Towne Park Estates Subdivision Phase II ENVIRONMENTAL NARRATIVE October 21, 2014 Submitted to: Submitted by: Horner Environmental Professionals, Inc. 4252 Hay Road Lutz, Florida 33559 HEP
TOWNE PARK ESTATES PHASE II ENVIRONMENTAL NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION The Towne Park Estates project is a vacant property located in Sections 8 & 9, Township 29 South, Range 23 East in Lakeland,. The subject property is comprised of 147.98 acres and is located south of W. Pipkin Road on the western side of White Egret Lane. The purpose of the project is development of residential lots, access roads and infrastructure as a continuation of the residential development already existing toward the east. This continuation is proposed as submitted by Hamilton Engineering and Surveying Inc. The property contains ±87.10 acres of uplands which is primarily cattle pasture. It also contains ±59.76 acres of wetlands and surface waters. According to the Soil Survey of Hillsborough County, the underlying soils primarily consist of Pomona fine sand, Holopaw fine sand, depressional, Floridana mucky fine sand, depressional, Basinger mucky fine sand, depressional, and water. Please See Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. EXISTING CONDITIONS Wildlife A search of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) records indicates that there are no bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests within 3.0 miles of the project site. Suitable habitat exists on the property for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), however, during several site visits no gopher tortoise burrows were observed. Upland Habitat The property has been historically used for agricultural purposes and cattle pasture. Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) is the dominant groundcover with a presence of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), brushy broom grass (Andropogon glomeratus) and other ruteral species. Wetlands and Surface Waters Wetland A Wetland A is a 4.41 acre freshwater marsh located on the southwestern portion of the property. It primarily contains smartweeds (Polygonum spp.) and soft rush (Juncus effusus). Saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and Brizilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) are also present within Wetland A. Wetland B Wetland B comprises the majority of the wetland acreage on the property and has been historically altered to increase drainage toward the west. Wetland B is a 20.18 acre freshwater marsh located throughout the central portion of the property. It primarily contains smartweeds (Polygonum spp.) and soft rush (Juncus effusus). Saltbush, wax myrtle and Brizilian pepper are also present within Wetland B. Historic ditching throughout Wetland B is evident.
Wetland H Wetland H is a 0.62 acre shrubby freshwater marsh that contains water oak (Quercus nigra), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), wax myrtle and soft rush. Wetland H is located on the southern border of the property. Wetland I Wetland I is an isolated, 0.35 acre freshwater marsh located in the southern portion of the property and contains soft rush. Wetland/Surface Water Q Surface Water Q is a small 0.57 acre upland cut ditch that primarily contains soft rush and Bahia grass. PROPOSED CONDITIONS The Applicant proposes to develop the subject property in accordance with the construction plans submitted by Hamilton Engineering and Surveying that this environmental report is accompanying (Please see: Towne Park Estates Construction Plans). The overall project seeks to construct a residential development with necessary facilities, infrastructure and access roads. Wetland and Surface Water Impacts The project proposes to impact 0.57 acres of upland cut surface waters (Wetland Impact Q1) and 0.35 acres of isolated freshwater marsh (Wetland Impact I1) for the installation of access roads, associated infrastructure and the finish grading for development of residential lots. Temporary wetland impacts area also proposed for re-grading of existing stormwater pond banks to accommodate the project goals (Please see OSW 1A, OSW 3A, OSW 5A and Temporary Impact B1). Wetland Impact Avoidance, Minimization and Justification The project proposes to avoid the majority of wetlands located within the property boundaries with the exception of two small areas that that are unavoidable for reasonable developmental use of the property. The location and orientation of the proposed impacts present a scenario that effectively cuts off access to developable uplands on the property. Circulation and continuity are essential to construct the property as proposed and impact to the low quality ditched and small, isolated remnant wetland and surface water areas was determined to be the most efficient method to provide project continuity while minimizing wetland and other environmental impacts. WETLAND MITIGATION No mitigation is proposed due to the small size, poor quality and lack of desirable habitat value to fish and wildlife of the proposed impacts.
0 300 600 Sources: Esri, DeLorme, HERE, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom Date: 03/05/2014 Drawn by: AN Source: ESRI 1,200 Towne Park Estates Subdivision Figure 1: Location Map
0 150 300 Date: 04/04/2014 Drawn by: AN Source: ESRI 600 Towne Park EstatesSubdivision Figure 2: 2011 Aerial Photograph
Soil Types Soil Types Basinger mucky fine sand, depressional Floridana mucky fine sand, depressional Holopaw fine sand, depressional Pomona fine sand Samsula muck Water 0 150 300 Date: 04/04/2014 Drawn by: AN Source: SWFWMD 600 Towne Park Estates Subdivision Figure 3: Soils Map
0 375750 1,500 Date: 04/04/2014 Drawn by: AN Source: LABINS Towne Park Estates Subdivision Figure 4: USGS Nichols Quadrangle Map