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HomeMy WebLinkAbout023 Wildlife Habitat Narrative October 21, 2022 Wildlife Habitat Narrative Shady Glen Planned Unit Development Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan - PUDP Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application - PP Wildlife Habitat Narrative Section 38.220.030.13 – Describe key wildlife habitat issues associated with the proposed subdivision. Years ago, the Shady Glen property was traversed diagonally by a spur rail of the Union Pacific- St Paul Rail line. The old rail bed is still a prominent feature on the landscape. Since the 1960’s the proposed development area for the Shady Glen project was used for hay production and intensely grazed by livestock. In the last 20 years the Shady Glen property had been used by the homeless community. Recently about two tons of household and construction debris was removed from four homeless camps and several illegal hunting blinds within the Shady Glen property. The camps were located in core bedding and browsing areas frequented by white tail deer, mule deer and moose. Needless to say, wildlife habitat on this property and lands surrounding the property has been severely impacted by human activity over the past 100 years. A number of bird species including Owls, Hawks and a variety of waterfowl and songbirds have been observed on the property. The pond on the property is somewhat eutrophic and shallow and therefore does not provide great habitat for fish. Small fur-bearing mammals along with large carnivorous mammals have not been seen on the property. The absence of these animals can most likely be attributed to the dense trail system that surrounds the property. This dense trail system located on city parkland surrounding the subject site has severely fragmented riparian wildlife habitat. In observation of this situation, approximately 60 percent of the Shady Glen property will be set aside as a wildlife refuge. A community playground and picnic area is proposed in the southeast corner of the property adjacent to the proposed wildlife habitat. This will provide an opportunity to view wildlife from a safe distance. The community area will serve as an educational opportunity. It is hoped that the wildlife refuge will provide a secure bedding, breeding and browsing area for large ungulates. In the absence of homeless encampments and illegal hunting blinds it is also hoped that this refuge will again support populations of small fur bearing mammals, larger mammals and a variety of different bird species. Over 90 percent of the project will be constructed on previously used agricultural production and grazing land. Every effort will be taken to minimize impact to the surrounding environment prior to and post construction. A pre-construction SWPPP plan will be completed and adhered to during construction to assist with keeping all of construction-generated sediment within the confines of the project footprint. BMPs and LID measures will be incorporated into the project’s design to Shady Glen PUD - Wildlife Habitat Narrative October 21, 2022 Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan Subdivision Preliminary Plat Page 2 facilitate good drainage and superior landscaping, beneficial to wildlife. In an effort to protect the wildlife habitat boundary, signage will be placed around the site perimeter to instruct trail users to stay on designated trails and to keep their dogs leashed at all times. In addition, residential lot owners will be required to install continuous fencing along their lot lines adjoining the wildlife refuge. In Summary: a. Species Large ungulates such as white tail deer, moose and possibly mule deer inhabit the property during different seasons. Smaller mammals consisting of squirrels, racoons, rabbits, skunks, beavers, mink and possibly otters frequent the property periodically. Avian species notably a variety of raptors, songbirds, wading birds, upland birds, waterfowl, and cranes have been viewed on the property. b. Critical areas The applicant has proposed creating a 7.13-acre wildlife refuge on the 11.87-acre Shady Glen property. Due to the dense vegetation of this area, accessibility to trail users would be very difficult. Thus, the development limits human intrusion to the perimeter areas. The lack of human intrusion and accessibility allows wildlife a secure place to shelter and feed. The contiguous location of this wildlife habitat area with the existing 47-acre Glen Lake Rotary Park could be considered the highest and best use for this area as it essentially extends the natural setting of the existing park. Due to the urban location of the proposed subdivision, critical or significant wildlife areas such as big game winter range and habitat for rare or endangered species do not exist on the property. c. Pets/human activity The development has been designed to prohibit pets and restrict human activity within the wildlife refuge by requiring fencing on all lot lines adjoining the wildlife refuge. Designated trails and sidewalks will be placed near the proposed residential homesites to accommodate recreation and routes of travel for subdivision dwellers and visitors. A play area and small community gathering area is proposed in the southeast corner of the property area at the southeastern edge southeast of the wildlife refuge. This is accessed off the dual-use pedestrian/emergency access to Shady Glen Lane. Protective covenants for the developed property will place restrictions, limitations and regulations on all activities that may have any adverse effect on indigenous wildlife, native plants and fisheries. Protective covenants outlining restrictions, limitations and regulations may exceed city standards for this type of development. d. Public access The applicant has included connections to the surrounding trails to encourage connectivity to the local environment and allow through passage. The East Gallatin Recreation Area trail system adjoins the property along its northern and eastern boundary and connects Glen Lake Rotary Park to Story Mill Park. This trail system includes a number of trails in the 47-acre Glen Lake Rotary Park west of the subject site. The Shady Glen PUD will also create an alternate connection to Story Mill Park, from the Story Mill Spur Trail north of Shady Glen Lane, through the dual-use pedestrian/emergency access and past Shady Glen’s playground area (Common Open Space 04), and south on Bridger Center Drive to Story Mill Park’s southwest entrance. Shady Glen PUD - Wildlife Habitat Narrative October 21, 2022 Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plan Subdivision Preliminary Plat Page 3 Shady Glen also provides direct access to the groomed cross-country ski trails at the Bridger Creek Golf Course, connecting through a park within Bridger Creek Subdivision, adjacent to Shady Glen’s northern boundary. While the trails are a wonderful amenity for city residents and visitors, the presence of trail users and their pets often disrupt wildlife. The Shady Glen Wildlife Refuge will provide a controlled area where wildlife can seek refuge away from trail users and their pets. e. Protective measures The critical areas onsite will be preserved by avoidance. The proposed site improvements are clustered away from the critical areas of the property. Surface water flowing through the site’s aspen groves will be managed and utilized to enhance ecological features of the site’s drainage pond and surrounding wetlands. Shady Glen Lane will be located away from wetland and core habitat areas of the site. It is expected that protective covenants outlining restrictions, limitations and regulations may exceed City standards for this type of development. The development of Shady Glen and the creation of an HOA will prevent encroachment of adjacent commercial properties and activities, and potential degradation of critical wildlife and wetland areas. f. Impact Documentation. Natural resource enhancement activities have already begun at the Shady Glen project site. Restoration work began by removing approximately 21 cubic yards of trash and debris. Most of the debris that was removed consisted of household trash found at several homeless camps on the property. Disturbed areas have been graded and seeded with a wetland/riparian seed mix. Trash that could not be recycled was taken to a local licensed landfill for disposal. Areas disturbed during construction will be reclaimed through plantings of diverse riparian vegetation consisting of riparian grasses, forbs, scrub/shrubs, and trees that tolerate saturated to semi-saturated soil conditions. Every effort will be made to plant as many species of vegetation characteristic to the area to help provide structural diversity for migratory songbirds and birds of prey. Other planted species will provide shelter and browse sources for other wildlife.