HomeMy WebLinkAbout20.12.09 Biological Site Visit MemoDecember 9, 2020
Kyle Bell
City of San Luis Obispo
Community Development Department
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
Re: 163 Serrano Heights Subdivision Biological Site Visit Summary
Dear Mr. Bell
Our Senior Biologist Travis Belt conducted a site visit at 163 Serrano Heights Drive on July 17, 2020. The purpose of
the site visit was to evaluate the potential for sensitive plant species to occur onsite. This memo summarizes his
evaluation of the project site. Please note that due to the timing of the site visit, seasonally timed botanical surveys
were not completed, and a formal Biological Resources Assessment was not prepared.
The existing home site is developed and landscaped. The landscaping is well maintained, and the existing home site
does not support any native habitats suitable for special-status plant species.
A GPS was utilized to locate several trees that were proposed for removal on the project site plan. A few of the trees
identified on the site plan had already been cut down, one of the trees identified on the site plan did not exist, and the
other trees that were not identified on the site plan were present. GPS points were collected at all the locations.
Please note that due to the shift in the base map, some of the GPS points do not line up perfect with the site plan. The
trees that were already cut were coast live oaks. Based on the progress of the stump sprouts, we estimate they were
cut 6 months to a year prior to the site visit.
Proposed Parcel 1 is on a mild south facing slope. It has ruderal vegetation that was mowed, a small line of landscape
shrubs (Oleander), and a few coast live oak trees. Most the coast live oaks are along the northern fence line/property
boundary. The soil is compacted but appears to be native soil. Due to the mowing and compacted soils, it does not
appear there is any potential for special-status plant species to occur in Proposed Parcel 1.
Proposed Parcel 2 also supports ruderal vegetation. The eastern third of Proposed Parcel 2 appears to be an old
borrow pit or has been excavated out for some reason. The topsoil in this area has been removed and the existing soil
is very compacted. There is a mild north facing slope at the boundary with the existing house. The slope has native
soil, but the soil is very compacted and exposed. The eastern third of Proposed Parcel 2 was recently mowed and
most of the dead vegetation in this area was likely Jersey cudweed (Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum). The western two
thirds of Proposed Parcel 2 also supported ruderal vegetation, but it was not mowed. There were a few remnant
occurrences of native shrubs including California sage (Artemisia californica), coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), and
holly-leaved cherry (Rhamnus illicifolia). The ruderal vegetation included Avena sp. (dead and mowed), rip gut brome
(Bromus diandrus), orchard grass (Dactylis glomeratum), and periwinkle (Vinca major). Based on the conditions in
Proposed Parcel 2, the area does not support habitat for special-status plants.
Proposed Parcel 3 supports a stand of Eucalyptus trees. Due to the moderately dense eucalyptus duff on the ground
layer, there is very little vegetation under the trees. It is likely that the presence of the trees prohibits the growth of
native and non-native plants in the understory. Proposed Parcel 3 does support some rock outcropping that at one
SLO Cultivation CUP
SWCA Environmental Consultants 2
time could have harbored native plants, but none were identified during the site visit. The fence line between the
eastern boundary of Proposed Parcel 3 and the western boundary of the existing home site had some oak trees and
saplings, escaped landscape plants, and non-native plants.
Based on the conditions of the whole site, it is our professional opinion that conducting seasonally timed botanical
surveys on the parcel is not warranted.
Sincerely,
Brandi Cummings
Project Manager