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Home My WebLink AboutCT 13-04; GOLDEN SURF; BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION; 2013-01-16Merkel & Associates, Inc. 5434 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123 Tel: 858/560-5465 • Fax: 858/560-7779 e-mail: associates@merkelinc.com SEP 1 2 2014 January 16, 2013 M&A #13-096-01 Mr. Farzan Dehmoubed 6798 Paseo del Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011 RE: Biological Investigation of Parcel 1, P.M. 6136, 6798 Paseo del Norte Dear Mr. Dehmoubed, Thank you for requesting a biological report from Merkel & Associates, Inc. (M&A) for the 6798 Paseo del Norte parcel. The site is proposed to be split and developed in a manner that retains the existing single family residence and develops five additional units. The development would fully utilize the presently undeveloped areas of the site. As you are aware, the site is quite disturbed having a history of orchard uses. As a result, I contacted the Carlsbad Planning Department to speak with the planner, Jason Goff, but was ultimately able to reach Van Lynch, who clarified the survey expectation given the degree of disturbance on the site and the urban nature of the area. This letter has been developed based on this discussion with the City. A survey of the site was conducted by M&A senior biologist, Adam Behle, on January 10, 2014. The entire site was reviewed on foot except for the yard of the existing residence on the southwesterly portion of the site. This report constitutes the findings of that biological survey. The 6798 Paseo del Norte parcel is a 1.08-acre parcel located in western Carlsbad near the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Camino de las Ondas (Figure 1). The site ranges between 171 and 158 feet in elevation. The westerly portion of the site includes a developed single-family residence with landscaping, while the easterly portion of the site is a larger area supporting a mix of orchard trees and open non-native grassland. The perimeter of the site is fenced and includes variable encroachments of non-native vegetation used in landscaping of the property and adjacent parcels where the landscape vegetation has encroached beyond the parcel lines. Habitats and Vegetation There are three habitat types on the site: non-native grassland, mixed orchard, and developed/non- native vegetation (Figure 2). The habitat types are summarized in Table 1. Table 1. Habitat and Vegetation Types Habitat and Vegetation Type Area (acres) Non-native Grassland 0.44 Mixed Orchard 0.27 Developed/Non Native Vegetation 0.37 Total 1.08 M&A #13-096-01 w s 1:24000 Project Vicinity Map Parcel 1, P.M. 6136, 6798 Paseo del Norte Source: USGS 7.5' Encinitas, CA Quadrangle Figure 1 Merkel & Associates, Inc. M&A #13-096-01 Biological Resources Map Parcel 1, P.M. 6136, 6798 Paseo del Norte Figure 2 Merkel & Associates, Inc. Biological Investimtion of Parcel 1. P.M. 6136. 6798 Paseo del Norte January 16. 2014 Non-native Grassland Non-native grassland occupies areas of the easterly portion of the site and is dominated by a mix of Eurasian grasses such as ripgut grass {Bromus diandrus), wild oat (Avena spp.), hairy crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), and rat-tail fescue {Vulpia myuros). In addition, a small amount of native saltgrass, Distichlis spicata, also occurs in this area. Along with the grasses, the non-native grassland also supports a mix of opportunistic herbaceous species including shortpod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) wild radish (Raphanus sativus), telegraph weed {Heterotheca grandiflora), Burmuda buttercup {Oxalis pes-caprae), and Wright's cudweed {Pseudognaplialium canescens). A large patch of dead thistie {Carduus sp.) was also noted on the site. Finally, only one deerweed {Acmispon glaber) was observed on the site, suggesting that the area is not developing towards recovery to a scrub vegetation community. Mixed Orchard Remnants of an orchard supporting a wide variety of trees including Macadamia nut. Citrus hybrids and graft trees, Avocado, and fig (Ficus macrophylla) is present on the site. These trees are mature production trees with generally continuous canopy where clusters of trees exist. Developed /Non-native Vegetation On the westerly edge of the property, a single-family residence has been developed along with a yard of lavwi and a number of palm trees, and hedges. On the northerly portion of the property is a Monterey pme {Pinus radiata), and hedges along the fenceline, along the easterly property boundary palms from the adjacent site and landscape vines including Bougainvillea spp. have extended into the property from the borders. Finally, a large Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifoUus) is foimd near the center of the southem property boundary where it has been spreading. Other Biological Resources Wetlands and Jurisdictional Watercourses The site sheet drains from southwest to the northeast; however, there are no wetlands or drainage features on the site. Rare Flora and Fauna Due the site's extensive disturbance level and history, as well as a lack of unique clay or gabbroic soils, the site did not support rare plants during the survey. Further, the site holds an extremely low potential to support any rare annual plant species that would not have been detectable during the present winter survey. Habitat on site is both not suitable and too small to support use by rare animals except as an urban stopping point in migration. This anticipated incidental use would not differ from the surrounding developed lands and is not a significant resource value. Wildlife Corridors and Migratory Routes The site is a small urban lot that is completely surrounded by developed lands and thus lacks habitat continuity to natural areas. There are no wildlife movement corridors or migratory routes on the site. Biological Conservation Plan Compatibility The City of Carlsbad has adopted Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (Carlsbad HMP). The HMP requires that impacts to several natural and biological important habitats be mitigated in a manner that aggregates resources towards conservation of biologically important areas within Focused Planning Areas (FPAs) loosely connected by Linkages that have more limited biological value but which maintain porous habitat pathways to facilitate wildlife movement between the FPAs. The Merkel & Associates, Inc. #13-096-01 Biological Investisation of Parcel 1, P.M. 6136. 6798 Paseo del Norte January 16. 2014 property does not occur within either FPAs or Linkages and is located approximately 3,670 feet west of Link F in the HMP. As such, the project is compliant with the HMP by conformance with the habitat mitigation development requirements under Section D Conservation Strategy of the plan, particularly, Table 11. Mitigation Ratios for Impacts to HMP Habitats. Impact Evaluation and Conclusions The site does not support significant biological resources. Under the proposed project development, all lands classified as non-native grassland and mixed orchard would be converted to developed and non-native vegetation (landscaping). This change would not constitute significant impacts to biological resources. Under the HMP, habitat losses within the City are required to be offset by conservation of habitat or payment of in lieu fees that are aggregated to acquire and manage conserved lands in a manner that addresses cumulative losses of natural lands within the City. The rate of compensation for habitat loss varies by habitat type and is summarized in Table 11 of the HMP. For the habitat types present on the project site, the ratios to offset losses are outlined in Table 2: Table 2. Habitat Loss Compensation Ratios from the Carlsbad HMP Habitat Group and Type Impacted Habitat Mitigation Ratio* Mitigation Required E. Annual (non-native) grassland 0.44 0.5:1 0.22 ac. F. Mixed Orchards 0.27 Mitigation Fee Fee Based Only *Offsite mitigation for habitat in this group which is not conserved or mitigated on site, shall be a per acre in lieu mitigation fee in an amount to be determined by the City Council. The developed and non-native vegetation landscape areas for the project are subject to the habitat loss compensation are primarily not anticipated to be impacted by the proposed project. The fee for habitat loss compensation is determined by the City Council and will be made a condition of the project entitlement approvals. If you have questions regarding this letter report or you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call me at (858) 560-5465. Sincerely, Keith W. Merkel Principal Consultant Merkel & Associates, Inc. #13-096-01