Item 7: Ordinances on Goal 5 Natrual Resources Study

Home Browse Search

segments of this riparian site are recommended to be designated a Category C Stream. This recommendation is based on the ESEE analysis above, and on these factors: (I) the quality of riparian habitat, (2) medium connectivity values, and (3) the presence of steep channel gradients and steep surrounding slopes which make this site more vulnerable to channel erosion, and makes it more important for protecting downstream water quality from sedimentation. For riparian and upland wildlife habitat sites designated Category C Streams, the conservation area includes the area within the resource site boundary, plus the area within a conservation setback of 40 feet measured from the top of bank of the stream. Within this conservation area, the /WR overlay zone restricts new development, removal of riparian vegetation, and other conflicting uses. (c) South Hills at St. Clair Lane middle portion (E37I-2): Conservation setback of 20 feet recommended. All of Site E37I is recommended for protection. However, as discussed above, this middle section of the riparian corridor (E37I-2) has somewhat lower habitat value and greater economic constraints than the upper and lower portions of the site (E37I-1 and E37I-3). This middle section, almost one-fourth of the E37I site, has very little riparian vegetation, and is a narrow corridor only 2-3 feet wide, constrained by a retaining wall and extensive fill. In addition, the corridor here is nearly flat. However, three-fourths of Site E37I contain high quality riparian habitat, the lower portion has steep slopes, and the waterway provides important water quality functions for Amazon Creek. Therefore, it is important to protect the hydrologic functions of this middle section, in order to maintain the viability of upstream and downstream habitat. The conservation measure proposed for E37I-2 is the /WR Water Resources Conservation Overlay Zone (/WR overlay zone). This portion of the site is recommended to be designated a Category D Stream. This recommendation is based on the ESEE analysis above, and on these factors: (1) the marginal quality of riparian habitat, (2) medium connectivity value relative to the entire riparian site, and (3) the presence of steep channel gradients and steep surrounding slopes above and below this segment, which make downstream areas more vulnerable to channel erosion, and makes this portion important for protecting downstream water quality from sedimentation. For riparian and upland wildlife habitat sites designated Category D Streams, the conservation area includes the area within the resource site boundary, plus the area within a conservation setback of20 feet measured from the top of bank of the stream. Within this conservation area, the /WR overlay zone restricts new development, removal of riparian vegetation, and other conflicting uses. A Category D conservation area would reflect existing conditions on this section while maintaining the viability of the overall stream corridor. (3) South Hills at Owl Road/Fox Hollow (E37J, AMA-13): (a) South Hills at Lower Owl Road; South Hills at Donald/Fox Hollow: Conservation setback of 40 feet recommended. As discussed above, these sites (E37J-I, E37J-2, E37J-5) are recommended for protection. The conservation measure proposed for these sites is the /WR Water Resources Conservation Overlay Zone (/WR overlay zone). This riparian site is recommended to be designated a Category C Stream. This recommendation is based on the ESEE analysis above, and on these factors: (1) the quality of riparian habitat, (2) high connectivity values, (3) diversity of habitat types, and (4) the presence of steep channel gradients and steep surrounding slopes which make this site more vulnerable to channel erosion, and makes it more important for protecting downstream water quality from sedimentation. For riparian and upland wildlife habitat ESEE Analysis Page 17 October 24, 2005 replacement page