HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - Acceptance of the Newport Village Parcel 3 in Parcel Map 90-361 (Resubdivision No. 973) Located on the South East Corner of Avocado Avenue and San Miguel DriveV-
J ary 11, 1999
CITY COUNCIL A NDA
ITEM NO. 3
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council MOM AGENDA
FROM: Public Works Department 6j0.:, I
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 99 -_ PERTAINING TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE NEWPORT VILLAGE
PARCEL 3 IN PARCEL MAP 90 -361 (RESUBDIVISION NO. 973) LOCATED ON THE SOUTH
EAST CORNER OF AVOCADO AVENUE AND SAN MIGUEL DRIVE
DEVELOPER: THE IRVINE COMPANY
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Accept the dedications as offered of Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 90 -361 (Resubdivision No. 973) Newport
Village open space dedication and authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to accept the offer and
dedications of Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 90 -361.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 99- accepting the offer and dedication of Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 90 -361;
and direct the City Clerk to have the Resolution recorded in the Office of the Orange County Recorder.
DISCUSSION:
The Newport Village open space dedication was required as a part of the Circulation Improvement and Open
Space Agreement (CIOSA) with the Irvine Company. CIOSA required that the Newport Village dedication contain
12.8 acres, Parcel 3 contains 12.82 acres which is slightly over the required acreage by 0.02 acres.
• An Offer of Dedication has been prepared for the acceptance of Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 90 -661 and must now be
accepted by the City to complete the dedication process. An exhibit is attached for reference.
A resolution has been prepared for the acceptance of the dedication and will be recorded with the Office of the
Orange County Recorder upon City Council approval.
Respectfully submitted,
on Webb�
Public Works Director
By:
RicharcrL. Hoffstadt, P.E.
Development Engineer
Attachments: Offer of Dedication
Resolution
•I
' F:1Users \PBW \Shared\ COUNCIL\ FY9B -99 \Jan- 11 \NewporlVi11@9e- ded.dDC
RESOLUTION NO. 99 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF •
NEWPORT BEACH ACCEPTING THE DEDICATION AS OFFERED OF
PARCEL 3 OF PARCEL MAP 90 -361 (RESUBDIVISION NO. 973)
RECORDED IN BOOK 270 PAGES 15 -18 OF PARCEL MAPS IN THE
OFFICE OF THE ORANGE COUNTY RECORDER.
WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach approved Parcel Map 90 -361 (Resubdivision No.
973) on November 21, 1991, which established Parcel 3; and
WHEREAS, Parcel 3 is offered to the City as an open space parcel; and
WHEREAS, the dedication of the open space parcel must be accepted by the City of
Newport Beach before it can be opened to the general public; and
361
WHEREAS, the open space parcel is legally described as Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 90-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach that the dedication of the open space is hereby accepted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor be authorized to execute the Resolution of
Acceptance, to be recorded in the Office of the Recorder of the County of Orange.
ADOPTED this day of , 1999.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Mayor
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JAN D. VANDERSLOOT, M.D.
2221 East 16th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 548 -6326 FAX (714) 848 -6643
January 5, 1999
Mayor Dennis O'Neil, and
Newport Beach City Council Members
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Re: CIOSA Agreement
Open Space Dedications
Newport Village Open Space Site
Agenda item, City Council meeting July 11, 1999
Dear Mayor O'Neil and City Council members,
With regard to the agenda item scheduled for the City Council meeting on
January 11, 1999 concerning the open space dedication for the Newport village
Open Space site under the CIOSA dedication requirements, I would like to provide
the following input in favor of the City accepting the dedication.
•+ The open space dedications were an integral part of the CIOSA Agreement, and
were a major factor in community acceptance of this development agreement. The
"OS" in CIOSA stands for Open Space. The Newport Village site,12.8 acres, is one
of the open space sites. The City should satisfy its part of the bargain by accepting
the open space dedication.
Under the CIOSA Agreement, the timing for the dedication for the Newport
Village Open Space site was supposed to occur upon issuance of the first building
permits for both Upper Castaways and Newporter North. The Irvine Company
submitted an offer of dedication to the City on November 19, 1996, but the
dedication was never completed and accepted by the City.
City policy under the Land Use Element of the General Plan (October 24, 1988),
page 10, provides guidance that environmentally sensitive sites in the City that
support rare or endangered species, freshwater marshes, other wetlands, and
unique or unusually diverse vegetative communities should be preserved and
protected. The Newport Village Open Space site has these characteristics, as
reported in the enclosed biology report by Robert A, Hamilton, dated July 16, 1998,
commissioned by SPON. In particular, a pair of the threatened California
Gnatcatchers was found on the site, as well as the plant communities coastal sage
scrub, cat -tail marsh and seasonal wetlands. Two sensitive plant species and one
sensitive wildlife species were detected in the surveys of the site.
•
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With regard to the agenda item scheduled for the City Council meeting on
January 11, 1999 concerning the open space dedication for the Newport village
Open Space site under the CIOSA dedication requirements, I would like to provide
the following input in favor of the City accepting the dedication.
•+ The open space dedications were an integral part of the CIOSA Agreement, and
were a major factor in community acceptance of this development agreement. The
"OS" in CIOSA stands for Open Space. The Newport Village site,12.8 acres, is one
of the open space sites. The City should satisfy its part of the bargain by accepting
the open space dedication.
Under the CIOSA Agreement, the timing for the dedication for the Newport
Village Open Space site was supposed to occur upon issuance of the first building
permits for both Upper Castaways and Newporter North. The Irvine Company
submitted an offer of dedication to the City on November 19, 1996, but the
dedication was never completed and accepted by the City.
City policy under the Land Use Element of the General Plan (October 24, 1988),
page 10, provides guidance that environmentally sensitive sites in the City that
support rare or endangered species, freshwater marshes, other wetlands, and
unique or unusually diverse vegetative communities should be preserved and
protected. The Newport Village Open Space site has these characteristics, as
reported in the enclosed biology report by Robert A, Hamilton, dated July 16, 1998,
commissioned by SPON. In particular, a pair of the threatened California
Gnatcatchers was found on the site, as well as the plant communities coastal sage
scrub, cat -tail marsh and seasonal wetlands. Two sensitive plant species and one
sensitive wildlife species were detected in the surveys of the site.
•
JAN D. VANDERSLOOT, M.D.
2221 East 16th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 548 -6326 FAX (714) 848 -6643
•
The PBR Commission and the City Council updated the Recreation and Open
Space Element of the General Plan last Spring. It was reported in the REOS
Element that the Newport Center area is deficient in park space by 11 acres. The
Newport Village open space site at 12.8 acres, if accepted by the city and made into
a park, could satisfy this deficiency. This site offers spectacular views of the
coastline all the way to the Palos Verde Peninsula from the top of the mesa. If
turned into a park, the views would be enjoyed by all 72,000 residents of Newport
Beach. On the other hand, if the site were turned into housing, the planned 2 acre
view site would be at the area next to San Miguel, with a much more narrow,
truncated, and reduced view of the ocean and the coastline.
The Irvine Company and the City's Newport Center Economic Opportunities
Committee has discussed putting senior housing on the site. The Irvine Company
withdrew its offer last summer. There is no other comparable open space in the City
that has the qualities present at Newport Village that could be exchanged for this
site, including the public view opportunities and the environmental amenities. On
the other hand, senior housing was originally designed to be at Lower Bayview
Landing. This site could be better for seniors, due to closer proximity to Hoag
Hospital, while still being close to Fashion Island and the library (2 minutes away). •
Housing at Lower Bayview Landing could also offer better views of the Dunes
marina and the Newport Bay for more units than the Newport Village site, and the
entire Upper Newport Bay would be conveniently available to the walking seniors.
If housing were to be placed on the Newport Village Open Space site, the
housing would have to be placed below existing grade, to maintain the existing view
plane for residents across MacArthur. The entire open space site would have to be
graded down to be level with MacArthur and Avocado, filling all the wetlands and
coastal sage scrub, and losing the high ground that offers the most panoramic
views for the public.
It is important to keep the faith with the public and accept the dedication of this
site as open space. If the City is to maintain credibility in commiting to development
agreements, the provisions of the agreements should be honored, on both the
developer's side and the City Council side. Otherwise the whole concept of the
develofnent agreement is a sham, not to be trusted. How can an agreement like
CIOSA be truthfully called a "Circulation Improvement and Open Space Agreement"
if you take out the Open Space part?
•
2
•'
•I
JAN D. VANDERSLOOT, M.D.
2221 East 16th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 548 -6326 FAX (714) 848 -6643
Thank you for considering this input. The "Followup Report, Initial Biological
Survey ", by Robert Hamilton is attached, detailing the environmental characteristics
of the site. This site, by the way, was not analyzed as part of the original EIR for
the CIOSA Agreement.
Sincerely,
Jan D. Vandersloot, M.D.
Attachment: "Followup Report, Initial Biological Survey, Dedicated Open Space
Parcel at Newport Fashion Island, Newport Village Site ", Robert A. Hamilton, July
16, 1998
3
Robert A. Hamilton
July 16, 1998 •
Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON)
P.O. Box 102
Balboa Island, CA 92662
SUBJECT: FOLLOW -UP REPORT, INITIAL BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE PARCEL AT NEWPORT FASHION ISLAND
NEWPORT VILLAGE SITE
Dear SPON,
In a letter report dated 26 March 1998, I provided the methods and results of an initial biological
survey of the 12 -acre "Newport Village" project site, located in the City of Newport Beach (City).
Subsequently, SPON requested that botanist David Bramlet and I complete follow -up biological
surveys on this site. The purpose of these follow -up surveys was to search for additional plant and
wildlife species present on the site, and to further observe a pair of Coastal California Gnatcatchers
(Potioptila californica catifornica) previously observed on the site. This follow -up report presents the
methods, results, and conclusions of my two biological surveys, and incorporates results of Mr.
Bramlet's 1998 botanical survey.
METHODS •
I completed field visits on 7 March and 2 June 1998, and David Bramlet inspected the site on 25
May 1998. Goals of oursurveys included (1) characterizing the site's plant communities, including
their dominant species plant and overall condition, and (2) identifying plant and animal species
present on the site, including sensitive species. We inspected the entire site and made note of each
plant and vertebrate wildlife species detected. Observations of sensitive species are discussed, but
analysis of sensitive species potentially present on the site is beyond the scope of this preliminary
study.
SURVEY SUMMARY
Date Personnel Time Conditions
7 March 1998 Robert Hamilton 0800-1130 clear; sunny; still; -70 - 78 °F
25 May 1998 David Bramlet 0900-1100 not noted
2 June 1998 Robert Hamilton 1200-1300 clear; sunny; wind -8 mph SW; -75 °F
P.O. Box 961 -/ 20611 %z Sycamore Drive -/ Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 v
�I (774) 459 -2875 (Phone /Fax) —,�— ro66ham(aflash. Piet -/
•
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
RESULTS
•) Plant Communities
The project site consists of a grassy mesa bordered on the south by a native coastal sage scrub
restoration effort, on the east and west by road edges and associated ornamental plantings (in
places), and on the northby native coastal sage scrub and two drainages supporting cat -tail marsh
vegetation. A total of 42 native and 61 non - native species were detected on the site during the field
surveys. The following paragraphs discuss these communities, and their characteristic species, in
greater detail.
ANNUAL GRASSLAND & SEASONAL WETLANDS
The mesa, which accounts for approximately half of this parcel, is vegetated primarily with non-
native grasses and forbs, interspersed with native forbs and sub - shrubs. Considering the site's
location and the species composition, it is likely that the entire mesa was mechanically disturbed
in the past. Dominant and locally prevalent non - native species include brome grasses (Bromus
diandrus, B. mollis, B. madritensis ssp. rebus), wild oats (Avena spp.), filarees (Erodiuni spp.),
Bermuda- Buttercup (Oxalis pes- caprae), and Black Mustard (Brassica nigra); native species well
represented in the site's annual grasslands include Cudweed Aster (Lessingia filaginifolia), Sand
Peppergrass (Lepid ium lasiocarpum), Rigid Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii), Big Gumplant (Grindelia
camporam), Telegraph Weed (Heterotheca grand flora), and Deer Weed (Lotus scoparius). Vernal
Barley (Hordeum intercedens), a sensitive species, occurs in bare loamy -clay areas on the mesa.
• Two seasonal ponds exist within the site's annual grasslands. The larger of the ponds is at the
mesa's northeast comer and covers approximately 0.2 acre. This pond contained water to a
maximum depth of approximately six inches during the 7 March 1998 site survey, but had dried
by 25 May. The second pond is found along the western edge of the mesa, near the intersection of
Avocado and Farallon, and covers approximately 0.1 acre. This pond contained water to a
maximum depth of approximately eight inches during the 7 March 1998 site visit, but this pool also
had dried by 25 May. These seasonal ponds support a variety of native and non - native plant
species adapted to wetland conditions, including Pale Spike -Rush (Eleocltaris palustris), Woolly
Marbles (Psilocarphus brevissimus), Vernal Barley, Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius), Curly Dock (Rionex
crispus), and Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia).
Finally, a seasonally wet swale runs east and west near the southern edge of the mesa; we did not
observe surface water within this Swale, but the swale supports African Umbrella -Sedge (Cyperus
alternifolius), a species adapted to wetland conditions.
CAT -TAIL MARSH
Cat -tail marshes are found in two perennial drainages that are fed by urban runoff in the northern
portion of the site. The site's principal drainage runs east and west, and supports a fairly extensive
stand of emergent vegetation, mostly Slender Cat -tail (Typha angustifolia). Also present here are
numerous large specimens of Pampas Grass (Cortad eria sell oana) and some shrubby Arroyo Willows
.� (Salix lasiolepis). Approximately half of the emergent vegetation was removed from this drainage
Robert A. Hamilton, Cauulting Biologist
in February 1998 and stacked near its western terminus. To the north is a north -south trending
tributary to the principal drainage; this drainage supports a stringer of cat - tails. Together, these cat-
tail marshes appear to cover between 0.5 and 1.0 acre. •
COASTAL SAGE SCRUB
Native coastal sage scrub covers much of the northern half of the site. This community is
dominated by California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) and California Sunflower (Encelia
californica), with smaller amounts of Deer Weed, California Buckwheat ( Eriogomum fasciculatuni),
Saw - toothed Goldenbush (Hazardia squarrosa), Coastal Prickly -Pear (Opuntia littoralis), Lemonade
Berry (Rhos integrifolia), Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis), and California WishboneBush (Mirabilis
'californica). These native shrubs provide approximately 80 to 100 percent cover in most areas, but
are being encroached upon by invasive exotic species, particularly Hottentot -Fig (Carpobrotus
edulis) and Myoporum (Myoporum laehtm).
The cut -slope at the southern edge of the mesa (behind the Newport Beach Public Library building)
is being restored to a coastal sage scrub community comprised mainly of Black Sage (Salvia
mellifera), California Sagebrush, California Sunflower, Island Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande),
Interior Flat- topped Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciatlatum var. foliolosum), and Buff Monkeyflower
(Minudus aurantiacus). Scattered specimens of ceanothus (Ceanotluis sp.) are also present. This
habitat is perhaps a year or two from reaching full maturity, as the plants are now mostly two to
three feet tall.
ORNAMENTAL PLANTINGS •
Manufactured slopes along Avocado Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard have been planted with
non - native ornamental groundcover, including Golden Wattle (Acacia pycantita), African Daisy
(Dintorphotheca sinuata), and Sweet- Alyssum (Lobularia niaritinta). Sweet - Alyssum, known to be an
invasive exotic weed in southern California and elsewhere, is expanding somewhat into openings
in the adjacent coastal sage scrub community.
Wildlife
This section discusses only vertebrate wildlife species observed during the site visits; it was beyond
the scope of this preliminary survey to attempt to identify species with potential to occur on the
site.
REPTILES
Two reptile species were observed: Side - blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) and Western Skink
(Eunieces skiltonianus).
C�
J
Robert A. Namiltmr, Considting Biologist
BIRDS
Of the 26 native and one non - native bird species detected during the site surveys, most are
common residents such as the Red - tailed Hawk (Buteo janiaicensis), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte
anna), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), House Finch
(Carpodacus ntexicanus), and Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria). Winter visitors observed on the
site include the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)', Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), Orange -
crowned Warbler (Verntivora celata), Yellow - rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata), and White -
crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).
On 7 March and 2 June 1998, a pair of federally threatened Coastal California Gnatcatchers
(Polioptila californica californica) was observed in coastal sage scrub habitat located in the northeast
portion of the site; these sightings are described subsequently, in the Sensitive Species section.
MAMMALS
Two common native mammal species were detected during the field surveys: California Ground
Squirrel (Sperniophilus beecheyi) and Audubon Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii). Tracks of a canid,
possibly a Coyote (Canis latrans), were observed along a path on the mesa.
SENSITIVE SPECIES
Sensitive species are plants and animals that are endangered or rare, as those terms are used by
• CEQA and its Guidelines, or are of current local, regional or state concern. This section lists and
briefly discusses the status of each sensitive species that may occur on the site; for bird species,
potential for occurrence excludes migrants and rare winter visitors. Legal protection for sensitive
species varies widely, from the relatively comprehensive protection extended to listed threatened
and endangered species to no legal status at present. The California Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), local agencies, and special interest groups such
as the California Native P1antSociety (CNPS) publish watch lists of declining species; some of these
lists describe the general nature and perceived severity of the decline. In addition, recently
published findings and preliminary results of ongoing research provide a basis for consideration
of unlisted species. Finally, species that are not rare or threatened statewide or regionally, but
whose local populations are sparse, rapidly dwindling or otherwise unstable, may be considered
to be of "local interest."
The following paragraphs discuss two sensitive plant species and one sensitive wildlife species
detected during the course of the site surveys. Several additional sensitive species potentially occur
on the site, but analysis of these species is beyond the scope of this preliminary study.
• ' Observed in cat -tail marsh habitat.
4
Robert A. Hamilton, Consntting Biologist
Coulter's Saltbush (Atriplex coulteri)
Coulter's Saltbush is placed on California Native Plant Society (CNPS) List 113, which includes •
species considered by CNPS to be rare or endangered in California and elsewhere. This low,
spreading perennial saltbush species is known to occurin coastal bluff and grassland habitats with
some alkalinity. Red stems and opposite leaves distinguish Coulter's Saltbush from the more
common, introduced Australian Saltbush. This species is distributed from Los Angeles County,
east to San Bernardino County and south to Baja California. It is most commonly found on the
Channel Islands. In Orange County this species has been recorded from Laguna Beach, Pelican
Hill, Signal Hill, Trabuco Canyon and Cristianitos Canyon.
On 25 May 1998, David Bramlet detected one specimen of Coulter's Saltbush on a bare, eroding
slope in the southeast portion of the mesa, growing with Vernal Barley and the introduced
Australian Saltbush (Atriplex sentibaccata).
Vernal Barley (Hordeum intercedens)
This annual grass is placed on CNPS List 3, a review list of plants suggested by CNPS for
consideration as endangered but about which more information is needed. This species was
recently added to this review list due to the continued declines in preferred habitat, the limited
collections, and general lack of knowledge related to the difficulty of identifying this grass.
Vernal Barley is known from scattered collections throughout a range that extends from San .
Francisco to Kern County, extending south into Baja California and onto the Channel Islands. In
southern California, Vernal Barley is generally known from Riverside County, where it occurs on
the Santa Rosa Plateau and in alkali sink grasslands along the San Jacinto River and west of Hemet.
In San Diego, Vernal Barley is found adjacent to vernal pools on Otay Mesa, extending northward
to Camp Pendleton. This species was only recently recorded in Orange County, where it has been
recorded at vernal pools in Costa Mesa (Fairview Park) and clay soil habitats at the U.C. Irvine
Ecological Reserve, near Quail Hill (Irvine), and at several locales near the county's southern
border.
On 25 May 1998, David Bramlet detected limited numbers of Vernal Barley (fewer than 100 plants)
in bare loamy -clay areas on the mesa, and in the site's seasonally wet ponds.
Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Pohoptila californica californica)
The Coastal California Gnatcatcher is a federally threatened bird species that is considered a
California Species of Special Concern. This species formerly occupied coastal sage scrub and coastal
bluff scrub communities from Ventura County south to northwestern Baja California. It is now
absent from much of its former range. In Orange County, Coastal California Gnatcatchers occupy
coastal sage scrub and similar native associations on gentle to moderate slopes south and east of
the Santa Ana River. The major populations are located near the coast, in the Fullerton Hills, on the
coastal slope of Loma Ridge and in the southern foothills.
•
5
Robert A. Namiltou, Consulting Biologist
On 7March 1998, I observed a pair of Coastal California Gnatcatchers in coastal sage scrub habitat
located in the northeast portion of the site (see attached map). I followed the male for over an hour,
and during brief views of the secretive female, I could see that she was carrying nesting material.
On 2 June 1998, I observed this pair again for approximately 10 minutes, and did not detect any
juveniles.
DISCUSSION
Although this open space parcel is physically isolated from larger open space areas and shows
evidence of past disturbance, it retains a mosaic of habitats that includes seasonal and perennial
wetlands, coastal sage scrub and grasslands. The site's wetland and coastal sage scrub communities
are subject to specific state and federal resource protection laws.
The site's plant communities provide habitat for a variety of native plants, reptiles, birds and
mammals. In particular, the presence of two biologically sensitive plant species, and attempted
nesting by a pair of Coastal California Gnatcatchers attests to the site's value as natural open space.
The presence of a Red - tailed Hawk on the site in early March suggests that this species nests in the
project vicinity and is likely to utilize the site during the breeding season. Thus, loss of this open
space area would likely represent a loss of foraging habitat for nesting raptors.
If the City is considering developmentof this parcel, I would offer the following recommendations:
•' Retain a competent, experienced biologist to conduct a full biological assessment of the parcel. This
should include mapping and quantifying the site's plant communities, analysis of the potential for
additional sensitive plant and animal species to occur on this parcel, and any appropriate focused
surveys. For example, the site's seasonal ponds should be sampled for fairy shrimps and rare
plants; although none were observed during the site surveys, these species are typically difficult
to detect except through a series of directed surveys over a period of several weeks.
Consult with the County of Orange and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to ensure that loss of occupied
California Gnatcatcher habitat is handled properly with respect to the Natural Communities
Conservation Plan (NCCP) for Central and Coastal Orange County. Rather than completing a full
set of six to nine California Gnatcatcher surveys, it may be possible to identify coastal sage scrub
on the site as occupied by nesting gnatcatchers, based on the results of this survey and perhaps one
or two additional follow -up surveys.
Delineate jurisdictional wetlands and consult with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding
potential impacts to cat -tail marsh habitat, seasonal ponds, and /or a seasonal swale.
Consultwith the California Department of Fish & Game regarding potential impacts tostreambeds
with defined bed and banks.
If the City considers swapping this land for one or more parcels located elsewhere in the City, it
•; would seem appropriate for such land to 1) presently be zoned for development (not open space),
ri
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
2) be of equal area to the subject parcel, and 3) support wetlands, sensitive plant species, and
coastal sage scrub occupied by nesting California Gnatcatchers. If any land considered for
swapping for the subject parcel includes degraded plant communities, then restoration with •
appropriate, locally native species should be required prior to removal of habitat from the subject
parcel.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the planning process for this interesting piece of
land. If you have any questions regarding this report, or wish to further discuss any issues, please
call me at (949) 459 -2875 or send e-mail to robbham@flash.net.
Sincerely,
IW 1
Robert A. Hamilton
Consulting Biologist
Attachments: Map Showing Location of California Gnatcatcher Nesting Pair
Appendix A - Plant Species Observed
Appendix B - Wildlife Species Observed
•
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7
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W
.ocation of California Gnatcatcher Pair- Newport Fashion Island Open Spaci
Streets98
Copyright 0 1988.1997. Microsolt Corporation aaWor its suppliers. NI rights reserved. Please visit our wee Site at httpJ/meps.evpedia.com. Page t
Robert A. Hamilton, Considting Biologist
APPENDIX A
PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED •
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE PARCEL AT NEWPORT FASHION ISLAND
The following plant species were detected on the project site during the current study.
" Introduced species
ANTHOPHYTA: DICOTYLEDONES DICOT FLOWERING PLANTS
Aizoaceae Carpet -Weed Family
" Carpobrohis edulis Hottentot -Fig
" Mesentbnjanthemunt nodiftrunt Small- flowered Ice Plant
Amaranthaceae Amaranth Family
" Amaranthus albus Tumbling Pigweed
Apiaceae Carrot Family
Daunts pusillus Rattlesnake Weed
Foenicuhmt vulgare Sweet Fennel
Asteraceae
Sunflower Family
Artentisia californica
California Sagebrush
Baccliaris pilularis ssp. consanguinea
Coyote Brush
Baccharis salicifolia
Mulefat
Carduus pycnocephalus
Italian Thistle •
Centaurea ntelitensis
Tocalote
Chnttsanthenumt corouatum
Garland Chrysanthemum
Conyza canadensis
Common Horseweed
Cotula coronopifolia
African Brass - Buttons
" Dintorpltotheca sinuata
African Daisy
Encelia californica
California Encelia
Filago californica
California Filago
" Filago gallica
Narrow - leaved Filago
" Gazania linearis
Gazania
Gnaphalium beneolens
Fragrant Everlasting
Grindelia camporunt
Big Gumplant
" Hedypnois cretica
Crete Hedypnois
Hemizonia fasciculata
Fascicled Tarweed
Heterotheca grandiflora
Telegraph Weed
" Hypochoeris glabra
Smooth Cat's Ear
Isocoma ntenziesii
Coastal Goldenbush
Lessingia filaginifolia
Cudweed Aster
Psilocarphus brevissfntus
Woolly Marbles
" Sonchus asper
Prickly Sow - Thistle
" Sonchus oleracetts
Common Sow - Thistle
Stepltanonteria virgata
Tall Stephanomeria
•
Boraginaceae
Amsinckia menziesii
Heliotropium curassavicum ssp. oculatum
Brassicaceae
* Brassica nigra
• Coronopusdidymus
• Hirsclifeldia incana
Lepidium lasiocarpum
• Lobularia maritima
Rapltanus sativus
Cactaceae
Opuntia littoralis
Capparaceae
Isomeris arborea
Caryophyllaceae
* Polycarpon tetrapltyllum
* Spergula arvensis
Spergularia marina
Chenopodiaceae
Atriplex coulteri
* Atriplex semibaccata
* Chenopodium murale
* Salsola tragus
Convolvulaceae
Calystegia macrostegia ssp. intermedia
* Convolvuhts arvensis
Crassulaceae
Crassula connata
Cucurbitaceae
Cucurbita foetidissima
Marah macrocarpus
Euphorbiaceae
Chamaesyce serpyll ifol is
Eremocarpus setiger
Fabaceae
* Acacia pycantha
Lotus hamatus
Lotus scoparius
• Lotus unifoliolatus
Lupinus bicolor
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
Borage Family
Rigid Fiddleneck
Salt Heliotrope
Mustard Family
Black Mustard
Lesser Wart -Cress
Shortpod Mustard
Sand Peppergrass
Sweet - Alyssum
Wild Radish
Cactus Family
Coastal Prickly -Pear
Caper Family
Bladderpod
Pink Family
Four - leaved Polycarp
Corn Spurrey
Salt Marsh Sand Spurry
Goosefoot Family
Coulter's Saltbush
Australian Saltbush
Nettle - leaved Goosefoot
Russian - Thistle
Morning -glory Family
Short -lobed Morning -Glory
Field Bindweed
Stonecrop Family
Pigmy Sand Weed
Gourd Family
Coyote Gourd
Wild Cucumber
Spurge Family
Thyme - leaved Spurge
Doveweed
Pea Family
Golden Wattle
San Diego Lotus
Coastal Deerweed
Spanish Lotus
Bicolored Lupine
A -2
• Medicago polymorpha var. polymorpha
• Mehlotus indica
Geraniaceae
* Erodium botrys
* Erodium cicutarium
Lamiaceae
Salvia mellifera
Lythraceae
* Lythrum hyssopifolium
Myoporaceae
* Myoporum laetum
Myrtaceae
* Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Onagraceae
* Oenothera sp.
Oxalidaceae
* Oxalis pes- caprae
Plantaginaceae
* Plantago coronopus
* Plantago erecta ssp. californica
Plumbaginaceae
* Limonium perezii
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
Bur - Clover
Yellow Sweetclover
Geranium Family
Long- beaked Filaree
Red - stemmed Filaree
Mint Family
Black Sage
Loosestrife Family
Grass Poly
Myoporum Family
Myoporum
Myrtle Family
River Red Gum
Evening- Primrose Family
Evening - Primrose (planted)
Wood - sorrel Family
Bermuda- Buttercup
Plantain Family
Cut -leaf Plantain
California Plantain
Leadwort Family
Perez's Sea - Lavender (planted)
Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family
• Eriogonum grande Island Buckwheat (planted)
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum Interior Flat- topped Buckwheat
• Polygonum arenastrum Yard Knotweed
• Rumex crispus Curly Dock
Primulaceae
* Anagallis arvensis
Rhamnaceae
* Ceanothus sp.
Salicaceae
Salix lasiolepis
Scrophulariaceae
Mimulus aurantiacus
Primrose Family
Scarlet Pimpernel
Buckthorn Family
ceanothus (planted)
Willow Family
Arroyo Willow
Figwort Family
Bush Monkeyflower
A -3
•
•
•
•1
Robert A. Hami /ton, Considting Biologist
Solanaceae Nightshade Family
• Nicotfana glauca Tree Tobacco
• Solanum americanum Small- flowered Nightshade
ANGIOSPERMAE: MONOCOTYLEDONAE MONOCOT FLOWERING PLANTS
Cyperaceae Sedge Family
* Cyperusalternifolius African Umbrella -Sedge
Cypents eragrostis Tall Umbrella -Sedge
Eleocliaris palustris Pale Spike -Rush
Juncaceae Rush Family
Juncus bttfonius Toad Rush
Poaceae
Grass Family
* Avena barbata
Slender Wild Oat
* Avena fatita
Common Wild Oat
* Bradtypodiuni distachyon
Purple False Brome
* Bronnis diandrus
Common Ripgut Grass
* Bronnts hordeaceus
Soft Chess
* Bronuts niadritensis ssp. rubens
Foxtail Chess
* Cortaderia selloana
Selloa Pampas Grass
• Cynodon dactylon
Bermuda Grass
Hordeum intercedens
Vernal Barley
• Hordeum nutrinum ssp. leporinuni
Hare Barley
Nassella sp.
Needlegrass
* Paspaluni dilatatuni
Dallis Grass
* Poa annita
Annual Bluegrass
• Polypogon nionspeliensis
Rabbitfoot Grass
• Scltisnuis barbatus
Mediterranean Schismus
• Setaria puntila
Yellow Bristlegrass
* Vulpia niyuros
Foxtail Fescue
Typhaceae Cat -tail Family
Typha domingensis Slender Cat -Tail
Taxonomy and scientific nomenclature follows Hickman (1993)'; common names primarily follow
Roberts (1998)'.
'Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of
California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles.
'Roberts, F. M. Jr. 1998. A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Orange County, California,
•� Second Edition. F. M. Roberts Publications, Encinitas.
A -4
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
APPENDIX B
WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED •
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE PARCEL AT NEWPORT FASHION ISLAND
The following reptiles, birds and mammals were detected in the study area during the current
study. Presence may be noted if a species is seen or heard, or identified by the presence of tracks,
scat or other signs.
*Introduced species
REPTILIA REPTILES
Iguanidae Iguanid Lizards
Uta stansburiana Side - blotched Lizard
Scincidae Skinks
Eumeces skiltonianus Western Skink
AVES
BIRDS
Cathartidae
New World Vultures
Cathartes aura
Turkey Vulture
Accipitridae
Hawks
Buteo lineatus
Red - shouldered Hawk
Buteo janiaicensis
Red - tailed Hawk
•
Scolopacidae
Sandpipers
Gallinago gallinago
Common Snipe
Columbidae
Pigeons, Doves
Zenaida macroura
Mourning Dove
Trochilidae Hummingbirds
Calypte anna Anna's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin Allen's Hummingbird
Tyrannidae Tyrant Flycatchers
Sayornis nigricans Black Phoebe
Corvidae Jays, Crows
Corpus brachyrhynchos American Crow
Corpus corax Common Raven
Monarchidae Monarch Flycatchers
Catharus guttatus Hermit Thrush
Aegithalidae Bushtits
Psaltriparus ntinintus Bushtit
•
Troglodytidae
Thryontanes bewickii
Cistothonts palustris
Sylviidae
Polioptila californica
Regulidae
Regulus calendula
Mimidae
Mimus polyglottos
Parulidae
Vermivora celata
Dendroica coronata
Geothlypis trichas
Emberizidae
Pipilo crissalis
Melospiza nielodia
Melospiza lincohtii
Zonotrichia lettcophrys
Fringillidae
Carpodacus niexicanus
• Carduelis psaltria
Passeridae
* Passer doniesticus
MAMMALIA
Leporidae
Sylvilagus audubonii
Sciuridae
Sperniophilus beecheyi
Robert A. Hamilton, Consulting Biologist
Wrens
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Old World Warblers, Gnatcatchers
California Gnatcatcher
Kinglets, Gnatcatchers, Thrushes, Babblers
Ruby - crowned Kinglet
Thrashers
Northern Mockingbird
Wood Warblers
Orange- crowned Warbler
Yellow - rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Sparrows and Buntings
California Towhee
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White- crowned Sparrow
Finches
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
MAMMALS
Hares, Rabbits
Audubon Cottontail
Squirrels
California Ground Squirrel
Taxonomy and nomenclature follow Stebbins (1966)', American Ornithologists' Union (1983)2 and
Ingles (1965)'.
'Stebbins, R.C. 1966. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin,
Boston.
2American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Check -list of North American Birds, sixth edition.
Washington, D.C. and supplements through the 41" (1997).
•) ' Ingles, L.G. 1965. Mammals of the Pacific States. Stanford University Press.
!EM