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•Jason Goff - Bio Report - CT 02-28 Map Ext.
From: Jason Goff
To: kbooth@planningsystems.net
Date: 08/28/2006 3:15 PM
Subject: Bio Report - CT 02-28 Map Ext.
Kenny,
Attached is a PDF copy of the Updated Bio-Letter and Figure-A exhibit. To save time, I've marked them up
according to where we need further information, clarification or revision. Please have your biologist expand on
this. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 602-4643.
Jason Goff
Associate Planner
City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-602-4643
1qoff@ci.carlsbad.ca.us
file://C:\Documents and Settings\Jgoff\Local Settings\Temp\GW}00001 .HTM 08/28/2006
PLANNING
SYSTEMS
LAND USE/COASTAL PLANNINGLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • LA3900
POLICY AND PROCESSING
ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION
August 21, 2006
Mr. KwanL. So ^
CALSO, LLC
c/o LIGHTHOUSE VENTURES, LLC
3529-2B Gannon Rd.; #519
Oceanside, CA 92056 s
' ' * , " V ' -
RE: CT 02-28; LA COSTA CONDOMINIUMS
BIOLOGICAL CONFIRMATION ANALYSIS
APN # 216-160-27, -
Dear Mr. So:
Per the request of the City of Carlsbad Planning Department, Planning Systems'
Restoration Ecologist has conducted a biological confirmation analysis of the continued
accuracy of the La Costa Condominiums Biological Survey (FRE 01-70). APN 216-160-27.
August 14.2002; This report was updated March 18. 2003. Both reports were prepared
by, Affirtis Environmental Services. This analysis is confined to assessing current site
vegetation. Based on our findings, revised plant associations and impacted area
quantities are provided. The proposed project is also assessed in terms of Habitat
Management Plan (HMP) compliance. , -
I _• , - % ~ i • "
On August 17,2006, Greg Evans, Restoration Ecologist for Planning Systems conducted a
field survey of the property to determine if the Affinis findings arerepresentative of
vegetation currently occurring on the site. The analysis began with a review of both
Affinis letter reports. Five Affinis 2002 report elements were re-assessed, including:,!)
Figure 3, Biological Resources (map), 2) Plant Association text, 3) Rare and Endangered
or Sensitive Species discussion, 4)~Appendix 1, Plant Species Observed, and 5) Appendix
2, Sensitive Plant Species Potentially Occurring On-site. Site soils information was
referenced using the Soil Survey of the-San Diego Area. California, prepared by the '
U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. This soils information is considered more specific
than was provided in the Affinis 2002 report. The Biological Resources map (Figure 3)
from the Affinis 2002 report,was used as the Planning Systems field work base map. All
accessible areas of the site were traversed, including dense brush areas. The site was
surveyed to identify plant associations and sensitive plantspecies present. , '']'.>.
1530 FARADAY AVENUE • SUITE 100 • CARLSBAD, CA 92008 »,(760) 931-0780 • FAX (760) 931-5744 • info@planhingsystems.net
1) Vegetation Mapping
Planning Systems concurs with the Affinis conclusions on plant association
boundary lines identified on Figure 3, Biological Resources (map), Affinis 2002.
Planning Systems also concurs with the mapped associations on the southern
slopes of the property, LS for Landscaped, and CSS/MC for Coastal Sage Scrub /
Mixed Chaparral, and on the slope bordering La Costa Avenue on the north edge
of the property, identified as NNG / LS for Non-native grassland / Landscaped.
Thus, it is concluded that the boundaries of the plant associations have not
changed from the Affinis analyses.
However, Planning Systems concludes that the Affinis designation of D/R,
Disturbed/Ruderal for the plant association occurring on the graded pad area,
should more appropriately be considered Non-Native grassland. In our opinion a
majority of the vegetation occurring on the pad is comprised of exotic species
such as Brome grasses, Wild oat, Tocalote, Black Mustard, and Perennial Mustard
as wells as natives such as Fascicled tarweed and Telegraph weed. This plant
association is described in the Carlsbad HMP as Non-Native Grassland, (see the
attached Figure A - Biological Resources Confirmation Analysis).
2) Plant Association Text
In "Section C. Results" of the 2002 Affinis report, plant associations are described.
Planning Systems agrees with these findings except for the identification of
"Disturbed/Ruderal" which Planning Systems views as Non-native grassland, as
stated above.
3) Rare and Fjtdangered or Sensitive Species
Section C.4 of the Affinis report states "No rare, endangered, or threatened plant
species were observed on the site or are expected to occur". Planning Systems
also did not observe sensitive plant species on the property, but it should be noted
that we did not visit the site during the time of year when certain sensitive species
are most visible.
4) Appendix 1, Plant Species Observed
All species documented in the Affinis 2002 report were observed occurring on-
site. Planning Systems also observed additional plant species occurring on-site,
mostly herbaceous ones, typical associates of the identified habitats.
Calso Biological Confirmation Analysis
8/21/06
4) Appendix 2. Sensitive Plant Species Potentially Occurring On-site
The target group of sensitive plant species sought by Affinis is in our opinion,
adequate. However, as previously stated, Planning Systems can not verify
absence of certain species because of the time of year of our field work.
5) Summary of Vegetation Resource Impacts
Plant Association ^^\
Non-Native Grassland (NNG)
Non-Native Grassland/Landscaped (NNG/LS)
Landscaped (LS)
Coastal Sage Scrub/Mixed Chaparral (CSS/MC)
TOTALS
Area
\ (Acjes)-^
\ U39.
\ b.eo
1 2.07
1 1.12
/ / 8.18
Impacted
(Acres)
4.35
0.60
1.84
0.23
7.02
%
Impacted
99.1%
100.0%
88.8%
20.5%
85.8%
6)H
The subject property is not identified as aliardline preserve, link or any other aspect of a
preserve system. The propertyjlnotknownjb be occupied by the California
gnatcatcher. Mitigation will be required for impacts t<£4J3j^acres of NNG through
payment of a mitigation fee at a 0.5:1 ratio per Table 11 Mitigation Ratios for Impacts to
HMP Habitats. The project is consistent with the adopted HMP.
7)Conclusions
Planning Systems' field survey of the site in August 2006 concludes that no changes of
significance to the vegetation on the site have taken place, except that the identification of
D/R, Disturbed/Ruderal for the plant community occurring on the graded pad area,
should more appropriately now be identified as Non-Native grassland (NNG). No other
differences from the 2002-03 surveys were observed.
Sincerely,
Greg Evfcns, Restoration Ecologist
PLANNING SYSTEMS
Attachment: Calso: La Costa Condos Biological Resources Confirmation Analysis
exhibit
Calso Biological Confirmation Analysis
8/21/06