HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 14-04; Miles Buena Vista; BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL LETTER REPORT; 2014-11-19MARQUEZ & ASSOCIATES
BIOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS
505 No. Willowspring Drive • Encinitas, CA 92024 • (760) 633-3066
Rod Bradley
SHA Incorporated
5115 Ayenida Encinas
Suite L
Carlsbad, CA 92008
November 19, 2014
Re: Miles Buena Vista Property Biological Technical Letter Report
Dear Mr. Bradley:
Marquez & Associates Biological Consultants (Marquez & Associates) is pleased
to provide the following letter report addressing biological resources on the 3. 13-
acre Miles Buena Vista Property (Miles Property), located at 1833 Buena Vista
Way in the City of Carlsbad, California.
Viviane Marquez (County-approved biologist, owner and principal biologist of
Marquez & Associates) conducted a biological resource survey of the Miles
Property on November 4, 2014, between the hours of 12:30 and 2:05 p.m. Ms.
Marquez surveyed the site by walking through it twice, each time paying
particular attention to the vegetation on the eastern perimeter. In addition, she
walked along Monroe Street, which lies east of the property, to better observe
adjacent understory vegetation. This survey noted vegetation and animals on-
site and habitats or land uses occurring adjacent to the project area.
Marquez & Associates reviewed the Habitat Management Plan for Natural
Communities in the City of Carlsbad Plan (Plan) (City of Carlsbad, 1999), to
verify the project location relative to the Plan and to determine anticipated
mitigation requirements if any.
Marquez & Associates
Miles Property
Page 2 of 5
Buena Vista Way and single-family residences form the northern boundary of the
Miles Property. A single-family residence and horticultural growing areas are
situated to the west. McCauley Lane and a single-family residence lie to the
south, and a eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) grove and Monroe Street lie to the east
(Photo 1).
Almost all of the Miles property is comprised of bare ground, horticultural growing
~eas and developed areas, including a single-family residence and a long
driveway. Much of the property is covered with gravel and appears to have been
used as a potted plant growing area (Photo 2). Numerous tented growing areas
also are present. Jade plant (Crassula ovata) and palms (Palmaceae sp.) are the
dominant horticultural species on-site. Only five native plants are growing on-site.
Three lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia) and two laurel sumacs (Malosma
laurina) occur in a group at the eastern property line; they are surrounded by
jade plants and eucalyptus trees (Photo 3).
Inspection of the area between Monroe Street and the Miles Property revealed a
eucalyptus grove canopy with an understory of bare ground, laurel sumac,
lemonadeberry, yucca (Hesperoyucca whipple1), young eucalyptus and a few
other southern mixed chaparral species (Photo 4). The understory appears to be
regularly trimmed and the area appears to be a relict of a southern mixed
chaparral habitat.
Marquez & Associates detected only three animal species: an opossum
(Didelphis virginianus), several Audubon warblers (Dendroica coronata) and a
house wren (Troglodytes aedon) on the Miles Property. These species are
common throughout San Diego County. The few native plants on-site are not
sufficient to constitute a habitat. Marquez & Associates does not expect the site
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Marquez & Associates
Miles Property
Page 3 of 5
to support any sensitive plant species nor to be utilized by sensitive animal
species on a regular basis. Ms. Marquez's survey found no raptor nests in the
eucalyptus trees.
The Miles Property lies in an area designated for development, Local Facilities
Management Zone 1; it is not in a habitat management plan (HMP) core, linkage
or special resource area (City of Carlsbad 1999). However, should construction
take place between February 15 and August 31, a qualified biologist ought to
survey the eucalyptus trees to confirm the absence of nesting raptors.
This letter is intended to provide information regarding biological resources on
the Miles Property. Contacting the City of Carlsbad Building Department is the
appropriate procedure to confirm all land development, mitigation and habitat
protection requirements. Should you have any questions regarding this letter,
please contact Viviane Marquez at (760) 633-3066.
Sincerely,
Marquez & Associates
Biological Consultants
Attachment: Photographs
-------
Photographs
Photo 1. A eucalyptus grove is a~t to the Miles Property to the east.
Photo taken facing northeast.
Photo 2 Most of the Miles Property is bare ground, horticultural growing areas or
developed areas. Photo taken facing southeast.
I • Photographs (cont'd)
Photo 3. A few laurel sumac and lemonadeberry surrounded by jade plants and
eucalyptus trees occur et the eastern perimeter of the Miles Property. Photo taken
facing northeast.
Photo 4. Eucalyptus grove between the Miles Property and Monroe Street. Photo
taken facing southwest from Monroe Street