HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Joint Town Board and Planning Commission 2009-03-10cLEJOINTSTUDYSESSIONTOWNBOARD&PLANNINGCOMMISSSIONTuesday,March10,20094:30p.m.to6:30p.m.Room2021203170MacGregorAve.AGENDA1.AccessoryDwellingUnits(ADUs)2.WildlifeStudy3.OpenSpaceStudy4.Miscellaneous.NOTE:TheTownBoardreservestherighttoconsiderotherappropriateitemsnotavailableatthetimetheagendawasprepared.
JackieWilliamsonFrom:EPAdministration[ir3045@estes.org]Sent:Wednesday,March04,20094:13PMTo:JackieWilliamsonSubject:JobDoneNotice(Send)*****************************JobDoneNotice(Send)*****************************JOBNO.1276ST.TIME03/0416:04PGS.2SENDDOCUMENTNAMETX/RXINCOMPLETETRANSACTIONOK6672527GregWhite5869561KEPL5869532TrailGazette5861691Channel86353677ReporterHerald2247899Coloradoan5771590EPNewsERROR1
MEMORANDUMTo:HonorableMayorPinkhamandBoardofTrusteesfrom:BobJoseph,CommunityDevelopmentDirectorDate:3-6-09Subject:JointmeetingwithPlanningCommissionThePlanningCommissionislookingforwardtothisopportunitytocommunicaterecentdeliberationsinvolvingADU’sandWildlife.Thesetopicshavegeneratedmuchpublicinterestandcomment.StaffisplanningtowalkthroughthemaindecisionpointstogeneratediscussionbetweentheTownBoardandthePlanningCommission,withthegoaloffacilitatingcommunication.CodechangesarebroughtforwardtothePlanningCommissionfortheirconsiderationandrecommendationtotheTownBoard.ThePlanningCommission’srecommendationisthenreviewedbyTownBoardforapproved.OnceapprovedbytheTownBoard,thecodechangesarereviewedbytheCountyCommissionersforfinalapproval.
Today’sMeeting3/5/2009March10,2009JointStudySession—TownBoardandPlanningCommission—FocusonKeyDecisionsflBackground:AccessoryDwellingUnitsHistory:Ptanningcommissionmeetings;•March13,2006•September16,2008•October212008•November18,2008•December16,2008•January20.2009•February17,2009Othermeetings;Builders,Architects/Designers,HomeownersAssoabons,BoardatRealtors,EstesParkHousingMthoiity,SuntfseRotaiy.LeagueofWomenVotersflBackground:AccessoryDwellingAttheFebruary17PlanningCommissionhearing,theCommissiongaveStaffdirectivetoaddressthefollowingspecificissues:NodetachedNominimumlotsize•Norental•Owneroccupancy•Cannotexceed49%ofprincipalbuilding•RequirePlanningCommissionreviewforaltapplications1
DiscussionPoints:AccessoryDwellingUnits•Nodetached.•Nominimumlotsize.eV3/5/2009;0DiscussionPoints:AccessoryDwellingUnits•Noseparaterental.•Owneroccupancy.DiscussionPoints:AccessoryDwellingUnitsMaximumsize:49%ofPrincipalDwelling,withcapat1,000s.f.I0C2
IBackground:JointStudySessionJanuary29,2008JointStudySession—EstesParkTownBoardofTrustees—LarimerCountyBoardofCountyCommissioners,&—EstesValleyPlanningCommission—Wildlifeandopenspacewerediscussedatthismeeting.3/5/2009DiscussionPoints:AccessoryDwellingUnits•PlanningCommissionreviewforall.WildimentApril8,2008TownBoardMeeting-EDAWselectedtocompleteawildlifehabitatassessment.August19,2008EstesValleyPlanningCommission—EDAWpresentedtheassessment.August26,2008TownBoardStudySession—StaffupdatedTownBoardaboutthestatusoftheassessment&proposedrevisionstotheDevelopmentCode.3
3/5/2009,-WildlifeftcLiguage•September2008toPresent—PlanningCommissionhastakenpubliccommentandrevieweddraftsofcodelanguageatfivepublichearings.Wildlife:CurrentCode•Currently:Awildlifestudycanbetriggeredanywherewhereelkarecalving,includingurbanizedareas.Background:OpenSpace•November7,2008SelectionPanel—AselectionpanelconsistingofaTownandaCountystaffperson,aPlanningCommissionerandtwoTownBoardmembersreviewedopenspaceproposalsandrecommendedConservationPartnerscompleteanopenspaceplan.November28,2008TownBoardMeeting-Staffpresentedtheselectionpanel’srecommendationDecember9,2008TownBoardMeeting—TownBoardtabledtheopenspaceplan.00CL.4
Wildlife:ProposedCodeBasicpremise:—Focushabitatstudiesonthehighestqualityhabitatorcriticalhabitat,—Urbanizedareasareconsideredlowqualityhabitatbecauseoffragmentation;therefore,nostudywillberequired,unlessthepropertycontainsriparianhabitat.3/5/2009UrbanizedAreas21jI15
3/5/200900CRiparianHabitatShouldexistingsetbacksbeincreasedtoprovidebetterprotectionofremainingriparianhabitatintheEstesValley?BigHornSheepWinterConcentrationAreaBigHornSheeparenotwideranging.CDOWhasproducedaveryaccuratemapoftheirhabitat.Duetotheat-riskstatusofthebighornsheeppopulationintheEstesValley,bighornsheephabitatismappedascriticalhabitatandwillbesubjecttosite-specificwildlifestudy.BigHornSheepWinterConcentrationAreaThatpartofthewinterrangewheredensitiesareatleast200%greaterthanthesurroundingwinterrangedensityduringthesameperiodusedtodetinewhiterrangeintheaveragefivewintersoutoften.6
ElkandDeer____SevereWinterRangeKeyAttributes:Connected,unfragmentedopengrasslandRaptorhuntingground&’RaptorpreysourceAIlpurposVcritterhabitat3/5/2009SevereWinterRangeaiforElkandDeerNorthEndandDeerMountainhavealowriskofhabitatlossunlessthepropertyisrezoned.Ifpropertyisrezoned,awildlifehabitatstudywillberequired.•Ifnorezoning,choice—Completeawildlifehabitatstudy;OR—Clusterdevelopment7
q3/5/200900C8
March4,2009EstesValleyPlanningCommissioners,sensesomeirregularitiesinthehandlingofsomeofthemajorissuesfacingEstesValleyandIhopethesewillbeaddressedintheMarch10,2009meeting:1.ThePlanningCommissionisanIGAbetweenLarimerCountyandtheTownofEstesPark.AsIunderstandit,itwassetuptorepresentbothCountyandTownresidentsequallyandfairly.Theinitialconceptisgood,butIdon’tthinkitisactuallyworkingoutthatway.ftappearsasiftheTownTrusteesaremakingallthedecisions,attheexpenseofCountyresidents.Ifthisistrue,whoisrepresentingtheCountyresidentsinEstesValley?Justbecausewedon’tliveintheTownofEstes,doesn’tmeanwearenotentitledtoappropriaterepresentation.2.DidTownPlannerJosephmakeaspecialpresentationtoTownTrusteeslongbeforethePlanningcommissionerscouldevengatherthefactsonmajorissuessuchasdetachedrentalADU’s?DidhehavethecourtesytoinformtheCommissionershewasdoingthis?DidhehavethecourtesytoinvitetheCommissionerstothismeeting?3.EachoftheCountyCommissionershaspubliclyendorsedtheirexpectationstobeatthenextjointmeeting.Weretheyinvitedtothismeeting?Ifnot,whynot?4.WhydidTownPlanningStaff“cherrypick”theAARPrecommendedpracticeonADU’sandonlypresenttheitemsthatappearedtosupporttheirviewpoint?Whydidstaffnotincludeowneroccupancyintheirrecommendations?WhydidCommissionershavetorepeatedlyhavetoaskfortheAARPsourcedocumentthatstronglyrecommendedowneroccupancy?WhatwouldbewrongwithstaffpresentingallthepertinentinformationtothePlanningCommission?5.WhatisthepurposeofPlaimingCommission?IftheireverymoveisgoingtobechoreographedbytheTownTrustees,whywouldanyonewanttoserveasaCommissioner.Inmyopinion,ourcurrentCommissionersaresomeofthemostexcellentchoicesofanyoneintheValley.TheyareworkingextremelyhardtodowhatisbestforEstesValleyandtheTownofEstes.Aretheybeingallowedtodotheirjob?Ifnot,whatmustbechangedsotheycanrepresentthemajorityofresidentsintheValley?BobTrump830FishCreekRoad577-0343
ILE,‘‘LUW1MAR—4GU9WhoreallyownsEstesValley?Isitthedeveloperswhowilldojustaboutanything,iftheycanmakeenoughprofitonit?Isitthebuilderswhofeelifsomethingisgoodforthem,itisgoodforEstesValley?OrisittheresidentsofEstesValley?Isitthepeoplewholivehere,votehere,andpaytaxeshere?MajorityRulehasbeenpopularinourcountryforseveralhundredyears.Itmeansthepeopledecideonmajorissuesandwealldowhatisbestforthemostpeople.NowtheEstesPlanningDepartmentcomesupwiththeADU(accessorydwellingunit)concept.Asproposed,itwouldalloweachofyourneighborstoputa1000squarefootshackjust15feetoffyourlotline.Whatifitisinthemiddleofyourbestview?Wellthat’sOKaslongasitisnotmorethan30feethigh.WhenyoudrivethruEstesValley,trytovisualizeanextrabuilding(thesizeofalargecabinorsmallhouse)addedtoalmosteverypieceofpropertyinthevalley.Yes,thedeveloperswouldloveit.Yes,thebuilderswouldloveit.But,whataboutyou?Youarepartownerofthisentirevalley.Youarepartofthemajority.WhatdoyouwantthisValleytolooklikein5,10,or15years?TheTownreceives75%ofit’sincomefromtourists.TheremainingquartercomesfromthetaxesyouandIpay.TheADUconceptisanobviouspioytocreatemoretaxablestructuresinEstesValley.Yes,theTownofEstesneedsmoneytorunthetownfunctions,butarewewillingtodestroythebeautyofEstesValleyforalittlemoreincome?HowmanytouristswillcometoEstestoseeatownthatlookslikeanyother“innercity”?Weneedtomakeourtown,andtheentirevalley,moreattractiveandinvitingtotourists.Orshouldweignore75%ofthetown’sincome?IfyouhaveanopiniononADU’s,joinyourneighborsatthePlanningCommissionmeeting,February17,at1:30intheTownHall.Wewouldlovetohearyouropinion.BobTrump,Residentfl
Justthefacts.)InmymostrecentlettertotheeditorImadethefollowingstatements:“TheTownreceives75%ofitsincomefromtourists.TheremainingquartercomesfromtaxesthatyouandIpay”.These2sentencesarecorrect,however,thesecondonecouldbemisleading.Therevenuedoesnotjustcomefromlocalpropertytaxes,butothersourcesaswell.Infact,onlyabout3%oftheTown’srevenuecomesfromlocaltaxes.Withonly3%ofthetown’srevenuecomingfrompropertytax,ifwefilledthevalleywithdetached,rentalADU’s,itwouldbedifficultfortheTownseeanoticeablefinancialgain.WhoispushingfordetachedADU’sandallowingrentalofdetachedADU’s,despiteoverwhelmingoppositionfromthetaxpayingvotersofEstesValley?TheTownHallwaspackedwhenthePlanningCommissiondiscussedthisissueonFebruary17,2009.Thecitizen’soppositionisnowamatterofpublicrecord.WhydidtheTownPlanningDepartmentstudytheAARPrecommendedpracticeonADU’sandleaveoutveryimportantrecommendationslikerequiredowneroccupancy?WhydodeveloperswriterestrictivecovenantsthatdonotallowçADU’s(especiallydetachedADU’s)intheirhomeownerassociations,asalocaldeveloperhaspointedoutinarecentnewspaperarticle?WhoisattemptingtopushfordetachedADU’sthatcanberented?UnfortunatelyIdonotknowtheanswerstothesequestions,butIhopetofindtheanswersatthejointstudysessionbetweentheTownBoardofTrusteesandtheEstesValleyPlanningCommissiononTuesdayMarch10,at4:30intheTownBoardRoom.I’llbethere,whydon’tyoucometoo?BobTrump0
March3,2009(FINALCLARIFIEDVERSION)Animportantandrarejointstudysessioij..betweentheTownBoardofTrusteesandtheEstesValleyPlanningCommission(EVPC)isscheduledforTuesdayMarch10,4:30pm,atTownHall.Itisopentothepublicforobservation,althoughthepubliccannotspeak.TheagendaislikelytoincludetheissuesofpotentialdevelopmentcodechangesregardingAccessoryDwellingUnits(ADUs)andtheprotectionofvalleywildlifewithrespecttodevelopment.TheTownBoardofTrusteeswillmaketheultimatedecisionontheseissues,anditisvitalthatthepublicbeawareofprogressorregressinthisnextstepoftheproceedings.RegardingADUs,theEVPChasbeenlisteningtoextensivecitizeninputandhasrecommendedremoving“detached”unitsfromconsideration,requiringowneroccupancyofoneunit,andremovingtheconsiderationofusingADUsforrentalpropertiesatthistime.IthanktheEVPCfortheirresponsiveandconscientiousefforts,andIwanttourgetheTownBoardofTrusteestotakethepublic-supportedEVPCrecommendationsregardingADUsseriously.Additionally,themostrecentdrafttotwildlife-relatedcodechangesfromtownstaffremovedprovisionsforadenial-ofdevelopmentifproposedadverse-impactmitigationisinadequate,andIbelievethatisamistakethatneedstobecorrected.S.Lindquist
2’4,q69/--7/7-7/ZLZ17/V/’72O79/V7-155/5/-*,4L/7Q6i55Yfc7#’99/yy/Ic’‘/7c4/5)K3-7c/7?Q‘A/7EA/i‘7,i74’9Z7-9-/,‘VñW%d—Y2it,>/?jØ/JZQ6’ciW22’W”%A//çqy/%LZD/1/1-V”clA%2/V?‘%%,%:Z/71?A/-2/7.367t—frs%4.1-tv>’!p‘-7Ii4/%/Q435-72d27‘1Q7/-2-7ck59Z2,’/‘#A:-‘‘J5%W/%’p
AccessoryDweIingUnitsEstesParkCommunityDevelopmentDepartmentMunicipalBuilding,170MacGregorAvenueP0Box1200EstesPark,CO80517Phone:970-577-3721Fax:970-586-0249www.estesnet.comDATE:PlanningCommission-March13,2008;September16October21;November18;December16;January20,2009;February17;TownBoard—TBDBoardofCountyCommissioners-TBDREQUEST:ToamendexistingregulationsregardingAccessoryDwellingUnits.Primarychangesincludelong-termrentalanddetachedunits.STAFFCONTACT:DaveShirkPROJECTDESCRIPTIONIBACKGROUND:Thisisarequesttochangetheexistingaccessorydwellingunitregulations.TheimpetusforthischangeisadirectivefromtheEstesValleyBoardofAdjustment.WhatisanAccessoryDwellingUnit?Anaccessorydwellingunit(ADU)isastructurethatprovidesindependentlivingfacilitiesforoneormorepersons,oraselfcontainedhousingunitsecondarytothemainresidence.HowisanADUdifferentfromaduplex?ADU’saredifferentfromtraditionalduplexesinthefollowingways:(1)Unitsinaduplexarerelativelyequalinsize.(2)ADU’sarelimitedinsizetobesubordinatetothemainresidence.(3)Bothunitsinaduplexcanberented.ThreeTypesofADU.StaffisproposingthreevarietiesofADU’s:integrated,attached,anddetached.Generallyspeaking,thelargerthelot,themoreindependenttheunitmaybefromthemainhouse.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM—1—
IHowmany?Onanationallevel,municipalitiesthatallowADU’sseeanapplicationforabout1per1,000homesinayear(basedonasurveyof47communitiesthatallowADUs,perMunicipalResearchandServicesCenterofWashington“AccessoryDwellingUnitsIssuesandOptions”report).Whyareweproposingthesechanges?Impetus.InJune2006,theEstesValleyBoardofAdjustmentreviewedanappealtostaffdecisionregardinganaccessorydwellingunit,asidentifiedbyStaff.TheapplicantstatedthedesignwasnotanADU,butonlya“wetbar.”Staffdisagreedbecausethedesignaddeduptoanareathatcouldstand-aloneasaseparatehousehold.TheBoardofAdjustmentagreedwithStaff’sassessment,anddirectedStafftocorrectthe“greyarea”inthecodeofwhenawetbarbecomesakitchen.Inaddition,ADU’shelpprovideseveralbenefitsandservemanypurposes:•Allowfor“mother-in-law”suites(or,conversely,allowyoungergenerationtomoveinwitholdergeneration).•Allowon-sitepropertycaretakerforsecond-homeowners.•Provideguestquarters(Staffbelievesthiswouldbethemostcommonuse).•ADUscouldprovideseasonalemployeehousingdispersedthroughoutthecommunity.•Helpreduceregulatorybarriersthatlimitaffordablehousingopportunities.•Assistolderhomeownersinmaintainingtheirindependencebyprovidingadditionalincometooffsetpropertytaxesandthecostsofhomemaintenanceandrepair.•ImplementthefollowingComprehensivePlanCommunityWidePolicies:GrowthManagementPolicies:3.1Encourageinfillofoldercoreareasinordertoreduceinfrastructurecostsandtostabilizeresidentialneighborhoods.Housing:5.1Encourageavarietyofhousingtypesandpriceranges.5.2Encouragehousingforpermanentresidentsofallsectorsofthecommunitythatisintegratedintoanddispersedthroughoutexistingneighborhoods.5.6Encouragehousinginfillwithintheexistingurbanarea.5.7Identifyaffordablehousingopportunitiesonanongoingbasis.5.8Regularlyevaluateregulationsandeliminateunnecessaryrequirements.Economics:7.1Maintainauniqueblendofbusinesses,residentsandvisitors,withoutnegativelyaffectingthenaturalbeautyoftheEstesValley.7.9Buildonthestrengthoftheretirementcommunity.•ImplementtheComprehensivePlan“recommendedactions”numberA.5Housing,whichstatesinpart“theremaybeopportunitiestomodifyzoningclassificationstoallowaccessoryunitsthatserveasaffordablehousingunits.”Research.Toresearchthisissue,Staffhas:(1)AttendedaColoradoAPAsponsoredtrainingsession;(2)SponsoredasessionattheMountainResortTownPlannersConference;Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-2-
(3)SentarequesttotheColoradoAPAemaillistserve”(received27responsesfromaroundthestate);(4)Discussedwiththebuildingdepartment,utilityproviders,LarimerCountyHealthDepartment,andStateDivisionofWaterResources;(5)Internetresearch(AARP,variousmunicipalities);(6)Heldseveralfocusgroup”discussionswithlocalbuilders,designers,realtors,andHomeownersAssociations;and,(7)ScheduledmeetingswiththeEstesParkHousingAuthority(September10),SunriseRotaryandLeagueofWomen’sVoters(scheduledforNovember).CommonFeaturesofanADUordinance.Thisresearchhasshown“commonthreads”inADUordinances,withthefollowingbeingcommonelements:(1)Owneroccupancyrequiredinoneunit.(2)Long-termrentalsusuallyallowedinoneoftheunits,butnotboth.(3)MostallowADU’sasattachedordetached.(4)Normalsetbacksapply.(5)OnlyoneADUperlot.(6)Parkingrequirement.(7)Maximumsizelimit.(8)Orientationofentrance.(9)Designstandards.Currentregulations.TheEstesValleyDevelopmentCodecurrentlyallowsADU’sinallsingle-familyresidentialdistrictsifthelotis1.33timestherequiredminimumlotsize.Forexample,alotinthe‘E-1”one-acrezonedistrictwouldneedtobe1.33acres;alotintheRE-i”10-acrezonedistrictwouldneedtobe13.33acres.Withthiscurrentrestriction,fewerthan1in3residentscouldhaveanaccessorydwellingunit(seeLotSizeAnalysisbelow).Othercurrentregulationsarethataunitmustbe“integratedwithintheprincipalunit”,cannotexceed800s.f.,cannotberentedseparately,andtherearenoarchitecturalstandards.LotSizeAnalysis:NumberthatareNumberof1.33ZoneMinimumNumberNonconformingminimumDistrictLotSizeofLotsLotsPercentagesizePercentageR1/4acre59026445%15727%E1/2acre150169947%40927%E-11acre170187651%37922%RE21/2acre65428544%23536%RE-i10acre35222965%9828%Total4798235349%127827%Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-3-
LarimerCountyallows‘accessoryliving”spaceelsewhereinthecounty,thoughnoseparaterentalisallowed.DetachedaccessorylivingareasmustgobeforetheLarimerCountyPlanningCommissionandrequireapprovaloftheLarimerCountyBoardofCountyCommissioners.Approximately1/3oftheserequestsareforunitsthatwereillegallybuiltwhenthisusewasprohibited,and15%ofallzoningviolationsinLarimerCountyoverthelastthreeyearshavebeenillegalsecondhomes.”BriefHistory.Thefirsttownzoningcodein1947allowedtwo-familydwellingsonallresidentiallyzonedlotsatleast%acreinsize.The1986code,whichwasineffectthrough1999,allowedADU’sinallsingle-familyzonedistricts,withoutaminimumlotsize.Thatcoderequiredunitsbeintegrated,couldnotexceed800s.f.,andcouldnotberented.LarimerCountyallowed“guesthouses”tobebuiltinthecountyuntiltheadoptionoftheEstesValleyDevelopmentCode.Guesthousescouldnothavecookingfacilities.Proposedregulations.Theprincipalchangesincluderemovalofthe“1.33”requirement,allowingleaseofoneunit,allowingdetachedunits,andadoptionofarchitecturalstandards.UtilityProviders.TownofEstesParkBuilding.TheBuildingDepartmentprovidedinputregardingthedefinitionofadwellingunit,andstatedthatdetachedunitswouldneedtoensureadequatefireseparation;thedraftlanguagesatisfiestheirconcerns.TownofEstesParkUtilities.PlanningStaffhasdiscussedthisissuewiththeTownofEstesParkUtilitiesDepartment,whohadnoconcerns.LarimerCountyHealth.TheLarimerCountyHealthDepartmenthadcommentsregardingwaterandsanitarysewer,whichhavebeenincorporatedintothedraftlanguage.StateDivisionofWaterResources.TheDivisionofWaterResourceshasprovidedaletterstatingthateverypropertywithawellpermitisdifferent.Somewellpermitsclearlyalloworprohibitmultipleunits.Othersarenotsoclear.Staffhasattemptedtoaddressthisinthedraftlanguage:eitherthewellpermitclearlyallowsanADU,oraletterfromtheDivisionwillberequired.Builders.Allbuildersthatwemetwithandhavediscussedthiswithhavebeeninfavoroftheproposedchanges.Onebuilderexpressedconcernaboutthesizelimitation,andsuggestedthatsmallerhouses—withsmallervalue-wouldbethepropertiesthatcouldbenefitthemostfromallowingtheseparaterental,butwouldbethemostrestrictedintermsofsizeoftheunit.Anotherquestionwashowwouldthisaffectshort-termrentals(draftlanguagewouldprohibitshort-termrentalsonpropertieswithanADU).ArchitectslDesigners.Allarchitects/designerswemetwithexpressedconcernaboutthereviewprocess,andmostwereopposedtoarchitecturalstandards(onefeltthatminimalstandardscouldbeacceptable).Theconcernaboutthereviewprocesswasthatitwouldbetoolengthyforintegrated/attachedunits,andsubjecttoneighborscrutinyfordetachedunits.Theyexpressedfearthatapersonthathasarighttobuildadetachedunitcouldhavetheirproposaldeniedinthefaceofneighborhoodopposition.Acommonstatementaboutarchitecturalstandardswasthatifpeoplewantedthosekindofprotections,theycouldmovetoaLastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-4-
neighborhoodthathasarchitecturalrequirements.Anothercommentwasthatiftheprincipalhouseandgaragearenotsubjecttoarchitecturalstandards,whyshouldanADU?HomeownersAssociations.OntheFridaybeforeLaborDay,StaffinvitedsixteenHomeownersAssociationsandtheAssociationforResponsibleDevelopmenttodiscusstheproposedchanges.Ninepeoplerespresentingfourassocationsattended.Ofthese,threepeopleexpressedsignificantconcern,whichseemedtocenterontherentalofunits,Ofnote,thethreethatexpressedthisconcernalllivedinthesameneighborhood,whichprohibitsADUs.Otherconcernsexpressed:Whowouldregulaterentals,andit’sisamistakeforthetowntonotregulatetheindividualrentals;whywouldtherenotbeafulltapfee;concernthateightpeoplewouldliveinoneoftheseunits;andconcernthatanADUnextdoorwoulddevalueneighboringproperties.Anotherpersonexpressedstrongsupportforthechanges.StaffhastalkedwitharesidentofStanleyHeights,whoexpressedconcernthattheunitscouldbesub-letforlessthan90days.Staffbelievesthispossibilityhasbeenaddressedinsection(8).StaffhasreceivedcorrespondencefromtheArapahoeEstatesPropertyOwner’sAssociation,whichstatedthechangeswillnotdirectlyimpactArapahoEstates”astheirneighborhoodcovenenantsprohibitthese.StaffhasalsoreceivedquestionsfromtheKoralHeightsPropertyOwner’sAssociation,whichwereaddressedviaemail.Nofurthercorrespondencehasbeenreceived.BoardofRealtors.PlanningStaffpresentedthecodechangestotheEstesValleyBoardofRealtors,whoexpressednoconcern.Staffaskedthegroupwhattheiropinionwasregardingimpacttoadjoiningneighbors,andtheconsensuswasthatanADU,eitherattachedordetached,tentedornot,wouldhavenonegativeimpactonadjoiningproperties.OtherMeetings.Inadditiontotheabovenotedmeetings,Staffhaspresentedthisproposaltothe:•EstesParkHousingAuthority(Sept10)•SunriseRotary(Nov.25)•LeagueofWomenVoters(Feb.9)StaffisalsotryingtoarrangeapresentationtotheChamberofCommerce,thoughschedulingconflictshashinderedthisattempt.§5.2ACCESSORYUSES(INCLUDINGHOMEOCCUPATIONS)ANDACCESSORYSTRUCTURESA.PurposeandIntent.TheintentofthisSectionistoallowpropertyownersflexibilityinuseoftheirpropertywhilemaintainingthecharacterofneighborhoods;implementGrowthManagement,Housing,andEconomicpoliciessetforthintheComprehensivePlan;allowfor“mother-in-law”suites,caretakerandcaregiverquarters,guestquarters;andprovidehousingoptionsforseasonalworkers.B.GeneralStandards.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-5-
(Nochangesproposed,exceptnowsection“B”insteadof“A”)C.AccessoryUseslStructuresPermittedintheResidentialZoningDistricts.1.TableofPermittedAccessoryUsesandStructures.Table5-1AccessoryUsesandStructuresPermittedintheResidentialZoningDistricts2.AdditionalRequirementsforSpecificAccessoryUses/StructuresPermittedintheResidentialZoningDistricts.a.AccessoryDwellingUnits.(1)WherePermitted.Accessorydwellingunits(ADU)shallconsistoflivingquartersintegratedwithin,attachedto,ordetachedfromtheprincipalsingle-familydetacheddwellingonthelot.Mobilehomes,recreationalvehiclesandtraveltrailersshallnotbeusedasaccessorydwellingunits.WhereADU,noguestquarters?(2)Defined.(a)General.Anaccessorydwellingunitisanyaccessorystructure,eitherattachedordetachedfromprincipalstructure,thatprovidescomplete,independentlivingfacilitiesforoneormorepersons,includingpermanentprovisionsforliving,sleeping,eating,cookingandsanitation.Cookingfacilitiesshallincludeanyareaused,ordesignatedtobeused,forthepreparationoffood.Kitchenshallmeanaroomorspacewithinaroomequippedwithsuchelectricalorgashook-upthatwouldenabletheinstallationofarange,ovenorlikeapplianceusing220/40voltsornaturalgas(orsimilarfuels)forthepreparationoffood,andalsocontainingeitherorbotharefrigeratorandsink.ResidentialZoningDistrictYes”=Permitted‘No”=NotPermittedAdditionalAccessoryUseRE-IREE-IERR-1R-2RMRequirementsAccessoryDwelling§5.2.B.2.aUnit:IntegratedYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoAttachedYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoDetachedYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoGuestQuarters????????Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM6-
(b)IntegratedAccessoryDwellingUnitsareaccessorydwellingunitsthatsharecommonlivingareawiththeprincipaldwellingunitandhaveinterioraccesstoandfromtheprincipaldwellingunit.Aseparateexterioraccesstotheaccessorydwellingunitmaybeincluded,butisnotrequired.IntegratedADU’srequireaminimumlotsizeof1,4acre.(c)AttachedAccessoryDwellingUnitsareaccessorydwellingunitsthatareattachedtotheprincipaldwellingunit.Thesemayormaynothaveinterioraccesstotheprincipaldwellingunit.Aseparateexterioraccesstotheaccessorydwellingunitmaybeincluded,butisnotrequired.Attacheddwellingunitsmustbearchitecturallycompatiblewiththeexistingstructureandatleast12feetalongonewalloftheaccessorydwellingunitmustbecontiguoustoawalloftheprincipaldwellingunit.AttachedADuireaminimumlotsizeofY2acre.(d)DetachedAccessoryDwellingUnitsareaccessorydwellingunitsthatatewhollydetachedfromtheprincipaldwellingunit.AtleastoneexteriorwalloftheADUshallbeclosertotheprincipaldwellingunitthananyexteriorwalloftheADUmaybetoanypropertyline.Option:DetachedADU’srequireaminimumlotsizeof1acre.[staffnote:thiswouldrequitealotbe25%largerthanthemedianlotsizeof.8acre]Option:IntheR,E,andE-1Districts,detachedADU’srequiretwicetheminimumlotsize.IntheREandRE-iDistricts,ADU’srequireatleast2.5acres.(3)Review.Allaccessorydwellingunitsshallbesubjecttodevelopmentplanreviewprocess,assetforthinChapter3,exceptasoutlinedbelow.(a)AllintegratedandattachedADUsshallrequirestaffleveldevelopmentplanreviewandapproval.(b)AlldetachedADUsshallrequirePlanningCommissiondevelopmentplanreviewandapproval.(c)AllADUsshallcomplywithstandardssetforthbelow.(4)Ownership.Theprincipaldwellingunitandaccessorydwellingunitshallbeunderthesameownership.(5)LimitonNumber.Thereshallnotbemorethanone(1)accessorydwellingunitonalotinadditiontotheprincipalsingle-familydwelling.(6)Occupancy.Thecumulativenumberofindividualsthatresideintheprincipalandaccessorydwellingunitsshallnotexceedthenumberallowedforasinglehousehold.Seedefinitionof”HouseholdLiving”in§13.2.C.28.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-7-
(7)HomeOccupations.Subjecttoexistingregulations,homeoccupationsshallbeallowedineithertheprincipaldwellingorintheAccessoryDwellingUnit.Innocircumstance,however,shallahomeoccupation(s)occupybothunits.TrafficgeneratedbytheADUshallbeincludedinallhomeoccupationtrafficcalculations,asrequiredbySection5.2.B2d.(8)LimitonTenancy.Eithertheprincipaldwellingunitortheaccessorydwellingunitmaybeusedbeleasedbytheowner.Theleasetermshallbeaminimumofninety(90)days.Thenonleaseddwellingunitshallbeoccupiedbytheowner.(9)SizeofAccessoryUnit.(a)Noaccessorydwellingsshallexceedforty-ninepercent(49%)ofthesizeofthefloorareaoftheprincipaldwellingunit(excludingattachedgarage)oronethousand(1,000)squarefeet,whicheverisless.(b)Nodetachedaccessorydwellingunitshallhavemorethantwo(2)bedrooms.(c)Onlyhabitableareaoftheaccessorydwellingunitshallbecountedtowardthismaximum.Forexample,anaccessorydwellinglocatedaboveagarageshallnotcountthegarageareainthemaximumsquarefootage.(10)Utilities.Allaccessorydwellingunitsshallbeconditionedupontheprovisionofadequatepublicfacilities,asoutlinedbelow.(a)Allelectrical,phone,andcablewiringservingtheaccessorydwellingunitshallbeplacedunderground.(b)SewageDisposal.AccessorydwellingunitsshallbeservedbyeithertheUpperThompsonSanitationDistrictortheEstesParkSanitationDistrict.WhenthedevelopmentsitecannotphysicallybeservedbytheUTSDorEPSD,orthedevelopmentsiteisoutsidetheexistingorplannedserviceareastheaccessorydwellingunitmaybeservedbyanon-sitesewagetreatmentsystemprovidedhowever,theLarimerCountyHealthDepartmentapprovestheservicetotheADU.(c)Water.AccessorydwellingunitsshallbeconnectedtotheTownofEstesParkWaterSystem.WhenthedevelopmentsitecannotphysicallybeservedbytheTownofEstesParkWaterSystemorthedevelopmentsiteisoutsidetheTown’sexistingorplannedwaterserviceareatheaccessorydwellingunitmaybeservedbyindividualorsharedwells,providedhowever,atthetimeofapplicationforpropertiesutilizingwellseitherawellpermitthatspecificallyallowsservicefortheproposedmultipledwellings,oraletterofinterpretationfromtheColoradoDivisionofWaterResourcesindicatingthattheapplicant’swellpermitisauthorizedfortheproposedaccessorydwelling.(11)Access.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-8-
(a)Theaccessorydwellingunitshallutilizethesameaccesspointastheprincipaldwellingunit.(b)ExceptasrequiredbythisSection,RoadstandardssetforthinAppendixgSection7.12oftheEstesValleyDevelopmentCodeshallnotapplytoADUs.(c)GeneralSiteAccessstandardssetforthinAppendixDshallapplytoallaccessorydwellingunits,exceptthataccessorydwellingunitsshallnotcounttowardthelimitonnumberofdwellingsonaprivatedriveway.(12)Off-StreetParking.(a)Atleastone(1)off-streetparkingspaceshallbeprovidedforeachbedroomlocatedinanaccessorydwellingunit.Thisrequirementshallbeinadditiontotheparkingrequiredforasingle-familydwellingunit(2).(b)ParkingspacedimensionsshallcomplywithstandardssetforthinSection7.11.(c)Parkingshallnotbelocatedintheyardsetbackareas.(d)Allparkingareasshallbelandscapedtoscreenfromoff-site.(e)WherecoveredparkingisusedinconjunctionwithanADUitshallbecalculatedwiththecumulativeaccessoryusesquarefootage.(f)Parkedvehiclesshallbelocatedinapprovedlocations.(g)Section5.2.B2fStorageorParkingofVehicles,RecreationalEquipmentandRecreationalVehicles”appliestoAccessoryDwellingUnits.Occupantsoftheaccessorydwellingunitshallbeallowedtoparkvehiclesonthesite.ThetotalnumberofvehiclesonthelotshallnotexceedthelimitprovidedforinSection5.2.B2f.(13)SiteDesign.(a)AllGeneralDevelopmentStandardssetforthinChapter7shallapplytoallaccessorydwellingunits,exceptwheremodifiedbythisSection.(b)LandscapingrequirementssetforthinSections7.5.F“BufferingandScreening”and7.5.G2ePerimeterPlantingRequirements”shallapply.(14)ArchitecturalReguirements.(a)Exteriorlightingshallbeconcealed,withnobulb/lightsourcevisiblefromoffsite.(b)ThedesignoftheAccessoryDwellingUnitshallbecompatiblewiththedesignoftheprincipaldwellingunitbyuseofsimilarexteriorwallmaterials,windowtypes,doorandwindowtrims,roofingmaterialsandroofpitchandcolors.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-9-
(c)TheentrancetoanAccessoryDwellingUnitshallnotfacethefrontofthelot,andnotbedirectlyvisibletothepublic,unlessitcanbedemonstratedthatnootherreasonablealternativeexists.Entrancesshallbetreatedarchitecturallyinsuchawayastobede-emphasizedincomparisontotheprincipaldwellingunit.Usesofrelativelysmallerporches,overhangsortrimfortheAccessoryDwellingUnitentranceareexamplesforcreatingthisarchitecturalhierarchy.(d)TheDecision-MakingBodyshallhaveauthoritytograntexceptionsandmodificationstothesestandards,providedtheyfindtherequestedmodificationsand/orwaivers:1.AdvancesthegoalsandpurposesofthisCode;and2.Eitherresultsinlessvisualimpact,moreeffectiveenvironmentaloropenspacepreservation,relievespracticaldifficultiesindevelopingasite,orresultsintheuseofsuperiorengineeringand/orarchitecturalstandardsthanthoserequiredbythisCode.(15)Land-UseAffidavitRequired.(a)Theapplicantshallsubmitasignedandnotarizedland-useaffidavitthatstatestheapplicanthasreadandunderstandsallrequirementssetforthintheEstesValleyDevelopmentCodeandagreestoallconditionsofapproval.(b)Theland-useaffidavitshallbeapprovedbytheTownorCountyAttorney.(c)Theapplicantshallsubmitthesignedandnotarizedland-useaffidavitwiththebuildingpermitapplication,alongwithapplicablerecordingfee.Staffshallsubmitthedocumentforrecording,andprovideacopyoftherecordeddocumenttothepropertyowner.*********Draftattachedatendofreport*********(16)Fees.(a)Buildingpermitfeesapplyforallaccessorydwellingunits.(b)Buildingpermitapplicationsforallaccessorydwellingunitsaresubjecttoallapplicableimpactfees,includingbutnotlimitedtotransportationcapitalexpansionfeesapplicabletoamulti-familylandusetypeasdefinedinSection9.5oftheLarimerCountyLandUseCode.(c)Waterandsewerfeesshallapplyasdeterminedbytheutilityprovider.(d)AccessoryDwellingUnitsshallbesubjecttodevelopmentplanreviewfeessetforthinthecurrentDevelopmentReviewFeeSchedule.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-10-
(17)OtherRegulations.(a)Apermittedaccessorydwellingunitshallcomplywithallotherapplicablesiteandbuildingdesign,height,accessandotherstandardsforprincipaldwellingunitsinthezoningdistrictinwhichtheaccessorydwellingunitwillbelocated.(b)InthecaseofanyconflictbetweentheaccessorydwellingunitstandardsofthisSectionandanyotherrequirementofthisCode,thestandardsofthisSectionshallcontrol.(c)Accessorydwellingunitsquarefootageshallbeincludedincumulativeaccessorybuildingsquarefootagecalculations.(d)Accessorydwellingunitsshallcomplywithapplicablebuildingcodes.D.GeneralDimensionalandOperationalRequirements.(Nochangesproposed)§13.3DEFINITIONSOFWORDS,TERMSANDPHRASESn,,,—.u;.-,,—.II.-.;+..I,.,iinnnnnnnnn,4,i••,..iI;.—•n+nnrnfn1nIrinfn.nI,,.ln+.-.,.kn’4nii;r,.+kn+Innn+n,4nn+knI’nn,nIn+nn4kn,r,ninfnn,;i,4n+nnkn,4nIn.4rInrDwoflingUnitdoooninoludomobilohomocroorootional3.AccessoryDwellingUnitshallmeananyaccessorystructure,eitherattachedordetachedfromprincipalstructure,thatprovidescomplete,independentlivingfacilitiesforoneormorepersons,includingpermanentprovisionsforliving,sleeping,eating,cookingandsanitation.Cookingfacilitiesshallincludeanyareaused,ordesignatedtobeused,forthepreparationoffood.SeeSection5.2.B2“AccessoryDwellingUnit.”Numberofanimalsshallbecumulativepersingle-familyresidentiallot,andpresencesofanADUshallnotincreasethenumberofanimalsallowedforasingle-familydwelling.117.GuestQuartersshallmeandetachedlivingquarterswfthorwithoutkitchenfacilitiesfortheuseoftemporaryguestsoftheoccupantsofthesingle-familydwelling.Guestquartersshallnotberentedorleasedasshort-termrentals.GuestquartersmayincludeLimitedKitchenFacilities.Thecumulativenumberofindividualsthatresideindwellingunitsandquestquartersshallnotexceedthenumberallowedforasinglehousehold.Seedefinitionof”HouseholdLiving”in13.2.C.28.WhereADU,noguestquarters?130.Kitchenshallmeanaroomorspacewithinaroomequippedwithsuchelectricalorgashook-upthatwouldenabletheinstallationofarange,ovenorlikeapplianceusing220/40voltsornaturalgas(orsimilarfuels)forthepreparationoffood,andalsocontainingeitherorbotharefrigeratorandsink.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-11-
**********EndofproposedCodechanges**********ReviewCriteria.PerSection3.3:AllapplicationsfortextorOfficialZoningMapamendmentsshallbereviewedbytheEVPCandBoard(s)forcompliancewiththerelevantstandardsandcriteriasetforthbelowandwithotherapplicableprovisionsofthisCode.1.Theamendmentisnecessarytoaddresschangesinconditionsintheareasaffected;Staffcomment:CodechangesarenecessarytoaddresschangesindemographicsoftheValley,whichhasseenadecreaseinhouseholdsize,anincreaseintheaverageage,andanincreaseintheneedforaffordable/employeehousing.2.Thedevelopmentplan,whichtheproposedamendmenttothisCodewouldallow,iscompatibleandconsistentwiththepoliciesandintentoftheComprehensivePlanandwithexistinggrowthanddevelopmentpatternsintheEstesValley;andStaffcomment:TheproposedchangeswouldhelpimplementseveraladoptedpoliciessetforthintheEstesValleyComprehensivePlan,assetforthintheStaffreport.3.TheTown,Countyorotherrelevantserviceprovidersshallhavetheabilitytoprovideadequateservicesandfacilitiesthatmightberequirediftheapplicationwereapproved.Staffcomment:Eachproposalwouldhavetodemonstrateabilitytoprovideadequatepublicfacilities.FindingsandRecommendation.1.Theamendmentisnecessarytoaddresschangesinconditionsintheareasaffected;2.TheproposedamendmenttothisCode(includingprohibitionofrentalsanddetachedunits)iscompatibleandconsistentwiththepoliciesandintentoftheComprehensivePlanandwithexistinggrowthanddevelopmentpatternsintheEstesValley;and3.TheTown,Countyorotherrelevantserviceprovidersshallhavetheabilitytoprovideadequateservicesandfacilitiesthatmightberequirediftheapplicationwereapproved.StaffrecommendsthePlanningCommissionmakefinalsuggestionstoStaff,withaMarchPlanningCommissiondateforfinalreview.Lastprinted2/12/200911:33:00AM-12-
‘VAmendmentstotheEstesValleyDevelopmentCode,PortionofBlockTwelve—HabitatandWildifeEstesParkCommunityDevelopmentDepartmentTownHall,170MacGregorAvenueP0Box1200EstesPark,CO80517Phone:970-577-3721Fax:970-586-0249www.estesnet.comPLANNINGCOMMISSIONMEETINGDATE:February17,2009TITLE:AmendmentstotheEstesValleyDevelopmentCode,PortionofBlockTwelveREQUEST:Tomakeanumberofrevisionstothehabitatandwildlifeprotectionregulations.LOCATION:EstesValley,inclusiveoftheTownofEstesPark.APPLICANT:EstesValleyPlanningCommissionSTAFFCONTACT:BobJosephandAlisonChilcottAPPLICABLELANDUSECODE:EstesValleyDevelopmentCodePROJECTDESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:Thisisacompletepacketofproposedcodelanguageaddressingwildlifeandhabitatprotection.Staffiscontinuingtorefinethemapstoaccompanythiscodelanguage.WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
§1.9.DSETBACKS—BUILDINGANDSTRUCTURESETBACKS.2.DevelopmentSetbacksfromRiverandStreamCorridorsLadWetlands,AquaticandRiparianHabitat.a.StreamandRiverCorridors.Developmentsetbacksshallbemeasuredasthedistancebetweenthedelineatedstreamorrivercorridor,assetforthin§7.6.D.2,andthefurthermostprojectionofabuildingorstructurealongalineatrightanglestothesetbackline.Setbacksshallbeunobstructedfromthegroundtotheskyexceptasotherwisespecificallyallowedin§7.6.DofthisCode.SeeFigure1-2.b.Wetlands.Developmentsetbacksshallbemeasuredasthedistancebetweenthedelineatedwetlandedge,assetforthin§7.6.D.3,andthefurthermostprojectionofabuildingorstructurealongalineatrightanglestothesetbackline.Setbacksshallbeunobstructedfromthegroundtotheskyexceptasotherwisespecificallyallowedin§7.6.DofthisCode.SeeFigure1-2.c.AquaticHabitat.Developmentsetbacksshallbemeasuredasthedistancebetweenthedelineatedaquatichabitatedge,assetforthin§7.6.D.4,andthefurthermostiroiectionofabuildingorstructurealongalineatrightanglestothesetbackline.Setbacksshallbeunobstructedfromthegroundtotheskyexceptasotherwisespecificallyallowedin§7.6.DofthisCode.d.RiparianHabitat.Developmentsetbacksshallbemeasuredasthedistancebetweenthedelineatedriparianhabitatedge,assetforthin§7.6.D.5,andthefurthermostproiectionofabuildingorstructurealongalineatrightanglestothesetbackline.Setbacksshallbeunobstructedfromthegroundtotheskyexceptasotherwisespecificallyallowedin§7.6.DofthisCode.§7.4PUBLICTRAILSANDPRIVATEOPENAREASC.LocationalCriteria.1.Tothemaximumextentfeasible,wheresignificantnaturalandscenicresourceassetsexistonaproperty,theApplicantshallgiveprioritytotheirpreservationthroughtraildedicationorasprivateopenareas.Inreviewingthelocationoftrailsandprivateopenareas,StaffandtheDecision-MakingBodyshalluseallapplicableplans,mapsandreportstodeterminewhethersignificantresourcesexistonaproposedsitethatshouldbeprotected,withprioritybeinggiventothefollowingareas(whicharenotlistedinanyparticularpriorityorder):a.WetlandsLb.Floodplains.c.Lakes,River,andStream/RiparianCorridors,andAquaticandRiparianHabitat.d.WildlifeMigrationCorridors.CriticalWildlifeHabitat.e.Steepslopeareas.f.Ridgelines.g.GeologicorWildfireHazardareas.2WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
§7.5LANDSCAPINGANDBUFFERSB.Applicability.Thee1an4sap&andbufferstandardsshallapplytoresidentialgubdisi&teatedafte-r4hadoptionofthisCode,andtoalldevelopmentwheredevclopmentplanreview1&-requiredby§3.8ofthisCode.1.Theselandscapeandbufferstandardsshallapplytoallapplicationsforreviewofdevelopmentplans,subdivisionplats,plannedunitdevelopments,specialreviewuses,andrezoning.2.Section7.5.HFencesandWallsshallapplytoallnewfenceandwallconstruction.H.FencesandWalls.Fencesandwallsarepermittedaselementsofalandscapeplanand,insomelocations,maybeusedtoconcealstorageorotherunsightlyorconflictinglanduses.Allfencesorwallsshallmeetthefollowingrequirements:1.Materials.e.Barbed-wireandsimilarfencematerials,andsharppointedfences,mayonlybeusedinconjunctionwithapermittedagriculturaluseorinconjunctionwiththepermittedkeepingofhorsesorlivestockonlotsoffiveacresormore.4.FencesandWallsJr4ieIWildlifeH&t#il.a.Incriticalwildlifehabitat,nofencingshallexceedforty(40)inchesinheight,exceptserviceareafencing,fencingapprovedbyStafftoconfinepermitteddomesticanimals,orfencingtoprotectlandscapinginaccordancewith§7.5.1.2.b.Inallotherareas,fenceshigherthanforty(40)inchesmaybeallowedifadeguateopeningsareprovidedforthepassageofdeer,elk,orotheridentifiedwildlife.Theseopeningsshallbeatleastsix(6)feetwideandspacedamaximumofforty(40)feetapartalongcontinuousfencelinesandshallbeunobstructedfromthegroundtothesky.3WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
§7.6WETLANDSANDSTREAMCORRIDORPROTECTIONRIVERANDSTREAMCORRIDORS,WETLANDS,ANDAQUATICHABITATANDRIPARIANHABITATPROTECTION.A.PurposeandIntent.Thefollowingrequirementsandstandardsareintendedtopromote,preserveandenhancetheimportanthydrologic,biological,ecological,aesthetic,recreationalandeducationalfunctionsthatstreamandrivercorridors,associated-riparianareas-anc4wetlands,aquatichabitat,andriparianhabitatprovide.D.BoundaryDelineation.1.QualifiedProfessional.Stream/rivercorridorandwetlandareaBoundarydelineationshallbeperformedbyaqualifiedprofessionalthathasdemonstratedexperiencenecessarytoconductsiteanalysis.DelineationsshallbesubjecttoStaff’sapproval.2.StreamandRiverCorridorBoundaries.Streamandrivercorridorsshallbedelineatedattheannualhigh-watermark,orifnotreadilydiscernible,thedefinedbankofthestreamorriver,asthosetermsaredefinedinChapter13ofthisCode.RegulatedstreamandrivercorridorsshallincludeonlythosestreamsandriversasidentifiedontheStreamandRiverCorridorResourceMapfoundinAppendixA.TheriversdelineatedontheStreamandRiverCorridorResourceMaparetheBigThompsonandFallRiver.StreamsdelineatedontheMapincludevariousnamedandunnamedstreamsandminordrainages,someofwhichareintermittent.3.WetlandBoundaries.a.MappedWetlands.Boundarydelineationofwetlandsshallbeestablishedbyreferencetoone(1)ofthefollowingwetlandmapsandidentificationdocuments,whichareavailableforreferenceintheTownofEstesParkCommunityDevelopmentDepartmentandwhichareherebyadoptedandincorporatedbyreferenceintothisCode:(1)NationalWetlandsInventorypreparedbytheU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,FishandWildlifeService;and(2)ColoradoNaturalHeritageProgrammaps.b.UnmappedWetlands.Thereviewofadevelopmentproposalapplicationmaydiscoverapotentialwetlandthathasnotbeenmappedorforwhichtheboundarieshavenotbeenclearlyestablished.Insuchinstances,theApplicantshallretainaqualifiedwetlandexperttodelineatetheboundariesofthewetlandaccordingtoacceptedprofessionalstandards.4.AquaticHabitatBoundaries.a.MappedAquaticHabitat.BoundarydelineationofaquatichabitatshallbeestablishedbyreferencetotheStreamandRiverCorridorResourceMapfoundinAppendixA.b.UnmappedAquaticHabitat.Thereviewofadevelopmentapplicationmaydiscoverpotentialaquatichabitatthathasnotbeenmappedorforwhichtheboundarieshavenotbeenclearlyestablished.Insuchinstances,theApplicantshallretainaqualifiedprofessionaltodelineatetheboundariesoftheaquatichabitataccordinqtoacceptedprofessionalstandards.4WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
5.RiparianHabitatBoundaries.a.MappedRiparianHabitat.BoundarydelineationofriparianhabitatshallbeestablishedbyreferencetotheStreamandRiverCorridorResourceMapfoundinAppendixA.b.UnmappedRiparianHabitat.Thereviewofadevelopmentapplicationmaydiscoverpotentialriparianhabitatthathasnotbeenmappedorforwhichtheboundarieshavenotbeenclearlyestablished.Insuchinstances,theApplicantshallretainagualifledprofessionaltodelineatetheboundariesoftheriparianhabitataccordingtoacceptedprofessionalstandards.E.Buffer/SetbackAreas.1.StreamorRiverCorridors.a.Building/StructureSetbacks.(1)StreamCorridors(exceptintheCDzoningdistrict).Allbuildingsandaccessorystructuresshallbesetbackatleastthirty(30)feethorizontally(planview)fromtheannualhigh-watermarkofstreamcorridors,orifnotreadilydiscernible,fromthedefinedbankofthestream.Wheredefinedbanksarenotreadilydiscernible,thesetbackshallbemeasuredfromthethreadofthestream.SeeFigure7-10.(2)RiverCorridors(exceptintheCDdistrict).a._aaaI_Ru[€L,Allbuildingsandaccessorystructuresshallbesetbackatleastfifty(50)feethorizontally(planview)fromtheannualhigh-watermarkofrivercorridorsor,ifnotreadilydiscernible,fromthedefinedbankoftheriver.Mot1oo4hod€-AWbuflandaccessorystructuresshallbesetbackatleastthirty(30)feethoontaHy(planview)fromtheannualhigh-watermarkofrivercorridorsor,ifnotreadilydiscernible,fromthedefinedbankoftheriver.SeeFigure710.(3)StreamandRiverCorridorsintheCDZoningDistrict.IntheCDdistrict,allbuildingsandaccessorystructuresshallbesetbackatleasttwenty(20)feethorizontally(planview)fromtheannualhigh-watermarkofstreamorrivercorridorsor,ifnotreadilydiscernible,fromthedefinedbankofthestreamorriver.Wheredefinedbanksarenotreadilydiscernible,thesetbackshallbemeasuredfromthethreadofthestream.WhereaprincipalbuildingintheCDdistrictprovidespublicaccess,includingaprimaryentrance,onthesideofthebuildingfacingastreamorrivercorridor,thesetbackmaybereducedtoten(10)feetwiththeapprovaloftheDecision-MakingBody.b.ParkingLotSetbacks.ExceptintheCDzoningdistrict,parkinglotsshallbesetbackatleastfifty(50)feethorizontally(planview)fromtheannualhigh-watermarkofstreamorrivercorridors,orifnotreadilydiscernible,fromthedefinedbankofthestreamorriver.IntheCDdistrict,parkinglotsshallbesetbackatleasttwelve(12)feetfromthedelineatededgeoftheriverorstreamcorridor.5WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
2.Wetlands.a.Tothemaximumextentfeasible,wetlandsshallnotbeincludedaspartofaplatteddevelopmentlot.b.Allbuildings,accessorystructuresandparkinglotsshallbesetbackatleastfifty(50)feethorizontally(planview)fromthedelineatededgeofawetland.SeeFigure7-10above.Developmentonlotsthatwereapprovedforsingle-familyresidentialusepriortotheadoptionofthisCodeshallbeexempt.3.AquaticHabitat.Allbuildings,accessorystructuresandparkinglotsshallbesetbackatleastfifty(50)feethorizontally(planview)fromthedelineatededgeofaquatichabitat.4.RiparianHabitat.Allbuildings,accessorystructuresandparkinglotsshallbesetbackatleastfifty(50)feethorizontally(planview)fromthedelineatededgeofriparianhabitat.5..PrivateOpenAreasandLandscapingCredit.Allstreamcorridorandwetlandsetbackareasshallbecreditedtowardanyrelevantprivateopenareasrequirementsorlandscapingandbufferrequirements.6WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
§7.8WILDLIFEHABITATPROTECTIONA.Purpose.TomaintainandenhancethediversityofwildlifespeciesandhabitatthatoccurintheEsteeValley,andtoplananddesignlandusestobeharmonious-withwildlifehabitatandthespeciesthatdependonthishabitatfortheeconomic,recreationalandenvironmentalbenefitoftheresidentsofandvisitorstotheEstesValley.B.Applicability.ThisSectionshallapplytoallapplicationsforreviewofdevelopmentplane,subdivisionplats,plannedunitdevelopments,specialreviewusesandrezonings.ThisSectionshallnotapplytodevelopmentonlotsthatwereapprovedforsingle-familyresidentialusepriortotheeffectivedateofthisCode.C.Exemptions.TheproceduresandregulationsmedinthisSectionshallnotapply1.Agriculturalactivitiessuchassoilpreparation,irrigation,planting,harvesting,grazingandfarmponds;2—Maintenanceandrepairofexistingpublicroads,utilitiesandotherpublicfacilitieswithinanexistingright-of-wayoreasement;3.Maintenanceandrepairoffloodcontrolstructuresandactivitiesinresponsetoafloodemergency;4-—Maintenanceandrepairofexistingresidentialornonresidentialstructures;or5Wildlifettnnncimenthabi—9drectorati”’wildlifeconservationplanapprovedunderthisSection.D.OtherRegulations.ThisSectionoftheCodedoesnotrepealorsupersedeanyexistingfederal,stateorlocallaws,easements,covenantsordeedrestrictionspertainingtowildlife.WhenthisSectionimposesahigherormorerestrictivestandard,thisSectionshallapply.E.WildlifeHabitatDataBase.ThefollowingsourcesshallbeusedtoidentifyimportantwildlifehabitataroacforpurposesofreviewunderthisSection:1.WildlifeHabitatmap(datedDecember1996),assetforthintheEsteeValleyComprehensivePlan,asamendedfromtimetotime.2.ColoradoDivisionofWildlifehabitatmapsforLarimerCounty,asamendedfromtimetotime.3.ColoradoNaturalHeritageProgramMapsdatedDecember1996,orasamendedfromtimetotime.‘1.OtherinformationandmapsasStaffortheEsteeValleyPlanningCommissionmayfromtimetotimeidentifyincooperationwiththeColoradoDivisionofWildlife,suchaswildlifemapsproducedspecificallyfortheEstesValley.SaidmapsshallbeapplicableonlyfollowingadoptionofanamendmenttothisCode.WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview7uiactivitinrundertakenpursuantto.
5.WildlifehabitatinformationrequiredbythisSectionisintendedforgeneralplanningpurposes.ObviouserrorsoromissionsmvbecorrectedbytheStaffafterconsultationwiththeDivisionofWildlife.F.ReviewProcedures.Thefollowingproceduresshallapplytoallapplicationsfordevelopment:1.Application.TheApplicantshallsubmitadevelopmentplan,subdivisionplatorsketchplan,asapplicable,depictingthegenerallocationoftheproperty,locationofstructuresonthesite,prominentnaturalareassuchasstreamsandwetlands,andotherfeaturesthatStaffmayrequireforreviewpursuanttothisSection.2.PreliminaryReviewStaffshallreferthesubmittedplanorplattotheColoradoDivisionofWildlifeforreview.ApplicantsarealsoadvisedtomeetwiththeDivisionofWildlifeandotheragenciesasdeterminedappropriatebyStafftoensurecompliancewiththerequirementsofthisSection.3.DOWReview.Forapplicationsreferredtoit,theDivisionofWildlifewilldeterminewhethertheproposalwillresultinsignificantadverseimpactonwildlifeorwildlifehabitatonlyifthedevelopmentadverselyimpactsthefollowing:a.Anendangeredorthreatenedspecies,b.Acalving,lambingorfawningarea,c.BigHornsheeporBigHornsheephabitat,d.Raptornestsite,ore.Riparianareasandwetlands.‘1.ReviewDetermination.BasedonrecommendationsfromtheDivisionofWildlife,theStaffwilldeterminewhethertheApplicantmustsubmitawildlifeconservationplanpriortoapprovalofanydevelopmentapplication.TheconservationplanshouldbesubmittedtotheDivisionofWildlifeforreviewandrecommendationastowhethertheplanadequatelyaddressestheadverseimpactsidentifiedbytheDivisionofWildlifepursuanttosubsectionF.3above.(See§7.8.Hbelow.)5.Waivers.StaffmaywaiveorapproveminormodificationsofanydevelopmentstandardorreviewcriteriacontainedinthisSoctionuponafindingthatsuchwaiverormodification:a.IsconsistentwiththestatedpurposesofthisSection;b.Willhavenosignificantadverseimpactsonwildlifespeciesorhabitat;c.AnypotentialadverseimpactswillbemitigatedoroffsettothemaximumextentU.practicable;ande.Applicationofthestandardorcriteriaisnotwarrantedbasedonthelocationofthef.development,theabsenceofaparticularspeciesonthesiteorotherrelevantfactors.G.ReviewStandards.Thefollowingreviewstandardsshallapplytoalldevelopmentapplicationsasspecified,unlessStaffdeterminesthataspecificstandardmaybewaivedpursuanttosubsectionF.5.above.ItistheintentofthisSectionthatthese8WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
4.standardsbeappliedinaflexiblefashiontoprotectwildlifehabitatandwildlifespacosteffectivefashion.7.ReviewStandards.aBuffers.Alldevelopmentshallprovideasetbackfromanyidentifiedimportantwildlifehabitatarea,asspecifiedbytheDivisionofWildlife,tothemaximumextentfeasible.b.NonNativeVegetation.ThereshallbenointroductionofplantspeciesthatarenotontheapprovedlandscapinglistinAppendixConanysitecontaininganyimportantwildlifehabitatarea.Tothemaximumextentfeasible,existingherbaceousandwoodycoveronthesiteshallbemaintainedandremovalofnativevegetationshallbeminimized.c.Fencing.(1)Nofencingonasitecontainingimportantwildlifehabitatshallexceedforty(10)inchesinheight,excepttotheextentthatsuchfoncingisapprovedbyStafftoconfinepermitteddomesticanimalsortoprotectpermittedornamentallandscapingorgardens.(2)Fenceshigherthanforty(10)inchesmaybeallowedifadequateopeningsareprovidedforthepassageofdeer,elkorotheridentifiedwildlife.Theseopeningsshallbeatleastsix(6)feetwideandspacedamaximumoffifty(50)feetapartalongcontinuousfencelinesexceedingthislength.(3)Nofencingusingbarbedwireshallbeallowed.(1)Thetypeoffencing(materials,opacity,etc.)shallbedeterminedbyStaffortheDecisionMakingBodyasappropriateforthewildlifespeciesonthecitebasedonadvicefromtheColoradoDivisionofWildlife.d.ExteriorLighting.Useofexteriorlightingshallbe-minimizedinareasofimportantwildlifehabitat,andlightingshallbedesignedsothatitdoesnotspilloverorontosuchcriticalhabitat.Seealso§7.9below.e.RefuseDisposal.Developmentsonsitescontainingimportantwildlifehabitat,suchasblackbear,mustuseapprovedanimalproofrefusedisposalcontainers.WithDivisionofWildlifeapproval,refusedisposalcontainersandenclosuresmaybeelectrified.f.-DomesticAnimals.Developmentapplicationsforpropertythatincludesimportantwildlifehabitatmustincludeaplanwithspecifiedenforcementmeasuresforthecontrolofdomesticanimalsandhouseholdpets.Theplanmustincludeprovisionstopreventtheharassment,disturbanceandkillingofwildlifeandtopreventthedestructionofimportantwildlifehabitat.H.WildlifeConservationPlans.1.PlanPreparation.AwildlifeconservationplanrequiredbythisSectionshallbepreparedfortheApplicant,attheApplicant’sexpense,undertheresponsible9WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
directionofaqualifiedpersonwhohasdemonstratedexpertiseinthefieldandisacceptabletotheStaff.2.PlanContent.AnywildlifeconservationplanrequiredtobepreparedpursuanttothisSectionshallincludethefollowinginformationataminimum.SpecificrequirementsmaybewaivedbyStaffduetothelocationofthedevelopment,theprevioususeofthesite,thesizeandpotentialimpactofthedevelopment,theabsenceofparticularspeciesonacite,theprohibitionofareasonableuseofthesiteandotherrelevantfactors.a.Adescriptionoftheownership,location,type,sizeandotheraifributesofthewildlifehabitatonthesite.b.Adescriptionofthepopulationsofwildlifespeciesthatinhabitorusethesite,includingaqualitativedescriptionoftheirspatialdistributionandabundance.c.Ananalysisofthepotentialadverseimpactsoftheproposeddevelopmentonwildlifeandwildlifehabitatonoroffcite.d.Alistofproposedmitigationmeasuresandananalysisoftheprobabilityofsuccessofsuchmeasures.e.Anlanforimplementation,maintenanceandmonitoringvimitigationmeasures.f.Aplanforanyrelevantenhancementorrestorationmeasures.g.Ademonstrationoffiscal,administrativeandtechnicalcompetenceoftheApplicantorotherrelevantentitytosuccessfullyexecutetheplan.10WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
§7.8WILDLIFEHABITATPROTECTIONA.Purpose.Toplananddesignlandusessothatwhenpropertyisdeveloped:1.SufficientwildlifehabitatismaintainedtosupportviablepopulationsofnativewildlifepopulationsintheEstesValley.2.ThehealthanddiversityofnativewildlifehabitatandnativewildlifepopulationsthatoccurintheEstesValleyisprotected.3.Wildlifehabitatandwildlifeareprotectedfromadverseimpactsofdevelopment.B.Applicability.ThisSectionshallapplytoallapplicationsforreviewofdevelopmentplans,subdivisionplats,plannedunitdevelopments,specialreviewuses,andrezoningonpropertythatcontainscriticalwildlifehabitat.C.OtherRegulations.ThisSectionoftheCodedoesnotrepealorsupersedeanyexistingfederal,state,orlocallaws,easements,covenants,ordeedrestrictionspertainingtowildlife.WhenthisSectionimposesahigherormorerestrictivestandard,thisSectionshallapply.D.QualifiedProfessional.AllmapsandreportsrequiredbythisSectionshallbepreparedbyorundertheresponsibledirectionofaqualifiedbiologist/ecologist.Thequalifiedbiologist/ecologistshallsignanddatethesesubmittedmapsandreports.TheCommunityDevelopmentDepartmentshallmaintainalistofqualifiedbiologistsfromwhichaqualifiedbiologistmaybeselected.E.WildlifeandHabitatDatabase.1.AdoptedMap.TheadoptedCriticalWildlifeHabitatMapissetforthinAppendixAofthisCodeandisincorporatedbyreference.Thismap,asamendedfromtimetotime,shallbeusedasthebasisforreviewunderthisSectionoftheCode.2.UnmappedHabitat.ReviewofanapplicationmayrevealpotentialcriticalhabitatthatisnotreflectedontheCriticalWildlifeHabitatMap.Insuchinstances,theReview-orDecision-MakingbodyshallhavethediscretiontorequirereviewunderthisSectionoftheCode.3.RevisionstoAdoptedMap.a.Intheeventapropertyownerquestionsthepresencecriticalhabitatontheirproperty,thepropertyownermaysubmitevidencewithrespecttheretofromaqualifiedbiologist.Thisevidenceshallbereviewed,togetherwithallotherapplicableevidence,bytheEstesValleyPlanningCommission,andBoardofTrusteesorBoardofCountyCommissioners.TheBoardofTrusteesortheBoardofCountyCommissionersistheentitywithfinalapprovalofWildlifeandHabitatMaprevisions,dependingonthelocationoftheproperty.litheBoardofTrusteesortheBoardofCountyCommissionersdeterminesthatthepropertydoesnotcontaincriticalhabitat,theCommunityDevelopmentDirectorshallupdatetheWildlifeandHabitatMapandremovethecriticalhabitatdesiqnation.b.Propertymaybere-designatedascriticalhabitatifconditionschangeresultinqintherenewedpresenceofcriticalhabitatontheproperty.c.TheCommunityDevelopmentDirectorandEstesValleyPlanningCommissionshallalsohavetheauthoritytoinitiateproceedingstoaddorremoveacriticalhabitatdesignationfromtheCriticalHabitatMap.TheBoardofTrusteesortheBoardof11WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
CountyCommissionersistheentitywithfinalapprovalofWildlifeandHabitatMaprevisions,dependingonthelocationoftheproperty.F.ReviewProceduresforSitesContainingCriticalHabitat.1.WildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmentSubmittal.a.AWildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmentshallbesubmittedforsitescontainingcriticalhabitat.Thecostofthestudyshallbepaidforbytheapplicant.b.TheCommunityDevelopmentDirector,PlanningCommission,BoardofTrustees,andtheBoardofCountyCommissionershavethediscretiontowaivesubmittaloftheWildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmentinoneormoreofthefollowingcircumstances:(1)Uponreviewofasignedanddateddocumentfromagualifiedbiologiststatingthatthereisnocriticalhabitatpresentontheproperty;(2)Fordevelopmentapplicationsthatdonotimpactwildlifehabitatandwildlifespecies.Forexampleaspecialreviewapplicationtopermitanewuseinanexistingstructurewithnoadditionalconstructionmaynotimpactwildlifeorwildlifehabitat.(3)Forrezoningapplicationsthatreducedevelopmentpotential;or(4)FordevelopmentapplicationsintheCDDowntownCommercialzoningdistrict.Theapplicantshallhavetheoptiontoreguestadeterminationaboutawaiverpriortosubmittalofadevelopmentapplication.AnyreviewbytheBoardofTrusteesorBoardofCountyCommissionersshallbesubseguenttoreviewandrecommendationbythePlanningCommission.2.ColoradoDivisionofWildlife.StaffshallreferthesubmittedapplicationandWildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmenttotheColoradoDivisionofWildlifeforreview.TheDivisionofWildlifemaycommentonthesubmittedapplicationandassessmentandmayprovideanevaluationofwhethertheapplicationandassessmentcomplieswiththereguirementsofthisSection.3.OtherAgencies.ApplicantsareadvisedtoconsultwiththeColoradoDivisionofWildlifeandotheragenciesresponsibleforregulationofwildlifeandhabitat,suchastheUSFishandWildlifeService,USDepartmentoftheInterior—RockyMountainNationalPark,USForestService,andColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram.Theseagenciesmaymaintainmapsanddatabasesthatcanaidinthesite-specificconfirmationofthepresenceorabsenceofwildlifeandhabitatonaspecificsite.4.Review-BodyandDecision-MakingBody.a.TheReviewandDecision-MakingBodiesshallissueafindingastowhethertheapplication,includingtheWildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessment,complieswiththereguirementsofthisSection.b.PlansfoundtobeadeguatebytheDecision-MakingBodyshallbecomebindingupontheApplicant.12WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
G.SignificantAdverseImpactDefinedforSitesContainingCriticalHabitat.1.SignificantadverseimpactstowildlifeshallmeanimpactsthatthreatenthehealthorviabilityofanativewildlifepopulationintheEstesValley.2.SignificantadverseimpactstowildlifehabitatshallmeanimpactsthatthreatenthehealthorviabilityofnativewildlifehabitatorwildlifepopulationintheEstesValley.H.ReviewStandardsandCriteriaforSitesContainingCriticalHabitat.Allapplicationsshallbeplannedanddesignedtoensurethatsignificantadverseimpactsareavoided.Ifthatisnotfeasiblethatsignificantadverseimpactsshallbemitigatedtothemaximumextentfeasible.Thefollowingcriteriashallbeusedtoevaluatewhethersignificantadverseimpactsareavoidedormitigatedtothemaximumextentfeasible:1.WildlifeImpact.Impactsonwildlifethat:a.Disruptnecessarylifecyclefunctionsofwildlife;b.Causestressonwildlife;orc.CausephysiologicaldamagetowildlifeTotheextentthatthehealthorviabilityofawildlifepopulationintheEstesValleyisthreatened.2.WildlifeHabitatImpact.Impactsonwildlifehabitat,includingbutnotlimitedtoelimination,reduction,orfragmentationofwildlifehabitattotheextentthatthehealthorviabilityofawildlifepopulationintheEstesValleyisthreatened.3.ImpactonWildlifeMovementPatterns/DisplacementandAdaptationofWildlife.Impactsonwildlifemovementpatterns/displacementandadaptationofwildlife,includingbutnotlimitedto:a.Disruptionofwildlifemigrationormovementpatternsthatkeepwildlifefromusingtheirentirehabitat,suchasblockingmigrationpatternsfromsummertowinterrange;b.Displacementofwildlifeintoareasthatcannotsupportorsustainthewildlifeoverthelongterm,suchascausingwildlifetofindnewroutesthatexposethemtosignificantlyincreasedpredation,interactionwithmotorvehicles,intensehumanactivityormoreseveretopographyandclimaticconditions;orc.InabilityofwildlifelivingwithinorincloseproximitytodevelopmenttoadapttothenewconditionsandthriveTotheextentthatthehealthorviabilityofawildlifepopulationintheEstesValleyisthreatened.13WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
WildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmentsforSitesContainingCriticalHabitat.WildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessmentsshallincludethefollowinginformationataminimum.1.ExistingConditions.Ananalysisofexistingsiteconditions.Including,butnotlimitedto:a.Habitat.Adescriptionofthelocation,type,size,quality,andotherattributesofthehabitatonthesite,including,butnotlimitedto:(1)Thetotalacresofeachspecies’habitatonthesite;(2)AdescriptionofanyvegetationornaturalcommunitiesthatarerankedSi,S2,S3,Gi,G2,orG3bytheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram;and(3)ThehealthandviabilityofthehabitatintheEstesValley.b.Wildlife.Adescriptionofthewildlifethatinhabitorusethesite,including,butnotlimitedto,adescription:(1)Thespeciesspatialdistributionandabundance;(2)Usepatternsofwildlifehabitatwithinthesite,including,butnotlimitedtomovementcorridorsandfeedingareas;and(3)Criticalconnectionsorrelationshipswithadioininghabitatsoutsidethesite.(4)ThehealthandviabilityofthewildlifepopulationintheEstesValley.2.AssessmentofPotentialDevelopmentImpacts.AnanalysisofthepotentialimpactsoftheproiectonhabitatandwildlifeusingthereviewcriteriainSection7.8.H.3.AvoidanceandMitigationofDevelopmentImpacts.Adescriptionofhowdevelopmentimpactswillbeavoided.Andifnotfeasibletoavoided,alistofproposedmitigationmeasuresforeachwildlifehabitat,wildlifespecies,and/orwildlifemovementpatterns/displacementofwildlifepopulationsandananalysisoftheprobabilityofsuccessofsuchmeasuresinpre-construction,construction,andpost-constructionphases.Mitigationeffortsshalldirectlyaddressthepotentialadverseimpactsoftheproposedlanduse.Examplesofpossiblemitigationeffortsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:(1)Clusteringorlocatingdevelopmenttoavoidintrusionintomigrationormovementareasand/ortoavoidintrusionintoorfragmentationofhabitat;(2)Minimizingthedevelopmentfootprint;(3)Creationofbuffersaroundcriticalareas,withlargerbuffersforhigherqualityhabitat;(4)Locatingstructuresawayfromnesting,birthing,orfeedingareas;(5)Limiting/prohibitingfencingthatmightinterferewithmigrationandmovementpatterns;(6)Restrictinglocation,hoursofillumination,andintensityoflighting;(7)Controllingdomesticanimalsandhouseholdpets;(8)Timingconstructiontominimizeimpactssuchasreducingimpactsfromvehiclesandconstructioneguipmentbylimitinghoursofoperationand/orseasonaltimingofconstruction.14WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
(9)Minimizingdisturbanceofnativevegetation;(10)Eradicatingexistingnoxiousweedsonsiteandpreventingofintroductionofnoxiousweeds;(11)Avoidingorminimizinguseoffertilizersandotherchemicals;(12)EnhancingorrestoringeguivalenthabitatonthesiteorelsewhereintheEstesValley.4.Implementation,Monitoring,andEnforcementPlan.(1)Aplanforimplementation,maintenanceandmonitoring,andenforcementofmitigationmeasures,includingcostestimatesfortheimplementationoftheplan.Describetheroleofahomeownersassociation,ifapplicable.(2)Ademonstrationofthecompetenceoftheentityresponsibleforsuccessfulimplementation,monitoring,andenforcementoftheplan.5.EnhancementorRestoration.Aplanforanyrelevantenhancementorrestorationmeasures.6.CertificationandProfessionalQualifications.Acertificationthatthepersonpreparingtheplanhastheexpertisetoevaluatetheproposeddevelopmentapplicationandthewildlifepopulationsandhabitatonsiteanddescriptiontheirprofessionalgualificationsoftheplanpreparer.7.AdditionalInformation.AnyotherinformationdeemednecessarybytheRevieworDecision-MakingBodiestoadeguatelyassesstheimpactoftheproposal.13.3DEFINITIONSOFWORDS,TERMSANDPHRASESHabitat.Aquaticshallmeanawaterbodyinwhichcommunitiesoforganismsthataredependentoneachotherandontheirenvironmentlive.Examplesincludelakes,ponds,rivers,streams,marshes,springs,seeps,andbogs.QualifiedBiologist/Ecologistshallmeanthefollowing:1.Apersonwithatleasttwo(2)yearsofdemonstratedexperienceandexpertiseinevaluationofdevelopmentimpactsonwildlifehabitatandspeciesintheColoradoRockyMountains:andgualifiedtoworkonthespecificsitethat:(1)Hasamaster’sdegreeorhigherfromanaccreditedUnitedStatesuniversityinwildlifebiologyorecology;(2)IsaWildlifeSocietyofAmericaCertifiedWildlifeBiologist,orholdsahighercertificationfromthissocietyor(3)IsanEcologicalSocietyofAmericaCertifiedEcologist,orholdsahighercertificationfromthissociety.Vegetation,Riparianshallmeanterrestrialvegetationthatiscontiguoustoandaffectedbysurfaceandsubsurfacehydrologicfeaturesofperennialorintermittentloticandlenticwaterbodies(forexample,rivers,streams,lakes,ordrainageways).Riparianareashaveoneorbothofthefollowingcharacteristics:1)distinctlydifferentvegetativespeciesthanadjacent15WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
areas,and2)speciessimilartoadjacentareasbutexhibitincjmorevigorousorrobustgrowthforms.WildlifeHabitat,Criticalshallmeanaquatichabitat;wetlands,riparianvegetation;PotentjalConservationAreasasdefinedbytheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram;BigHornSheepWinterConcentrationAreasasdefinedbytheColoradoDivisionofWildlife;raptornestsandaone-halfmileareasurroundingthenest;SevereWinterRangeforelk;andSevereWinterRangeformuledeer;migratorybirdhabitatassociatedwithriparianvegetationandaquatichabitat.§7.10OPERATIONALPERFORMANCESTANDARDSInadditiontoanystandardsrequiredintheunderlyingzoningdistricts,alldevelopmentshallmeetthefollowingperformancestandards:A.Noise.NOTE:NOCHANGESPROPOSED.B.RefuseDisposal.Alldevelopmentshalluseapprovedanimal-proofrefusedisposalcontainers.WithDivisionofWildlifeapproval,refusedisposalcontainersandenclosuresmaybeelectrified.BC.Operational/PhysicalCompatibility.Thefollowingconditionsmaybeimposedupontheapprovalofanydevelopmenttoensurethatitiscompatiblewithexistinguses,includingbutnotlimitedto,restrictionson:1.Placementoftrashreceptacles;2.Locationofloadinganddeliveryareas;3.Location,intensityandhoursofillumination;and4.Additionallandscapingandbuffering.GD.EvidenceofCompliance.NOTE:NOCHANGESPROPOSED.§13.3DEFINITIONSOFWORDS,TERMSANDPHRASESHabitat,Aquaticshallmeanawaterbodyinwhichcommunitiesoforganismsthataredependentoneachotherandontheirenvironmentlive.Examplesincludelakes,ponds,rivers,streams,marshes,springs,seeps,andbogs.Habitat,Wildlifeshallmeantheregionsorenvironmentcontainingthoseelementsnecessaryforthesurvivalandhealthofawildlifespeciesandconsistingofprinciplefeedingareas,winterrange,summerrange,shelterareas,concentrationareas,productionareas,movementcorridors,buffetzones,areasprovidingessentialmineralsandwaterandspecialhabitatneeds.Aparticularareaneednotbeoccupiedbyaparticularwildlifespeciesinordertobeconsideredhabitatforthatspecies.Wildlifehabitatmayincludethoseareas4whichwerehistoricallyoccupiedandarestillsuitableforoccupancy.APPENDIXB.III.CDEVELOPMENTPLANSUBMITTALREQUIREMENTSgg.AnticipatedPhasesofDevelopmentandTiming.AgraphicphasingplanshallincorporaterecommendationsfoundinsubmittedWildlifeandHabitatImpactAssessment.16WildlifeandHabitatCodeRevisions—Draft#4forFebruary17,2009PlanningCommissionReview
EstesVaIIe’A&essmcntF‘atSeptember16,2008PreparTownofEtesParkIphotocreditsfI-r):A.J.Hand;ScoffRoederer,BobJoseph,DrewStoll
1TableofContentsIOverviewoftheEstesValley.1StudyObjectives1StudyParticipants2Process2Chapter2.PlanningContext3Background3Climate3Hydrology&WaterResources3Vegetation3WildlifeSpecies4ContributionofElktotheCurrentEconomicConditions6ProtectedAreasandOwnershipintheValley6Chapter3.Approach7TargetResources7RiparianCorridors7RareVegetationCommunities7Table1.TargetResources8Table2.HighValueVegetationCommunities9Rare/SensitivePlantSpeciesfromCNHP10AreasIdentifiedasPotentialConservationAreas11Wildlife11Table3.CDOWRecommendedRaptorBuffers12Chapter4.PrioritiestaranEcologicalNetwork13EcologicalNetwork13Table4.ConditionsthatCanIncreaseBufferWidths16ListofMapsMap1.LandOwnershipinEstesValley17Map2.VegetationCommunities(NPS)18Map3.CompositeAnalysisMap19Map4.EcologicalNetworkPriorities20References21September2008Chapter1.IntroductionF.
•-,,Chapter1.IntroductionL_.OverviewoftheEstesVolleyTheEstesValleyrangesinelevationfrom7356feettoover9757feetandcontainstheTownofEstesPark.Thecenterofthevalleyispunctuatedby8891footProspectMountain,whichislocatedsouthofthedowntown.ThetownisringedbysteepmountainsandcliffsincludingGianttrockMountainandRamsHornMountaininthesouth-westportionofthevalley.Itistraversedbyfiveriverdrainages,themostsignificantofwhicharetheBigThompson,FallRiver,andFishCreek,anditisprimarilysurroundedonallsidesbyeitherRooseveltNationalForestorRockyMountainNationalPark.Thevalleyalsocontainstworeservoirsfedbymountaintunnels:LakeEstes,andthesmallerMary’sLakesouthofProspectMountain.TheEstesValleyArea,includingpubliclandownership,isshowninMap1.Typicalvegetationfoundinthevalleyincludesripariancorridorsalongriversandstreams,openmeadows,gentlyslopingshrubandwoodedtransitions,andsteeplysloping,heavilyforestedhillsidesinterspersedwithbarerockformations.Theyear-roundresidentpopulationinEstesParkisapproximately8900peopleandisgrowingatarelativelyfastratecomparedtosimiliarsizetownsintheState.Thetownhaslimitedgrowthareaforthefutureduetoitssettinginavalleysurroundedbysteepterrainandextensivepubliclands.Nonetheless,thecommunityisadesirableplacetoliveandthedemandforsecondhomes,retireesseekingtorelocate,andotherfactorsresultincontinuingdemandsfornewresidentialdevelopment.Summermonthsbringaninfluxoftourismtothevalley.EstesParkisanideally-situatedmountaintownforoutdoorrecreationinthearea,andthetownisespeciallypopularinthesummermonthsasamajorgatewaytotheNationalPark.Accommodationsandservicesconstituteanoverageof23%ofthetown’semployment,withconstructionworkclosebehindat17%.ConcessionsareminimalwithintheParkStudyObjectivesThestudyarea,whichfocusesonthejointplanningareaboundaryforEstesValley,isshowninMap1.EstesValleyisadmiredforitsabundantwildlife,naturalvegetation,scenicvistas,andrichhistory;however,thesteadygrowthherehasleadtohabitatlossandincreasedhuman-wildlifeconflicts.TheTown’slandusecodereferstoaWildlifeHabitatMap(datedDecember1996),whichcurrentlyservesasabasisforthereviewofplanneddevelopmentsandtoassistinthepreparationofappropriatemitigationstrategies.Thisstudyandassociatedmappingisintendedtoupdatethe1996mapandenhanceanunderstandingofwildliferesourceswithintheEstesValley.Furthermore,theresultsmaybeusedinthefuturetoidentifyspecificlandswithintheEstesValleythatcouldbeconsideredforsomeformofprotection,incooperationwithwillinglandowners,andtoevaluateplanneddevelopmentactivities.Geographicinformationsystems(GIS)wereusedastheprimarymethodofanalysisforthishabitatassessment,whichwassupplementedbyexistingresearchstudiesandprofessionalopinions.andthetownprovidestouristswiththeamenitiestheyareseeking.September20081
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentStudyParticipantsSeveraloutsidesourcesprovideddataandguidancefortheproject,includingtheTownofEstesPark,ColoradoDivisionofWildlife,theEstesParkBirdClub,andbiologistswithRockyMountainNationalPark.EDAW,Inc.,anenvironmentalplanningfirminFortCollins,washiredbytheTowntocompletethestudy.TheEstesValleyHabitatAssessmentwascarriedoutoverfourmonths,betweenMayandAugust2008.Twomeetingswereheldwiththestudyparticipantstodiscussmethodologyandpreliminaryresults.TheFinalReportwaspresentedtothepublicofEstesParkonAugustl9,2008.Process.....courtesyofA.].HandSeptember20082
42hapter1BackgroundThevegetationandwildlifespeciesfoundintheEstesValleyareinextricablytiedtotheitsruggedtopography,climate,andnaturalprocesses.Thearea’sdramaticvarianceinelevation,whichrangesfrom7,522feetabovesealevelintheTownofEstesParktoover14,259feetatthesummitofLong’sPeak,contributestoitsabilitytosupportavarietyofecologicalsystemsandspecies.InlightofrapidgrowthanddevelopmentalongtheFrontRange,theEstesValleyhasbecomeayear-roundrefugeformanywildlifespecies,furtheraddingtoitstouristappealandimportanceforregionalhabitatconservation.ClimateTheContinentalDividerunsnorth-souththroughRockyMountainNationalPark,creatingtwodistinctclimatepatterns.TheeastsideoftheDividereceivesabouthalftheamountofprecipitationthewestsideoftheDividereceives,resultinginamorearidenvironment.IntheTownofEstesPark,theaveragetemperaturerangesfrom27°FinJanuaryand62°FinJuly,andaverageprecipitationpeaksinJulyat2.2inches.SnowcanoccurfromSeptemberthroughJune,withheaviestaveragesnowfallbeinginMarchwith8.6inches(NOAA,NationalClimaticDataCenter).Hydrology&WaterResourcesFourmajorriverbasinsbegininRockyMountainNationalPark,oneofwhichistheBigThompsonRiver.SmallerriversthatflowintotheBigThompsonRiverincludeFallRiverandFishCreek,aswellassmallerdrainagessuchasMillCreek,GlacierCreek,BeaverBrook,AspenBrook,BlackCanyonCreek,andDryGulch.Theseriversareprimarilychargedbysnowmeltandmanyprovidepotentialhabitatfornativespeciessuchasthefederallyendangeredgreenbackcutthroattrout.Twomajorwaterbodies,LakeEstesandMary’sLake,existintheEstesValley.LakeEsteswascreatedin1948bytheconstructionoftheOlympusDamontheBigThompsonRiver.TheprimaryfunctionsofLakeEstesaretoprovideregulationandstorageofirrigationandmunicipalwater,andtoserveasanafterbayforhydroelectricpowergeneration.Currentrecreationuseofthe160-acrereservoirandsurroundingpropertyincludesgolfing,hiking,fishing,boating,bird-watching,andpicnicking.Theseactivitiesaresupportedbyexistingfacilities,includinganine-holegolfcourse,picnictables,playground,marina,trails,restrooms,andfishingaccess.VegetationThevegetationfoundwithinandaroundthestudyareaisbestcharacterizedthroughworkedcompletedin2005bytheNationalParkService,U.S.GeologicalSurvey,andBureauofReclamation,andincooperationwithNatureServeandColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram1•TheextensivemappingeffortwascompletedaspartoftheNationalParkService’snationalinventoryandmonitoringprogramtoprovidebaselineinformationtoparkresourcemanagers.WhiletheprojectwasspecificallyfocusedonthePark,researchincludeda1-milebufferofsurroundingareastotheNorth,South,andWest,and4-milestotheEast,whichencompassesthestudyareafortheEstesValleyHabitatAssessment.VegetationclassesarebasedontheNationalVegetationClassification(NVC)ctnndard,whichwasdevelopedintheearly1)u.s.GeologicalSurveyandtheNationalParkService.2005.VegetationMappingProgram,RockyMountainNationalParkFinalReport.nber20083
-4EstesValleyHabitatAssessment19905byecologistswiththeNatureConservancy,stateNaturalHeritageProgramsandConservationDataCenters,aswellaspartnersintheacademic,conservationandgovernmentsectors.NVCisnowmanagedbyNatureServeandistheadoptedstandardoftheFederalGeographicDataCommitteeforusebyallfederalagencies.Map2isanoverallvegetationmapfortheEstesValleyandvicinity.Thestudyareafallswithinthemontanezone,whichgenerallyoccursatlessthan9,800ft.andincludemixedandsinglespeciesforestsandwoodlands,shrublonds,somegrasslandsonhillsidesandridges,andriparianareasinvalleysanddrainages.Ponderosapinewoodlandsandshrublandsareprevalentthroughoutthestudyarea,andcanincludeunderstoryspeciessuchasshrub(bitterbrush)anddrygrasslands.SouthfacingslopeswithinRockyMountainNationalParkareoftencomprisedofshrubsandherbaceousspeciesmixedwithPonderosapineand/orJuniper.ThenorthfacingslopesoftenaredominatedbyPonderosapine,Douglas-fir,Juniper,oramixtureofthese.Lodge-polepineandaspencanalsobefoundwithinthesecommunities.Riparianareasandwetlandsarealsocommonthroughoutthestudyareaandarerichinbiodiversity.DominantspeciesfoundalongriversintheValleyincludePiceapungens(Coloradobluespruce)oramixtureoftallwillows,aspenandalder.Lakesidemeadowsandglacialvalleysalsoprovideriparianhabitat,andarecomprisedofwillowsandgraminoidspecies.TheEstesValleyisabundantwithwildlife,muchofwhichissensitive,regionallytare,orisimportanttothelocalcommunity.MuchworkhasbeendoneinRockyMountainNationalParktorecordandunderstandthewildlifefoundthereandinthesurroundingarea.Recently,theNationalParkServicecompletedtheElkandVegetationManagementPlan,FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(December2007)forRockyMountainNationalPark.ThisEISstatesthat‘nearly350vertebratesarefoundintheRockyMountainNationalParkarea,including276speciesofbirds,52mammals,11fish,touramphibians,andonereptile.’AmphibiansandReptilesAmphibiansandreptilestoundwithinthestudyareaincludetheborealtoad(Bufoboreas,tigersalamander(Ambystomatigrinum),westernchorusfrog(Pseudacristriseriata),andwoodfrog(Ranasylvatica),andthewesternterrestrialgartersnake(Thamnophiselegons).FishNativefishspeciesfoundwithinthestudyareainclude:westernlongnosesucker(C.catostomusgriseus),andmottledsculpin(Cottusbairdi).Non-nativespeciesincludebrowntrout(Salmotrutta),easternbrooktrout(Salvelinusfontinalis),andrainbowtrout(Oncorhynchusgairdneri).BirdsTheareaishometomorethan300birdspecies,ofwhichapproximately26areyear-roundresidents.MammalsSmallermammalsincludethedeermouse,montanevole,leastchipmunk,Uintachipmunk,chickaree,Wyominggroundsquirrel,golden-mantledgroundsquirrel,Abert’ssquirrel,northernpocketgopher,Nuttall’scottontail,andyellow-belliedmarmot.Largermammalsincludemountainlion(Felisconcolor),coyote(Canislatrans),bobcat(Lynxrufus),andblackbear(Ursusamericanus).UngulatesElkandmuledeerplaygreatlycontributetothearea’secology,aswellastheValley’scharacter.BecausethishabitatassessmentcannotduplicatethelevelofdetailthatisincludedintheEIS,excerptsfromthatdocumentareusedextensivelyinthissection2:Inthelast40years,theelkpopulationintheEstesValleyandadjacentRMNPareashasmorethantripled.Althoughpopulationlevelshaverecentlydeclined,between1,700and2,200elkareestimatedtocurrentlywinterintheEstesValley,including2)NationalParkService.2007.ElkandVegetationManagementPlan,RockyMountainNationalPark,FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement.WildlifeSpeciesSeptember20084
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentadjacentparkareas.Historically,elkdidnotwinterintheEstesValleyinnotablenumbersbutthewinteringpopulationsteadilyincreasedbeginninginthemiddle1970s.TheelkpopulationintheEstesValleyareaconsistsofthreedistinctgroups,whichincludestheMorainePark/BeaverMeadows,HorseshoePark,andEstesValleypopulations.Eachpopulationgroupgenerallyremainsdistinct,butitisestimatedthatapproximately15%ofthetotalpopulationregularlymovesbetweengroups.TheelkpopulationdensityinsomeareasoftheEstesValleyandvicinityisveryhigh,reaching260elk/squaremileincorewinterrangeareas,whichisthehighestpopulationdensityknowntooccurwithintheRockyMountainsforafree-rangingpopulation.IntheTownitself,elkdensityisestimatedtoaverage74persquaremile,withveryhighconcentrationsinareaswithexcellentforage,suchasthegolfcourses,andlowerinlessfavorableareas.VirtuallyalloftheEstesValleyareaisusedtosomeextentbyelk.Inadditiontothegolfcourses,concentrationsarehigherintheareabetweenDryGulchandDevil’sGulchRoad,alongUSHighway34,theCrockerRancharea,andbetweenFishCreekandColoradoHighway7.Itisestimatedthattheelkpopulationspendsapproximately7monthsoftheyearonlower,winterrangeareas,threemonthsonsummerrangeandtheremainingtwomonthsintransitionalareasastheymovefromoneareatotheother.Elkmovementsareinfluencedbyseveralfactors,includingweatherconditions,andhuntingpressure,oftenconcentratinginareasclosedtohuntingduringthemainhuntingseason.Despitethestrongmigratorypatternsthatnormallycharacterizeelkpopulations,itisestimatedthatasmanyas100-200elkstaywithinEstesValleyonayear-roundbasis.Inadditiontoelk,threeotherungulatesoccurintheregion:muledeer(Odocoileushemionus),big-hornsheep(Oviscanadensis),andmoose(Alcesalces).Eachofthesespeciesisbrieflydiscussedintheremainderofthissection.MuledeeroccurthroughouttheEstesValleyandadjacentareas,buttheirnumbersareprobablylimitedbytheavailabilityofwinterrange.Itisestimatedthatthereareapproximately500-600muledeerintheEstesValleyduringthewinter,whichrepresentsadeclineinnumbersfromapeakthatwasreachedaround1938.Muledeerpopulationshavedeclinedthroughoutmuchoftheirrangeduetochronicwastingdiseaseandotherfactors.Further,elkhaveacompetitiveadvantageovermuledeerandareabletodisplacethemfrompreferredfeedingareasbyvirtueoftheirgreatersize.Theincreaseinelknumbersmayhavecontributedtoadeclineinthemuledeerpopulation,thoughseveralotherfactorsarelikelyinvolved.Bighornsheep,aspeciesthatishighlysensitivetohumandisturbance,hasdeclinedintheEstesValleysincethelate1800s.ItisestimatedthattheMummyRangepopulationontheeastsideofthenationalparktotalsabout80animals.Bighornsprimarilyutilizehigherelevationareaswithinthepark,butanimportantwinterrangeareaextendsintotheplanningareasalongFallRiverRoad.Althoughobservationsofmoosewererecordedinthe1800s,includingakillinginMoraineParkin1860,thisspecieswasnotcommonintheEstesValleypriortotheirreintroductioninNorthParkinthelate1970s.Itisestimatedthatapproximately100mooseliveinthenationalpark,mostlyonthewestsideinthevicinityoftheKawuneecheValley.However,theyareoccasionallyobservedeastoftheContinentalDivideintheEstesValleyvicinity.:September20085
aWildlifeintheEstesValleyisnotonlyimportantecologically,butalsoimportanttothelocalcommunity.Elkespeciallyhavehelpedidentifytheareaanddrawintouristsandhunters.Mostnotably,elkcontributetothedrawthatbringsvisitorstoRockyMountainNationalParkandthesurroundingareas.AsreportedintheelkmanagementEIS,visitorsurveysindicatethattheopportunitytoviewelkisapowerfuldrawforvisitorstotheNationalParkwithasmanyas70%ofvisitorsstatingthatelkviewingwasoneoftheirprimaryreasonsforvisitingthepark(Cordova,2000).Elkalsoaffecttheeconomythroughlandscapingdamageandrepaironprivateandpublicproperty,includingranchlands;trafficcongestionandaccidents;propertyvalues;andqualityoflifeforlocalresidents.Theseeconomiceffectsarethereforebothpositiveandnegative.ProtectedAreasandOwnershipintheValleyTheEstesValleyisneatlyencompassedbyprotectedlands,contributingtoitsroleasayear-roundhabitatrefugeformanyspeciesandasacontributortotheregion’secologicalhealth.RockyMountainNationalParkrunscontiguoustothisprojectstudyarea’sboundaryforapproximately25miles.Theparkisprotectedfromdevelopment,withverylimitedroadaccessandexistingtourismoperations.Usesintheparkareprimarilyrecreationalorresearch-oriented.MuchoftheremainingboundaryofthestudyareaiscontiguoustotheArapahoe-RooseveltNationalForest(ARNF).OwnershipinformationwasobtainedfromColoradoOwnershipManagementandProtectiondataset3.3)Wilcox,G.,D.M.Theobald,J.Whisman.2007.coloradoOwnership,Management,andProtectionV6.http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/projects/comap/contact.htmlInadditiontotheparkandARNF,therearemanyotherentitiesthatcontributetothecollectionofpubliclandsorconservationlandsintheEstesValley.LarimerCountyisthelargestlandownerbesidesthefederalgovernment,withover1,400acreswithin5milesofEstesValley.TheTownofEstesParkowns480acres;andnearly200additionalacresareownedormanagedbytheEstesValleyLandTrust,theSchoolDistrict,orothernon-governmentalorganizations.EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentContributionofElktotheCurrentEconomicConditionsSeptember20086
terTheEstesValleyHabitatAssessmentisaimedatidentifyingtheresourcesthataremostimportanttosustainingtheecologyoftheValley.Asdiscussedinthepreviouschapters,thelandscapesurroundingtheValleyandsomeportionsoftheValleyitselfremainsomewhatintact,however,theareaisfacingsteadygrowthpressures.ToefficientlyidentifytheareasoftheValleythatcontainthehighestwildliferesourcevalues,arapidassessmentapproachwasusedthatutilizedexistingpublicdatasets,previousstudiesandreports,andexpertadvisefromscientistswiththeColoradoDivisionofWildlifeandtheNationalParkService.Itshouldbenotedthatneatlyallthedatapresentedinthisreportisfromavailablepublishedsources,muchofwhichwaspreparedataregionalorValley-widescale.Theuseofthisinformationisthereforesubjecttositespecificverificationandpotentialrefinement.TargetResourcesWhileitwouldbeidealaspartofacomprehensivestudyoftheEstesValleytoinventoryitsentirearrayofecologicalresources,theintentofthisstudywastofocusinquicklyonkeyhabitatareas.Todothis,weidentifiedalistoftargetwildlifespecies,ecologicalsystems,andvegetationcommunities.Table1summarizesthetargetresourcesthatwereincludedinthisstudy.RiparianCorridorsTheseareasarewidelyrecognizedasoneofthemostproductiveandimportanthabitattypesinColorado.ThedistributionofriparianareasisshowninMap3.EachofthemajordrainagesthatrunthroughtheEstesValleytormsaripariancorridor,includingtheBigThompson,FallRiverandFishCreekdrainages.Numerousothersecondarydrainagesalsosupportriparianvegetation.Inadditiontoprovidingimportanthabitat,thoseareasserveasmovementcorridorsformanyspecies.TheNaturalHeritageRankingSystemisastandardizedelementimperilmentrankingsystemusedbyNaturalHeritageProgramsthroughoutthecountry.Elementimperilmentranksareassignedintermsofstate(5)andglobal(G)status.Itsrelativedegreeofimperilmentfollowsa1-5scale,with1=criticallyimperiled”and5=demonstrablysecure”.In2004theColoradoNaturalHeritageProgramassessedeachelementoccurrenceinLarimerCounty,assigningeachaglobalandstatescore.Forthepurposeofthishabitatassessment,allelementsthatwereidentifiedbyCNHPasbeingGi,G2,Sior52werenoted.Then,sincethereisnotavegetationdatasetthatdirectlyreflectsthoseelements,theywerecorrelatedtotheRockyMountainNationalPark2005vegetationdataset(ROMOVeg).Eachvegetationcommunitythathadatleastoneimperiledelementassociatedwithitwasclassifiedasimportant’.TheresultsofthatexercisearesummarizedinTable2.RareVegetationCommunitiesSeptember20087
aEstesValleyHabitatAssessmentv,.ITable1.TargetResourcesTargetResourceSignificance..Manyplantandanimalspeciesaredependentonthesehabitats.RiparHydrologicResources,including....ianareasalsoserveasimportantwildlifemovementcorridors,connectRiparianCorridorsandWetlandsingdiversehabitattypesandareas.RarePlantsandVegetationEstesValleyhasseveralrareplantspeciesandvegetationcommunities;Communitiestheirraritymakesthemcriticaltoprotect...TheseareareasdesignatedbyCNHPfortheirbiologicalsignificance.PotentialConservationAreas...EachareainandneartheEstesValleyisdiscussedlaterinthischapter.SomeplantandanimalspeciesarelistedasendangeredorthreatenedRegulated(protected)Plantand.onthefederalorstateendangeredspecieslist,andprotectedbytheAnimalSpecies.......U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceorColoradoDivisionofWildlife,respectively.Montanegrasslandssupportseveralrareplantandanimalspecies.VeryMontaneGrasslands.fewqualitynativegrasslandhabitatsremainintheEstesValley..WhilerockformationsaresomewhatabundantintheEstesValleyvicinRockFormations..ity,theyprovidehabitatformanynichespecies.EstesValleyisonimportantcomponentofalargelandscapethatsup-WildlifeMovementCorridorsportsmultiplewide-ranginganimalspecies.Steeptopography,busyroadsanddevelopmentlimitthecorridorsthatanimalscanmigratethroughtomeettheirhabitatneeds.Mostraptorsandraptornestsareprotectedunderstate,federalandRaptorNests...someinternationallaws,duetotheirsusceptibilitytohumandisturbance.CriticalMigratoryandWaterbodiesandriparionhabitatsareimportanttomigratorybirdsasResidentBirdHabitattheytravelthroughtheareaandformanyresidentbirdspecies.BigHornSheepareoneofthemostendangeredanimalspeciesintheBigHornSheepWinterHabitatVolleyduetohabitatlossanddiseasetromdomesticsheep.TheValleyprovidesimportantwinterhabitatforwaterandforage.Inwinter,elkmigratefromhigherelevationsintotheValleyinsearchof..forageandshelter.WinterisacriticalperiodforelkandtheiravailableElkWinterHabitat....habitatareaissharplylimitedbydeepmountainsnowsandthefrigidtemperaturesthatprevailinthemountains.Aswithelk,muledeermigratefromhigherelevationsintotheValleyin..searchofforageandshelter.WinterisacriticalperiodfordeerandtheirMuleDeerWinterHabitat...availablehabitatareaissharplylimitedbydeepmountainsnowsandthefrigidtemperaturesthatprevailinthemountains.8September2008
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentp______Table2.HighValueVegetationCommunitiesVegetationRMNPVegetationMap..CNHPImperiledElementOccurrencestStatusCommunityUnitNameRiparianHerbaceous.EleocharisquinquefioraHerbaceousVegetationS2vegetationwetland-crosszone-wetlandShrub-riparian-crosszone<Sa/ix(monticoia,lucida,ligulifolia)Shrub/and9600ftBetulaoccidentalis/MesicGraminaidsShrubiandS2Populusangustifoiia/BetulaoccidentailsCottonwoodWoodlandG3,S2.G2,S1/RipananAspenPopuiustremuloides/AcergiabrumForestS2Shrubupland-Shrubupland-lowerArtemisiatridentatassp.vaseyana-(Purshiatn-S1/S2lowermontanemontane-bigsagebrushdentata)/MuhienbergiamontanaShrublandtShrubupland-lowerPunshiatnidentata/MuhlenbergiamontanaG2S2montane-bitterbrushShrublandShrubupland-lowerCercocarpusmontanusIMuhlenbergiamontanaG2/G3,montane-undifferentiatedShrublandS2/S3JuniperJunierJuniperusscopulorumIPurshiatridentataG2S2woodlandpWoodlandPonderosaPinusponderosa/Cercocarpusmontanus.PonderosapineshrublandG2,S2pineshrublandWoodlandSubalpineSubalpinemixedconiferPiceaengelmannii/TnifohumdasyphyllumForestG2,52mixedconifer*NotethatthereisnotadirectcorrelationbetweentheRMNPmapunitandCNHPelementsinallcases.IfoneormoreofthespeciesidentifiedbyCNHPasimperiledoccurredwithinaRMNPmapunit,itwasmappedandincludedinthistable.-ISeptember20089
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentRare/SensitivePlantSpeciesfromCNHPGenerallocationinformationisprovidedbelowonrareplantspeciesthatmayoccurintheEstesValleyvicinity.Specificlocationsarenotavailableforanyofthesespeciesandtheidentifiedassociationsareprobableandonlyincludethemostlikelyassociationbasedonknowndescriptions.•Likelyincludedinriparianorwetlandhabitat:Tweedy’srush(Juncustweedyl)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:HerbaceousWetlandCrossZone;NaturalLakes-Ponds(margins);Reservoirs-Stocktanks(margins);Streams-Rivers(margins);ShrubRiparianCrossZone.•RankedG3Q/S1:globallyvulnerable(questionabletaxonomy),locallycriticallyimperiled.•Habitat:Wetareasaroundmountainbogsandmarginsofriversandlakes.Vaseybulrush(]uncusvaseyi)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:HerbaceousWetlandCrossZone;NaturalLakes-Ponds(margins);Reservoirs-Stocktanks(margins);Streams-Rivers(margins);ShrubRiparianCrossZone;RiparianLowerMontaneMixedConifer<8500ft;RiparianAspen.•RankedG5?IS1:globallysecure(possibilityofinexactrank),locallycriticallyimperiled.•Habitat:Wetareas,seasonallysaturatedorinundatedsites,riveredges,manywetlandhabitattypes.InWyoming,foundonmoist,sandysoils,oftenattheedgeoflodgepolepineorbluesprucewoods,orinhummockywetmeadowswithrichorganicsoils.Elev.7300-8040ft(inWY).Brood-leavedtwayblade(Listeraconvallarioides)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:HerbaceousWetlandCrossZone;RiparianAspen;Streams-Rivers(margins);RiparianLower,andUpper,MontaneMixedConifer;BlueSpruce.•RankedG5/S2:globallysecure,locallyimperiled.•Habitat:Spruce/aspenforestsinverygrassy,herbywetareasincludingopenrunningwater.Elev.7000-11,000ft.Selkirkviolet(Violaselkirkii)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:RiparianUpperMontaneMixedconifer>8500ft;SubalpineMixedConifer;SubalpineLimberPine;RiparianAspen;UpperMontaneAspen;BlueSpruce•RankedG5?/S1:globallysecure(possibilityofinexactrank),locallycriticallyimperiled•ListedasaUSFSSensitiveSpecies•Habitat:Coldmountainforests,moistwoodsandthickets.Elev.8500-9100ft.Lavenderhyssop(Agastachetoeniculum),akabluegianthyssop:•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:HerbaceousUplandMontane;ShrubUplandLowerMontane;UpperMontaneAspen;MixedConiferwithAspen;PonderosaPine;LodgepolePine-LowElevation;MontaneDouglasFir•RankedG4G5/S1:globallyapparentlysecure,locallycriticallyimperiled•Habitat:Dryuplandwoods,openwoods,prairies,anduplandsinsandy,loamysoilswithfulltopartialsunanddrytomoderatemoisture.Canalsobefoundalongroadsides.Americanyellowlady’sslipper(Cypripediumcalceolusssp.parviflorum)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:MixedConiferwithAspen(Douglas-fir);UpperMontaneAspen;MixedDouglasFir;MixedConiferwithAspen(PonderosaPine);MontaneDouglasFir;RiparianAspen.•RankedG5/S2:globallysecure,locallyimperiled.•ListedasaUSFSSensitiveSpeciesandCNHPSensitive.•Habitat:Aspengrovesandponderosapine/Douglasfirforests.Elev.7400-8500ft.James’telesanix(Telesonixjamesii)•AssociatedNPSVegetationCommunity:PanderosaPineRockland;UnvegetatedSurface;Rock(Foothill-LowerSubalpine);Sub-AlpineLimberPine;Sub-AlpineMixedConifer•RankedG2/S2:globallyimperiled,locallyimperiled10September2008
EstesValleyHabitatAssessment•Habitat:Boulderfields,clifffaces,androckyoutcropsintundraandmixedconiferousforests.Elev.6800-13,600ft.—locatedonMcGregorRanchorjusteastofit.AreasIdentifiedasPotentialConservationAreasTheCNHPReportforLarimerCountyidentifiesthreepotentialconservationareaswithinandadjacenttotheEstesValley.Eachisdiscussedbelow,usingexcerptsformtheCNHPreport.EagleCliffMountainPCA:ThisPCAisaprominentgranitemountainneartheentranceofRockyMountainNationalPark.OnlyasmallportionofthesiteextendsintotheEstesValleyPlanningarea.RankisB3:HighBiodiversitySignificanceRankisbasedonanexcellenttogoodtAB-tanked)occurrenceofagloballyvulnerable(G3/5152)plantcommunity,Attemisiatridentataspp.vaseyana/Leucopoakingii,whichismountainbigsagebrushwithspikefescue,alsoknownaswesternslopesagebrushshrublands.OtherassociatedbiodiversityelementswithinthePCAincludesPinusponderosa/Leucopoakingiiwoodland(G3/S3),alsoknownasfoothillsponderosapinesavannas.LilyMountainPCA:TheLilyMountainPCAislocatedonRooseveltNationalForestneatthesouthernedgeoftheplanningarea.RockyMountaincinquefoil(Potentillarupincola)occursontheeastandsouthsideofthesitenumbering1,000ormoteindividuals.RankisB2:VeryHighBiodiversitySignificanceThesitecontainsanexcellent(A-ranked)occurrenceofagloballytare(G2/52)plant,RockyMountaincinquefoil(Potentillarupincola).HermitParkPCA:TheHermitParksiteislocatedoutsideoftheplanningarea,butisdirectlyadjacenttotheeasternboundary.Someofthissite’sresourcesignificancemayextendintotheadjacentarea,includingtheoccurrenceofRockyMountaincinquefoil(Patentillarupincola).RankisB2:VeryHighBiodiversitySignificanceRankisbasedonagood(B-ranked)occurrenceofthegloballyimperiled(G21S2)RockyMountaincinquefoil(Potentillarupincala).ThesiteWildlifeRare!SensitiveAnimalSpeciesfromCNHPBorealload(TISI)OneoccurrenceadjacenttooronYMCAoftheRockiesproperty(probablyonNPSlandandoutofthestudyarea).Thisspeciesisassociatedwithlakes,pondsorwetlandswhichareregulatedareas.ImportantHabitatsEachofthefollowingImportantHabitatsisshowninMap3.BighornSheepThisimportanthabitatareaislocatedalongtheFallRiverdrainage,primarilyonsouthfacingslopesthatserveasimportantwinterhabitatforthisspecies.ElkSevereWinterHabitatAspreviouslydiscussed,elkwinterthroughouttheEstesValley.SomeofthekeywinterareasareshowninMap3,whichincludealargeareaalongthenorthboundaryofthestudyareathatincludesaseriesofsouth-facingslopes.OtherdefinedwinterhabitatareasincludeanareabetweenHighways34and66aswellasanareaeastofHighway7nearthesouthernedgeofthestudyarea.alsocontainshybridindividuals(P.rupincolaxP.effusa).ThecinquefoilisendemictoColoradoandisfoundinBoulder,Larimer,andClearCreekcounties.rSeptember200811
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentIElkMovementCorridors.AseriesofmovementcorridorsaredepictedinMap3.Theseorenotintendedtosuggestthatthesearetheonlyareaswhereelkmovementsoccur,buttheyrepresentareasofconcentrateduse.SomeofthemostimportantofthemovementcorridorsarelocationswhereelkmovefromthenationalparkintotheEstesValley,whichprimarilyoccurjustsouthofHighway34andnorthofHighway36.SeveralmovementcorridorswithintheEstesValleyarealsoshownonMap3,includinganareaconnectingLakeEstestothewinterrangelyingnorthofHighway34aswellasacorridorthatextendsintothenationalforestlandstotheeast.AnadditionalmovementcorridorisshownthroughalargelyurbanareawhereelkmovebetweenthegolfcourseandundevelopedareasonProspectMountain.Anadditionalareaisshowninthesouthernportionofthestudyarea,whichconnectswinterrangewithundevelopedareasonRamsHornMountain.MuleDeerThishabitattypeoverlapswithelkwinterrangeatsomelocations,includingtheareasouthofUS34andnorthofHighway66.OtherlocationsincludeanareaontheeastflankofProspectMountainandanotherareasouthandeastofthegolfcourse.NestBufferSpeciesCriticalPeriodsDistance0.11-0.33MilesRed-tailedHawkSuburban—Feb15—July15RemotePeregrine0.5MilesMarch15—July31FalconGoshawk0.5MilesMarch1—Sept31Golden0.25MilesDec15—July15EagleMigratoryBirdHabitatTheseareasprovideimportanthabitatformigratorywaterfowl,shorebirdsandotherspecies.TheprimaryoccurrenceofthistypeofhabitatintheEstesValleyisLakeEstesandtheadjacentriparianareasextendingalongtheBigThompsonandFishCreekdrainages.HerbaceousUplandMontaneTheseareasoftenoverlapwithelkwinterrange.Oneofthemostextensiveareaofthishabitattypeoccursinthenortheastportionofthestudyarea,extendingalongtheDryGulchRoad.RockFormationsCliffsandrockoutcropareasprovidenestinghabitatforseveralspecies,includingraptorssuchasgoldeneaglesandperegrinefalcons.AsshowninMap3,cliffareasonProspectandRamsHornMountainsareknownraptornestingsites.4RaptorNestsMap3providesthegenerallocationsofknowncaptornestsites,whichincludeavarietyofspecies.RecommendedbufferdistancesforvariouscaptorsareshowninTable3.ItshouldbenotedthatnotallofthesespeciesareknowntonestintheEstesValley.Table3.CDOWRecommendedRaptorBuffers••12_rSeptember2008
Objectivesfortheproposedecologicalnetworkinclude:•Conservehabitatpatches(largeareas)tosustainabroaddiversityofplantsandanimals•Conserveandrestoreecologicallinkages(corridors)toallowforwildlifemovement,ecologicalprocesses,geneticinterchangeandaninterconnectedecosystem.Thisisespeciallyimportantalongriparian!streamcorridors.•Allowformovementofwildlifesuchasbighornsheep,elk,muledeerandotherwide-rangingspeciesthroughbothnaturalandsuburbanlandscapes•Protectrareplantandanimalspecies•Striveforahighlydiverseecosystemwithnoextinctionofspecies•Protectraptornestsandimportantbirdhabitatfromencroachmentanddisturbance•Maintainecologicalprocessforahighqualitylocalenvironment(waterfiltering,airquality,airtemperature,etc.)ImportantHabitatHabitatsrankedasimportantorethosethathaverareorsensitiveresources.Thefollowinglistshowstheresourcesthataterankedasimportant.•RareVegetationCommunities•VegetationCommunitieswithrareorendemicplantspeciesincludingareasidentifiedbyColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram(CNHP)aspotentialconservationareas(PCA)•Severewinterrangeforelk•Severewinterrangeformuledeer•Migratorybirdhabitat(associatedwithriparianvegetationandopenwater)•Raptornestsandvicinity•Streamcorridors•Elkmovementcorridors•OtherimportantecologicallinkagesOtherValuableHabitatThehabitatsthathavebeentankedascriticalatetheonesthatateregulatedbylawsorpolicies,orareextremelyimportanttospecificspecies.Mostoftheseresourcesarecurrentlyprotected,butmayneedmoreprotectionorbettermanagement.Thefollowinglistshowstheresourcesthatarerankedascriticalvalue.TherearemanyotherextensivehabitatareasintheValleythatdonotrankascriticalorimportantvaluehabitats.Thesearetypicallyforestedorshrublandareaswithsteepslopes.Whilethesehabitatsarenotconsideredtobeofhighvaluetheydoplayanimportantroleaslargepatchesofhabitat,13hapter4.Pri9riti?sfora&coIetork-ThisstudydefinesavisionforanecologicalnetworkforEstesValleythatwillmakeitmoreprobablefornativeplantsandanimalsandphysicalprocessestobehealthyandevenimproveovertime.Theecologicalnetworkproposesaseriesofhabitatpatchesandlinkagesthatcollectivelycreateahealthierecosystem.•Aquatichabitat(springs,seeps,streams,rivers,openwater)bufferedby100feet•RiparianVegetation•Wetlands•BigHornSheepCriticalWinterHabitatEcologicalNetworkInordertodistinguishtherelativevalueofthehabitatsinEstesValley,thedifferenttargetresourceshavebeengroupedintoafewcategories.Thisrankinghelpsdistinguishwhichhabitatsaremostimportantandurgenttoconserve.TheresultingnetworkisshowninMap4.CriticalHabitatlet
0EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentshelterandrefugeformobilewildlife,helpfilterairandwater,andotherfunctions.Thefollowinglistshowstheresourcesthatarerankedasothervaluablevalue.•Rockoutcroppingsforraptornests,wildlifeshelterandsomeplantspecies•Remaininguplandgrasslandsthathavenotbeendisplacedbydevelopment•Largepatchesofintacthabitat(forestorother)thathavethesevalues:°Serveasarefuge!shelterforwildlifeoAreimportanttothehydrologicsystemsofthevalleyAreimportanttosomewildlifespecies°ProtectsoilsonsteepslopesfromerosionDisturbedHabitatWhileitisimportanttoidentifyhighvaluehabitats,itisalsoimportanttoidentifyhabitatthathasbeenlost,fragmentedorhasbarrierssuchashighwayswithhightrafficvolumes.DevelopmentinEstesValleyhasconcentratedaroundthedowntownarea,alongripariancorridorsandonrelativelyflatareasthatwereoncemontanegrassland.Developmentclosetoriparianareashasalargeimpactontheecologyoftheareabecauseoftheimportanceofriparianareasasasourceoffood,waterandshelterformanywildlifespecies.ThesteeptopographyintheValleyalsomakestherelativelyflatripariancorridorsthepreferredmigrationrouteformanywildlifespecies.Whilemanyurbanandsuburbanareasinthevalleystillhavesomehabitatvalue,itislowerqualityduetothepresenceofbuildings,roads,parking,fencing,lighting,noise,domesticanimals,andothernegativeinfluences.Manywildlifespeciesincludingelk,deer,bighornsheep,raccoons,foxandevenbearhavebeenabletoadapttousingtheselowerqualityhabitats.Whiletheyusethesehabitats,itisusuallyforreasonsthatarenotnaturaltothemsuchastheavailabilityofnon-nativefoodsources(i.e.bluegrass,garbage)andthefactthattheyhavenochoicebuttomovethroughtheseareastogettotheresourcestheyneed.Disturbedhabitathasbeenclassifiedintotwocategories.Urbanandsuburbanareasareparcelsofland(privateorpublic)thataredominatedbymanmadestructuresandlandscapingandaregenerallyonparcelsrangingfrom0—5acresinsize.Rurallandthatmaybe5—20acresinsizegenerallyhasmorehabitatvaluebutisstillsomewhatdiminishedbythepresenceofthesamemanmadeinfrastructurebutatalowdensity.Thequalityoftherurallandcanvarydramaticallydependingonhownaturalvegetationismanagedandifitisadjacenttolargerundevelopedparcelsofland.AreviewofthenetworkshowninMap4suggestsseveralconclusions:•SomeofthekeyimportanthabitatareaswithintheEstesValleyarealreadyundersomeformofprotection.ThisincludesanextensiveareanorthofUS34associatedwiththeMcGrawRanchandanareaofNationalForestjustwestofHighway7.However,inadditiontomanysmallerareasalongripariancorridorsandsmallerparcelsdistributedthroughouttheprojectarea,severallargerareaswithhigherhabitatvaluesremainthatappeartohavenoformofconservationeasementorotherprotectioninplace.Theseareasincludethefol—______I.--.&‘..IiiI’LjI’iSeptember200814
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentAnareaadjacenttoRockyMountainNationalParkandsouthofUS34,Thisareaprovidesimportantwinterrangeforbothelkandmuledeer.OneofthelargestareasextendsalongDevil’sGulchRoad.Thisareacontainsaseriesofsmallerripatiancorridorsandalsoprovidesimportantelkwinterrange.Juniperwoodlandsoccurinthenorthernportionofthearea,aplantcommunityratedG2/S2byCNHP.EastofthegolfcourseandFishCreekthere’sanareathatprovideswinterrangeformuledeer.TheareaalsoprovidesopportunitiesforanimalstomovebetweentheripariancorridoralongFishCreekandotherhabitatsintheEstesValleytotheadjacentnationalforest.Inthesouthernportionofthestudyarea,includingportionsoftheupperFishCreekdrainageeastofHighway7,liesanextensiveareawithmultiplehabitatvalues,includingelkwinterrange,riporianareas,andaraptornest.PrinciplesofLandscapeEcologyThenetworkshowninMap4definesavisionforanecologicalnetwork.Inapproachingimplementationofthisvision,theprinciplesoflandscapeecologyprovideausefulframework.Thesearediscussedbelow.ConnectivityStructuralconnectivity,orthedegreeofphysicalconnectivity,describestheamountandarrangementofresourceswithinanecologicalsystemandhowthearrangementincreasesordecreasesimpedancetomovementofspeciesbetweenhabitatsinthatsystem.WithintheEstesValleyecosystem,severaldifferenthabitattypesexistwhichareusedbymultiplespecies.Habitatsrangefromsteepmountainareastorollingvalleybottomsandripariansystems,andsomespeciesusemanyofthesehabitatsandtheresourcesinbetweenthemduringtheirmovements.Forexample,elktravel.fromonehabitattypetoanotherbasedontheirEbiologicalrequirements,andthedegreeofconnectivityforelkwouldrefertohowwellthosemigtationroutesarepreservedinanaturalstate,thenumberofdifferentpathwaysconnectingpatchesofusedhabitat,andtheeaseofmovementbetweenpatches.Withinthevalley,therearemulti-pIehabitattypesandoftenmanymigrationroutesbetweenthem,includingrivetandripariancorridors,minimally-alteredlandscapessuchasopenspacesandagriculturalareas,andaerialconnections.Thelevelofuseofeachofthesehabitattypesvariesbyspecies,butwhenmultipleresourcepatchesareusedbyonespecies,aconnectedwayforthatspeciestomovebetweenthemmustbymaintainedforthehealthofthespeciesandthesystem.Whenimportantresourceshavemorethanoneconnectiontootherresources,thedegreeofstructuralconnectivitygoesupbecausetherearemultiplepathwaysforspeciestochoosetomovethrough.Increasedconnectivitywithinanecosystembenefitsthespeciesthatinhabititbyreducingothertypesofbiologicallimitationssuchasgrazingpressure,predation,intraspecificconflict,exposuretodisturbance,andareductionofresourceavailability.HabitatfragmentationHabitatfragmentationisaprocessofphysicalchangetothelandwhichdescribesthedegreetowhichnaturalhabitatswithinanecosystembecomeseparatedfromeachotherwithoutconnection,havebeenchangedordegradedtoapointthatareasofthehabitatarenolongerfunctionalorviable,orhavebecomeisolatedfromotherhabitatremnants.Fragmentationisanaturaloccurrenceovertimewhichhasbeenanimportantfactorinevolutionaryprocesses;however,humanactivityhasspeduptheprocessandhascausedfragmentationtooccurfasterthanspeciescanadapt,oftenleadingtoloss.Thisacceleratedprocesshasoccurredinthevalleyfrommultipletypesofactionsincludingroadandstructurebuilding,riverandcreekdammingordiverting,landclearing,andchemical,noise,andlightpollution.Habitatfragmentationcanoftenbepartiallyremediatedthroughthecreationandprotectionofmultipleandamplehabitatpathwaysthatconnecttheremaininghabitatstogether.CorridorsCorridorsaretypicallylinearorsinuouscolumnsofnativeorremediatedhabitatthatarewideenoughtoallowpassageoftheorganismsthatwoulduseit.Thewidthofcorridorsdependsonthespeciesofconcernandthebiologicalforcesthatactonthehabitatwithinthecorridor.IntheEstesValley,corridorwidthstoaccommodateelk,September2008lowing:II.r.15
EstesValleyHabitatAssessmentIbighorn,bear,andotherlargeanimalsshouldtypicallybewiderthancorridorsestablishedforsmalleranimalsduetotheanimals’sizes,butthetypeofhabitatwithinthecorridor,thesurroundinglandscape,andtheuseofthehabitatbyspecies,andthefragmentedpatchesthecorridorsconnectalsoplayaroleinthecriticalwidthsofthecorridorsthemselves.Corridorsplayanessentialrolebyconnectingfragmentedbutimportantpatchesofhabitatwithintheecosystemacrossandthroughthedevelopedvalley.PatchsizePatchsizereferstotheamountofareaorresourceavailabletospecieswithinaheterogeneouslandscapeorecosystem.Inanunalteredsystem,patchesinecologicalliteraturerefertothedistributionofaparticularresourceofinteresttothespeciesinquestion.Forexample,clumpsofaspenspacedacrossarollingmountainmeadowarethepatchesofinteresttoanaspentreeobligatespecies,andthesizeofthosepatchesmaybeadeterminatefactorinthecontinuationofthespecies.Inalteredsystems,suchaswithintheEstesValleywhereoveralllandscapefunctionwastheissue,patchsizewouldusuallyrefertotheremainingareasofunalteredlands,regardlessoftheresourcestheycontain.Typically,increasinghabitatfragmentationleadstosmallerpatchsizesandmayreducetheavailableresourcesinapatchbelowafunctionallevelforalmostallspecies.Themaintenanceandprotectionoflargerpatchsizeswithmultipleconnectionstoadditionalpatchesthroughcorridorswouldbethebestsituationforprotectionofspeciesinafragmentedandpressuredenvironment.ResourceBuffersTheTownofEstesParkcurrentlyprovidesforbuffersalongstreamcorridors.Inmostinstancesthelandusecodedefinesabufferzonethatextends50’fromthehighwatermark,althoughexceptionsaremadeforlotsdevelopedpriortotheadoptionoftheordinanceandlocationsinthedowntowndistrict.Certainresourcesmayrequireanareagreaterthanthisdistancetoseparatethemfromdisturbancessuchasdevelopment,landscaping,noise,humanactivity,soilerosion,pollution,lightandotherinfluences.Theseconsiderationsincludeconsiderationssuchashighresourcequality,size,rarityorsensitivity.SomeoftheseconsiderationsarenotedinTable4.16PhotocourtesyofA.J.Hond[:.Table4.ConditionsthatCanIncreaseBufferWidthsConditionsthatCanIncreaseBufferWidthsHighWetland!Water100FeetForareaswithhighwaterqualitysuchasspringsorseeps.FromQualityextentasmapped.SteepSlopes100FeetFromstream/rivercenterlinewhereadjacentslopesareover15%OtherHighValue200FeetAreaswithsensitiveorrarespecies.FromextentofsuitablehabiHabitattatforthespecies.ImportantWildlife300FeetRiparianhabitatthatservesasanimportantcorridorforwildlifeMovementmovement.Fromextentofriparianhabitat.ImportantEcological100FeetFromstream/rivercenterlineonbothsides(200fttotal)orextentLinkageasmapped4’,September2008
0 0.5 1 Miles o
Land Ownership in Estes Valley
Bureau of Reclamation
Town of Estes Park
School District
Larimer County Open Space
Bureau of Land Management
Rocky Mountain National Park
Roosevelt National Forest
YMCA of the Rockies
Private Conservation Land
Other Private Land
Other Public Land
Study Area Boundary
Estes Park Town Limits
Study Area
Estes Valley Habitat Assessment
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Map 1.Land Ownership in Estes Valley
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Vegetation Communities (source:N PS)
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is subject to site-specific verification and refinement.
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Non-Native Grass
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Study Area Boundary
Vegetation Communities
Estes Valley Habitat Assessment
EDAWA[COM 9/11/08 •
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Map 2.
3
Important Elk/
Deer Movement Corridors
Critical Sensitive Resources
Water
Wetlands
Ripadan Vegetation
Important Sensitive Resources
Shrub Upland Lower Montane
Important Wildlife Habitat
Bighorn Sheep Critical Habitat
Elk Severe Winter Habitat
ec Mule Deer Concentration Area
Raptor Nests!Migratory Bird Habitat
Juniper
Ponderosa Pine Shwbland
Potential Conservation Areas
Other Valuable Habitat
Herbaous Upland Montane
Rock Formations
Developed Areas
Buildings
Land with Limited Habitat
Study Area Boundary
Corn posit Analysis Map
Estes Valley Habitat Assessment
EOAWAECOM 0
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Map 3.
*Mapped data was obtained from available sources and
is subject to site-specific verification and refinement.
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9/11/06
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Map 4.
*Mapped data was obtained from available sources and
is subject to site-specific verification and refinement.
Critical Habitat
Important Habitat
Other valuable Habitat
Rock Formations
Raptor Nests!Migratory Bird Habitat //,
(Important Elk!
Deer Movement Corridors
Buildings
Urban!Suburban Land (0-5 acre parcels)
Rural Land (5-20 acre parcels)
Study Area Boundary
Existing Conservation Lands
(public and private)
Priorities for an Ecological Network
Estes Valley Habitat Assessment