HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 03-09A; Ocean Bluff; Tentative Map (CT) (6)April 10, 1998
Mr. Brian Milich
Catellus Residential Group
5 Park Plaza, Suite 400
Irvine, CA 92614
Subject: Ocean Bluff— Biological Assessment of Poinsettia Lane Alignment, Reach II
Dear Mr. Milich:
Pursuant to your request, an analysis of potential biological impacts resulting from the grading and
construction of full width improvements for Reach II of Poinsettia Lane has been conducted. This report
represents a summary of the in-depth site analysis, technical work and mapping conducted by Natural
Resource Consultants on behalf of Catellus Residential Group. The biological resources of three parcels
located south of the proposed Ocean Bluff project were studied in on-site field studies. The analysis
covered in this report addresses that portion of the off-site parcels impacted by Poinsettia Lane, Reach II.
The western portion of Poinsettia Lane, Reach I, was analyzed in previous Zone 20 environmental
reports, and has been issued a 4d permit, by the City of Carlsbad.
Site Location
The portion of the Poinsettia Lane alignment analyzed in this report is located in the City of Carlsbad,
within the Zone 20 Specific Plan Area, south of Palomar Airport Road, east of the current terminus of
Poinsettia Lane at Aviara Parkway (Alga Road), and west of Black Rail Road. More specifically, the
area of impact analyzed is located between the proposed Brigantine Drive ("A" Street) on the west and
the extension of Black Rail Road on the east. The three parcels covered by the site study are the
Aitchison, Baker, and Gallagher Trust & Cameron (San Dieguito Bank) parcels (APN's 215-070-18, 19,
and 10). (See Exhibit 1, Biological Habitat - Study Area Map)
Methods
The study was conducted by site visits supplemented by review of aerial photographs and previous
biological documentation for this site (Mooney 1991). Mr. David Levine and Mr. Michael Couffer,
biologists from Natural Resource Consultants (NRC), conducted three, one-day field surveys on Feb. 18,
24 and March 11, 1998. The primary focus of the surveys was the area to be impacted by the future
Poinsettia Lane road alignment and associated construction limits. NRC searched for the coastal
California gnatcatcher and other sensitive plant and wildlife during these surveys. No sensitive species
were recorded on site.
Results
Much of the site has been disturbed by agricultural or other human activities. Various roadway and
residential development projects are in progress in the immediate area. The proposed grading activity
area currently supports southern mixed chaparral, disturbed coastal sage scrub and California sagebrush
dominated coastal sage scrub within the alignment. (See Exhibit 2, Biological Habitat Impact Map and
Table 1)
-1-
The total Poinsettia Lane, Reach II, activity area encompasses 2.94 acres. The Gallagher Trust &
Cameron parcel is currently developed with green houses. No natural vegetation exists within the 1.592
acre area on this parcel that is impacted by the proposed alignment. The total area impacted by the
proposed Poinsettia Lane alignment within the Baker and Aitchison parcels consists of 1.35 acres. Two
types of coastal sage scrub (CSS) habitat, a native plant community, exist within the roadway alignment.
Several small patches of disturbed CSS, .213 acres total, and California sagebrush-dominated CSS
(Artemisia californica), .137 acres, will be impacted by the alignment. A .45 acre patch of southern
maritime chaparral also exists within the proposed alignment. The remaining activity area within the
Baker and Aitchison parcels, .547 acres, is ruderal vegetation or has been disturbed by human activities.
Conclusions
The patches of coastal sage scrub habitat in the Poinsettia Lane alignment are generally small, disturbed,
isolated, and not classified as high-quality habitat. Although these fragments do not support the coastal
California gnatcatcher or other sensitive biological resources, the impacts to the .35 acres of Coastal sage
scrub would require mitigation due to the decline in the overall amount of this habitat in southern
California. Impacts may be mitigated through the Natural Communities Conservation Plan 4d Rule and
interim take process. Mitigation may occur through the purchase of better quality habitat in an offsite
area agreed to by the City of Carlsbad and resource agencies.
Impacts to the .45 acres of southern maritime chaparral onsite may require mitigation due to the
sensitivity of the species. Mitigation may be possible by either on or off-site preservation of similar or
higher quality southern maritime chaparral habitat at a 1:1 ratio.
If you have questions or comments pertaining to the information provided in this letter, you may contact
me at 760-438-4090.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Henthorn
cc: Mr. Mark McGuire, Hewitt & McGuire, LLP
Mr. David Levine, Natural Resource Consultants
Ms. Anne Hysong, City of Carlsbad, Planning Department
-2-
EXHIBIT 1
POINSETTIA LANE - REACH II
BIOLOGICAL HABITAT - STUDY AREA MAP
POINSETTIA LANE
REACH I
APPROVED BY 4D
OCEAN BLUFF
GALLAGHER TRUST
& CAMERON
EXHIBIT BY JACK HENTHORN & ASSOCIATES
BASED UPON FIELD MAPPING PROVIDED BY NATURAL
RESOURCE CONSULTANTS - DAVID LEVINE
iI
CD
5o711
r—1
73
O>O
APRIL 10,1998 NOT TO SCALE
TABLE 1
BIOLOGICAL HABITATS
POINSETTIA LANE - REACH II
ACTIVITY AREA
Vegetation Communities
Chaparral
SMaC
Coastal Sage Scrub
CSS-A
CSS-D
Subtotal
Other Vegetation
RUD
DEV
Subtotal
Southern maritime chaparral
Coastal sage scrub—California sagebrush (Artemisia californicd)
Coastal sage scrub—disturbed
Ruderal
Developed
Acres
.45
.137
.213
.35
.299
1.84
2.14
TOTAL ACRES OF IMPACT IN ACTIVITY AREA 2.94
NOTE: TABLE BY JACK HENTHORN & ASSOCIATES
BASED UPON FIELD MAPPING PROVIDED BY NATURAL
RESOURCE CONSULTANTS - DAVID LEVINE
JACK HENTHORN & ASSOCIATES
April 10, 1998
JEH/mka
EXHIBIT 2
POINSETTIA LANE - REACH II
BIOLOGICAL HABITAT IMPACT MAP
AITCHISOIS
RUD
CSS-D /Q68 ac.1 ac
EXHIBIT BY JACK HENTHORN & ASSOCIATES
BASED UPON FIELD MAPPING PROVIDED BY NATURAL
RESOURCE CONSULTANTS - DAVID LEVINE
1 0 25 50 100 150 200
APRIL 10, 1998