Subject: Biological Constraints Assessment for the...
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5101 SEPTEMBER STREET SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-1118 (619) 843-6640 [email protected] November 19, 2014 Mr. C. Blair Pruett Mana Investments, Inc. 5927 Balfour Ct., Suite 208 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Subject: Biological Constraints Assessment for the Feather Acres Project, Del Mar, City of Solana Beach, San Diego County, California. Mr. Pruett: This letter describes the results of the biological constraints survey of the Feather Acres project site (site) located at 980 Avocado Place in Del Mar, City of Solana Beach, California. On November 14, 2014, Rocks Biological Consulting (RBC) conducted a walking survey of the property to identify potential significant biological constraints to development of the site. The approximately 3.52–acre site contains the Feather Acres Farm and Nursery, a single-family home, and other structures. No significant biological constraints to development of the site were observed during the survey. The majority of the site has been developed or disturbed as part of the farm and nursery operations and supports numerous non-native ornamental, trees, shrubs, and herbs as well as structures such as greenhouses, horse stables, and animal pens. The site does not support Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) as defined by the City of Solana Beach (City) or naturally occurring native vegetation. Two large, planted, Torrey pines (Pinus torreyana ssp. torreyana) are present near the northern site boundary. Although these specimens were planted and are not naturally occurring, Torrey pines are a native tree species and are considered ‘rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere’ by the California Native Plant Society. These trees and their root systems should be protected during site development in accordance with the City’s Native Tree Protection Policy described in the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan (LUP) and included herein: Policy 3.51: New development shall be sited and designed to preserve oak, sycamore, alder, willow, toyon, or other native trees that are not otherwise protected as ESHA. Removal of native trees shall be prohibited except where no other feasible alternative exists. Structures, including roads or driveways, shall be sited to prevent any encroachment into the root zone and to provide an adequate buffer outside of the root zone of individual native trees in order to allow for future growth. Policy 3.52: New development on sites containing native trees shall include a tree protection plan. Policy 3.53: Where the removal of native trees cannot be avoided through the implementation of project alternatives or where development encroachments into the protected zone of native trees result in the loss or worsened health of the trees, mitigation measures shall include, at a minimum,
Transcript of Subject: Biological Constraints Assessment for the...
5101 SEPTEMBER STREET l SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-1118 (619) 843-6640 l [email protected]
November 19, 2014
Mr. C. Blair Pruett Mana Investments, Inc. 5927 Balfour Ct., Suite 208 ! Carlsbad, CA 92008
Subject: Biological Constraints Assessment for the Feather Acres Project, Del Mar, City of Solana Beach, San Diego County, California.
Mr. Pruett:
This letter describes the results of the biological constraints survey of the Feather Acres project site (site) located at 980 Avocado Place in Del Mar, City of Solana Beach, California. On November 14, 2014, Rocks Biological Consulting (RBC) conducted a walking survey of the property to identify potential significant biological constraints to development of the site. The approximately 3.52–acre site contains the Feather Acres Farm and Nursery, a single-family home, and other structures. No significant biological constraints to development of the site were observed during the survey.
The majority of the site has been developed or disturbed as part of the farm and nursery operations and supports numerous non-native ornamental, trees, shrubs, and herbs as well as structures such as greenhouses, horse stables, and animal pens. The site does not support Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) as defined by the City of Solana Beach (City) or naturally occurring native vegetation.
Two large, planted, Torrey pines (Pinus torreyana ssp. torreyana) are present near the northern site boundary. Although these specimens were planted and are not naturally occurring, Torrey pines are a native tree species and are considered ‘rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere’ by the California Native Plant Society. These trees and their root systems should be protected during site development in accordance with the City’s Native Tree Protection Policy described in the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan (LUP) and included herein:
Policy 3.51: New development shall be sited and designed to preserve oak, sycamore, alder, willow, toyon, or other native trees that are not otherwise protected as ESHA. Removal of native trees shall be prohibited except where no other feasible alternative exists. Structures, including roads or driveways, shall be sited to prevent any encroachment into the root zone and to provide an adequate buffer outside of the root zone of individual native trees in order to allow for future growth.
Policy 3.52: New development on sites containing native trees shall include a tree protection plan.
Policy 3.53: Where the removal of native trees cannot be avoided through the implementation of project alternatives or where development encroachments into the protected zone of native trees result in the loss or worsened health of the trees, mitigation measures shall include, at a minimum,
C. Blair Pruett November 19, 2014
Page 2 of 2 the planting of replacement trees on-site, if suitable area exists on the project site, at a ratio of 1:1 for every tree removed. Where on-site mitigation is not feasible, off-site mitigation shall be provided through planting replacement trees or by providing an in-lieu fee based on the type, size and age of the tree(s) removed. The number of replacement trees allowed to be planted within the very high fire hazard severity zone will be approved by the Fire Marshal. Proper spacing of tree trunks and canopies will be maintained in accordance with the Fire Code for trees in this zone. Any new or replacement tree planted in this zone shall be fire resistive and on the Planning and Fire Department approved planting list.
In addition to the Native Tree Protection Policy, compliance with the California Fish and Wildlife Code (§3503) under which it is unlawful to “take, possess, or needlessly destroy” avian nests or eggs will be required. If project construction is proposed in or adjacent to vegetation suitable for nesting during the typical bird breeding season (i.e., February 1 – September 15), or an active nest is noted, a pre-construction nest survey would be required. If active nests are present, construction would be delayed near the nest and within an appropriate buffer (determined case by case) until the end of the breeding season or until the nest is no longer active.
In summary, the site does not support ESHA or naturally occurring rare, threatened, and/or endangered plants, animals, or sensitive habitats and no potential wetlands and/or other Waters of the U.S or state were observed.
The two primary biological constraints observed are as follows:
• The Torrey pine trees near the northern boundary of the site are native trees and are therefore subject to the City of Solana Beach’s Native Tree Protection Policy as described above.
• To avoid impacts on nesting birds, vegetation should not be removed during the avian breeding season that generally runs from February 1 – September 15. If removal of vegetation cannot be done outside the breeding season, a pre-construction nesting bird survey should be conducted to determine if nesting birds are present onsite.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this report.
Sincerely,
Jim Rocks, Principal Biologist
Attachments:
Figure 1 Biological Constraints Map
Site Photographs
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Project BoundaryTP - Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana ssp. torreyana)DEV - Developed
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Source: Esri, 2010
Figure
1FEATHER ACRES
Biological Constraints Map
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Project Vicinity
Feather Acres Site Photographs: November 14, 2014
Site Photographs-1
Photo 1: View of planted Torrey pine trees near northern site boundary.
Photo 2: View of single-family home in northeast corner of the site.
Site Photographs-2
Photo 3: View of horse riding ring in northwest corner of the site.
Photo 4: View of horse stables in southeast corner of the site.
Site Photographs-3
Photo 5: View of horse corral, eucalyptus, and other ornamental trees onsite.
Photo 6: View of planted, ornamental trees around commercial nursery building.
Site Photographs-4
Photo 7: View of parking area near commercial nursery.
Photo 8: View of animal pens near the entrance to the site.
