HomeMy WebLinkAboutLCPA 02-10; Habitat Management Plan; Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) (4).-
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a xk Henthorn & Associa, 3
5365 Avenida Encinas, Suite A
Carlsbad, California 92008
Fax (760) 438-0981
(760) 438-4090
January 8,2003
Mr. Don Rideout
City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, California 92008
Subject: Habitat Management Plan Recommendations from Coastal Commission
Emerald Point (BCS) Assessor Parcel Number 2 12-040-50
As you are aware, the owners of the Emerald Point property have been working with the
City and the wildlife agencies regarding the development of their site for the past several
years. The owner’s representatives met with representatives of U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, California Department of Fish and Game and the City of Carlsbad to establish
development envelop.
The owners then proceeded with design studies and filed development applications with
the City of Carlsbad. The application that is on file demonstrates that 10.83 acres (over
60%) of the 18 acre site is classified as disturbed (previous agricultural activity) or
developed (Sapphire Road improvements).
The proposed development will impact 0.24 acres of the 4.86 acres Coastal Sage (CSS)
found on the site, a preservation level in excess of 95%. None of the other habitat types
found on site will be impacted and all non-impacted habitat will be placed in appropriate
easements. The CSS impacts are currently proposed to be mitigated through on site
revegetation of non-native grassland areas at a 2: 1 ratio..
The attached Biological Resources Assessment provides additional information relating
to the habitat types found on site and the potential project impact.
Section 3-8.9 of the HMP draft proposed by the Coastal Commission states “No impacts
to native habitat allowed.”
Other similar parcels identified in the HMP are permitted to have impacts of up to 10% of
the total CSS and SMC for access purposes, including on site access. Due to the
restrictions on this site related to avoiding steep slopes, airport noise contours and a
variety of other regulatory land use restrictions, the Commission’s recommendation
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would cause an undue economic hardship on the owner. Therefore it is requested that the
language in Policy section 3-8.9 be revised to read as follows: “Maximum 10% impact on
CSS habitat.”
If you have any questions or need additional information relating to this site, please
contact me at your convenience.
fiincerel y, /
ack E, Henthorn
Authorized Representative.
Copies: A. Hummel
L. Sellinger
K. Akers, California Coastal Commission, S.D.
.I
~~~ Plant Community
Disturbed
Developed
Coastal Sage Scrub
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Anita M. Hayworth
Biological Consultant
Existing Direct Open Space
Acreage Impacts *
10.50 5.69 4.81
0.33 0.33 0
4.86 0.24 4.62
1235 Meadow Wood Place Encinitas, CA 92024
30 October 2002
Mr. Jack Henthorn
Jack Henthorn and Associates
5375 Avenida Encinas
Suite D
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Re: Update of the Biological Resources and Impact Assessment of the Emerald Poinre Estates
(BCS Propeq), Carlsbad, CA
Dear Mr. Henthorn,
Per our telephone conversation, I have reviewed the biological resources mapping for the
approximately 17-acre Emerald Pointe Estates project. The purpose of this letter is to provide an
update of the existing conditions of the property, if needed, and provide a re-evaluation and update
of the mitigation requirements, if needed. The property is located south of Palomar Airport Road,
and west of El Camino Real, Carlsbad, California. Laurel Tree Road and the Laurel Tree
Apartment development borders the western edge of the property. Cobblestone Sea Village (Mar
Brisa) development is located to the south and east, and agricultural land borders the north.
The original biological survey was by me on 4 January 1997. A focussed survey for rare plants was
conducted on 13 April 1997.
you dated 22 December 1998.
The results of those survey visits were reported in a letter addressed to
The 2002 existing conditions of the site were evaluated through a site visit and a review of a 2002
aerial photograph of the site. The site has remained essentially unchanged from the conditions
reported in the 1998 letter report. Thus the following table (Table I), extracted from the biology
report and updated to reflect the new proposed impacts, provides the current conditions and the
proposed impacts.
I Impacts to Existing Plant Communities I
..
Chaparral
INon-Native Grassland
Native Grassland
San Diego Thorn-Mint
Total
0.79 0 0.79
0.88 0 0.88
0.61 0 0.61
0.03 0 0.03
18.00 6.26 11.74
As noted in Table 1, a total of 0.24 acre of coastal sage scrub is proposed to be impacted by &e
project. Implementation of the proposed project would result no losses to sensitive plant species or
other sensitive vegetation communities. The impact to the coastal sage scrub is a direct function of
the requirement for fire suppression zones and only involves the thinning of underbrush. The
impact to the coastal sage scrub vegetation community will require mitigation.
Updated Mitiation Measures
The Emerald Pointe Estates project includes in the project design the granting of an open space
easement over 87 percent (4.62 acres) of the coastal sage scrub on the property. The onsite impact to
coastal sage scrub is 0.24 acres. Although the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan is still in a
draft form, the mitigation is calculated to be in conformance with that draft document. Mitigation
for the impact to 0.24 acre of coastal sage scrub is recommended to consist of 0.5 acre of coastal sage
scrub revegetation. There are areas onsite that are suitable for revegetation and these areas will be
delineated by you and provided to the City. In general, areas of non-native grassland are suitable for
restoration to coastal sage scrub. These areas are located on the northern portion of the property.
The open space easement also includes the preservation of 100 percent of native and non-native
grasslands, chaparral and a population of the rare plant species, San Diego thorn-mint.
Please feel free to contact me at (760) 942-5147 with questions or if you require additional
information.
Very truly yours,
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