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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Environmental Assessment Report for Stone Brooke Residential Development f ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT..REPORT FOR . STONE. BROOKE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION This Enviromental Assessment Report is being filed in response to the ; issue of the environmental sensitivity of the Hazlet watershed. This . issue has been discussed for .some time by the City of Ames and Story County: In 1979 at a ,joint meeting of the City and County Planning Commissions it . was determined that a study of the area was needed. The "Hallett's Quarry Watershed Land Use Study" was completed in .Lecember 1979. This study was to address: Z. the use of quarry water for a City water supply 2. future tared-use of the quarry area S. environmental sensitivity of the watershed The tiu_dy area as defined encompasses approximately 4 square miZes. The eastern boundary is Highway 69, the southern boundary is Top-0-Hallow Road, - the western boundary is county road R-50 and the northern boundary of the study area is the half section lines of sections 15 and 16 of Franklin iovn- ship.. When planning development in this area it is necessary to respond to the concerns addressed in the study. The "Stone Brooke" residential development tieswithin the study area and this report is in response to that study. j . DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA A. General Zocat:,or.: The proposed project area ties north of Top-O- FoZZow Road at the north central boundary of the City of Ames. B. Present uses: Approximately 60 percent of the project area is pres- entZy under cultivation. The remaining area is approximately haZf Zow-land rrursh and half over-grown pasture and farm yard. C. LegaZ description: The Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (^IE <-11�a 4) and the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (Sc ,-,7TW 4) of Section Twenty-seven (27), Township Eight-foi,r (84) .'forth, F.�ge Twenty-four (24) West e the 5th P.M., EXCEPT for a tract of Land described as: Commencing at the center of said Section Twenty-seven (271, Township Eight- four (84) North, Range _'venty-four (24) West of the 5th P.M.,; thence South 88°36' West 850.0 feet along the South line of the said Northwest Quarter (NW 44) of Section Twenty-seven (27) and the centerline of road; thence North 400 feet parallel • ' to-the North and South Quarter NO Section line; thence North 88 036' East 480.96 feet parallel to the East and West Quarter (4) Section line; thence North 8'30' East 264,10 feet; thence North 88036'. East 330.0 feet parallel to *the East and West Quarter (4) Section line;. thence South 660.0 feet on the North and South Quarter (4) line to the point of beginning. ; It . WHAT IS THE DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT? A. rescription: .• The proposed development is a low density resi dentiaZ 'ptanned unit development. (2.9 units per acre) It will be composed of townhouses, zero - lot line patio homes,.. and 'single family lots. B. Purpose: The purpose. of. the development is to provide the. . community with a high quality residential neighborhood that has a::variety of housing types. I . 'WHAT ARE THE PROBABLE IMPACTS ON .THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT? A. General statement: The proposed deveZopment, as with almost all deveZopment, will create -some impact on the natural environ- ment. 'However, by utilizing the planned unit development type of.design approach and carefully considered specific design details for project _deveZopment, it is intended that the impact to the site will be minimal.- B.- Specific questions: I. IS THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROVERSIAL? Yes, this is' a controversial project. Primarily because several •adjacent'property ,owners object to seeing this property developed. Also, because :: - a portion of.the property- is in the iiaZZett's quarry . watershed area and is the first major development in this area. 2. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER THE, PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR FOR MAMMALS? �Vo.. ' We feel that the small ma7rvrrals that presently reside on the site will probabZy -remain because of the amount of cover that is to be left intact. Larger nomadic, animals such as deer will probably shy. away from the area during construction but will probabZy return to the area after completion. . I 3. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER THE BREEDING, NESTING,-. OR FEEDING GROUNDS FOR BIRDS? No. In fact the bird population could increase due to bird feeders and additional plantings brought in by new residents. 4. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER* THE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR OF FISH? No. There are no fist on the site. S. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER THE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR OF AMPHIBIANS OR REPTILE? Yes. The amphibian and reptile population could be impacted by the "dry basin scheme" for water retention. This plan would eliminate the marshy bog on the site. The water retention schemes will be discussed in greater detail later in this report. 6 . WILL THE DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER THE ' PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR OF INSECTS? Yes, development would reduce the mosquito population of the area by eliminating all areas of stagnant water on the site. 7. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT CAUSE OR INCREASE DATER POLLUTION? No. - The storm water system should improve water quaZitzy in the watershed area. As a supplement to the "Hallett's Quarry Watershed Land Use Study" Pderrvin D. Dougal and Larry M. Antosch of the Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute are conducting a two year research study of water management of supplemental water sources for the City of Ames. The first phase of this study was a short-term analysis of Zand-use and water supply-water quality inter-r-eZationships. This analysis was completed in January of Z980 and presented several .solutions to storm water management in the Stone Brooke DeveZopment. According to this anaZysis all, storm water run-off should be retained on-site to allow the pollut= ants to be filtered out and pl,ovzde for a controlled , discharge of storm water from the site. This retention can be accomplished by two .;themes. The first scheme is described as the "dry basin scheme". This wouZd invoZve a Zarge flat pondirg basin with a 3 . drain tile network in the soil underneath it. The basin would hold all of the storm water run-off produced on" site and gradually release this water through the drain tile system. During dry periods .' , this basin mould be completely dry and could b' used as a recreational play field. The second scheme is described'as the "deep pond. scheme". This would involve the. excavation of.a permanent pond with a normal water depth of three to four feet. This basin would be designed with a small concrete spillway to gradually discharge the storm water run-off into the drainage t,lay east of the site.. The preliminary analysis done by DougaZ and Antosoh reports that either scheme would be an acceptable means of managing the on-site -run--off and ensuring the water quality of the Hallett's Quarry Watershed. a. WI'L'L THE DEVELOPMENT ADVERSELY EFFECT THE WATER TABLE IN THE AREA? No. It wilt ensure aquifer recharge, for reasons offered in item 7 above.. 9 . WILL THE DEVELOPMENT . CAUSE OR INCREASE AIR . POLLUTION? Yes, to the extent that additional automobiles . wilt be introduced into the neighborhood area. Io. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT INCREASE THE STABILITY OR INSTABLLITY OF THE SOILS AND/OR GEOLOGY OF THE SITE? -Development should increase the stability of soils on the site .because all areas will have some type of surfacing or ground cover planting. II . . ARE THE GEOLOGIC OR SOILS CONDITIONS OF THE SITE HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUOUS HUMAN OCCUPANCE ON-SITE OR OFF-SITE? No. With proper design there should be 'no hazardous conditions created on-site or off-sitf- There are . soils on %e site which are considered poorly drained' With the incorporation of proper foundation design, basement sump-pumps and foundation drain the lines . these soil types do not impede development of these areas. 4 • I2. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT INCREASE THE EROSION POTENTIAL OF THE SITE? No. Development should decrease erosion potential for reasons offered in item ZO above. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS OF THE SITE? No, not any more than in any other developed neigh- borhood area. I4.. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT DISTURB EXISTING VEGETATION? Yes. The wooded areas of the site are of particular interest to all involved. The volunteer trees and shrubs that have self-seeded because of the absence of maintence have started the sucession of these areas back to- the prairie savana environment: . The attitude of the developer is- that these areas are a very real asset to the site and should be preserved. This does not mean that these areas will remain untouched but rather that certain areas will be developed with minimal disturbance. Other segments of this wooded area will remain untouched except for a certain amount of minimum maintenance. IV. WHAT ARE THE PROBABLE IMPACTS ON CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS? A. General statement: This project is intended to be of the high- est quality of design and development. According to a market study by the developer there is a need in Ames for a well de- signed unique residential environment that has a variety of housing types. This project is intended to fulZfill a portion of that reed. B. Specific questions: I . WILL THE DEVELOPMENT PRODUCE ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF TRAFFIC? No. A density of 2.9 units per acre in similar to that of adjacent single family lot-type sub divisions. 2 . 'SILL THE DEVELOPMENT HAVE SIGNIFICANT AESTHEIC EFFECTS? Yes. Good land pZarning combined with creative architecture will have desirable aesthetic affects. Apprc-imateZy one half of the proposed development is open space area— 5 " 3. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT DIVIDE OR DISRUPT EXISTING LAND USES • ( INCLUDING ECONOMIC . BASE)? Yes. There. wilt be no more agmculturat uses on portions-of the site. It'iviZZ become a loin density ' residential area.in accordance with the City'a Comprehensive Plan. This should.improve the over- all- economic base of this area of the. community.' 4. WILL THE DEVELOPMENT. DESTROY OR HAVE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS ON EXISTING RECREATIONAL USES? No. This development will increase the recreational . _._ . potentialof the area and provide some on-site recreation facilities for use by those participatingv in the neighborhood association. S." WILL THE DEVELOPMENT AFFECT AREAS OF UNIQUE INTEREST OR BEAUTY A INCLUDING ARCHEOLOGY AND/OR ANTHROPOLOGY?. , No. Preservation and enhancement is intended for areas of.unique interest.%. No unique areas of. archeology and/or anthropology will be affected.. V. ARE THERE PROBABLY ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED? , A. Natural: There: will be, some clearing of underbrush but less than a dozen trees will be removed for development of access and building sites. B. Cultural: No adverse effects are anticipated. VI. WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED? . A. Water Quality: To ensure protection I of the HaZlett.watershed _ area the developer has agreed to complete compliance with the ".TlaZZett's Quarry Supplemental Water Supply Study" by Dougat and Antosch as discussed in item 7, part III, above. B. Frosion: To ensure soil stabilization the developer will submit a soil erosion control pZan previous to construction. C. Vegetation: To ensure preservation of existing tree areas and ; eliminate soil erosion by ground cover planting a landscape master plan will be submitted previous to construction. on. M. WHAT ALTERNATIVES EXIST TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT? Z. No development. 2. Standard single family Zot-type subdivision. VIII . - WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE DEVELOPMENT TO THE LONG- TERM GOALS FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT? This development is in compliance with the City Is Comprehensive Land-Use Plan. IX. WHAT ARE- THE GROWTH INDUCING '•ACTORS OF' THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT? As previously indicated, a recent market study indicates the need for a quality residential development which would provide a unique neighborhood environment and a variety of housing-tapes. X. WHAT PROBLEMS OR OBJECTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED BY LOCAL, STATE. AND FEDERAL AGENCIES? A local study has indic• -led the need for protection of the Hallett quarry Water-shed �wea. The p- :osed method for development of this property is in harmony with tha turfy. No State or Federal agt _•y problems have been -raised. 7