general biological survey and vegetation mapping conducted by Rocks Biological Consulting (RBC) at the proposed residential project site (site) located at 3758, 3788, and 3794 Highland Avenue in the City of Carlsbad (City), California. On September 16, 2016, RBC conducted a walking survey of the property to document existing biological conditions and potential significant biological constraints to development of the site. The approximately 2.31-acre site contains two single-family homes and an abandoned horse corral and pasture. The topography is flat along the west side of the site and slopes moderately to steeply down to the eastern boundary. The surrounding land use is dense residential housing with associated local roads. The site is located within the City's Coastal Zone Location Map. Up to eight single-family homes and associated infrastructure are planned as part of the project. The majority of the site has been developed or disturbed by the construction of the two residential homes, historic agriculture uses, and horse pasture. The site supports numerous non-native ornamental, trees, shrubs, and herbs that were planted and persisting as part of the historic agricultural use of the property. Much of the site is degraded and disturbed from activities associated with agricultural and horse grazing activities (see attached site photos). A total of four vegetation communities or land uses were identified within the project site as shown in Table 1. The spatial distribution of each vegetation community and land use is presented on the Biological Resources Map (Figure 1 ). Table 1. Vegetation Communities and Land Uses Vegetation Community Acreage Disturbed Habitat 1.54 Developed 0.56 Ornamental 0.21 Total 2.31 2621 DENVER STREET STE B• SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-11 18 (619) 843-6640 • JIM@ROCKSBIO.COM B. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 2 of 9 Disturbed habitat is any land on which the native vegetation has been significantly altered by agriculture, construction, or other land-clearing activities, and the species composition and site conditions are not characteristic of the disturbed phase of a plant association (e.g. disturbed chaparral}. Disturbed habitat is typically found in vacant lots, roadsides, construction staging areas, or abandoned fields, and is dominated by non-native annual species and perennial broadleaf species. The disturbed land within the project site is comprised primarily of planted blackberry (Rubus sp.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), London rocket (Sisymbrium irio), Russian thistle (Sa/so/a australis), ornamental plantings, and barren areas (Figure 1 ). Ornamental vegetation typically consists of non-native landscape and/or garden species that are planted in association with buildings, roads, and developments or have escaped cultivation and occur within native habitats. San Diego County supports a wide variety of ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as herbs that decorate urban areas. Ornamental vegetation within the project site is primarily associated with the house and scattered along the adjacent disturbed slope. Species present include macadamia (Macadamia sp.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), fan palm (Washingtonia spp.), date palm (Phoenix spp.), avocado (Persea americana), orange (Citrus x sinensis), blackberry (Rubus sp.), and others. A patch of ornamental vegetation is also present near the eastern boundary of the site. This patch was planted from container stock following the removal of an approximately 200ft X 30ft patch of the invasive plant species giant reed (Arundo donax) in 2002 (see site photos). The p)anted area consists of five black willows (Salix goodingi1), one arroyo willow (S. lasiolepis), two western sycamores (Platanus racemosa), one coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), and one cultivar of western cottonwood (Populus fremonti,). As shown in the attached photos taken during the 2002 removal effort (provided by Brian Sullivan), the site did not previously support these species. The trees comprising this patch were planted by the previous landowner following the removal of giant reed (pers. comm. Brian Sullivan). No streambed, channel, or drainage is present in this area and this planted area does not qualify as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or California Department of Fish and Wi ldlife (CDFW) wetland or Other Waters of the U.S. or state. Careful consideration was given to this area during the field survey to clearly determine that this area is not a wetland and was planted with container stock. Developed areas within the project site support no native vegetation and are comprised of human-made structures such as buildings, driveways, lawns, etc. The level of soil disturbance is so high that only ruderal plant species can persist. The developed areas onsite include the existing house, lawn, horse corral, and paved driveway. Conclusion In summary, the site does not support naturally occurring rare, threatened, and/or endangered plants, animals, or sensitive habitats and no potential wetlands and/or other Waters of the U.S or state were observed. The site does not support w ildlife movement corridors and is not a part of the City's Habitat Management Plan preserve area. No significant biological constraints to development of the site were observed during the survey. 8. Sullivan January 19, 201 7 Page 3 of 9 Per the City's Guidelines for Biological Studies (2008; Guidelines), the following condition may be placed on the project prior to receiving approval: • The project must comply with the California Fish and Wildlife Code (§3503) under which it is unlawful to "take, possess, or needlessly destroy" avian nests or eggs will be required. If project construction is proposed in or adjacent to vegetation suitable for nesting during the typical bird breeding season (i.e., February 1 -September 15), or an active nest is noted, a pre-construction nest survey would be required. If active nests are present, construction would be delayed near the nest and within an appropriate buffer (determined case by case) until the end of the breeding season or until the nest is no longer active. • An in-lieu mitigation fee per the City's Guidelines may be required for impacts on disturbed land. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this report. Sincerely, Jim Rocks, Principal Biologist Attachments: Figure 1 . Biological Resources Map Site Photographs C) Boundary {:) Biological Survey Area Vegetation DEV -Developed DH -Disturbed Habitat ORN -Ornamental Biological Resources Map 3758-3794 HIGHLAND AVENUE CARLSBAD, CA ~ oc:=2■s -sco :=:==i100 /;} FEET /'A ROCKS BIOLOGICAL CONSULTING Source: Google, 2016 2002 Site Photographs B. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 5 of 9 Photo 1 . View of large patch (approximately 200ft X 30ft) of the invasive plant species giant reed (Arundo donax) in 2002. .rJ:,,, --"~.,.., ~ Photo 2. View of giant reed removal in 2002. Note horse pasture and ornamental trees/shrubs in background. B. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 6 of 9 Photo 3. View of giant reed removal area looking north. No native tree species were present in this area in 2002. Photo 4. View of giant reed removal area looking west in 2002. Note ornamental shrubs and fruit trees including citrus in background. 2016 Site Photogra phs 8. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 7 of 9 Photo 5. View of planted ornamental vegetation along eastern boundary, looking north. Compare to Photo 1 above. Photo 6. View of disturbed land (foreground) and planted ornamental vegetation (background). B. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 8 of 9 Photo 7. View of disturbed land with planted blackberry (foreground) and Russian thistle (background) looking west from near planted ornamental vegetation. Photo 8. View of disturbed land from southern boundary looking north. Photo 9. View of occupied home and adjacent yard looking north. Photo 10. View of abandoned horse corral looking northeast. B. Sullivan January 19, 2017 Page 9 of 9