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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaddlebrook Woodland Eval. Report stamped approvedAPPROVED CITY OF CARMEL TO: Carmel Subdivision Committee FROM: Mike Stikeleather, Leeds I, LLC SUBJECT: Woodland Evaluation Report for Saddlebrook at Shelborne, Phases III and IV DATE: December 20, 2013 REVISED DATE: March 3, 2013 pUfn URBAN FORESTER 3JTg DATE Tree Preservation — At the direction of Michael Stikeleather, Leeds I, LLC employed Caryn Atkinson, a registered Landscape Architect with Start to Finish Landscaping, Inc. to perform a "Woodland Analysis" of the site and follow up with a "Tree Preservation Plan" for the property. Both are enclosed. Tree Preservation will include the property perimeters (not continuous) and the western wetland area of the property. Tree preservation efforts will also extend along the legal drain on both the west and east sides with a preserved corridor of approximately 150'. We have also preserved the perimeter tree lines that provide natural screening from the adjoining neighborhood to the south. Landscaping and buffer yard treatments — The landscape plan will provide for some buffering along the north perimeter area of the property where it abuts up to the existing school. Mounding[buffering will also be planned along the interior roads at each cul-de-sac. These plantings will provide additional privacy for the back yard privacy of lots 9-13 and 36-40. WOODLAND ANALYSIS: Scope of Work 1. Identify and define woodlands according to the Carmel zoning ordinance. 2. Evaluate north and south boundaries/fencerows. Give percentages of trees and shrubs and define the "typical" area. 3. Define the east/west fencerows on the property. 4. Define the wetland area at the west edge of the property. 5. Define the two pond areas 6. Photo -document this work. 7. Record species of flora and fauna. Limitations Inspections were conducted during the week of December 16, 2013. The inspections were limited by the time frame and present field conditions. These are limited observations and will not represent the full spectrum of plants and animals that use the land annually. Methodology All areas in the scope of work were inspected on foot. Noted tree, shrub, and evident animal species were noted along the way. Some of the inspection process was after a snowfall and animal tracks were present. A more complete list could be obtained through more extensive investigations. Photos were taken in an effort to represent "typical" examples of the plant communities. Locations of photos are plotted on the aerial photo (Map 1) with directional arrows. Each area was rated using the definitions as stated within the Residential Open Space Ordinance (ROSO) for Carmel/Clay Township: The definitions used were: Woodland, Mature — An area of plant material covering one-half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent or more canopy trees having a sixteen (16) inch or greater caliper, or grove consisting of seven (7) or more trees having ten (10) inch or greater caliper. Woodland, Young — An area of plant material covering one half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent or more canopy trees having an eight (8) inch or greater caliper, or any grove consisting of seven (7) or more trees having ten (10) inch or greater caliper. Woodland, Scrub — An area of plant material covering one half acre, or more, and consisting of thirty (30) percent or more canopy trees having a two and one-half (2-1/2) inch or greater caliper, or any grove consisting of fifteen (15) or more trees having four (4) inch or greater caliper. Findings Tree species present throughout most of the property include: black locust, beech, oak, eastern red cedar, white pine, Norway spruce, hawthorn, crabapple, osage orange, honeylocust, dawn redwood, red maple, and concolor fir. Shrub species present include: spicebush, greenbriar, gray dogwood, elderberry, honeysuckle, and wild rose. North and South Boundaries/Fencerows The north boundary is primarily an old fenceline with several (30%) young to (30%) mature trees exceeding 40'+ in height. The exception would be the area to the south of the existing school. This area has more sporadic trees and is fairly open in nature. The south boundary provides a consistent solid fencerow with young (40%) and mature (40%) woodlands. It is fairly uniform in composition and structure. Both fencerows contain a well -established stand of understory scrub growth (40%). East and West Boundaries/Fencerows The east fencerow abuts up to the existing soccer fields. This area is fairly dense with (40%) young and (30%) mature trees and crosses over the property line and extending into the soccer fields by 10-15'. This boundary has a mix of mature and young woodland trees along with understory scrub growth (25%). The west boundary runs parallel to Shelborne Road and has one of the more mature (70%) stands of woodlands on the property. Wetland Area Please see a Regulated Waters Site Assessment dated (November 14, 2013) included in this submittal. See Map 1 for supporting photo locations See Map 1 — Location 1 See Map 1 — Location 2 Proposed Lake #1 (1.26 acres) The existing vegetation in this area is primarily young woodland(35%) and scrub undergrowth(60%). This area has a natural slope down to the existing legal drain. See Map 1 for supporting photo locations See Map 1 — Location 3 See Map 1 — Location 4 Proposed Lake #2 (.92 acres) The existing vegetation in this area is a mix of mature(35%) and young (30%) woodland with minimal undergrowth (15%). This area also has a naturally sloping grade down to the existing legal drain. See Map 1 for supporting photo locations See Map 1 — Location 5 See Map 1 — Location 6 BRIEF LIST OF ANIMAL SPECIES FOUND ON SITE Chipmunks Deer Raccoons Squirrels Rabbits Coyotes Frogs Snapping turtles Water snakes Great Blue Heron Wood Ducks Cardinals Robins Canadian Geese 4