HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDP 94-04; Jefferson Street Lot 17 & 18; Hillside Development Permit (HDP)BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF LOTS 17 AND 18
CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
Prepared for:
Mr. Daniel Muhe
4041 Aquila Street, #1
Carlsbad, Califomia 92008
Prepared by:
Tierra Environmental Services
9903-E Businesspark Avenue
San Diego, Califomia 92131
Chris Nordby
Principal Biologist
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INTRODUCTION
Project Location and Description. This report addresses the biological resources of two small
parcels of land, Jefferson Street Lot 17 and Jefferson Street Lot 18, located at in the City of
Carlsbad (Figure 1). The lots are located on the west side of Jefferson Street, adjacent to Buena
Vista Lagoon, They are bounded to the north and south by detached residential housing. Each
lot is approximately 0.2 acre in size, including former easements for the widening of Jefferson
Street, now abandoned (Figure 2). A single family residential development is planned for the
site. Plans have been submitted to the City of Carlsbad who determined that a biological survey
was necessary before the application could be considered complete. This report has been
prepared in response to the City of Carlsbad's requirements.
Physical Characteristics. Lots 17 and 18 are contiguous and are referred to throughout this
report as the property site or subject parcel. The terrain of the property consists of a series of
terraces and bluffs. The uppermost terrace is a relatively flat area adjacent to Jefferson Street.
This terrace is roughly 35 m long and 20 m wide. The area closest to jefferson Street has been
used for automobile parking and is mostly barren of vegetation. This terrace ends at a steep
bluff that drops approximately 30 feet to the second terrace. The second terrace is
approximately 35 m long and 10 m wide. The second terrace ends at another abmpt bluff that
drops approximately 30-40 feet to the edge of Buena Vista Lagoon. This bluff and the fmal
terrace adjacent the lagoon are not part of the subject property but are included here for
descriptive purposes. Lots 17 and 18 terminate on the second terrace.
FIELD SURVEY METHODS AND LIMITATIONS
The subject parcels were surveyed for biological resources on July 9, 1994. The survey was
conducted from 1100 hours to 1200 hours under partly cloudy skies with and average
temperature of approximately 70 degrees F. The survey consisted of onsite analysis of
vegetation communities, photographs of site, and a focused search for any sensitive plant or
animal species. Because of the limited nature of the survey, the focus was on vegetation rather
than wildlife. However, due to the disturbed condition of the site and the close proximity of
residential units and associated pets, wildlife use of the site is expected to be minimal.
RESULTS
Vegetation. No sensitive plant species were observed during the field survey. In general, the
site is dominated by non-native species; primarily Hottentot fig {Carbobrotus edulis), wild oat
(Avena barbata), and brome grasses (Bromus spp.). Remnant coastal sage scrab habitat is also
present including Califomia sagebrash (Artemisia californica), flat-top buckwheat {Eriogonum
fasciculatum), and bladderpod (Isomeris arborea). As each terrace and bluff supports slightly
different assemblage or dominant species, the vegetation is described by those physiographic
features.
The upper terrace is barren of vegetation for approximately 60% of its area as a result of
automobile paridng. The remaining vegetation is dominated by Hottentot fig and non-native
grasses including, wild oat and bromes (Figure 3). Additional species include scattered
telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), sacred datura (Datura meteloides), and mustard
(Brassica sp.). One lemonade berry {Rhus integrifolia) shrab with intermixed wild cucumber
(Marah macrocarpus) occurs at the extreme westem edge of the terrace.
The bluff consists of both bare sandstone and native and non-native vegetation. The dominant
vegetation is, again, Hottentot fig and non-native grasses. In addition, the bluff supports
scattered remnant coastal sage scrab elements including 4-6 individual lemonade berry shrabs,
2 individual Califomia sagebrash shrabs, 4 individual bladderpod plants, and a patch of flat-top
buckwheat less than 5 m^ intermixed with Hottentot fig (Figure 4).
The lower terrace supports primarily Hottentot fig and non-native grasses with a strip of
Califomia sagebrash consisting of approximately 15 individuals and covering an area of
approximately 17 m long and 3 m wide (Figure 5). Additional species include gum {Eucalyptus
spp.) and scattered coastal isocoma (Haplopappus venetus).
Wildlife. No sensitive wildlife species were observed on the property. The few wUdlife species
that were observed during the survey are those that are typically found in association with human
residences. These included house finch {Carpodacus mexicanus), lesser goldfinch {Carduelis
psaltria), scrab jay {Aphelocoma coerulescens), and Anna's hummingbird {Calypte anrm).
Because of the fragmented condition of adjacent natural communities, it is doubtful that any
sensitive reptiles inhabit the site including orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophorous
hyperyhtrus) and/or San Diego coast homed lizard {Phymosoma coronatum blainvillei).
HABITAT EVALUATION
The study site supports one native plant community; Diegan coastal sage scrab. However; this
community is highly disturbed and exists only as scattered remnant individuals or small stands
with non-native vegetation dominant. The coastal sage scrab vegetation exists in isolated patches
and the site is bounded by developed property on three sides. As a result, the important wildlife
values often associated with this habitat type, especially regarding habitat for the threatened
coastal Califomia gnatcatcher (Piloptila califonica californica), are greatly diminished. The
coastal sage scrab habitat on site does not constitute habitat for the gnatcatcher. The impacts
associated with the proposed project are not considered significant on a local or regional scale.
The only area of biological sensitivity is Buena Vista Lagoon which wiU not be impacted by the
proposed project, y
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FIGURE 1
Vicinity Map
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FIGURE 2
Assessor's Parcel Map of Lots 17 and 18
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FIGURE 3
View of upper terrace looking west
FIGURE 4
View of bluff looking east
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